HAVE YOU HEARD?
Liam Luxon steps into True Crime with Status: Untraced
Although Status: Untraced marks Liam Luxon’s first foray into True Crime podcasting, his experience could rival that of a veteran foreign correspondent. Over three years, his investigation has spanned four countries across two continents, leading him down dark alleys and risky encounters. Amassing 200 hours of interviews, Luxon has unearthed revelations that have eluded others, shedding new light on untold aspects of the case. We spoke to Liam to find out more about his podcast journey…
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
I’m outgoing, midwestern-grown, and on the brink of turning thirty, fueled by a love for adventure and drawn to tales reminiscent of Indiana Jones and The Jungle Book. Whether it’s hiking, snorkeling, or exploring the diverse culinary scene of Los Angeles, I’m always seeking new experiences. My fascination with the outdoors and diverse cultures led me to stumble upon a mysterious disappearance in the Indian Himalayas. Justin Alexander, a nomadic traveler and survival expert, vanished in 2016. His last known journey, accompanied by a self-proclaimed holy man, was announced to social media with a cryptic message: ‘I should return mid-September or so. If I’m not back by then, don’t look for me.’ Thus began my four-year investigation, chronicled in my podcast, ‘Status: Untraced,’ delving into the enigma of Justin Alexander’s disappearance.
What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?
To be honest, I can’t recall the very first podcast I ever listened to. However, the first docu-series podcast that truly grabbed my attention was Serial. Prior to that, I indulged in a variety of podcasts spanning self-help, news, and comedy genres, such as School of Greatness, The Daily, and This Past Weekend.
Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?
I decided to start podcasting because of a fortuitous encounter with Alex Vespestad in 2020. As we became acquainted, he shared Justin Alexander’s story with me. Alex, being a well-established creator of true-crime podcasts, extended an offer to collaborate on a podcast about Justin. Upon delving into Justin’s story, I found myself captivated by his character; he essentially was my imaginary childhood hero – brought to life. The enigmatic circumstances surrounding his disappearance – a suspect found hanged in jail, cryptic messages, and swirling rumors – only fueled my intrigue. Thus, seizing the chance, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to delve into his story through podcasting.
Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my initial exposure to Alex’s work alongside Neil Strauss, in the podcast, To Live and Die In LA. From the moment I started listening, I was immediately hooked and managed to binge the entire first season in less than 24 hours. Shout out to Spotify Wrapped for quantifying my obsession.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?
As a podcaster, I’ve learned that the journey is full of unexpected twists and turns. From navigating interviews and writing scripts to overcoming hurdles like securing international visas during a global pandemic and even getting a car stuck on a Mexican beach, every step has tested me in new ways. I’ve come to appreciate that life rarely unfolds exactly as planned, but therein lies its beauty. So my biggest lesson has been to trust in myself, my team (Alex truly is a genius; I couldn’t have done this without him), and the timing of the process itself.
Oh, and I’ve also managed to slow my speaking pace, albeit just a little.
Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
It’s wild to look back on now, but readers can listen to the origin story of my aspirations and career, in addition to the growth of my philosophy on life, by tuning into Status: Untraced. “Check it out on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts…” Sorry, the new podcaster inside of me took over for a second.
As far as any future work goes, we’ll see just have to see what happens! But if you’re curious to stay updated, you’ll find me fairly active on Instagram.