In short
Andrea Canning (Dateline True Crime Weekly, Dateline NBC) explains why true crime—especially the “marriage, not the murder” angle—hooks viewers, what she’s learned about relationships and psychological motives, and how she interviews people emotionally while balancing motherhood and a career spanning journalism and Hallmark/Lifetime screenwriting.
Guests
Andrea Canning, journalist and correspondent for NBC’s Dateline for over a decade; host of Dateline True Crime Weekly; previously ABC News correspondent; has covered major cases including the Diddy trial; also a screenwriter for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. She’s a mother of six (five girls, one boy) and has worked on high-profile murder investigations, including cases involving children.
Key claims
True crime obsession comes from fascination with how “seemingly perfect” families unravel and how investigations/prosecution resolve it. Murder is often linked to psychological “something wrong” (e.g., narcissism, controlling behavior, trauma). Red flags can include controlling partners; people may stay silent from fear/shame. She emphasizes boundaries and compassion in interviews.
Notable examples
A hometown case where a fire captain staged a car accident and killed his mother-of-two wife; a Dateline case involving a 16-year-old cheerleader whose parents monitored texts, yet she was still killed when her controlling older boyfriend shot through their house wall. She also describes interviewing teenagers/murder victims and the added heartbreak when children lose both parents (one to death, one to prison).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOExploring Andrea's Journey into True Crime
0:45 to 1:51
Discussion on Andrea's background and her path to true crime journalism.
“And something that's really interesting about her is she's actually a screenwriter for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime.”
The Fascination with True Crime
1:51 to 4:04
Andrea explains why women are particularly drawn to true crime stories.
“Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm looking at your face right now.”
The Marriage, Not the Murder
4:04 to 5:07
Andrea shares insights on the deeper narratives behind true crime.
“that I've been interested in for a long time is now my career.”
What True Crime Teaches Us about Relationships
5:07 to 7:38
Discussion on trust and relationships informed by true crime narratives.
“and, you know, the mom like hosts the bake sale and then suddenly they're embroiled in some type of, you know, murder mystery.”
Challenges of Covering Child Involvement
7:38 to 9:21
Andrea shares the emotional toll when children are involved in true crime stories.
“Are those harder for you to cover when there are children involved?”
Understanding the Mind of a Criminal
9:21 to 12:15
Exploration of psychological factors behind criminal behavior.
“What, in your opinion, actually drives people to do terrible things?”
Understanding the Mind of a Criminal
12:19 to 13:56
Exploration of psychological factors behind criminal behavior.
“That's q-u-i-n-c-e.com slash BLF for free shipping and 365-day returns.”
Identifying Red Flags in Relationships
15:46 to 18:11
Discussion on recognizing signs of danger in relationships.
“But a lot of the times, some of the times people are just like, oh yeah, that guy was going to, you know, we knew all along and we told her.”
The Importance of Trusting Your Instincts
18:11 to 22:22
Exploration of listening to your gut feelings regarding safety.
“to tell other people sometimes what's going on, even though they're, they've done nothing wrong.”
Andrea's Interview Style and Emotional Connection
22:22 to 25:56
Andrea discusses her empathetic approach to interviewing.
“I mean, those of us listening right now, we all listen to the dark stuff anyways.”
Show all 25 chapters
Being a Mom of Six: Andrea's Family Journey
25:56 to 28:01
Andrea shares her experiences raising six children, including IVF.
“You know, and so I really try to go down that path as well.”
The Journey of Motherhood
28:01 to 29:24
Andrea discusses her experiences as a mother of six, highlighting the unique challenges and dynamics of raising children from age 7 to 17.
“So when you have that one, and I can't imagine in your case, it's the one boy you probably never thought you could even like create the pressure and it's stuck and he's here.”
Teenage Dynamics in Parenting
29:25 to 31:24
The conversation shifts to the differences in behavior between older and younger children and how Andrea navigates teenage relationships.
“Because I think it's unique to get to 17, but you also have a seven-year-old at the same time.”
Balancing Career and Family Life
31:25 to 35:39
Andrea shares insights on juggling her demanding career in media with her responsibilities as a mother of six.
“They should kind of be a monster at home, you know?”
Balancing Career and Family Life
37:47 to 39:11
Andrea shares insights on juggling her demanding career in media with her responsibilities as a mother of six.
“I don't know what it is about men, and I don't know if it's just my man.”
Navigating Guilt in Parenting
39:24 to 42:00
Andrea reflects on feelings of guilt associated with balancing her career and motherhood, and how these feelings have evolved over time.
“I think it depends on like what, when we're talking about, like what, you know, if, if I'm going away for two days on a two day shoot, do I feel guilty?”
Andrea's Family and True Crime
42:00 to 43:35
Andrea discusses her children's perception of her work on Dateline and their interest in true crime.
“then for me, it's like, oh, this is why I'm doing it.”
Balancing Dark Themes and Hallmark
43:35 to 46:41
Andrea elaborates on her transition from true crime to writing Hallmark movies and the contrasts involved.
“And my son is still seems really confused.”
The Journey into Screenwriting
46:41 to 49:20
She shares her journey into screenwriting, including networking and learning experiences.
“But then B, how does your brain oscillate between the two?”
Overcoming Rejections and Pursuing Dreams
49:20 to 52:28
Andrea encourages listeners to persevere through rejection and pursue their passions as their children grow.
“Did you pull from the romantic portions of the stories that you have heard of over the years or not at all.”
The Challenges of Motherhood
52:28 to 55:42
They reflect on the challenges and realities of motherhood, including feelings of isolation and stress.
“to keep you in, you know, satisfied and interested and, and like fulfilled, I think you should absolutely do it.”
Haunting Cases in True Crime
55:42 to 56:00
Andrea reveals a case from her early career that continues to affect her personally.
“It's like, I will give want to cook you dinner tonight.”
Introductory Banter
56:00 to 56:21
Casual conversation about mac and cheese and the interview setup.
Haunting True Crime Cases
56:21 to 59:00
Andrea Canning discusses a specific true crime case that deeply affected her.
“I've been dying to ask this the whole time.”
The Impact of True Crime on Lives
59:00 to 1:01:12
Exploration of the effects of true crime on victims' families and society.
“And like, and think about like how that changes everyone.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00The following podcast is a Dear Media production. We have the one, the only Andrea Canning. I cannot believe it. Andrea Canning, as most of you know, if you don't know, she's a journalist who has appeared as a correspondent on NBC's hit news magazine Dateline. Okay. The Dateline for over a decade. I have chills. She also hosts the Dateline True Crime Weekly podcast, which most of us are listening to while we are going to daycare and washing dishes. We are listening to some grimy, grimy stuff. She has also covered high profile cases like the Diddy trial. Prior to joining Dateline, she was a correspondent for ABC News.
0:43So she has done everything in the news demographic. And something that's really interesting about her is she's actually a screenwriter for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. Guys, she is the mom's dream. And you know what? She has six kids. She has five girls and one boy. So we're going to talk to Andrea today. Welcome to After Bedtime, where the house is finally quiet, but the real noise begins. The thoughts, the questions, the wondering if you're doing any of this right. We're Kristen and Dina, child behavior experts, moms and co-founders of Big Little Feelings. And we're not here to give you more pressure or perfect parenting energy.
1:23Nope. We're here to tell the truth, the unfiltered, beautiful, brutal truth about what it means to raise kids and re-raise ourselves in the process. Because parenting isn't just about sleep schedules and snack hacks. It's about healing. It's about breaking cycles. It's about becoming the kind of adult you want your kids to grow up to be. This is the place where we say the quiet parts out loud, and we're so glad that you're here. Andrea, welcome to After Bedtime. Thank you for having me. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm looking at your face right now. Do you ever get that? Because people are just so, so immersed in you for a decade of their life.
2:03Yeah, I get like, you get varying degrees of it. Like you get, there's the dateline stare, I call it, when you're like passing someone on the escalator and they look at you and they look back away and then they look back again. You're like, that's the dateline stare. Or at a restaurant, you know, when they keep looking and they're like, And it's either they know exactly who you are because they're a huge fan. Number two, they know they know you from somewhere and they're trying to place it and they keep looking at you like, is that my cousin's friend? Or did I go to college with her? Or like, where do I know her from?
2:37Yeah. So there's like different levels of like when, you know, people, when I catch people looking at me. Oh my gosh. Well, I'm looking at you as just the biggest fan. I. Thank you. I have so much to ask you. So we're going to pack this in because, my God, I am a true crime junkie. So just to begin with, did you always think when you started doing news anchoring, journalist, getting into that world, did you know or think you were going to get into this sort of true crime, dark stuff eventually? No, I don't think so. I had always been interested in it. From the time I was little, I read Agatha Christie novels, Nancy Drew.
3:21I would write my own mystery novels. And then I started catching these, in my 20s, these documentaries that weren't really popular back then. You know, it's they've really, you know, picked up steam, I'd say, in the last like decade for sure. So I knew I was interested in it. And like when I was in local news and even in network news, I always gravitated towards kind of those, you know, different stories about like sensational murders and whatnot. but did I think I would end up like on Dateline? Not really. So it's kind of a pinch me moment because I did enjoy the genre so much that, yeah, it was like when it happened, I'm like, wow, this is really happening.
4:01Okay, this area of journalism that I've been interested in for a long time is now my career. That's so cool. That turns out, my God. It also makes us all feel better. Those of us who were into that kind of dark stuff and being like, oh, what little, you know, it's a little weird, little girls that are interested in murder. But now, I mean, it's, you know, like true crime is everywhere and especially with women, you know, for some reason, women are very interested in true crime stories because - It's so normalized now, which is great. And why do you think, I mean, you're the expert on this. Why do you think, why are people obsessed with true crime?
4:40Well, you know, for me, it kind of goes back to my colleague, Dennis Murphy, who says it's the marriage, not the murder. and not to, you know, downplay the murder because murder is very serious and it is a horrific thing that happens to families, but it's the marriage that people are interested in, right? It's like what went wrong and the seemingly perfect family or, you know, they oftentimes they live in small towns and, you know, dad's the soccer coach and, you know, the mom like hosts the bake sale and then suddenly they're embroiled in some type of, you know, murder mystery. situation. And it's, it's like, you just don't expect it.
5:20And so I think for people, it's really fascinating to see like, why did it happen? How did it happen? How was it solved? And that's what we do on Dateline is we take you from A to Z, right? Like the, you know, the, the romance, the marriage, the crime, the investigation, the prosecution. And then, you know, if, if everything lines up, then we interview the killer too at the end. Hmm. And I just got chills. I want to touch on two things. So the first thing is relationally. I think that is what especially the women, us, myself included, are so obsessed with that it gets us to the end. What have you learned?
5:59I mean, in over a decade, countless families, countless actual perpetrators too. What have you learned about relationships in general? Like, are you less trustworthy? Are you more, what's like the bottom line? What have you learned? For me, it's kind of very compartmentalized. You know, like I don't, you know, I don't have any problem falling asleep at night, you know, because I'm not sitting there like, oh, my husband, you know, I very much trust my husband. But there are these couples that one of them decides the best option is to kill their spouse. And it's really unbelievable that somebody would think that that was a good idea.
6:39You know, especially in today's world, like with all the ways to catch people, you know, with technology and text messages, like, and if your phone's on, if your phone's off, like it doesn't even matter anymore. If your phone's off, that's, you know, evidence. Like, so it's so hard to, to really get away with murder now too, which I, so I just, I don't understand why people just don't get divorced, you know? Like, okay, maybe it's going to cost you. So be it. Like, then you can go be with your mistress or whoever you want to be with, but murder is not the answer. And also if you're caught, a prison is going to be your home.
7:14So is that worth it? Like, no. And, and, you know, especially it's the mother of, or father of your children. Like, how can you do that to your kids? Like, it's just, it's so hard to believe that people keep doing this and they just keep doing it. So hard to believe. It's so hard to believe. And you've, you've covered some really horrific cases. I mean, in some of these, the children are involved too, which I don't want to get too much into because we're all moms listening, but like truly horrific. Are those harder for you to cover when there are children involved? Definitely. I mean, they're, they're all hard, but like, yeah, when I'm a mom, we're all moms.
7:51Like when, when children get dragged into this kind of thing, it's, it is heartbreaking, you know, whether the kids are maybe little and they lose a parent, you know, early on, or sometimes it's a child. Like we do, you know, 16, 17 years old, you know, we do, we've done murders where it's teenagers getting murdered, right? And then it's your, it's your child. Like those ones just really hit me hard. And, you know, cause, cause the children don't just lose one parent, they really lose two because one is deceased and one is, is probably going to spend the rest of their life in prison. So then, you know, then the children go off to live with aunts and uncles or grandparents or, you know, and like, it's, you never do a story where they're like, oh, she was a terrible mom.
8:37No, like they're always like really good moms, you know, where it was like, the mom was super active in the children's lives. She wanted to be a mom so bad, you know, and this is what you're taking away from these children, you know, or the dad that was super active. Like it's just, it's pathetic and heartbreaking and evil and all of it. Oh, I mean, I can't even imagine. So what do you think is what drives this person to do this? You've obviously, I think you're one of the closest other than perhaps a detective that has been in this work, but you're basically there. I mean, you're studying it, you're writing the story is you're interviewing every single person involved in this crime.
9:21What, in your opinion, actually drives people to do terrible things? Like, is it trauma? Is it narcissism? Is it opportunity? Is it something else? What do you think? Yeah. I mean, you know, I have two first cousins who are brothers and they're forensic psychiatrists. And like, you should hear our conversations, you know, at the dinner table, but honestly, like they would almost be, you know, the closest to sort of knowing what is going on because I, without being a psychiatrist, I think it's, it's like, there's a mental chip, you know, it's a chip missing, right? It's like something is like funny in your brain, right?
10:00Because who else would ever think of doing that, right? Unless something was wrong with you because normal people don't do that. So I, you know, it could be that it's just you're, you're wired, you know, differently, or maybe you did have trauma growing up. Maybe you had a really horrible childhood, you know, I like, I don't know, but I do think it's like, there's something mental going on there, you know, and they, they diagnose all these people, right? Like sociopath, psychopath, narcissistic, you know, tendencies, or like all these, my cousins would be able to talk to you about all these mental conditions that people have that I think, you know, and it's like, it's like they, you know, people try to, what do they, you know, they try to get out of things by saying that they're, you know, they're not fit to stand trial, right?
10:47You know, but I think there's something with everybody who commits murder that is something is wrong with them psychologically. Okay. Can we talk about the two versions of me? There's the version of me that's at home covered in mystery sticky substances, carrying approximately seven rocks and three tiny cars in my pockets at all moments. And then there's the version of me that occasionally remembers I am, in fact, an adult human woman. The problem is that I don't have the bandwidth for complicated clothes. And this, my friends, is why I keep coming back to Quince. I wear their stuff all the time because it hits that sweet spot where everything feels elevated, but it's still easy uncomfortable enough for real life.
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16:11And he was, you know, the best and yada, yada, yada. And they had no idea it was coming. So do you have from all of these stories like the biggest red flags anybody could look out for? Are there red flags that you hear in stories? I mean, sometimes there are and sometimes there's not. You know, I think when there are red flags, I think people are afraid to get involved in other people's relationships or sometimes the victim when they're still alive may not want to turn their family against the person they're with so they don't say anything. but definitely if you, if a loved one is in a situation where you are feeling uncomfortable about this relationship or you are seeing red flags, like, first of all, I would say, don't be, if don't feel like you're butting in, but in, you know, that would be my advice.
17:01Like definitely say something and make sure they're okay. And, you know, because the more aware maybe, you know, that that partner is that the family's watching, then, you know, maybe, it has a better outcome, right? But then there's like, I've become friends with this family from my hometown where I did a dateline and the husband was a fire captain. She worked on projects with buildings. And they said it came right out of the blue when he staged this car accident and, and then lit the car on fire and she died mother of two. And they were like, honestly, they're just like looking back, they were like, yes, he seemed like a narcissist at times, but not a killer.
17:51You know, he, he just seemed very self-involved, but that one, they're like, there wasn't really anything that we could do because we didn't know. And I think that there are things that go on probably behind closed doors that just no one knows. So maybe all the signs were there, you know, but people are, I think there's like shame embarrassment for people to tell other people sometimes what's going on, even though they're, they've done nothing wrong. I think they just, they want to give this image of like, everything's fine. You know, I have a good marriage, like we're fine. And sadly, you know, that can lead to a very grim place.
18:29hmm yeah i mean we i think we're all in that in that spot but i i i wonder i do wonder if and if you could say one red flag though if that you've heard is it narcissism it is like is common denominator is like well he was just really sort of like had a mask on or was self obsessed or something like that i think narcissism is like definitely a big one for sure controlling like even with the example I was giving you, you know, with the victim from my hometown, you know, I did start to hear about some of these, this controlling nature, you know, of her husband. And so what happened in that situation was she ended up, oh, it's so funny.
19:13My cousin, the forensic psychiatrist just texted me. His ears are burning, I guess. I love that. He's like, invite her to dinner. Let's do it. Yeah. And like, he's probably, he's getting married this summer. It's probably something about his wedding, but so, yeah. So like, gosh, now, now my brain is like sidetracked. Controlling. Controlling. Yeah. I mean, you know, it's, it's whether it's, whether you're seeing it with your own eyes or someone is telling you your sister, your cousin, whoever it is, or your friend is, you know, is, is saying there's this controlling nature or in the case of teenagers, parents will see it on text messages, you know, if they're reading their, their kids texts, which is a story I did with a 16 year old cheerleader, her mom and her dad read her text messages all the time.
20:01They had full access to her phone and they could see what was developing, what was transpiring with this guy, this slightly older guy that she was dating. They were very concerned, you know, by, by the text messages that they were seeing. And so they confronted her about it. They tried to keep them apart, but of course we know how teenagers are. She wanted to be with him anyway. And they would, they knew where she was, you know, through her, you know, like we have that on our, for our kids phones too, where you can see like where they are. And, and so they knew, they knew they weren't going to win that battle.
20:32So they were like, look, he can come over. You guys can hang out in the living room. You can, he can come to dinner, out to dinner with us to church. And, you know, he ended up, this is like really horrible. So just, you know, if you have kids in the car or whatever, he shot through the house one night. Oh, in their house. It went through the wall and actually hit her while she slept and it killed their 16 year old daughter. Yeah. And these were parents that were doing everything they could, you know, and trying to deal with a really bad situation because how do you get around that? Right. When, when a teenager is not going to stop seeing somebody and you know what's going on.
21:11And this was, this all started from the text messages, even when you're trying to do the right thing, sometimes it's not enough, You know, and that's just, that's really sad because she was their world. In 16, I mean. In 16 and just, you know, just a bubbly cheerleader, you know, with her whole world ahead of her. Yeah. I mean, and also this is what I always say too to people is just trust your gut. If you feel like something, don't wait until later to say, yeah, my gut kind of felt like something was off. Like don't, don't wait to have that feeling after. Act on it in the moment. Do you see that a lot too?
21:46You see that where people are like, God, I wish I would have, I wish I would have said something. I knew something was off. Absolutely. Because people, it's not always like hitting you in the face. You know what I mean? Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes it's just like something doesn't feel right with this relationship or how, or how my friend is acting or, you know, and, and I think we're all so afraid to upset someone and we kind of tiptoe around things and we're, you know, you don't want to, it's a sensitive thing, right? But if, but you know, if you're feeling like something isn't right, you should absolutely say something no matter how hard it is.
22:21So I want to shift because that was heavy and it was great. I mean, those of us listening right now, we all listen to the dark stuff anyways. So we probably watched that case. I want to shift to your interview style because I think the way that you are so warm, you're so human in these moments. And these are the darkest times in the person that you were interviewing in their lives. And that's why you've been doing it for decades. And if I may, like a man could never. I mean, you are, you're phenomenal at this. So is that something that you intentionally developed as an interviewer, or is that how you naturally are?
23:08Has it come through time? No, I just always have like cared about people and maybe being a mom has made me even more sensitive. You know, I certainly buy that, but yeah, people just get me, you know, my, like when I say get me, I mean like my eyes start watering, I'm fighting back tears, like they're tugging on my heartstrings is what I mean by that. It's tough to sit across from someone and they're pouring their heart out to you about the worst time in their life. And certain people, and I don't know if it's the time of day or the day or what I've been doing. Just sometimes certain people will hit me harder than others.
23:50And I can't explain it. I mean, I will say sometimes dads will get me more because we don't see men cry as often. And I think when there's a dad crying in front of me, that really gets me, but it could be anything that somebody says, like it just, there's no rhyme or reason sometimes to what will like trigger me, you know, or, and I trigger and I'll trigger people too, but not on purpose, you know, just I'll say something or ask a question or a follow-up that will, you know, get them more emotional. And it's, I never trying, I have never gone into an interview in my entire life saying, oh, I hope this person cries.
24:30You know, I hope I get this emotion from this. No, no, not one time have I ever thought that. I certainly think crying or being emotional really helps the audience, like connect with someone. It's like when you cry, like I'll cry at a commercial, right? If it, if it, if it tugs me in the right way, but you know, I think, I think it connects really well with like the viewer when, when they see that emotion from you, you know, not me personally, but from the guest and I don't want to make it about me. So I actually don't want to cry. So I, I'm like, okay, stop, stop. You're not going to cry. You're not.
25:04And then I'll actually say it every time. If they get me really bad where it's more than just like eyes watering, I'll be like, okay, okay. You got like, now I, now I'm crying, you know? So I'll just kind of acknowledge it because I'm trying not to cry, but it's really, really hard. Yeah. I think those are the best moments though. Because I think it's such a human thing on both sides that we love to watch. And we don't want to watch some very buttoned up, closed off, almost robotic. How could you not? We're all crying on the other side of the screen. So it's almost uncomfortable, you know, if the other person has has nothing and just kind of moves on to the next question.
25:44It's got to be. And I think that's why you're why you're still there. That's why you're the girl, you know. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. And like I try to ask the questions, too, that I think like people at home would want to know. What would they want me to ask or what would they be thinking? You know, and so I really try to go down that path as well. Like, you know, like, yeah, it's like I'm speaking for everyone at home. Right. like that's kind of my job right it's like what you all want to know yeah and you do it and we find out you mentioned being a mom of six let's just pause and talk about being a mom of six how on earth do you have six kids go ahead yeah it will five girls right equals one boy so yeah that's how sex happened if you want to it was like were you trying the boy the youngest yes so five yeah so he's five older sisters so it was always the next one will be a boy the next one will be a boy the next one will be a boy the next one the next one like just the boy didn't come and so that's how kind I think that's kind of how we ended up at five it's like the next one will be a boy and then four years went by and I was like I have to have a boy I'm sorry I just have to I it It was like, it was just, it was just, yeah.
27:02I had a bee in my bonnet about, about a boy. And then you got it. That just wouldn't go away. So I did, yeah, I did IVF for vinyl for our six and not, it actually wasn't to have a boy. Like I didn't do IVF so I could have a boy. I was just too old at that point. Like to have, you know, like I needed help at that point. And so they came back and they said there's like one, you know, viable embryo and it's a boy. That is amazing. Yeah. So and like, it's so funny because at first you're like all excited. You're like, oh, yeah, it's a boy. And then you're like, wait, there's only one. Like that sounds really like what are you know, then you're like, oh, my gosh, one.
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27:44And they tell you that's not I had the same experience, except it's just two girls. So two girls, I actually didn't really care what the gender was, but had the exact same experience where we ended up with one embryo. And you know, they always say, they say something like we want, you know, either two or three for every child you're trying to go for. So when you have that one, and I can't imagine in your case, it's the one boy you probably never thought you could even like create the pressure and it's stuck and he's here. It's their little miracle baby. And then the whole, the whole pregnancy, because they'd never done IVF before anything.
28:18I was like, something's going to go wrong. It's going to go wrong. I was like, I was on edge the entire time, you know, just a different feeling. Yeah. Well, and you tried so hard for so long. I mean, the five pregnancies before you end too, to get this, you know, little boy. So what is, what are the age spans that we're at now? So we're at, our oldest is 17 and then it goes to 16. I actually took her to get her, uh, driver's permit on Friday. Her like, you know, the pre, whatever that's called the pre, pre thing before you start driving. And then our next one will be 14 in August. And then our next one is 12.
28:55And then my other daughter's turning 11 tomorrow. I don't know when this is airing, but yes, tomorrow's her birthday. And then my youngest boy is June. He'll be seven. Yeah. So seven to 17. So the youngest is seven, right? Seven. Yep. So it's seven to 17. Oh my gosh. Okay. Well, now that we know you're the true crime queen, I also now want to ask you about motherhood because you're the queen of motherhood. I mean, from 17 to seven, if you could boil down one thing to tell me right now or all the people listening, what would you say? Because I think it's unique to get to 17, but you also have a seven-year-old at the same time.
29:34Yeah. It is such a weird dynamic because the 17-year-old just wants to hang with her friends. She's focused on getting into college. She's driving, she's everywhere. And then he is, you know, like literally still learning how to read. You know, he's in first grade. And I do try to get her to babysit, which is the 17 year old is sort of like, that's like a rare night now where she'll babysit. So now my almost 14 year old has sort of taken on the role of babysitter. I mean, that's exciting. That's like, that's a nice perk of the, of the age bracket. Yeah. Like she's, and she's more into it. So like, and I asked them this morning in the car, cause I know my kids will never listen to this, but I said, who's the, who's to the, the, the 11 year old in the, well, she's almost 11, but in the, my, my son, I said, who's the best babysitter?
30:27And they're like, well, Anna's kind of mean because she just, she, she just wants to be with her friends. Yeah. She doesn't want to do it. Yeah. And they were like, Kiki, it's Kiki. She's the best babysitter. And I was like, and they, and she, they said she orders us Chick-fil-A. That's, that's really where the bar is. Honestly. Yeah. That's really where the bar is. And like Anna, honestly, I shouldn't say like, she is, she has a heart of gold like overall, but you know how siblings are. And also teenagers. I mean, I can't, you know, it can't, nothing can come from us. Honestly, everything has to come from a coach or a teacher or an aunt or something like that.
31:01It cannot come from me. That's where we're at with teenagers, you know? And also sometimes I think they're nicer to people like at this age, they're nicer to people outside of their family sometimes. For sure. For sure. And that's very healthy and normal. Which is, and I'd prefer that. Then like that they're really nice at home and then they're horrible to everyone out there in the real world. That would be bad. Talk about red flags. That is a red flag. It's actually very healthy to be the opposite. They should kind of be a monster at home, you know? That means you're doing it right. If you're going to do it, do it at home, please.
31:32Yeah, that's right. So, I mean, I hope this makes you feel better that I ask every man that comes on this podcast the same question too, which is the question I have to ask you of how you juggle having the huge career, having the Dateline. You have the Dateline, the show, Dateline, the podcast. You are a screenwriter, which makes me so happy. And I want to talk about that next because how cool is that? You don't have to do that. That's probably just lights you up. And you have six kids. And so I know the whole, I call it parenthood because again, I don't think this is just for moms. The juggling of it all is a myth.
32:10But you, have you had your kids from the beginning of Dateline, right? Am I understanding that correctly? Well, I'd had my third, I had my third two months before I started. Okay. So you've had a really high profile, very busy, very successful living your dream career. How did you or did you struggle with it at first? Were you just gung-ho? Like, I've got this. I know exactly what I'm doing. Talk to me. Oh, if only that were the case. Yeah. I mean, you know, it's one of those things that like, you just occasionally have these mommy meltdowns, right? Like they happen. And I'm like, I said to my husband last week, I was like, he had all this work stuff going on and he wasn't around.
32:57Usually he's involved, very involved, but he was like doing something with work. And I'm like, this is very unhealthy for me. I can't keep all of this straight. And you didn't write it on the calendar in the kitchen. I don't want your electronic calendar. I don't follow it. And also the lines on the calendar. I can't even tell if that's like means a quarter to, or if it's like half hour. I'm like, I don't even understand this calendar. And please stop sending me the calendar. Just write it in the kitchen. This is so relatable. Right. And I was, and I was just like, this is unhealthy. So like, what, what is like, sorry, but like stupid choice of words, like this is unhealthy for me.
33:38I mean, come on. Where did that come from? So yeah, I mean, it's, it's really, it can be so hard and especially with six and they're all doing sports and they their school activities and their tutors and all that. And it's like brutal, but you just kind of power through. And I have an amazing nanny who comes during the day, Monday to Friday. I couldn't do it without her. And then, and she's just super like flexible, you know, with staying, if she needs to stay late or stay over sometimes. And then my husband works five minutes from home. And so that certainly helps a lot. And I work mostly from home when I'm not traveling.
34:14So I'm around. It's just when I'm traveling, I do try to check out a little bit. I mean, I check in with them. Like I'll FaceTime them and stuff just to say like, good night or how you doing? And if they call me, I will 100 % of course take my, take the call. But when it comes to play dates and sports and all that, I'm like, I'm not available. Yes. Like, like you have to set boundaries because otherwise I'm going to be like on a shoot somewhere in the middle of the country trying to juggle like sporting events. And like, that's just not cool, you know? And I used to try to do that. And now in the early years, I can imagine where it's like, where are the diapers at?
34:50And it's like, I'm interviewing a serial killer right now. I'm going to, I'm going to need, if you can't find the diapers, I'm going to need you to head on down to Target, put all of the kids in the car and figure this out. I have the same boundary, by the way. And I also have a boundary. I don't know if you do, but if, if shit is hitting the fan and, but they're not going to the hospital. We're not that's and this is something that's been a work in progress, but is now a boundary on both sides where if we are across the country and we are on a shoot or we are doing something, I can't jump in and make the child nap or, you know, end the tantrum or or whatever it is that's happening.
35:31But I'm going to feel extremely guilty and worry about it. And so it's a little boundary. You're going to have to text somebody else about it. And also just just do it. Just figure it out. Like, that's just what, like, what do you think we do? We figure it out, like just figure it out. You know? I mean, if it's like a situation like where my daughter like didn't make the volleyball team or something, you know, like that is like, for me, that's super important that like I take the call or, you know, anything like that is, you know, that's emotionally like a concern for your kid or whatever. Of course.
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39:19Terms and conditions apply. as you have gone through your career and your kids have gotten older has any of the sort of I don't know if you had guilt at the beginning was there no guilt I know many different women who feel and men who feel all sorts of things some feel none at all and they're like this is my passion they are better off and I know that rationally but they still feel it or like, where are you on the spectrum in terms of guilt? I think it depends on like what, when we're talking about, like what, you know, if, if I'm going away for two days on a two day shoot, do I feel guilty? Not really.
39:58Like, okay, actually it's kind of nice. Maybe for everyone depends, you know, but it could be nice. Like, Hey, I'm getting out of the house. I'm like, bye guys. But then like, you know, I've been on some of these big shoots in like Zambia and like, I was just in Taiwan and you're gone for like 10, 11 days. And that's where I'm like getting on, like I get on the plane and I'm just kind of like, my head's a little low, you know, like I feel like, wow, this is a long one. And I feel bad that I'm going to be gone for this long, you know? So it really kind of depends on, I think what it is, like the Monday to Fridays are kind of bad too.
40:34And then the producers are like, can you leave Sunday? I'm like, no. like I started putting, you know, I still occasionally if it, if it's a must must, or if it will save me an extra trip, like if they say, well, if you leave Sunday, we don't have to come back. Yeah. You know, then, then I weigh that. Right. Then maybe that's worth it. Yeah. But a lot of times though, now the boundary is like, if they want me to leave on a Sunday, I'm like, I'm sorry. It's, that's my family time, you know? And unless it's, unless it's like the, this is the only, this is the biggest interview. Like I was just on vacation in Florida in April.
41:09And this main interview came up for the story, like the interview of the story. And they were like, she's only willing to do it like while you're on vacation. Like, of course she is only when Andrea is on vacation. So I went to CVS, I bought some makeup because I didn't have any. And I, you know, drove the car an hour away and did my three hour interview with her and then interviewed the attorneys and yeah, so I did it. But I was like, you know what? As much as I didn't want to do it at that time, I was like, this is important. Yeah. And then I'm sure when you were done, did you feel then? I mean, for me, that's how it is.
41:51I feel so guilty. And then the minute I am immersed in it and I, you know, you get that feeling like this is your dream, your passion goes all the way through you. You walk off that set. then for me, it's like, oh, this is why I'm doing it. My children, like, do your children know what a badass you are? That's my question. I would say no, they don't watch Dateline. Good. I've tried to like show them, I used to try to show them the first act, like, because it's always, we've, we've kind of rejiggered sort of like how we tell stories. We start more with the crime now, but we used to do the backstory first, the love story.
42:25And I felt like that was so PG, right? I'm like, guys, come on, You can watch the beginning of my Dateline. And they're like, oh, look, mommy's on TV. That's cool. And then like literally like 90 seconds later, they're like, they're like, like they're leaving the room or they're on some type of device. You know, they don't. Yeah. And then my daughter, my 17 year old will tell me about these like true crime documentaries she watches or like, and I'm like, and you still don't watch Dateline. Like I'm almost insulted at this point. Like when you're like, she's telling me to watch true crime documentaries.
42:58And you're like, I have, have you ever heard, have you ever heard of a little show called Daylight? It's like wild to me. Like, I don't, I just don't get it. And then we were like outside this weekend and she had some friends over and they were asking me some questions about it. And she's, and I was like trying to tell them like some of the things about work and she's like, okay, okay, let's wrap it up. Okay, let's wrap it up. I'm like, okay, I'm leaving. Yes. Anyone who is teenagers knows like, and I'm like, someday maybe we'll be friends someday. She will. Especially if she's interested in true crime.
43:33I mean, just wait till she's 20, 1920, then it's on. Maybe it'll seem cool, right? Yeah. So cool. Maybe, maybe if I'm lucky. Yeah. And my son is still seems really confused. The six year old, he's like, he sees me and he's like, oh, look, it's mom. But he doesn't, he doesn't understand even what the show is about. He can't comprehend the magnitude. Which is a good thing. Although I will say like when my, when my two oldest were, the three oldest were little, I do a lot of voice work, you know, for Dateline, there's a lot of voiceovers and I do it in my room, like where I'm, you know, this, this is technology now you can plug in your phone and you can do your voice work from home.
44:13It's actually easier now to do it from home than it is from the office. Cause you don't get an engineer in a booth and like all that stuff. And I do remember sometimes I would like, obviously if I'm doing a lot of voice work, but the kids are not in the room, but sometimes it'll just be a couple of like quick pickups or whatever. And I'm like, Hey guys, just be quiet for one second. Let me just, cause maybe we're watching a movie or something. And I do remember like, this is going to, I'm going to sound like a horrible parent here, but I had this in our old house. We had this like bench against the window.
44:40And I remember the girls were like saying, making up some story about a woman, like a girl or a woman falling off the mountain, like off the cliff and they're going to save her. And I was like, I was, you know, I've done like a couple of three datelines, I think, like where the person is like pushed off the cliff or alleged to. And I'm like, oh my gosh, they're like, now they're reenacting like cliff pushing, you know, like, no, this is, I'm destroying their childhood. No, if it makes you feel any better, I, I have nothing associated with any of that. And they've my kids have never heard true crime at all.
45:20Like we, nothing on the TV and they're kind of obsessed with stuff like that. Like they make up stories like that too. And like people falling out of skyscrapers, like some kids are just into, I know some kids are just into like my kids kind of scare other kids. Sometimes I have to be like, you guys, you can tell these stories at home, but you can not tell these stories. I think it's genetic. It just runs in the family where we're like, we're a little bit weird. We're a little kooky. I was obsessed with this stuff as a kid too. but not everybody is. I mean, I go back to my two cousins. Like, how did I end up with two cousins who are forensic psychiatrists?
45:53All they do is deal with criminals. Yeah, and you. And me, so maybe there is something in our gene. I really do think so. That's the only way I can explain my kids. No killer family that I know of, thank God. Same. We just have to clarify. Just go to the line of like, we're just, you know, we're interested, but we don't, you know. We're interested in hearing about other people's stories. my kids are not controlling at all. It's fine. There's no red flags. They're not narcissists. They're not controlling. Okay. I have to hear now about Hallmark and Lifetime movies because one, why? You already have such a hugely successful career.
46:35So you're packing something else on top of it. Like why add something? How do you add something like that? But then B, how does your brain oscillate between the two? Right. It's like dark crime murder. And then it's like the lightest, happiest, fluffiest. And any woman listening right now, we get it because that's all we do, too. That's all I do. I can't do anything in between. So please tell us. Yeah. It doesn't get any lighter than Hallmark. That's for sure. No. I mean, literally, there's like how many one kiss, maybe two if you're lucky. Yeah. Per movie. Yeah. I just I was like because I spend so much time on planes traveling.
47:11I, I had this extra time and I was like, you know, I, I watched lifetime movies in my twenties and like the cheesier, the better for me. And I connected, I just, I tracked down this producer that I would see his name on the Hallmark movies. And I like figured out an email address for him and I emailed him and he was, he called me and I've like, and I was like, I've never written a screenplay, but I'd love to write something for you. Like so naive. right. And, um, and he was like, no, that'd be, that'd be great. I mean, I feel like he was like, you know, with your background on Dateline and you, you probably have some good ideas.
47:46And I mean, you have to understand like Hallmark actually pays really well. I'm in the, in the writers guild now. And so I don't want to knock like movie making. Cause like they're amazing. Like they paid me amazing. But if you're, if you're doing like an acquisition movie for Hallmark lifetime, meaning like they're buying the movie from a producer, if you think you're going to get rich, you are sadly mistaken. I mean, it pays like nothing. Okay. So now I understand like why he took a chance on me because he's not going to be hiring, you know, the best of the best for the, what they pay. But I owe him everything.
48:22This man, Pierre, for like helping me and guiding me. And it was, it was like a, like a graduate degree, you know, that's how I looked at it. Like, I'm like, look, I would do this for free to learn how to do this. And so that's how it all started. And then, and then I cold emailed the former CEO of Hallmark and asked him if he would meet with me. I had an idea and he did, and he loved the idea. And it was called Ruby Herring Mysteries. And off we went with Ruby Herring, Red Herring, but her name was Ruby. She was a reporter. So that was really fun. And, and then, yeah, I just started writing Christmas movies from there and like, and yeah, and, and again, Hallmark pays amazing.
49:01So that was like a great, you know, just like a nice bonus, right? To do something that I love. And I was like making some extra money. So I just didn't want to make it seem like all screen reading, you know, paid pays nothing. That's not true. But if you're doing some of these movies, then yeah, you're not going to make anything really. But it was like, it's just such a valuable skill. Did you pull from the romantic portions of the stories that you have heard of over the years or not at all. They're just two separate things in your brain. No, like not for the romance stuff. No, there I would.
49:34And I wouldn't, I don't think I would ever take any of those from Dateline because, you know, they don't end well, but, but no, it was more just my imagination, you know, and loving rom-coms, you know, I've always loved, I I'm watching so many rom-coms down with my kids, you know, from the nineties and the two thousands. And like we watched, well, this isn't a rom-com really, but we watched like hot chick yesterday. Yeah. You know, remember that movie? Like, yes, totally. Like switch bodies or whatever. Rachel, I think it was Rachel McAdams or something. But yeah, I'd always loved writing and, and I love the comedy.
50:08And so that was really, so that was just fun. It's just like working a different part of your brain. And you know, when I'm on my way home from a shoot, like what else am I going to do other than watch TV? I could be productive and actually, you know, do something. It's meaningful. For those listening, what I'm hearing from this is you do not have to put yourself in a box. I mean, wouldn't you think that you're the dateline, you're the dateline woman, you got to, you know, your true crime, you could never, some people would really say that to themselves and be like, I could never make it in the romance department or whatever you're doing right now.
50:42I could, I could never make it as a baker or this or that. And I know obviously you have your name, so that must've helped get you into the door. But if you wouldn't have taken the chance, if you wouldn't have tried to cold call, it would have never happened. It's not like you waited for it to come to you. You just, you went out there and made it happen. Don't wait for it to come to you. And I always tell people the worst that you're going to hear, you're either going to hear silence or you're going to hear no, right? Or you're going to hear yes. So those are really the three and, or maybe like let's meet, you know, and don't be afraid of the silence or the no, because like if, if I had a dollar for every time I was rejected in this lifetime, oh my goodness, I would, would have, you know, been, I I'd be doing nothing right now because I would be so devastated by all the rejections that I've had.
51:33You just have to like pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep going. And it happens to everybody that it doesn't work out the way you want it. Or you hear a no, the last thing that should do is ever shut the door, You know, keep the door open, keep trying, keep thinking of different ways. And maybe if one thing doesn't work out, you pivot. You're like, okay, well, what else am I interested in? You know, but just don't stop thinking and wanting to do more if that's what you want. You know, because your kids get older. And I think people do start to crave more in their life as their kids get older, right?
52:10Because the one thing we know is that our kids don't need us as much. And it's a little sad, actually. It makes me sad. Even though I have this job and everything and I'm busy, it makes me sad. Like they, the older ones do not need me, at least right now. Like, you know, they're always, I mean, I guess your kids will always need you, of course, but they need you less and less and less. And it's like, so if you can find something else that's also meaningful, you know, to, to keep you in, you know, satisfied and interested and, and like fulfilled, I think you should absolutely do it. and just, and write, write down what interests you or what did you used to do?
52:45You know, before you had kids, would you, you know, I have a friend who's writing a book right now. You know, she worked a long time ago. She raised her kids. Now she's writing a book. Like good for you. She's, she's like, she's actually done. I hooked her up with a book agent, you know, I don't know what's going to happen with it, but like she did it. Yeah. Don't be afraid of rejection or learning something new. I did not, we talked about my name. It opened a door 100%. I didn't know how to write a screenplay and I've written now over 30 movies. So like the door opened for me, but I had to be able to deliver.
53:22People aren't going to keep hiring you. Like if I, if I was a terrible screenwriter and I couldn't really figure it out, like they're not going to keep hiring me to write movies because I'm Andrea or because I'm with Dateline. Like that's going to be over. So yeah, I just, it's so, I get very excited when I see other women doing new things, following their dreams, trying something else, like all of it. I think it's so fantastic. Me too. Me too. Especially moms. And if you're in the early stages, newborns, don't worry about it. Like don't listen to this right now. You know, I mean, I mean, a couple of years, get yourself out of that.
54:01And then you'll, you know, and then we'll do it. Oh my gosh. Newborns and toddlers are no joke. Oh, yeah. It's such a heavy lift, you know, physically. Teenagers are more mental, I feel like, but like the younger ones are like, I remember just like, my biggest, I think my biggest meltdown that I ever had was my husband was out of town and I had, so I just had my I guess I just had trip our boy and my nanny was going to her this our old nanny was going to her family reunion in Barbados and my husband insisted on going to this convention for work and I was all by myself with all these six kids and like this brand new newborn and I remember the those you know those freezy things like with the different flavors that you put in the freezer somehow they had like opened in there like oh like somehow they got somebody cut maybe somebody cut the box or something and like put them in when they were open i opened the freezer and it had like like frozen all over like dripped like all the in the freezer and frozen and you just snapped like something inside of you you were like that's the moment this is it i just snapped.
55:21I was like, I was like, I'm, this is, I'm having like a full meltdown now, like over the freezies, like exploding in the freezer. I think we feel like we're alone. Yes. Like I think we're the only ones doing it. You're the only one who, like, I'm the only one who yells. Yeah. Like no one, no other mom yells. Every other mom is so calm and patient. Yes. And cooks dinner every night. And did you see that meme? It's really cute. It's like, I will give want to cook you dinner tonight. Yes. Which we should really just put in my kitchen because like I can't. I cannot. Right. It's like it's like I literally would jump in front of like if it's you or me in front of a bus, it's me.
56:02Yeah. Like I'm gone. Bye. Yeah. But it's mac and cheese. I just can't tonight. I'm sorry. I just can't. It's really stressing me out. So yeah. Yeah. No. Everybody's making mac and cheese. Like, let's just be honest. Every single person. I have one final question for you before we let you go, even though I would take all of your time because I am obsessed with you. I've been dying to ask this the whole time. Yeah. Is there one case that still haunts you? Haunts me? Or stayed with you? Like, is there one specific case that stayed with you? Yeah. I mean, And one of the ones that really was very early at Dateline, which I still send the parents a Christmas card every year.
56:44And I just interviewed them not too long ago for this podcast we do called After the Verdict. You may have heard of the story of Skylar Neese. She was a, I can't remember if she was 15 or 16, West Virginia and her two best friends like killed her. And she, What really I remember just grabbed me was like one of the best friends was leading the parents on, like helping to search for Skylar and like being there for the parents to lean on. Like, you know, we're all a family. We love Skylar, you know. And I just imagine the betrayal like by Skylar's mom and dad that this girl was in their house like while they were searching for Skylar.
57:30and she's the one who did it. Like that was, that one was rough. And that was, Skylar was their only child. Oh, you know? And so that one has really stuck with me. And I, their names are Mary and Dave Neese and they live in West Virginia and they're just like salt of the earth people. And they just were, they were just raising their daughter. You know, Dave worked at Walmart. Mary was an office manager, you know, just regular people. And did the girls say, and it was two girls. that did it? And did they say, why did we find out? I mean, I don't remember this. I think it was like over jealousy, you know, something like something like that, but very disturbing.
58:09I mean, the way they did it. And then they were like, they were sent to some type of, I think there was some like mental institution or I honestly can't even, don't quote me on that, but they're still, they're still in, you know, incarcerated or whatever, whatever language that is for where they are. I'm not sure, but yeah, like I, it just, it, it like destroyed the niece family, you know, and that's what, that's what these people do. They destroy families and friends. And like, it's not just the family, it's everybody. It's like everyone in that world of that person, you know, whether it's their teacher or their, their friends at school or their, you know, their sibling or their like aunt and uncle, like it's everybody, you know, never the same.
58:59No. And like, and think about like how that changes everyone. And, you know, it's, it's a fine line, right? Because we, people like watching true crime. They're very interested in it and they like seeing, you know, how these things happen and they're solved and all that. But at the same time, like it's horrific what is happening to people. And, you know, that is the one thing that is not lost on me or Dateline, you know, where people can view true crime however they're going to view it. But like, we really take so seriously the people at the center of these stories and how we treat them and how we portray their loved one, all of it.
59:36Like, it really matters to us. And you can literally see it on my face. Like when I'm in a movie, as you said, And imagine how I look on my face, but that's like the whole staff is maybe they're not crying, but they're like, that's how they feel about the cases that we cover is I'm just the face that's on TV. But everybody behind me and the team is like, we all feel that. And you're taking care of these families. I mean, I know it's not necessarily for entertainment. It's also for sharing the story and, you know, getting awareness and all of those things. You can feel that from you and from Dateline where you're taking care of the families.
1:00:18This is not like a circus, you know? No. And we love to highlight the good things that people do, you know, to honor their loved one. You know, they start foundations, they change laws, they start scholarships, you know, they do these wonderful things. And also, you know, it's awareness for people, too. And we do a lot of domestic violence episodes that because a lot of the datelines are rooted in domestic violence, you know, at the heart of it. Right. That's it just happens. Maybe it's a little more sensational than than, you know, that story over there. But like, it's still domestic violence, like at its core.
1:00:54And so, you know, of course, if there's if we're saving any lives out there for people who maybe are getting involved or are being more aware or are seeking help, you know, then that's something good that we can do. But at the end of the day, we just really care about these people that we're interviewing. And just it's the most delicate story, you know, that you can ever have is a dateline because you're dealing with life and death. Right. This is there's nothing more serious. than that. Andrea, thank you for coming on to After Bedtime and filling all of our mom souls up with true crime and motherhood at the same time.
1:01:33And thank you for everything you do and entertaining us while we're washing the dishes and changing diapers. And you're amazing. And I will come to dinner with you and your cousins. I know you're not saying yes, but I'm just saying I will be there. It's funny. I was just thinking as I was talking, like, I should have my cousins on Dateline True Crime Weekly. We should do a segment. Absolutely should. The minute you said that, I'm like, I want to hear that conversation. I want to hear that conversation. Yes. I'm going to ask them if they'll do it. They might not do it, but I'm going to ask them.
1:02:04We'll see. I hope they do. Thank you for coming on After Bedtime. Thank you. Thank you.
1:02:38Thank you.
From the publisher
If you’re a true crime girlie, stop what you’re doing and press play. Because this conversation with Dateline’s Andrea Canning is one of those episodes you’ll be thinking about long after it’s over. Andrea has spent more than a decade interviewing killers, sitting with grieving families, and uncovering what really happened behind the closed doors of seemingly “perfect” lives. In this episode, she reveals the relationship patterns she sees over and over again, the red flags she wishes more women would trust, why women are so fascinated by true crime in the first place, and the case that still haunts her to this day.
But this isn’t just an episode about murder mysteries. It’s also about motherhood. Because Andrea is raising six kids while building a career most of us can only dream about. We talk honestly about mom guilt, ambition, traveling for work, freezer-pop-induced breakdowns, teenagers who want absolutely nothing to do with you, and the surprising freedom that comes with realizing you don’t have to do everything perfectly.
This episode will make you laugh, give you chills, validate your experience as a working mom, and might just change the way you think about trusting your instincts.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
● Why women are so obsessed with true crime (Andrea’s answer is fascinating)
● The relationship red flags that show up again and again in Dateline cases
● The heartbreaking case Andrea still can’t stop thinking about
● What interviewing victims’ families has taught her about humanity
● How she’s navigated motherhood while building an extraordinary career
● The permission every mom needs to hear about evolving, growing, and pursuing something that’s just for you
If you’ve ever listened to Dateline while unloading the dishwasher… if you’ve ever wondered, How did nobody see this coming? … if you’ve ever struggled with the impossible balance of motherhood and ambition… you need this episode.
Seriously. Don’t save this one for later.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
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