Crisis & Consequences
Crisis & Consequences is a true crime podcast with a purpose, where we step out of our daily lives and dive into murder stories and the complicated humans behind them.
Hosted by Charity Doyle, each episode blends storytelling, dark humor, and real conversation — because sometimes the best way to understand crisis is by getting lost in a really good crime story.
All proceeds support OneHeart’s mission to empower people to overcome crisis and achieve self-sustainability.
Charity Doyle tackles life’s challenges and lifts hearts with equal measures of grit, grace, and big ideas. Engineer by training and leader by nature, Charity didn’t just help create OneHeart—she project-managed it into existence, then became its first CEO, steering the mission of empowering people to overcome crisis and achieve self-sustainability.
When she’s not strengthening communities, Charity is founding ventures like FOQUS, a smarter hiring platform that helps employers and jobseekers cut through the noise. Her career reads like a “let’s make things better” playlist, from tutoring youth in detention programs to serving on executive boards across health, professional student life, and entertainment sectors.
In the Crisis & Consequences studio, Charity brings the heart, humor, and curiosity that make even the darkest true crime stories engaging. She balances big laughs with thoughtful insights, helping listeners understand the human complexities behind crime while staying connected to the show’s mission of purpose-driven impact. With Charity at the mic, expect honesty, energy, and a podcast that’s anything but ordinary.
Karabeth “KB” joins the Crisis & Consequences podcast studio alongside Charity to explore the dark, twisted, and sometimes downright baffling stories of human behavior—with heart, humor, and a healthy dose of curiosity.
KB wears many hats (and sometimes a headset): she’s the Brand & Marketing Director for OneHeart and its family of mission-driven ventures—including this podcast, HomeBrew Coffee Shop, and FOQUS, a smarter hiring platform. Since day one, she’s helped shape OneHeart’s voice, share its impact, and spotlight the resilience of the people it serves.
Known for her quick wit, thoughtful creativity, and talent for finding humor in the darkest corners, KB brings a light touch to heavy stories. She’s here to ask the questions, offer perspective, and keep the conversation engaging—sometimes funny, sometimes haunting, but always real.
Episodes
Aug 2, 2024
Aug 2, 2024
57 min
In June 2003, police in the UK respond to a report of a stabbing in an alleyway. The victim is a 14-year-old boy, the reporting person is his 16-year-old friend, and the perpetrator is described as a man in a hoodie, but video evidence later proves no such man exists.
The events leading up to this true crime are more bizarre than most soap opera story lines – with tales from a teen chatroom that include love, spies, secret codes, kidnapping, murder, and much more. Did anyone escape alive? Find out on this edition of The Escape Pod!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 1:33 Escaping a fast ... and slow traffic
Topic #2 9:37 Introduction to a “bonkers” of a story
Topic #3 19:22 Introduction to best friend “Mark”
Topic #4 26:30 Red Flag #1: A person claiming to be a spy joins the chatroom
Topic #5 36:02 Mark gets his first big “assignment,” and it’s a doozy!
Topic #6 52:26 Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2005/02/bachrach200502
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/3758209.stm
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/boy-planned-own-murder-on-internet-1110229
Casefile Presents 12/22/2018. Case 104: “Mark and John” https://podscripts.co/podcasts/casefile-true-crime/case-104-mark-john
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jul 26, 2024
Jul 26, 2024
54 min
Kids say the darnedest things? So do people coming out of crisis mode! Back by popular demand, podcast guest and OneHeart Transformation Director Chad Ratigan returns to the Escape Pod to share several true – and truly hilarious – comments he and his team have heard that came right out of left field.
DISCLAIMER: Content and language in this episode intended for a mature audience only. Also, these stories and comments are not shared to demean anyone, but – rather – to find a little “funny” in the extremely challenging work that is the human services field.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:13 Escaping heavy traffic, hurricanes, and “bugs”
Topic #2 8:27 Out of left field
Topic #3 28:09 Ghostly guest in the building? Leave no pregnant woman behind!
Topic #4 43:12 Raining cats and dogs? Not today!
Topic #5 50:25 Escapism, co-host-style!
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jul 19, 2024
Jul 19, 2024
44 min
In 2023, 92% of people responding to a survey on road rage said they had witnessed at least one act of road rage during the previous year. Some of these incidents end without consequence; others have fatal results.
On this episode of The Escape Pod, co-hosts Charity and Julie try to keep their cool as they take on a topic that gets almost every driver revved up at one point in time or another!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 9:23 Scary road rage stats
Topic #2 11:32 June 2017: A man jockeying for position on a Pennsylvania highway fires a gun at a teen driver
Topic #3 17:52 Co-hosts become “mama bears” when dealing with dangerous drivers
Topic #4 25:39 A woman waiting to make a left turn honks at the person in front of her and gets an unusual – but pretty hilarious – response
Topic #5 37:35 Road “rouge” explained!
Resources & Links
Vince Lattanzio. 12/13/2018. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/man-killed-teen-road-rage-shooting-sentenced/206687/
Ron Shaffer. 04/02/2000. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/04/03/a-strange-case-of-road-rage-with-a-lesson-learned/cc408818-59c8-4841-904b-ea64999a9dda/
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/road-rage-statistics/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
45 min
A child plays dead to escape his mother’s abusive grip; a woman plays dead and likely escapes a serial killer; a student plays dead to escape a gunman in her classroom. Conscious decision or simply the body’s primitive response to danger? On this episode of The Escape Pod, the co-hosts discuss true stories of people who “played possum” - pretending to be dead – to escape horrific situations and how, in these cases, that response was likely their key to survival.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 6:08 Co-hosts shares story of “freezing” in traumatic situation
Topic #2 16:53 10-year-old boy plays dead to escape his mom’s abuse
Topic #3 21:12 Shop owner plays dead to escape gunman
Topic #4 31:11 11-year-old plays dead to escape school shooter
Topic #5 37:55 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/10-year-old-boy-decided-to-play-dead-after-mom-allegedly-doused-him-with-bleach-and-tried-to-drown-him-in-bathtub-cops/
https://people.com/boy-played-dead-survive-alleged-drowning-attempt-mother-police-say-8639764
https://www.waaytv.com/news/sheffield-woman-indicted-on-aggravated-child-abuse-charge/article_18a8e744-117a-11ef-8ee2-b7485c7176c7.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-70_killer
https://nypost.com/2023/07/16/i-70-serial-killers-lone-survivor-played-dead-to-save-her-life/
https://www.firstalert4.com/2022/02/28/news-4-exclusive-possible-lone-survivor-i-70-serial-killer-speaks-up-after-30-years/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/us/robb-shooting-survivor-miah-cerrillo/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/uvalde-school-shooting-survivors-miah-cerrillo-khloie-torres-awarded-for-courage/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://www.escapepod.live
Want to ask a question, tell us a story or just general feedback? We would love to hear from you!
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jul 5, 2024
Jul 5, 2024
44 min
A teenager confesses to shooting a man outside a nightclub. A woman confesses to stabbing her elderly landlord to death. A man confesses to killing his father, even though he can’t remember doing it. Different situations, different cities, different years – all with one thing in common: in every case, the confession was coerced. Call it “crisis brain” in full force!
So ... how did these suspects escape their own false confessions? And how long did it take for the truth to come out? Find out in this episode of The Escape Pod!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 00:54
Escaping weird tics and terrifying drivers!
Topic #2 12:20
Wisconsin, 2018: An 18-year-old becomes a shooting suspect
Topic #3 18:15
New York, 1995: A tenant and would-be informant becomes the suspect in her landlord’s fatal stabbing
Topic #4 28:19
California, 2018: Man’s father goes for a walk but doesn’t return
Topic #5 38:01
Co-hosts' final thoughts on coerced confessions
Resources & Links
Tony Saavedra. May 23, 2024. https://www.sbsun.com/2024/05/23/fontana-pays-nearly-900000-for-psychological-torture-inflicted-by-police-to-get-false-confession/
KC Baker. May, 28, 2024. https://people.com/man-coerced-confessing-murdering-father-father-was-alive-8654832
https://www.birdsall-law.com/false-confessions-the-eddie-gill-case
https://www.forensicmag.com/609996-Coerced-Confession-Evidence-Withholding-Renay-Lynch-is-Exonerated-26-Years-Later/
https://innocenceproject.org/renay-lynch-is-exonerated-after-nearly-26-years-of-wrongful-conviction-in-buffalo-new-york/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
Want to share your story? Have a Question for us?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
1hr 7 min
Roughly 30 years ago, escape artist Teri and her husband were thrilled to become the new owners of a “really cute” house in central California when they successfully bid on a foreclosed property. Little did they know they already had house guests – the unwelcome kind known in legal terms as “squatters.”
In this episode of The Escape Pod, Teri offers up a hilarious account of their escape from the squatters. But first, co-host Charity explains the difference between squatting and trespassing and highlights a separate, more recent case in California – with much more serious consequences.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:30 While one co-host escapes a drunk driver, the other barely escapes a wave of Powerade rushing through her car.
Topic #2 15:20 Squatting vs. Trespassing
Topic #3 19:51 California, October 2021: A 71-year-old man is reported missing by a concerned neighbor; authorities start to investigate the woman living in his home.
Topic #4 39:44 Teri’s escape from squatters
Topic #5 58:50 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
Story Sources:
Brittny Mejia. March 18, 2024. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-03-18/she-sold-his-encino-home-out-from-under-him-for-1-5-million-then-he-killed-himself
Yaron Steinbuch. March 25, 2024. https://nypost.com/2024/03/25/us-news/squatter-left-dead-mans-body-in-luxury-la-home-in-elaborate-scheme-to-take-over-property/
March 18, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/west-hills-woman-who-disposed-one-victims-body-sentenced-20-years-federal-prison
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66735202/united-states-v-herrling/
Squatter Information:
Gemma Smith. November 21, 2023. https://www.azibo.com/blog/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-squatters#:~:text=Property%20owners%20and%20property%20managers,if%20they%20refuse%20to%20leave
https://www.steadily.com/blog/south-dakota-squatters-rights-laws#:~:text=What%20duration%20of%20occupancy%20is,10%2Dyear%20duration%20is%20required
Giulia Carbanero. March 26, 2024. https://www.newsweek.com/how-squatters-rights-compare-different-states-1883480
Vivian Tejada. March 8, 2024. https://www.azibo.com/blog/squatters-rights
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jun 21, 2024
Jun 21, 2024
1hr 10 min
A 12-year-old escape artist knocks on a neighbor’s door and politely requests that the man take him to a police station. Soon, the boy’s mom and her friend/therapist/business partner are arrested and charged with multiple counts of felony child abuse. But just a few years prior, this same mom was gaining notoriety (and 2.5 MILLION followers) on YouTube, in part, for her parenting style.
What happened?! How many steps are there between “disciplinarian” and straight-up “abuser”? Was the influencer being influenced in all the wrong ways? There’s plenty to discuss about this relatively recent true crime tragedy, so jump into the Escape Pod with co-hosts Julie and Charity, and – spoiler alert! - don’t bail early because this episode does, in fact, end on a funny note that ensures we keep the “comedy” in “traumedy.”
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains content about severe physical and emotional abuse committed against children.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:40 Co-host offers update on parental drama of her own
Topic #2 13:13 Introduction to “NOT Mother of the Year” Ruby Franke
Topic #3 21:50 A child’s escape leads to two women’s arrests
Topic #4 35:10 In custody, Ruby admits to many of her abusive acts
Topic #5 52:30 Where’s the kids’ dad?
Topic #6 1:03:35 Gigglefest 2024: Co-hosts react to one hubby’s hilarious reply to the question, “How much over par are you?”
Resources & Links
https://www.thecut.com/article/ruby-franke-utah-mommy-vlogger-pleads-guilty-to-child-abuse.html
https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/ruby-franke-sentence-child-abuse-mommy-vlogger-rcna139627
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Franke#:~:text=5%20References,Career,and%20amassed%201%20billion%20views
https://apnews.com/article/ruby-franke-youtube-child-abuse-sentencing-4f4985c1cab9243d4eaf8b6a58f087ed
Law and Crime Sidebar with Jesse Weber https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmO78ryTM1g and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ier97z_WRcM
https://wegotthiscovered.com/youtube/what-are-the-ages-of-ruby-frankes-kids/
https://www.google.com/search?q=ruby+franke&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS858US858&oq=ruby+fr&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgAEAAY4wIYsQMYgAQyDQgAEAAY4wIYsQMYgAQyCggBEC4YsQMYgAQyBggCEEUYOTINCAMQABiDARixAxiABDINCAQQABiDARixAxiABDINCAUQABiDARixAxiABDIGCAYQABgDMgYIBxBFGDyoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c2a5b6a0,vid:OoBAUOrtUds,st:0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGcpOhlKL_w
https://jodihildebrandt.com/reviews/
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/niece-jodi-hildebrandt-ruby-frankes-business-partner-speaks/story?id=103751750
https://pagesix.com/2023/09/12/niece-of-jodi-hildebrandt-claims-they-were-duct-taped-by-terrifying-aunt/
https://lawandcrime.com/sidebar-podcast/it-was-torture-niece-of-ruby-franke-supporter-jodi-hildebrandt-opens-up-about-alleged-child-abuse/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ruby-franke-jodi-hildebrandt-sentenced-child-abuse-youtube-eight-passengers/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
Contact us with your feedback or stories! We want to hear from you!!
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Jun 14, 2024
Jun 14, 2024
1 min
After many misdiagnoses, a teenage girl in Australia learns she has a rare type of cancerous tumor. She begins her search for anything that might help her escape it, including a regimented diet promoted by a social media influencer. The influencer, a beautiful young woman named Belle, says she beat cancer and numerous other ailments by detoxifying her body and strengthening her immune system, and her following grows quickly.
But Belle’s “wellness brand” starts to take its toll, and many of her followers report their health conditions getting worse, not better.
Have you escaped the influence of a deceptive social media influencer? Tell us about it at escapeartist@escapepod.live!
UPDATE: A co-worker briefly mentioned in this episode underwent surgery for brain tumors in late 2023, but – good news! - the tumors were NOT cancerous, and she continues to be an amazing co-worker today. Woohoo!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 1:03 Co-host escapes tornadoes in Tornado Alley!
Topic #2 11:52 Australia, 2013: 17yo is diagnosed with cancer
Topic #3 22:42 The truth about Belle is revealed, but why all the lies?
Topic #4 34:57 Belle’s victims respond
Topic #5 53:53 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gibson
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/belle-gibson-faked-cancer-wellness-influencer-b1102443.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9799359/Belle-Gibsons-victims-reveal-sucked-cancer-fakers-web-lies-toll.html
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/21/cancer-con-woman-belle-gibsons-home-raided-to-try-to-recoup-unpaid-fines
https://7news.com.au/news/bella-was-desperate-and-dying-then-she-came-across-fraudster-belle-gibson-c-12709384
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnUGxvwtjf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IBh9JTXmf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuBeV_fhsc
https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/co-occurring-disorders/pathological-liar-signs/#:~:text=In%20some%20cases%2C%20pathological%20lying,love%20and%20reassurance%20they%20crave.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/nightline-documentary-podcast-dropout-story-elizabeth-holmes-theranos/story?id=60365362
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Consider becoming a patron and supporting the show!
Your support will help our small 3-person podcast team offset the costs associated with writing, producing, and promoting the show. Any amount is sincerely appreciated. What's more, your support will help us do what we do best: help others escape and break unhealthy cycles on their way to better lives.
Choose from the options below:
C&C BFF!
$10per month
This patron level is for supporters who are all-in!
~Get a special shout-out on the show.
~Receive a hand-written thank you from the hosts with a special C&C sticker.
~Gain access to gated patron-only bonus content and ad-free episodes.
~Participate in our patrons-only Facebook page.
~Vote on future show topics.
GIVE $10
I LOVE C&C!
$5per month
This patron level is for supporters who are willing to give the monetary equivalent of a cup of coffee each month to support the costs associated with producing the show.
~Get a special shout-out on the show.
~Receive a hand-written thank you from the hosts with a special C&C sticker.
~Gain access to gated patron-only bonus content and ad-free episodes.
~Participate in our patrons-only Facebook page.
GIVE $5
C&C Fan
$2per month
This patron level is in honor of people struggling in the crisis of poverty and who feel moved to support the show and our mission to help people just like them.
Gain access to gated patrol-only bonus content and ad-free episodes.
GIVE $2
Disclaimer
The Crisis & Consequences podcast and content posted is presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes.