The Silver Linings Handbook

Each October, one of my favorite things to do is sit down with author Brett Talley to explore the unexplained. In our best of series on this Halloween, I am sharing the first two episodes in our annual tradition. Links to the other episodes are below. For the first episodes I had not yet met Hannah Hill, but her amazing artwork on the later episodes is worth a link all on it's own.Happy Halloween! Today, Part 2 of our conversation with Author Brett Talley of the Prosecutors Podcast, we discuss our fascination with mysteries and conspiracies, why it would suck if the world was dull and how horror helps us process the real terror out there.We discuss some of our favorite real-life mysteries, like the Dyatlov Pass incident, the Khaber Daban incident, what happened to the Mary Celeste ship and others.We also discuss how the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit uses statistics to solve crimes and, how, if all true crime was about probabilities, life would be a little less interesting. We also make a plug for the podcast of our friend, former FBI Criminal Profiler Julia Cowley, The Consult, which launches with new episodes tomorrow.Here’s a link to the Prosecutors Podcast and Brett’s author page on Amazon.com.2023: Exploring the Unexplained41. Exploring the Unexplained: Looking at the World Through the Lens of Horror and the Paranormal with Author Brett Talley (Part 1 of 2) - Silver Linings Handbook2024: Why We Love Mysteries93. Why We Love Mysteries with Brett Talley, Part 1 of 2 - Silver Linings Handbook94. Why We Love Mysteries, Part 2 of 2 - Silver Linings Handbook2025: The Monsters We Create173. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings Handbook174. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 2 - Silver Linings Handbook2026: The Architecture of Dread220. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings Handbook221. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings HandbookContact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.comCheck out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson’s Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Each October, one of my favorite things to do is sit down with author Brett Talley to explore the unexplained. In our best of series on this Halloween, I am sharing the first two episodes in our annual tradition. Links to the other episodes are below. For the first episodes I had not yet met Hannah Hill, but her amazing artwork on the later episodes is worth a link all on it's own.Today, in the first of two episodes with Author Brett Talley, the co-host of the Prosecutors Podcast, we discuss the importance of interconnectivity and communities, and how fiction, horror, the paranormal, science fiction, urban legends and forklore helps entertain us and manage and understand reality.2023: Exploring the Unexplained42. Exploring the Unexplained: Looking at the World Through the Lens of Horror the Paranormal with Author Brett Talley (Part 2 of 2) - Silver Linings Handbook2024: Why We Love Mysteries93. Why We Love Mysteries with Brett Talley, Part 1 of 2 - Silver Linings Handbook94. Why We Love Mysteries, Part 2 of 2 - Silver Linings Handbook2025: The Monsters We Create173. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings Handbook174. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 2 - Silver Linings Handbook2026: The Architecture of Dread220. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings Handbook221. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1 - Silver Linings HandbookContact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.comCheck out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson’s Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and the host of The Consult podcast, and I set out to discuss the University of Idaho murders and the killer of four college students, Bryan Kohberger. But something strange happened when we began discussing the survivors who were in the house.It was during a week when a beloved podcaster, friend, and researcher for this podcast died. In this emotionally charged bonus, we explore grief, trauma, and the importance of kindness within the true crime community and in life. Our conversation touches on how loss, children and age have changed the way we view true crime stories.NOTE: In July 2025, those roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, broke their silence at Kohberger’s sentencing in the murders of 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, and 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. Use the links above to hear from them in their own words.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.comCheck out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, someone entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus in a brazen home invasion that left four University of Idaho students — Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves — dead. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast, joins me to continue on conversation about what we can learn from the behavior of the real-life nightmare that is the suspect, Bryan Kohberger.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.comCheck out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, some entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus and stabbed four students to death. Months later, a suspect was identified. This year, he pled guilty to the charges without giving any hint why he committed the crimes or what made the victims desirable targets. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast, joins me to discuss what we can learn from the behavior of the real-life nightmare that is the suspect, Bryan Kohberger.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.comCheck out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2, Brett Talley, the horror writer and co-host of The Prosecutors podcast, push deeper into how fear becomes architecture — not just in myths and folklore, but in the way communities respond to real‑world uncertainty. We explore how conspiracy theories, moral panics, and cultural narratives emerge when information is scarce and anxiety is high, from modern “Twitter panic” to ancient explanations for natural disasters. Brett connects these patterns to horror’s enduring power: stories give shape to danger, even when the underlying threat is chaotic or unknowable. Together, we trace how humans continually rebuild meaning in the face of randomness, using narrative as both shield and compass.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brett Talley, the horror author and host of The Prosecutors podcast, explores how ancient concepts like guest rights and modern legends like Cropsey reveal a universal human impulse: turning danger and uncertainty into stories we can understand and navigate. We connect this to broader patterns — from Greek mythology to conspiracy theories — showing how narratives help people regulate fear, impose order on chaos, and build community. The conversation moves through real cases, folklore, and Lovecraft’s cosmic nihilism to illustrate how horror functions as moral technology and psychological survival strategy.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christian Kenny's story unfolds as a blend of curiosity, compulsion and a lifelong drive to understand the unseen architecture of human behavior. From childhood, he describes himself as an "oddball," someone who asked existential questions early and pursued answers with obsessive, research-driven intensity. He describes there being a "whole courtroom in there" in his mind, constantly debating himself, challenging assumptions and pushing ideas to their limits. This led to, among other things, a deep analytical interest in the occult.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clara S. Lewis joins me again as we go deeper into the questions the Lindsay Clancy mistrial leaves behind — especially how courts try to evaluate wrongfulness, intent, and culpability when severe postpartum disorders or psychosis are in play. We look at why juries struggle with these cases, how expert testimony gets flattened into competing narratives, and why centuries‑old ideas about “good” and “bad” mothers still shape public reactions and prosecutorial decisions.We also examine the broader landscape: the women whose pregnancy‑related crises never make headlines, the gaps in clinical training around postpartum psychosis and intrusive thoughts, and the ways stigma and silence keep families from getting help early. Clara breaks down the historical roots of the “politics of sympathy,” and together we explore what a more humane, prevention‑focused approach could look like — one that treats maternal mental health as a public health issue rather than a moral sorting exercise.Listen to part one here.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On September 4, 2026, Lindsay Clancy’s trial ended without a unanimous verdict on her criminal responsibility - a result that left the public divided and the deeper questions unresolved. I’m joined this week again by Dartmouth professor Clara S. Lewis, author of American Infanticide, for a wide‑ranging conversation about what the Clancy case reveals about maternal mental health, psychosis, and the limits of our legal system.We revisit Clara’s earlier work on Emily Weaver, discuss Laken Snelling’s recent manslaughter plea, and explore why society still struggles to assess, treat, and legally interpret crises like postpartum psychosis and pregnancy denial. Clara breaks down the centuries‑old narratives that continue to shape how these cases are prosecuted, while we reflect on the clinical and personal realities of psychosis that the courtroom often can’t capture.Contact me at [email protected] out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comJayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at:The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | SubstackThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.