Episodes

  • Montana : Rebekah Barsotti

    Montana : Rebekah Barsotti
    Jan 6 2025
    Rebekah Barsotti was a compassionate and adventurous young woman whose life was tragically cut short under troubling circumstances. On July 20, 2021, she vanished near the Clark Fork River in Montana, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a family desperate for justice. Months before her disappearance, Rebekah had escaped a turbulent marriage marked by domestic violence, determined to rebuild her life.

    Her remains were discovered nearly a year later, but conflicting autopsy findings and mishandled evidence have left her loved ones searching for clarity. Despite troubling details pointing to her estranged husband, David Barsotti, authorities ruled out foul play, leaving Rebekah’s family to navigate an uphill battle for accountability and answers.
    Rebekah’s story is a stark reminder of the challenges survivors of domestic violence face, even after they seek safety. Her family’s relentless pursuit of justice highlights the urgent need for reform in how these cases are handled.

    Help keep Rebekah’s memory alive by sharing her story, raising awareness about domestic violence, and demanding justice for Rebekah and other victims. If you have any information, contact the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office or CrimeStoppers. Together, we can ensure Rebekah’s legacy inspires change.

    Mineral County Sheriff's Office at 406-822-3555 or CrimeStoppers at 406-721-4444

    Follow Rebekah's Legacy: https://rebekahslegacy.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/RebekahsLegacyJusticeForRebekah/about
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    47 mins
  • Collab Bonus: True Crime Convos

    Collab Bonus: True Crime Convos
    Dec 30 2024
    On this special holiday bonus episode titled “True Crime Convos,” Melissa has teamed up with two fellow true crime podcasters to converse about our various experiences in the medium. Join me as I chat with Robin with "The Trail Went Cold" and Robert Parmer of “The Broken System Podcast” about such topics as researching cold cases, working with victims’ families, and even some of the more bizarre things we’ve experienced as podcasters.
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    54 mins
  • Grapes, Grifts, and Gavel

    Grapes, Grifts, and Gavel
    Dec 26 2024
    As a holiday treat, Whitney had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Amanda of Wine & Crime and Javier of PRETEND. In a podcasters on podcasters style convo, the three talk about true crime, podcasting as a whole and their dream team!

    Check out Javier and Amanda wherever you get your podcasts!

    Javier Leiva - PRETEND, Criminal Conduct, Ponzi Playbook
    https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo

    Amanda Jacobson - Wine & Crime
    https://open.spotify.com/show/5OeKXVPomhbejM9v7CDqxJ?si=4451247ce3704a0a
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Brandon Lawson : Confirmed

    Brandon Lawson : Confirmed
    Dec 26 2024
    In January of 2022, the Navigating Advocacy podcast played a pivotal role in raising awareness and pushing for action in the search for Brandon Lawson. During a foot search that nine people were on, including Whitney and myself, clothing items were discovered, which ultimately alerted Texas Rangers to conduct a more thorough search. Today we are deeply moved to share that human remains were found during that search and through DNA confirmation, those remains are Indeed Brandon Lawson's. We are honored to have been a part of this journey, and we will continue to stand with the Lawson family now and always.

    Here is an interview we had with LaDessa, Brandon's wife, earlier this year about her journey as an advocate trying to find her missing loved one. She gives words of wisdom and advice as she talks about her rocky road over the last decade.

    #brandonlawson #nomatterwhere #nomatterwho
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    29 mins
  • California : Nikki Cheng-Saelee McCain

    California : Nikki Cheng-Saelee McCain
    Dec 23 2024
    In this episode of Navigating Advocacy, Whitney and Melissa share the story of Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, a devoted mother, sister, and daughter whose life was marked by resilience and compassion despite enduring unimaginable struggles. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Nikki’s journey was one of hope and perseverance, yet her marriage to Tyler McCain became a cycle of control, abuse, and violence. Nikki was last seen on May 18, 2024, in Shasta County, California. Standing at 5’0” and weighing 100 lbs, Nikki has brown eyes and brownish-red hair.𝑼𝒑 𝒕𝒐 $𝟑𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑹𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑵𝒊𝒌𝒌𝒊 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒂𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒆-𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒂𝒊𝒏If you have any information, contact:𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨:- Website: scsecretwitness.com/submit-a-tip𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙛'𝙨 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚:Case Number: SCSO24-002069- Call: (530) 245-6135- Email: mcu@shastacounty.gov𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙉𝙤𝙧-𝘾𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜:- Call: (530) 638-3855- Website: nor-calallianceforthemissing.org𝙉𝙤𝙧-𝘾𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨:- Call: (530) 378-4491- Anonymous tip link:- https://forms.office.com/r/HsqN3dBCv0?origin=lprLink𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙥:- Call: (786) 509-7135- Email: Tips@therealkingsman.org(See the $10,000 reward terms by Kingsman Philanthropic Corp) https://uspasecurity.com/rewards#MissingPerson #FindNikki #HelpFindNikki #ReddingCA #AndersonCA #BringNikkiHome #NorCalAllianceForTheMissing
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    56 mins
  • Alabama : Eric Nelams

    Alabama : Eric Nelams
    Dec 16 2024
    Eric Nelams was a loving son, brother, father, and veteran whose life was tragically cut short in an unsolved 2003 homicide. Born on June 10, 1971, in Columbus, Georgia, Eric was raised in a large, tight-knit family, the son of Annie Nelams and Ernest Hodges, with eight sisters and six brothers. Known for his compassion and generosity, Eric was described by his family as selfless, kind-hearted, and always ready to help those in need.Eric’s jovial personality and love for life were evident in his everyday actions. A devoted father, Eric shared a deep bond with his son and embraced the role of stepfather to two children, loving them all as his own. Eric transitioned to civilian life after serving honorably in the U.S. Army and earning multiple awards and medals. He was known for his extraordinary work ethic and ability to excel in any role he undertook.

    Eric’s murder remains unsolved, and his family continues to fight for justice. If you have any information about Eric Nelams’ case, please contact Crime Stoppers of Central Alabama at 334-215-STOP (7867).

    Every tip can remain anonymous, and a $10,000 reward is still available.

    Sign the Petition: https://chng.it/K4ZzYmSkrd and don't forget to share!

    Join Eric's family's pursuit of justice: https://linktr.ee/justiceforericnelams
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    23 mins
  • From Podcasting to Advocacy : Berkshire Podcast Festival

    From Podcasting to Advocacy : Berkshire Podcast Festival
    Dec 9 2024
    Melissa and Whitney had the opportunity to join Kristen Seavey and Eric Carter-Landin at the Berkshire Podcast Festival in October.
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    38 mins
  • Arizona : Brandy Myers

    Arizona : Brandy Myers
    Dec 2 2024
    Brandy Lynn Myers was 13 years old when she disappeared in 1992 after going door-to-door fundraising for a read-a-thon. Her older sister, Kristin, has dedicated over 30 years to advocating for her younger sister. Despite strong suspicions towards two persons of interest, the case remains unresolved with insufficient evidence. Kristin, who tragically passed away in October 2024, tirelessly worked to keep Brandy's memory alive.

    We are sharing Brandy's story to help keep Kristin's legacy going.

    If you are interested in donating towards Kristin's go fund me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lay-kristin-dennis-to-rest
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    22 mins