152: The Art of True Crime Storytelling with David Ridgen

In this episode of Podcast Junkies, host Harry Duran interviews David Ridgen, an investigative journalist and filmmaker who creates the true crime podcast "Someone Knows Something" for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Ridgen discusses his approach to investigating cold cases, the emotional toll of working on unsolved crimes, and the differences between making documentaries and podcasts. The conversation offers insights into the production process of investigative podcasts and the importance of providing closure for families affected by unsolved crimes. 5 Key Takeaways 1. When interviewing subjects, focus on listening rather than jumping in. Let silences speak and only ask questions you genuinely want answered. This allows for more natural, revealing conversations.

2. In investigative work, the process of looking into cases is often as important as the outcome. Involving family members and documenting their personal journey can be valuable even without a definitive resolution.

3. For true crime podcasts, extensive preparation is crucial. This includes field recording, transcription, multiple rounds of writing and editing, legal vetting, and careful audio production. A single episode can involve over 100 pages of scripting.

4. When approaching sensitive topics, make a quick connection with interview subjects to establish trust. Show empathy and understanding of nuance before asking tough questions.

5. For podcasters tackling heavy subject matter, having a strong support system of family and friends is vital. Finding ways to involve loved ones in the work, while maintaining appropriate boundaries, can help manage the emotional toll. Timestamps 05:50 - His true crime podcast, Someone Knows Something (SKS)

08:41 - The difference between making a podcast and an investigative film

09:56 - Why he doesn’t listen to podcasts or watch documentaries

11:36 - The unfamiliarity of podcasts in Canada

13:12 - Why he stepped away and felt hesitant returning to work on SKS

16:30 - How he copes and decompresses from the heavy subject matter of SKS

18:32 - His background with investigative journalism

19:53 - How he approaches asking the tough questions

21:49 - The beauty and effectiveness of silence

23:13 - His interest in Michael Moore’s work and the people who have helped him in his career

25:16 - How he goes about finding a case to investigate

28:20 - The importance of the process of looking at the cases he investigates

30:37 - The many families still seeking closure from unsolved crime cases

31:56 - His team that helps him deliver SKS

34:01 - The involved production process behind SKS

36:09 - The music and source audio behind SKS

38:03 - The lengthy scripts that are involved to produce SKS

38:56 - The support of his friends and family in his work

41:34 - The one most misunderstood thing about him

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