Rip Current

Nov 14 2024 14 ep. 30 mins 434
Rip Current Podcast artwork

California, September 1975. Within a span of 17 days and less than 90 miles, two women, working separately, tried to assassinate the president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford. These are the only two times we know of that a woman has tried to assassinate an American president. 

The first, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, was already infamous as a prominent follower of cult leader Charles Manson.

The second, Sara Jane Moore, was a 45 year-old housewife who infiltrated San Francisco's violent radical underground  working undercover for the FBI.

The story of one strange and violent Summer, this season on RIP CURRENT.

  History  True Crime  Society & Culture
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Episode 11: There Comes a Point Where the Only Way You Can Make a Statement is to Pick Up a Gun

Nov 14 2024 33 mins  
In the early morning hours of September 22nd, the Secret Service questions Sara Jane Moore about whether she intends to kill President Ford. Later that day, she purchases a gun, drives to San Francisco and takes a shot at Gerald Ford.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Tribal Thumb

Nov 11 2024 40 mins  
A look at the small, violent revolutionary group called Tribal Thumb.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 10: It Serves the Pigs’ Interests to Create Confusion

Nov 07 2024 38 mins  
After Popeye Jackson’s execution, a debate is carried out among radical groups on whether or not he should have been killed. As the police investigation focuses on a group called Tribal Thumb, Sara Jane Moore perceives herself to be in increasing danger.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 9: Contradictions

Oct 31 2024 37 mins  
Sara Jane Moore discloses to members of the radical underground that she has been an underground informant. She also accuses Popeye Jackson of being an informant, putting his life in peril.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 8: Popeye Jackson

Oct 24 2024 33 mins  
Despite being found not guilty of drug possession, radical activist Popeye Jackson faces revocation of his parole. The FBI recruits Sara Jane Moore to be an informant on the Bay Area radical underground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7: A Confusion of Sanity and Reality

Oct 17 2024 29 mins  
Sara Jane Moore’s life is a series of new beginnings followed by sudden exits, leaving husbands and children behind. She arrives at the PIN program, an abrasive, ambitious figure looking to make a name for herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 6: Death to the Fascist Insect that Preys Upon the Life of the People

Oct 10 2024 30 mins  
Patty Hearst is kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army. As the nation tries to understand who the SLA are, her father helps organize the People in Need program to feed the poor around San Francisco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Watergate

Oct 07 2024 25 mins  
A look at the scandals that brought down the Nixon White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 5: Thirty Eight

Oct 03 2024 31 mins  
Did Lynette Fromme really intend to kill Gerald Ford, or was she just trying to draw attention to the environment or Charles Manson? Gerald Ford emerges from the wreckage of the Nixon administration to become the first president to not appear on a presidential ballot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4: Nice Girls

Sep 26 2024 29 mins  
In Sacramento, Lynette Fromme and Sandra Good send anonymous threatening letters to corporate leaders they feel are ruining the environment. After Fromme’s failed assassination attempt, authorities try to figure out how it was allowed to happen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.