Dakota Spotlight isn't your average true crime podcast. Creator James Wolner delves headfirst into unsolved mysteries and forgotten cases of the Upper Midwest and beyond, meticulously researching every detail to deliver a gripping, heartfelt narrative. Wolner prioritizes ethical storytelling, ensuring the victims are treated with care and respect. Prepare to be both enthralled and moved as James brings renewed hope for answers while offering a compassionate and soothing voice to the voiceless.
…
continue reading
1
Introducing Friday Night Fiction - by James Wolner
13:35
13:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:35
We introduce you to our new series of original crime-inspired short stories, all set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. If you're a fan of true crime but curious to explore fictional tales with the same tension, twists, and emotional depth—this series is for you. We’ll walk you through what to expect from future episodes, how often they’ll drop…
…
continue reading
Introducing Oprah and Jonathan Haidt on How Social Media Is Changing Childhood from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt, published by Penguin Press, is available wherever books are sold. We are onl…
…
continue reading
1
Vanished in Vermillion: Interview with Lou Raguse
37:26
37:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:26
In May 1971, Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller were two seventeen-year-olds driving to an end-of-the-school-year party in a rundown Studebaker Lark when they seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. In this episode James interviews author Lou Raguse, author of the riveting book Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infam…
…
continue reading
1
The Murder of Joli Truelson - New developments, interview with Trisha Taurinskas
42:39
42:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:39
On the evening of July 3, 1972, 16-year-old Joli Truelson stood hitchhiking in Uptown Minneapolis, MN. Just 15 hours later she was found deceased in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head. In this episode, Dakota Spotlight interviews Trisha Taurinskas, journalst and host of a new podcast series ab…
…
continue reading
1
Poetic Justice Rebroadcast - Interview with Deon Wiggett, creator of the podcast My Only Story
31:27
31:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:27
In 2017, Deon Wiggett confronted a repressed trauma: he had been sexually abused by a schoolteacher as a teenager. His response was to create "My Only Story," a podcast exploring justice, activism, and revenge. Dakota Spotlight interviewed Wiggett in August 2021 about the podcast and his experience. My Only Story podcast: https://www.myonlystory.or…
…
continue reading
1
Moonlight Feels Right: A Valentine’s Conversation with Bruce Blackman
36:57
36:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:57
Continuing a Dakota Spotlight Valentine’s tradition, this special episode features an interview with Bruce Blackman, the mastermind behind the 1976 hit Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck. James chats with Bruce about the song’s romantic charm, its iconic marimba solo, and the stories behind its creation. Whether it’s part of your Valentine’s playlis…
…
continue reading
In this postscript to Homicide at House of Bottles, we revisit key moments from the case through archival audio from local news reports—segments recorded immediately after the robbery-homicide and after a suspect was arrested. We also speak with Bob Haas, a detective who worked the case, as he shares additional insights, reflections, and his though…
…
continue reading
In the final scheduled episode of Homicide at House of Bottles, we reflect on the profound impact of Robbie Rahrich’s life and death while delving into themes of justice, rehabilitation, and accountability. This episode features conversations with Shawn Helmenstein, who has spent 25 years in prison for the murder. Shawn offers new insights, includi…
…
continue reading
In Episode 5, the case of Shawn Helmenstein moves toward resolution. After confessing to the murder of Robbie Rarich, Shawn participates in a videotaped walkthrough of the crime scene, calmly recounting his actions in stark contrast to the brutality of the crime. At trial, the prosecution systematically dismantles his defense of emotional duress, p…
…
continue reading
Episode 4: This episode intertwines poignant memories with pivotal investigative breakthroughs, pulling us deeper into a story marked by heartbreak, betrayal, and an unyielding quest for justice. In Clinton, Montana, Detectives Haas and Wooten close in on Shawn Helmenstein, the primary suspect in Robbie Rarich’s murder. We also step into the life o…
…
continue reading
In this special mid-season update, James takes a moment to reflect on the progress of Season 11, Homicide at House of Bottles. With three episodes behind us and three more to go, listeners are treated to a sneak peek of Spotlight PLUS bonus material for episodes one and two. Discover exclusive materials, including photographs, videos, and behind-th…
…
continue reading
In Episode 3 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation picks up steam as detectives chase leads stretching across North Dakota and Montana. Their relentless digging unearths a tangled web of connections surrounding The House of Bottles, including former employees with complicated histories. A mysterious 9mm pistol known as the "Baby Eagle"…
…
continue reading
In Episode 2 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich at a Bismarck liquor store intensifies. Detectives arrive at the scene in the early hours of February 21, taking in the grim details and piecing together a picture of what happened. Was this a robbery gone wrong, a crime of opportunity, or somethi…
…
continue reading
Welcome to Season 11 of Dakota Spotlight. This season, we uncover the haunting 1999 murder of a young man in Bismarck, North Dakota—a tragic event that reverberated through the community and left a lasting impact on everyone involved. In Episode 1, we set the stage during a bustling winter weekend in Bismarck, when the city was filled with out-of-t…
…
continue reading
1
Season 11 Official Trailer - Homicide at House of Bottles
6:26
6:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:26
Dakota Spotlight’s six-part podcast series, Homicide at House of Bottles, delves into the 1999 murder of a promising young man, whose life was tragically cut short in Bismarck, North Dakota. Featuring immersive soundscapes and interviews with detectives, family, friends, and even the convicted killer, this season examines the layers of a crime that…
…
continue reading
1
Season 11 Teaser & Revisiting The Bowraville Murders
52:35
52:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:35
Crime reporter Dan Box joins us to discuss Bowraville, his podcast about the tragic murders of three Aboriginal children in a small Australian town. Teaming up with The Australian, Dan investigates how all three vanished from the same street and searches for answers in this haunting case. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight h…
…
continue reading
1
Introducing - The Sleep Retreat by James Wolner
2:10:01
2:10:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:10:01
This episode, "Gull Harbor: Warren Commission Report Part 1," is from the new podcast "The Sleep Retreat" by James Wolner. Drift off to sleep on a warm screened in porch while listening to a part of American history on a small transistor radio. In this episode, from Part 1 of the Warren Commission Report, a summary of the events of Nov 22, 1963 and…
…
continue reading
1
Wilder Intentions: Revisiting A Murder in Minot
38:36
38:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:36
A kindergarten teacher masterminds a brutal murder and shows no remorse. In this special, stand-alone episode we learn about a macabre crime from the true north. In 2015, Angila Wilder was brutally murdered in her home while her two-year-old child slept just down the hall. True crime author C.J. Wynn meets with Dakota Spotlight to discuss this crim…
…
continue reading
