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Criminal Podcasters Give Love A Good Name

Illustration by Julienne Alexander
Credit Illustration by Julienne Alexander

Four years ago when Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer launched the podcast “Criminal,” their desire was to create a show that they controlled. It turned into one of the most beloved podcasts, according to many best-of lists. More importantly, it set a bar that many other crime-themed shows aspire to. A few years in, Judge and Spohrer put their heads together and thought: now, let’s create a podcast for us. Figuring it gets a bad rap, they decided to chose love as the topic for their next creative endeavor.Host Frank Stasio speaks with Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer, creators of the podcasts 'Criminal' and 'This is Love.'

This is Love” is a podcast series that tells stories about traditional romantic love, and other, more obscure love-like bonds. One episode features long-distance, open water swimmer Lynne Cox who fell in love with a whale she encountered while swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Another tells the story behind Bida Manda, a Laotian restaurant in Raleigh, built by siblings pulled from their home and parents. Judge and Spohrer join host Frank Stasio to talk about their latest creation and discuss their upcoming appearance at Radiotopia Live on Tuesday, May 8 at Carolina Theatre in Durham. 

Copyright 2018 North Carolina Public Radio

Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
Dana is an award-winning producer who began as a personality at Rock 92. Once she started creating content for morning shows, she developed a love for producing. Dana has written and produced for local and syndicated commercial radio for over a decade. WUNC is her debut into public radio and she’s excited to tell deeper, richer stories.