Rephonic
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
Steven Kraft
True Crime
Chelsea Small
Paige Renkoski
FBI
Myron Hunsberger
Janis Sanders
Jim Clemente
Morenci
Law Enforcement
Unlawful Imprisonment

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 weeklyEpisodes35Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Underestimated

Latest Episodes

In this episode we dive into what the pros and cons of solving these hardhitting issues in our country, and what not having issues to campaign on would mean.

Today's Sponsor:

Cedar Lane Stables - 269-240-7182

In this episode we dive into some of the sketchy pasts of our elected officials, specifically those elected into our highest offices. We break down how this has occurred and why it's such a problem.

Today's Sponsor:

Peterson Farms - Call 269-240-7... more

This episode explains the history of the party system in our country, how partisan politics have evolved over the years, and how people perceive the values of the opposing political parties.

Today's Sponsor:

2nd & Main Coffeehouse in downtown Nile... more

As we continue our deep dive into the book, we are looking into the behaviors allegedly displayed by the mysterious Passerby and Brandie’s mother, Roxie.

If you have any tips or information about the case, please email us at underestimatedtips@gmail... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

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
Cheryl Libertowski
Daughter of Gerald Libertowski, shares her experiences and perspectives on her father's actions and their family's trauma during the investigation.
Episode: S1 Ep11: The Accused
Jeni Decker
Author of the book Redacted, A Search for Truth About the Murder of Janette Roberson
Episode: S1 Ep6: The Fight for Answers
Jim Clemente
Former FBI profiler with extensive experience in criminal behavior analysis
Episode: S1 Ep5: Victimology of Janette
Tanya Zuvers
Mother of the missing Skelton brothers, sharing insights about her children.
Episode: S1 Ep2: Where the Lies Begin
John Skelton
Father of the Skelton brothers, responding to inquiries about the boys.
Episode: S1 Ep2: Where the Lies Begin

Hosts

Bob Ruff
Host and investigative journalism teacher with involvement in the program across episodes.
Asia
Co-creator and producer on episodes; involved in field research and scripting.
Madison
Co-creator/producer on episodes; produced and researched content.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 721 ratings
  • Yes

    I really enjoyed this podcast and I think it’s fantastic the work that the students (and teachers :) ) are doing , getting that experience and I would’ve loved to have something like this in my HighSchool growing up.I Really hope another season is coming great work !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TeeleeDupreex3
    United Statesa month ago
  • Storytelling with Purpose

    I love this podcast. These guys are bringing light and attention to unsolved cases, and they do it in a way that brings the stories to life. Taking the time to give dignity to the families and yet seek justice for the victims. Worth a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Recnik
    United States10 months ago
  • Not to be Underestimated!

    These young adults are doing real life investigative journalism aimed at bringing justice to the victims of unsolved crimes. They are incredibly bright, hard working and very resourceful. The complete opposite of traits associated with those who should be underestimated; however, I have a feeling they will use this to their advantage. I believe they have what it takes to find justice for the victims of these cases. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zpacemonkey
    United States10 months ago
  • So impressed

    Talented students who’ve obviously put some serious effort into this. I suspect we’ll be hearing quite a few of these voices again. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EpicuriousMumblebrot
    Australiaa year ago
  • Amazing work!

    I found out about this podcast from the Truth and Justice podcast. It has been amazing to follow through with all these cases. I am excited to see where all these students end up in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sheri1902
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback highlights the production quality and dedication of students and teachers, with constructive notes on pacing and clarity.
Audiences value thorough research and respectful storytelling of victims and families.
Listeners praise the project as an inspiring example of youth-led journalism and community impact.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#149
Norway/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
S1 Ep7: Paige Renkoski
Q: What do you think it would take for Paige to be found?
Someone would likely have to confess and lead law enforcement to her location, but it seems increasingly unlikely.
S1 Ep7: Paige Renkoski
Q: What can you tell me about the man in prison that police interviewed about Paige?
He has been incarcerated for drug offenses, and though police have interviewed him, there is no solid connection to her disappearance.

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 Underestimated

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

A serialized investigative podcast created by high school students in Michigan, focusing on unsolved crimes and missing persons from the region. Episodes center on family dynamics, victim stories, and investigative techniques taught in a classroom setting, often featuring contrasting viewpoints from relatives, law enforcement, and community members. The series emphasizes youth-led journalism, rigorous document gathering, and a commitment to presenting multiple perspectives while pursuing justice for victims. Noteworthy aspects include a structured school program producing in-depth reporting, the involvement of a dedicated journalism teacher, and a clear emphasis on community impact through student work.

Where can I find podcast stats for Underestimated?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Underestimated. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Underestimated and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Underestimated get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Underestimated, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Underestimated?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Underestimated, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Underestimated have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Underestimated has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Proof: A True Crime Podcast
4. Defense Diaries
5. Blood Will Tell

How many episodes of Underestimated are there?

Underestimated launched a year ago and published 35 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 Underestimated?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Underestimated?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Underestimated from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Underestimated?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Underestimated. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Underestimated?

Recent guests on Underestimated include:

1. Jason Joiner
2. James Sanders
3. Debbie Kamen
4. Dan Libertowski
5. Cheryl Libertowski
6. Jeni Decker
7. Jim Clemente
8. Tanya Zuvers

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days