News and Appearances

Dr. Jeffrey L. Smalldon

News and Appearances

Dr. Jeffrey L. Smalldon

Upcoming News/Appearances

Truth and Shadow

On December 12, I’ll be the featured guest on the podcast Truth and Shadow, hosted by BT Wallace.

Murder Unscripted Podcast

Plans are currently underway for my upcoming appearance on the podcast Murder Unscripted, hosted by Ed Hydock and Melissa Spivey. Look for the episode to drop sometime early in the new year.

Grandview Heights Public Library

On January 16, 2025, I’ll be appearing at an author event hosted by the Grandview Heights Public Library in Columbus, Ohio.

Past News/Appearances

Investigation Discovery

On December 1, on the streaming channel Investigation Discovery, I’m one of the interviewees featured on a program called Before They Kill Again. At the center of the program is the case of Ohio serial sniper/killer Thomas Lee Dillon. I served as the defense psychological expert on the Dillon case, to which I devote an entire chapter in That Beast Was Not Me.

Fairfield County Book Festival

On Saturday, November 9, I was one of the participating authors at the Fairfield County Book Festival, held at the Fairfield County District Library in Lancaster, Ohio. Jenn Kempton, another of the participating authors, told me she’d seen my book featured on television and wanted to secure a signed copy. Here’s a photo of Jenn and me, taken as the day-long event was coming to a close.

Mind Over Murder Podcast

This past fall, I was the featured guest on two consecutive episodes of the podcast Mind Over Murder, hosted by Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley. The conversation turned a bit raucous while we were discussing the chapter of my book that describes my experiences with Rosie Tate-Polanski, who claimed to have been cut from actress Sharon Tate’s stomach on the night of her murder by members of the Manson Family in August 1969–and Bill Garretson, who, as the “caretaker” who’d been hired by the owner of the “Tate property” on Cielo Drive in the Hollywood hills, was present at the crime scene on the night when Manson Family members killed Tate and four others.

Barnes & Noble Polaris Fashion Mall

On October 13, I appeared for an author event/book signing at the Barnes & Noble store that’s located at the Polaris Fashion Center. I met a lot of interested new readers and signed a lot of books. It was a very enjoyable event.

Wake Up Niagara

Recently, I participated in the first part of a three-part interview that is planned for the radio program, Wake Up Niagara, which broadcasts from Lockport, New York. Parts two and three will air in October. 

Granville Arts Council

On September 20, in Granville, Ohio (home to Denison University), I appeared at an author event/book signing sponsored by the Granville Arts Council.

Upper Arlington Senior Center in Columbus

On September 3, 2024, I appeared at an author event/book signing hosted by the Upper Arlington Senior Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Local Authors Book Festival

On August 31, 2024, I was a participant at the Local Authors Book Festival sponsored by Gramercy Books in Bexley, Ohio.

Columbus Monthly

Recently, I was interviewed for an article that appeared in the August issue of Columbus Monthly magazine.

True Murder

On August 29, 2024, , I was interviewed for an hour by Dan Zupansky for his popular podcast, True Murder. Zupansky has been referred to as “the godfather of true crime podcasting.” The episode aired on September 2.

North Tonawanda History Museum

On August 22, 2024, I appeared before a capacity crowd at an author event/book signing that was hosted by the North Tonawanda History Museum in North Tonawanda, New York.

Northtown News

On August 22, 2024, I participated in a half-hour interview with host Art Pappas, the former mayor of North Tonawanda, for his radio program Northtown News. The interview will air in western New York on September 5.

Daytime Buffalo

On August 21, 2024, I appeared for a television interview on Chelsea Lovell’s Ch. 4 daily television program, Daytime Buffalo, which broadcasts from Buffalo, New York.

Good Day Rochester

On August 20, 2024, I appeared live on Good Morning Rochester, a television program that broadcasts from Rochester, New York.

North Tonawanda Public Library

On August 19, 2024, more than 100 people attended an author event/book signing that was hosted by the North Tonawanda Public Library in North Tonawanda, New York.

FLX Morning Show

On August 15, 2024, I was interviewed by Ted Baker for his FLX Morning radio show, which broadcasts from Geneva, New York.

Gramercy Books

On August 13, 2024, I appeared at a sold-out author event hosted by Gramercy Books in Bexley, Ohio. I was in conversation with mystery/suspense novelist Andrew Welsh-Huggins, who is also the author of the definitive history of the death penalty in Ohio, No Winners Here Tonight.

All Sides with Anna Staver

On August 8, 2024, I appeared for an hour-long interview on the WOSU/NPR public affairs program, All Sides with Anna Staver.

Bridge Street

On August 5, 2024, I was interviewed by the hosts of Bridge Street, a television program that airs in Syracuse, New York.

NBC4 Article

In August, Channel 4’s on-line Columbus publication ran an article by Stephanie Thompson with the title “Former forensic psychologist’s memoir revisits shocking unsolved “Riverside Hospital double homicide”.

Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

In early-August, I was the featured guest on the popular true crime podcast, Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps.

Matter News

During the last week in July, I was interviewed for an article that appeared in Matter News, Columbus’s most prominent alternative news source.

Book Review

Site photography by Hailey Gonya at

www.haileylaurenphotography.com

Get a Free Chapter of

That Beast Was Not Me

 

What happens when a graduate student on his way toward becoming a forensic psychologist sits face-to-face with one of America's most notorious serial killers? In this chapter from my book, That Beast Was Not Me, I'll take you inside the concrete walls of death row for my first encounter with John Wayne Gacy. This isn't just another sensationalized true crime story—it's an intimate glimpse into the complex reality of studying the criminal mind, where claims of normalcy clash with the weight of unspeakable acts.

This free chapter provides a window on the experience of being alone in a room with someone society has labeled a monster, where every word carries weight and often things aren't quite what they seem. It's meant as an invitation to join me on a journey few have taken, exploring that thin line between the familiar and the unfathomable.

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Site photography by Hailey Gonya at

www.haileylaurenphotography.com