Senseless with Erika Mahoney

About Senseless with Erika Mahoney

Everything changed one ordinary Monday, when Erika Mahoney’s mom called to say there was an active shooter at the grocery store nearby. In a matter of seconds, ten people were killed – including Erika’s father. With the high-profile trial of the shooter as a backdrop, Erika speaks to survivors of mass shootings, community leaders, and others affected directly by the tragedy in Boulder on her quest to move forward after the unthinkable.

Publisher

Lantern Studio LLC

Category

true crime

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 May 2025

Latest episode

19 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

10 of 10 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   19 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis | Introducing Last Day

   Nadia Bowers shares with host Stephanie how her memoir, Dear Dealer, helps process grief and rage after losing her sister to the opioid crisis.

2. 

   12 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Moving Forward

   EPISODE 8 -- With the trial over, Erika explores the mass shooting’s permanent imprint on her community. Plus, we’ll hear from musicians Aly & AJ, who survived a mass shooting in Sacramento about turning their pain into purpose. Finally, we meet the last known person to see Erika’s dad alive—a young woman who says Kevin Mahoney saved her life in the parking lot on that fateful day. Follow Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at the show: IG: @eri_mahoney Substack: @erikamahoney Website: erikamahoney.com (http://erikamahoney.com) Senseless is written and reported by me, Erika Mahoney. I’m your host and executive producer. Krista Almanzan is our senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown. Audio editing and sound mixing by Jerimiah Oetting. Plus, original music by Daniel Weidlein. My deepest thanks to my mom, who supported this project through and through — I couldn’t have done it without you, and I love you. And to my incredible husband, Brandt — thank you for all your love and support. Gratitude to March Fourth, a nonprofit working to end mass shootings, for connecting me with Aly & AJ — and to Aly & AJ for sharing their story and allowing us to include their powerful song Sirens in the finale. Sirens was written by Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka, and James McAlister. Produced by Jonathan Wilson and James McAlister. Engineered by Michael Harris and Jonathan Wilson. Recorded at Five Star Studios, Topanga Canyon, CA. Assistant Engineer at Five Start Studios: Grant Milliken and Mirza Sheriff. Mixed by Jonathan Wilson at Five Start Studios. Mastered by Adam Ayan at Ayan Mastering. Musicians: Aly Michalka – Vocals AJ Michalka – Vocals James McAlister – Emax, Drums, Drum Programming Joe Kennedy – DX1 Synth, Lowrey Organ Jonathan Wilson – Electric Guitar, Moog Gabe Noel – Bass, Strings Gabe Witcher – Strings Drew Taubenfeld – Jazzmaster Guitar This project was made possible through support from Community Foundation Boulder County and the Boulder County Arts Alliance, and was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado — immense appreciation to all three for making space for this work. Finally, to the powerful team at Lemonada Media — Stephanie and Jess, you saw something in me and I’ll never forget it. Lizzie, Jackie, Grace, and Alina, you’ve all brightened my life with your magical energy. Sponsors: For a full list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors (http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   5 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   The Trial

   Three and a half years after the shooting, the trial finally begins in a Boulder courtroom for the young man who killed 10 people — including Erika’s father. Dozens of witnesses take the stand, including the police officer who stopped the gunman. Erika and other families share their victim impact statements. It’s both brutal and beautiful — a chapter where, at long last, some long-awaited answers finally arrive. Follow Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at the show: IG: @eri_mahoney Substack: @erikamahoney Website: erikamahoney.com (http://erikamahoney.com) Senseless is written and reported by Erika Mahoney, the host and executive producer. Krista Almanzan is the senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown. Audio editing and sound mixing by Jerimiah Oetting. Special thanks to Sarah Cantu, a senior investigator with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and the lead investigator on the case. She testified three times during the trial and helped Erika fact check numerous details in this episode. Thank you Sarah. This podcast was made possible by support from Community Foundation Boulder County and the Boulder County Arts Alliance. The episode was recorded by Aaron Garrison at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Executive producers for Lemonada Media are Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Sponsors: For a full list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

4. 

   29 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Searching for Meaning

   After realizing she can still talk to her dad, Erika’s search for connection and comfort deepens. She looks to the belief system instilled in her by her mom and begins meeting with a medium. She also connects with other people facing the trauma of loss when she attends an intimate grief retreat in the redwoods of Northern California. Follow Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at the show: IG: @eri_mahoney Substack: @erikamahoney Website: erikamahoney.com (http://erikamahoney.com) Senseless is written and reported by Erika Mahoney, the host and executive producer. Krista Almanzan is the senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown. Audio editing and sound mixing by Jerimiah Oetting. Plus, original music by Daniel Weidlein. This podcast was made possible by support from Community Foundation Boulder County and the Boulder County Arts Alliance. Special thanks to Sarah Cantu, a senior investigator with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and the lead investigator on the case. She testified three times during the trial and helped Erika fact check numerous details in this episode. Thank you Sarah. The episode was recorded by Aaron Garrison at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Executive producers for Lemonada Media are Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Sponsors: For a full list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

5. 

   22 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   A New Path

   Erika makes a bold decision to move back to Boulder. This new path puts her at the center of the web of pain left behind by the mass shooting at King Soopers and sparks the idea of this podcast. She attends the annual remembrance ceremony, visits the hospital that braced to treat victims of the shooting, and reconsiders her own identity as a journalist and survivor. She also joins the local chapter of Moms Demand Action, turning her loss into action and community. Follow Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at the show: IG: @eri_mahoney Substack: @erikamahoney Website: erikamahoney.com (http://erikamahoney.com) Senseless is written and reported by Erika Mahoney, the host and executive producer. Krista Almanzan is the senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown. Audio editing and sound mixing by Jerimiah Oetting. Plus, original music by Daniel Weidlein. This podcast was made possible by support from Community Foundation Boulder County and the Boulder County Arts Alliance. Special thanks to Moms Demand Action leaders in East Boulder and Boulder – Sarah Randow, Peggy Darrah, and Paige Leonard. The episode was recorded by Aaron Garrison at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Executive producers for Lemonada Media are Jessica Cordova-Kramer and Stephanie Wittles-Wachs. Sponsors: For a full list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

6. 

   15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Facing the Pain

   Navigating life and death, grief and joy, Erika gives birth to her daughter just three months after her dad was killed in a mass shooting. At first motherhood is a distraction from the pain. But after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Erika sinks into a deep depression. She starts therapy with grief expert Claire Bidwell Smith. Follow Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at the show: IG: @eri_mahoney Substack: @erikamahoney Website: erikamahoney.com (http://erikamahoney.com) Senseless is written and reported by Erika Mahoney, the host and executive producer. Krista Almanzan is the senior producer and executive editor. Original music, sound design and mastering by Hannis Brown. Audio editing and sound mixing by Jerimiah Oetting. Plus, original music by Daniel Weidlein. This podcast was made possible by support from Community Foundation Boulder County and the Boulder County Arts Alliance. The episode was recorded by Aaron Garrison at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Executive producers for Lemonada Media are Jessica Cordova-Kramer and Stephanie Wittles-Wachs. Sponsors: For a full list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

7. 

   1 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   We’re All Connected

   Erika Mahoney explores the aftermath of a tragic event in Boulder, revealing unexpected connections, friendships, and a love story that emerges from the devastation.

8. 

   24 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

   The Other Side

   Erika Mahoney reflects on covering a mass shooting for national news and now finds herself answering questions about the Boulder shooting, gaining a new perspective.

9. 

   17 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

   One of a Kind

   Erika Mahoney recounts the harrowing experience of waiting to learn if her father survived an active shooter situation at a Boulder supermarket, revealing the heartbreak and fear of that unimaginable reality.

10. 

    28 May 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Senseless (Official Trailer)

    Journalist Erika Mahoney shares her personal journey through grief and trauma following mass shootings, exploring resilience and the complex pain left behind.

Inside a recent episode

How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis | Introducing Last Day

Published 19 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I think it probably really soothed her Tourette's in a way. And then she went to college and college is like, you know, there was alcohol in college. There was some weed. And I talk about this in the book, like for a period of time, there was each drug that kind of got introduced. It seemed like it would work better. I think she was drawn to it because I do think it soothed her anxiety about the tics. I think it, you know, it was relief. It was fun. And then it really was in her late thirties, she got dealt a couple of life blows. Like our dad got diagnosed with cancer. She had an engagement breakup and then her father died and all those things like boom, boom, boom. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

147 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

33 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

91

Contact Senseless with Erika Mahoney

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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