20-year-old Paige Bell was found murdered in the engine room of a $140,000-a-week superyacht. The man accused? The same crew member she’d previously reported for harassment. As investigators piece together what happened aboard the Far From It, the yachting world is asking hard questions: Why wasn’t he fired? Where were the safeguards? And how did a…

Five men boarded the Titan sub for a once-in-a-lifetime dive to the Titanic. Hours later, the vessel imploded, killing everyone aboard. But this wasn’t a freak accident—it was a tragedy years in the making. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush ignored warnings, dismissed engineers, and used experimental materials unfit for deep-sea pressure. Now, investigat…

In this episode of Moms and Mysteries, we’re diving into the outrageous life and legendary lies of Charles Ponzi, the man whose name is now forever linked to financial fraud. Long before Bernie Madoff or crypto bros with ring lights, Ponzi was out here in the 1920s promising 50% returns in just 45 days… and somehow, people bought it. Thank you to t…

In this rerun, Chris and Tom share their best youth group activities. Also: Jesus Christ Gotta Save Them All - https://youtu.be/dt0kRJX_jR4 Send your questions and suggestions to [email protected] Find more from Chris at https://chrismorphew.com and from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.auBy Chris Morphew and Tom French

Alivea Goncalves didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She walked into that courtroom and delivered a tactical takedown of her sister’s killer, Bryan Kohberger. Using his own words, research, and obsessions against him, Alivea gave a statement designed to cut deeper than any sentence ever could. From the mystery of the second weapon to his obsessive behav…

When 14-year-old Michael Politte woke up to find his family home filled with smoke, he had no idea his life was about to change forever. After discovering his mother, Rita, on fire in the hallway, Michael ran for help—only to be arrested just days later and accused of her murder. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Feel the difference an extraordina…

Amy Bishop walked into a University of Alabama faculty meeting with a gun—and opened fire. Three professors were killed, three others injured. And it only ended when her weapon jammed. But this wasn’t her first act of violence. Years earlier, Bishop shot and killed her own brother—yet never faced charges. She was even linked to a mail bomb case. De…

UPDATE: Grant Hardin—the former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks”—has been found. After escaping Calico Rock prison in a fake guard uniform and vanishing for nearly two weeks, he was caught just 1.5 miles from where he walked free. He’s now headed to a supermax facility. Before he was recaptured, Hardin’s escape left Arkansas authorit…

This week we've teamed up with our true crime friends from The Knife, journalist-producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton, for a one-of-a-kind episode where we each brought a story to the table. First, Melissa and Mandy tell the bizarre and unforgettable tale of Colton Harris-Moore, better known as the Barefoot Bandit. He was a lanky teen from a smal…

Tim's youth group started looking at the book of Mark and played a Mark Twain inspired game. Tom's youth group went trampolining. Tim and Tom discuss recruiting leaders. If you have a question, or suggestion, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://…

In a stunning twist, Barry Morphew has been re-arrested for the 2020 murder of his wife, Suzanne Morphew. With her remains now found and forensic evidence pointing to a rare animal sedative in her system, prosecutors believe they finally have the case to go to trial. From deleted messages to a staged crime scene and disturbing new surveillance, thi…

In this episode, we dive into the bizarre and still-unsolved 1990 mail bombings that targeted two of the biggest names in televangelism — John Osteen of Lakewood Church and Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network. We explore the rise of televangelism, the attacks that nearly claimed lives, the FBI investigation, and the internet’s favor…

Nude people, food laws, mass killings, and zombies. The Bible has some weird and tricky stuff in it. It can be tempting to teach the easy stuff, but this week you get to hear a seminar from Tom, and hear why there is also youth ministry gold in the Bible passages you may rather avoid. To get Tom's books head to https://tomfrench.com.au/books If you…

Beneath the waters of Lake Lanier in Georgia lies something far more haunting than fish and tree stumps. We're talking entire towns, graveyards that were never fully relocated, and a history soaked in tragedy. Before it was a popular summer destination, Lake Lanier was the site of a federal project that displaced hundreds of families—many of them B…

In 2003, 32-year-old Army veteran Eric Nelams was gunned down in his own driveway in Phenix City, Alabama. Despite connections to a major fraud scheme and clear signs of premeditation, no one has ever been arrested. This week, we share Eric’s story — who he was, what happened, and how his family has spent over two decades fighting for answers. The …

With the four-year anniversary of Destiny McClain’s death this week, we wanted to replay this episode to help get the word out. After a night out with friends in July of 2021, 23 year old Destiny McClain was shot as she waited for food at a taco truck outside a nightclub in Phoenix, AZ. Ways to help: Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoe…

The lives of teenagers are going to be profoundly changed by AI. What role does youth ministry have to play in discipling youth as they engage with AI? Tom and Ed Sowden chat about AI. It's promises and dangers, and how to help youth navigate the new realities of AI. The Search Engine Episode Tom was talking about: https://www.searchengine.show/pla…

In July 1975, 18-year-old Karen Grammer—sister of actor Kelsey Grammer—was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Colorado Springs. Her death was part of a shocking two-week killing spree that left seven people dead. This week, we’re unpacking the crimes, the trials, and Kelsey’s decades-long fight to keep his sister’s killer behind bars. We’re celebra…

Lauren, Alex, and Tim reflect on the term that has been and look forward to what is coming up. If you have a question, or suggestion, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find Tim's other podcast, Family Perspectives here: https://www.trinitycity.church/resources/podcasts/ AI…

In this episode, we are sharing the heartbreaking and mysterious disappearance of Jennifer Kesse, a case that has haunted Orlando for nearly two decades, with little progress or answers for her family. Anyone with information about Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance is urged to contact the FDLE Orlando office at 407-245-0888 or email oroccoldcasetips@f…

In this episode, we dive into the shocking murder of Alberta Meadows by Clara Phillips, a glamorous showgirl whose jealous rage turned deadly. After killing Alberta with a hammer, Clara staged a sensational escape, fleeing 4,000 miles through Central America before her capture in Honduras. We unravel Clara’s troubled marriage, the dramatic courtroo…

*The original upload was missing about 15 precious minutes. In a gift to humanity, the whole episode is now here* Tim's youth group went balloon stomping. Tom's youth group ate pancakes and played games. If you have a question, or suggestions, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppod…

In this updated episode, we're revisiting a case we covered back in 2020: the shocking story of Amy Bishop, who committed a mass shooting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010. Since we first discussed the case, there have been several important updates. Stick with us as we dive into what’s happened since then. Join us for a refresher …

On Mother’s Day 2020, Suzanne Morphew set out for what was supposed to be a normal bike ride near her home in Colorado — and vanished. What followed was a years-long mystery filled with twists, shifting stories, and courtroom drama. From tranquilizer darts to DNA, secret affairs to a second arrest years later — this episode unpacks the timeline, th…

This week we’re joined by the one and only Kate Casey from Reality Life with Kate Casey! Kate is a true crime enthusiast and reality TV queen, and she’s here to share her top documentary recommendations you won’t want to miss. From Amanda Knox to Captive Audience, Kate takes us through the twists and turns of these captivating real-life stories. Sh…

Chris Morphew is back to talk about camps, youth group, and returning to a youth group left. Tom's youth group ate dinner and had prayer workshops. If you have a question, or thoughts on pancakes and youth ministry, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at h…

New evidence. Creepy search history. A thumbs-up selfie taken just hours after four students were killed. And a major Dateline leak that could shake the entire trial. Sources say Bryan Kohberger was circling the King Road house long before the murders. He’d been there 23 times. And the night of the attack? He allegedly left behind a bloody chair pr…

In conjunction with our new episode on Chris Tapp’s tragic death, we’re re-releasing our original episode about Angie Dodge’s heartbreaking murder. In this episode, we dive into the details of Angie’s unsolved murder in Idaho and the tireless fight her mother, Carol Dodge, waged for justice—not only for Angie but also for Chris Tapp, who was wrongf…

After serving 20 years for a crime he didn’t commit, Chris Tapp was exonerated in the murder of Angie Dodge and began rebuilding his life, becoming an advocate for the wrongfully convicted. But in 2023, Chris was found unconscious at a party in Las Vegas and later died from his injuries. In this follow-up to our original Angie Dodge episode, which …

*Updated audio levels* In this new episode, we’re joined by the incredible Maya and Sarah from Doing It All Podcast! Together, we dive into some truly wild celebrity-adjacent crime stories that will leave you in shock. From David Schwimmer’s unexpected role in solving a violent crime to Ashton Kutcher’s chilling connection to a brutal murder, and e…

Tim's youth played Dungeons on Dragons and pretended to be at McDonalds. Tom's youth group combined with other youth groups. The Coles and Woolies mud cake is $6.60. Matthew Dicks on the Knowledge Project can be found here: https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/matthew-dicks/ If you have a question, or thoughts on politics and youth ministry, e…

In 1965, Houston police discovered the dismembered bodies of Fred and Edwina Rogers neatly stored inside their own refrigerator. Their son, Charles, vanished without a trace and remains the only suspect. But was this brutal crime the act of a desperate man… or part of something bigger? In this episode, we explore the mystery of the Icebox Murders a…

This week we are discussing a South Texas mom who took her role as protector to the next level and the end result was the death of an innocent teenage boy. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for updates on this story. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Order now on easycanvasprints.com/moms for a discount on 16x20 canvases. Treat yourself to the …

Tim's youth group played a creative and very niche game, and talked about 1 Timothy. Tom's group had dinner, and talked about prayer. If you have a question, or insight into the price of cake, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au…

BOTH PARTS UP NOW! In this episode, we dive into the jaw-dropping true story of Sherri Papini—a California wife and mother who vanished while out for a jog in 2016, only to return weeks later with a harrowing tale of abduction. But as investigators dug deeper, her story began to unravel in shocking ways. From national headlines to FBI investigation…

BOTH PARTS UP NOW! In this episode, we dive into the jaw-dropping true story of Sherri Papini—a California wife and mother who vanished while out for a jog in 2016, only to return weeks later with a harrowing tale of abduction. But as investigators dug deeper, her story began to unravel in shocking ways. From national headlines to FBI investigation…