The Origin Story of PodCandy: Cults, Crime and Killers

2 days ago
2 min read

By Dr. John Mayer

Every unforgettable podcast has a spark—a moment when a simple conversation turns into something electric. For PodCandy: Cults, Crime and Killers, that spark came in 2024.

I was catching up with longtime friend Stacey Flaster—known in the entertainment world as a dynamic choreographer, director, and actress—when she casually dropped a revelation: behind the scenes, she’s a die-hard true crime fanatic. Not a flirtation… an obsession.

But what came next was more surprising. Stacey confessed that even the biggest true-crime shows left her wanting. They were fun, yes—hosted by comedians, actors, everyday storytellers. But where were the experts? Where was the deeper insight? Where was the “why” behind the “what”?

“They’re entertaining,” she told me, “But what are they teaching us?”

That was the lightning strike.

What if there were a podcast that combined the addictive appeal of true crime commentary with the kind of expert analysis that only someone working in the trenches could offer? A show that took listeners beyond the headlines—past the shock, the gore, the memes—and into a deeper understanding of criminal behavior, victim psychology, and real-world safety?

That show became PodCandy.

As Stacey and I refined the concept, we began searching for a third voice—a fan who brought passion, personality, and flair. Enter Dori Goldman, another true-crime superconsumer Stacey knew from her entertainment circles. Together, Stacey and Dori inhaled true-crime content like it was… well… candy. And with that, our name practically named itself: PodCandy: Cults, Crime and Killers.

From the beginning, the mission was clear:

Educate the public. Prevent victimization. Help people cope with trauma. And give listeners real, science-based tools to live safer, happier lives.

Our format is simple and wildly effective:

Stacey and Dori dive into each case with fearless, unfiltered reactions—smart, funny, bold, and deeply human. Then they bring me, Dr. John Mayer, into the conversation to answer the questions every true-crime fan wishes they could ask an expert. Together, we blend storytelling, psychology, criminology, and entertainment in a way that makes PodCandy stand out in a crowded genre.

And listeners noticed.

Today, our audience spans 26 countries and continues to grow—diverse in age, background, and experience, but united by one thing: they can’t get enough PodCandy.

We’ve had our share of unforgettable mic-drop moments—from each of us revealing our own experiences as victims to the now-infamous confession when Dori declared that she finds Ed Gein… “hot.” (Yes. That happened. And yes, the world heard it.)