My M.O.
To keep the episodes more concise, there are things I leave out but would like to mention.
This page allows me to explain my modus operandi (m.o.).
This page allows me to explain my modus operandi (m.o.).
3-1-2020
There have been some developments in the past few months. One is that I have started "Fun Size" episodes which are more relaxed. I've done one so far where I detail the origins of why this podcast is called "Murder Lab". I have another one coming up where I talk about SKs in the movies/TV shows. I'll go into why sometimes it's annoying and sometimes it's exciting. I like to break up the heaviness of a regular episode with something more casual but still related. The next regular episode will compare the people covered in the five-part Murder Lab series about SKs that had a room or building set aside for torture/murder. Upcoming episodes will cover families that murdered together.
Another development is Murder Lab Monday! Every other Monday I will release a new episode, fun size or regular. The next one is tomorrow, March 2nd. Then March 16, and then March 30th - it's a three episode month!
Regarding other podcasts, I've become enamored with True Crime Garage and I highly recommend it. I also enjoy listening to The Murder Mile about true crime events that happened in England. To cleanse the palate, I listen to Everybody Dies, a podcast by local comedian Karen Jaffe. She interviews other comedians about their worst moments performing and it is a delight. Even if you haven't been in front of people and can relate personally, the interviews are entertaining and enlightening. The Queen decrees you shall checketh it out.
Another development is Murder Lab Monday! Every other Monday I will release a new episode, fun size or regular. The next one is tomorrow, March 2nd. Then March 16, and then March 30th - it's a three episode month!
Regarding other podcasts, I've become enamored with True Crime Garage and I highly recommend it. I also enjoy listening to The Murder Mile about true crime events that happened in England. To cleanse the palate, I listen to Everybody Dies, a podcast by local comedian Karen Jaffe. She interviews other comedians about their worst moments performing and it is a delight. Even if you haven't been in front of people and can relate personally, the interviews are entertaining and enlightening. The Queen decrees you shall checketh it out.
10-10-2019
Of course as soon as I posted my previous commentary, I realized I was not entirely accurate in saying that I haven't found a book that groups serial killers together by similarities. "The Serial Killer Files" by Harold Schechter actually does just that, and it's a great resource. However, I want to dig in deeper, expand each category to have more than a few SKs listed. I'm not criticizing the book; I just want more. And I want to be the one that does the digging. Plus, it came out in 2003, and information is starting to come out about modern SKs that wasn't available before, so there's new people to add to the lists.
10-5-2019
There are some questions that have popped up, and some that haven't, that I would like to answer.
Q: Why isn't there more background on each serial killer?
A: Most of the podcasts I have discovered go through one serial killer per episode and do a deep dive into them. While that is interesting and helpful, I also want to know about groupings of SKs. What do they have in common? Which ones had similar actions or experiences? I haven't really found a podcast or book that groups them that way. They may mention a few together in passing, but I haven't seen something based solely on doing just that.
In order to keep the episodes concise, I'd like to focus mainly on the specific topic of that episode and not go too far into other aspects. There is so much information I don't want to overwhelm you with, so I'm trying to make it as palatable as possible while still being interesting. There will be a level of patience on the listener's part - just wait and I'm going to cover it later. It may be a while, but I'll reveal aspects of their lives that you want to know. I know that's not necessarily a satisfying answer but you know what? That's why I encourage listening to other podcasts and I list my reference material.
Listen to the other podcasts that go into more detail. Go ahead and read books to find out what you want to know. There's room for all of us here to share information. If you are super intrigued by this subject, you won't get bored with researching it. Or, if you are super intrigued and don't have the time or energy to delve into it yourself, just be patient with me - I'll do the work, I'll group them together, and I'll put it out there a little at a time so eventually you'll get the information. There are so many SKs and so much information I promise you won't get bored.
Q: Have you really only listened to three podcasts?
A: No. I have listened to several SK podcasts and they didn't do it for me. One was like a news report that bounced around too much so I felt like I wasn't really getting any substantial information. One was a girl talking to her friend, including jokes between them the listener isn't privy to; you can tell it's a case of their friends think they are interesting, but that doesn't mean they are. Another had blatant misinformation - I will call it out because I think it's important to know - "Killer Jobs". He said that BTK raped his victims. He did NOT rape his victims. That may not seem like an important detail, but with this subject it really is. An SK's motivation is important. Whether they raped or not is important in helping to understand their motivation and psychology. BTK (Dennis Rader) didn't feel the need to rape. He would bind them, torture them, and kill them. He's not BTRK (bind, torture, rape, kill). So if you get that detail wrong, what other details are you getting wrong?
I have avoided listening to general true crime podcasts because I want to keep my focus on only SKs right now. Eventually, I may do side episodes or mention some other true crime-y things, but there is so much to cover just on SKs I've already got my hands (and bookshelves) full.
To clear the SK residue out of my mind, I do sometimes listen to Pete Holmes' podcast "You Made it Weird". He is delightful. I love how positive and excited he is. It's a perfect balance to listening to terrible things people do. I love listening to his laughter and the genuine warmth of his interaction with his guests.
Q: Why isn't there more background on each serial killer?
A: Most of the podcasts I have discovered go through one serial killer per episode and do a deep dive into them. While that is interesting and helpful, I also want to know about groupings of SKs. What do they have in common? Which ones had similar actions or experiences? I haven't really found a podcast or book that groups them that way. They may mention a few together in passing, but I haven't seen something based solely on doing just that.
In order to keep the episodes concise, I'd like to focus mainly on the specific topic of that episode and not go too far into other aspects. There is so much information I don't want to overwhelm you with, so I'm trying to make it as palatable as possible while still being interesting. There will be a level of patience on the listener's part - just wait and I'm going to cover it later. It may be a while, but I'll reveal aspects of their lives that you want to know. I know that's not necessarily a satisfying answer but you know what? That's why I encourage listening to other podcasts and I list my reference material.
Listen to the other podcasts that go into more detail. Go ahead and read books to find out what you want to know. There's room for all of us here to share information. If you are super intrigued by this subject, you won't get bored with researching it. Or, if you are super intrigued and don't have the time or energy to delve into it yourself, just be patient with me - I'll do the work, I'll group them together, and I'll put it out there a little at a time so eventually you'll get the information. There are so many SKs and so much information I promise you won't get bored.
Q: Have you really only listened to three podcasts?
A: No. I have listened to several SK podcasts and they didn't do it for me. One was like a news report that bounced around too much so I felt like I wasn't really getting any substantial information. One was a girl talking to her friend, including jokes between them the listener isn't privy to; you can tell it's a case of their friends think they are interesting, but that doesn't mean they are. Another had blatant misinformation - I will call it out because I think it's important to know - "Killer Jobs". He said that BTK raped his victims. He did NOT rape his victims. That may not seem like an important detail, but with this subject it really is. An SK's motivation is important. Whether they raped or not is important in helping to understand their motivation and psychology. BTK (Dennis Rader) didn't feel the need to rape. He would bind them, torture them, and kill them. He's not BTRK (bind, torture, rape, kill). So if you get that detail wrong, what other details are you getting wrong?
I have avoided listening to general true crime podcasts because I want to keep my focus on only SKs right now. Eventually, I may do side episodes or mention some other true crime-y things, but there is so much to cover just on SKs I've already got my hands (and bookshelves) full.
To clear the SK residue out of my mind, I do sometimes listen to Pete Holmes' podcast "You Made it Weird". He is delightful. I love how positive and excited he is. It's a perfect balance to listening to terrible things people do. I love listening to his laughter and the genuine warmth of his interaction with his guests.