61 - Brutal Operations

So here’s the deal: in this episode we’re talking Roe v. Wade — what it meant, how the Supreme Court ripped it apart, and why the fallout has been an absolute disaster. We’ll hit the history (aka how Roe became the backbone of reproductive rights for nearly 50 years), then break down what happened in 2022 when the Court basically said, “good luck out there, ladies.” Spoiler: it’s not just a “state’s rights” thing — it’s chaos.And of course, I’ve got plenty of commentary. Like why politicians who can’t even balance a budget think they’re qualified to legislate uteruses. Or why “just move states” is the dumbest non-solution ever — because last I checked, basic health care shouldn’t depend on your zip code. Roe wasn’t just a court case. It was freedom. And losing it? That changes everything.If you care about reproductive rights — or you just want to hear me yell about old men in politics playing doctor — this one’s for you.⸻Resources & Organizations: • Planned Parenthood • Center for Reproductive Rights • National Abortion Federation • If/When/How • Abortion Care Network

In The Summer I Moved Back to Florida, I cover the heartbreaking story of Polly Klaas, the 12-year-old girl whose 1993 abduction and murder shocked the nation and forever changed the way we talk about child safety. This episode takes a closer look at what happened, the investigation, and the impact her case still has decades later.I also talk about music, concerts, and the culture that comes with them — the beer, the boots, and everything in between. Because while the case is heavy, life always has its mix of darkness and light.If you’re looking for true crime told with care, honesty, and a touch of real-life personality, this episode is for you.- Polly Klaas Foundation → https://pollyklaas.org- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children → https://www.missingkids.org

We’re talking Columbine — the lead-up, the day of, and the aftermath that shook the country. This isn’t just the timeline; it’s the culture, the media, and how this tragedy still fuels the fight over gun laws today. I’m also touching on immigration — from the broken system to the people paying the price — and what you can actually do to stand with immigrant communities.Get Involved:Immigration Defense – immigrantdefenseproject.org | nwirp.org | immdef.org | ilrc.org | unitedwedream.orgGun Reform – giffords.org | everytown.org | publichealth.jhu.edu | sandyhookpromise.org

Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez, collectively referred to as the Menendez brothers, are American brothers and convicted murderers who killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The defense argued that the brothers killed their parents out of fear their father would kill them after years of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. Meanwhile, the prosecution claimed that the motive was to inherit their father's multimillion-dollar estate.I’ve sure you’ve all seen SOMETHING on the Menendez brothers at this point. Let’s discuss what took place in 1989 and how biased I believe the system was - with sexual abuse against men at the time. You know I have to chat about my blondest moment of the week, pre case. https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/menendez-brothers-trials-1993-94-1995-96https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/famous/menendez/trial_16.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyle_and_Erik_Menendezhttps://innocenceproject.org/

Joining Katie this week, her childhood friend (might as well be a biological sibling at this point) Noah! Just a disclaimer: the mimosas were strong and the giggles relentless this week. Tara Lynn Grant (June 28th ,1972 − February 9th, 2007) was a married American woman, mother of two children - from Macomb County, Michigan, and a successful consultant at Washington Group International. She became nationally known as the victim of murder by her husband, Stephen Grant, in February 2007. Join us as we break down the details of this horrific case.

Felicia Gayle Picus was a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter who was found stabbed to death in her St. Louis, Missouri, home during the day on August 11, 1998. Felicia, 42 years old, was killed during a burglary in her gated community home. She was stabbed and cut 43 times with a butcher's knife taken from her kitchen.Marcellus Williams, 55, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2001 in the death of Felicia Gayle. He has long claimed his innocence and is scheduled to be executed in less than one week - he asked the US Supreme Court on Wednesday for a stay of execution, arguing his due process rights were denied during the years long legal battle to save his life.https://themip.org/clients/marcellus-williams/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Felicia_Gaylehttps://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/marcellus-williams-execution-missouri-supreme-court-1235106803/https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFjETne3/

On May 31, 2014, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States, two 12-year-old girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, lured their friend Payton Leutner into a wooded area of a local park and stabbed her 19 times to appease the fictional character Slender Man. WOAH - yeah you read that right, two 12-year-old girls! I could not believe this story when I first read the article on it. Was it premeditation or a severely disturbed mental health case? Catching up on life and where I've been the last 8 months! 2024 has been life changing mentally for me, let's get into it. Let's talk: weddings, the craziness from the presidential debate, panic attacks and more. I missed you guys! Links for case notes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_Man_stabbing https://www.biography.com/crime/a45191639/slender-man-stabbing-case-explained-and-updates https://youtu.be/3dgwJxVQpLs?si=hHpuPOC3sbr0beWd

Reddit episode: what crime case do you want to see solved and justice served? Ooooo such a good thread. Starting the episode with - things I’ve learned by 27. 2024 is the year to lead with love, I hope y’all hear me!

On August 17, 1984, 28-year-old Darlene Hulse was abducted from her Argos, Indiana home in front of her three young children. The following day her body was found 6 miles from her house in a wooded area. 40 years later, her killer’s identity and motive remain a mystery. Story time beforehand on why I’m boycotting the Lyft scooters, so traumatized. || https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Michiana-Unsolved-The-Darlene-Hulse-Murder-512127801.html || https://www.wndu.com/2023/04/17/michiana-unsolved-homicide-darlene-hulse/

Starting off the episode with Jellyroll’s testimony to Congress in his support of the bipartisan bill (that would help law enforcement go after money laundering operations that underpin international opioid trafficking.) - so powerful. Then time for another Reddit episode! Work holiday work horrors, and y’all these are cringe to the max. This week we’ve got: fist fighting with coworkers, dancing on the CEO’s wife, colleague affairs gone wrong. Yikes. Tune in! Happy Aquarius szn ;) || https://rollcall.com/2024/01/11/jelly-roll-anti-fentanyl-bill-senate/#:~:text=Jelly%20Roll%20was%20once%20a,pass%20an%20anti%2Dfentanyl%20bill || https://youtu.be/16MTQ-bXbpY?si=u4gFsnqpNB_uSrTX ||