True Crime or Tall Tale

About True Crime or Tall Tale

Welcome to True Crime or Tall Tale, a new true crime podcast hosted by two former (recovering) art student best friends. Both with a reasonable love for true crime and dark history. Join us on our journey to trick each other, and by proxy you, with our stories. Each episode we will tell two cases. One will be based on real events and the other entirely fiction. In the end, we will challenge you, and each other, to guess which one is the true crime and which is just a tall tale.

Publisher

Cat Van Buren and Jacqueline Hansbury

Category

fiction · true crime

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

1 Jun 2023

Latest episode

8 Feb 2024

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Feb 2024

   S1E10 - Hell Hath No Fury

   Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned ... or one trying to inherit your farm. The term Black Widows can mean anything from deadly spiders to Marvel Superheroes, but today we are talking about real life female killers (well at least one is real). Women killing their husbands is a crime as old as marriage itself, makes us ask why the line between love and hate is truly so thin. Join us on this wicked ride as we discuss Jac's recent romantic woes, a surprising amount of arson, and why you should always use your damn blinker. And when all is said and done we will ask you, our cunning listeners, to identify which case is the true crime, and which is just a tall tale. Trigger Warnings: Domestic Violence, pregnancy loss, and loss of a child. Sources: Lady Killers by Tori Telfer Killing Time in the Catskills by Kevin Owen https://genius.com/Delta-rae-hitch-a-ride-lyrics (https://genius.com/Delta-rae-hitch-a-ride-lyrics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xlFczo2ldE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xlFczo2ldE) Music Credit: Bewtiched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

2. 

   16 Nov 2023

   S1E9 - Dead Men Tell No Tales

   Avast ye Scurvy Dogs! We be commandeering this here episode to talk about the saltiest scoundrels that ever dared sail the Seven Seas. Pirates, like their landlubber counterparts, the highwaymen, have gained fame and notoriety the keeps them in the forefront of our minds despite their dastardly deeds. Join us as we sort fact from fiction and tell the tales of two formidable scalawags. Can you, our clever listener, tell which is the true crime and which is just a tall tale? Sources: Black Sails, Blue Waters by Eric Jay Dolin https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/why-do-we-love-pirates-3d664849cce1 (https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/why-do-we-love-pirates-3d664849cce1) https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/golden-age-piracy#:~:text=Pirates%20have%20existed%20since%20ancient%20times%20%E2%80%93%20they%20threatened%20the%20trading,medieval%20Europe%20were%20the%20Vikings (https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/golden-age-piracy#:~:text=Pirates%20have%20existed%20since%20ancient%20times%20%E2%80%93%20they%20threatened%20the%20trading,medieval%20Europe%20were%20the%20Vikings). (https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/golden-age-piracy#:~:text=Pirates%20have%20existed%20since%20ancient%20times%20%E2%80%93%20they%20threatened%20the%20trading,medieval%20Europe%20were%20the%20Vikings.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Hornigold (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Hornigold) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_General_History_of_the_Pyrates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_General_History_of_the_Pyrates) https://black-sails.fandom.com/wiki/James_Flint (https://black-sails.fandom.com/wiki/James_Flint) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_proprietor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_proprietor) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Pirates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Pirates) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bellamy#:~:text=Silver%20recovered%20from%20the%20wreck,be%20of%20use%20to%20you (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bellamy#:~:text=Silver%20recovered%20from%20the%20wreck,be%20of%20use%20to%20you). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bellamy#:~:text=Silver%20recovered%20from%20the%20wreck,be%20of%20use%20to%20you.) https://www.hsoy.org/blog/2023/3/16/mmrensabce8y1twvpa1ka6a4hfokvv (https://www.hsoy.org/blog/2023/3/16/mmrensabce8y1twvpa1ka6a4hfokvv) https://biographics.org/black-sam-bellamy-the-richest-pirate-in-history/#:~:text=And%20on%20that%20day%2C%20Mary,ship%27s%20light%20on%20its%20tail (https://biographics.org/black-sam-bellamy-the-richest-pirate-in-history/#:~:text=And%20on%20that%20day%2C%20Mary,ship%27s%20light%20on%20its%20tail). (https://biographics.org/black-sam-bellamy-the-richest-pirate-in-history/#:~:text=And%20on%20that%20day%2C%20Mary,ship%27s%20light%20on%20its%20tail.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_treasure_fleet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_treasure_fleet) Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

3. 

   14 Sept 2023

   S1E8 - Dog Gone Dognappers

   Be on the look out for 101 stolen dalmatians and throw out your fur coats because outrageous dognappings are prominent in this episode. We will focus on the nuance required for a well run ring of dog thieves and the 1969 epidemic of missing show dogs. Pull up a chair and cover your pets ears before we dive into unconventional victorian love affairs, our favorite medieval dog names, and pixel based boyfriends. And in the end we will challenge you, our clever listeners, to determine which story was the true crime and which was just a tall tale.. . . Sources:https://medium.com/truly-adventurous/the-dognapping-of-the-century-8169f538f295 (https://medium.com/truly-adventurous/the-dognapping-of-the-century-8169f538f295) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202201/is-dognapping-the-newest-wave-criminal-behavior (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202201/is-dognapping-the-newest-wave-criminal-behavior)https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/whos-afraid-dog-banditti (https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/whos-afraid-dog-banditti)https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/how-scooby-the-golden-retriever-helped-solve-his-own-dog-napping/ (https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/how-scooby-the-golden-retriever-helped-solve-his-own-dog-napping/) https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Decoy_for_a_Dognapper (https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Decoy_for_a_Dognapper). Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizofield

4. 

   28 Aug 2023

   S1E7 - It's Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus

   Strap in on your broom sticks because we are NOT going to Salem. We're visiting Connecticut instead to talk about lesser know witch trials in the American colonies. When we say "witches" in this episode we are referring to the falsely accused and innocent victims of the trials, not implying that there was actual witch craft occurring in these communities. Join us in this passionate discussion about the accuracy of Salem tourist t-shirts, the geography of witch trial punishments, and our favorite childhood cryptids. And throughout the episode we will challenge you, our clever listeners, to sort fact from fiction on multiple levels and determine which case is the true crime and which is just a tall tale.. . . Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Witch_Trials (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Witch_Trials) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Harrison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Harrison) https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-witches (https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-witches) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo!_and_the_Witch's_Ghost (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo!_and_the_Witch) . Music Credit:Bewitched - SoulProdMusic . Detective - SergeQuadrado . Stalker - alexisortizsofield

5. 

   10 Aug 2023

   S1E6 - In the Business of Arson

   Change the batteries in your smoke detecter and double check you home insurance policy because arson is afoot in this episode. We focus on two “business men” who decided that a fire was the fastest way to solve all their troubles. Strap in for a wild ride as we discuss the dangers of unattended pop tarts, fireball spiked sweet tea, and bowling alley BBQ. And it will be up to you, our witty listeners, to determine which case is the true crime and which was just a tall tale. . . . Sources: https://www.nj.com/south/2009/04/bowling_alley_fine_against_pik.html (https://www.nj.com/south/2009/04/bowling_alley_fine_against_pik.html) https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-nj-bowling-manager-charged-after-rival-lanes-burn-2010jan21-story.html (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-nj-bowling-manager-charged-after-rival-lanes-burn-2010jan21-story.html) https://www.theawl.com/2010/01/jersey-mayhem-shady-bowling-alley-owner-accused-of-torching-rival-lanes/ (https://www.theawl.com/2010/01/jersey-mayhem-shady-bowling-alley-owner-accused-of-torching-rival-lanes/) https://6abc.com/archive/7228405/ (https://6abc.com/archive/7228405/) https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2014/01/man_accused_in_vineland_bowling_alley_arson.html (https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2014/01/man_accused_in_vineland_bowling_alley_arson.html) https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2010/01/three_arrested_and_charged_in.html (https://www.nj.com/cumberland/2010/01/three_arrested_and_charged_in.html) https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2010/01/20/rival-operator-charged-in-bowling/4081238007/ (https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2010/01/20/rival-operator-charged-in-bowling/4081238007/) https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/14/loyle-lanes-arson-mastermind-resentenced/24778731/ (https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/14/loyle-lanes-arson-mastermind-resentenced/24778731/) https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/14/loyle-lanes-arson-mastermind-resentenced/24778731/ (https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/14/loyle-lanes-arson-mastermind-resentenced/24778731/) . Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

6. 

   27 Jul 2023

   S1E5 - High Seas Homicide

   Ever dreamt of going on a cruise? This episode may make you weary of that desire. For the people featured in this episode, the dreamy getaway of a cruise ship vacation turned into a nautical nightmare very quickly. Join us as we tell these two stories of High Seas Homicide and discuss the importance of travel insurance and when not to accept free ice cream on a cruise. Can you tell which case was the true crime and which was just a tall tale? . . . Sources: https://radaronline.com/photos/dark-seas-the-10-most-horrifying-true-crimes-committed-on-cruise-ships/ (https://radaronline.com/photos/dark-seas-the-10-most-horrifying-true-crimes-committed-on-cruise-ships/) https://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/roston-scott-robin.htm (https://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/roston-scott-robin.htm) https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/02/Honeymoon-killer-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/1275623304000/ (https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/02/Honeymoon-killer-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/1275623304000/) https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/600821/united-states-v-scott-robin-roston/ (https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/600821/united-states-v-scott-robin-roston/) https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021 (https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021). (https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021.) https://emmacruises.com/cruise-ship-killers-the-real-deaths-behind-the-show-episode-guide/#:~:text=Is%20Cruise%20Ship%20Killers%20Real,happened%20onboard%20a%20cruise%20ship (https://emmacruises.com/cruise-ship-killers-the-real-deaths-behind-the-show-episode-guide/#:~:text=Is%20Cruise%20Ship%20Killers%20Real,happened%20onboard%20a%20cruise%20ship). (https://emmacruises.com/cruise-ship-killers-the-real-deaths-behind-the-show-episode-guide/#:~:text=Is%20Cruise%20Ship%20Killers%20Real,happened%20onboard%20a%20cruise%20ship.) https://www.tvfanatic.com/shows/pushing-daisies/episodes/season-1/pie-lette/#:~:text=As%20a%2010%2Dyear%20old,boy%20isn%27t%20so%20fascinated%3F (https://www.tvfanatic.com/shows/pushing-daisies/episodes/season-1/pie-lette/#:~:text=As%20a%2010%2Dyear%20old,boy%20isn%27t%20so%20fascinated%3F) https://www.newspapers.com/image/85100869/?terms=charles%20fink%20hekla&match=1 (https://www.newspapers.com/image/85100869/?terms=charles%20fink%20hekla&match=1) https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021 (https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021). (https://blog.gitnux.com/cruise-ship-crime-statistics/#:~:text=There%20were%2032%20reported%20cases,ships%20from%202007%20to%202021.) . Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

7. 

   13 Jul 2023

   S1E4 - Death of a Reporter

   EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT! In this episode we explore the deaths of two tenacious reporters who went after dangerous stories. Join us as we discuss the First Amendment, the difference between slander and uncomfortable truths, as well as doppelgängers and a one woman show. In the end we challenge you, our clever listeners, to determine which case is fact, and which is simply a tall tale. . . . Sources: Killer Destinations Podcast - When the news is about your own demise: Jeff German - Las Vegas, NV 2022 - Hosted by Kathy & Cathy https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ry906LGyCsInuVmaFZOYU (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ry906LGyCsInuVmaFZOYU) CBS New - Elected official facing murder charge was "lying in wait" for Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, complaint says https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/private-and-passionate-jeff-german-loved-his-work-sports-and-family-2645286/amp/ (https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/private-and-passionate-jeff-german-loved-his-work-sports-and-family-2645286/amp/) https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/telles-claims-he-was-framed-in-reporters-slaying-denies-newspapers-interview-request-2726552/?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=parsely_related&utm_source=lvrj (https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/telles-claims-he-was-framed-in-reporters-slaying-denies-newspapers-interview-request-2726552/?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=parsely_related&utm_source=lvrj) https://nypost.com/2023/03/01/ex-pol-robert-telles-charged-in-death-of-las-vegas-reporter-jeff-german-will-rep-himself-at-trial/ (https://nypost.com/2023/03/01/ex-pol-robert-telles-charged-in-death-of-las-vegas-reporter-jeff-german-will-rep-himself-at-trial/) by David Ferrara (https://www.reviewjournal.com/staff/david-ferrara/), Briana Erickson (https://www.reviewjournal.com/staff/briana-erickson/) and Glenn Puit (https://www.reviewjournal.com/staff/glenn-puit/) - LVRJ https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/investigators-sources-dna-from-under-las-vegas-journalists-fingernails-led-to-elected-official-arrested-for-murder/ (https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/investigators-sources-dna-from-under-las-vegas-journalists-fingernails-led-to-elected-official-arrested-for-murder/) https://www.courttv.com/news/emails-from-rob-telles-may-show-motive-for-jeff-germans-murder/ (https://www.courttv.com/news/emails-from-rob-telles-may-show-motive-for-jeff-germans-murder/) . Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

8. 

   29 Jun 2023

   S1E3 - Stand and Deliver!

   The figure of the Highwayman as popularized by movies and books, giving way to a dashing figure, masked and vaguely threatening. Characters like Zorro and Robin Hood come to mind, as well as those scantily clad painted covers from the romance section of the book store. But what about the real crimes? Were they really that good? In this episode we will explore the stories of two such highwaymen and separate the romanticized figure from the true villains and dastardly deeds. Can you tell which one is the true case and which is just a tall tale? Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rookwood_(novel) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rookwood_(novel)) https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/the-myth-of-highwayman-dick-turpin-outlives-the-facts/ (https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/the-myth-of-highwayman-dick-turpin-outlives-the-facts/) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Noyes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Noyes) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republic) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_rule_in_Ireland# (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_rule_in_Ireland#) https://www.supersummary.com/the-scarlet-pimpernel/summary/ (https://www.supersummary.com/the-scarlet-pimpernel/summary/) https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/120727/ (https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/120727/) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highwayman_(poem) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highwayman_(poem)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5iAvjNu4gc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5iAvjNu4gc) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_and_Deliver_(Adam_and_the_Ants_song) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_and_Deliver_(Adam_and_the_Ants_song)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Turpin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Turpin) https://genius.com/Horrible-histories-dick-turpin-highwayman-annotated (https://genius.com/Horrible-histories-dick-turpin-highwayman-annotated) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMfEwTQOVA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMfEwTQOVA) The Highwayman Song - Lorena MckKinnet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcEjCnZSUo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcEjCnZSUo) Adam and the Ants, Stand and Deliver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2a6l6wM2k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2a6l6wM2k) Horrible Historie’s Dick Turpin song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYU-vSh7ORA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYU-vSh7ORA) Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

9. 

   15 Jun 2023

   S1E2 - Love, Honor, and Larceny

   What happens when you steal money that, according to every record, doesn't exist? What can you get away with when no one is looking for what you're stealing? Or when the person you're stealing from can't admit to having it in the first place? Join us on this wild ride where, in addition to debating if the cinematic masterpiece National Treasure was a robbery or a burglary, we will discuss the greatest bank heists no one has ever heard of. It is up to you, our clever listeners, to join in on the game and determine which case is true and which is a work of fiction. Sources: Stealing Nixon’s Millions - 10 part series by Keith Sharon for the Orange City Register Crime Beat Podcast Season 1 - Hosted by Keith Sharon for the Orange City Register https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/14/crime-beat-podcast-transcript-episode-1-stealing-nixons-millions/ (https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/14/crime-beat-podcast-transcript-episode-1-stealing-nixons-millions/) Finding Steve McQueen (2018) - screenplay by Ken Hixon and Keith Sharon https:// (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6032328/)www.imdb.com/title/tt6032328/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6032328/) Crooked City Podcast - Episode 2 by truth.media/ Sony Entertainment https://open.spotify.com/show/0xVgJAQGeBe16Wb1a8MBPQ (https://open.spotify.com/show/0xVgJAQGeBe16Wb1a8MBPQ) Mad Money (2008) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0951216/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0951216/) Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

10. 

    1 Jun 2023

    S1E1 - Weddings, Widows, and Poison ... Oh My!

    Poison. One of the most insidious ways to inflict death on a person. Used by cults, warriors, politicians, and spouses. More it is also one of the longest standing murder methods having been used since ancient times. In our premier episode of True Crime or Tall Tale we take you on the journey of two cases. It is up to you, our clever listeners, to join in the game and determine which case is true and which is a work of fiction. Sources: https://www.supersummary.com/the-mysterious-affair-at-styles/summary/ (https://www.supersummary.com/the-mysterious-affair-at-styles/summary/) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Chapman_(murderer) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Chapman_(murderer)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_Christie#Works (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_Christie#Works) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_poison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_poison) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony) https://www.healthline.com/health/arsenic-poisoning#symptoms (https://www.healthline.com/health/arsenic-poisoning#symptoms) Music Credit: Bewitched - SoulProdMusic Detective - SergeQuadrado Stalker - alexisortizsofield

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1 ratings

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5.0 / 5

9 ratings

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Books guests

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