Wrongful Conviction Marks its 500th Episode with Stacy Larson’s Harrowing Fight for Freedom

Above: Wrongful Conviction hosts Lauren Bright Pacheco, Maggie Freleng, and Jason Flom.

Today, Lava for Good, Adweek’s 2024 Podcast Network of the Year, marks a major milestone with the release of the 500th episode of its award-winning series, Wrongful Conviction. The show features in-depth conversations with wrongfully convicted individuals and their advocates, amplifying voices that shed light on the urgent need for criminal justice reform.

The series, which has been downloaded over 50 million times, is hosted by an all-star lineup of journalists and podcast luminaries, led by its creator, Jason Flom, alongside Pulitzer Prize winner Maggie Freleng and Emmy Award winner Lauren Bright Pacheco. Guest hosts include some of the most well-known names in podcasting: Peabody Award winner Ashley Fantz; Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and host of Bone Valley, Gilbert King; victim advocate and Something Was Wrong podcast host Tiffany Reese; standup comedian, actor, and writer Clayton English and drug policy reform expert Greg Glod (co-hosts of The War on Drugs); Susan Simpson, host of the acclaimed Undisclosed and Proof podcasts; exoneree and Labyrinths co-host Amanda Knox; and formerly incarcerated hosts, including Ear Hustle co-creator Earlonne Woods.

The 500th episode of Wrongful Conviction, hosted by Freleng, features the story of Stacy Larson, who maintains that he was wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder. For 34 years, he has languished behind bars, despite having an alibi and a complete lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime. The Innocence Project of Minnesota has taken on Larson’s case, and the Wrongful Conviction episode will place a national spotlight on his story, bringing much-needed attention to the fatal flaws in the justice system that have kept him imprisoned for over three decades.

“This 500th episode isn’t just a milestone for Wrongful Conviction—it’s a rallying cry,” said Flom. “Stacy Larson’s story is a gut punch, a reminder of just how broken the system is. We’re not just here to tell his story; we’re here to demand justice, accountability, and a future where stories like his become relics of the past.”

Lava for Good continues its work to inspire meaningful action and advance tangible reforms around one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time. Of the 1.9 million people incarcerated in the United States (Prison Policy Initiative), it is estimated that as many as 6% are actually innocent (Georgia Innocence Project). Lava for Good’s work has been credited for playing a part in reversing injustices in dozens of individual cases of wrongful conviction, including one clemency, two people receiving rarely granted certificates of innocence, four stays of execution, six people receiving parole, and for helping get fifteen wrongful convictions vacated.

In just one dramatic example, Rolling Stone credited wrongly convicted death row inmate Rodney Reed’s appearance on the Wrongful Conviction podcast with “helping to foment a media outcry that included Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Dr. Phil, and Beyoncé and helped stay his execution just five days before it was set to take place."

In recognition of its far-reaching impact, Lava for Good has been honored with a long list of accolades, including wins at the iHeartPodcast Awards, Webby Awards, Signal Awards, Anthem Awards, and more. Lava for Good’s work has also been featured by The New York Times, 20/20, Dr. Phil, People, NPR, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox News, The Breakfast Club, The Guardian, The Joe Rogan Experience, and The Jordan Harbinger Show.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, stated, “At iHeartPodcasts, we’re honored to partner with Lava for Good to share stories that not only engage listeners but also spark real-world impact. Reaching 500 episodes of Wrongful Conviction is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the dedication to uncovering the truth and driving systemic change. We’re thrilled to support Lava for Good as they expand their work in 2025, continuing to challenge perspectives and inspire action through their powerful storytelling.”

In 2025, Lava for Good is set to expand its slate of content with a series of highly anticipated projects. Ben Bowlin, co-host of iHeartPodcasts’ Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, will step into the host’s chair for a season of Wrongful Conviction with Ben Bowlin. Fans can also look forward to Season 2 of The War on Drugs, which features artists, athletes, and influencers including B-Real, Marcus King, Ricky Williams, John Osborne, and others sharing how America’s failed drug policy has affected their lives and how they are contributing to solutions and a better path forward. The return of Bone Valley will continue Gilbert King’s investigation into the wrongful conviction of Leo Schofield, examining new evidence and flaws that sent an innocent man to prison and allowed the true killer to evade justice. Additionally, Lava for Good will debut a series exploring the Quincy Cross case — an account of a small-town murder investigation rife with coerced testimony from underage witnesses, untested evidence, and troubling indications of police and prosecutorial misconduct.

Wrongful Conviction is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.