2022 was another banner year for captivating podcasts diving deep into historic events, eras and figures. While many history shows had standout episodes, the Generation Why podcast consistently delivered enthralling explorations of past crimes, mysteries and tragedies. Hosted by Aaron and Justin, two friends with a passion for digging into cold cases and forgotten histories, Generation Why drew in listeners with meticulously researched storytelling and thought-provoking discussions.
After combing through the archives, here are my picks for the top 10 Generation Why episodes that dropped in 2022, offering the most fascinating journeys into the annals of true crime:
1. The Odd Death of Michelle von Emster
The puzzling 1994 death of 25-year-old Michelle von Emster, whose body washed up on a San Diego beach with apparent shark bites, is the focus of this haunting episode. While authorities ruled it a tragic accident, Aaron and Justin unpack the many odd details that point to foul play, from Michelle‘s missing personal items to sightings of a mysterious man on the beach. A spooky yet sad case that leaves you with more questions than answers.
2. The Chilling Story of Colleen Stan
This disturbing dive into the 1977 abduction of hitchhiker Colleen Stan is not for the faint of heart. Kidnapped by Cameron Hooker and his wife Janice, Colleen was imprisoned in a coffin-like box for 23 hours a day and subjected to unimaginable abuse for 7 years. Aaron and Justin handle this difficult topic with great sensitivity as they examine how Colleen‘s captors broke her down psychologically and how she eventually escaped. An incredible story of survival against all odds.
3. Who Killed Anita Cobby?
The brutal 1986 murder of Australian nurse Anita Cobby shocked the nation and remains one of its most notorious cases. In this episode, the hosts retrace the police investigation that swiftly led to the arrest of five men, exploring how key evidence and witnesses played a vital role. They also reflect on the lasting impact of this senseless crime and critique how media coverage at the time fed into misogynistic stereotypes about female victims.
4. The Circleville Writer
For over 20 years, residents of the small town of Circleville, Ohio were terrorized by an anonymous letter writer who made ominous accusations and threats. Tracing the unsolved case from the 1970s to 1990s, Aaron and Justin detail the twists and turns that have long fueled speculation about the writer‘s identity and motives. From a booby trap that nearly killed the son of a local sheriff to compelling theories about scorned lovers and corrupt officials, this episode unravels a tangle of small town secrets and lies.
5. The Disappearance of Asha Degree
What happened to 9-year-old Asha Degree, who vanished from her North Carolina home on Valentine‘s Day 2000? With heartfelt interviews from Asha‘s family and detectives, this episode reexamines the clues in this baffling case, from the scattered personal items found miles from her home to sightings of Asha walking alone along a highway in the middle of the night. A frustrating mystery clouded by strange details that defy easy explanation.
6. Brittanee Drexel‘s Final Spring Break
The perplexing 2009 disappearance of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, who vanished while on spring break in Myrtle Beach, is re-investigated in this episode. With clips from friends who were with her on the trip describing the hours before she went missing, Aaron and Justin lay out multiple theories of the case, from Brittanee meeting with foul play to her possibly starting a new life elsewhere. While some questions have now been tragically answered, the hosts raise important points about the investigation‘s initial missteps.
7. The Haunted Life of Teresita Basa
Was a murdered woman‘s spirit channeled to identify her own killer? That‘s the chilling possibility explored in this paranormal-tinged episode about Teresita Basa, a respiratory therapist stabbed to death in Chicago in 1977. Months later, a co-worker began having dreams about the crime, leading to an accusation against the hospital‘s janitor. While Aaron and Justin offer rational explanations for how this information came to light, they also ponder the many eerie coincidences in this one-of-a-kind case.
8. The Boys on the Tracks
What at first seemed like a tragic accident—two Arkansas teenage boys struck by a train in 1987—soon unleashed a web of conspiracy theories about drug trafficking and police corruption. Sorting through the tangled evidence and allegations, Aaron and Justin examine how the facts of the case were overshadowed by wild rumors and botched investigations. A sobering look at a small town mystery poisoned by rampant speculation and powerful interests.
9. The East Area Rapist
Also known as the Golden State Killer, the East Area Rapist terrorized California in the 1970s and 80s, committing over 50 rapes and a dozen murders. In this chilling two-part episode, Aaron and Justin detail the criminal‘s heinous M.O. and the clues he left behind, from creepy phone calls to carefully planned home invasions. While covering the killer‘s 2018 capture through DNA evidence, they wrestle with the troubling truth that he evaded justice for over 40 years while hiding in plain sight.
10. The Keddie Cabin Murders
A quadruple homicide in a remote cabin in Keddie, California has been the source of rampant speculation since 1981. With no arrests ever made, the unsolved slayings of a mother, her two children, and a teenage friend have spawned a circus of rumors pointing the finger at various suspects. Taking a level-headed look at the facts of the case, Aaron and Justin break down the evidence and eyewitness accounts to see which theories hold water. A deep dive into a disturbing cold case with too few answers.
Well-researched and rich in detail, these 10 Generation Why episodes from 2022 represent the podcast at its finest, shining a light on both famous and lesser-known cases from the true crime archives. If you‘re a fan of historical mysteries, legal dramas, and all things morbid and macabre, queue up these eps for your next road trip or cleaning spree. Just maybe leave a light on!
