BONUS Weird History: America’s Weird Asylum History: Nellie Bly and the Fight for Change
Crime Salad
07/23/25
•16m
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A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‐800‐677‐1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‐800‐4-A-CHILD (1‐800‐422‐4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‐800‐422‐4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‐800‐662‐HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‐800‐799‐SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org
A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‐800‐677‐1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‐800‐4-A-CHILD (1‐800‐422‐4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‐800‐422‐4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‐800‐662‐HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‐800‐799‐SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org
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Previous Episode
Through the Telescope: The Day Heather Teague Vanished
July 13, 2025
•32m
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Nearly 30 years have passed since Heather Teague vanished from a Kentucky beach, but her mother, Sarah, refuses to let her story be forgotten. While police claim they identified Heather’s kidnapper and closed the case long ago, Sarah believes they got it wrong—and that the truth is still buried. In this episode, we dig into the unanswered questions, troubling missteps, and Sarah’s ongoing fight for justice. Was the investigation mishandled? And after all these years, will Heather ever be found?
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Nearly 30 years have passed since Heather Teague vanished from a Kentucky beach, but her mother, Sarah, refuses to let her story be forgotten. While police claim they identified Heather’s kidnapper and closed the case long ago, Sarah believes they got it wrong—and that the truth is still buried. In this episode, we dig into the unanswered questions, troubling missteps, and Sarah’s ongoing fight for justice. Was the investigation mishandled? And after all these years, will Heather ever be found?
Please consider becoming a Crime Salad Patreon and Apple subscriber! —Your support means the world to us and helps us play our part in spreading awareness about these important topics!! You can check out our very affordable Ad-Free options at patreon.com/Crimesaladpodcast
Thanks to our sponsors!
MiracleMade: trymiracle.com/CRIMESALAD If you order today, you’ll save over 40%, AND when you use our code CRIMESALAD at checkout, you’ll get a FREE 3-piece towel set and an extra 20% off!
Listen to Astonishing Legends!! Go to AstonishingLegends.com to explore their episode notes, research links, photos, and book recommendations—it’s a whole rabbit hole waiting to be explored.
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Next Episode
THE GYM MAT INCIDENT: KENDRICK JOHNSON
July 27, 2025
•37m
On January 11, 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Students discovered his sock-clad feet sticking out during gym class, prompting calls to 911. His mother, Jacquelyn Johnson, who had been searching for him since the night before, arrived at the school unaware of the tragedy unfolding inside the gym. The fight for justice for Kendrick is still as strong as it was that day. Join us as we unravel the details, theories, and lingering questions surrounding this case.
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Thanks to our sponsor and for checking out our awesome partners!
MINT MOBILE: Go to mintmobile.com/crimesalad to get your three-month unlimited plan for just 15 bucks a month!
Astonishing Legends: Go to AstonishingLegends.com to explore their episode notes, research links, photos, and book recommendations—it’s a whole rabbit hole waiting to be explored.
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