Quote · Dateline NBC
Prosecutors' love triangle theory. Youth pastor accused of wife's murder. Plus, June Diane Raphael.
Where this was said
June Diane Raphael on True Crime and Why Women Watch
At 32:15 · chapter starts 30:40
June Diane Raphael, star of Grace and Frankie and podcaster behind How Did This Get Made? and The Deep Dive, joins Andrea to share her perspective as a devoted Dateline fan. She explains that true crime stories told with empathy for victims help women recognize red flags and feel more in control — a form of protective learning rather than voyeurism. Andrea adds her own observation: because so many cases involve men killing women, the satisfaction of watching justice delivered at the end of a Dateline is genuine and hard-earned. Raphael also mentions she attended a SXSW true crime panel with Dateline's Josh and Keith, and was struck by how much time they spend maintaining relationships with the families they've covered.
Women dominate true crime viewership, and June Diane Raphael has a compelling theory why: the genre offers genuine empathy for victims, helps listeners recognize red flags, and returns a sense of agency to people who often feel like potential victims themselves. It's not morbid fascination — it's protective learning.
