ABOUT SWORD AND SCALE
Sword and Scale is an internet radio show and website covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Told from an everyman's point of view, Sword and Scale goes beyond the news clips and the sensationalist headlines to hold up a mirror to the audience and ask, "Is it us versus them? Or are we just like 'them' too?"
Mike Boudet - Creator & Host
X: @MBoudet
Creator and host Mike Boudet has been active in the world of podcasting since 2007. His background in audio engineering brings a high level of quality to the show, where he combines exclusive witness interviews, courtroom testimony, interrogation audio, music and narration to tell an immersive and visceral story.
Mike has a background in Audio Engineering, Graphic Design, Web Development & Internet Marketing, and is a documentary and fan of true-crime TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries, The First 48, American Greed and others.
Mike’s interest in broadcasting and desire to see higher quality independent podcasts led him to create Sword and Scale in late 2013, making it one of the longest lasting True Crime podcasts and the first of its kind.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 20
Evan Ziegelmann - Senior Producer
Senior Producer Evan Ziegelmann has been writing for Sword and Scale since 2017. In addition to leading a team of producers for Sword and Scale, he was instrumental in the development and launch of Monstruo. His attention to detail and unique perspective lend to truly thought-provoking episodes. His lengthy background in broadcast news and media production continues to bring experience and leadership to our team.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 181
Alaina Thomas - Senior Producer
Senior Producer Alaina has been part of the Sword and Scale team since early 2019. Both a writer and team leader, her multidisciplinary experience in numerous creative fields results in gripping episodes told with a one-of-a-kind approach. Once a die-hard fan of the show, her knack for tracking down sources allows Sword and Scale to cover cases no one else has.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 213
Valerie Vernon - Producer
Valerie was hired as a producer and writer in 2020. As a writer, her pithy humor and catchphrases help to keep the listeners engaged. Valerie taught both English and Latin at the collegiate level for more than 15 years, which has contributed to her mastery of vocabulary and grammar. With her unique and quirky style, she has been entertaining others with stories since childhood. Her favorite episode is PLUS 79, the Shasta Groene story, which is also the episode she submitted during the interview process.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: PLUS 79
Michael Stabile - Producer
Michael J. Stabile has been writing for Sword and Scale since 2020. He is a B.F.A. graduate of Montclair State University and a 3X Emmy-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. Among the staff at Sword and Scale, Michael is known for his innate ability to craft compelling story structures, which often keeps our listeners guessing. Michael’s passion for storytelling, along with his background in screenwriting and filmmaking, brings an essential creative ingredient to our team.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 175
Mish Barber-Way - Producer
Mish joined the Sword and Scale team in 2020. Though she spent the majority of her twenties touring the world in her critically acclaimed punk band, White Lung, she side-hustled as a pop culture writer for various publications all over the internet and in print. A die-hard true crime junkie, Mish was a fan before she joined the team and her heart-breaking episodes focus on the brutality of domestic violence homicide.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 237
Matt Fondiler - Producer
Matt Fondiler has been writing for Sword and Scale since 2019. He also produced and co-hosted the podcast’s official after-show: Sword and Scale Rewind. Previously, Matt spent over a decade producing podcasts for comedian Adam Carolla. Before that, he worked as a Universal Studios Tour Guide, and studied screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University. Since joining the Sword and Scale team, Matt has been deeply disturbed by how much he enjoys bringing these terrifying stories to life in exciting and thought-provoking ways… even though he still has recurring nightmares about serial killers.
Favorite Episode of S&S I produced: Episode 161
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