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PODCAST

Bitter Academia

More than a century later, the death of Jane Stanford remains shrouded in mystery. Who would want the founder of Stanford University and one of the richest women in the world dead? And why?

true crime

All Episodes

26:54

TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: It’s all about the evidence

Bitter Academia ·

2025/11/29

This week, we’re talking about evidence. Fingerprints, Ring doorbell camera footage, witness testimony, DNA, all those clues that eventually lead investigators to perpetrators – and alleged perpetrators of crimes. Finding the evidence and using it to piece together how crimes were committed is complicated in and of itself. Things get even more complicated in the courtroom, where prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and jurors pore over it. And administrative issues like DNA testing backlogs can

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32:45

TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: Abusers in our midst

Bitter Academia ·

2025/11/22

This week, we’re covering stories that touch on red flags of abuse that are overlooked. In one case, alleged warning signs may have been glossed over due to a family connection. In another, a faith community reportedly allowed a system of abuse to go unchecked.

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37:20

TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: Cases that haunt us

Bitter Academia ·

2025/11/01

This Halloween weekend, we’re focusing on cases that haunt us. These include unsolved crimes that sleuths are still investigating and atrocious acts that leave their imprint on the places where they were committed: the Black Dahlia murder in Los Angeles, the disappearance of University of Minnesota student Mike Olson in Florida, the horrors of Pennhurst asylum and the haunting of Detroit’s Cadieux Café.

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14:52

TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: A mother and son charged for...

Bitter Academia ·

2025/10/18

This week, we’re focusing on updates to three cases. One is the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg in Pennsylvania. This case been covered in the Hulu documentary series “Death in Apartment 603”.

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31:22

BONUS: No Kings rallies amidst a swirling backdrop:...

Bitter Academia ·

2025/10/17

No Kings rallies are set to take over US cities this weekend amid a swirling mix of political hot topics: Hamas hasn't released hostage bodies, which Trump says could make him 'green light' Israel to start bombing again. John Bolton was indicted. Oh, and the government is shut down and some experts say it could become the longest shutdown in history.

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40:19

The Ashes

Bitter Academia ·

2023/03/27

In the final episode, we learn about the natural disaster that rocked the Bay Area the year following Jane’s death, quieting the rumors in the media once and for all. And we return to a place that was home to one of the happiest times of her life, thoughtfully preserved to the present day.”Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

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46:30

Family Ties

Bitter Academia ·

2023/03/20

As Jane's death is covered up by the university, the most likely culprit emerges. But the poisoner's motivations might not be what we think. And as we get closer to Jane's story, we get closer to her living family as well, and what connections they still have with her. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

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46:52

A Horrible Death to Die

Bitter Academia ·

2023/03/13

Even though the doctors present at her death and at her autopsy quickly concluded that she had been poisoned with strychnine, this narrative would soon be changed. Those with the university chose to declare her death natural, out of fear that any other cause -- murder, suicide, would open the school, and her estate, to further scrutiny. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer -

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34:58

Golden Handcuffs

Bitter Academia ·

2023/03/06

Jane Stanford kept a small, insular circle of people close to her. Several would have the nature of their relationship to her questioned following her suspicious death. One of those was the person closest to Jane. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

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19:54

Follow The Money

Bitter Academia ·

2023/02/27

While Jane didn't start Stanford University by herself, she was left to run the fledgling university on her own. As a result of her husband's death and his poor planning, she was forced to make unpopular decisions. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

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39:47

An Interrupted Legacy

Bitter Academia ·

2023/02/20

In 1905, Jane Stanford, the founder of Stanford University, was mysteriously poisoned while on vacation in Hawaii. The wealthiest woman in the Bay Area, possibly the country at the time, was 76-years-old and had spent the latter part of her life pouring her fortune and her heart into a school that would become one of the most prestigious in the world. But her life, and the school’s origins, were not all that they seemed. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Editing, production, and

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1:59

Trailer: Bitter Academia

Bitter Academia ·

2023/02/16

Beginning Monday, February 20th. The story of Jane Stanford, one of the richest women in the country in 1905. But the life of Stanford University’s founder was cut short — poisoned — and it wasn’t the first attempt. In the weeks following her death, her innermost circle would collaborate in a messy coverup, ruling her death as natural. More than a century later, the university founded by Jane as a tribute to the ghost of her 15-year-old son, still hasn’t acknowledged the darker parts of its

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25:19

What's a castle without a King?

Bitter Academia ·

2022/06/20

The last episode of The Sausage King grapples with how Stuart Alexander’s crimes affected the city of San Leandro and the government agencies involved decades later. As the story comes to a close, it’s clear—despite his efforts while he was alive, Stuart’s legacy is undeserved, and those most deserving, weren’t acknowledged until their death. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman.

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33:18

Al

Bitter Academia ·

2022/06/13

At last, we hear from a member of Stuart's family to learn about Stuart's state of mind leading up to the murders and the years before. And Natalia finally tracks down the infamous Santos Linguisa! Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman.

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63:58

The past is fair play

Bitter Academia ·

2022/06/06

At Stuart's trial, his past took center stage. His guilt was never in question - as the triple murder was caught on video. Was he a calculated murderer? Or was he suffering from untreated mental health problems and brain injuries suffered in his youth? Would that explain his volatile, dangerous, manipulative and grandiose personality? Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman.

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43:52

I’m the one you’re looking for

Bitter Academia ·

2022/05/31

Stuart I losing the one thing he values the most. Control. He lost his bid to be Mayor of San Leandro. Now, in the days and hours before the murders, he is more volatile that ever. In episode 5 we’ve arrived at the Santos Linguisa factory on June 21, 2000. The day of the murders. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman.

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30:16

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Bitter Academia ·

2022/05/23

Stuart Alexander was many things—sausage maker, San Leandro native, and eventually—murderer. But he failed at the one thing he tried to be before he snapped: become the next Mayor of San Leandro. In episode 4 of The Sausage King, we learn why Stuart attempted this pivot into local politics. His failure to regain some of the control he felt he’d lost, would prove catastrophic. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt

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34:05

There's no business like sausage business

Bitter Academia ·

2022/05/16

Before he was a triple murderer, Stuart Alexander ran the Santos Factory, known for making linguisa sausage.While others still make it throughout the Bay Area, people say the ones from Santos stand above all the rest. In episode 3, we meet some of Stuart's former business partners, who discuss his famous product, and infamous personality, one of whom has a surprising connection to this podcast. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt

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27:16

Stuart

Bitter Academia ·

2022/05/09

A sausage maker in San Leandro, Stuart Alexander, murdered three government workers 22 years ago, seemingly out of the blue. But this event was actually the culmination of years of pent up anger, refusal to change, and a belief that he could get away with whatever he wanted. This first episode scratches the surface of what drove Stuart’s actions and how the case has impacted his community even now, more than two decades later. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production,

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30:56

And then, there was one

Bitter Academia ·

2022/05/09

The Santos Linguisa factory was created by a family of Portuguese immigrants that settled in San Leandro a century ago. The family poured everything into the business, their legacy, paving the way for Stuart to inevitably take over, mowing down everyone and everything in his path to get it. Episode two traces Stuart’s young life up until this moment, charting how his temper and violence began as early as high school. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich. Production, editing,

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21 results

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