Event will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
Check-in begins at 8:30 am.
Doors open at 9:00 am and the official festival ends at 5pm.
For those interested, we are finalizing details of a social event to be held that evening.
Please note the times of the scheduled events below are still being confirmed; we will update you prior to the event.
This schedule is subject to change.
1. Meet and Greet
The True Crime Podcast Festival will be a chill and relaxed atmosphere that encourages mingling and talking with with your favourite podcasters—as well as many others you should be listening to!
In between panel and live episode recordings, podcasters will be available in the main hall.
2. Panel Discussions
Case selection: a discussion on the cases we chose and the ones we didn’t
HOST:
Charlie Worroll from Crimelines, Impact Statement, and formerly of In Sight
PANELISTS:
Jillian LP from Court Junkie
Colleen from Misconduct
Javier Leiva from Pretend Radio
Unfortunately, true crime podcasters are not starved for choice when it comes to subject matter, and case selection ends up being an important part of a show’s development. In this panel, the hosts will discuss their processes for choosing cases, including what factors are commonly taken into consideration, what cases they have rejected, and more. Get a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of true crime podcast development.
The line of ethics in amateur investigations as podcasters
HOST:
Patrick Hinds from True Crime Obsessed
PANELISTS:
Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna from Missing Maura Murray, Crawlspace and Empty Frames
Laurah Norton from The Fall Line
Ottavia Zappala and Sarah Turney (sister of Alissa) from Missing Alissa (Disappearance of Alissa Turney)
Interest in true crime as an entertainment product has surged in recent years, with exponential growth of new content on both audio and visual mediums. When covering or investigating a crime, what ethical considerations do podcasters need to take into consideration, and where is the line drawn?
Take it Personally
HOST:
Jutin Evans from The Generation Why Podcast
PANELISTS:
Gillian Pennsavalle from True Crime Obsessed
Lara Bricker from Crime Writers On
Josh Hallmark from True Crime Bullsh**
Erica Kelley from Southern Fried True Crime
In the current surge of popularity the true crime genre is experiencing, what effects do the creation and consumption of true crime content have on the creators and listeners? Panelists discuss the effects on them personally and how they process it.
The Importance of Inclusivity
HOST:
Josh Hallmark from True Crime Bullsh**
PANELISTS:
Patrick Hinds from True Crime Obsessed
Shea Ryan from All Crime No Cattle
Lanie Hobbs from True Crime Fan Club and Crimes of Passion
Heidi Galore from Unsolved Podcast , Crime Analyst & Former Police Officer
Most true crime coverage tends to focus on specific demographics of the population. Panelists will discuss why inclusivity is especially important in the True Crime and Storytelling genres and why creators and listeners should be intentional about inclusivity.
3. Live Episodes
Canadian Crime Crossover
HOSTS:
Robin Warder from The Trail Went Cold
Kristi Lee from Canadian True Crime
The nicest guy in true crime podcasting, Robin, teams up with Aussie-turned-Canadian, Kristi, to present a brand new Canadian case.
Crime Writers On: Live!
HOSTS:
Rebecca Lavoie
Kevin Flynn
Laura Bricker
Toby Ball
from Crime Writers On
Crime Writers On is the original true crime review show. The panel digs into podcasts, documentaries, and pop culture to tell you what’s good and what you should skip. Rebecca, Kevin, Lara, and Toby bring their backgrounds as reporters, authors, and private eyes to inform their opinions on today’s hottest crime stories.
Chicago Mystery Case Discussion
HOSTS:
Lars Hacking from Rusty Hinges
Charlie Worroll from Crimelines, Impact Statement, and formerly of In Sight
Join Lars and Charlie as they discuss a historic Illinois case with all the wit they can manage… which isn’t a tall order.
William Bradford Bishop Jr.
HOSTS:
Nina Innsted from Already Gone Podcast and Don’t Talk to Strangers
Steven Pacheco from Trace Evidence
Already Gone & Trace Evidence are both detailed, scripted, storytelling style podcasts. In this live episode, they come together to tell the story of fugitive family-killer William Bradford Bishop Jr.
The Case of Mary Kay Letourneau
HOSTS:
Criminal defense attorneys Jessa Nicholson Goetz and Nick Gasner from Getting Off Pod
Forensic psychologists Dr Shiloh and Dr Scott from L.A. Not So Confidential
This crossover episode will look at the cast of Mary Kay Letourneau, a former teacher and convicted child predator who pleaded guilty in 1997 to two counts of felony second-degree rape of a child: her student who was 12 or 13 at the time, who she continued to have a relationship with for years. Jessa & Nick will discuss the legal details of the case, and Dr. Shiloh and Dr. Scott will analyze the psychological side of the situation.
Additional Information
All tickets are will call. Passes will be distributed at check-in.
There will be a cash bar available in the afternoon.