Best Dr. J. McCarthy Podcasts (2025)

1
390: Abingdon's Boardinghouse Murder w/ Greg Lilly 1:11:01

15m ago1:11:01

1:11:01

In November 1945, James Newton, a young World War II veteran, was shot four times—twice in the back—in his room at an Abingdon, Virginia boardinghouse owned by Helen Clark. She would soon stand trial for his murder, as speculation swirled about the true nature of their relationship. Was she a protective, motherly figure trying to prevent Jimmy from…

1
Rainbow Emotion Wheel: Coping Strategies for Divorce 27:22

4d ago27:22

27:22

"Trauma is something they don't just get over. It's something they learn to live with." - Demi YoshidaDemi Yoshida, a dedicated therapist at My Well Being, specializes in supporting young adults through pivotal life transitions such as divorce, using her expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and psyc…

1
389: A History of Axe Murder w/ Rachel McCarthy James 1:08:41

7d ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Much like the wheel, the boat, and the telephone, the axe is a transformative piece of technology―one that has been with us since prehistory. And just as early humans used the axe to chop down trees, hunt for food, and whittle tools, they also used it to murder. Over time, this particular use has endured: as the axe evolved over centuries to fit th…

1
Shifting Internal Narratives for Constructive Self-Perception - with Dr. Sean Condon 29:48

11d ago29:48

29:48

"People lose sight of the fact that they're human beings, and it's not always easy." - Dr. Sean CondonDr. Sean Condon, a seasoned clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience, is renowned for his adeptness in helping individuals navigate anxiety, relationship challenges, and major life transitions such as divorce. As the founder of the…

1
388: The Adriatic Affair w/ Jennifer Sellitti 1:13:52

15d ago1:13:52

1:13:52

The American sailing vessel Adriatic collided with the French steamship Le Lyonnais on November 2, 1856, off the coast of Nantucket in what can best be described as a maritime hit-and-run. Adriatic’s captain, Jonathan Durham, rendered no aid and left the passenger steamship to fend for herself. 114 people died in the collision and in the days that …

1
Introducing the Slaycation Podcast 24:55

18d ago24:55

24:55

Just in time for summer! This is an introduction and excerpt from the Slaycation Podcast, hosted by Kim and Adam "Tex" Davis and Jerry Kolber. Pack your body bags for a darkly comic, true crime podcast that looks at murders, mysterious deaths and whodunits that happened while people were on vacation. More here! https://www.slaycation.wtf/ Spotify l…

1
Reconnecting After a Breakup: Building Healthy Relationships - with Kimia Moghadam 28:17

18d ago28:17

28:17

"That it's a journey, allow yourself time, allow yourself the grace and whatever that you need and set intentions for why you are trying to reconnect with certain people." - Kimia MoghadamKimia Moghadam, a licensed mental health counselor and clinical director at My Therapy NYC, is dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexit…

1
MoNo Encore: The Murders of Stringbean and Estelle Akeman w/ Taylor Hagood 1:49:35

20d ago1:49:35

1:49:35

(original pub date 7/19/23) David "Stringbean" Akeman was a singer, clawhammer banjo player and an early Grand Ole Opry star, known for his lanky build and comedic personality. And as a cast member of the nationwide television show Hee-Haw, he was at the height of his popularity when he and his wife Estelle were murdered in their rural Tennessee ho…

1
387: The Beatle Bandit w/ Nate Hendley 57:55

23d ago57:55

57:55

On July 24, 1964, twenty-four-year-old Matthew Kerry Smith disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle wig, hoisted a semi-automatic rifle, then held up a bank in North York, Ontario. The intelligent but troubled son of a businessman and mentally ill mother, Smith was a navy veteran with a young Indigenous wife and a hazy plan for violent revolution…

1
Establishing Clear Expectations and Consequences for Proactive Parenting - with Gary J. Edelstein 32:36

26d ago32:36

32:36

"Yelling is not a consequence. It's the avoidance of a consequence." - Gary EdelsteinGary Edelstein, a seasoned psychotherapist specializing in neuropsychology and family systems, is dedicated to advancing a collaborative co-parenting model. He underscores the importance of maintaining a unified front in parenting, particularly when children experi…

1
386: America's Nazi POW Murders w/ William Geroux 1:13:51

1M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

The American government was faced with an unprecedented challenge: where to house the nearly 400,000 German prisoners of war plucked from the battlefield and shipped across the Atlantic. On orders from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Department of War hastily built hundreds of POW camps in the United States. Today, traces of those camps—which …

1
Understanding Root Causes: Key to Successful Divorce Mediation - with Avi Kahan 36:03

1M ago36:03

36:03

"You don't get divorced from your spouse. It doesn't exist. It's a made-up word. You commit to a new relationship with them." - Avi KahanAvi Kahan, a distinguished mediator and founder of the non-profit Vad Hadin Vahora, is renowned for his innovative approach to divorce proceedings, integrating halakhic principles with civil law to offer comprehen…

1
385: The 1870 Murder of A.P. Crittenden w/ Gary Krist 1:09:33

1M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Shortly before dusk on November 3, 1870, just as the ferryboat El Capitan was pulling away from its slip into San Francisco Bay, a woman clad in black emerged from the shadows and strode across the crowded deck. Reaching under her veil, she drew a small pistol and aimed it directly at a well-dressed man sitting quietly with his wife and children. T…

1
Structured Communication Methods for Healing Relationships Post-Divorce - with Trisha Sanders 32:57

1M ago32:57

32:57

"Mirroring slows down the communication process. It really helps us to be able to tune in and listen in addition to be able to hear the information." - Trisha SandersTrisha Sanders is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly twenty years of experience, specializing in guiding families through the challenging transitions associated with divorce…

1
384: The 1943 Murders of Dr. Roy & Mae Hunt w/ Christena Stephens 56:26

1M ago56:26

56:26

On a nearly moonless night in October 1943, a single gunshot rang out in Littlefield, Texas. A prominent Texas doctor and his wife were found bound, shot, beaten, and murdered. The only witness: their five-year-old daughter, who was bound to silence and refused to speak about what happened for 70 years. Christena Stephens is my guest, and her book …

1
Divorce Settlements: Balancing Emotions with Financial Realities - with Jeff Landers 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

"Well, I guess it's important to know what's important to the spouse that you're divorcing and for them to know what's important to you so you could have a win-win situation." - Jeff LandersJeff Landers is a distinguished expert with over 40 years of experience in real estate, mortgages, and the financial intricacies of divorce, renowned for his gu…

1
MoNo Encore: The Murder of Carol Thompson w/ Bill Swanson 1:04:21

2M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

(Original pub date: 3/11/20) While the Coen brothers refuse to confirm it, many believe that their movie "Fargo" was inspired by the Carol Thompson murder case. She was viciously killed in her comfortable Saint Paul home by a hitman hired by her eccentric husband, T. Eugene Thompson, in March of 1963, leaving behind four small children. It was an a…

1
Market Trends and Property Conditions: Crucial Considerations in Divorce - with Nikki Beauchamp 32:58

2M ago32:58

32:58

"There's a whole grief process that starts all over again when you make that final decision to sell that property. And that's hard for people." - Nikki BeauchampNikki Beauchamp, a seasoned Manhattan-based real estate expert with over two decades of experience at Sotheby's International Realty, provides invaluable guidance at the intersection of div…

1
383: The Mysterious Disappearance of Molly Zelko w/ Rod Kackley 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

Molly Zelko was the crusading editor and publisher of the Spectator, a newspaper devoted to battling local gangsters operating slot machines and other rackets in Joliet, Illinois. In the late night hours of September 25, 1957 she vanished, with only her shoes and signs of a struggle left as evidence that something sinister had likely happened to he…

1
Establishing Boundaries and Co-Parenting in Divorce - with Jessica McCarthy PSY.D. 34:30

2M ago34:30

34:30

"Divorce will get you out of one situation. It will not guarantee, though, a happy ending in the next." - Jessica McCarthyDr. Jessica McCarthy, a renowned clinical and school psychologist from New Jersey, is celebrated for her expertise in supporting women through life transitions, including divorce. As the founder of Elements Psychological Service…

1
382: The Notorious Nancy Clem & the Cold Spring Murders w/ Wendy Gamber 1:19:31

2M ago1:19:31

1:19:31

On September 13, 1868, the bodies of Jacob and Nancy Young were discovered brutally murdered along the bank of the White River in Cold Spring, Indiana. Police would eventually set their sights on a charming and fascinating confidence woman named Nancy Clem, who happened to be involved in some extremely shady business dealings with Jacob Young at th…

1
The Role of Parents in Teaching Money Management - with Ed Vargo 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

"If you don't know about the money, you don't have control over the money or access to the money."Ed Vargo, the founder of Burning River Advisory Group and Enlighten Her, is a fervent advocate for financial literacy, particularly focusing on empowering women. Inspired by his immigrant mother's struggles with financial independence, Ed has dedicated…

1
381: Alabama's Kilpatrick Shooting w/ Lesa Carnes Shaul 1:27:48

2M ago1:27:48

1:27:48

Close to midnight on May 17, 1951, four north Alabama lawmen drove to a bootlegger’s home to serve an arrest warrant. Before the clock struck twelve, the bootlegger lay dead in front of the house he shared with his wife and eight children, and three of the four officers were also dead. Afterward, a sixteen-year-old boy would face a series of trials…

1
Positive Impact of Co-Parenting on Emotional Growth - with Joseph Zweben 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

"If your parents and you are just going to look at the negative side only and just keep making it worse for yourself, it's never going to get better." -Joseph Zweben-Joseph Zweben, a student at Pace University, is a testament to the positive impact of cooperative parenting during challenging times like divorce. Having personally experienced the ben…

1
380: Murder in Blackout London w/ Amy Helen Bell 59:27

3M ago59:27

59:27

My guest today is Dr. Amy Helen Bell, author of "Under Cover of Darkness: Murders in Blackout London". She shares accounts of the terror, tragedy and crime experienced by Londoners during the blackout and the blitz in 1940s wartime Britain. More about the author here: https://amyhelenbell.com/ Interested in revisiting the serial killers mentioned i…

1
Avoiding Pitfalls: Family Home, Financial Models, and Individual Goals - with Melissa Murphy Pavone 28:43

3M ago28:43

28:43

"You really want to know what your priorities are and then you want to know what your spouse's priorities are, because they might be different." - Melissa Murphy PavoneMelissa Murphy Pavone is a seasoned certified financial planner and divorce financial analyst, whose 18 years of experience in the field are deeply influenced by her personal experie…

1
379: The Pan Am Flight 7 Seven Crash w/ Ken Fortenberry 1:24:07

3M ago1:24:07

1:24:07

My guest this week is award-winning journalist Ken Fortenberry, author of "Flight 7 Is Missing: The Search for My Father's Killer". He walks us through the ill-fated flight of Pan Am's luxurious "Romance of the Skies", a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser that mysteriously crashed into the Pacific Ocean in November of 1957. Forty-four people were killed, inc…

1
Recovery and Transformation: The Potential for Positive Change Post-Divorce - with Justine Carino 34:28

3M ago34:28

34:28

"In divorce we grieve the marriage, we grieve the life we once had with our partner and what that looked like. We grieve that stability." - Justine CarinoJustine Carino, a licensed mental health counselor with over 12 years of experience, is a prominent voice in understanding the psychological impact of divorce. Specializing in anxiety and depressi…

1
MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders - The Reverend Lyn George Kelly w/ Edgar Epperly 1:18:58

3M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

(Original publish date: 6/7/22) In this third and final part of my interview with Dr. Edgar Epperly, the "little minister" Lyn George Jacklin Kelly is examined as a primary suspect in the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. Although Kelly spoke obsessively about the case and even confessed to the murders, many believed that the confession was the result of …

1
MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders: Wilkerson Vs. Jones w/ Edgar Epperly 1:18:07

3M ago1:18:07

1:18:07

(Original Publish Date: 5/31/22) Frank Fernando (F.F.) Jones seemed to be one of the most obvious suspects in the aftermath of the horrific 1912 Villisca Axe murders. He had a contentious business rivalry with the patriarch of the slain Moore family, Josiah (Joe) Moore, intensified further because Moore was having an affair with his daughter-in-law…

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MoNo Encore: The Villisca Axe Murders: Crime Scene w/ Edgar Epperly 1:16:30

3M ago1:16:30

1:16:30

One of my absolute favorites! This is the first of a three part interview I did with Dr. Ed Epperly about the notorious 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. (Original publish date 5/23/2022) This episode is sponsored by Strawberry .me. Get a $50 credit when you use our link: https://strawberry.me/notorious On June 9th (or) 10th, 1912, America experienced of …

1
Investing in Yourself: Acquiring Skills for Career Re-Entry - with Jody D'agostini 30:11

3M ago30:11

30:11

Why is emotional well-being important in financial planning post-divorce?Jody D'Agostini is a renowned financial strategist and certified divorce financial analyst with nearly two decades of experience, specializing in helping individuals navigate the financial intricacies of divorce at Falcon Financial Group in Morristown. Transitioning from a car…

1
378: The Murder of "Elvis Girl" Jenny Maxwell w/ Buddy Moorehouse 1:16:57

3M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Jenny Maxwell was one of Hollywood's "it girls", appearing in countless television shows and films. Arguably her most memorable role was that of Ellie Corbett in Elvis Presley's 1961 movie "Blue Hawaii", where she stole every scene she was in. But despite her professional success, her personal life was a mess, muc…

1
Harnessing the Unseen: Finding Clarity in Emotional Exploration - with Deborah Lukovich 33:42

3M ago33:42

33:42

"Depth psychology is a more spiritual approach, a psychospiritual approach to understanding yourself more deeply." - Deborah LukovichDr. Deborah Lukovich is a renowned depth psychologist who offers a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of divorce by delving into the unconscious mind. With a belief that up to 90% of our actions and dec…

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377: The Murder of Anna Wilkens & The Birth of the Lie Detector w/ Amit Katwala 58:01

4M ago58:01

58:01

Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife's blood. But was he a grieving husband or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to have her murdered? To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a…

1
376: Erie's Mausoleum Mystery w/ Justin Dombrowski 56:34

4M ago56:34

56:34

On February 8, 1911, the Scott Mausoleum, a symbol of wealth for the Scott and Strong families in Erie, Pennsylvania, was desecrated by unknown vandals, coined by nationwide papers as ghouls. With the inside of the mausoleum heavily damaged - and a body missing - the crime set off shockwaves throughout the country during a time in which grave robbe…

1
Challenges of Nesting: Sharing Living Space Post-Divorce - With Lisa Herrick 28:08

4M ago28:08

28:08

"Kids have large antenna on their heads that you can't see, but they're always scanning for information, and that is information that is picked up very easily." - Lisa HerrickDr. Lisa Herrick, a renowned family therapist and collaborative divorce coach, has nearly twenty years of experience guiding families in the Washington, D.C. area through the …

1
375: The Murder of Virginia Olson w/ Brian & Cameron Santana 1:25:10

4M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

On April 15, 1973, the body of Virginia Olson was discovered near the campus of the University of North Carolina-Asheville in an area known as the Botanical Gardens. She had been raped and stabbed to death in horrifically brutal fashion. Police would investigate this crime for decades, and even hone in one one particular suspect, but it still remai…

1
The Benefits of Bird Nesting for Children's Stability - with Ann Gold Buscho, Ph.D. 27:37

4M ago27:37

27:37

"The key is that it keeps the children stable. It keeps their routines consistent. There's a lot less upheaval and chaos for the children. It's a very child centered approach to separation and divorce." - Ann Gold BuschoAnn Gold Buscho, a licensed clinical psychologist, is renowned for her expertise in family dynamics surrounding divorce, with a pa…

1
American Criminal: John Gotti - Making a Man 45:34

4M ago45:34

45:34

This is the first episode of Airship's new series about John Gotti on their American Criminal podcast. "Living in poverty as a young kid, John Gotti takes up mafia work very early on. He knows that the Gambino family is his ticket out, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to climb the ranks. Even if it means killing a guy." For more information…

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374: The Mafia, the Kennedys & Hoover w/ Louis Ferrante 1:31:53

4M ago1:31:53

1:31:53

Louis Ferrante is back on the show, sharing more of his extensive research into the history of the American Mafia. In volume two of his trilogy, called "Borgata: Clash of Titans", he focuses on the Mafia during the height of its power in the 1960s and 70s. In our interview he talks about the origins of the animosity between the mob and Bobby Kenned…

1
373: The Murder Case that Inspired The Scarlet Letter w/ Kate Winkler Dawson 1:05:57

4M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

On a cold winter day in 1832, Sarah Maria Cornell was found dead in a quiet farmyard in a small New England town. When her troubled past and a secret correspondence with charismatic Methodist minister Reverend Ephraim Avery was uncovered, more questions emerged. Was Sarah’s death a suicide...or something much darker? Determined to uncover the real …

1
MoNo Encore: Catch Me If You Can's Frank Abagnale - Perpetrator of the Ultimate Hoax? w/ Alan C. Logan 1:37:02

5M ago1:37:02

1:37:02

Happy New Year everyone! This Most Notorious Encore episode revisits my conversation with Alan Logan, originally released on May 19, 2021. Most of us are familiar with the critically acclaimed film called Catch Me If You Can, based on the autobiography of legendary confidence man Frank Abagnale. It's the story of a brazen teenage imposter who throu…

1
372: Rhode Island's Last Execution w/ Paul F. Caranci 1:17:32

5M ago1:17:32

1:17:32

On a frigid day in 1843, Amasa Sprague, a wealthy Yankee mill owner, left his mansion to check on his cattle. On the way, he was accosted and beaten beyond recognition, and his body was left facedown in the snow. What followed was a trial marked by judicial bias, witness perjury and societal bigotry that resulted in the conviction of twenty-nine-ye…

1
371: The Barbara Graham Murder Case w/ Marcia Clark 59:18

5M ago59:18

59:18

Unwanted and neglected from birth, Barbara Graham had to overcome the odds just to survive. Her beauty was both a blessing and a curse—offering her too many options of all the wrong kind. Her innate sensitivity left her vulnerable to the harsh realities of the street, where she was left to fend for herself before she reached double digits. Her reco…

1
370: Britain's Notorious Hawkhurst Gang w/ Joseph Dragovich 1:04:30

5M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

South-east England, 1740s: War and heated politics bring the old practice of smuggling to new and dangerous heights. Violent gangs of smugglers terrorize communities and confound government attempts to stop them. The most famous of these, the Hawkhurst Gang, operate like a modern drug cartel fueled by illegal tea. They threaten witnesses and author…

1
369: Polly Bodine: The Witch of New York w/ Alex Hortis 1:22:36

5M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

On Christmas night, December 25, 1843, in a serene village on Staten Island, shocked neighbors discovered the burnt remains of twenty-four-year-old mother Emeline Houseman and her infant daughter, Ann Eliza. In a perverse nativity, someone bludgeoned to death a mother and child in their home—and then covered up the crime with hellfire. When an ambi…

1
368: Gangster Hunters w/ John Oller - A True Crime History Podcast 1:10:09

6M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

My guest this week is John Oller, author of the new book "Gangster Hunters: How Hoover's G-men Vanquished America's Deadliest Public Enemies". He walks us through the evolution of J. Edgar Hoover's Bureau in the early 1930s, highlighting some of the unsung federal agents that battled America's Depression Era bank-robbing outlaws and the pivotal cri…

1
MoNo Encore: Jack the Ripper - New Clues & Theories w/ Tom Wescott 1:17:47

6M ago1:17:47

1:17:47

On this month's Most Notorious Encore episode, we revisit the "Autumn of Terror" with a popular interview first released on 11/21/2019, five years ago today. One of the world's most preeminent Ripperologists, Tom Wescott, author of "The Bank Holiday Murders" and "Ripper Confidential" is my guest on this episode of Most Notorious. His extensive rese…

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367: A Double Murder in 1948 Illinois w/ Ted Gregory 1:18:03

6M ago1:18:03

1:18:03

Summer 1948. In the scenic, remote river town of Oregon, Illinois, a young couple visiting the local lovers’ lane is murdered. The shocking crime garners headlines from Portland, Maine, to Long Beach, California. But after a sweeping manhunt, no one is arrested and the violent deaths of Mary Jane Reed and Stanley Skridla fade into time’s indifferen…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Dr. J. McCarthy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen