BIO

Owen Michael is an independent writer, editor and producer working in broadcast, print and digital media journalism for 20 years.

He began his career wire-editing business news and earnings reports, then wrote and edited for Surfer magazine, before moving to online news production at KABC-TV. 

He went on to write, edit and produce digital content for a true-crime TV show, then launched and produced two subsequent crime-show podcast series, hosting several, at Telepictures. 

He holds one L.A. Press Club investigative-report journalism podcast award. 

As a freelance specialist, he's helped lead digital production, distribution, engagement and streaming expansion at KCBS/KCAL-TV.

Interested in localization and radio.

Owen grew up in the far north suburbs of the Chicagoland area. 

He attended Arizona State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Sociology and a focus on Semiotics. 

A former restaurant professional, he's lived and worked in Los Angeles since 1999.

An enthusiastic outdoor athlete, Owen spends quality time on trails and in the water.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Profile

Writer-editor-producer with expertise in digital, print and broadcast media.

Skilled journalist, award-winning podcast producer.

Experience

Editor-in-Chief, knewz.com, Empire Media Group; New York — 2023-2024

Leading editorial team coverage of world events, popular science topics, offbeat

subjects. Managing team of six writers, social strategy, newsletter outreach.

WordPress. 3-5M uniques monthly. Site shuttered in April.

Digital Producer, kcalnews.com, KCBS/KCAL-TV; Los Angeles — 2022-2023

Leading digital-side transition into new 7-hour morning broadcast news block.

Troubleshooting, developing workflow solutions, driving stream. Per diem.

Senior Digital Writer-Producer, Telepictures; Burbank, Calif. — 2015-2022

Launched, managed website, social accounts of syndicated true-crime TV show

“Crime Watch Daily” (2015-2018): Writing daily crime coverage; video-editing,

graphics; broadcast coordination; rights management, legal clearances; SEO;

audience engagement; integrations; newsletters; affiliate relations.

Accumulated 5M YouTube subscribers, 3M Facebook followers, 23% newsletter open rate.

Developed, launched “True Crime Daily Podcast” and “TCD The Sidebar” podcasts:

Research, writing; booking; hosting; directing; A/V editing; team management.

Los Angeles Press Club Southern California Journalism Awards, 2021 Podcast

winner: Investigative reports showing enterprise, initiative, research.

Digital News Producer, abc7.com, KABC-TV; Glendale, Calif. — 2006-2014

ABC7 Eyewitness News: Breaking-news editor, lead nightside producer for

abc7.com covering Southern California news, sports, features, franchises.

OnTheRedCarpet.com: Entertainment coverage, content production.

High-volume deadline-driven newsroom, live broadcast TV coordination.

Copy Editor, Staff Writer, SURFER, Primedia; Dana Point, Calif. — 2004-2006

Magazine publishing, special projects. Copy-editing book; writing ecology column,

sections coverage, product reviews. Layout, production management, buyouts.

200K distribution/1M monthly reach.

Education

Arizona State University, Tempe — Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, Semiotics focus, Sociology

Skills

AP Style, Chicago Style. Analytics, Omniture, Chartbeat. Microsoft, Adobe, Quark,

Final Cut, Grass Valley Stratus, Aurora, Akta, Edius. ENPS, iNEWS, CMS, SEO/SEM

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Produced multiple weekly Telepictures Inc. podcasts from 2018 to 2022.

Selected and pitched weekly crime case coverage featuring two long-form cases and three comments cases with legal review.

Researched and wrote rundowns and scripts in deep outlined detail with sources.

Booked, directed and hosted a variety of guests including legal experts, law enforcement, doctors, authors and other journalists. 

Coordinated and recorded in-person and remote interviews and sessions.

Edited audio and video on Pro Tools, Avid and Adobe Premiere.

Cleared photos and created custom Photoshop graphics for shows and distribution.

Wrote headlines, callout ledes, promo copy, distributed audio/video formats to podcast platforms, social media and newsletters.

Los Angeles Press Club Southern California Journalism Awards, 2021 Podcast winner: 

Investigative reports showing enterprise, initiative, research. Scripts available.

TCDPOD

"True Crime Daily: The Podcast" - "Covering high-profile and under-the-radar cases across the country every week."

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK

"True Crime Daily: The Sidebar"

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNZToiVGCkYJIaZStWK9rwMXHgror4yx9

TCD: https://truecrimedaily.com/pages/podcasts/

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5MCQgSSVQEPB6ME2jSy9u2

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-daily-the-podcast/id1451999167

STITCHER: https://www.stitcher.com/show/true-crime-daily-the-podcast

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/TrueCrimeDaily

5 Million YouTube Subscribers.

EPISODES HOSTED:

Sep 6, 2019

School safety expert talks campus security, threat assessment, more - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfMGkUn735Q&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=168

Nov 15, 2019

Campus security: Discussing Saugus High School attack with school safety expert - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnPj5NTkMk4&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=154

Sep 13, 2019

1 apartment, 2 identical overdose deaths, no charges: Who's responsible? - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72i2U0mpht4&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=167

Nov 19, 2019

Discussing directions, real-world effects of online extremism with Andrew Marantz - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf0Am6BLY48&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=153

Nov 22, 2019

West Virginia wife recorded hiring hit on husband; Nevada love-triangle homicide - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_71UYA6_RU&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=152

Dec 23, 2020

Wrongful Conviction: The Exoneration of Willie T. Donald - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxiOexWxM4Y&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=102

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SELECTED EPISODES PRODUCED:

Jun 18, 2021

Woman accused of killing friend with eyedrops; Football player arrested in Tinder 'catfish' murder - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LFMLIVM0TQ&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=78

May 21, 2021

Dad arrested hours after pleading for baby's return; Mollie Tibbetts murder trial begins - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QODRT0D6vA8&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=82

Feb 26, 2021

Ex-cult leader killed children, claiming she saved them from the devil; Alexis Murphy update - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwrPaOyRKgo&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=95

Jan 24, 2020

Where is Stephanie Parze? New Jersey woman vanishes, ex-boyfriend dead - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCss1yzp4I&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=147

Jan 17, 2020

Fraud suspect accused of killing family, living with bodies; Girl records abusive dad - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQyctVgesY&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=148

Jan 10, 2020

Idaho couple at large, kids missing, spouses dead; Texas kidnapper caught - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhULvsA2M14&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=149

Dec 13, 2019

Alabama's 'Cupcake' McKinney case; Legal hijinks in Florida man's murder case - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1acWrNN28Mw&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=150

Dec 6, 2019

Moms' boyfriends: 1 kills kids over cigs; 1 dismembered by girlfriend's son - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZAT4YMUHEU&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=151

Nov 8, 2019

Woman's OD death recorded on camera; Does Echo have murder data? Rodney Reed update - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6iky-hsR4s&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=155

Nov 1, 2019

Teen blames plot on FB hack; Girlfriend wanted in suicide case - w/guest Dr. Gail Saltz - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU1b6hvMdXk&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=156

Oct 29, 2019

Author/former agent Amaryllis Fox discusses her book on life in the CIA - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD_HM08787g&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=157

Oct 25, 2019

Covering American cases abroad, with author/former CIA agent Amaryllis Fox - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mESV9GxvAc8&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=158

Oct 22, 2019

Scott Michaels shows special documents: 'Hollywood Ripper,' Anton LaVey - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59nrzcbeBsU&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=159

Oct 18, 2019

Driver acquitted after shooting passenger dead; Guest Scott Michaels talks Sharon Tate items - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV3lV8pSkbI&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=160

Oct 15, 2019

Author Jan Burke talks NamUs database, forensic science standards - TCDPOD Extra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0eTFXQRc1Y&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=161

Oct 11, 2019

FBI confirms America’s most prolific serial killer; Amateur sting goes wrong - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beijfPH5-NY&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=162

Oct 4, 2019

Texas man shoots intruder, gets murder charge; Florida kid killed protecting sister - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pnbzvoRZSw&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=164

Sep 27, 2019

School cop canned for arresting 6-year-olds; Boy drives hours to meet app hookup - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IlylFpSlaU&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=165

Sep 20, 2019

Mom dead in husband's van, kids dumped in woods; Probation for burying baby; more - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf34sYAeidY&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=166

Aug 30, 2019

Exonerated 28 years later; Pimping to raise bond; Astronaut crime - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrvxncArcr0&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=169

Aug 23, 2019

Judge pleads to wife's murder; Arrest after girl killed by dogs - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AolcN5aW0yc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=170

Aug 16, 2019

Wife found after ex killed in shootout; 1 family, 3 hot-car arrests - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8B62qESLfw&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=171

Aug 9, 2019

Millionaire murder suspect caught in Mexico; Man puts kid in hospital over hat - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxqi4OA3K2Y&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=172

Aug 2, 2019

Ad exec 'catfishes' murdered partner's family; Brothers missing after visiting farm - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zA6lwcRdZc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=173

Jul 29, 2019

Ally Kostial case: Mississippi student arrested; Dad shoots daughter's boyfriend dead - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stS4sQdYVnE&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=174

Jul 18, 2019

Grisly crime scene pics go viral. Missing Kentucky mom found dead - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPv7pjDhUCc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=175

Jun 28, 2019

Strange clues in MacKenzie Lueck case; torture-video defendant uses weapon in court - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob08897l9ZQ&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=176

Jun 21, 2019

'Catfished' teen promised $9M to record murder; 'Meth attack squirrel' lives - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzM5THNAHIE&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=177

Jun 14, 2019

Conviction concludes McStay Family murder mystery; Alien cult member killed - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXPnVy2m-dc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=178

Jun 7, 2019

Mom missing on custody hearing day, husband charged; Woman's phone records her death - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5IJKDP_b0&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=179

May 24, 2019

Ex-cop drove Texas to NY to kill dad of wife's kids? Drowning 'Smiley Face Killers' myth - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQ2oaEWUMU&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=180

May 17, 2019

Grim discoveries in missing pregnant mom case; carnival worker, pilot murder arrests - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwqiDbQBXKs&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=181

May 10, 2019

Maleah Davis missing in Houston; faking death for profit; bartender over-served shooter? - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoeiVi1C6bo&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=182

May 3, 2019

Amiah Robertson, Michael Cummins, Katlyn Alix, Shane Piche - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEPdFrRLQJ0&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=183

Apr 26, 2019

AJ Freund; Ex-boyfriend in attic; Domain-name gangster goes down - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9esT4tC26Rc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=184

Apr 18, 2019

Sol Pais; Austin Smith; Najah Ferrell; Jacob Gonzales - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMcWpmoLPDM&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=185

Apr 12, 2019

Crowd-solving Marques Gaines' fatal street assault - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoD12THG3fE&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=186

Apr 5, 2019

Timmothy Pitzen; Samantha Josephson; Kelsey Turner - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljHMdAhh3w&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=187

Mar 29, 2019

Stacia Hollinshead; Kuzniks case in Cleveland; Closs, Packer updates - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYNZ1nALwUc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=188

Mar 15, 2019

Trinity Love Jones, Diana Keel, Kiaya Campbell - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfRWzdrhoWc&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=189

Mar 7, 2019

Boston mom abducted, found in trunk; Florida sisters' 'perfect murder'; Alabama girl taken - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw0hWz2Vv-s&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=190

Feb 21, 2019

Cold-case DNA & online data; adoptive parenting horror; Michigan mom kills - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuMPeGpp_jo&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=192

Feb 14, 2019

Bound body found in suitcase, Vegas cold-case arrest, smoking with a tiger - TCDPOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8atgC_qTFNg&list=PLNZToiVGCkYJVSTx8PXp-JE-H9p96j2rK&index=191

Leon Henry is a middle-aged Generation X bartender and retired extreme-sports pro athlete. After he relocates to the South Bay of Los Angeles to clean up a mid-century dive bar on the wrong side of town, he runs into several figures from his early arrival in California, including an ingenue actress with a dark past and a DJ and club promoter with shady connections who turns up dead in a canyon in a decrepit RV. Is there a secret organization orchestrating a sinister plan in cahoots with a new-age religious group to arrange political events across the state? A journey from Mexico to the Bohemian Grove reveals strange patterns.

Profligacy in the USA. Words and Pictures of the National Conversation.

Leisure studies, sports, art, travel and local reports from the desk of Owen Michael.