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Artwork for Bless This Mess: A Southern True Crime Podcast

Bless This Mess: A Southern True Crime Podcast

Bless This Mess
Murder
Gabby Petito
True Crime
Texas
Domestic Violence
Brian Laundrie
Florida
Scott Peterson
Marlene Major
Derrick Todd Lee
Patreon
Deborah Mccormick
Baton Rouge
New Orleans
Murder Investigation
Georgia
Louisiana
South Carolina
Kelli Marie Bordeaux
Tammy Lane Bowers

Welcome to Bless This Mess: A Southern True Crime Podcast, where the tea is sweet but the history is dark. We are a husband and wife team from Louisiana serving up murder, mystery, and mayhem from across the southern states.Pull up a rocking chair, fill your mason jar with sweet tea (or something a little stronger), and sit for a spell on the porch with us. We dive deep into each case, taking turn... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes225Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Bless This Mess: A Southern True Crime Podcast

Latest Episodes

Grab your mason jar and pull up a rocking chair—this week on Bless This Mess, Cara and Stew are heading to Louisville, Kentucky!

On a September morning in 1988, 36-year-old Brenda Sue Schaefer’s car was found abandoned on the shoulder of Interstate ... more

In this week's Monday minisode of A Little Less Mess, Cara travels outside the South to the picturesque suburb of Westfield, New Jersey.

In June 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased their dream 1.3-million-dollar historic home at 657 Boulevard.... more

A beloved NBA star. A chilling midnight 911 call with eleven gunshots . A murder weapon hidden at the bottom of a Mississippi lake . This week, Cara and Stew take you to Memphis, Tennessee, to unravel the 2010 murder of Lorenzen Wright . Tune in as w... more

A Yale-educated diplomat. Five murdered family members. A fifty-year international manhunt. This week on A Little Less Mess, Cara dives into the chilling 1976 Bradford Bishop murders in Bethesda, Maryland, exploring how a high-society government offi... more

Key Facts

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Hosts

Cara
Host known for blending case narration with Southern charm and candid banter.
Stu
Co-host providing case narration, reactions, and frequent lighthearted interruptions.
Carrie
Host contributing to case narration and co-host banter.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Love it

    Ignore the reviewers that thinks every true crime needs to be super dark and depressing. Cara and Stu never joke or disrespect victims. I listen to a few podcasts like this, one being “murder they wrote” which is British and they are not as dark either. The reviewers questioning how anyone can listen if you laugh at times to your own banter should be questioning themselves. They must be so fun to be around. 🤦‍♀️ 😂 Love Cara and Stu!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christie in Tennessee
    United States4 months ago
  • ABSOLUTELY NOT

    True Crime is a serious topic. I listen to a LOT of podcasts and have heard some great ones. These podcasters laugh way too much and tell jokes while giving the information. It’s ridiculous. Also, don’t tell your listeners to rate your podcast with 5-Star ratings only. If you deserve it, you will get it. I couldn’t even finish the first and only episode I listened to. By the way, I’m a first responder, and I take all crime seriously. Listen at your own risk. You might like it. I don’t.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JoJo4214
    United States7 months ago
  • Tickled

    Love it when Cara gets tickled 😂😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sonofanutracker
    United States9 months ago
  • Definitely recommend

    I love this podcast and have for years. I like their banter and laughter and I think it’s not done with disrespect to the victims. It’s a hard balance to strike - sympathy for the victim at the core of the case, versus observation and sometimes laughter at the unreal or even nonsensical details surrounding the case. Keep up the good work, you two!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MJcolors
    United States9 months ago
  • Disrespectful

    Hate that the hosts keep breaking into laughter so much when talking about such sensitive matters. Its so disrespectful. Really disappointed :( couldn’t concentrate on the stories at all because of this

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jenifer30_
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Patreon community adds extra perks and deeper engagement for fans and sponsors.
The Southern vibe and authentic hosts create a welcoming, community-driven feel that stands out in true crime.
Some listeners dislike the joke-heavy approach during sensitive topics and prefer more focus on facts.
Audience values transparent content, family-friendly banter, and strong storytelling that's accessible for commutes and routines.
Listeners appreciate the balance of research and banter; humor lands without disrespecting victims.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

145. [Oklahoma] Rick Swan
Q: What happened to Rick Swan after Kathy's death?
Rick became depressed and eventually discovered a suicide note detailing Kathy's struggles. He began to recover, returning to hobbies like fishing, until he was murdered.
Replay: [Florida] Tamara Tucker
Q: What led the prosecutors to suspect foul play in Tamara's death?
The revelation from a second autopsy that Tamara had signs of strangulation, leading to the belief that her death was not accidental.
Replay: [Florida] Tamara Tucker
Q: What evidence did investigators find about Eric's past?
They found four misdemeanor convictions involving previous instances of violence against his ex-fiancee and ex-wife.
119. [Kentucky] William Sparkman Jr.
Q: What was the motive behind Sparkman's actions?
He feared his cancer would return and sought to end his life on his own terms, potentially motivated by life insurance benefits for his son.
119. [Kentucky] William Sparkman Jr.
Q: What happened to William Sparkman Jr.?
He was found hanging in a remote cemetery, and the case initially appeared as a murder but was later theorized to be a staged suicide.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show blends Southern hospitality with hard-edged true crime, delivering case-by-case storytelling paired with easygoing porch banter. Episodes span a wide geographic footprint across the South, from long-form investigations to compact mini-episodes, all anchored by a husband-and-wife duo and frequent Southern co-hosts. The mix of meticulous research, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted moments creates a distinctive vibe that keeps listeners engaged while taking the material seriously enough to respect victims. A notable strength is the recurring balance between detailed timelines and relatable, banter-heavy dialogue, appealing to audiences who want depth without solemnity overwhelming the narrative. The format's expansion to shorter, ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Gone Cold - Texas True Crime
2. MURDERISH
3. Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
4. The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole
5. Serialously with Annie Elise

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this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 225 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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