When Netflix approached Kate Dawson about featuring episodes of her podcast, “Buried Bones” on the streaming platform, she was caught off-guard.

“We found out about this 10 days before Christmas,” Dawson, a professor of practice in Moody College’s School of Journalism and Media, said. “I didn’t even know Netflix was interested in doing podcasts, but we were working up to the last minute to figure out how to make this happen.”

“Buried Bones” is a historical true crime podcast that features Dawson and forensic investigator, Paul Holes. Together they dissect some of history’s most compelling true crime stories, from more modern cases in the 70s and 80s to those dating back to the 1700s.

When the podcast began, it was audio-only. But with the rise in popularity of video podcasts, and with the Netflix deal, Dawson says the team had to quickly figure out how to make the podcast visually engaging. Though she says it’s terrifying to be on television, the stories that are shared on “Buried Bones” aren’t salacious, and that they pick the stories they tell in hopes listeners can learn something from them.

“We don’t want to share too many details or do anything that could re-traumatize families,” Dawson said.

She says she tries to keep the outcome of the cases a mystery to Paul so that he, as a seasoned investigator, can unravel the details and the outcome based on the evidence they discuss throughout each episode.

“I think people are listening to our podcast and wanting to contribute to forensic science in some way,” Dawson says. “It’s all about how you choose to present it and do it in a responsible way.”

In addition to her own podcast, Dawson teaches a true crime podcasting class where she and her students explore the nuances of creating entertainment around such difficult topics.

In front of her large class, Dawson starts the day by asking students if they’ve watched or listened to anything interesting lately. One mentions “The Perfect Neighbor” while conversations eventually drift to “My Favorite Murder” and how the show raises money for those who have been impacted by such crimes.  

Dawson explains that the true crime genre has become so popular that not only are there industry and fan conventions like Crime Con, but that there is also a true crime themed cruise. She and Holes were once invited to record an episode of “Buried Bones” as part of the unusual vacation venue.

As a result, Dawson asks her students tough questions like would they, or would they not, attend these conventions. Is it acceptable for a forensic investigator to be viewed as a celebrity? Why is it often so easy to forget that these cases involve real people who have faced real tragedy?

“We can learn so much from history,” Dawson said. “The class has this interesting angle where students are picking up on red flags and having one big conversation, sharing their opinions and their own stories.”

Whether her students go on to start their own podcasts, the course gives everyone the opportunity to explore media ethics and the pros and cons of modern fandom.

True crime and historical nonfiction fans can watch episodes of “Buried Bones” on Netflix and listen to the show wherever they get their podcasts.