This week, we’re not just talking about a prison break — we’re talking about the emotional escapes we all try to make when our needs go unmet.
In this episode of Heart of the Case, I’m breaking down the wild (and weirdly relatable?) 2015 escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York — where two inmates charmed their way into a prison worker's heart and out of a maximum-security prison.
But here’s the twist: this isn’t just about hacksaws in hamburger meat and a “Shawskank” love triangle. It’s about codependency, self-sabotage, and the quiet prisons we build in our minds — the ones built from loneliness, low self-worth, and emotional hunger.
✨ Come for the true crime. Stay for the therapy session you didn’t know you needed.
We’re unpacking:
The psychological profile of Joyce “Tilly” Mitchell
How childhood trauma shaped the escapees
Why smart women sometimes make wild emotional choices
How unmet emotional needs can cloud judgment
episode mentioned: Trauma Bonding + Breaking Free- https://youtu.be/CtRTtVte7bg?si=9Nl9hBjrh9NaGpGR
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.