

Gone South
Audacy Podcasts
For years, Gone South has been a podcast about crime in the American South. But in Season 5, we’re widening the lens.
Through deeply reported, narrative-driven stories—and conversations with journalists, historians, musicians, and people who’ve lived these stories firsthand—we’re digging into the myths, scandals, and power structures that still shape the South… and, in many ways, the country itself.
From re-examining the cultural meaning of the Alamo to tracing the family history of Alex Murdaugh to investigating the federal indictment of New Orleans’s former mayor, each episode stands alone. Together, they paint a picture of what this region really is and how it came to be.
Gone South is a show for people who want to understand how history lingers and why it still matters now.
Written and hosted by award-winning journalist Jed Lipinski, Gone South is the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism.
Previous serialized seasons include:
Season 1: Who Killed Margaret Coon?
Season 2: The Dixie Mafia
Season 3: The Sign Cutter
Follow Gone South to get new episodes every week.
Through deeply reported, narrative-driven stories—and conversations with journalists, historians, musicians, and people who’ve lived these stories firsthand—we’re digging into the myths, scandals, and power structures that still shape the South… and, in many ways, the country itself.
From re-examining the cultural meaning of the Alamo to tracing the family history of Alex Murdaugh to investigating the federal indictment of New Orleans’s former mayor, each episode stands alone. Together, they paint a picture of what this region really is and how it came to be.
Gone South is a show for people who want to understand how history lingers and why it still matters now.
Written and hosted by award-winning journalist Jed Lipinski, Gone South is the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism.
Previous serialized seasons include:
Season 1: Who Killed Margaret Coon?
Season 2: The Dixie Mafia
Season 3: The Sign Cutter
Follow Gone South to get new episodes every week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 5, 2025 • 29min
S4|E21: Breaking Into Prison | Part 2
A man is caught sneaking into Nashville’s new $200 million jail and stealing keys. But when investigators search the facility, they uncover something far more disturbing - hidden weapons, secret caches, and a plan no one saw coming. What was really going on inside the jail?***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 26, 2025 • 27min
S4|E20: Breaking Into Prison | Part 1
A new, state of the art prison is nearing completion in downtown Nashville. But just as the prison is about to open, a set of keys goes missing. And they were taken for a reason. ***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 19, 2025 • 41min
S4|E19: Public Access | Part 3
The investigation of Scott Rogers comes to a shocking conclusion, leading to a reckoning in the Baton Rouge community, and closure for Rogers's victims. ***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 12, 2025 • 29min
S4|E18: Public Access | Part 2
Rannah and Mary Jane take their case to a federal prosecutor, enlisting a low-profile investigator and survivors to expose Scott Rogers’s past. As they gather evidence, a shocking discovery raises the stakes. ***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 33min
S4|E17: Public Access | Part 1
Rannah Grey, a Baton Rouge PR consultant, uncovers shocking allegations about local celebrity Scott Rogers, prompted by an anonymous email. Teaming up with investigator Mary Jane Mercantile, they navigate the complexities of exposing a potential predator amidst community charm. The pair faces escalating dangers as they delve into Rogers' troubling past and a child services case, highlighting systemic flaws in the adoption process. The investigation raises urgent questions about safety and justice, blending personal vendettas with serious revelations.

Jan 29, 2025 • 32min
S4|E16: The Legend of Dean Ripa
J. Beverly, a musician, producer, and horseman, shares his unforgettable friendship with the legendary Dean Ripa, a remarkable figure known for his artistry and passion for venomous snakes. They discuss Ripa's captivating life filled with artistic milestones and dangerous adventures in herpetology. Beverly reflects on how Ripa's teachings influenced his own journey, and the heartbreaking tragedy that unfolded within Ripa's family due to mental health struggles. Their bond, shaped by deep respect and shared experiences, offers a poignant look at legacy.

Jan 22, 2025 • 36min
S4|E15: The Kings of Tupelo
Filmmakers Chapman and Maclain Way delve into their latest documentary series, uncovering the eccentric tale of Elvis impersonator Kevin Curtis, who becomes entangled in conspiracy theories post-Boston Marathon bombing. They share insights from their immersive experiences in Tupelo, Mississippi, highlighting the town's vibrant storytelling culture. The brothers discuss the fascinating intersection of personal narratives and local history while exploring the darker allure of conspiracy theories and how they shape relationships. Each story they uncover is a testament to the complexities of their subjects.

Jan 15, 2025 • 30min
S4|E14: La Barbie
Skip Sewell, a former DEA agent renowned for tackling major drug operations in New Orleans, shares gripping tales from the trenches of the drug war. He dives into the violent rise of cartel boss Edgar Valdez Villareal, known as La Barbie, and the unexpected challenges faced by law enforcement. From undercover operations to the intricacies of tracking down elusive traffickers, Sewell reveals the stark contrasts between anticipated violence and actual outcomes. His reflections highlight the complexities of crime and punishment in the ever-changing landscape of drug trafficking.

Jan 8, 2025 • 30min
S4|E13: Concerned Citizens
Concerned citizens in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana follow a trail of corruption that starts small and ends with a shocking revelation.***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 2, 2025 • 40min
S4|E12: Time of Death
Mobile, Alabama’s biggest cold case reopens when Jim Barber, a police officer and adjunct professor, re-examines the 1980 murder of college freshman Katherine Foster. ***Gone South has been nominated for a Webby Award, but we need your VOTE! It takes 10 seconds, all you have to do is click HERE. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices


