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Bitter Academia

True Crime

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?

Location:

United States

Genres:

True Crime

Description:

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?

Language:

English


Episodes
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BONUS: 'The Internet is on fire:' Massive AWS outage shows how fragile our modern world is

10/20/2025
Amazon's cloud service went dark on Monday and took a big chunk of U.S. business and products and operations down along with it. Here's the latest on how it happened, what the fix would be, and how concerned we should be about it happening again.

Duration:00:21:11

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TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: A mother and son charged for murder, the Dallas ICE shooter and the Ellen Greenberg case

10/18/2025
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”.

Duration:00:14:52

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BONUS: No Kings rallies amidst a swirling backdrop: Trump could 'green light' Israel to launch again, Bolton is indicted, and government shutdown could be longest ever

10/17/2025
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.

Duration:00:31:22

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TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: Are there signs that a perpetrator is about to strike?

10/11/2025
This week, we’re taking a look at cases that bring up questions about the signs leading up to crimes. Are there ways for us to predict when a perpetrator will strike, ways to prevent crimes from happening? Are we doing enough to make sure perpetrators won’t strike again? You’ll hear from KNX News’ the LA Local podcast about the man arrested for starting the massive Pacific Palisades Fire that claimed 12 lives while also ruining homes, businesses and more. You’ll also hear from a crime expert in New Orleans about a carjacker with a frightening past and from the legal team of a woman who claims she was sexually abused by a nurse in Michigan about that nurse’s alleged history of assault.

Duration:00:35:18

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BONUS: Is there really peace in the Middle East now? Breaking down the deal Trump brokered and if it'll hold

10/10/2025
President Donald Trump didn't win the Nobel Peace Prize for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire announced this week, but many are wondering if his work securing the agreement will win him something else: a new legacy. Learn more on the deal and reaction to it from Jason DeRusha and Chad Hartman at WCCO in Minneapolis; KCBS Radio in the Bay Area and WWJ Newsradio in Detroit.

Duration:00:29:36

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BONUS: 'An enormous stain on American history' ... or something else? Bondi, Comey, and National Guard deployment put US justice on the hot seat

10/9/2025
Pam Bondi faced the Senate as James Comey faced arraignment and the Democratic governors of American handled National Guard deployment -- or threat of it -- on their streets. This has been a historic week in the U.S. systen of justice and here's what happened. On Deadline is produced and written by Christy Strawser and Lauren Barry.

Duration:00:28:21

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INTRODUCING: 'True Crime in Real Time' weekly roundups

10/4/2025
On this roundup of true crime news reported from Audacy stations across the country, we bring you updates on the Michigan church shooting, the yogurt shop murders and other crime headlines you might have missed, including the gripping story of a young mother who was murdered at a gas station.

Duration:00:17:51

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The Ashes

3/27/2023
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.

Duration:00:40:19

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Family Ties

3/20/2023
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.

Duration:00:46:30

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A Horrible Death to Die

3/13/2023
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 - Audacy Original Podcasts.

Duration:00:46:52

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Golden Handcuffs

3/6/2023
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.

Duration:00:34:57

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Follow The Money

2/27/2023
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.

Duration:00:19:54

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An Interrupted Legacy

2/19/2023
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 sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

Duration:00:39:47

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Trailer: Bitter Academia

2/16/2023
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 past.

Duration:00:01:59

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What's a castle without a King?

6/19/2022
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.

Duration:00:25:18

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Al

6/12/2022
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.

Duration:00:33:18

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The past is fair play

6/5/2022
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.

Duration:01:03:58

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I’m the one you’re looking for

5/31/2022
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.

Duration:00:43:52

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

5/22/2022
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 Pitman.

Duration:00:30:15

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There's no business like sausage business

5/15/2022
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 Pitman.

Duration:00:34:04