Page turners discussion

What makes this series and specifically the story of Jez compelling to listeners?

It is so compelling because the horror aspect of real life keeps the listener engaged and on edge. Jez’s story specifically is compelling because she escaped with no harm but without help and some luck from the bar tenders it is possible she could’ve been taken away. This is something that girls actually have to worry about and the scary reality of it makes people listen.

This series is let alone compelling to crime fanatics, but is also to regular podcast listeners. These true stories they tell intrigue listeners because they will "chill you to your core." Also, the creators of this podcast were able to shorten murder/crime cases into 30min-1hr which fits a lot of listeners attention spans.

Because Jez's story is so strange and unusual, it captivates listeners. It is also compelling to listen, because many women experience almost getting trafficked/assaulted/killed and can relate. This story has to do with dating apps and meeting online friends, which draws younger adults to listen to (b/c they can relate). Most cases do not end up like this, where the girl "escapes" safely. This podcast leaves you asking these three questions: what was he going to do to her? was there two people involved in this trafficking scheme? and has this fireball scheme successfully been going on since 2013?

What is so compelling about this story specifically is that this had happened to many other people too. No one else had been lucky enough to be warned and most of the time had left the bar with the strange man. They have never caught him or figured out his name or why he was doing the things he had done. This is so compelling because what was supposed to be an innocent date could have turned into something much worse. The waiters had potentially saved Jez from a very bad experience. The lack of information and answers as to why, and how and with who the man was doing this with is what makes this podcast so compelling and draws the listener back in. How did he answer the texts? What was his motive and reasons? Was he working alone? What would have happened if Jez had not been warned? All of these go through your head as you listen to this podcast.

This story is so compelling because this story in particular whoever with different endings, tends to happen a lot. It is very relastic which also makes it very compelling because its not a far fetch story that you know the ending already. It is also very informational to girls about being safe and how your every action you make effects what happens to you/ your fate in general. It is also very compelling because it leaves you wondering. I think that when you have to figure out and come up with your own ending that the story is better because it doesn't have a concrete ending.

This story definitely left an impact on me and other listeners as well. Whats so compelling about this episode and podcast in general is that its not fictional, its real scenarios that go on in our everyday world. There is countless stories about online trafficking and online dating gone wrong, and you never think it would happen to you until you realize it could. The sad reality is that in many cases the girl/ victim does not get lucky and saved and many times ends up in the hands of traffickers and danger. This episode is definitely an eyeopener for listeners and sheds light on the fact this situation can happen to anyone anywhere, which is why you have to be so careful when dealing with online relations. This episode left me with many questions, like what would have happened if the bartenders did not help the girl and was this man really involved in a trafficking scheme?

What i find really compelling in this podcast is that even people who look and talk about crime they were even shocked about what happened. Also this could happen and has happened to people which are victims of something really bad. also what is compelling is that she is very lucky to get away and that the waitress was there for Jez. If she wasn't there what might of happened. Would she still be alive today? Would she be drugged? would she been trafficked? This shocked me i would never think this would ever happen.

This story is compelling to listeners because this specific scenario has happened hundreds of times but this was the first time it had been documented. Why did it take so long? How did no one realize this was happening? It truly is a captivating story because it leaves the audience wondering. Have they seen scenarios like this happen and not even notice? It makes the listeners think about the society we live in today and that these are problems we have to worry about. By telling Jez' story it brings awareness to a situation that is not often talked about. Crime Junkies address often uncomfortable and scary circumstances in hopes to make a difference in the actions occurring in the world.

Kailee wrote: "This story is compelling to listeners because this specific scenario has happened hundreds of times but this was the first time it had been documented. Why did it take so long? How did no one reali..."

I extremely agree with the part where you said "Have they seen scenarios like this happen before and not noticed" because that idea is crazy to wrap my mind around. The idea that you can be at a restaurant with your family eating while someones life is in danger. It also makes you wonder how many women has this happened to, who haven't spoken out because they are scared. It in a way teaches you the moral lesson that you should never judge a book by its cover because you never know whats going on in someones live or what has happened to them that they aren't showing.

Jez's story is so compelling because it is not fictional. This story draws younger listeners and women's attention because human trafficking and kidnapping is an everyday occurrence. The most chilling part is thinking about what he would of done to her.

Emily wrote: "This story is so compelling because this story in particular whoever with different endings, tends to happen a lot. It is very relastic which also makes it very compelling because its not a far fet..."

I agree, the most compelling part of this podcast is definitely the ending. It leaves you wondering what would have happened to her if she went with him. This types of situations happen everyday to men women, and children. This podcast helps spread awareness of what COULD happen.

Kailee wrote: "This story is compelling to listeners because this specific scenario has happened hundreds of times but this was the first time it had been documented. Why did it take so long? How did no one reali..."
I was thinking this too. Why didn't the bartenders or waitresses file a police report if this has happened multiple times? and why did the waitress not tell her right away? It honestly shows how many people today are just bystanders and will not do the right thing.

Gabriella wrote: "What is so compelling about this story specifically is that this had happened to many other people too. No one else had been lucky enough to be warned and most of the time had left the bar with the..."

The fact that they never caught his name or found him in general is extremely captivating because now she can live with the fear of him coming back or seeing him again and now she knows what he was going to do to her, or at least the obvious. It is extremely impressive on how well she acted on the situation even when she was clear about what was going on. Many girls in that situation would have no idea how to go along with it without him knowing that they know.

This series is so compelling because of the fact that it is a real story and that it could happen to anyone. It is chilling to think that many people have experienced this and had bad things happen to them. Listeners are also drawn in because of the what ifs. It is crazy to think about what would have happened to Jez if she did not talk to the waitress in the bathroom.

Lili wrote: "This series is let alone compelling to crime fanatics, but is also to regular podcast listeners. These true stories they tell intrigue listeners because they will "chill you to your core." Also, th..."
I agree with you and that it was a good choice of the podcast creators to make the episodes reasonable lengths. It helps the podcast to become compelling to listeners because it fits their attention span. This could also gain them listeners because people are always on the go and prefer something short that will stick with them rather than a long episode they may get distracted while in the middle of listening.

Lili wrote: "Kailee wrote: "This story is compelling to listeners because this specific scenario has happened hundreds of times but this was the first time it had been documented. Why did it take so long? How d..."

I agree the fact that the bartenders and waitresses were not more pressing to get the police involved was compelling to me. If the bartenders were familiar with these scenarios why not involve the law or police to put more of an end to it? it goes to show how normalized this has became and how un-phased the workers were.

Jake wrote: "This series is so compelling because of the fact that it is a real story and that it could happen to anyone. It is chilling to think that many people have experienced this and had bad things happen..."

I agree. This story is especially compelling because it leaves listeners wondering what could have happened. The speakers leave it up to the listeners imagination to finish off the story if Jez had left with that man.

Lili wrote: "This series is let alone compelling to crime fanatics, but is also to regular podcast listeners. These true stories they tell intrigue listeners because they will "chill you to your core." Also, th..."
I agree. These podcasts are perfect length. They are not too long and do not bore listeners. It is very important because the length of the podcast is a big factor in compelling listeners.

Emily wrote: "Gabriella wrote: "What is so compelling about this story specifically is that this had happened to many other people too. No one else had been lucky enough to be warned and most of the time had lef..."
Knowing that the man is still free is very captivating for many listeners. It draws their attention because this very situation could end up happening to them.

Lili wrote: "This series is let alone compelling to crime fanatics, but is also to regular podcast listeners. These true stories they tell intrigue listeners because they will "chill you to your core." Also, th..."

As someone who is not usually interested in crime stories, this podcast has definitely made me interested. The way the speakers draw in the listeners full of suspense and fear is truly amazing. They tell these stories very well and the background music, along with the evidence makes the series so suspenseful.

Jon wrote: "Jez's story is so compelling because it is not fictional. This story draws younger listeners and women's attention because human trafficking and kidnapping is an everyday occurrence. The most chill..."

I feel like the scariest part about it as you say it draws out young listeners is that it is happening to younger generations. Also the biggest cliffhanger that you touched on what could of happened to the young girl. It is a very scary and shocking story

Lili wrote: "This series is let alone compelling to crime fanatics, but is also to regular podcast listeners. These true stories they tell intrigue listeners because they will "chill you to your core." Also, th..."
I think how they keep their audience locked in all the time helps make this podcast so interesting. Also that it is true crime I think that it makes this podcast so much more interesting and keeps the listener wanting more from the creators of the podcast.

Jon wrote: "Jez's story is so compelling because it is not fictional. This story draws younger listeners and women's attention because human trafficking and kidnapping is an everyday occurrence. The most chill..."

I agree. This is so compelling because of how dangerous of a situation that women are put in and how it happens more then most people know.

Jake wrote: "This series is so compelling because of the fact that it is a real story and that it could happen to anyone. It is chilling to think that many people have experienced this and had bad things happen..."
I agree and adding to this I think this story in particular appealed to females more because it is something more real for them. It can also happen to men but females dealing with creepy guys like this are more likely and this appeals to them

Reid wrote: "What i find really compelling in this podcast is that even people who look and talk about crime they were even shocked about what happened. Also this could happen and has happened to people which a..."
I agree that it is especially shocking how people who talk about crime and murder every podcast were disturbed by this story. This has to do with how real this story is to some people and the fact that people have to worry about things like this. This realness made the appeal and made the story so disturbing.