September 25 · 1 hr 5 min
Why We’re Drawn to True Crime: Psychology, Safety and the Stories That Stay With Us
Erika speaks with psychologist and true crime podcaster Dr. Lindsay Weisner about why so many people, particularly women and people with anxiety, are drawn to true crime.
They discuss how these stories can increase awareness without increasing fear, how Lindsay researches cases, and what the David and Belinda Temple case reveals about investigative patterns, relationships and the search for closure.In this episode:
Dr. Lindsay Weisner explains how an inspiring psychology professor led her to double-major in psychology and English at Georgetown.
Why true crime appeals largely to women and may help people mentally prepare for unfamiliar or dangerous situations.
A 2025 study involving 200 German adults found that anxiety on one day predicted greater true crime consumption the next day.
How consuming true crime, including before sleep, was associated with lower anxiety the following day rather than increased anxiety, anger or sadness.
Lindsay’s research process: reviewing newspapers, library archives, case summaries, victims’ and perpetrators’ backgrounds, and relevant witnesses.
The unresolved Mindy case near Lindsay’s home and her goal of helping bring closure to victims’ families.
The David and Belinda Temple case in Katy, Texas, including the staged-break-in theory, David’s affair and the evidence that drew investigators’ suspicion.
Why behavioral patterns, relationship dynamics, timelines and inconsistencies can matter more than sensational details.
The difference between a family annihilator and someone who kills family members, including the importance of broader behavioral criteria.
Why true crime should be used for awareness and education rather than fear.
Timestamps00:00 - Why this episode explores the psychology of true crime
00:50 - Introducing Dr. Lindsay Weisner
01:52 - The professor who told Lindsay she would never use psychology
05:39 - Why understanding human behavior matters
06:14 - Why women are drawn to true crime
07:33 - How true crime can support awareness and personal safety
08:12 - What anxiety predicts about true crime consumption
09:24 - True crime, horror movies and the limits of astrology
13:35 - How violent content may affect mood
14:52 - Why true crime before bed may reduce next-day anxiety
16:34 - Psychological thrillers, books and movie adaptations
21:34 - What behavioral patterns Lindsay looks for in a case
22:15 - How Lindsay and Mark divide their podcast research and production
23:37 - Using newspapers, libraries and case backgrounds
26:45 - The unresolved Mindy case and the search for answers
28:54 - Beginning the David and Belinda Temple case
35:53 - The Temple family, Katy, Texas and the football culture
39:55 - Belinda Temple’s death and the initial crime-scene theory
43:01 - Firearms, gun control and questions about the investigation
44:59 - How psychologists might interview a three-year-old witness
47:23 - Estimating time of death
49:20 - Why the alleged robbery raised questions
53:31 - David’s affair and the investigators’ suspicions
57:52 - Gunshot residue, the investigation and the eventual arrest
59:42 - David Temple’s conviction and life sentence
61:36 - Questions about Evan and Heather that remain unanswered
64:04 - True crime truth or myth
66:13 - Why the psychology of a case matters most
67:26 - The misconception about family annihilators
68:30 - True crime, closure and the families left behind
69:29 - Awareness is not fear
70:21 - Where to find Dr. Lindsay Weisner and her work
