Three Ear Worthy Podcasts: Hookergate; The Burden; Queer Chronicles

 This weekend, I have three quality iHeart podcasts for your ears.

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Truck-stop brothels run by a web of ex-cons… a commonwealth attorney wasted on whiskey and power… protection exchanged for cash and flesh… a brash local reporter exposing it all. That is Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines of the South. 

Tune in as a local reporter dives into the true story of truck-stop brothels run by a bunch of ex-cons, all while a high-and-mighty commonwealth attorney hits the bottle.

Host, author, and historian Dr. Lindsay Byron breathes new life into these scandalous tales with old news clippings, juicy interviews and dramatic reenactments. Tune in on Tuesdays.

This show is perfect for true crime lovers who are tired of murder and death but are still addicted to hearing real-life scandals unfold.

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 Detective Louis N. Scarcella was a legendary figure in New York City during the '90s. In a city overrun with violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. But the story changed when a group of convicted murderers-turned-jailhouse lawyers made a startling discovery that linked all their cases: Scarcella was the cop who helped put many of them away. They made a vow: Take down Scarcella. 

And with the help of a relentless New York Times reporter, they did just that. Thirty years later, 20 people who Scarcella helped put behind bars have since walked free. In the media, he’s known as the disgraced, rogue cop who hoodwinked an entire system. But was this really the workings of one person? 

According to the co-hosts, "We spent hundreds of hours talking with witnesses who were coerced, jailhouse lawyers, outraged attorneys, and righteous cops. Scarcella insists he didn’t do anything wrong. And after finally tracking him down, he agreed to take us into the belly of the beast... where justice is done (and undone)."

The Burden unravels the mystery surrounding Detective Louis N. Scarcella, once hailed as the legend in '90s New York City who solved the toughest cases and put away the city's most notorious criminals.

The show just launched March 19th, and despite its generic title that is so much like numerous other true-crime podcasts, the show is a solid listen.

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Queer Chronicles is a groundbreaking show that gives the mic to trans/queer teens from battleground states across the US, giving them center stage to tell their stories. 

The inaugural season of Queer Chronicles features a group of teenagers who share their perspectives on growing up queer, trans, and gender non-conforming – all while living in political battleground states where their very existence is under attack.

Season one is told through the voices of seven teenagers, as host Raquel Willis guides listeners through their self-discovery, hobbies, family and community life, self-expression, and life as queer and trans teens. For example, hear about how Libby’s activism began at age 6, and how Safara found confidence in ballroom; find out what excites Connor about his medical transition, and what love means to Indigo and his girlfriend.

Follow along as listeners learn about their journeys, their struggles and challenges, and how they are finding what queer and trans liberation means to them. 

I'm sure Ben Shapiro would hate this show, which means listeners will love it.