The Ballad of Dena & Andrea
“The Ballad of Dena & Andrea” is a podcast featuring original murder ballads and conversations in reaction to the story of Andrea Yates and Dena Schlosser, two women who murdered their children in the early 2000s.
Host Becky Poole was originally drawn to this story when she learned that Dena and Andrea ended up as roommates, briefly, in a North Texas mental institution. She soon discovered that their lives had been heading in the same tragic and preventable direction for years. Poole wrote an album in the style of Appalachian murder ballads and Americana to create empathetic myths about these mothers.
With this podcast, she invites artists, colleagues, and friends to have conversations in reaction to the story - covering topics like religion, mental health, women's health, misogyny, our failing justice and healthcare systems, motherhood, creating work about tragedy, and more. Each episode includes a bit of Dena and Andrea's story, an interview chat, and an original song. Not a classic true crime doc but myth-making by ballad with honest conversations. Please join us to discover what might come up for you.
The Ballad of Dena & Andrea
Modern Mother Worldly & Other Bad Mothers - Episode 02
In this episode we get into a bit of the religious messaging that Andrea Yates was receiving like the pamphlet she received with a rhyme titled “Modern Mother Worldly.” I chat with my good friend and host of the parenting podcast “One Bad Mother,” Biz Ellis. We talk about her experience as a mother, women’s health (being ignored), and sing inappropriate camp songs!
Pod takes twists and turns. Be prepared for emotional rollercoaster action!
CW: We will discuss postpartum psychosis, depression, domestic abuse, suicide, infanticide, and religious zealotry.
I aim to include anyone who has identified as a woman, female, or femme at any point in their journey.
Show and Guest Links
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673
Unwell Women - Elinor Cleghorn
Ballad of Dena & Andrea Links
Postpartum Support International
PSI Yates Children Memorial Fund Legal Justice Program
A bit about the Yates Children Memorial Fund
National Suicide Hotline: Or call 998
Support the Pod
Hosted & created - Becky Poole
Songs written, sung & musical saw - Becky Poole
Song & Theme Instrumentation, Production, & Mix - Abby Posner
Mastered - Dave Locke
Podcast Audio Editing & Mixing - Evan Mosher
Graphic Design - Stefan Lawrence
Photo - Logan Futej
"Modern Mother Worldly" Produced by Drew Pearson, Becky Poole saw/vox, Thea Lux on harmonies and banjo, Victor Cohen on guitar, John Conant on Bass.
Thank you for listening. For more about postpartum psychosis, go to Postpartum Support International. For the full album click here . Join the conversation on Instagram.
