“The Ballad of Dena & Andrea” is a podcast featuring original murder ballads and conversations in reaction to the story of Andrea Yates and Dena Schlosser, two women who murdered their children in the early 2000s.
Host Becky Poole was originally drawn to this story when she learned that Dena and Andrea ended up as roommates, briefly, in a North Texas mental institution. She soon discovered that their lives had been heading in the same tragic and preventable direction for years. Poole wrote an album in the style of Appalachian murder ballads and Americana to create empathetic myths about these mothers.
With this podcast, she invites artists, colleagues, and friends to have conversations in reaction to the story - covering topics like religion, mental health, women's health, misogyny, our failing justice and healthcare systems, motherhood, creating work about tragedy, and more. Each episode includes a bit of Dena and Andrea's story, an interview chat, and an original song. Not a classic true crime doc but myth-making by ballad with honest conversations. Please join us to discover what might come up for you.
Garden in Kerrville - 08 - With Educator/Facilitator/Artists Carly DW Bones & Zach Bones
In this final episode of the Ballad of Dena & Andrea I read a bit from the old bible and wonder about our current institutions for mental health and our sick carceral system. I speak with two folks who've worked in various positions as educators and facilitators in restorative justice, sex education, and art programs. I'll mention the fund that Andrea started with her lawyer to support mental health of young mothers. It is linked below as well... The song is a fictional POV f...
7 Jan 2025
Get A Job - Episode 7 - With Comedian & Ceramicist Eliza Skinner
Comedian, Showrunner, Ceramicist and very good friend Eliza Skinner and I talk about how rom coms effed us all, Bad Women, cultural fables, what do our "butts and guts want" and how she should’ve been a Unitarian Minister.The song for this episode is Get a Job. Inspired by the fact that Dena was fired from Walmart within hrs of the local news making public a picture of her at work. She was doing nothing wrong, had served her time, and was following all the rules given to her. LinksEliza'...
24 Dec 2024
Murder in the Bible - Episode 06 - With actor and medical interpreter Marta Portillo
Female rage. I'm feeling it and that's what this week's song is about. And to balance complaint with community - the guest is my good friend Marta Portillo. An actor, teaching artist, and certified very good person. We discuss her work as an interpreter, the importance of independent health clinics and education, dramatic catholic rituals, PERIODS!, grieving what you thought life would be and what it turns out being. Show LinksMEND ClinicHomicide Leading Cause of Death for Pregnant Women...
24 Dec 2024
Let You Go - Episode 05 - With Performing Artist Caroline Kingsley Moffat
A lullaby from Andrea's perspective & interview with ever-charming performance artist-actor-comedian-goddess Caroline Kingsley Moffat! We discuss her new mother journey, community, buttcracks, and more! The Violet Hour / Winnifred Coombehttps://www.instagram.com/winnifredcoombe/The Motherhood Center https://themotherhoodcenter.com/Tullyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5D3O4yCmCgPen15https://www.hulu.com/series/8c87035d-2b10-4b10-a233-ca5b3597145dNight Bitchhttps://www.goodreads.com/b...
8 Oct 2024
Extra Bit - Christian Surfers
Tara Shoe tells me about New Jersey's Christian Surfers and we get into a bit of the Matthew Coleman story. The man (and Christian Surfer) who killed his kids b/c they had serpent's blood. Thank you for listening. For more about postpartum psychosis, go to Postpartum Support International. For the full album click here . Join the conversation on Instagram.
8 Oct 2024
Extra Bit - Let's Talk About HPV
Tara Shoe and Becky talk about HPV. Fun! Tara Shoehttps://x.com/tarashoeScaretown USAhttps://www.instagram.com/scare_town_usa/HPV & Cervical Cancerhttps://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic-information.htmlhttps://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening/abnormal-hpv-pap-test-resultsHPV Vaccinehttps://www.gardasil9.com/patient-a/HRT Cancer link overestimatedhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/magazine/menopause-hot-flashes-hormone-therapy.htmlThank you for listening. For more about postpartu...
8 Oct 2024
Gentle Letters - Episode 04
In the episode, I'll briefly intro the song "Gentle Letters". Based on Dena's story. Dena wrote her surviving daughters a letter once a week after her arrest. The letters piled up, and were unsent - Dena's children weren't ready for them. Some letters include drawings of children, all are filled with how much she loves and misses her daughters. Dena calls them her "gentle letters."This ep's interview is with the very producer of the music for “The Ballad of Dena & Andrea,” Abby Posner. Ab...
19 Aug 2024
Lions & Kings - Episode 03
In this episode we get into a bit of the religious messaging that Dena was receiving as well as a glimpse into her home life. Song incorporates a bible verse that Dena fixated on before the killing. Guest: Writer, Tara Shoe. We talk about her experience with cervical cancer, growing up in an evangelical Christian environment, women’s health, the allure of church communities, changing minds abt motherhood, and speaking in tongues. We discuss health care, but we are NOT doctors. Please consult ...
19 Aug 2024
Modern Mother Worldly & Other Bad Mothers - Episode 02
In this episode we get into a bit of the religious messaging that Andrea Yates was receiving like the pamphlet she received with a rhyme titled “Modern Mother Worldly.” I chat with my good friend and host of the parenting podcast “One Bad Mother,” Biz Ellis. We talk about her experience as a mother, women’s health (being ignored), and sing inappropriate camp songs! Pod takes twists and turns. Be prepared for emotional rollercoaster action! CW: We will discuss postpartum psychosis, d...
19 Aug 2024
The Ballad of Dena & Andrea - Episode 01
This first episode introduces the story of Dena & Andrea in an epic murder ballad. You’ll hear a bit about what a murder ballad is and why I dig them. I’ll chat with two friends, who also tell stories of murder, about the pros and cons of true crime, what it’s like to create macabre content with humor, and the importance of letting go of reductive “good/evil” narratives. Guests: Muriel Montgomery & Nick Casalini of the true crime humor podcast “Muriel’s Murders.” This pod takes t...
16 Aug 2024
The Ballad of Dena & Andrea - Trailer
Trailer for "The Ballad of Dena & Andrea" A podcast featuring murder ballads and conversation in reaction to the story of two women who killed their children in the early 2000s. Hosted and created by Becky PooleSongs written and sung by Becky PooleMusical Saw by Becky PooleSong and Theme Instrumentation, Production, and Mix by Abby PosnerMastered by Dave LockePodcast Audio Editing & Mixing by Evan MosherGraphic Design by Stefan LawrencePhoto by Logan FutejThank you for listening. For ...
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Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100
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90
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