Among the many outstanding true crime podcasts the Libsyn Ads team is proud to work with, Moms & Mysteries — a Libsyn Ads exclusive — stands out not only for their gripping storytelling but also for their commitment to meaningful causes. This October, co-hosts Melissa and Mandy are dedicating five powerful episodes to raising awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), offering their listeners insight and support through impactful stories.
We wanted to know more about their incredible efforts and they were kind enough to share their journey with us. Below are the first two episodes from their DVAM series:
- The Murder of Emma Compton
- The Story of Francine Hughes
Follow the show for more compelling stories throughout the month and learn how podcasting can connect listeners with real-world impact.
For brands interested in reaching a dedicated audience through podcast advertising, we’re here to help. Explore more at Libsyn Ads.
What is the background on your involvement in DVAM?
Our wonderful researcher, Haley Gray (@halegrayresearch), suggested covering cases related to domestic violence in October to highlight warning signs as well as to offer resources to listeners. We’ve covered cases involving domestic violence before, but never dedicated an entire month to sharing these stories, and we are very grateful for this opportunity.
We are also fortunate to be partnering with the Navigating Advocacy podcast to host a bag drive supporting domestic violence shelters in our community. Survivors often leave dangerous situations with only the clothes on their backs, so these bags can make a real difference. Items like deodorant, toothbrushes, socks, and even a simple handwritten note can go a long way in showing someone they are not alone.
Tell us about families or cases you have worked with.
We’ve had the opportunity to work with several families, all of whom are so special to us and have left their imprint on our hearts. The first family we connected with, which truly inspired our work with other families, was Jared Bridegan’s family — specifically, his wife, Kirsten Bridegan. Kirsten reached out to us to share her husband’s story, and through that connection, we’ve become great friends with her and even joined the board of her non-profit, the Bridegan Foundation.
From the foundation came Bexley Boxes, named after Kirsten’s daughter, who was in the car at the time of her husband’s murder. Bexley Boxes aim to provide comfort items and basic necessities for children brought to police stations without their caregivers.
What do you hope listeners take away from your episodes this month?
I think our goal would be to give a voice to the victims of domestic violence and to share resources with those who may be ready to leave but aren’t sure how.
How do you balance covering sensitive topics while maintaining respect for those involved?
To be honest, we were very nervous at first about working with families. We didn’t feel qualified, but we knew we wanted to help. We truly want the families we work with to be happy with our coverage, and as long as that remains our priority, respect will always be at the forefront of what we do.
Get to Know Melissa and Mandy
What inspired you to start your podcast and how did you choose your niche?
Melissa: I was a big-time podcast listener (back before it was cool!) and listened to several shows to keep me company during the early zombie days of having a newborn. In my exhausted (and delusional) state, I decided I could make one of my own. I had always been interested in true crime, so I chose that as my genre, and the name Moms and Murder (our original show name) just popped into my head.
Mandy: It might be surprising to some, but I had virtually no idea what podcasts were before Melissa pitched the idea for me to be her co-host. We had always talked about our mutual interest in true crime, but I was getting my content mostly from TV and the internet … I really had no idea what the world of true crime looked like in the podcast space.
What are your hobbies outside of your podcast?
Melissa: Overthinking every single thing that has happened or could ever happen. Also, watching the trashiest reality TV.
Mandy: Finding new places to explore! I love being outside and enjoying nature whether it’s here in my home state or somewhere far away.
Do either of you have a career outside of podcasting?
Melissa: We’re lucky enough to have made a career in podcasting, which is great because I lack any other useful skills.
Mandy: Like Melissa said, I’m grateful that podcasting has turned into my full-time career. We are both in the throes of raising families so the thought of producing a podcast AND having an outside career is daunting … I have huge respect for anyone doing both.
What is one sponsor you don’t have that would be a perfect fit for your podcast?
Melissa: We’ve had some really amazing partners over the years! One I’d really love to have is Hoka. My Hoka shoes are incredible and I wear them as often as possible. By the way, if I say Hoka three times, does that mean they have to sponsor us?
Mandy: Oooh this is a tough one! We’ve discovered so many amazing brands and products through our sponsors over the years. I particularly love our sponsors that send food and snacks right to our doors, so I would have to say I’d love to partner with NatureBox.
If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be and why?
Melissa: Tina Fey. Without a doubt. Her book Bossypants is my favorite, and of course, I love all of her work on SNL, 30 Rock, and literally anything else she’s done. Plus, I’m certain at this dinner she’d order real food, not just salad, so there’d be no limit to the appetizers we could share.
Mandy: Definitely Lindsay Lohan. As a 90s kid I have always adored her, but her recent glow up after getting healthy and becoming a mom is something I love and admire her for so much. I think she would be a fun person to talk to and hear her stories.
How did you first connect with each other about true crime cases? How did you meet?
Melissa: We met in a moms’ group after we both had our second kids. Our older ones needed socialization and we needed basic human interaction. One day, we started talking about documentaries and realized we both had a shared interest in true crime.
Mandy: That pretty much sums it up! We were just two moms desperate to find another adult to talk to! Finding out that our personalities balanced each other so well and that we had an easy time bantering back and forth was the icing on the cake.
What is one thing that your listeners would be surprised to know about each of you?
Melissa: I have a fear of choking on pasta. The only pasta I will eat is spaghetti. End of list.
Mandy: I take a 30 minute walks outside at sunrise every single day. My camera roll is full of sunrise photos!
Your podcast name gives it away — you’re both moms! Tell us about your families. Kids? Pets?
Melissa: My husband and I have been married for 17 years and we have a 15-year-old daughter, an 11-year-old son, and a 1-year-old cat named Luna. My daughter is incredibly artistic, and her talent blows me away, whether it’s music, drawing, or photography. She did not get that from me. My son is super into country balls right now, which means I, too, am into country balls. And if you don’t know what country balls are, well, consider yourself lucky!
Mandy: I met my husband when I was 17 years old, which means he has officially been in my life for over 50% of it! We have two boys who are 15 and 11. We love spending time together as a family doing typical Florida things like lounging on the beach or tubing in the river right alongside the alligators. Our hearts are full and so is our home with three dogs — a German Shorthaired Pointer named Lila and two Miniature Pinchers named Reese and Rolo. We also have three cats — Felix, Skylar, and Marie. It’s my own little funny farm.
Like what you’ve heard? Then you’ll love that Moms and Mysteries reaches 65,000 listeners per episode, 90% of them women! In fact, our true crime podcasters are some of our best audience connectors.
Check out these other great true crime podcasts at Libsyn Ads (we even offer a True Crime Bundle) for your autumn advertising needs. It’s a great season to reach fans who are dying to solve the case!
