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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
Arthur Ream
Morenci
Jim Clemente
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 weeklyEpisodes41Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Underestimated

Latest Episodes

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:

Witherow Auto Body - Buchanan, ... more

Linda Weldy was a girl living in LA Porte, Indiana who disappeared shortly after Brandie Peltz had and many speculate that they have a possible connection.

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

Darlene Hulse was taken from her home in Argos, Indiana in the summer of 1984. Her kidnapping ended with her tragic death, and her family has never stopped grieving. In the years following this event, rumors have connected her case to Brandie. In thi... more

In this episode of Michigans Missing Angels, we move from the topics we discussed in the previous episodes such as Arthur Ream and specific victims like Cindy Zarzycki and Kim Larrow. We dive deeper into the discussion of other suspected victims invo... more

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Recent Guests

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
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

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 729 ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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.

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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
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Age Range
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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?

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How many listeners does Underestimated get?

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What are the audience demographics for Underestimated?

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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. True Crime Bullsh**: The Israel Keyes Investigation

How many episodes of Underestimated are there?

Underestimated launched a year ago and published 41 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?

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What guests have appeared on Underestimated?

Recent guests on Underestimated include:

1. Detective Joe Kiemig
2. John Calabrese
3. Jason Joiner
4. James Sanders
5. Debbie Kamen
6. Dan Libertowski
7. Cheryl Libertowski
8. Jeni Decker

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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