The Hero Maker Podcast

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with one of the defense attorneys who represented Alfredo Prieto in three trials for the rape and murder of their friends Rachael Raver and Warren Fulton III. Peter Greenspun of Greenspun/Shapiro provided great information from the defense perspective for this and other cases.

Thank you Peter for a good conversation, and the perfect cap to Season 2 of Hero Maker.

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The Her...

In this episode, Jennifer introduces Andrea to Detective Lieutenant Mike Hasty. Mike is a police leader, married to another first responder, who shares great info about becoming a homicide investigator, being in a two-person first responder relationship, and solving homicides then and now.

A great listen for anyone interested in homicide investigation and working unsolved cases. 

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast...

Our hosts chat with members of the George Washington University Women's Soccer program circa 1988, the year one of their own, Rachael Raver went missing - Sheryl Hellmuth, Elsa Oberg and Kate Lunger

*HINT: For anyone who makes it to the very end of this episode, there's a special treat after the credits!

In their introduction, Jen and Andrea mention that The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 Peoples Choice ...

The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 Peoples Choice Podcast Awards 🏆🏆🏆🏆, and these awards are all about YOU!

We already know that our audience is THE BEST!!!

🎙 This two minute bonus episode explains everything you need to know to nominate us, and also here's the LINK TO NOMINATE US NOW. 🎙 {https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup}

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It takes less than 5 minutes to nominate The Hero Maker P...

Andrea and Jennifer spoke with Chief Jeff Swoboda of Fort Collins Police Services. Jeff is a forward-thinking police leader who launched a small police academy in Fort Collins to emphasize the Peace Officer side of the work. 

Thank you Chief Swoboda for your constant innovation, commitment to efficient use of government resources, and training officers to form meaningful relationships with the community. 

Learn more ab...

In this episode, Jennifer and Andrea summarize episodes 22-25.  In episode 22 they spoke with Kelly McBride who works to improve journalism ethics as SVP at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. In episode 23 they spoke with their friend Rachael Raver's big brother, Matt, who brought a lot of previously unspoken details about Rachael and Warren's case. In episode 24 Andrea visited with Denise Gianuzzi who shared openly...

In preparation for an upcoming conversation with the team that defended their friends' killer in court, Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Los Angeles based criminal defense attorney, Joshua Ritter to discuss some justice system basics. Josh came with a unique perspective having served in both the DA's office for the prosecution and now in his private criminal defense practice.

Thank you to Josh for a robust and e...

In this episode, Andrea accompanies Denise Gianuzzi, the sister of one of Alfredo Prieto's victims, to City Hall to request a copy of her brother's case file from events occurring over 30 years ago. 

This on-location interview is the next installment in Jennifer and Andrea's goal to connect with at least one family member from all of the victims bound by the same killer.  Thank you Denise for bringing your b...

Matt Raver shares his journey from being driven by a burning need to find answers after his sister's murder - through his darkest days - to the closure of attending the convicted perpetrator's execution.

In this episode Jennifer and Andrea learn many new details about Rachael and Warren's event, Tina Jefferson's event, early investigations, cold case investigations, the trials, and the Raver family exp...

For true public safety, media companies, and journalists need to raise the bar on how they cover violent crime. 

Kelly McBride, a Senior Vice President at the Poynter Institute in Florida, spoke with Jennifer and Andrea about ethics training in journalism, and how better collaboration among stakeholders does actually fulfill a shared goal of improved public safety. 

For more information on the Poynter Institute, p...

Andrea and Jennifer review the first four episodes of season 2 of The Hero Maker Podcast, episodes 17-20.  In episode 17 they spoke with Tom Jackman, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist who covered their friends' case from the year 2000 up until the time of the perpetrator's execution in 2015. In episode 18, they had a conversation with the mother of one of the West Coast victims. In episode 19, the...

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Ray Melusky, the jury foreman of the second trial of Alfredo Prieto for the Raver-Fulton murders. Ray was also present for Prieto's execution. 

This interview gives real insight into what went on behind the scenes and a clear idea of how future trials can be improved for the jury.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.

Se...

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Patricia Allen, one of the co-founders of No More Violence Organization based in Dallas, Texas.

No More Violence supports families who have lost a child to violence, gun violence, or by other means, walking with them in their grief and meeting their unique needs.

Find out more about Trisha and her team's tireless work by visiting https://www.nomoreviolence.net

Andrea and Jennifer are grateful to have shared this conversation with the mother of one of the West Coast victims. 

The double homicide of Tony Gianuzzi and Stacey Siegrist was never tried in court, but their deaths were linked by DNA to Rachael and Warren's killer. 

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

Andrea and Jennifer kick off Season 2 with this spirited conversation with Tom Jackman, who brought a plethora of rich details and valuable information about Rachael and Warren's case and trials. Jackman is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist who covered their friends' case from the year 2000 up until the time of the perpetrator's execution in 2015, which he attended.

Tom Jackman's ong...

Andrea and Jennifer review Hero Maker episodes 10-15.  In episodes 12 & 15 they spoke with two people instrumental in the adjudication process for east coast and west coast cases. Star Witness, Lisa shared intimate details of the attack she survived. Saly Fayez described how working Rachael and Warren's trials helped define her professional standards as a victim advocate. 

This concludes Season 1 of The Hero Maker...

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Saly Fayez, MSW, LSW, the Director of the Victim Services Division at Fairfax County Police Department to find out what is in her secret sauce. Our hosts were privileged to also download more first-hand information about the judiciary process for their friends who were murdered in college. 

Saly Fayez has been mentioned in more episodes than any other person for her exemplary work as a vic...

Andrea and Jen met with Jared Seide of the Center for Council. 

Center for Council uses an age-old practice that involves bringing people together in a circle to bear witness and share authentically. Council brings their work to prison populations, schools, faith groups, first responders, and now through their P.O.W.E.R. program, to police departments.

Much of this conversation is about the amazing results Jared and his tea...

In this episode, Jennifer introduces Andrea to DNA/CODIS Administrator, Rebekah Wilkins from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory.

Thank you Rebekah for a nerdy and fascinating conversation about the lifecycle, morality, and evolution of DNA detection and collection. 

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This episode includes sound editing contributions from @vickierosesampson.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting...