Best Roger Cruz Podcasts (2025)

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Bonus: John Wayne Gacy: A Case Review & Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise” 19:51

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14d ago19:51

19:51

In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther revisits the horrific crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, often referred to as “The Killer Clown,” and reviews the 2025 Peacock docu-drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The episode explores Gacy’s background, his crimes, the investigation's failures, and how the new series approaches the…

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Episode 75: How The National Training Center Turns Chaos Into Cohesion 34:43

15d ago34:43

34:43

Send us a text Think the Mojave is just heat and hardship? It’s a teacher with a mean streak. We walk through the National Training Center from the first checklist to the final bus ride, translating real-world friction into practical steps you can use to build combat power, protect your people, and keep the mission moving. From the official packing…

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder — Bonus Episode: Series Wrap-Up + Q&A 1:17:14

21d ago1:17:14

1:17:14

In this special bonus episode, Esther and producer Lorena answer listener questions and share their own reflections after a six-week deep dive into the life, death, and murder of Elizabeth Short. Topics include: • Who the real Elizabeth Short was versus the myth of “The Black Dahlia” • Whether her killer was someone she knew or a stranger • Whether…

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The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Six: The Black Dahlia Legacy 31:32

27d ago31:32

31:32

In the sixth and final episode of our series Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder, we explore the enduring cultural legacy of one of America’s most haunting unsolved crimes. For nearly eight decades, Elizabeth Short’s name, and the moniker “The Black Dahlia”. Has inspired countless books, films, television shows, and theories. But in the process, the re…

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Five: Severed 42:33

1M ago42:33

42:33

In Part Five of Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder, we examine the discovery of Elizabeth Short’s mutilated body, the forensic evidence revealed by the autopsy, and how early investigative missteps and media sensationalism derailed the search for her killer. We break down the crime scene on Norton Avenue, the medical examiner’s key findings—including …

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2026 FYPD Mock Draft 56:50

1M ago56:50

56:50

The band is back together for this years mock FYPD. Is there a consensus 1.1? The group goes 5 rounds, 20 total players drafted in this early look into 2026 FYPD. Tune in for sleeper picks following the first 20 players. Doc and Matt welcome back Tim Kanak of Fantasy Ace Ball - @fantasyaceball and Ross Jensen, Owner of Scout the Statline and Prospe…

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Bonus: The First Suspects - The Black Dahlia Files 11:50

1M ago11:50

11:50

In this bonus episode, Esther takes listeners back to the earliest days of the Black Dahlia investigation — before the world even knew the victim’s name. Detectives faced a gruesome and mystifying crime scene in a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood. Who was the young woman whose body had been staged so deliberately? And who could have committed such a …

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Four: The Black Dahlia’s Lost Week 35:42

2M ago35:42

35:42

In this fourth installment of Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder, we trace Elizabeth Short’s final, mysterious days — the missing week between her last confirmed sightings in early January 1947 and the shocking discovery of her body on January 15th. This episode follows “The Lost Week” through the eyes of those who crossed her path, beginning with Rob…

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Three: City of Broken Dreams 27:37

2M ago27:37

27:37

In 1946, Elizabeth Short – the young woman the world would later know as The Black Dahlia – returned to California chasing love, glamour, and a new beginning. Instead, she found herself drifting through a postwar Los Angeles filled with promise, danger, and people who would soon become key figures in one of the most infamous unsolved murders in Ame…

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Bonus: Love Letters from The Black Dahlia 10:56

2M ago10:56

10:56

Before Elizabeth Short became known to the world as The Black Dahlia, she was a young woman searching for love and belonging in a world still recovering from war. In this bonus episode, Esther reads excerpts from Elizabeth’s personal correspondence with Lt. Joseph Gordon Fickling and Major Matthew “Matt” Gordon — two men who loved her deeply, and w…

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth 34:39

2M ago34:39

34:39

Before she became The Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short was simply Beth — a young woman with big dreams, an open heart, and a longing for something beyond the ordinary. In Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth, we step back in time to uncover the story of the woman behind the legend. From her childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, through family tragedy, illness,…

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Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part One: The Girl in the Empty Lot 23:53

3M ago23:53

23:53

In January 1947, a mother walking through a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood made a horrifying discovery — the bisected body of a young woman posed in a vacant lot. Within hours, newspapers had a headline that would echo for decades: The Black Dahlia Murder. In this first episode of BROKEN: The Black Dahlia Murder, host Esther Ludlow revisits the sho…

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Introducing “Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder” - A Once Upon a Crime Original Series 3:13

3M ago3:13

3:13

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Q&A Aftershow 1:28:47

3M ago1:28:47

1:28:47

In this special Aftershow episode, Esther and Lorena answer listener questions and reflect on the powerful story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. Together, we unpack the psychology, the heartbreak, and the social forces behind one of Britain’s most infamous true crime cases. From Ruth’s volatile relationship with …

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Bonus Episode: Hanged: Those She Left Behind 14:56

3M ago14:56

14:56

In this special bonus wrap-up episode of Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion, we step beyond the execution chamber and trace the ripple effects of Ruth’s final act—the shockwaves that forever altered the lives of those left behind. We’ll look at the family who grieved and struggled in the aftermath, the friends and supporters who fought to …

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Seven: The Last Woman 37:30

4M ago37:30

37:30

In this final installment of our seven-part series, we follow Ruth Ellis through her last days and hours at Holloway Prison. Convicted of the murder of her lover, David Blakely, Ruth became the last woman hanged in Britain. We trace the frantic efforts made by friends, family, and even members of the public to win her a reprieve—and the powerful vo…

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What did we learn in 2025? 1:09:45

4M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

Doc and Matt reflect on the season as we near its end. What did each of them learn? What went right, and what went wrong?

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Mark Vientos resurgence, Colson Montgomery powerful start and league winners from Rogers to Laureano 1:21:07

4M ago1:21:07

1:21:07

Doc and Matt break down the latest in fantasy baseball. League winners, and who would each rather have in 2026.

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Episode 74: Rank Protects You: How Five Senior Officers Lost Everything Over Inappropriate Relationships 26:48

4M ago26:48

26:48

Send us a text The unspoken truth about Army leadership firings lies in the coded language we often see in headlines. When senior officers are relieved for "loss of confidence" or "prohibited relationships," there's always a deeper story. This episode breaks down five recent high-profile cases where military careers came crashing down—from a four-s…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Six: An Eye for an Eye 46:01

4M ago46:01

46:01

In this episode, Ruth Ellis takes the stand in her own defense during her murder trial at the Old Bailey. What unfolds is one of the most disastrous testimonies in British legal history. Ruth answers questions with little emotion, even while recounting her tumultuous relationship with David Blakely, his violence, her miscarriage, and her decision t…

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Eric Cross joins the show! 1:18:07

4M ago1:18:07

1:18:07

Doc and Matt welcome back Eric Cross. The guys talk about Konnor Griffin, PCA, Langford, Kurtz, and Kyle Harrison?

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Episode 73: Free Money for Homebuyers: Unlocking the Hidden Power of VA Loans 24:57

4M ago24:57

24:57

Send us a text Ever wondered if your military benefits could do more than just help you buy a house? What if your VA loan could actually eliminate your personal debt while getting you into your dream home? This eye-opening episode reveals a powerful, legitimate strategy that transforms how military members approach homebuying. We dive deep into the…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Five: Ruth’s Revenge 31:54

4M ago31:54

31:54

On Easter weekend 1955, Ruth Ellis reached her breaking point. After years of jealousy, violence, and betrayal, she spent a long, sleepless night replaying the wreckage of her life — and blaming one man: David Blakely. By Easter Sunday, her rage would boil over into an act that would shock Britain and seal her fate as the last woman hanged in the U…

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Is PCA regressing? Do Nick Kurtz, Chase Burns, and JJ Wetherholt chang the way we draft FYPD? 1:09:02

4M ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Doc and Matt dive into whether PCA is the real deal or if he just had a hot first half. Should Kurtz have gone 1.1 in FYPD? And 50 minutes of these two arguing. We hope you find it entertaining.

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Episode 72: Your NCOER Support Form is the roadmap to better evaluations 13:49

5M ago13:49

13:49

Send us a text Your NCOER support form holds more power over your military career than you realize, yet most soldiers treat it like meaningless paperwork. Sergeant Cruz breaks down the harsh reality that eight out of ten NCO raters completely ignore this critical document, leading to watered-down evaluations and career stagnation for countless sold…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Four: Deadly Obsession 29:20

5M ago29:20

29:20

This is Part Four of our 7-part series, Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion. We trace the true story of the last woman hanged in Britain, exploring the tangled mix of love, obsession, and violence that sealed her fate. In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, the destructive love affair between Ruth Ellis and David Blakely spirals further into…

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Episode 71: Lead, Develops, Achieves: The Second Part of the Triple Threat 13:19

5M ago13:19

13:19

Send us a text Are you struggling to write NCOER bullets that truly capture your leadership impact? The difference between mediocre and exceptional Army leaders comes down to understanding three critical competencies: Leads, Develops, and Achieves. In this essential episode, we break down exactly what these competencies mean beyond the official lan…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Three: Love Triangle 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

In Part Three of “Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion”, we delve into the turbulent 1954 relationship between Ruth Ellis, David Blakely, and Desmond Cussen. Discover how Ruth’s guarded heart, David’s infatuation, and a dangerous rivalry set the stage for obsession, jealousy, and ultimately, tragedy. Sources: A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ru…

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Trade Deadline Bonanza! 1:13:26

5M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

Matt and Doc break down this year's trade deadline moves. Which prospects benefited the most? Which bullpens are clearly the favorites? And why is Caleb Durbin on the bench?

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Episode 70: Character, Presence, Intellect: The Triple Threat of Army Leadership 12:56

5M ago12:56

12:56

Send us a text Ever wondered what truly separates good leaders from great ones in the Army? Forget the stereotypes about badge-heavy uniforms and drill sergeant voices. The secret lies in mastering three fundamental leadership attributes: character, presence, and intellect. In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the foundations of Army lead…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Two: Into the Night 31:40

5M ago31:40

31:40

In this gripping second installment of “Hanged,” we delve into Ruth Ellis’s tumultuous journey through London’s shadowy nightlife, her relationship with the infamous Morris “Morrie” Conley, and her turbulent romance with George Ellis. Discover how Ruth’s ambition and desire for stability drew her deeper into a world of glamour, vice, and violence. …

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Josh Naylor and the status of the NL Central 1:02:56

5M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Doc and Matt talk about what the D-Backs got back for Josh Naylor. And dive deep into the future of the NL Central and what that means for your future dynasty stars

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Episode 69: Gen Z Soldiers: Soft or Savvy? 24:29

5M ago24:29

24:29

Send us a text Are today's soldiers truly soft, or are they simply adapting to systems that haven't evolved with the times? This thought-provoking episode dives deep into the generational divide shaping today's Army culture. When senior NCOs claim that Generation Z soldiers lack discipline or respect for tradition, they're often misinterpreting cri…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part One: Becoming Ruth 33:16

5M ago33:16

33:16

Step into the haunting and captivating story of Ruth Neilson Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. This Once Upon a Crime original series traces Ruth’s tragic life—from her fragile childhood amid the chaos of World War II, through her rise as a nightclub hostess caught in London’s glamorous yet dangerous underworld, to her dev…

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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and The Price of Passion 1:47

5M ago1:47

1:47

Discover the haunting story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK. This Once Upon a Crime series follows Ruth’s journey from a troubled wartime childhood to the smoky nightclubs of London’s underworld—and finally, to the crime that sealed her fate in 1955. Blending history and storytelling, we explore how love, violence, and society’s ha…

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Episode 68: Stripes on the Horizon: 9 Keys to Dominating Your Next Military Board 27:15

6M ago27:15

27:15

Send us a text Facing a military promotion board can make even the most confident soldier anxious. The stakes are high—one wrong answer could derail your career advancement. But what if you could walk into that room knowing exactly what to expect and how to respond? This episode delivers a comprehensive roadmap for conquering any military board, fr…

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Ethan Holliday, Liam Doyle, JoJo Parker! 2025 MLB Draft Early Reaction 53:38

5M ago53:38

53:38

Doc and Matt give their early thoughts on this year's MLB draft class.

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Episode 67: Beard or No Beard: Decoding the Army's Facial Hair Memo 10:37

6M ago10:37

10:37

Send us a text Confused about the Army's new facial hair policy? You're not alone. The recently released Directive 2025-13 has created waves throughout all Army components, with soldiers debating what it really means for their grooming standards. Join me as I cut through the confusion and give you a straight-talking breakdown of what's actually wri…

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Episode 66: Stop Settling for Mediocrity in Your Military Service 31:49

6M ago31:49

31:49

Send us a text What separates excellence from mediocrity in military service? It all comes down to your relationship with standards. While the Army establishes baseline requirements for physical fitness, marksmanship, and professional competence, truly exceptional soldiers view these minimums as merely the starting point—not the destination. In thi…

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Callan Moss Of The Kansas City Royals Joins The Show 1:03:08

6M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Incredible interview with Callan Moss of the Kansas City Royals organization. Hear about his journey and what it takes to climb the levels from College ball to signing his pro contract.

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Buy or Sell in Dynasty! Oneil Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, and more! 1:14:19

6M ago1:14:19

1:14:19

Doc and Matt go through the league and ask if you should be targeting these players to buy or sell in dynasty. Big news for next week's episode!

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Episode 65: New Army Policy Leaves Many Surprised! 30:51

6M ago30:51

30:51

Send us a text The military grooming standards debate has reached a critical turning point. A bombshell Military.com article reveals the Army's upcoming policy that could separate soldiers diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—a condition affecting up to 94% of Black men—if they require shaving exemptions for more than 12 months in a two-y…

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Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Junior Caminero, Chase Burns & Miso! Ranks Episode 59:41

6M ago59:41

59:41

Doc and Matt break down where some of the youngest MLB talent ranks at their positions. What is the outlook for Chase Burns and Jacob Misiorowski? And lastly, is Junior Caminero a top "5" 3rd baseman moving forward?

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Episode 64: Beyond the Uniform: 5 Traits That Set Great Soldiers Apart 22:41

6M ago22:41

22:41

Send us a text The stark contrast between exceptional soldiers and those merely going through the motions reveals itself through five distinct traits that consistently separate warriors from paycheck collectors in today's military. Drawing from experiences across multiple duty stations, this raw, unfiltered breakdown exposes what truly makes certai…

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The Murder of Jonathan Joss 24:09

6M ago24:09

24:09

Jonathan Joss (1965–2025) was a Native American actor and musician renowned for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. His tragic death on June 1, 2025, has brought attention to issues of hate crimes and the underrepresentation of Native American victims in media coverage. Native activists emphas…

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We’re Going to Mexico City — and You’re Invited! 🇲🇽🌮 5:42

6M ago5:42

5:42

Pack your bags and grab your passport — we’re taking the Once Upon a Crime community on the road! In this special episode, we’re officially announcing our upcoming group trip to Mexico City, and trust us, you’re going to want in on this. From March 27–30, 2025, we’ll be exploring one of the world’s most vibrant cities together — filled with amazing…

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Konnor Griffin #1 Prospect? Buy and Sell Trade Targets 59:35

6M ago59:35

59:35

With Roman Anthony debuting, who is next in line for the number 1 prospect in the game? As we hit the halfway mark on the season, who are the targets you should be after... We do a buy or sell to help guide you through the trade season.

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OUAC Live in London - Killer Knowledge 41:02

7M ago41:02

41:02

On this week’s episode we’re going international! You’ll travel to London with Esther for a behind-the-scenes listen to the Once Upon a Crime live show recorded at CrimeCon UK on June 8th. Esther emceed a game show called “Killer Knowledge” where she challenged fellow true crime podcasters Neil and Megan from Mortal Musings on their true crime triv…

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Around the Minor Leagues in 20 Minutes 19:18

7M ago19:18

19:18

Doc is off saving the world this week, so Matt goes around the minor leagues to catch you up on some of our favorite prospects. 20-minute episode!

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Episode 63: USAREC to USARD: Inside the Army's Recruiting Makeover 50:24

7M ago50:24

50:24

Send us a text The Army recruiting landscape is changing dramatically, and we've got the inside scoop. In this eye-opening conversation, Sergeant Bruner returns to break down the major transformation happening within Army recruiting—starting with the elevation of U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) to U.S. Army Recruiting Division (USARD), now a …