If the Walls Could Talk-logo

If the Walls Could Talk

True Crime

How did a group of bad apples turn a premiere Chicago hospital into a "butcher shop"? If the walls of Edgewater Hospital could talk, they would proudly share the years of good medicine before breaking down into tears recounting the horrible crimes done within those walls. Hear former employees, patients, FBI agents, lawyers, and urban explorers share what happened in this history / true crime podcast series.

Location:

United States

Genres:

True Crime

Description:

How did a group of bad apples turn a premiere Chicago hospital into a "butcher shop"? If the walls of Edgewater Hospital could talk, they would proudly share the years of good medicine before breaking down into tears recounting the horrible crimes done within those walls. Hear former employees, patients, FBI agents, lawyers, and urban explorers share what happened in this history / true crime podcast series.

Twitter:

@ifthewalls

Language:

English

Contact:

480-292-6732


Episodes
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BONUS: Chicago History Podcast Talks Edgewater Hospital

10/27/2022
It's not a coincidence that many celebrities who performed at Edgewater Beach Hotel wound up in the "private suites" at Edgewater Hospital. Todd recently joined Tommy Henry on the Chicago History Podcast to explain why and shared a few other similarities between the two buildings. Hear the full episode about Chicago's famed Edgewater Beach Hotel in Episode 503 Episode 306 of the Chicago History Podcast features Todd Ganz and Stephani Young talking about the making of If the Walls Could Talk. Episode 302 of the Chicago History Podcast explores the movie "Backdraft" -- a handful of scenes were filmed at Edgewater Hospital. Learn more about Chicago History Podcast on their website. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:07:07

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BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 3 "Q&A"

12/2/2021
There were other suspects in the mysterious murder investigation of Edgewater Hospital's Teresita Basa. In this special Q&A, learn about them and whether Reme Chua was considered a person of interest. Hear why one of Allan Showery's lawyers was later disbarred and find out about the odd connection to Edgewater Hospital's Peter Rogan and Roger Ehmen. If the Walls Could Talk Podcast shares the true crimes that destroyed Chicago's Edgewater Hospital. The complete series is now available. Additional photos and stories about the Teresita Basa story and Edgewater Hospital are available on our website IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Support the podcast on Patreon and unlock dozens of hours of bonus content and behind-the-scenes stories. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:26:32

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BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 2 "The Trial"

11/7/2021
Accused of murdering Teresita Basa, Allan Showery's trial began in 1979. Given the unusual circumstances of the case -- namely that police were tipped off by a ghost -- lawyers on both sides were challenged to convince 12 indecisive jurors. But it's what happened after the trial that still remains a mystery. See pictures and learn more about the Teresita Basa case on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com , Instagram and Facebook Group. Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. The complete true crime series about Chicago's Edgewater Hospital begins with Episode 1 of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:30:35

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BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 1 "The Murder"

10/31/2021
Teresita Basa was found dead in her Chicago apartment with a knife in chest. The beloved Edgewater Hospital employee had been murdered and set on fire in 1977. With few leads, the case went cold...until Teresita's ghost returned from the grave to identify her killer: another Edgewater Hospital employee named Allan Showery. Hear the shocking true story of one the most unusual murder investigations in Part 1 of this Bonus Episode. See pictures and learn more about the unusual murder of Teresita Basa on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com. Hear hours of additional content, stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Plans start at just $10/month. Hear the complete true crime series about Chicago's Edgewater Hospital beginning with Episode 1 of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:34:14

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Episode 11: If the Walls Could Talk: Q & A Wrap-Up

3/28/2021
Is one of Edgewater Hospital's doctors sitting on death row? Why did Peter Rogan get such a short prison sentence? What happened to the hyperbaric chamber? In this jam-packed Q & A episode, we'll answer those questions and a dozen others about the Edgewater Hospital saga. A panel of experts also discuss whether there could be another Edgewater Hospital. Find additional photos and articles on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:00:58

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BONUS: Edgewater Hospital History

3/21/2021
Dr. Maurice Mazel was Edgewater Hospital's temperamental leader who treated Hollywood's elite and turned his tiny neighborhood hospital into Chicago's premiere medical facility. For 51 years, he ran the hospital at 5700 N. Ashland Avenue like a hotel -- complete with bellhops, private suites and celebrity sightings. Learn why he collected urine from employees and whether the Chicago Paranormal Investigators found any ghosts in this special bonus episode about the hospital's better days. Find additional photos and stories on the episode page: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:37:43

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Episode 10: Second Season of Life

3/14/2021
Roger Ehmen served 6 years in prison for his role in Edgewater Hospital's fraud scheme. Roger shares how he managed to turn that darkness into an opportunity and, in the process, found his calling. Plus hear the shocking updates about Peter Rogan, Dr. Cubria and other players in the scheme in this tell-all "where are they now" episode. Learn more about Westside Health Authority and how you can support the non-profit organization. Additional "where are they now" information is available on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:46:14

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Episode 9: Parade of Lies

3/7/2021
Peter Rogan surprised authorities when he ended his extradition fight and returned to the United States in 2015. He faced up to 50 years in prison and a $1 million fine for obstruction and perjury charges. Meanwhile the long-awaited redevelopment of Edgewater Hospital finally commenced and unearthed plenty of surprises. Learn more about how Peter's sentencing hearing finally made headlines -- for different reasons -- on the episode page of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast website. Access hours of bonus content, interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations by supporting us on Patreon. Plans start at just $10 / month. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:45:50

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Episode 8: Leave Only Footsteps

2/28/2021
Edgewater Hospital closed in 2001, but the hospital still saw dozens of people come and go. Some of the many visitors were Urban Explorers who photographed the abandoned hospital over the 15 years it sat idle. One of these people actually went to the closed and abandoned Edgewater Hospital to receive treatment. Much to his surprise -- he found it. See the numerous photos we referenced in this episode on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. See more of the Urban Explorers work: Ken Fager on American Urbex on Flickr Instagram: @kenfager Nitram242 on Flickr Instagram: @nitram242 Jordan Nicolette on Flickr Instagram: @jordan-nicolette Kyle Telechan on Flickr Instagram: @cityeyes Eric Holubow on Flickr Instagram: @eholubow - Book: Abandoned: America’s Vanishing Landscape Bradley French on YouTube Instagram: @bradley_frenchy Mike Kinsch Instagram: @mikeman902 Josh Tinoco Instagram: @joshuatinoco Follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Stephani Young. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:48:16

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Episode 7: Fringe Benefit

2/21/2021
After losing a $64 million civil suit to the government, Peter Rogan fled to Canada and lived in a swanky Vancouver penthouse. Even after the feds filed criminal charges, they struggled to bring him back back to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Edgewater Hospital campus crumbled and became a magnet for crime. The neighborhood demanded it be torn down. See photos of Peter Rogan's yacht and haunting images of the abandoned hospital on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Join us on Instagram and our Facebook Group. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:41:36

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Episode 6: Day of Reckoning

2/14/2021
As a handful of Edgewater Hospital doctors and Roger Ehmen headed to prison, Peter Rogan walked away a free man. While not charged criminally, Peter was sued in civil court. The United States vs Peter Rogan went to trial in 2006 and featured plenty of explosive testimony. At stake were tens of millions of Peter's dollars. See the photos that attorney Wes Johnson took in the abandoned hospital on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and our Facebook Group. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:50:25

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Episode 5: Something We Had to Do

2/7/2021
Fear spread through Edgewater Hospital that someone might be cooperating with the FBI and secretly recording conversations. Meanwhile some unexpected findings caused the investigation to come to a screeching halt. That left everyone asking: "Now what?". Read the 58-count indictment on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Additional photos are on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Group. Music in this episode comes from the YouTube Audio Library. Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:47:01

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Episode 4: Dr. Andrew Cubria

1/31/2021
An alarming number of patients ended up in the hands of Cardiologist Andrew Cubria. Dr. Cubria then performed unnecessary and invasive procedures on these patients. The FBI went undercover and learned that two people died as a result. Complicating matters: Dr. Cubria destroyed the evidence. See pictures of Dr. Cubria and learn more about the "heartless heart doctor" on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Additional photos are on Instagram and our Facebook Group. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:41:01

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Episode 3: Bad Apples

1/24/2021
The FBI had multiple doctors secretly record conversations in order to learn about the illegal ways Edgewater Hospital filled up its beds. In all, they recorded over 900 tapes. Their investigation took another sharp turn when an audit revealed Edgewater's Cardiologist doing an unusual amount of invasive heart procedures. Watch the cringeworthy TV news clip of Dr. Monty McClellan on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Find additional photos and articles on Instagram and our Facebook Group. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:37:44

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Episode 2: The Second Floor

1/17/2021
Rumors spread that patients who weren't sick were being brought to Edgewater Hospital and treated on a mysterious "secret floor". The once proud community hospital suddenly took on a new identity. Before long, the FBI would start investigating. See pictures of Edgewater's infamous patient: John Wayne Gacy and more on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Backdraft was filmed at Edgewater Hospital. Hear an in-depth interview about the making of the movie on Episode 302 of the Chicago History Podcast. Hear hours of bonus stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Plans start as low as $10. Find additional photos on Instagram and our Facebook Group. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:49:41

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Episode 1: The Marvelous Dr. Mazel

1/10/2021
Edgewater Hospital is the birthplace of Hillary Clinton, John Wayne Gacy and tens of thousands of Chicagoans. It was Chicago's premier hospital for 50 years -- but that changed when a man named Peter Rogan purchased it. The fraud that went on during Edgewater's final decade now overshadows the hospital's once-sterling reputation. In this true crime series, former Edgewater Hospital staff, patients and investigators recount the horrors that happened and why they believed Peter Rogan got away with it. See photos of Dr. Mazel, Harriet Mazel and Edgewater Hospital's early years on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com Hear hours of bonus stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content with hosts Todd Ganz and Stephani Young on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast Website: https://ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifthewalls Email us: emc@ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com Get John Borowski’s book John Wayne Gacy: Hunting a Predator and find out more about his film, John Wayne Gacy: A Clown Can Get Away With Murder on his website. -------------------------------------- This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:40:56

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The Waiting Room

12/6/2020
A once-prominent Chicago hospital deteriorated into a place that preyed upon poor, elderly and homeless people -- just to fatten their bottom line. After ultimately closing in 2001, a handful of doctors went to prison. The former owner fled the country with hundreds of millions of dollars in civil judgments hanging over his head. The hospital then sat there and rotted for over 15 years leaving the city scrambling to clean up the mess. "If the Walls Could Talk Podcast" follows Edgewater...

Duration:00:08:45

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Preview: If the Walls Could Talk Podcast

1/8/2020
A struggling Chicago hospital does just about anything to stay afloat. Its patients were subjected to hundreds of unnecessary tests, procedures and surgeries. By the time the hospital shut down, multiple patients were dead and its former owner fled the country. Left behind was an abandoned hospital that became a magnet for crime and Urban Explorers. If the Walls Could Talk recounts the true crimes and tangled history of Chicago's Edgewater Hospital as told by former staff, patients, lawyers, and investigators. The birthplace of Hillary Clinton and John Wayne Gacy, Edgewater Hospital opened in 1929 and was Chicago's premiere medical facility for 60 years. But everything changed when a new owner took over in 1989. What happened there in the '90s and 2000s muddied its once sterling reputation. Hear the shocking story of how its former owner managed to evade the law and why many believe he got away with it. Written and produced by former-Chicago radio veterans Todd Ganz and Stephani Young. Visit https://ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com for more information. Follow on Instagram at @ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast and on our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifthewalls If the Walls Could Talk is a registered trademark of Buckletown Productions LLC. Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:02:21