The Karen & Ellen Letters
In 2005, I received a stack of found, hand-written letters between two (stupid?) young women and their (long-suffering?) landlord. That gift would send me on a fifteen-year search for the truth. It was a comedic investigation that demanded some pretty complex interrogation: Who owns a story? How honest is our nostalgia? What does it mean to be a difficult woman? How do we engage in sexism and patriarchal gender roles? And, of course, does gas smell like avocados? And are allegations made by alligators?
Episodes
August 23, 2023 • 5 mins
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondance between two teenage girls and their landlord, over a three year period, from the 1980s. This podcast is the reading of those letters and a re-telling of the host's journey to authenticate them. The girls are demanding at best, the landlord is tired and impatient, the journey is the perfect blend of comedy, mystery, and cognitive dissonance.
The Karen & Ellen Letters arrive ...
The Karen & Ellen Letters arrive ...
Mark as Played
September 7, 2023 • 26 mins
In 2005, Josh is gifted a stack of strange letters.
In 1987, Karen and Ellen move into their very first apartment and immediately begin terrorizing their landlord.
And so we begin to unravel a decade-long mystery with a single question: Can these letters actually be real?
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Beth Kitcher, and Jeff Powell.
Mus...
In 1987, Karen and Ellen move into their very first apartment and immediately begin terrorizing their landlord.
And so we begin to unravel a decade-long mystery with a single question: Can these letters actually be real?
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Beth Kitcher, and Jeff Powell.
Mus...
Mark as Played
September 14, 2023 • 26 mins
In 2005, Josh begins trying to authenticate the letters.
In 1987, Karen and Ellen struggle with math and jurisdiction; Ellen is upset by a commercial; and Karen tells Mark about her boyfriend.
Mark begins to lose his cool.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Beth Kitcher, and Jeff Powell.
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:
www.truecrimebull...
In 1987, Karen and Ellen struggle with math and jurisdiction; Ellen is upset by a commercial; and Karen tells Mark about her boyfriend.
Mark begins to lose his cool.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Beth Kitcher, and Jeff Powell.
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production:
www.truecrimebull...
Mark as Played
September 19, 2023 • 50 mins
WARNING: This contains mild general spoilers about the scope of the Karen & Ellen Letters story. We talk around how the investigation ends, without giving away exact or detailed information.
Charlie Worroll (Crimelines; Crimelines and Consequences) has history with The Karen & Ellen Letters going back to its days as a blog (c. 2012). Years later, we met through podcasting. In the inaugural Karen & Ellen Conversations, w...
Charlie Worroll (Crimelines; Crimelines and Consequences) has history with The Karen & Ellen Letters going back to its days as a blog (c. 2012). Years later, we met through podcasting. In the inaugural Karen & Ellen Conversations, w...
Mark as Played
September 21, 2023 • 29 mins
In 2006, Josh begins to find evidence that three of the letter-writers actually exist.
In 1988, the girls celebrate a milestone, Karen and Mark find themselves at an impasse, and Mark finds joy in an unlikely place.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Benjamin Watkins.
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: www.truecrimeb...
In 1988, the girls celebrate a milestone, Karen and Mark find themselves at an impasse, and Mark finds joy in an unlikely place.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Benjamin Watkins.
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: www.truecrimeb...
Mark as Played
September 26, 2023 • 67 mins
WARNING: This contains general spoilers about the scope of the Karen & Ellen Letters story. We talk around how the investigation ends, without giving away exact or detailed information.
Stephanie Sabin is a writer for WYDaily.com. More than that, she's a dear friend. And The Karen & Ellen Letters played a very significant role in both Stephanie's career and our friendship. Stephanie was a superfan of the podcast in its initi...
Stephanie Sabin is a writer for WYDaily.com. More than that, she's a dear friend. And The Karen & Ellen Letters played a very significant role in both Stephanie's career and our friendship. Stephanie was a superfan of the podcast in its initi...
Mark as Played
September 28, 2023 • 29 mins
In 2012, the Josh struggles with the joy vs. the reality of the letters.
In 1988, Karen honeymoons, Ellen prepares to move out, and Mark sends the girls what's left of their deposit.
In 2017, people have questions about Ellen.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Chris Braaten
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: www...
In 1988, Karen honeymoons, Ellen prepares to move out, and Mark sends the girls what's left of their deposit.
In 2017, people have questions about Ellen.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Chris Braaten
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: www...
Mark as Played
October 12, 2023 • 24 mins
The train goes off the tracks.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, Matt Peelen, and Chris Braaten
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: truecrimebullshit.com / bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence.
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark.
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, Matt Peelen, and Chris Braaten
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: truecrimebullshit.com / bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
- Idokay
- Lee Rosevere
- Everything
- Digital Battleground
- Galactic Realms
- Roi Shpigler
Mark as Played
October 19, 2023 • 11 mins
Unsafe Spaces is an investigative, serialized true crime podcast that explores the crimes that take place in the places we’re supposed to feel safest.
In Season One: Tampa’s Missing Men, I explore how two different missing persons cases, reported on the same day, opened a Pandora’s Box of unreported assaults, cold missing persons cases, ignored rapes, and unsolved murders within Florida’s gay community; and the two men who could be...
In Season One: Tampa’s Missing Men, I explore how two different missing persons cases, reported on the same day, opened a Pandora’s Box of unreported assaults, cold missing persons cases, ignored rapes, and unsolved murders within Florida’s gay community; and the two men who could be...
Mark as Played
October 27, 2023 • 25 mins
In 1989: Ellen has concerns, Karen & Rob are at their wit's end, and Mark mourns a loss.
In 2012: Things get meta.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Matt Peelen
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
In 2012: Things get meta.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, and Matt Peelen
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
- Lee Rosevere
- Nightcrawlers
- Fifteen
- Retro Chill...
Mark as Played
December 14, 2023 • 72 mins
The season finale.
Season 2 begins on January 29.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, Matt Peelen, Chris Green, Vicki Russell, Megan Chaney-Walker, Eric Schmidt, Paul Csomo, and Zoe Marshall-Rashid
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
Season 2 begins on January 29.
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence
Narrated and produced by: Josh Hallmark
Starring: Sara Stapleton, Sara Kitcher, Jeff Powell, Matt Peelen, Chris Green, Vicki Russell, Megan Chaney-Walker, Eric Schmidt, Paul Csomo, and Zoe Marshall-Rashid
This is a Studio BOTH/AND production: bothand.fyi
For an ad-free experience: patreon.com/studiobothand
Music by:
- Lee Rosevere
- Chri...
Mark as Played
January 30, 2024 • 6 mins
What (and when) is Ellen doing with all these mice?
What are Mark and Bonnie up to?
What did Josh and Sara find?
Who's baking ham from the internet?
The Big D????
Season 2 will take you out of California, across multiple timelines, to new voices and witnesses, and answer most of your old questions plus some new ones.
The answers start pouring in on February 6.
What are Mark and Bonnie up to?
What did Josh and Sara find?
Who's baking ham from the internet?
The Big D????
Season 2 will take you out of California, across multiple timelines, to new voices and witnesses, and answer most of your old questions plus some new ones.
The answers start pouring in on February 6.
Mark as Played
January 31, 2024 • 3 mins
Catch up on all things Studio BOTH/AND for the month of February (and beyond).
This month's news:
• New tours and events
• Unsafe Spaces update
• The Karen & Ellen Letters update
• True Crime Bullsh** update
• New projects
• Our Americana update
• Studio BOTH/AND Launch Party follow-up in The Berkshires this October
• What's happening on Patreon this month
Links:
• True Crime Podcast Festival, use promo code JOSH for 15% off
• St...
This month's news:
• New tours and events
• Unsafe Spaces update
• The Karen & Ellen Letters update
• True Crime Bullsh** update
• New projects
• Our Americana update
• Studio BOTH/AND Launch Party follow-up in The Berkshires this October
• What's happening on Patreon this month
Links:
• True Crime Podcast Festival, use promo code JOSH for 15% off
• St...
Mark as Played
February 14, 2024 • 16 mins
Dot loses her dog. Mark gets scolded. Karen spies on her neighbors. Someone is up to something. Josh tries to reconcile timelines. Ellen catches a mouse.
Starring:
• Lori Snyder as Dot
• Nina Innsted as Bonnie
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself
• Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
• Alyse Braaten as Leslie
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Marti
• Broke For Free
Starring:
• Lori Snyder as Dot
• Nina Innsted as Bonnie
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself
• Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
• Alyse Braaten as Leslie
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Marti
• Broke For Free
Mark as Played
February 14, 2024 • 27 mins
Helena reconnects with an old friend. Someone is having a really bad day. Ellen wants free firewood. Ants! Ellen leaves something behind. Josh finds something alarming. Where's Leslie?
Starring:
• Adrienne Hardison as Helena
• Cindy Hall as ???????
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself
• Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
• Alyse Braaten as Leslie
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
•...
Starring:
• Adrienne Hardison as Helena
• Cindy Hall as ???????
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself
• Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
• Alyse Braaten as Leslie
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
•...
Mark as Played
February 14, 2024 • 27 mins
There's something oddly familiar, but strangely foreign about this. But what does it all mean, Leslie? Leslie?
Starring:
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
• Lori Anyder as Dot
• Deana Marie as Karen
• Cory Saceaux as Rob
• Steven Pappas as Mark
• Donna Hume as Ellen
• Sara Stapleton as Herself
• Holly Hall as Patricia
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Grandma Pat
• Ivy
Starring:
• Chris Green as David
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
• Lori Anyder as Dot
• Deana Marie as Karen
• Cory Saceaux as Rob
• Steven Pappas as Mark
• Donna Hume as Ellen
• Sara Stapleton as Herself
• Holly Hall as Patricia
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Grandma Pat
• Ivy
Mark as Played
February 14, 2024 • 25 mins
Helena fondly remembers Dot's daughter and her friend. The girls return from vacation. Ellen continues to struggle with geography. Josh reaches out to an old friend.
Starring:
• Sara Stapleton as Herself/Karen
• Chris Green as Email Man
• Adrienne Hardison as Helena
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Beth Kitcher as Ellen
• Matt Peelen as Rob
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Herman & Ian
• YEYEY
• Part Time
Starring:
• Sara Stapleton as Herself/Karen
• Chris Green as Email Man
• Adrienne Hardison as Helena
• Jeff Powell as Mark
• Sara Beth Kitcher as Ellen
• Matt Peelen as Rob
• Josh Hallmark as Himself
Music by:
• Podington Bear
• Herman & Ian
• YEYEY
• Part Time
Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 27 mins
Dot tells Helena about her daughter's wedding. Josh and Sara try to sort out several possible Karens. Email Karen returns. Crochet Pants enters the fold. And Ellen catches another mouse.
Starring:
Starring:
- Lori Snyder as Dot
- Adrienne Hardison as Helena
- Sara Stapleton as Karen/Herself
- Josh Hallmark as Himself
- Denise Page as Rosie
- Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
- Podington Bear
- Muddy Waters
- Aurelie
Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 20 mins
Helena gets upset with the news. Ellen has her eye on a cat painting. Josh can't believe his eyes. Darren spills the beans. Thanksgiving is celebrated on opposite ends of the country.
Starring:
Starring:
- Adrienne Hardison as Helena
- Josh Hallmark as Himself
- Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
- Sara Stapleton as Herself/Karen
- Matt Valletta as Darren
- Holly Hall as Patricia
- Podington Bear
- Titus 12
- Gary & John
- Chris Zabriskie
- Samuel Corwin
- Lia I...
Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 21 mins
We touch base with David. Dot & Helena look at "pics." Patty tells a friend about her wedding. Josh finds something at the bottom of a rabbit hole.
Starring:
Starring:
- Chris Braaten as Rod Downey
- Chris Green as David
- Lori Snyder as Dot
- Adrienne Hardison as Helena
- Holly Hall as Patricia
- Sara Beth Poole as Ellen
- Sara Stapleton as Herself/Karen
- Josh Hallmark as Himself
- Podington Bear
- Mele
- Samuel Corwin
- The Do
Mark as Played
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