The Lexington Podcast

If it's unpredictable weather and severe allergies you're after, then look no further than SPRINGTIME in the Bluegrass State. We chat all things SPRING in Kentucky! // Road Trip tips to Cave City, KY & Lexington Cemetery Celebs

"You obstruct the way, sir!" // Kentucky Duels // Marijuana Legislation // Maple Syrup in KY // Critchfield Meats // Movie Recommendation  

We finish up our coverage of the 1973 Barnes Family Murder on Russell Cave Road. You'll hear all the details about the murder, the aftermath, and the one surviving member of the family. Listener discretion advised.

Barnes Family Murder on Russell Cave Road // KY's Potty-Mouthed Congressman // Downtown Soccer Stadium // National No-Fly List // New Hyped Biscuit Spot in Lex //  Horse Doping // German Food & Movie Recommendation  // Horse Girls on Lexington Tinder 

The History of Town Branch -- Stream, Trail, Bourbon, and Park  // Kentucky Constables // Local Recommendations

The Founding of Lexington  // Kentucky Porch Pirates // Ranking the Local Meteorologists // Korean Cuisine in Lexington 

In our Season 2 finale, we talk all the big plans we have for our upcoming Season 3 which premieres Sunday, February 6, 2022! We're changing up the format of our episodes to bring you MORE Lexington history, true crime, and important local info in a very consistent way. The true crime case for Season 3 is announced, and we try out our new segment called “Dinner and a Show." 

Final installment of the Michael Turpin homicide series. We take a close look at the aftermath of that tragic night in February of 1986. In the nearly 36 years since Michael Turpin's murder, three people have been incarcerated and families continue to mourn. There have been dramatic parole hearings, eye-opening letters of intent, extensive and continuous press coverage, an inmate conspiracy plot, and a lot of public opinion about prison reform in regards to this case. Oh, and stay tuned at the end of the episode for a breakdown of what's to come in Season 3! We're very, very excited about Season 3.

On September 25, 1986, after a month-long trial, the prosecution and the defense rest. It's up to a jury of eight women and four men to determine the fate of Elizabeth Turpin and Karen Brown. 

After two confessions and the death penalty on the table, Lexington braces itself for the “Trial of the Decade” in September of 1986--it's Keith vs. Karen vs. Elizabeth. The press and the public couldn't get enough of the fiery prosecutors, steamy love letters, surprising diary entries, ironclad evidence, and shocking betrayals on the witness stand.

Our full Railbird 2021 review, as well as a robust "Out & About" segment where we talk up our latest favorite places to eat, drink, and play in Lexington, KY!

We sit down with the lead detective of the Turpin homicide, Ret. Assistant Police Chief Fran Root, to discuss details of the case. Of course, we couldn't NOT ask about his time on the force during the famed Bluegrass Conspiracy days, too. Ret. Commander David Lyons of the incredible "Murder Police Podcast" also joins us to discuss forensic advancements and just how much Lexington has changed over the years from a cop's perspective. 

Suspects go head-to-head with different versions of what exactly transpired on the tragic morning of February 2, 1986. But is everyone headed for a conviction? 

Michael Turpin's body is found and suspects are forming alibis. 

The events and complicated relationships leading to the fatal night of February 2, 1986. 

Part 2 of the Michael Turpin homicide and our latest favorite take-out spots in Lex!

Welcome to Season 2! We begin with an overview of the tragic 1986 homicide of Michael Turpin in Lexington, KY. And later, we recount our favorite things about the year 2020. 

Our personal recommendations of what to do and where to eat in Lexington in the fall of 2020. Jonny gets schooled in horror movie trivia. A review of a "Ghost Walk" we did in early October with the lovely Patti Starr. And later, we officially reveal the true crime case(s) we'll cover in "Season 2." 

There are very few topics Jonathan gets more heated and passionate about than the Horror genre of film. He's a bonafide expert and claims to have seen every single one. Listen in as he defends the artform against my skepticism. He also breaks down "the best of the best" Horror films by decade--just in time for your spooky movie marathons this month! 

We got to interview local makers from September's "Bluegrass Creative Market" on Southland Drive! Listen in as we chat up Kentucky artists about their passion, their process, and their challenges in the year 2020! 

Drew Thornton's infamous fall from grace made local, national, and international headlines because it was truly bizarre event. It was covered extensively because it was a very public end to a very public chapter in the War on Drugs in Kentucky. Was Drew Thornton's death truly just a horrible accident? Or did his involvement in covert activities cause his untimely demise? Exotic poisons, the CIA, and a 175 pound black bear--This episode doesn't blow. 

Things are not going as smooth for The Company in the early 1980s as they were just a few years before. They've got informants ratting left and right and are doing anything they can to keep from being discovered: a staged car accident, a media circus trial, a shooting at the Merrick Inn, and yet another high-profile murder. Will the drug and arms smuggling kingpins, that ruled the Bluegrass for over a decade, finally be exposed? Find out on the latest installment of our "Bluegrass Conspiracy" series. 

Fried chicken and old governors. Missing girls and the Kentucky River. Made-up CIA operatives and perhaps the most infamous party house in all of Lexington, Kentucky. Join us for our latest installment of The Bluegrass Conspiracy series.

Drug trafficking. Arms smuggling. International espionage. Fraud. Embezzlement. Entrapment. Murder. We recap everything Bluegrass Conspiracy and explore the events that led to the downfall of the men known as The Company. Though six other states had them under investigation in 1981, Kentucky was always safe harbor.

An Ode to Anita Madden: Lexington Icon, Businesswoman, Philanthropist and Incomparable Hostess. We dive into the history of Hamburg Place and Anita Madden's style, accomplishments, philosophy of hospitality, and of course--the details of her incredible pre-Derby parties. And later, Jonathan defends his conspicuous technique for meeting new neighbors. 

Murders, millionaires, the mob, and the Blue Grass Airport. The fifth installment of our Bluegrass Conspiracy series includes The Company's first big drug run and an unbelievable DEA cover up. Later, we chat about outlandish mafia nicknames as well as our favorite, can't-miss country drives around Lexington.

Having a mole in the state capitol proved very profitable for The Company. In this episode, we introduce you to Henry Vance, the third and final member of The Company. Vance's role as top aide to the Governor ensured Thorton and Bryant were privy to things no drug smuggling operation should be privy to--movements of the state police and the strategy of the DEA's growing influence. In 1977, we see The Company make big moves by cutting out the middlemen of distribution and forming a very risky partnership with the famous Chagra brothers. And later, we discuss the impact of Covid-19 on Lexington's current culture and economy. 

There hasn't been a single newspaper article published since 1977 that doesn't link the famous disappearance of Lexington socialite Melanie Flynn to the events of The Bluegrass Conspiracy. We investigate her missing person's case and explain our take on the theories of her tragic fate. 

Bryant and Thorton, best friends since adolescence, decide they possess the exact skill set necessary for pulling off their own big league, drug smuggling operation--with an unsuspecting Lexington, KY as the base of operations. And later, we discuss and disagree on the best date night spots in Lexington. 

Introductions are in order, y'all. In our very first episode, we introduce you to Lexington, KY-- a town that has cemented itself as a Southern capital for historic scandal. We dive right in to the first installment of our "Bluegrass Conspiracy" series by introducing you to the gutsy Drew Thorton, Lexington's notorious police officer turned drug smuggler. And later, we review the Railbird music festival at Keeneland.