The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told

New York Times journalist Frances “Frenchy” Robles gets a tip about a group of wrongfully convicted men in the New York State prison system. The common denominator: many were arrested by the same detective. Frenchy tracks down the story in a surprise visit to prison.

The Burdenwill be available everywhere you get your podcasts on March 19.
All episodes will be available one week early and ad free, along with exclusive bonus content on Orbit’s newly launched “True Crime Club House” subscription channel on Apple Podcasts.

The Burdenis a production of Orbit Media in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exclusive bonus episode, producer Emma DeMuth sits down with Keith Wallman, Editor-in-Chief of Diversion Books, to discuss the "why" behind the true crime genre.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the storyof Penny Farmer—who lost her brother at sea in the late 1970s, and never stopped looking for him. Not for 40 years…

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Nora Batelle
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth and Jacob Bronstein
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Directed by Jacob Bronstein
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special Thanks:

Penny Farmer, Dead in the Water, My Forty-Year Search for My Brother’s Killer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about the murder of Steve Beard…and Steve’s wife’s lover, who shot him.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth and Jacob Bronstein
Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special Thanks:

The Fortune Hunter by Suzy Spencer

Lange, M. (2023, February 16). The case for chilling. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/style/sheila-liming-hanging-out-interview.html

NBCUniversal News Group. (2018, March 29). How to make friends as an adult. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/how-make-friends-adult-ncna860971

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the second episode of a two-episode mini series about the Archer House. It was supposed to be a place where older folks could find comfort, community, and somewhere to call home.

Instead, it was a murder factory.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth and Jacob Bronstein
Produced, Directed and Edited by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special Thanks:
Devil's Rooming House: The True Story of America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer by M William Phelps

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first episode of a two-episode mini series about the Archer House. It was supposed to be a place where older folks could find comfort, community, and somewhere to call home.

Instead, it was a murder factory.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth and Jacob Bronstein
Produced, Directed and Edited by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special Thanks:
Devil's Rooming House: The True Story of America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer by M William Phelps

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the story of Holly Dunn, the only known survivor of the brutal, bloody crimes of the so-called “railroad killer.” But Holly’s story is also about what she did when she survived: how she found strength, power, and how she showed up for the showdown.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Nora Batelle
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth and Jacob Bronstein
Produced directed and Edited by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special Thanks to:
Holly Dunn, Sole Survivor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is the finale of our three-part miniseries on “The First American Female Serial Killer", Jane Toppan.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein
Produced, edited,and directed by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special thanks to:

• Mary Kay McBrayer, America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster
• Harold Schechter, Fatal
• Harold Schechter, Murderabilia
• And in case you’re interested in it, here’s a photo of what Hunyadi Mineral water looks like

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re continuing our 3-part miniseries on “The First American Female Serial Killer.” It’s a nineteenth century American tale about how an orphan turned indentured servant bootstrapped herself into a mad scientist murderer. In fact, one of the most prolific murderers in history.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein
Produced, edited,and directed by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special thanks to:

• Mary Kay McBrayer, America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster
• Harold Schechter, Fatal

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first of a three-part miniseries about a precocious little orphan. One who was abused and ignored for so long that her acting-out behaviors eventually escalated to scandalous, multiple murders. Of people who betrayed her. Of people who loved her. And of strangers.

The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
• Explore more: diversionaudio.com

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer
Editorial Direction by Nora Batelle
Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein
Produced, edited,and directed by Mark Francis
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman, Mark Francis, and Jacob Bronstein

Special thanks to:

• Mary Kay McBrayer, America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster
• Harold Schechter, Fatal
• Dariaan Berryman obituary, Lexington, KY, 9 March 2012.
• “Gunman Gets 20 Years in Georgia School Seizure” by Alan Blinder, New York Times, 16 September 2014

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.