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Examined: The Backfire Effect

Pushkin Industries
Mitrice Richardson
Malibu
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Mental Health
Rick Forsberg
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Jon Aujay
Dark Canyon
Methamphetamine
Temujin Kensu
Port Huron, United States
Cold Cases
Hannah Parks
Bank Robbery
Sarah Cavanaugh
Psychology
Alabama Murders
Leslie Manukian
Criminal Justice System
Rick Engels

About Examined: Overlooked cases that never got the real investigation they deserved. Each season features deeply reported stories about crime, punishment, and the people inside the criminal legal system.

Nearly 40 years ago, in the parking lot of a community college in Port Huron, Michigan, a 20-year-old student named Scott Macklem was shot dead in broad daylight. His murder shocked the communi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes72Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Examined: The Backfire Effect

Latest Episodes

Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee are the hosts of a podcast called Murder Sheet. They have been releasing episodes on the conviction of Temujin Kensu. But they do not believe he is innocent. Josie Duffy Rice tries to find out why.

If you are interested... more

For Temujin Kensu to have a chance at leaving prison, his legal team would have to convince courts that another person killed Scott Macklem. There are theories pointing to at least three suspects. Can any new evidence emerge after so many decades? An... more

Note: This episode contains descriptions of rape and sexual assault.

With his state and federal appeals almost exhausted, Temujin Kensu turns to the work of private investigators like Herb Welser, who’ve managed to uncover new evidence in his case.... more

The trial of Temujin Kensu had happened quickly, just six months from arrest to verdict. What came next was unbearably slow. And with every year that passed, his odds of getting out of prison would go down. But then, one judge decided to rule in his ... more

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Recent Guests

Temujin Kensu
Michigan prisoner convicted of Scott Macklem's murder who maintains his innocence
Episode: Episode 6: The Women
Paula Kensu
Temujin Kensu's wife and former advocate for his exoneration
Episode: Episode 6: The Women
Joy Marie Mann
Journalist who reported on Temujin Kensu case
Journalist for outlets covering the case
Episode: Episode 5: Time Barred
Imran Syed
Head of the Michigan Innocence Clinic
University of Michigan
Episode: Episode 5: Time Barred
Harold Copas
Private investigator involved in Temujin's case
Independent investigator
Episode: Episode 5: Time Barred
Bill Proctor
Television reporter who covered Temujin's case
Media (Local Detroit area)
Episode: Episode 5: Time Barred
Josh Sharp
Reporter who contributed to the case coverage
Reporter
Episode: Episode 4: The Alibi
Robert Cleland
Prosecutor depicted in trial
Prosecutor
Episode: Episode 4: The Alibi
David Dean
Defense attorney
Attorney
Episode: Episode 4: The Alibi

Hosts

Josie Duffy Rice
Journalist and host focused on criminal legal system accountability; affiliated with Pushkin Industries.
Hayley Fox
Co-host and host of investigative series focusing on criminal justice stories and accountability.
Betsy Shepherd
Co-host and investigative journalist deep-diving into long-form true crime narratives.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 5.2k ratings
  • Great listen

    Has the pull and propulsion of true crime but with deep empathy, strong ethical framework, and journalistic rigor. Thoroughly enjoy reporting by Josie Duffy-Rice!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nen417
    United Statesa month ago
  • So nuanced and smart

    Josie Duffy Rice is one of the best journalists on the planet. She brings thoughtfulness, nuance, and care to a very complicated story. She reminds us that justice includes those who often are far from perfect.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMoney145
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great Production

    I have had a lot of questions about this murder for a long time, because of podcasts claiming he’s guilty. It always felt like they left out critical information. I think this is really great - bought a subscription and listened to the whole thing. It’s very strong.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gorrly
    United Statesa month ago
  • Tragic but stellar investigation

    I was sad when this was over because it was so well done and I was so hoping for an answer. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beetles mimi
    United States3 months ago
  • Malibu…

    Have thoroughly enjoyed Season 1 - Season 2 not so much. Don’t understand why you thought Rob Lowe would have any effect on the back story. You have enough insight, information and journalism to explain what happened and close the story - Rob just seemed like “fluff”. Looking forward to Season 3.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skwilcox65
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Well-reported with compassionate storytelling and rigorous journalism.
High production quality and thoughtful guests are consistently noted.
Listeners appreciate ethical framing and depth over sensationalism.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#94
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#71
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#100
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#120
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#227
Germany/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#245
France/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 6: The Women
Q: Do you think Temujin is innocent or guilty?
Valerie Newman declines to answer, saying she is not a decision maker and that her personal view is not relevant to the case.
Episode 6: The Women
Q: How do you reconcile your Buddhist faith with your history of abuse?
Temujin Kensu says he does not excuse his conduct and recognizes it was wrong. He says changing took a long time, with his beliefs and shame about his past helping him work toward becoming a different person.
Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act | Valley of Shadows
Q: Was he depressed?
He had told the psychologist that he had been unhappy for two years with the marriage.
Episode 2: An Unreasonable Act | Valley of Shadows
Q: Do you think he was hopeful that this session was going to help save the marriage?
No, he was not hopeful as per Debbie's response.
8. Rick Trouble | Lost Hills
Q: What do you think led to Rick's downfall?
Rick's increasing substance abuse and reckless behavior were key factors in his downfall as he became more involved in violent situations.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Examined: The Backfire Effect

What is Examined: The Backfire Effect about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Investigative, narrative-driven true crime with a strong journalistic spine that scrutinizes overlooked cases within the criminal justice system. Across seasons, the show blends archival reporting, witness interviews, and expert context to expose how investigative missteps, procedural flaws, and institutional pressures shape outcomes—from high-profile trials in small towns to complex, decades-long justice questions. Productions emphasize ethics, accountability, and the human impact of systemic failures, often featuring lawyers, investigators, journalists, and occasionally subjects who challenge official narratives. A standout element is the level of on-the-record reporting, thoughtful questioning, and a clear commitment to nuanced storytell... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Examined: The Backfire Effect:

1. Deep Cover
2. Valley of Shadows
3. The Most Wanted Olympian from Uncover
4. The Binge Crimes: What Happened to the Harrisons?
5. The Binge Cases: Doctor Billions

How many episodes of Examined: The Backfire Effect are there?

Examined: The Backfire Effect launched 6 years ago and published 72 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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What guests have appeared on Examined: The Backfire Effect?

Recent guests on Examined: The Backfire Effect include:

1. Temujin Kensu
2. Paula Kensu
3. Joy Marie Mann
4. Imran Syed
5. Harold Copas
6. Bill Proctor
7. Josh Sharp
8. Robert Cleland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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