Parcast Network is spinning a web of new shows and special programming to celebrate our favorite season. Follow us into the darkest depths of history, mystery, and the human mind ? starting with this episode of Crime Countdown! Hosts Ash and Alaina are ranking the top 10 haunted crime scenes, including an Irish castle with a deadly trap door and the home of a ghostly bride.  If you enjoy this episode, search Crime Countdown to find more passionate takes on top-ten rankings. Listen free on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

In the late 1840s in Western New York, two preteen girls tricked their parents into thinking their house was haunted. Their trick grew to include their hometown, and eventually the world, as their little prank became a religious movement known as Modern Spiritualism.

In 2012, investor Bill Ackman made it his mission to bring Herbalife down, citing unethical business practices. But the string of lawsuits, investigations, and news segments that followed did little to oust the billion dollar brand. 

Mark Hughes founded Herbalife in 1980, with the stated goal of helping people lose weight the healthy way. The multi-level marketing company achieved astronomical success before a series of controversies put the spotlight on questionable business practices and toxic products. 

By 2006, 29-year-old Rudy had been accepted into the wine elite after selling $35 million worth of bottles from his personal collection. But after discovering counterfeits, seasoned buyers began to grow skeptical?and one man became determined to bring Rudy to justice. 

Listeners, we?re excited to bring you an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries. Every Wednesday on Solved Murders, we explore the days, months, and even years leading up to the closure of a seemingly uncrackable case. This is part 1 of our episode on Helen Potts, a young girl who gets tangled up with a playboy medical student, with deadly consequences?but not for the reasons you might first suspect.  If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out part 2, available now free and only on Spotify. Follow Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries for more true-crime stories every week!

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re looking at unrepentant criminals. Why do some criminals lack empathy over their actions?  Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Tyler Hadley Pt. 2, Female Criminals: ?Lesbian Vampire Killer? Tracey Wiggington, Villains: Richard Kuklinski

With his keen sense of taste and exceptional memory, Rudy Kurniawan rose up the ranks of wine connoisseurs around the world in the early 2000s. Then he began selling counterfeit wine, conning wine lovers out of millions. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of parent-child co-conspirators. What makes a parent recruit their own child into a life of crime? Clips featured: Espionage: Jim Nicholson Pt. 2, Con Artists: Sante Kimes Pt. 2, Female Criminals: ?Torture Mother? Gertrude Baniszewski Pt. 1

In the early 20th century, a man many knew only as ?the King? grew to be the most powerful man in Denver?the head of an empire of confidence tricksters who swindled victims across the United States. Lou Blonger seemed untouchable? Until a headstrong district attorney and a handful of allies decided to challenge him.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of unholy matrimony. We?ll dive into some examples of scandalous affairs and murderous marriages in true crime history.  Clips featured: Unsolved Murders: Amy Robsart Pt. 1, Cults: ?The Source Family? Pt. 1, Crimes of Passion: Lorena Bobbit Pt. 1

In the 1990s, Don Lapre made a fortune by convincing people they could get rich by operating 900 numbers. In the early aughts, he marketed a nutritional supplement dubbed ?the Greatest Vitamin in the World.? It was a pyramid scheme, and it helped Lapre swindle millions. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing prison escapes. How common are prison escapes, and what methods of escape are the most successful? Clips featured: Gone: The Alcatraz Escape, Serial Killers: Ted Bundy Pt. 2, Crimes of Passion: Bonnie and Clyde Pt. 1

For months, Mary Willcocks played the part of Princess Caraboo to the town of Almondsbury. But as her popularity increased, so did the likelihood of her ruse being discovered.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of mass panic. What allows fear to spread so quickly amongst groups of people? Clips featured: Female Criminals: Salem Witch Trials Pt. 2, Serial Killers: Servant Girl Annihilator Pt. 2, Dark Side Of: Holidays: Deadly Non-Emergency

In the early 1800s, Mary Willcocks was a young, restless woman struggling in poverty. Drifting around England as a beggar, she eventually donned a disguise and spoke in a made-up language, hoping to lure more charity. The ruse worked, and her bizarre alias was born.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re diving into cases that ended with the death penalty, and exploring the ongoing debate around it. Is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment, or a constitutional deterrent to the most violent crimes?  Clips featured: Today in True Crime: The Eichmann Verdict, Serial Killers: John Wayne Gacy Pt. 2, Female Criminals: Mary Surratt Pt. 2

After a decade of cons that netted him millions, Christophe Rocancourt landed in the Hamptons? until a dinner party sparked suspicion around his true identity. He moved on to new countries and new schemes. But eventually, his lies would catch up to him. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of drug use and drug dealers. What kind of psychological motivators are present in someone who is using or selling drugs? Clips featured: Kingpins: Rayful Edmond Pt. 1, Unsolved Murders: Sonny Liston Pt. 1, Sports Criminals: Lance Armstrong Pt. 2

He had a new name and identity everywhere he went: Christopher Rockefeller in the Hamptons; Christopher de Laurentiis on the West Coast; a prince; a prize fighter; a member of the French nobility? In reality, he was a grifter in the ?90s whose transformations enabled?and emboldened?his scams. 

In addition to new episodes of Crimes of Passion each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re looking at commentary from people who surrounded killers and criminals. Many times, serial killers are able to shield themselves from detection. Friends, neighbors, and coworkers might not have any idea that they?re in the midst of a monster. How does this happen? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Serial Killers: Ted Bundy Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Brenda Spencer Pt. 1, Con Artists: Stephen Glass Pt. 1

In the late 1990s, the energy giant that was Enron imploded, hemorrhaging billions of dollars after decades of hiding debt and cooking the books were finally brought to light. When the company went under in 2001, it was the largest corporate bankruptcy in American history.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. What horrific events led to this diagnosis in victims, and what can be done to relieve symptoms? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Female Criminals: Treva Throneberry, Serial Killers: Amelia Dyer, Hostage: James Riley Pt. 2

Ken Lay was determined to build America?s premier natural gas company in the 1980s and ?90s. But his mindset of ?growth at any cost? laid the foundation for some of the biggest white-collar crimes in corporate history. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing accomplices of criminals. What leads someone to assist another person in a crime? Even if they don?t pull the trigger, are they still guilty? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Con Artists: Jeanne De La Motte Pt. 1, Hostage: John Wojtowicz Pt. 1, Serial Killers: Carol M Bundy Pt. 2

Following his legendary con in the 1910s, Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil took his schemes international, conducting a long-running ploy involving pre-World War Two Germany and even Hitler himself. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing criminal warning signs in childhood. What acts did criminals perform in their childhood that may have pointed to their future murders in adulthood? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Serial Killers: The Candyman Pt. 1, Crimes of Passion: Larry Swartz Pt. 1, Villains: Richard Kuklinski

Better known as ?The Yellow Kid,? Joseph Weil was a Chicago con artist in the 1890s who swindled people for over half a century. Starting with small cons and escalating to large-scale deceptions, Weil masterminded schemes so creative that one of them inspired the plot of a Hollywood film. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of killers poisoning their victims. What motivates someone to use poison? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network.

In the late 1980s, detectives investigated a string of killings that ultimately led them to unmask Mark Hofmann as one of history's most prolific documents forgers?and a murderer.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of criminality inspired by economic misfortune. What happens when a person who has fallen on hard times turns to a life of crime? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Bonnie and Clyde Pt. 1, Con Artists: Anna Anderson Pt. 1, Espionage: George Troflimoff Pt. 1

In the mid-1980s, Mark Hofmann was one of America?s most prolific and successful forgers. He rocked the Mormon Church to its core with convincing historical "finds" that struck at the faith's very foundation?its founder, Joseph Smith.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases of isolation. What kind of effect does living in isolation?with little contact with the outside world, friends, or family?have on the psyche? We?ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Hostage: Colleen Stan Pt. 1, Cults: Workers Institute Pt. 2, Unexplained Mysteries: Silent Twins Pt. 1

From 1993 until 1997, Bre-X stocks soared from pennies to billions of dollars, all based on steadily increasing estimates of gold beneath the soil in Busang. Yet these estimates were all based on lies, and there was no gold to be found.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing Satanism. What kind of influence has Satanism had on crime and society? We?ll explore this topic using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Serial Killers: David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders: Jeanette DePalma Pt. 1, Cults: Church of Satan Pt. 2

Founded in Canada in 1989, Bre-X was the last-ditch effort of failed prospector, David Walsh, to literally strike gold. His company stock was worth pennies until 1993, when they purchased land in Busang, Indonesia, and claimed to have discovered the largest gold deposit in the history of the world.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we will take you chronologically through three crimes that inspired change in society, laws, or policies. Clips featured: Not Guilty: Ernesto Miranda Pt. 2, Serial Killers: Ottis Toole Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders: Tylenol Murders Pt. 2

For over 20 years, music mogul Lou Pearlman perpetrated one of the longest-running Ponzi schemes in history, scamming investors out of more than $300 million. His years spent bankrolling his pricy lifestyle and promising premium profits came to a crashing halt in the 2000s, shortly after his former boyband *NSYNC told him "Bye, Bye, Bye." 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing political crimes. What types of political crimes are there, and what is their impact on society and governments as a whole? Clips featured: Political Scandals: Jack Abramoff, Espionage: The Rosenbergs Pt. 2, Assassinations: Pancho Villa Pt. 1

He sparked the rise of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC in the 1990s. But a decade earlier, wannabe-mogul, Lou Pearlman, made his start in the world of aviation. With a dream, a penny stock scheme, and a single makeshift blimp, Pearlman built an empire defrauding investors. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing cases in which a criminal tortured their victim. What would compel someone to torture another person, and what are the lasting effects on a victim who was tortured? Clips featured: Female Criminals: Gertrude Banisewski Pt. 1, Serial Killers: David Parker Ray Pt. 2, Hostage: Colleen Stan Pt. 2

In 1995, Steven Russell met and fell madly in love with Phillip Morris, a man who inspired his most ingenious cons and audacious prison breaks. Before his final arrest, Russell upped the ante, embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep his paramour in luxury.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?ll focus on wealthy criminals. We?ll discuss what leads high-status individuals to commit crimes, as well as the consequences they face once captured. Clips featured: Kingpins: Pablo Escobar Pt. 1, Con Artists: Bernie Madoff Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Leona Helmsley Pt. 2

After cutting his teeth on his family's illegal bid-rigging scheme, Steven Russell branched out into his own criminal enterprises, scamming corporations in Texas out of tens of thousands of dollars. Russell's escapades throughout the ?90s landed him in prison, but he executed a cunning escape to reunite with the man he loved.

If you love the controversies explored in Con Artists, you?ll definitely want to check out the new Spotify Original podcast, Son of a Hitman. Although it?s not a Parcast production, Son of a Hitman features all the twists and turns you love in a true crime series. Follows the present day investigation into the murders, crimes, and conspiracies involving Charles V. Harrelson?the father of Jordan, Brett, and famous actor Woody Harrelson, with details never shared in the media before. Enjoy this exclusive clip from the first episode of Son of a Hitman, where you?ll meet Brett Harrelson, one of Charles? sons, and hear what he really thinks about his father. If you like what you hear, search for Son of a Hitman and listen to the rest for free, only on Spotify. Son of a Hitman investigates the murders, crimes, and conspiracies of convicted hitman, Charles Harrelson-- father to Jordan, Brett, and famous actor Woody Harrelson. Listen now at spotify.com/hitman.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What makes someone so vengeful, they?re willing to take a human life? Using clips from across the Parcast Network, we?ll search for clues by taking a closer look at some of history?s most infamous revenge killings. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Marty and Michelle Theer Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Valerie Solanas Pt. 2, Assassinations: Phoolan Devi Pt. 1

In the late 1800s, notorious outlaw and con artist Jefferson ?Soapy? Smith had created a criminal empire in Denver. But when a "law and order" league threatened to shutter his businesses, Soapy decided to expand his operations?resulting in a violent end.

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing the deaths of American political figures. Whether their demise came at the hands of an assassin, or a political rival, the loss of each of these leaders left an indelible impact on U.S. history. Clips featured: Political Scandals: Election of 1800, Assassinations: Lincoln Pt. 2, Conspiracy Theories: JFK Assassination Pt. 1

At the end of the 19th century, Jefferson Smith was just a teenage cowboy who stumbled into the world of shell games and card sharps. But after just a few years he would assemble a gang of like-minded crooks, and mastermind a slew of ingenious cons to become the scam king of Denver. 

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you?ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we?re discussing serial killers? first murders. What did the murders look like and how does a killer?s modus operandi change after their first slaying? We'll hear clips from our shows across the Parcast Network, and dive deeper into their minds and methods. Clips featured: Clips featured: Today in True Crime: December 5, 2019: Boston Belfry?s First, Female Criminals: Mary Ann Cotton Pt. 1, Serial Killers: Elizabeth Wettlaufer Pt. 1