Criminal • Vox Media Podcast Network

Explore a haunting chapter of industrial history in the "Criminal" podcast, where host Phoebe Judge, alongside guests Kate Moore and Darlene Hamm, delve into the tragic tale of the Radium Girls. These factory workers faced the deadly repercussions of working with radium paint, unaware of the lethal dangers due to company negligence. As they employed the common industry technique of lip-pointing to maintain their brushes for precision dial painting, they inadvertently ingested toxic amounts of radium, resulting in severe illnesses and premature deaths.That these women, like Molly Magia, fell victim to the radium poisoning at such young ages underscores both the vulnerability and exploitation of workers in the early 20th century.

The episode doesn't shy away from the bleak legal struggles that followed, recounting grim battles against disbelieving factories and the eventual settlements in places like New Jersey. The legacy of the Radium Girls is a bittersweet one, culminating in the formation of vital safety legislation and the founding of OSHA to ensure workplace safety, a balm that arrived all too late for the afflicted factory workers. Through the poignant stories told in "Criminal," the listener is not only introduced to a forgotten segment of history but is also reminded of the ongoing necessity for workplace health regulations and transparency.

Embark on a sonic journey into the enigmatic life of 1950s singer-songwriter Connie Converse with the "Criminal" podcast, where Phoebe Judge and a varied group of voices, including musicians and an advertiser, delve into the intriguing details of Converse's career and her perplexing vanishing act. Discover an overlooked talent whose reluctance to self-promote and the music industry's rigidity clouded her path to stardom, which ultimately led her to a politically charged life in Michigan far removed from New York's bustling creative scene.

Connie Converse's tale is a potpourri of unrealized potential, quiet rebellion, and a mysterious end that leaves more questions than answers. As the podcast unearths Connie's heartfelt farewell and the meticulous archive of her works left behind, one is drawn into reflecting on the legacy of a woman who was ahead of her time in so many ways. Through revitalized interest in her music and a centennial that revives her story, "Criminal" paints a poignant auditory portrait of the artist who vanished into thin air, leaving behind a footprint that whispers through the generations.

Dive into the compelling world of "Criminal" as Phoebe Judge explores the remarkable story of Toby Dorr's Safe Harbor Prison Dog Program in an episode that transcends ordinary life. Witness the transformative impact of bringing dogs into Lansing Correctional Facility, an initiative that has reshaped the lives of inmates and animals alike since its inception in 2004. Toby's full-hearted dedication to this program sets the stage for an unexpected journey, offering a unique lens into the power of rehabilitation and the unanticipated bonds forged behind bars.

As the narrative unfolds, we discover Toby Dorr's deepening connection with inmate John Maynard, whose personality captivates her attention beyond a professional relationship. Their intertwined paths lead to the formulation of a high-stakes escape plan, detailing the dramatic lengths to which Toby goes, driven by conflicting emotions and a desire for something beyond her current life. "Criminal" retraces the escape, the consequential police chase, and the aftermath, delving into the tangled web of relationships, regret, and the repercussions of actions that ultimately redefine Toby's understanding of freedom and captivity.

In the gripping episode of "Criminal," narrated by Phoebe Judge alongside guests such as Charles Thomas, Marijane Placek, and Ken Bedford, the dark saga of police brutality in Chicago is under the microscope. This particular installment investigates the systematic torture employed by John Burge and his detectives during their tenure at the police department—a chilling period from the 1970s to the 1990s. The episode brings to light the shockingly cruel techniques of electrocution, beatings, and suffocation utilized to extract confessions, primarily from Black men, revealing not just the actions of those directly involved but also a broader culture of racial bias within law enforcement.

Parallel to the harrowing details of these abuses, the episode paints a contrasting portrait of Russ Ewing, a figure of humanity whose reputation for safely escorting suspects to the police station became legendary. Ewing's dedication to protecting the rights of suspects earned him national admiration and underscored his role as a human rights defender. Additionally, the episode delves into the entrenched discrimination at the Chicago Fire Department, with Ewing once again at the forefront of efforts to draw attention to and combat systemic racial inequality. This narrative arch illuminates the pivotal role individuals like Ewing have played in fighting for justice and effecting change, presenting a powerful juxtaposition to the grim realities of corruption and abuse.

Dive into the enigmatic tale of Peggy Jo Tallis, alias "Cowboy Bob," whose bank robbery escapades captivated not only the suburbs of Dallas but also the nation's law enforcement, on the "Criminal" podcast. Phoebe Judge, alongside guests like FBI agent Steve Powell and acclaimed writer Skip Hollandsworth, delve into the unconventional criminal career of Tallis, who began her string of robberies disguised in a cowboy getup. The crew meticulously pieces together her methodical approach to heists, from the signature polite tipping of her hat to tellers to her strategic evasion of the FBI.

This episode opens a window into the meticulous and eerily composed world of Tallis, recounting the pivotal moments that both solidified her infamy and eventually triggered her downfall. The narration also explores the resurgence of an unmasked, 60-year-old Tallis as she steps back into the illicit world of heists. Tragically, her final crime spree ends not with arrests or trials, but in a fatal police standoff. As listeners reflect on the morphing identity of this bandit and the paths taken to evade capture and impart her legacy, "Criminal" presents a complex portrait of a figure who refused to live confined behind bars.