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Obsessions

Obsessions

By: Sarah McDonald
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About this listen

Obsessions is a podcast about the things that captivate our culture with an emphasis on women's interests. Join Sarah McDonald as she examines a different obsession each season and learn with her as she asks big questions about the things our obsessions say about us.

Sarah McDonald 2026
Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • IV. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
    Apr 3 2026

    TW Content Mentions:

    -Genocide

    -Sexual Assault of a Minor

    -Brief discussions of mental illness and institutionalization

    -Missing persons

    -Murder

    Sarah uses the archetype of the Dark Other to discuss the systemic injustices surrounding the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives crisis.

    Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n77q6RkB7kFBwK5L7F63D8X3fsaJMEmyPHpWbipNTDg/edit?usp=sharing

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • III. Creeps
    Mar 27 2026

    TW Content Mentions:

    -Child Sexual Abuse

    -Grooming

    -Sex Trafficking

    -Child Imprisonment

    -Missing Persons

    -Brief Mention of Infant Death

    -Murder

    Sarah discusses cases involving grooming and how victim blaming plays a role in the perpetuation of the archetypal Witch character. She analyzes the show Cruel Summer (2021) and its representation of grooming, abuse, and trauma in connection with her arguments.

    Bibliography

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    51 mins
  • II. It's Always the Husband feat. TalistheIntrovert
    Mar 20 2026

    TW Content Mentions:

    -Intimate Partner Violence

    -Sexual Violence

    -Systemic Misogyny and Sexism

    -Missing Persons

    -Murder

    Sarah discusses the rampant issue of domestic violence, introduces listeners to the concept of archetypes, and discusses the narratives that surround domestic violence victims in true crime cases and fictional media. She interviews Talis Adler about the topic.

    Bibliography:

    1. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gabby-petito-asked-boyfriend-later-killed-stop-calling-names-fbi-docum-rcna156484
    2. https://www.newbernsj.com/news/local/investigation-of-melissa-platts-2008-death-reopened/article_93accea7-ccf5-5e09-9eed-708791f661ce.html
    3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/archetype
    4. https://www.unitedwaygt.org/issues/why-dont-women-leave-abusive-relationships/
    5. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2024/03/the-case-of-the-falling-crime-rate/#:~:text=However%2C%20most%20people%20don't%20know%20crime%20is,lead%20from%20gasoline%20*%20More%20effective%20policing
    6. https://womenprisoners.org/california-law-enforcement-agencies-are-spending-more-but-solving-fewer-crimes/
    7. https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/crime/UN_BriefFem_251121.pdf
    8. https://www.nsvrc.org/resource/false-allegations-sexual-assault-analysis-ten-years-reported-cases/
    9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FUeABUx3w&list=PLJnrCMQneJrBaAhTu2EAelRcCZce3k_eS&index=7
    10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIEENmEOwwE&list=PLJnrCMQneJrBaAhTu2EAelRcCZce3k_eS&index=10
    11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80uVYznDUvU&list=PLJnrCMQneJrBaAhTu2EAelRcCZce3k_eS&index=13
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    46 mins
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