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Jul 31
51m 25s

Coercive Control & Criminal Curiosity: T...

Not Your Mom Media
About this episode

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 small island town who went on the run, stealing cars and planes while dodging authorities for years. His story captured the internet’s imagination, but behind the memes was a kid failed by the very systems meant to protect him.

Next, Hannah and Patia dive into the heartbreaking and impactful case of Sally Challen, a woman convicted of murdering her husband in 2010. What seemed at first like a shocking and senseless crime was eventually reexamined through a modern understanding of coercive control and domestic abuse. The result: a rare and powerful legal reversal years later.

This episode explores two lives shaped by control, survival, and the long shadow of trauma. It’s a compelling look at how the ripple effects of crime stretch far beyond the headlines.

Listen and subscribe to The Knife wherever you get your podcasts!



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Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

Get the best savings of the season during Boll & Branch’s Annual Summer Event! Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollandBranch.com/MOMS. Limited time only. Exclusions apply.

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