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Motive

Small towns. Big walls. A good place to hide things. Stories and scandals from prisons in rural America.

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Exposing violence and cover ups, the new season of Motive investigates the hidden world of big prisons in small towns. Places where everyone knows each other and difficult truths get buried.

Want an all-access pass to Motive? Check out our Motive Newsletter so we can let you know when the latest episode drops and share more behind-the-scenes stories, additional content and updates on events. We’ll also alert you of ongoing investigations and topics covered by WBEZ’s criminal justice team. Sign up now.

Season 4

  • Episode 1: The Blind Spot

    Men in an Illinois prison said they were beaten in a spot with no security cameras. But no one took action, until someone died.

    Listen — 40:30

  • Episode 2: Us and Them

    Two Black women took mental health jobs at one of Illinois’ toughest prisons. What happened when they reported what they saw behind the wall.

    Listen — 41:54

  • Episode 3: The Major and Her Crew

    State investigators interrogate a high-ranking prison guard, who is accused of coordinating attacks on prisoners.

    Listen — 46:26

  • Episode 4: No Justice in Politics

    A man goes into prison with a 7 year sentence. But ends up getting 97 more years. How does that happen? And what do small town politics have to do with it?

    Listen — 45:30

  • Episode 5: The Trial

    Two Illinois prison guards were tried for beating Larry Earvin to death. We try to make sense of the trial and what it says about prisons.

    Listen — 37:05

  • Episode 6: The Prison Sweepstakes

    In the 1980s Illinois leaders held a competition, where rural towns competed to “win” prisons and the jobs that come with them.

    Listen — 42:48

Season 3

  • Preview The New Season Of WBEZ’s Motive

    To understand today’s white supremacist movement, look at the last time hate pulled in young Americans. Preview WBEZ’s new season of Motive.

    Listen — 1:30

  • Episode 1: The Hate Crate

    In the 1980s, it seemed organized white supremacy was declining. But a generation of racist skinheads breathed new life into the movement.

    Listen — 35:23

  • Episode 2: Romantic Violence

    It was the ‘80s. Reagan was president. And for angry teens, the punk scene provided a family and expression. Until the Nazis showed up.

    Listen — 34:37

  • Episode 3: Union And Division

    The Chicago Area Skinheads were among the first racist skinhead crews to organize in the U.S. How one brutal event brought them down.

    Listen — 36:23

  • Episode 4: Boots To Suits

    Daytime TV discovered neo-Nazi skinheads, and it was a ratings bonanza. But it also helped to grow the hate movement across America.

    Listen — 39:50

  • Episode 5: What To Do With Christian

    Christian Picciolini grew a violent hate movement for eight years. After he left, it continued to grow. What’s his role in fixing the harm?

    Listen — 35:29

  • Episode 6: The New Nazis

    When Brendan Sweeney marched with white supremacists in Charlottesville, he thought he was part of something new. And then he was doxed.

    Listen — 43:28

  • Episode 7: Tipping Point

    Atomwaffen was the most extreme white supremacist group, pushing for societal collapse. Today, their ideas are on the streets.

    Listen — 37:59

  • Episode 8: Bloodlines

    Clark Martell led neo-Nazi skinheads. Then, he disappeared. His trail reveals how sex, money and blood have kept the movement alive.

    Listen — 36:02

Season 2

  • Episode 1: Lauren Bajorek

    A student dies on her 21st birthday in Spain. Years later, questions arise after a TV segment airs about someone she was with that night.

    Listen — 34:16

  • Episode 2: Gabrielle Vega

    Gabrielle Vega alleges her tour guide raped her in 2013. Years later, she learns she’s not the only one. So she does something about it.

    Listen — 32:33

  • Episode 3: Blackout

    A look at the double-standard often applied in cases of sexual assault.

    Listen — 28:31

  • Episode 5: Did Anyone Know?

    While studying abroad in Spain, two students reported to police and their school they had been sexually assaulted. It didn’t go as expected.

    Listen — 35:21

  • Motive Season 2 Q&A

    Support Motive and join the producers for a virtual Q&A about the second season of the podcast.

    Listen — 2:09

  • Episode 6: The Investigation

    A prosecutor opened a criminal investigation almost two years ago. We go to Spain to see what’s happening.

    Listen — 35:09

  • Episode 7: La Manada, The Wolfpack

    How “The Wolfpack” verdict in 2016 ignited mass protests in Spain, kicking off the country’s #MeToo movement.

    Listen — 33:08

  • Episode 8: The ‘After’

    In the final episode, the Motive team looks at everything after an assault, including the emotional toll and the decision to pursue justice.

    Listen — 28:30

Season 1

  • Episode 1: A Shooting From A Mercedes

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 32:24

  • Episode 2: Violated Into The PeeWees

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 29:13

  • Episode 3: A Boy Enters And A Man Leaves

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 28:52

  • Episode 5: The Fairytale Ending

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 27:35

  • Episode 6: Mousey Is Dead

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 27:31

  • Episode 7: Inmate K51114

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 24:16

  • Episode 9: Batman On The West Side

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 33:19

  • Episode 10: Mother’s Day

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 31:20