S07 E01: The Catalyst

Andrea catches up with retired Detective Mike Weber, co-author of The Mother Next Door, to discuss updates on the three cases covered in their book. They also discuss the ongoing challenges of investigating medical child abuse, and the importance of training and accountability in protecting vulnerable children.

Andrea is joined by science journalist Tara Haelle for a conversation about vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, and the rise of science denialism. They discuss common concerns about vaccine safety, and Tara shares her thoughts on how to approach conversations about vaccines with curiosity rather than judgment.

As the fallout from John Cox’s case fractures the staff at Children’s Wisconsin, communication breaks down and other children are left at risk. With NBC journalist Mike Hixenbaugh’s reporting helping fuel the growing divide, the story of John Cox becomes part of a much larger battle over child abuse pediatrics and whose voices get heard.

Fifteen year-old Stacie Love was just a sophomore when she met the young, charismatic English teacher, Brett Fischer. He was the "cool" teacher, and she wanted to be his favorite student. Twenty years later, Stacie sees the dynamic differently—and wonders if what felt like happenstance was something far more calculated.

John Cox’s plea deal brings the criminal case to an end, but the story is far from over. As Cox and his wife turn their attention to a lawsuit against Children’s Wisconsin, the damage from the case, and the media narrative surrounding it, balloons.