5 Tips I Learned from True Crime Podcasts
I have a confession to make: I am a basic white woman, and I like true crime. I mean that I am fascinated by it, I don’t mean that I like committing crimes. Unless it’s stealing completely over-priced protein powder. Just kidding. (It was an accident!)
I was obsessed with history growing up, and it was mostly World War II-focused. I read Number the Stars in fifth grade and couldn’t fathom having to hide my best friend because of her religion. I couldn’t wrap my brain around Hitler and how the whole world could let that happen. It was so fascinating to me that I would watch documentaries and read other books to try to figure out the reasoning behind it all. That’s right, I did additional homework on top of my school work because I was a really cool and popular person!
Whether it’s creepy or not, listening to so much true crime does make me more aware of the potential for danger out there. It has made me question my decisions and be a little safer (except maybe in that photo above when I entered a tennis court on a dark street at night.) While all of you were sheltering-in-place because of the pandemic, I had already been doing it for YEARS due to my true crime consumption. It’s a real benefit to being home all the time! We’re not wandering the streets, getting lured down dark alleys, or thrown into white vans!
Here are the top five lessons I’ve learned from true crime stories:
Always tell someone where you’re going. Last year, I was driving to a first date with someone I met on an app when I realized that this person could definitely murder me. I immediately shared my location with my friend, Janine. Good luck killing me with her on your trail! I also share my Uber ride every time I’m in one, and last week I texted a whole group of people that I was entering an empty home with a realtor.
Basically, make sure someone knows where you are at all times! It doesn’t matter if it’s a rave at an abandoned warehouse or fucking HomeGoods. Constant vigilance!
Don’t go clubbing. Actually, I learned that lesson by going clubbing once and never needing to experience that again. Nothing good starts at the club. (I wore DRESS PANTS and a graphic tee.) (REMINDER: REALLY COOL AND POPULAR PERSON.)
Get a home security system. You should do this even if you’re in an apartment. My current home system is sleigh bells on the door, a dog (fingers crossed she doesn’t excitedly greet my murderer), and a box cutter in my side drawer. I’ll be moving into a new apartment in a month and will be installing an actual security system because my apartment is on the first floor. (Can you tell I listen to podcasts?)
My friend Linda has one, and she also keeps knives in nearly every drawer. One can never be too safe!
Switch up your routine. In a lot of cases, serial killers would stalk their victims before abducting or murdering. You can avoid this by switching up your routine. I have to admit, I am not very good at this as I exit the building at the same time every day with my dog. I only visit the same three places (Target, Wegman’s and a different Target in Woburn.) I’m mostly at my desk or on my couch. The serial killer coming after me would get very bored. Or, I guess, would have an easy job.
Don’t have a secret life. One time, when I was 19, I took the Fung-Wah Chinatown bus to New York City and didn’t tell my parents that I was going with a stranger and that we didn’t have a hotel and would be sitting on the street all night waiting for SNL tickets. The whole time I just kept thinking about what would happen if I was murdered. My parents would KILL ME!
Or, if you do have a secret life, download this IF I GO MISSING file from CrimeJunkie. That way, my sister will know who the likely suspects are. Well, for me. Probably not for you. Although she probably would if you asked her.
If you’re looking for recommendations, here are some of my favorites:
Sword and Scale - Episodes 79 & 80 - The Craigslist Killer
You Must Remember Manson - Episodes 1-12 Charles Manson
Morbid - BTK Killer (Episodes 85, 87, and 88)
Last Podcast on the Left - Episodes 261 - 264 - L.Ron Hubbard
Dateline - Mommy Doom’s Day (because Keith Morrison is LIFE!!!!)