Best Host Frank Thompson Podcasts (2025)

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

1d 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
Why Procrastination Isn’t Laziness: How to Tame Your Inner Critic and Channel Your Best Work with Britt Frank 54:54

7d ago54:54

54:54

What if your procrastination and inner critic were actually trying to help you, not sabotage you? In this episode, Mary sits down with psychotherapist and author Britt Frank to unpack the myths and truths behind fear, procrastination, and the complex cast of “parts” within our minds, as explored in Britt’s new book, Align Your Mind. In this episode…

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

9d 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 …

901
Introducing the Slaycation Podcast 24:55

12d 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…

1101
MoNo Encore: The Murders of Stringbean and Estelle Akeman w/ Taylor Hagood 1:49:35

14d 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
It’s Underestimated Launch Day! How to Quit Playing Small, Name the Fear… and Move Forward ANYWAY with special guest host Elizabeth Evans 1:09:28

15d ago1:09:28

1:09:28

What if the thing holding you back the most isn’t the fear of failure, but the fear of actually being seen and succeeding? In this special launch day episode, Mary Marantz is the guest on her own show as she is interviewed by her producer, Elizabeth Evans, on the release of her third book, "Underestimated." The duo explore how embracing your pivots…

1351
387: The Beatle Bandit w/ Nate Hendley 57:55

17d 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
You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing When You Feel like You Missed Your Window with Rebecca George 59:38

22d ago59:38

59:38

What if the most persistent lie fear tells you—the "you're already too late" lie —is actually the dullest, most common trick holding you back from your calling? In this episode, Mary welcomes author and podcaster, Rebecca George, to dive deep into the themes of waiting, longing, and naming your fears, all inspired by Rebecca’s new book, "You’re Not…

1901
386: America's Nazi POW Murders w/ William Geroux 1:13:51

25d 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
What If It’s Already Too Late: How Time Anxiety Keeps Us Playing Small with Chris Guillebeau 43:19

29d ago43:19

43:19

Have you ever felt like time is slipping through your fingers, leaving you anxious and overwhelmed? In this episode of the Mary Marantz Show, New York Times best-selling author Chris Guillebeau joins Mary to discuss his latest book, Time Anxiety, and how it addresses the ubiquitous feeling of time scarcity in our lives. By diving into Chris's insig…

2401
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
Mark Ditko and Mort Todd Ditkoverse Interview 2025 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Ditkoverse publications are here: http://www.igg.me/at/ditkoverse1 Alex Grand speaks with Steve Ditko’s nephew, Mark Ditko, and longtime Ditko collaborator Mort Todd about their DitkoVerse publishing venture, a project dedicated to “remastering” and re-presenting classic Steve Ditko stories in high-quality editions . They describe their upcoming In…

1
What if it Doesn’t Work Out? Navigating Fear and Failure with Heather Thompson Day 1:04:33

1M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Have you ever considered that the very act of chasing your passion might equally be the pathway to your greatest fulfillment AND profound suffering? In this episode of the Mary Marantz Show, guest Heather Thompson Day, author of "What If I'm Wrong? Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure," joins Mary to explore the fine line between faith and delu…

2951
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
Will Eisner interview by David Armstrong 32:55

1M ago32:55

32:55

David Armstrong interviewed Golden Age great and Graphic Novelist, Will Eisner in 1997 on set at San Diego Comic Con about the early history of comic books, comic strip reprints, his entry into comics, WOW What A Magazine!, his partnership with Jerry Iger, the growing concept of early comic books with original material, starting the Eisner and Iger…

1
I Thought It Would Be Better Than This: How the Fear of Disappointment Keeps Us From Moving Forward with Jessica Turner 59:49

1M ago59:49

59:49

What would it take for you to rise from disappointment and rebuild a life you love? In this episode of the Mary Marantz Show, author and content creator, Jessica Turner shares her journey of starting over after a public divorce and finding beauty in unexpected places. As you listen, you'll find inspiration to view setbacks not as endings but as opp…

3501
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
When Self-Doubt Shouts ‘Who Am I to Even Try?’ with Niki Hardy 1:13:48

2M ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Are doubts about faith a pathway to intimacy with God rather than a sign of weakness? In this inspiring episode, Mary is joined by Niki Hardy, author, speaker, podcaster and coach, to explore the nuanced journey of faith filled with curiosity and imperfections. Tune in to: Discover why doubts can be a superpower that strengthens, rather than dimini…

3951
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
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…

4951
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
Jerry Ordway Power Hour Interview by Alex Grand & Filippo Marzo 54:56

2M ago54:56

54:56

Alex Grand & Filippo Marzo interview Jerry Ordway for an hour in a co-interview process where the english version is here at Comic Book Historians, and the italian version is at Comics Reporter. Jerry is asked about his DC Comics career highlights from the 1980s through the 2000s with All-Star Squadron and Infinity Inc with Roy Thomas, Crisis on In…

5451
380: Murder in Blackout London w/ Amy Helen Bell 59:27

2M 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…

6001
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
People Pleaser: Why Your Calling Is More Important Than Their Criticism with Jinger Duggar Vuolo 59:27

3M ago59:27

59:27

Do you feel trapped by your need to please others? Join Mary as she welcomes Jinger Duggar, the sixth child from the Duggar family, to discuss her new book and her journey to overcome the deeply ingrained habit of seeking approval. Through Jinger’s experiences, you'll gain a renewed perspective on how to live authentically and foster genuine connec…

6501
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…

6501
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
Try Softer: How to Down Shift Out of Survival Mode by Integrating Your Story with Aundi Kolber 1:07:01

3M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

What if the drive to constantly achieve and perform is actually a method of survival from past traumas? In this episode, Mary Marantz is joined by Aundi Kolber, a therapist and author specializing in trauma and resilience, to discuss her approach encapsulated in her books "Try Softer" and her newest release, “Take What You Need.” After listening, y…

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
Ready As You Are: How to Ditch Impostor Syndrome for a Life of Purpose with Cassandra Speer 53:22

3M ago53:22

53:22

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Cassandra Speer, author and theologian, to explore the complex interplay between fear, purpose, and significance. We delve into the challenges of feeling underestimated and how our past stories can sometimes make us doubt our ability to make a difference. Cassandra shares her journey from a challenging chil…

1
Bob Hall, Comic Artist, Writer & Actor Interview Part 2 by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson 1:31:04

3M ago1:31:04

1:31:04

Alex Grand and co-host Jim Thompson interview Bob Hall part 2, from his early days as a comic reader, his University education in Theatre, his turned in first work for Charlton Comics, studying at the John Buscema Comic Art School, getting into Marvel under editor Archie Goodwin, then under new editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, the Yellowjacket Wasp sto…

1
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
The Fix: How to Break Your Addiction to Perfectionism One Small Step At a Time with Ian Morgan Cron 1:04:49

4M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Ian Morgan Cron, host of the extremely popular podcast, Typology, and author of the new book "The Fix." We explore the universal struggle with addiction, but not in the typical way you may be thinking. As we dive into Ian's personal journey of recovery, we uncover how the 12-step principles can benefit not …

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…

8051
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…

8401
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…

8701
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
Craig Yoe Biographical Interview by Alex Grand 2:49:49

4M ago2:49:49

2:49:49

Craig Yoe’s biographical interview highlights his creative journey through personal struggles and reinvention, who transforms adversity into creativity while remaining true to his innovative spirit. He discusses his graphic novel Woman & Man+, a psychedelic reflection on leaving the U.S., a painful divorce, and using art therapy to rebuild his life…

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
Love Actually IS All Around with Rachael Adams 56:34

5M ago56:34

56:34

We are often told the Bible is God’s love letter to us, but how are we supposed to live from that truth in the midst of our mundane task list? How do you think fully understanding God’s love for you would change the way you love yourself? Or even others? In today’s episode, Mary sits down with author of A Little Goes a Long Way and Everyday Prayers…

1
Bob Hall, Comic Artist, Writer & Actor Interview Part 1 by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson 1:36:09

5M ago1:36:09

1:36:09

Alex Grand and co-host Jim Thompson interview Bob Hall, from his early days as a comic reader, his University education in Theatre, his turned in first work for Charlton Comics, studying at the John Buscema Comic Art School, getting into Marvel under editor Archie Goodwin, then under new editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, the Yellowjacket Wasp story, Squ…

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…

1
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

Host Frank Thompson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen