Super interesting podcast with very nice, intelligent, and easy to listen to podcasters…until, with all due respect, the innocence project is more like a stretch and outside of lay people’s area of expertise …usually having to do with the subjects of medicine, some law, and a lot of law enforcement. This does not occur in every episode, but when it does it is frustrating because it does not accurately reflect the system and feels more like a trendy media report. Examples. Barry Jones-the amount of force required to cause the internal injuries seen here is equivalent to what could be seen in a car crash. A 2 yr old cannot inflict this degree of trauma. An adult can. The timing was calculated using more than speculation regarding the internal injuries. The victim’s head was actively bleeding while Barry was admittedly the sole caretaker. There are board certified pediatric court-declared experts in child abuse. These experts do not include pathologists (who never examine live patients or dying patients). Pathologists only determine manner and cause of death, but medical experts are called in to opine on most of what is discussed here. Also, repeat paid defense experts are easy to find and just as easy to discredit. The prosecution cannot shop for their experts. They have the doctors that received the patient, typically from the Children’s Hospital, which is full of qualified experts who have a sub-specialty (ie pediatric Gastro-intestinal trauma surgeon) recruited from around the world by Children’s Hospitals. These experts work for the hospital, not the government, not the prosecution. Other cases, such as the Petite family murders- when things go wrong (due to the actor’s criminal actions), the podcasters naively tend to suggest police should “knock and talk” instead of initiating a trained task force to survey the situation. When dangerous criminal activity is afoot, knock and talks tend to cause actors to feel trapped, out of options, and panicked. This is when the victims and police frequently get injured or killed. Please know that police are doing more than surrounding a house, waiting and watching. Task forces consist of more than uniformed first responders. They are ascertaining how many actors are inside, if they are armed, where they are positioned, if they can be taken out from a distance without risking others and without inciting an already volatile situation caused by the actors. They are collecting intel, running criminal records, gaining access to positions where they may be able to view inside, and much, much more. The risk level is not easy to assess. There are many law enforcement officers who have given their lives while attempting to make others safe. There are, of course, bad eggs everywhere.

Great podcast I enjoy listening to you guys, but please keep the politics, and your opinions on say lgbtqrstuvwxyz+ community, and the racism stuff to your self. Nobody wants to hear about your opinions on it. Please just keep to the facts of the story. Im going to listen to small town murder because they keep out all the politics.

A.) The purpose of this show is to bring awareness, to keep important discussions alive, and to shed light on the efficacy of the American Justice System, not to actually solve crimes. However, during the course of my nine years of listenership, I have heard multiples mentions of their discussions being a catalyst in the resolution of several unsolved crimes. Even one piece of information leading to one unsolved case makes their efforts worth it; I’m sure we could all agree they do more good than harm. B.) These guys are always first to highlight good police work before lazy police work. The procedural missteps and areas of opportunity they do underscore are sometimes so blatantly obvious and lazy that it’s incredibly apparently our tax dollars are being spent on people content with doing the absolute bare minimum needed to scrape that paycheck and overtime. Why do more when you can do less and still get paid the same? Let me guess, you need to be a “real detective” to assume the world’s absolute brightest are not lining up to take the detective’s exam at the Rockford PD, lol.

Consistently great and sensitive storytelling and the hosts seem like genuinely nice people.

Long-time listener, this podcast has stayed in my rotation for many years. It’s victim-centric, educational, thoughtful, not sensational. Everything true crime should be about.

Justin and Aaron are able to make these very sad true crime stories an incredibly interesting listen. It helps that they have calm and soothing voices. 😌

I’ve been listening to Aaron and Justin for about 7 years and their stores are always well researched and sensitively and compassionately told. Their voices are comforting to me at this point haha

These guys are amazing. The crime stories they choose are fascinating and they deliver them in a captivating but calm way. The Stories are easy to follow. And they push no agenda.

I love these guys! I love this podcast! I could listen to them all day. So down to earth and simply stating the facts. 💙

I’ve been searching for a true crime podcast that delivers information in a factual way but also allows opinion. They always say if it’s their opinion. It enlightens me on the process of investigations as well. Great podcast.

All he does is preach at you, make speculations (“she wouldn’t do that”) about things he has no idea about, and he’s just not very smart. His overconfidence in his opinions based in nothing is evidence of a lack of meta- cognition. People who aren’t smart aren’t able to evaluate their thinking and realize where they are lacking, therefore are overconfident in their opinions and ability. He contributes nothing but whining and self-righteousness. I used to love this podcast and was even a Patreon subscriber but I cannot stand to listen to this person for the past few years. I wanted to try again and nope! First episode I turned on he’s on some tangential rant about the laws that need to be changed that have nothing to do with the case making completely false comparisons. The show would be great without his stupid opinions.

These two are wonderful! Very informative, with little banter. Perfect if your looking for wonderful story telling and respect for the victims and the wrongly convicted. Thanks for what you do, guys!

This sounds terrible, but I was skeptical of men in the true crime space. While there are many men who do a great job, there are some who don’t. These guys are right where they belong. Giving their honest opinions, giving the victim the spotlight, and aren’t exploiting salacious stories. They are ethical storytellers who would make victims family members proud. Keep up the good work gentlemen!

I’m a homicide detective in Rockford Illinois. Would love your expertise at solving crimes. Please let me know when you can help. Rocco Wagner.

Can create the best podcast. And I listen to a lot of podcasts. This is my first review. Thank you, Aaron and Justin. You are the best!

One of the best true crime podcasters out there! Highly recommend a follow!

Love true crime, and I’m very picky about who gets my true crime time. These guys are great presenters.

Always intreating cases, that are well researched and well vetted. They do a good job of giving you all the info without feeling like it’s crammed into too short of an episode. Great to have in your weekly rotation

I have been listening to Gen Why since the beginning! Hands down one of the best.

I really enjoy the dialogue and dissection of each case presented. I found this pod during the pandemic and have listened to all episodes. Keep up playing devils advocate and asking the hard questions!

This is a solid podcast, and I highly recommend to any true crime peeps

I’ve been listening to GenWhy for 6 years. Aaron and Justin are respectful, thorough in their research, and I can’t wait for each episode every Sunday!

OG There’s no way I’m missing my favorite podcast every week. These boys were telling true crime podcasts. Before there was even category for it. And I’ve been here for the whole thing! Love you guys!

Super long time listener. The guys do these tragic stories justice in this genre. It’s a sensitive line to walk and they do it every time. Appreciate the factual discourse and the empathy in which the cases are discussed. Look forward to it every week.

In depth discussion, great commentary, engaging cases- these guys have it all!! Thanks for telling these stories in such an empathetic and engaging way!

I always look forward to settling in on Sunday nights to this podcast. They ask the right questions and make the listener think as they tell the stories. Keep up the great cases. Have you looked into the Meghan Nichols case of Illinois?

If you love true crime, this podcast is a must. Well researched and good storytellers. One of my favorites.

This podcast is really well done and really well researched. I promise I’m not being ironic when I say this, I think Aaron and Justin have a type of interesting, weird-ish type of podcast host chemistry and (yes, I know what I said, charisma. I’m not joking) charisma that only they could pull off. And btw, we do always want to know how you’re doing! I appreciate that they cover cases that are not frequently in the news or on other podcasts and are articulate and knowledgeable and most importantly, respectful to the victims with regard to each case they cover. Great podcast it’s one of my weekly must listen-tos.

WFYI is not a radio station and never has been. It’s PBS. Also are you still trying to defend the Covid vaccine in 2024? Really? Has no one told you it didn’t work yet? Arrogant know it all soy boys

Excellent content. Mediocre delivery. The opinions of the narrators are influenced by lack of experience. Granted. Attempting to spice up a 29 year old case. When your resource material are media accounts. The narrators obviously have zero experience in law enforcement or applicable knowledge.

Theres no need for small talk or to state your opinion 5 times over

Man these guys REALLY needed us to know they love big government, and masks.

Just want the facts- don’t really need or want the opinions and analysis from Monday Morning Quarterbacks! Justin thinks he knows “everything”, his constant sarcasm is cringe! Can’t listen anymore to these two fools.

Have you done an episode on Christi Flynn? And if so, how do you feel about Travis McVeay being released because he was 16 at the time of the attack?

These 911 operators are guilty too. She did nothing to help Denise and only got suspended for 60 hours?!? What?? She should have gotten jail time for not doing her job as a human being to help save Denise. This one makes me angry. Great show guys! Thanks for all you do. 😁

Their dialogue is very repetitive. If they say a sentence multiple times reworded. I guess episodes would be shorter if they didn’t have these filler sentences. But the show if fine if you need something to fall asleep to

I love listening to true crime podcasts and this one is by far one of my favorites. The hosts always keep it honest, respectful and real. They are great story tellers and every episode is intriguing. Thank you for creating this great show.

The level of contempt and judgement the hosts display toward women makes them come across as complete misogynists.

Look at time for evidence discovery in Karen Read case. It is like reading only a headline but not the article

Thanks so much for your no nonsense fact based coverage of John’s death! The conspiracy theories are just ridiculous!

Great show great storytelling but the opinions come off as arrogant and out of touch.

This is less of a review, more of a comment on a glaring factor that everyone seems to overlook- her father raped a child. These rapists do not limit themselves to one child victim. It is incredibly likely that he repeatedly raped his own daughter. This strong suspicion is NOT to excuse her, but to offer possible explanation for her drug use, odd affect , and heinous crime. It also explains her father's weird behavior in the court.

Best episode ever!

You guys have always done stellar work. Now that you have put Tara and Collier on for an entire episode….. PLEASE. You know that they are complete garbage and don’t deserve anymore airtime. Goodbye

Thanks for your discussion and understanding about addiction on the latest episode. 🙏

Nope, not listening.

I live 45 minutes south of Henry County where these murders took place & this is the first time that I heard about them. Henry County is one place that you do not want to get into any type of trouble with the police especially if your not white! No surprise they have let Matthew Baker sit for so many years. Someone really needs to help this young man. Great Job at reporting this story!!!

Enjoy the podcast but as a subscriber, I don’t want to hear the adds. It’s often that the release is originally with ads.

Used to enjoy. More and you you are sharing your opinion of guilt vs sharing facts and the story.

The stories are definitely interesting and they provide a unique point of view but I find myself dozing off due to the lack of emotion in their voice. Very monotone…