Episodes

  • Harvard's Forgotten Murder/Suicide

    Harvard's Forgotten Murder/Suicide
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode, we look at the collegiate tragedy of Sinedu Tedesse: friendship gone wrong, the limits of human ambition, and the dark underbelly of the American dream. Because the thing they don’t tell you about having your greatest dream come true, is what to do with yourself afterwards.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram

    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    SOURCES

    1. The Harvard Student Who Killed Her Roommate, Melanie Thernstrom
    2. Harvard Deaths Leave a Puzzle Whose Central Piece May Never Be Found, Fox Butterfield
    3. Hostage to The Past: The 1995 Murder Suicide in Dunster, Hillary A. McLauchlin
    4. Rethinking the American Dream: The Cost of Coming to America: Immigration and Depression in the Case of Sinedu Tadesse, Menna Demessie
    5. Halfway Heaven: Diary of a Harvard Murder, Melanie Thernstrom

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    44 mins
  • Gloria Allred: The Most Famous Female Lawyer in the World

    Gloria Allred: The Most Famous Female Lawyer in the World
    Jun 11 2025
    In this episode, we look at the sprawling career and casework of Gloria Allred. She’s an icon who’s been involved in so many major legal cases, OJ, Bill Cosby, the fight for gay marriage, priest abuse cases and AIDS discrimination. She’s seen it all. She’s been practicing law for nearly fifty years, and in that time she’s been a hero, a villain, and everything in between. • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram • Explore more: diversionaudio.com This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayerDeveloped by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein Associate Producer is Leo CulpProduced by Antonio EnriquezTheme Music by Tyler CashExecutive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth Special thanks to:Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here SOURCES https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-24-me-1698-story.htmlhttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-05-me-463-story.htmlhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12970625/Distraught-sister-latest-Rex-Heuermann-victim-weeps-outside-court-says-losing-Maureen-wound-never-truly-heals-Long-Island-serial-killer-pleads-not-guilty.html East LA Walkouts https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-civil-rights/east-la-walkouts Girls Schools https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1020228613796https://www.heri.ucla.edu/PDFs/pubs/briefs/SAX_031909_brief.pdf William Allred https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/8905092/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-20-mn-14752-story.htmlhttps://www.gloriaallred.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1200518/2021/01/Gloria-Allred-Article-Los-Angeles-Magazine.pdfhttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-26-me-2875-story.html Rape https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.4679070 Rita Milla https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/11_12/2007_12_05_Green_ShatteredFaith.htmhttps://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/04/03/forgotten-in-the-flock/https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-gloria-allred-20151113-story.htmlhttps://archive.org/details/goodcatholicgirl00bona/page/60/mode/1up?q=%22rita+milla%22 General https://www.gloriaallred.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1200518/2021/01/Gloria-Allred-Article-Los-Angeles-Magazine.pdfhttps://www.kveller.com/16-things-you-need-to-know-about-badass-jewish-lawyer-gloria-allred/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a539/gloria-allred-0610/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/02/gloria-allreds-crusadehttps://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/almID/1202473867559/ Harvey Wienstein https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/08/books/harvey-weinstein-book-kantor-twohey.html?smid=pc-thedailyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/podcasts/the-daily/harvey-weinstein-lisa-bloom.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/podcasts/the-daily/harvey-weinstein-gloria-allred.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    38 mins
  • Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 3)

    Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 3)
    Jun 3 2025

    In this third of three parts, we look the troubled life of Susie Newsom Lynch. A story steeped in paranoia and deceit, it has everything you need from a southern gothic tale.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram

    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out "Bitter Blood" by Jerry Bledsoe here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 2)

    Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 2)
    May 27 2025

    In this second of three parts, we look the troubled life of Susie Newsom Lynch. A story steeped in paranoia and deceit, it has everything you need from a southern gothic tale.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram

    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out "Bitter Blood" by Jerry Bledsoe here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 1)

    Family Betrayal: The Susie Newsom Lynch Story (Pt 1)
    May 20 2025

    In this first of three parts, we look the troubled life of Susie Newsom Lynch. A story steeped in paranoia and deceit, it has everything you need from a southern gothic tale.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram

    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out "Bitter Blood" by Jerry Bledsoe here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • Coco Chanel and the Aryan Laws (Pt 2)

    Coco Chanel and the Aryan Laws (Pt 2)
    May 13 2025

    In the second of two parts, we look at the fallout of Coco Chanel's relations with Nazis during their rule over Paris in WW2.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram

    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out more on 'Devil's Rooming House' by Hal Vaughn at Penguin Random House

    SOURCES

    • Albanesi, Melanie. “Coco Chanel: Fashion Designer, Nazi Informant.” PBS. January 3, 2022.
    • Pinnock, Olivia. “Do Coco Chanel’s Nazi Connections Matter For Fashion Today?” Forbes.
    • James, Caryn. “The truth about Coco Chanel and the Nazis.” BBC. 2024.
    • Mah, Ann. “This Picture Tells a Tragic Story of What Happened to Women After D-Day.” Time. June 6, 2018.
    • Mazzeo, Tilar J. The Secret of Chanel No. 5. Harper. Nov 9, 2010.
    • McAuley, James. “The Exchange: Coco Chanel and the Nazi Party.” The New Yorker. August 31, 2011.
    • Paton, Elizabeth. “Chanel Publishes Annual Results for First Time in 108 Years.” The New York Times. June 21, 2018.
    • Vaughan, Hal. Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel's Secret War. Vintage. 2011.
    • Wars of Coco Chanel documentary.
    • Becoming Chanel documentary.
    • Thomas, Dana. “The Power Behind the Cologne.” The New York Times Magazine. Feb 24, 2002.
    • Villani, Anna. “WHO OWNS CHANEL? The Wertheimer family. But, who are they?” The Vintage Bar. Jan 7, 2021.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • Coco Chanel and the Aryan Laws (Pt 1)

    Coco Chanel and the Aryan Laws (Pt 1)
    May 6 2025

    In this first of two parts, we examine the lives, public and private, of Coco Chanel in the wake of the France's fall in WW2. Though all had to make due with the new conditions, Coco fared better than others in this new life.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out more on 'Devil's Rooming House' by Hal Vaughn at Penguin Random House

    SOURCES

    • Albanesi, Melanie. “Coco Chanel: Fashion Designer, Nazi Informant.” PBS. January 3, 2022.
    • Pinnock, Olivia. “Do Coco Chanel’s Nazi Connections Matter For Fashion Today?” Forbes.
    • James, Caryn. “The truth about Coco Chanel and the Nazis.” BBC. 2024.
    • Mazzeo, Tilar J. The Secret of Chanel No. 5. Harper. Nov 9, 2010.
    • McAuley, James. “The Exchange: Coco Chanel and the Nazi Party.” The New Yorker. August 31, 2011.
    • Vaughan, Hal. Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel's Secret War. Vintage. 2011.
    • Wars of Coco Chanel documentary.
    • Becoming Chanel documentary.
    • Thomas, Dana. “The Power Behind the Cologne.” The New York Times Magazine. Feb 24, 2002.
    • Villani, Anna. “WHO OWNS CHANEL? The Wertheimer family. But, who are they?” The Vintage Bar. Jan 7, 2021.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • The Real Witches of Macbeth

    The Real Witches of Macbeth
    May 6 2025

    In this bonus episode, we look into the mysterious lore behind Shakespeare's 'Weyward Sisters" from Macbeth. Did you know those three women, the weird sisters, the three witches who prophesied Macbeth’s ascendance… did you know those women really existed?

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out 'Sleeping With the Enemy' by William Phillips here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show more Show less
    25 mins