Noble

This was truly a heartbreaking story. I didn’t expect Myself to get so connected. I cried and in the end, had a more open heart than when I started. Very well done and respectful.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s such a wild story, but brings up so many ideas about what is to the deceased, how we deal with grief, and forgiveness. Well done.

Of all the hundreds of true crime podcasts I’ve listened to, this one stands out as outstanding journalism and cinematic storytelling. It’s got place, characters, narrator, narrative, tone, and the voices of northern Georgia. A pleasure to listen to in spite if or maybe because of the macabre story and subject matter.

Noble is in my top 5 podcasts. I’ve listened to it twice, and I’m sure I will listen again. While the subject is gruesome and the case devastating for so many, the narrator, Shaun Raviv, tells the story in such a compassionate and compelling way. The podcast grapples with really difficult questions and answers them really thoughtfully. The story stays with me not only because of the super disturbing details but because I can ultimately begin to put myself in Brent Marsh’s shoes. I have sympathy and empathy for him and his family, which is a testimony to the humanity through which Shaun Raviv narrates.

This podcast was well made, however I couldn’t shake the feeling that this host (a white man) was exploiting the story of Brent Marsh (a black man). The host definitely tried his best to be aware of his own internal bias, and include other black voices. It seemed he saw this series, as a way to humanize Marsh. However, it is clear by the lack of Brent’s participation that the man himself didn’t want that. I felt that this was at best white savior behavior and at worse exploitative. This happened over 20 years ago. If he really wanted to help Marsh, the best thing the host could do for him was let the story lie. If any journalist should be revisiting Brent’s story it is one of the hundreds of podcasters of color. All the host did was dig up (no pun intended) the hurt of this community and make new generations aware of Brent’s crimes. If I were Brent, I would be furious. Not to mention, the host didn’t add anything to the story. He teased and teased an answer as to why Brent did this, first from Brent’s civil attorney then from Brent himself. He 100% lead the listeners on to think there was a Brent interview which of course never happened because why would Brent want to speak to these men. All in all, it was an interesting listen that left me annoyed by yet another white guy with a microphone.

Very interesting story told by a talented story teller but excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor over my utter shock at the dismissiveness the host shows for the heinous crimes committed by Brent Marsh. “What do we owe the dead?” He asks, “Turns out not much.” He answers. How about basic dignity and respect. Those were people he discarded like trash left to rot in various conditions of undress, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. One report I read described an infant’s corpse left lying over a wooden crate. All of the suggested reasons for Marsh’s actions were speculation at best but treated as fact. It’s possible to acknowledge the factors that may have contributed to Marsh's actions while categorically condemning his crimes. Instead, Raviv takes the side of the defense attorney who has an obvious incentive to justify his behavior and dismiss the victims. Just gross.