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PODCAST

Motive & Method

Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro

Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.

true crime

All Episodes

33:56

Love Behind Bars: Pen Pals to Prison Romance

Motive & Method ·

2025/07/22

They say you can't help who you fall for... So is it truly possible to fall head over heels in love with a criminal? From the infamous courtroom "groupies" of serial killers like Ted Bundy and Richard Ramirez, to women who become pen pals with inmates and eventually marry them, this episode of Motive & Method delves into the perplexing phenomenon of "hybristophilia" – or, more simply, loving a criminal. What compels someone to fall for a person serving time for heinous crimes? Is it a

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38:27

Life Undercover with Keith Banks

Motive & Method ·

2025/07/15

What if the most dangerous criminal you ever hunted was… you? In this episode, Tim and Xanthe pull back the curtain on the astonishing double life of Keith Banks, an undercover operative who didn't just infiltrate criminal organizations – he became them. From high-stakes drug deals to the shadowy underworlds few ever glimpse, Banks navigated a labyrinth of deception where a single wrong move meant certain death. Today's episode explores the psychological toll of living a lie, the

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61:05

BONUS EPISODE: Mushroom Murder Motive with Gary Jubelin

Motive & Method ·

2025/07/15

In this bonus episode, the host of I Catch Killers, Gary Jubelin and Dr. Xanthe Mallett unpack the trial which has kept everyone talking. From the mismatched plates and crocodile tears to the myriad of lies and months of planning, these experts break down every detail of the Erin Patterson case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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36:28

GUILTY: Unpacking The Erin Patterson Verdict

Motive & Method ·

2025/07/08

She's been dubbed the 'Mushroom Cook' by many, but now, Erin Patterson is a convicted triple murderer. The 50-year-old has been found guilty by the jury of murdering three relatives, and attempting to murder another, at a family lunch in 2023 where she served beef Wellington which contained death-cap mushrooms. In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the verdict of this case with co-hosts of ‘The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace’ podcast, Nine reporter Penelope Liersch and The Age Crime &

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26:47

Kids Who Kill

Motive & Method ·

2025/07/01

Australia’s youngest convicted murderer was just 13 years old. In this chilling episode, Xanthe and Tim delve into the disturbing reality of children who kill, exploring cases of offenders as young as eight years old. The discussion grapples with the complex legal and ethical question of what age a child should be held criminally responsible. And, should young murderers be given a new identity and a second chance at life as adults?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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35:33

Cassie Sainsbury: Groomed or Guilty?

Motive & Method ·

2025/06/24

Xanthe and Tim unpack the twisted tale of Cassie Sainsbury aka “Cocaine Cassie” and her claims of coercion and grooming by organised crime. Was she a naive pawn, or a willing player in an international drug smuggling ring? This episode challenges our perceptions of guilt, redemption and who deserves a second chance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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30:28

Dr. Nathan Brooks: Inside the Mind of a Stalker

Motive & Method ·

2025/06/17

Tim and Xanthe are joined by forensic psychologist Dr. Nathan Brooks to delve into the psychology of stalking - a crime fueled by obsession, control, and dangerous delusion. Together, they break down the distinct types of stalkers and the terrifying tactics they use. From fixation to predation, this episode uncovers how far some will go to possess what they can't have.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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28:32

Female Serial Killers: From Poisoners to Predators

Motive & Method ·

2025/06/10

They’re rare, often overlooked, and shrouded in myth - but female serial killers are as deadly as they are complex. In this episode, Xanthe and Tim unravel the motives and methods of these women who kill, exploring what sets them apart from their male counterparts. From poisoners to predators, their motivations defy the stereotypes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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41:33

Shooting Victim Confronts His Killer: An Artificial...

Motive & Method ·

2025/06/03

In a world first, Stacey Wales used AI to bring her brother back to life so he could face his killer and deliver his own victim impact statement from beyond the grave. In this powerful episode, Stacey shares the emotional journey behind that decision and what it meant to give her brother a voice one last time. Xanthe and Tim also speak with Duke Law Professor Paul Grimm, who unpacks the ethical and legal implications. Together, they explore how grief, justice and technology are colliding in ways

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41:15

His Brother Vanished 50 Years Ago - Can The Case Be...

Motive & Method ·

2025/05/27

In this gripping and emotional episode, we sit down with Daryl Floyd, whose brother Terry went missing 50 years ago. His relentless search for the truth has uncovered new evidence and promising leads. As the case is thrust back into the spotlight through a new podcast ‘The Boy in the Goldmine’, Daryl reveals why he believes the truth is finally within reach. Listen to The Boy in The GoldmineContribute to Daryl's search via "Searching For Terry Floyd" on GoFundMeSee

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40:35

Who is ‘The Playboy Swindler’? Inside the Psyche of a...

Motive & Method ·

2025/05/20

This week on Motive and Method, we dissect the mind of David Prince-Popovich, aka ‘The Playboy Swindler’. From bogus bank transfers to private jets, even duping a former Premier, his scams were as elaborate as they were audacious.Sydney Morning Herald crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe joins Xanthe and Tim to explore how one man built a life of lies - and why so many believed him. Read the Sydney Morning Herald Article Watch the A Current Affair storySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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39:13

SPECIAL GUEST: Why Innocent People Confess

Motive & Method ·

2025/05/12

Why would someone admit to a crime they didn’t commit? In this gripping episode, Xanthe and Tim are joined, from the US, by renowned false confessions expert Professor Alan Hirsch to dissect the psychological tactics and high-pressure interrogations that lead innocent people to falsely confess.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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38:36

Is Lucy Letby Innocent?

Motive & Method ·

2025/05/06

Tim and Xanthe are join by Professor Neena Modi, who was part of the international panel who looked at the case of Lucy Letby, to discuss the trial, the review and where it goes from here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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31:53

The Dark Side of Public Registers: Protection or Peril?

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/29

Does naming and shaming really make our kids safer, or does it just open the door to misinformation and vigilante justice? This federal election could lead to Australia's first public child sex offender register.Tim & Xanthe are joined by Dr Maggie Hall, from Western Sydney University, to ask the question 'Would it do more harm than good?'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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39:57

Bondi Junction stabbings one year on with Greg Barton

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/22

Distinguished academic, Professor Greg Barton, joins the podcast to reflect on the Westfield Bonid Junction stabbing rampage one year on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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35:26

Do Citizen Sleuths Help or Hinder Investigations?

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/15

Xanthe and Tim discuss the rise of citizen sleuths and their impact on investigations, and look at specific case studies such as Gabby Petito, Ivan Milat and The Teacher's Pet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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30:29

Adolescence and the Manosphere

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/08

Xanthe and Tim discuss Netflix drama Adolescence and how it's turned the world's attention to the growing influence of the manosphere and the influence it's having on teenage boys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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52:05

SPECIAL: Tony Mokbel FREED after a 'Seismic Moment in...

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/04

Tim and Xanthe are joined by criminal barrister Ruth Parker to discuss the fallout and ramifications after underworld figure Tony Mokbel was set free on bail after 18 years in prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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38:55

How 14 members of a religious sect were convicted of...

Motive & Method ·

2025/04/01

Xanthe and Tim unpack the shocking death of an eight-year-old girl in rural Queensland, after she was denied life-saving medication by those who looked after her. They're joined by A Current Affair reporter Pippa Bradshaw who has followed the case closely since the beginning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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29:36

Should juries have to explain their verdicts?

Motive & Method ·

2025/03/25

Xanthe and Tim examine the jury secrecy principle with barrister and academic Jason Donnelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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147 results

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