DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – In the vast realm of true crime podcasts, Nina Innsted stands out as a dedicated storyteller, unraveling the mysteries that shroud the Great Lakes region. Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Innsted’s journey into the world of true crime podcasting began in 2016 when circumstances led her from education to a newfound passion for investigative storytelling.
Innsted, now in her late 40s, and a resident of Atlanta, Georgia since 2019, is the creative force and voice behind the independently produced true crime podcast “Already Gone.”
Deep dives into Michigan and other Great Lakes area cases.
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The podcast focuses on shedding light on lesser-known crimes (murders and disappearances) in the expansive Great Lakes region of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and western New York.
Her approach involves deep dives into cases, ensuring that the stories of crime victims are told with compassion and a commitment to uncovering the truth.
Podcaster is also a missing persons volunteer and advocate in Michigan.
What sets Innsted apart is not just her podcasting prowess but also her role as the social media manager for the non-profit organization “Missing in Michigan” a group that provides support to law enforcement and the families of missing persons by collaborating efforts to help bring the missing home.
Since 2016, Innsted has been advocating for the missing in Michigan, demonstrating a genuine commitment to bringing attention to cases that might otherwise be overlooked.
A varied background with many degrees.
Innsted’s academic background includes two bachelor’s degrees – one in technical writing and the other in history. She also holds a Masters in Education and worked as a teacher for several years. However, a pivotal moment in her personal life redirected her career path. When her daughter fell ill at the age of eight, Innsted made the difficult decision to leave teaching, leading her to the world of podcasting.
Her podcasting journey began with inspiration from the “Generation Why” podcast. Innsted told Michigan News Source, “I was listening to the Generation Why podcast and thought ‘I could do this. I have a nice voice. I love writing. I love history. I love true crime.’”
With a microphone and a dream, a true crime podcast is born.
She reached out to Generation Why podcaster Aaron Habel, who is now a friend, and he offered valuable advice. Fueling her determination was Innsted’s husband who surprised her with the gift of a microphone, and thus, “Already Gone” was born.
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However, Innsted has more than her podcast, volunteer work and her husband to keep her busy. She also has two kids, a son in his twenties and her daughter who is now 18. Included in the family are two dogs and two cats, all rescues. “I am definitely an animal person,” Innsted says.
Her personal Facebook page also shows an attractive woman who is enchanted and entertained by travel and she is also a cocktail aficionado. And since her profile says “Go Blue!” it is safe to say that she is a University of Michigan fan (as well as a fan of the Detroit Lions).
Looking into the Jennifer Crumley case…
Lately, she’s been keeping up with the Jennifer Crumley trial in Michigan. Crumley was recently convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with her son Ethan Crumley’s 2021 school shooting at the Oxford High School in Michigan.
In a recent bonus episode, Innsted is joined by Bob Motta of Defense Diaries to talk about the trial and possible implications for other parents in this unprecedented case.
Nancy Drew and local murder case inspired podcaster’s interest in true crime.
Innsted’s fascination with mysteries dates back to her childhood, where she spent time reading the adventures of Nancy Drew. Her connection to true crime took a darker turn when the Oakland County Child Killer targeted her neighborhood when she was just a child. This traumatic event heightened her awareness of the harsh realities of the world, laying the groundwork for her future involvement in the true crime genre.
As a podcast host, Innsted has achieved considerable success. With a ranking in the top 3% of true crime podcasts, she has garnered a substantial audience for “Already Gone” and calls her podcast a “medium to large size” one.
What are the more popular podcast episodes from Innsted’s portfolio?
Notable episodes, such as the murder of April Milsap and the Mio Murders, both in Michigan, have solidified her position in the true crime podcasting community.
When asked about the cases that have stuck with her the most, Innsted mentioned her ongoing connection with the family of Danielle Stislicki and the 1979 disappearance of twelve-year-old Kim King, both cases from Michigan.
Innsted’s dedication to true crime extends beyond storytelling, as she actively participates in true crime podcast festivals and the Festival of Oddities in Charlotte which is only $5 and “worth every penny” according to Innsted.
Podcast planning = a consistent schedule of material for her audience.
Managing a podcast involves meticulous planning and teamwork including help from a researcher, social media assistant and some fellow writers that she works with regularly although she says she tries to write most of the episodes herself and does her own research whenever possible.
When asked how long it takes to put an episode together, Innsted says she has a list of upcoming episodes and plots them out in advance. She adds that she has a huge suggestion list that she can pull new cases from and remains open to suggestions from her audience, valuing their input and the potential discovery of lesser-known cases. Planning a month or two ahead or more allows her to ensure a steady release schedule.
Putting in extra efforts for Innsted’s podcast and advocacy for missing persons.
Beyond podcasting, Innsted has also invested time in victim advocacy training, becoming a credentialed advocate. She says that she went through the training because she thought it would help her be a better support for families, both as a creator of her podcast and a missing person’s advocate.
Her commitment to supporting families and communities extends to her role as social media manager for “Missing in Michigan” which covers the Great Lakes region. Their Facebook page has posts on the missing in real-time as well as cold case reminders. Innsted started volunteering with the group about eight years ago and ended up stepping into the role as the lead social media person after the woman who was mentoring her passed away unexpectedly.
A podcast award validates a dedication to true crime victims and meaningful storytelling.
In a significant achievement, Innsted, in collaboration with the team at “Tenderfoot” won an Ambie Award for Best True Crime Podcast in 2022. Innsted had covered the trial of Ryan Duke in the murder of Tara Grinstead for the podcast “Up and Vanished” and was a writer and field producer for the podcast series.
Nina Innsted’s journey from Metro Detroit to the heart of true crime podcasting reflects a profound commitment to storytelling, advocacy, and justice. Through “Already Gone,” she not only explores the dark corners of crime but also shines a light on the lives affected, ensuring that the victims are never forgotten.
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