The Lexington Podcast

It's the riveting finale of our Take Back Cheapside series, going behind the scenes with the movement's leaders Russell Allen and DeBraun Thomas. Hear the untold stories - endless council meetings, unexpected roadblocks, power dynamics, and the future of the coalition they inspired. They also assess if Lexington is truly evolving and share insights on catalyzing change today. After all, as they put it, change is sparked by "regular people who happen to do extraordinary things." Don't miss this inspiring look at the passion driving local activism.

In 2022, we had the privilege to interview two visionaries and local activists: Russell Allen and DeBraun Thomas of the Take Back Cheapside movement. We heard firsthand the remarkable story behind the triumphs and challenges of removing two Confederate statues from one of the most prominent former slave auction blocks in the state of Kentucky, known as the Cheapside Auction Block. Join us as we hear about the extraordinary movement behind reclaiming this sacred space from the shadows of Confederate symbolism and restoring it as a place of unity and inclusive commemoration -- "where all should feel welcome."

We talk about the famous Vampire cult of Kentucky as well as our Railbird 2023 review.

Extensive searches, frustrating autopsy reports, and a very silent killer.

Conflicting interviews, snapchat evidence, and revealing journal entries.

Vote for Lexington Podcast for "Best in Lex"! Our podcast was nominated for "Best Lexington Podcast" and we'd sure love and appreciate your vote! :) Watch "Seduced to Slay" HBO Max (Season 1; Episode 8). We were interviewed by Investigation Discovery about the 1986 Turpin murder and were honored to be included in keeping Michael's memory alive.

The Savannah Spurlock case dominated Kentucky headlines for well over a year in 2019 and 2020. The public knew, right off the bat, that a pretty girl went missing after a late night of partying at a bar near the University of Kentucky in Lexington. As the case was breaking, police also released footage of Savannah walking through a dark parking lot with three unidentified men in their early 20s. The footage was, and continues to be, haunting.

Hi there! We're glad to be back. This episode, our premiere episode after a year and half absence, is a very personal episode. It’s filled with our personal apology for being gone so long as well as the reasons why we were gone for so long. We talk about grief and the passing of our father, major career changes, and then, the future of the Lexington Podcast-- including all the fun episodes we have lined up. We have some seriously awesome things on the horizon and we hope you’ll stick with us for the ride. But here’s the thing, you may be like, “Whoa whoa, I come here for your Kentucky true crime and weird history not all your personal stuff,” and seriously, we get it. No hard feelings. We’re excited to be back delivering our regular stuff every week. So excited in fact, we’re dropping a bonus episode this week-- the premiere of our latest true crime case: the tragic 2019 homicide of Savannah Spurlock. This case dominated Kentucky headlines in 2019 when a 22 year old woman from Richmond, KY went missing after a night of partying in Lexington. It’s an incredibly devastating but fascinating case filled with unclear motives, the extremes of party culture, and the interesting relationship between technology and solid police work. Though the case is technically solved, there’s still so much that's still a mystery, even to this day. So, that being said. If you’ve been a long-time listener and you’d like to know what we’ve been up to lately--carry on! Feel free to listen to this episode. But if you’re here for our usual stuff, then by all means, feel free just to skip to the next episode– Savannah Spurlock Part 1.

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.