The Ballad of Dena & Andrea

By: Becky Poole
  • Summary

  • “The Ballad of Dena & Andrea” is a podcast featuring original murder ballads and conversations in reaction to the story of Andrea Yates and Dena Schlosser, two women who murdered their children in the early 2000s.

    Host Becky Poole was originally drawn to this story when she learned that Dena and Andrea ended up as roommates, briefly, in a North Texas mental institution. She soon discovered that their lives had been heading in the same tragic and preventable direction for years. Poole wrote an album in the style of Appalachian murder ballads and Americana to create empathetic myths about these mothers.

    With this podcast, she invites artists, colleagues, and friends to have conversations in reaction to the story - covering topics like religion, mental health, women's health, misogyny, our failing justice and healthcare systems, motherhood, creating work about tragedy, and more. Each episode includes a bit of Dena and Andrea's story, an interview chat, and an original song. Not a classic true crime doc but myth-making by ballad with honest conversations. Please join us to discover what might come up for you.

    © 2024 The Ballad of Dena & Andrea
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Episodes
  • Lions & Kings - Episode 03
    Aug 19 2024

    In this episode we get into a bit of the religious messaging that Dena was receiving as well as a glimpse into her home life. Song incorporates a bible verse that Dena fixated on before the killing. Guest: Writer, Tara Shoe. We talk about her experience with cervical cancer, growing up in an evangelical Christian environment, women’s health, the allure of church communities, changing minds abt motherhood, and speaking in tongues. We discuss health care, but we are NOT doctors. Please consult your doctors for any medical advice.

    Pod takes twists in and out of light-hearted and serious. Prepare for emotional rollercoaster action!

    CW: postpartum psychosis, depression, domestic abuse, suicide, infanticide, and religious zealotry.

    Pod holds an inclusive definition of womanhood.

    Tara Shoe

    Scaretown USA

    HPV & Cervical Cancer

    HPV Vaccine

    HRT Cancer Link Overestimated

    The Exvangelicals: Sarah McCammon

    Shout Your Abortion

    PSI Yates Children Memorial Fund Legal Justice Program

    A bit about the Yates Children Memorial Fund

    I Need An Abortion

    PlanCPills

    National Suicide Hotline: Or call 998

    Domestic Abuse Hotline

    Trevor Project

    Exvangelical Podcast

    Venmo

    Patreon Link

    Album

    Hosted & created by Becky Poole
    Songs written, sung, musical saw - Becky Poole
    Song & Theme Instrumentation, Production & Mix - Abby Posner
    Mastered - Dave Locke

    Podcast Audio Editing & Mixing - Evan Mosher

    Graphic Design - Stefan Lawrence
    Photo - Logan Futej

    Thank you for listening. For more about postpartum psychosis, go to Postpartum Support International. For the full album click here . Join the conversation on Instagram.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Modern Mother Worldly & Other Bad Mothers - Episode 02
    Aug 19 2024

    In this episode we get into a bit of the religious messaging that Andrea Yates was receiving like the pamphlet she received with a rhyme titled “Modern Mother Worldly.” I chat with my good friend and host of the parenting podcast “One Bad Mother,” Biz Ellis. We talk about her experience as a mother, women’s health (being ignored), and sing inappropriate camp songs!

    Pod takes twists and turns. Be prepared for emotional rollercoaster action!

    CW: We will discuss postpartum psychosis, depression, domestic abuse, suicide, infanticide, and religious zealotry.

    I aim to include anyone who has identified as a woman, female, or femme at any point in their journey.

    Show and Guest Links

    One Bad Mother

    One Bad Mother Book

    Poison Control

    Therapy for Black Girls

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

    National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673

    Unwell Women - Elinor Cleghorn

    Carla Naumburg

    Glenn Boozan

    Ballad of Dena & Andrea Links

    Postpartum Support International

    PSI Yates Children Memorial Fund Legal Justice Program

    A bit about the Yates Children Memorial Fund

    I Need An Abortion

    PlanCPills

    National Suicide Hotline: Or call 998

    Domestic Abuse Hotline

    Trevor Project

    Exvangelical Podcast

    Support the Pod

    Venmo

    Patreon Link

    Album

    Hosted & created - Becky Poole
    Songs written, sung & musical saw - Becky Poole
    Song & Theme Instrumentation, Production, & Mix - Abby Posner
    Mastered - Dave Locke

    Podcast Audio Editing & Mixing - Evan Mosher

    Graphic Design - Stefan Lawrence
    Photo - Logan Futej

    "Modern Mother Worldly" Produced by Drew Pearson, Becky Poole saw/vox, Thea Lux on harmonies and banjo, Victor Cohen on guitar, John Conant on Bass.

    Thank you for listening. For more about postpartum psychosis, go to Postpartum Support International. For the full album click here . Join the conversation on Instagram.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Ballad of Dena & Andrea - Episode 01
    Aug 19 2024

    This first episode introduces the story of Dena & Andrea in an epic murder ballad. You’ll hear a bit about what a murder ballad is and why I dig them. I’ll chat with two friends, who also tell stories of murder, about the pros and cons of true crime, what it’s like to create macabre content with humor, and the importance of letting go of reductive “good/evil” narratives. Guests: Muriel Montgomery & Nick Casalini of the true crime humor podcast “Muriel’s Murders.”

    This pod takes twists in and out of light-hearted and serious. Be prepared for emotional rollercoaster action!

    CW: postpartum psychosis, depression, suicide, infanticide, and religious zealotry. Please take care of yourself while listening.

    When I use the word women I aim to include anyone who has identified as a woman, female, or femme at any point in their journey.

    Links from Show & Guests

    Alan Lomax recordings

    Roud Index

    Omie Wise

    Muriel’s Murders

    Texas Killing Fields I-45 between Houston and Galveston

    Ear Hustle

    The New Gurus

    The Good Stuff

    Ballad of Dena & Andrea Links

    Postpartum Support International

    PSI Yates Children Memorial Fund Legal Justice Program

    A bit about the Yates Children Memorial Fund

    I Need An Abortion

    PlanCPills

    National Suicide Hotline: You can call 998 or find help online at

    Domestic Abuse Hotline

    Trevor Project

    Exvangelical Podcast

    Support the Pod Links

    Venmo

    Patreon Link

    Album

    Hosted & created - Becky Poole
    Songs written & sung - Becky Poole
    Musical Saw - Becky Poole
    Song & Theme Instrumentation, Production, & Mix - Abby Posner
    Mastered - Dave Locke

    Podcast Audio Editing & Mixing - Evan Mosher

    Graphic Design - Stefan Lawrence
    Photo - Logan Futej

    Thank you for listening. For more about postpartum psychosis, go to Postpartum Support International. For the full album click here . Join the conversation on Instagram.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins

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