The Troubled Teen Industry: Legal Kidnapping in America

The Troubled Teen Industry: Legal Kidnapping in America

Author: Moms and Mysteries Podcast January 1, 2026 Duration: 1:19:28
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
SocietyCultureSociety & CultureTrue Crime
*Subscribe to our youtube!* For decades, desperate parents have sent their struggling teens to residential treatment programs that promise to help them overcome everything from behavioral issues to substance abuse. But for many, these programs deliver years of trauma and abuse, rebranded as discipline and growth. This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the billion-dollar Troubled Teen Industry. What happens when a parent’s last resort becomes a child’s worst nightmare? We explore the slick marketing and manipulative tactics used by these facilities to lure in terrified families, and the shocking reality of what goes on behind closed doors. From isolation and psychological abuse to a system where compliance is mistaken for healing, we uncover the repeatable, cult-like model that defines many of these programs. We also discuss the tragic case of Taylor Goodridge, a 17-year-old who died at a Utah facility just days after her arrival, and the fight for justice and regulation that continues today, championed by survivors like Paris Hilton. This is a look into an industry that operates in the shadows, and the fight to bring it into the light. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Start the new year off on a great foot with your kids! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50. Right now IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home! Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MOMS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between school drop-offs and grocery runs, Mandy and Melissa found a shared obsession with the unanswered questions lurking in the shadows. Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast is the result: a conversation that feels like sitting at a kitchen table with two friends who are deeply curious about the human condition. Their perspective is uniquely grounded, examining each story not just for its shock value, but for the societal threads and personal tragedies that weave it together. You’ll hear them discuss everything from the strangely specific weirdness of a Florida crime to a globally known cold case, always with a blend of empathy and a dash of necessary, dark humor. This isn't a clinical report; it's a twice-weekly deep dive fueled by a lifelong fascination with mysteries, both big and small. The tone is warm, the research is thorough, and the conversation is the kind you get hooked on. New episodes of this true crime podcast arrive every Tuesday and Thursday, ready to be your companion during a commute or while folding laundry. They’ve been asking "how did this happen?" since they were kids, and now they’re pulling up a chair for you to join that ongoing, compelling discussion.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Murder of Eric Richins: Betrayed by the Author of a Grief Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:36
Eric Richins was a devoted father of three and a successful Utah businessman, known for his big heart and infectious laugh. In March 2022, his life was tragically cut short when he was found dead in his bedroom from a le…
The Murder of Travis Alexander + The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:16
*The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie begins around 38:00* This week, we're finally tackling a case we're surprised we haven't covered before: the story of Jodi Arias. In June 2008, the brutal murder of motivational speake…
The Canoe Man: The Unbelievable Fake Death of John Darwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
John Darwin, a prison officer from the UK, vanishes after a morning kayak trip, leaving behind a shattered canoe and a grieving family. After he’s declared legally dead, his wife Anne collects a £250,000 life insurance p…
10 True Crime Cases to Follow in Early 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
We're breaking down 10 major true crime cases with trials happening in early 2026. From Clayton from The Bachelor's fake pregnancy scandal to a mom who allegedly killed her husband and then wrote a kid’s book about grief…
The Murder of Anne Marie Fahey: A Powerful Attorney's Deadly Secret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
In 1996, Anne Marie Fahey, a bright and organized secretary in the Delaware Governor's office, vanished after a dinner date. Her disappearance unraveled a dark story of a secret affair with a powerful and controlling att…

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