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Artwork for The Peacemaker

The Peacemaker

iHeartPodcasts
Truman State University
Brandon Grossheim
Suicide
Alpha Kappa Lambda
Youth Depression
Mental Health
Kirksville
Glenna Haught
Suicide Cluster
Missouri
Alex Vogt
Suicide Prevention
Research Chemicals
Iheartradio
Civil Lawsuit
Kirksville, Missouri
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Mental Illness
Crisis Lifeline
Heroin

The Peacemaker podcast explores a harrowing suicide cluster that unfolded in a rural college town. Hosted by BEN WESTHOFF and RYAN KRULL, this series is set at Truman State University, sometimes called the Harvard of the Midwest, where a few years back a string of suicides at the Alpha Kappa Lambda house shook the community to its core. As fraternity member after fraternity member took his own lif... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes10Founded4 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for The Peacemaker

Latest Episodes

This bonus episode of The Peacemaker features an interview with a former Truman State student who was close with members of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Her assertions complicate the accusations around Brandon Grossheim. We also address listene... more

In the years following the suicide cluster, Brandon Grossheim decided he’d had enough of the small college town of Kirksville, where he was increasingly notorious. He moved home to Alton, Illinois, where, because of all the bad press, he struggled to... more

What if Brandon wasn’t responsible for these deaths? What if the real reason was right under our noses the entire time? Though many victims’ advocates maintain that Brandon is guilty, many others don’t think so. In fact, his defenders point out, each... more

The Journal Building was where young Kirksville residents went to rage. The apartment building was known for drugs, booze, and wild parties. When two of its residents died within months of each other — in the very same room — police began searching f... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rita Leshevsky
Suicide prevention trainer from Milwaukee
Episode: Episode 8: Sanctuary
Melissa Baddorf-Arie
Mother of Alex Mullins, hosts a podcast on grief
The Leftover Pieces, Suicide Loss Conversations
Episode: Episode 8: Sanctuary
Elena Bora
Friend of Josh Thomas, a victim of the suicide cluster
Episode: Episode 7: Sex, Drugs, and Trauma
Skip Haught
Glenna's father, who discusses her childhood and struggles with addiction.
None
Episode: Episode 5: Glenna
Gayla Haught
Glenna's stepmother, who shares her perspective on Glenna's challenges and family dynamics.
None
Episode: Episode 5: Glenna
Terry Yardley
Glenna's boyfriend, who shares details about their relationship and her battle with alcoholism.
None
Episode: Episode 5: Glenna

Hosts

Ben Westhoff
Host and investigative journalist, known for his research and narrative style focusing on complex social issues.
Ryan Krull
Co-host and producer known for his involvement in investigative pieces, contributing to the storytelling aspect of the show.

Reviews

3.1 out of 5 stars from 410 ratings
  • Disappointing & Harmful

    Irresponsible storytelling. Inaccurate details, sweeping assumptions, and dangerous language undermine what should have been careful, ethical reporting. The series ultimately veers from the framing sources were given, raising serious trust concerns. Casual, dismissive phrasing and a flippant tone—while treating real people as narrative devices—signal a profound lack of understanding of both harm and responsibility. For those closest to this story, the damage is unmistakable. Do better.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MelissaBA InformedListener
    United States17 days ago
  • Meh

    Wild story I hadn’t heard about before. Definitely interesting. But the narrator is tough to get used to - strange cadence and dull delivery. And I second others in saying the number of ads was obnoxious. I skipped. But there was A LOT of skipping. Generally an issue that keeps me away from iheart podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    J-Boche
    United States18 days ago
  • Too many ads

    Good podcast but way way too many ad breaks that are way too long - 1/3 of the podcast is ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    SMSpgh
    United States18 days ago
  • Lacklustre

    Took an interesting premise and made it mediocre. The series turned into two guys spying on and harassing people related to the case, including family members of the deceased and accused. Too much speculation and not enough substance. Also they played a single advert for another podcast 3+ times per episode, which quickly became extremely tedious.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    grrrlbrarian
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • Crazy story, rough presentation

    Such a great story with so much potential, but very amateurish presentation (and not in a charming way—more like high school project type amateurish). Your take was very clear 30 mins into the first episode, so hearing you pad evidence just to fit your thesis almost felt unethical. And maybe chill out with the…affect. Just say it, don’t sing it. Oh, and please, for god’s sake, stop bringing in a producer to slow things down for me so that I understand what you just said. Cool story though, that’... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    رِزْق
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners have expressed concern regarding the sensitive handling of mental health topics, indicating the need for a careful narrative tone.
Common feedback includes admiration for the depth of the storytelling, although some have criticized the narration style and quality as detracting from the overall experience.
Many listeners find the investigative approach to be riveting and compelling, drawing comparisons to other successful true crime narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#81
Italy/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#65
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#115
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#213
Israel/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#224
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#249
Belgium/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 8: Sanctuary
Q: Do you believe that Brandon Grossheim is a murderer?
The hosts conclude that, while he may have led friends down a dark path, he shouldn't be held criminally liable for the deaths.
Episode 8: Sanctuary
Q: What do you think about Brandon Grossheim's alleged influence on the suicides?
The hosts discuss the nuances of his influence, suggesting he might have had sway over some victims but not all, indicating a complex web of responsibility.
Episode 5: Glenna
Q: What would be like some of the questions you would have for him if you saw him?
What the fuck happened? That would be my main and only question really. Like why didn't you do more?

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Peacemaker

What is The Peacemaker about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series focuses on a tragic suicide cluster at Truman State University, particularly within the fraternity Alpha Kappa Lambda. It unpacks deeply personal stories of the young men who lost their lives, alongside the controversial figure of Brandon Grossheim, who was intertwined with several of the victims. Each episode presents a mix of investigative journalism and emotional storytelling, delving into themes of mental health, the complexities of fraternity culture, and questions surrounding the influence that one individual may have had over a series of devastating events. This podcast is notable for its sensitive treatment of difficult subjects, providing insight into the psychological and social dynamics at play during a period of inten... more

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How many listeners does The Peacemaker get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Peacemaker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Peacemaker:

1. Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
2. Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder
3. BETH'S DEAD
4. Monster: Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer
5. Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders

How many episodes of The Peacemaker are there?

The Peacemaker launched 4 months ago and published 10 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Peacemaker?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Peacemaker?

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What guests have appeared on The Peacemaker?

Recent guests on The Peacemaker include:

1. Rita Leshevsky
2. Melissa Baddorf-Arie
3. Elena Bora
4. Skip Haught
5. Gayla Haught
6. Terry Yardley

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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