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Artwork for Underestimated

Underestimated - Bobcat Media

Underestimated - Bobcat Media
Investigative Journalism
Missing Persons
Skelton Brothers
Janette Robertson
John Skelton
Michigan
Tanya Zuvers
Cold Cases
Family Dynamics
Arthur Ream
Steven Kraft
True Crime
Chelsea Small
Paige Renkoski
FBI
Myron Hunsberger
Janis Sanders
Jim Clemente
Morenci
Law Enforcement

A group of high school students from southwest Michigan set out to prove to the world that they are capable of making a difference in the world. Their Investigative Journalism teacher, Bob Ruff, tasked this group of teenagers with finding an unsolved case to investigate over the course of the school year and to produce a podcast that will impact the lives of the people involved. The podcast will... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes46Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Underestimated

Latest Episodes

Between 1976 and 1977, the illusion of suburban safety in Oakland County, Michigan, was shattered. A meticulous, clinical predator, dubbed "The Babysitter" abducted, held, and ritualistically returned the bodies of four young children, paralyzing the... more

Detective Kenneth Robinson opens up about his investigation into the disappearance of Kim Larrow and his interviews with convicted murderer Arthur Ream. From suspicious connections to missing girls across Metro Detroit to a lack of physical evidence,... more

In this episode, we sit down with Emma Abney to discuss Arthur Ream and her connection to Cindy Zarzycki and the other victims. Emma has personal experiences to valuable insights, she shares her perspective on having a spiritual connection with Arthu... more

In this episode we share the very real effect that the actions of the adults in our country have had on teens approaching voting age. We fell as though we are inheriting a world full of hate and violence. We aim to correct course. We are asking for t... more

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Recent Guests

Nina Innsted
Helper from the Already Gone podcast
Already Gone podcast
Episode: S2 Ep19: Is this the end?
Detective Kenneth Robinson
Detective with Camp Police Department who worked on the Kim Larrow case; provided in-depth testimony and case context
Camp Police Department
Episode: S2 Ep18: A Chess Match With A Killer?
Emma Abney
A woman with a personal connection to the Cindy Zarzycki case and the Missing Angels investigation
Independent investigator / Community member
Episode: S2 Ep17: A Voice For The Missing Angels
Detective Joe Kiemig
Detective with Canton Police Department who discusses cold case approaches
Canton Police Department
Episode: S2 Ep10: The Shadow of a Predator: The Pattern and Legacy of Arthur Ream
John Calabrese
Former East Point police officer who discusses beliefs about Ream's involvement in other cases
East Point Police Department
Episode: S2 Ep10: The Shadow of a Predator: The Pattern and Legacy of Arthur Ream
Jason Joiner
Cousin of Steven Kraft
Episode: S1 Ep25: Family Ties
James Sanders
Son of Janice Langs and key witness in the case
Episode: S1 Ep23: Jerry's Rebuttal
Debbie Kamen
Mother of Chelsea Small
Episode: S1 Ep16: 53 Seconds
Dan Libertowski
Son of Gerald Libertowski, gives insight into his father's character and upbringing.
Episode: S1 Ep11: The Accused

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 738 ratings
  • You're doing a fantastic job!

    2026/05/25 EDIT: Just heard the "Crashing The Parties" episodes. Really well researched & oh so important to listen to. WELL DONE!!!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    JPRF
    2 months ago
  • Excellence in media analysis

    It’s invigorating to hear these students use strong critical thinking skills, and this new dive into how media is widening the political divide is spot on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisaInCA
    United States3 months ago
  • Underestimate them no longer

    I’ve been listening, and loving, Underestimated since it first aired. However, I feel the need to highlight Season Two, Episode 6. This group of high school students just did a remarkable job saying what so few people (with a platform) say. And I hope they know that there are adults out here that see what’s happening and continue to stay tuned in and informed. My greatest hope is that social media becomes deeply uncool and people realize that bad people win when the good people are divided. In t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AWH79
    United States3 months ago
  • Great job!

    The kids are doing a great job on these episodes. Stay off politics. You will lose listeners. Lib Bob will ruin a good thing

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TRIBE1963
    United States3 months ago
  • Great Job

    This is a fabulously done podcast done by high school students! Quality beats most of what is out there right now, from editing, voice volume, subject matter , etc.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paguy12
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many comment on the educational value and mentorship behind student-led journalism.
Critiques often focus on pacing or occasional factual disagreements, but overall positive sentiment.
Fans appreciate ethical framing and respect for victims and families.
Listeners praise the show for its high production quality and mature handling of sensitive topics.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S2 Ep18: A Chess Match With A Killer?
Q: Do you think Art Ream did kill anybody else personally or may have been involved in other cases?
The detective expressed a personal belief that Ream could have been involved in other murders, but stressed that this was an opinion, not evidentiary, and that without a body or solid evidence it remains speculative.
S2 Ep17: A Voice For The Missing Angels
Q: Did you rely on other sources beyond the police, such as psychics or personal intuition?
Yes, I consulted psychics and trusted personal intuition at times, believing that those signals could provide direction when conventional investigations were not moving forward, though I remained cautious about their interpretations.
S2 Ep17: A Voice For The Missing Angels
Q: How did you first learn about Cindy and start investigating?
I was connected through a family member and woke up with a nudge to watch a TV program about Cindy, which led me to contact Detective McLaughlin and begin following leads, maps, and physical clues that pointed toward a buried story.
S1 Ep25: Family Ties
Q: Do you know what areas they did end up searching?
They searched all the Benton Heights areas, including nearby ponds and neighborhoods.
S1 Ep9: Connie Lynn Royce
Q: What do we think about Greg and Brad, the date and his friend respectively?
I think it's very odd that Brad went on this date alone and did not check on Connie; however, I believe Greg is innocent and may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Underestimated

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

A serialized true-crime series driven by a group of southwest Michigan high school students who undertake long-form investigations into cold cases, uncovering archival records, interviewing detectives, and reconstructing timelines. Episodes center on community impact, journalistic ethics, and the human toll of unsolved disappearances, often tying cases to a broader regional network of suspects and historical context. The format highlights youth-led investigative journalism, strong mentorship, and a commitment to naming victims and pursuing accountability, which makes it a likely fit for listeners who value rigorous research, storytelling with purpose, and education-through-media. A standout is the program's multi-episode arcs that blend arc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Underestimated?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Underestimated:

1. Truth & Justice with Bob Ruff
2. Undisclosed: Toward Justice
3. Defense Diaries
4. Everything They Missed
5. Blood Will Tell

How many episodes of Underestimated are there?

Underestimated launched a year ago and published 46 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 Underestimated?

Recent guests on Underestimated include:

1. Nina Innsted
2. Detective Kenneth Robinson
3. Emma Abney
4. Detective Joe Kiemig
5. John Calabrese
6. Jason Joiner
7. James Sanders
8. Debbie Kamen

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