The Problem with True Crime (Issue #33)
This week I’m coming to you with a HUGE announcement 🎉
Before we begin, quick heads-up that this weekend is your final chance to complete our reader survey and enter for your chance to win one of three $20 American Express gift cards!! The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete, and your answers will help us make this issue even better. Check out the survey here, and thanks sooo much in advance for your feedback. <3
Hi friends!
I’m coming to you today with an announcement that feels surreal to type out even now:
Today, for the first time in more than two years, I released a brand new, full-length episode of my podcast, Truer Crime. But to fully understand the importance of this day, I need to give you a little backstory…
Three years ago, almost to the day, I learned that my entire life savings was stolen from me, and my life course changed forever. It was a day I cynically termed my “fraudiversary,” after discovering that my financial advisor, who claimed to be investing my money, was taking it as his own. Before I knew it, I was on the phone with federal investigators, unspinning the web of lies myself and more than twenty other clients were told over three years. I didn’t know it then, but getting defrauded would spur me to create the work I am most proud of today.
In a haze of grief, confusion, and fear, I coped with this trauma in a pretty unexpected way — binging a shit-ton of true crime podcasts. My husband Andrew was on winter break, and I was taking a few weeks off from work, so I flew through hours of content. I listened in the car, I listened with my friends, I listened while doing cat puzzles, I listened in the shower – I listened basically everywhere. These stories felt important to me, and it seemed meaningful to hold space for them. And yet, so often while listening, I sensed that something was off. For the first time, I was hearing these stories from my newfound perspective as a crime victim. I was flooded with so many questions – Does the story really end with a headline arrest or a guilty verdict? How can we *actually* support victims? And what if the perpetrator, the criminal, is the government? The *same* government that decides what counts as crime in the first place. What does justice *really* mean? And who is it *really* for?
So I did what I think a lot of us might do: I paused whatever show-of-the-moment that was pissing me off and complained to my husband about all the things missing from the genre. And one evening, after what was probably my millionth rant, Andrew asked me a question that changed my life forever – “Why don’t you just start your own true crime podcast?” A lightbulb went off. Why don’t I? Suddenly, I sprung into action, texting my best friend (who also works with me on my businesses) with what I had decided was my best idea to date.
And just like that, my podcast was born. Truer Crime. My baby. This show allowed me to make meaning from something that felt so impossibly unfair at the time. In an energetic whirlwind of grief, I created season one of the show at breakneck speed. With the support of my family and friends, I put it out into the world and hoped for the best. And what I got back was so much more than I ever imagined. The podcast found an audience, with thousands of folks who got exactly what I was trying to do. They, too, saw the need for a show that told true crime stories with care and compassion. A show that saw the value of the genre and its potential to spur action.
Season one gave my life the kind of joy and meaning that only ever comes from creating. But working on a season two felt harder than ever. These episodes take an incredible amount of time and energy, and making a show is expensive! That whirlwind of energy I rode on the tails of my grief had shifted. I knew that to make the show better, to put out something I was really proud of, I needed help. And then I met TenderfootTV, a podcast network I’d already admired for their work on shows like Up and Vanished and Dear Alana. And they immediately got the vision. They had a history of making incredible shows about nuanced topics. Their production quality was killer, and their music elevated the emotionality and complexity of the stories they told. It was the right partner for Truer Crime.
And so today, I’m happy to share that the whirlwind of energy is back. But instead of grief, I feel powered by gratitude and excitement. And while we’re hard at work on season two, I just couldn’t wait any longer to share this new iteration of Truer Crime with you.
So, starting today December 15th, and continuing through the end of December, I’m sharing three brand-new episodes (one each Friday). This isn’t a full season 2 just yet, but it’s three full episodes to give you a taste of what’s to come.
To get a better feel for the show and these new episodes, you can check out the trailer here.
The first episode, Mindy Dodd, is out now, and you can listen to it here on Apple Podcasts and here on Spotify.
Here’s the description:
If you consume a lot of true crime, you might have heard Mindy’s story before. Or at least one like it – the classic story of a housewife who, pushed too far, snaps and murders her husband. The scary music swells and the story ends neatly. The housewife locked away. But what if that’s not the whole picture? Today’s episode is about the muddy middle that’s so often left out.
Thank you soooo much for all of your support through everything I do. Also, if you have a few minutes, it would mean so much if you left Truer Crime a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are hugely important to the success of a show, and writing a few words is a great way to support the amplification of these stories.
Okay, now back to more standard Sincerely, Celisia fare! It probably won’t come as a surprise that today’s theme is true crime, highlighting media, organizations, and resources amplifying important stories and supporting real victims and survivors.
One more thing! On Monday, I’ll be removing the usual P.S. paywall to feature an interview with another incredible True Crime media creator, Laurah Norton. Her new book, LAY THEM TO REST, is out now, and I’ll be giving away a copy to one lucky reader!! So make sure you don’t miss Monday’s issue to enter for your chance to win!
Now onto our regularly scheduled recommendations!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Podcast: Truer Crime *BONUS* The Real Impacts of True Crime Media w/ Sarah Turney
In 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and with no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and that she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started Voices for Justice as a way to tell Alissa’s story. On this bonus episode of Truer Crime, I had the honor of chatting with Sarah about her experiences and what she’s learned along the way as both a victim’s family member and a true crime media creator herself. I hope you take some time to listen, and in the meantime check out Sarah on TikTok:
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Movie: Another Body
This documentary recently caught my eye and has been nominated for several awards, including the SXSW Grand Jury Award, and two British Independent Film Awards. According to the description, the film “follows a college student's search for justice after she discovers deepfake pornography of herself circulating online.” It’s a concept that seems relatively unexplored in the true crime media space, and one I’m interested in learning more about.
Movie: Killers of the Flower Moon
Set in 1920’s Oklahoma and based on the non-fiction book by the same name, this new true crime movie is Martin Scorsese’s take on the genre. The film has beautiful cinematography, and I’ve heard great things so far! Here’s the description: “Real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal as Mollie Burkhart, a member of the Osage Nation, tries to save her community from a spree of murders fueled by oil and greed.”
Book: *Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope by Patty Wetterling with Joy Baker
In October of 1969, eleven-year-old Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped at gunpoint from the small town of St. Joseph, Minnesota. As someone who grew up in Minnesota, it’s a story I’ve long been familiar with and one that’s shaped the movement to combat the problem of missing and exploited children across the county. This book, written by Jacob’s mom, “shares the untold story of the 27-year search for her son Jacob – and its astonishing conclusion.”
Since I opened today’s issue with Truer Crime’s origin story (a.k.a. an abridged version of the time I got robbed), I want to introduce you to….
A selection of items I highly recommend for anyone who is reeling from being robbed (also suitable and helpful for people who weren’t robbed but are generally having a bad day).
Contents include: A cat puzzle (I personally like this one and this one). | A heated shoulder wrap like this one or this one for the little ones in your life. | This candle that you can light to smell the money flowing back to you. | A heated blanket like *this cute patterned one, or this neutral one that I actually own. | This cute mug for tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or cider (booze to spike your drink optional). | Skip the bath bombs and opt for *shower steamers | This serum for eyes that are tired and puffy (from crying, lmao) | Comfy socks |
Things to try + share in the group chat.
If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift that also does good, check out Gifted by freeform. FreeFrom’s vision is “a world in which all survivors are able to build the wealth and financial security necessary to support their individual, intergenerational, and community healing—enabling them to thrive.” Gifted is FreeFrom’s shop, built and operated by survivors, providing them with stable employment and resources to support their healing. Through Gifted, you can purchase a range of high-quality apparel, body oils, candles, soaps, and more!
Another great option for last-minute gifts with a similar mission is the People’s Pottery Project. Their mission is “to employ and empower formerly incarcerated women, trans and non-binary individuals through paid job training, access to a healing community, and meaningful employment in our collective non-profit ceramic business.” I’ve purchased pottery from there before and love it!
Before I go, I want to make sure you didn’t miss the bonus Sincerely, Celisia issue that paid subscribers got this past Monday:
This week, I’m helping you avoid wasting money on new, yet ultimately disappointing, seasonal items by highlighting the top eight Trader Joe’s holiday items I’ve tried this year. Whether you’re looking for the best holiday decorations that are worth the investment or the perfect dessert to bring to a holiday party, this list has plenty of options for all your needs!!
Thanks, as always, for reading and supporting all my endeavors (from this newsletter to Truer Crime and beyond)!!
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