182: Taylor & Travis?! + 8 Passengers aka Ruby Franke Deep Dive ft. Courtney Grow & Kyle Deford

Pop Apologists

Lauren and Chan are taking listeners on a deep dive that covers the rise and fall of Ruby Franke, the Utah mommy vlogger behind the former YouTube channel 8 Passengers.

Before they get into the deep dive, special guests Courtney Grow and Kyle DeFord join Chan for an emergency Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce debrief, as this couple could be the uniting force that this country so desperately needs.

Lauren and Chan chat about the early days of 8 Passengers, which had 2.8 million subscribers at its peak. Subscribers would watch Ruby give parenting advice and glimpses into her family’s life.

There were definite warning signs of abuse going on behind the scenes, and Lauren and Chan discuss specific instances where it was clear that all was not well with this family.

When Ruby and her business partner/counselor Jodi Hildebrant were arrested in August 2023, former 8 Passengers fans were horrified to learn of the abuses that the Franke children had endured and were also left with many questions.

The gals discuss two people who have been victimized by Jodi Hildebrandt, which shows the damage that can be done when someone exercises tyrannical power over another.

They also discuss the lingering million dollar question: Where was the father Kevin Franke when his children were enduring such abusive conditions?

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