How It All Went South (Podcast | Research & Fact Checker)

How It All Went South is a dynamic twice-weekly podcast and video series hosted by Sean Kipe (In The Red Clay, Fox Hunter, In the Land of Lies) and Jason Hoch (Atlanta Monster, Gangster House, Three), longtime collaborators in true crime storytelling. The show explores a wide range of unusual and compelling true stories—from hitmen and notorious criminals to baffling unsolved cases and bizarre local legends. Combining thorough research, engaging narration, and a touch of humor, How It All Went South brings fresh perspective to the weird and wild corners of true crime and history. Through deep dives and compelling interviews, the series uncovers the human stories behind the headlines, inviting listeners into a world where fact is often stranger than fiction.

01. The Story Behind the Work

How It All Went South came out of a simple but persistent idea: what if all the strange, unbelievable stories that never quite made it into other shows finally had a home? After years of working together on hit true crime podcasts, Sean Kipe and Jason Hoch realized they’d built up a trove of wild tales—some dark, some weird, some just plain unforgettable. That spark led to a show that isn’t confined by genre or geography. It’s not just about the South, and it’s not just true crime. It’s about the kinds of stories that make you pause, laugh, or immediately text someone “you won’t believe this.”

The challenge was figuring out how to take that wide-ranging material—hitmen, hoaxes, unsolved murders, psychic detectives, cursed lottery winners—and make it feel cohesive without losing its offbeat charm. The result is a twice-weekly podcast and video series that brings solid research, strong storytelling, and a sense of humor to stories that are often overlooked. It matters because it makes room for a different kind of true crime—one that’s curious, entertaining, and not afraid to get a little weird.

02. What I Did

• Researched and sourced unusual, compelling stories that form the core of each episode

• Collaborated closely with Sean and Jason to ensure narratives were factually accurate and engaging

• Helped develop episodes and shape storytelling flow for maximum impact

• Supported production processes to deliver a smooth listening and viewing experience

• Maintained the show’s unique voice by balancing humor, intrigue, and accuracy

03. The Impact

My research and storytelling helped make each episode more engaging and polished. By uncovering lesser-known details and setting up clear fact-checking processes, we made sure the stories were both accurate and full of surprising, vivid moments. That extra attention to detail turned typical true crime tales into episodes that really held listeners’ attention.

Early on, we realized that treating every story the same way made the show feel a bit predictable. So, the team adjusted the pacing, mixed in humor where it fit, and varied how each story was told. We also improved how we picked and shaped stories to keep things fresh and interesting without losing focus.

While the show hasn’t won formal awards yet, a number of episodes were highlighted on popular true crime lists and received great mentions in podcast roundups. More importantly, listeners sparked conversations on social media, shared their own theories, and brought attention to lesser-known cases. Those moments showed the show was connecting with its audience in a meaningful way.