Christian True-Crime Junkies!

What if the most famous murder of the early 1900s wasn't really about the killer—or even the victim—but about a young woman caught in the middle of power, fame, and manipulation? In this episode of Christian True Crime Junkies, we dive into the shocking story of Evelyn Nesbit—the original "It Girl"—whose beauty captivated a nation but whose life was shaped by exploitation, control, and tragedy. When a jealous husband shot a renowned architect in a crowded New York theater, the crime stunned the public… but the deeper story reveals something far more disturbing than a love triangle.   As we unpack the rise of celebrity culture, the abuse of power, and the heartbreaking reality behind the headlines, we wrestle with questions that still matter today: What does justice really look like? How do we discern truth in a world driven by narrative and reputation? And where is God in the midst of broken systems and wounded lives? Join us as we examine this "Crime of the Century" through a faith-based lens—and remember the woman whose story deserves more than scandal.

In this episode of Christian True Crime Junkies, we explore the true story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, recorded in the book of Acts. Jaime Hampton and Alana Terry walk through the events that led to his arrest, his bold defense before the Sanhedrin, and the powerful faith he displayed even as he faced death. Stephen's final moments—seeing heaven opened and praying for those who were killing him—offer one of the most moving pictures of grace in the New Testament. His death also sparked a wave of persecution that helped spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Join us as we unpack this biblical true crime story and reflect on what Stephen's courage and faith can teach believers today.

Is listening to true crime a sin? n this special episode of Christian True Crime Junkies, we step back from a specific case to wrestle with a bigger question many believers are asking. From articles in Christianity Today and Relevant Magazine to conversations in churches, Christians are debating whether true crime sharpens our understanding of justice — or numbs us to suffering. We talk about how Jaime and Alana first got into true crime, the most common arguments against it, and the potential pros and cons. Can these stories raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and even lead us to pray more effectively? Or can they fuel anxiety, distort reality, and turn real pain into entertainment? Join Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton for an honest, grace-filled discussion about discernment, conscience, and where the line really is.

This episode is sponsored by Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore. Get your copy today, anywhere books are sold! The world knew her as America's sweetheart. Tonya Harding knew her as her biggest rival. When Nancy Kerrigan was attacked just weeks before the 1994 Winter Olympics, the figure skating world was thrown into chaos. What followed was one of the most infamous sports scandals in history — a metal baton to the knee, an FBI investigation, a media frenzy, and a question that still lingers decades later: did Tonya Harding know? As the drama unfolded at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, two elite athletes with wildly different backgrounds found their legacies forever intertwined. Dive into the full story of rivalry, ambition, abuse, and public perception to decide for yourself… was this a calculated conspiracy, a tragic byproduct of toxic relationships, or something far more complicated? Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes — sometimes plain old murder… but always clean and always from a Christian perspective.

When crime stories dominate headlines, how do we talk about justice without losing sight of faith? In this episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies!, we sit down with former Long Beach police officer turned Christian romantic suspense author Janice Cantore to explore what it's really like to serve on the front lines of law enforcement, and how God shows up in the darkest moments. Drawing from her time with the Long Beach Police Department, Janice shares firsthand stories from patrol, detective work, and even the Rodney King riots. We talk about mob mentality, officer safety, the emotional toll of responding to tragedy, and the complicated conversations surrounding protests, policing, and accountability. Janice also opens up about how a pivotal moment early in her career strengthened her faith and reshaped the trajectory of her life. We also talk about Janice's brand new book Edge of Truth, and how her experiences in law enforcement directly shaped her Christian suspense novels. You can connect with Janice at the Romantic Suspense A-Team on Facebook, or at JaniceCantore.com, where you can order her book Edge of Truth today!

When spiritual authority crosses into control, how do you recognize it—and why is it so hard to name while you're inside it? In this episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies (which coincides with Spiritual Abuse Prevention Month), Jaime sits down with Alana for the final installment of a 3-part interview exploring Alana's experience in a Christian cult during her college years. What began as a faith community rooted in belonging and purpose slowly revealed patterns of manipulation, control, and spiritual abuse. Through Alana's firsthand account, we begin unpacking how high-control religious environments form, why intelligent and faith-seeking young adults are especially vulnerable, and how Scripture, obedience, and "submission" can be weaponized to silence questions and override personal discernment.  

When spiritual authority crosses into control, how do you recognize it—and why is it so hard to name while you're inside it? In this episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies (which coincides with Spiritual Abuse Prevention Month), Jaime sits down with Alana for Part 2 of a 3-part interview exploring Alana's experience in a Christian cult during her college years. What began as a faith community rooted in belonging and purpose slowly revealed patterns of manipulation, control, and spiritual abuse. Through Alana's firsthand account, we begin unpacking how high-control religious environments form, why intelligent and faith-seeking young adults are especially vulnerable, and how Scripture, obedience, and "submission" can be weaponized to silence questions and override personal discernment.  

When spiritual authority crosses into control, how do you recognize it—and why is it so hard to name while you're inside it? In this episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies (which coincides with Spiritual Abuse Prevention Month), Jaime sits down with Alana for Part 1 of a 3-part interview exploring Alana's experience in a Christian cult during her college years. What began as a faith community rooted in belonging and purpose slowly revealed patterns of manipulation, control, and spiritual abuse. Through Alana's firsthand account, we begin unpacking how high-control religious environments form, why intelligent and faith-seeking young adults are especially vulnerable, and how Scripture, obedience, and "submission" can be weaponized to silence questions and override personal discernment. This first conversation lays the groundwork for understanding grooming, coercive leadership, and the subtle red flags that are often dismissed—or only recognized in hindsight.

When abuse happens in the church, why is it so often mislabeled, minimized, or silenced?   In this episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies, we partner with special guest Lori Morrison to examine adult clergy sexual abuse (ACSA): how it happens, why it's frequently dismissed as an "affair," and the devastating impact church responses can have on survivors.   By researching a well-documented case and through Lori's expert insights, we explore power imbalances, grooming, spiritual manipulation, and the dangerous confusion between forgiveness and accountability. We discuss the importance of recognizing that not all abusers are male, and not all victims are female, and Lori helps highlight warning signs, red flags, and safety measures you can take to protect yourself and those you love from this kind of abuse.   This episode is not about scandal—it's about truth, justice, and protecting the vulnerable. Listener discretion advised due to sensitive content.   You can connect with Lori at SheShepherds.org   You can get Lori's book Shielded: 52 Weekly Devotions for Church Security Team Members on Amazon!   You can listen to her podcast, The Unlovely Truth, here, or find it anywhere you listen to podcasts!

In the spirit of New Year's, we're looking back at all our stories and crime cases from 2025 and giving out awards to the most deserving in the first ever Christian True-Crime Junkies award ceremony. Find out who wins the prize for creepiest criminal, most resilient survivor, biggest transformational reform, and more! (Just don't forget to dress up and bring your own dessert.) Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

The world knew her as a living saint. Mary Johnson knew her as "Mother," the woman who devoted her life to serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta and creating an order of sisters that Mary lived with, worked with, and dedicated her life to for two decades. When Mary joined Mother Teresa's convent as a young woman, she had no idea that she was going to walk into a world of abuse, power plays, and hardship. Dive into her own personal story to answer the question for yourself ... who was Mother Teresa of Calcutta? Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

In this episode, Jaime and Alana examine a quiet kind of deception: spiritual manipulation that preys on compassion rather than money. Describing personal encounters, they uncover how time, emotional energy, and even prayer can be stolen under the guise of need. But when discernment finally breaks through the deception, the story doesn't end in shame. Instead, it raises a hard question: how do believers guard what is sacred without closing their hearts? Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!  

Kim Hyun-Hee was hand-picked by the North Korean Party when she was still a teenager. Ripped away from her family, Hyun-Hee was trained and molded into an elite secret agent whose devotion was only to her country. By the age of 25, she had carried out North Korea's deadliest terrorist attack, but even though she tried to end her own life before her crimes caught up with her, Hyun-Hee's story was far from over. Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

Kirat is living her best life as a young, professional 30-something when she meets Bobby, a friend of her cousin. After several years of very casual interactions, Bobby confesses two things to her: He's dying, and he's in love with her. What unravels next destroys Kirat's life, her trust in humanity, and leaves listeners wondering ... could something like this ever happen to you? Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

In the days of Alaska's Wild West, a scrappy ambitious con man decided to take on East Coast bankers like J. P. Morgan and Simon Guggenheim who were making claims on the mines in Alaska's Copper River region. The ensuing mess led to a scam that left hundreds penniless and a shootout whose echoes still ring in Alaska's Keystone Canyon today. Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

What the world saw was 47 felonies and 4 incarcerations. Tammy Franklin didn't know it yet, but she was more than just a number. She was a Daughter of the King. Nearly 200,000 women in America are behind bars today, many carrying the heavy burdens of trauma, shame, and brokenness. Tammy knows that world firsthand. Early on, she believed her destiny was an endless cycle of addiction and incarceration, until she cried out one simple prayer: "God, help me." That desperate plea became the turning point that changed everything. Now, years later, Tammy oversees Prison Fellowship's correctional programs across the South Central U.S., helping women discover the same hope and healing that transformed her life. Join us for this very special episode where Tammy shares her powerful story of hope and redemption.   Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

On an otherwise completely ordinary day, a completely ordinary, law-abiding citizen named Ivan Santiago walked up to a man he'd never met before, pulled out a gun, and shot him at close range. Seconds after pulling the trigger, he claimed to have no memory whatsoever of his actions. His defense? He'd been part of a scientific study researching the effects of hypnosis, and one of the researches had placed a post-hypnotic suggestion into his brain. Can someone actually be hypnotized to kill in cold blood? And if so, the question has the be asked ... how can you make sure it doesn't happen to you?   Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

Nobody expected that kids selling papers on street corners could take on two of New York City's most powerful millionaires, but that's just what happened in 1899. When media moguls hiked prices of newspapers, a few ragged newsboys rose up against two of the most powerful men in America. Their strike brought New York City presses to a standstill and gave a voice to the voiceless. But behind the headlines was a deeper story — of courage, unity, and justice for the exploited. Jump back in time with us as we discuss the 1899 newsboys strike, a historic labor battle that inspired the Newsies Broadway musical. Explore how street-smart kids took on newspaper giants, changed labor history, and improved the lives of millions of kids who followed after these courageous few.   Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

When a baby's abducted from the San Antonio Aquarium, the press has a field day ... but not for the reasons you'd think. The victim? A juvenile horn shark named Miss Helen. Binge this light-hearted, fishy-themed episode of Christian True-Crime Junkies today ... just wash your hands after visiting the touch tank!   Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!

The most controversial female evangelist. The most sensational mystery of the Roaring '20s. What happened to Aimee Semple McPherson? One moment she was working on a sermon at the beach. The next minute she was gone. Did she drown? Was she kidnapped? Did God (as some attested) find her so flawless in life that He took her up to heaven, body and all? Or had this megachurch leader's lies finally caught up with her ... once and for all? (Part 2 of 2)   Join award-winning authors Alana Terry and Jaime Hampton, as each week we bring you unforgettable testimonies of survival, stories of justice, tales of redemption, and yes sometimes plain old murder ... but always clean and always from a Christian perspective!