Run, Bambi, Run

550

Laurie Bembenek was a Milwaukee police officer and Playboy Club bunny before being arrested for the murder of her husband’s ex-wife, a crime she insisted she did not commit. Nicknamed “Bambi Bembenek,” she became a tabloid fixation, a feminist cause célèbre and, after she escaped from prison, an American folk hero, though she was never exonerated. Journalist and Campside Media co-founder Vanessa Grigoriadis takes a fresh look at the case Diane Sawyer called the "most glamorous murder case of the 1980s.”


New episodes out every Monday. 


Run Bambi Run is an Apple Original podcast, produced by Campside Media. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts.

https://apple.co/RunBambiRun

Recent Episodes
Episodes loading...
Recent Reviews
  • Joys321
    Very interesting!
    Very well done podcast. Engaging to hear from the actual people involved. The story was incredibly sad though.
  • horsegurl1313
    Binged!
    My only issue is that the podcast talks about Milwaukee like it's on the middle of nowhere.
  • brenwhat4
    Well done!
    I binged listened to this podcast. I’ve never done that to a podcast. The narrator is witty and intelligent. The story was well written and produced. If you like murder podcasts this one was is the best.
  • quedible
    terrible production. not inclusive at all
    Here I am listening to a podcast that’s in part about the lack of inclusion in the Milwaukee police force and I have to turn it off because there’s so much of a wall of fake sound n the background I, a person with ADHD and hearing loss, can’t understand what the narrator’s saying. Do better, podcast hosts and producers.
  • sewpp
    Talkin about my generation
    Excellent job of portraying the reality of the 70’s and women in a male dominated workplace
  • pollyjh
    Binged it
    Totally riveting, this is exactly what I want in a podcast
  • BusyLawyerMomWife
    A well told story
    I have some vague memories of the news of Bambi Bembenek, though I was in middle and high school when her case was happening. This perspective is an intriguing reminder of how few years ago it was that women were so blatantly discriminated against and it’s my belief that she was framed and didn’t do the crime. She really had nothing to gain. She sounds like she was an excellent advocate for women and was shut up by men who didn’t like her speaking out.
  • SMO-e
    Riveting!
    Great story telling. Stays interesting throughout the series. I would highly recommend any story read by Vanessa! She's great at it and tells stories at a perfect pace.
  • Hunter Cartwrigjt
    Re stage attend right u
    I ere suhijcu Michigan’s C go C j C m as givm I uhj. J Dr it h c h chai it x if he I c c vj c h hitching c ivv n j c v b
  • L. Boogie 1286
    ‘Making A Murderer’ Was On Netflix, Not HBO…
    The story is compelling but a mistake that big making it into episode 8 was honestly shocking to me. What else wasn’t fact checked???? I’m questioning the journalistic integrity of the host and those involved.
  • October G.
    Loved this story telling!
    I love the way that you made these characters so human. I was engulfed in this story. Thank you for shedding light on such a strong, self-confidence and powerful woman.
  • Wmhunt
    Lame
    Biased and opinionated. Just tell the story. Thanks.
  • Thestick1515
    A Must Listen
    I stumbled across this podcast and I am glad that I did. The podcast puts things into perspective. It was well thought out, well investigated and well told. This podcast gives Lori Bembenek justice.
  • patch FF
    Great listen
    Listened to the season in a day, great length of season for those that like to get consumed without the commitment.
  • Haley Pioch
    Enjoyable Binge
    As a midwesterner, I couldn’t believe I had not heard of this story. Appreciated all of the descriptions of the Milwaukee in the 80s. I enjoyed the quick pace. As for the story itself, pretty wild. Consider this more of an in depth look at Laurie Bembenek and her experience with the Milwaukee PD than a deep dive into the murder itself. I preferred that approach, as that’s where the real story is!
  • vickyweet
    Amazing story
    Bananas. Cant believe i didnt know about this!
  • kurcheva
    Truly well made
    As a journalist myself, I really enjoyed this story. It feels serious with real research and journalistic work but also fun. Loved it and would highly recommend it.
  • Marcelll Barn
    Who and what broader social context dunnit
    Overall an excellent story. Grigorious is one of the best. HOWEVER.... Despite the laborious effort to set this story in the context of the struggle for equal rights and changing mores of the time .... the narrator consistently calls the grown-up, profesional and worldly protagonist "just a kid" when referring to some of her questionable behavior. None of the dirty cops in her cohort have the benefit of this "just kids" wave of the hand (nor should they) to minimize their anti-social debauchery. Trying to overlay a cumbersome "these are the important themes worthy of study which justifies our inquiry into this salacious story" veneer only distracts from the nuance and originality of the reporting. It details the narrative and dilutes the genuine value it may offer to social scientists and pulp readers alike
  • Us1244589668
    Vapid Podcast
    Who cares how she looks? That is all the pod talks about, sadly. Also, too much social commentary. Just tell the story! I could not even finish it.
  • Pinguino Tuxedo
    Excellent!
    Truly enjoyed the story. Well done!
  • 345673827
    Awesome
    Really entertaining
  • rytdnn
    Loved the story
    I loved the story, and the reporting. Such a tragic story and yet another example of the repugnant abuse from police nationwide.
  • rolsanch
    Accidental Find
    I found this podcast while perusing accounts of historical crimes. I enjoyed the story told here intertwined with 80’s nostalgia. Great storytelling voice too. Overall, nicely done.
  • Zamarina
    Loved it!
    I really enjoyed this podcast and love the narrator she did an amazing job. And Kris radish seems really cool. Great story about a woman who had the courage to stick up for herself and other women back then. Most women never got a fair deal and we still don’t but especially back then and to hear this story and how she did have courage to stand up was inspiring. And I give credit to all those other women who were on the police force with her who also attempted to step out of the mold and rise up. Thank you for such an amazing podcast.
  • anydaynow
    Run Bambi Run
    Crazy podcast well worth the time if you love the 80s and 90s
  • polooje
    Awesome
    Loooooove this story
  • polki1
    Six years of Milwaukee life
    I was in Milwaukee in the 90s and this was Jon Benet for that time. the podcast helped me understand the whole story.
  • ProvocateurMisses
    Loved Run, Bambi
    Setting off the conversation by saying that Kris Radish and Vanessa are experts at their tales and this is completely worth the listen
  • KayNYC
    Great show!
    Fascinating, moving, desperating.
  • NwAdventures
    Strong bias in story telling
    Overall this was decently told and kept your interest. I docked it 1 star in my rating due to the clear bias that came through frequently, that Bambi was really a near-genius level intellect whose only problems in life came from oppressive men who were out to get her. No troubles she faced were a result of her poor judgment, decision making, or impulse control. Right.
  • vcuramsfan09
    Great story, poor storytelling
    This is a great story and I was really intrigued by it. I thought that it would get better and the narrator would grow on me, but she really tells the story in a less engaging way. I lost interest after Episode 4, where the previous Apple Original I couldn’t wait for the next episode.
  • Natstan03
    Eh
    I really like the story but the narrator is kind of bothering me - it’s like she’s reading a cheesy gossip column in Cosmo, not a murder cop mystery. Also I’m on esp 4 - what is with the Halloween-clown-town-funhouse music ?! Distasteful…… It’s bumming me out. I’m going to finish this podcast but y’all …….. come on now.
  • 1978babe
    Really Interesting
    This is the first podcast I’ve ever listened to & it kept me glued. I thought it was interesting to hear the research about this case. They attempted to backup everything they brought forth. Job well done!
  • MeNotYou2251
    Vocal Fryyyyyyy
    Can not focus on the story with the vocal fryyyyyyy.
  • MissCakes
    Great podcast
    This was presented well… I only wish I knew what happen to all parties involved in the story. I truly feel for the young woman Kristin who lost her life.
  • Mallerinaballerina
    Absolutely amazing
    So so so good! Listen now!
  • ChelseyDixon2018
    I never write reviews
    This was so well done. I’m about to start it from the beginning. But it’s been the only podcast series I’ve actually stopped and rewinded. Who knows if she did it or not, but this was captivating. Great job.
  • Abilene4ever
    Same
    The story was well written and produced but found myself getting annoyed with the narrator’s presentation.
  • Jesusfreakgirl12
    Good story, insulting execution
    A well-done and interesting podcast. However, the quirky one-liners and goofy sound effects coupled with a complete lack of respect for the victim and glorification of the convicted murderer of said victim is rather hard to stomach and is downright immoral in my opinion. The story might be worth reading about without giving this host/writer your time.
  • great story, meh narrator
    Loved the story, the narrator is so condescending
    I love the story and was glad it was told. I found the narrator to be extremely condescending. I wish this story was told by a different narrator. Normally I find pod cast narrators great the people and places with respect. It is very clear that this narrator thinks midwesterners are less than her.
  • GMT65
    Brilliant
    Kris Radish is truly the BOMB.
  • Dr. Strangelove!
    Sad Tale of Corruption
    This podcast blew my mind. It almost felt like this story shouldn’t have been possible in real life. At every possible turn, it seems like the protagonist just has the world stacked against her despite winning the genetic lotto. I hope we can reflect upon this story and see how far gender relations have come in America over the last forty years.
  • Mil-town NZW
    Well done!
    This is the story that started my true crime obsession way back when I was only 8 years old! Growing up on the south side of Milwaukee this story was everywhere and everyone had an opinion! When she escaped I was at the high school she went too and even the teachers who knew her believed she couldn’t have done it! I’m so glad you are looking at this from fresh eyes since what gets lost in all the Bambi phenomena is the fact that a young woman was killed and 2 young boys were traumatized and left to grow up without their mom without a real answer as to why.
  • duolingo in spanish
    Mixed bag
    The story itself is interesting but like other reviewers I felt the narration was condescending. The lack of self awareness while using the mocking “bimbo” voice was absolutely cringe inducing. This rendering is of a singular view, lacking any real diversity of thought while lecturing about bias. Also, a complete lack of empathy towards the actual victim.
  • redwagon57
    Run Bambi Run
    Interesting story told ..
  • catemcaran
    Must listen!
    Go, Bambi! I really enjoyed this Podcast.
  • ThisNeedsToEndNow
    Explains why Milwaukee is so segregated to this day
    Growing up in Milwaukee you knew where the black neighborhoods were, and where the white ones were. They rarely mixed. Though this podcast is about Lori, it’s immensely fascinating and horrifying to see probably the biggest cause of this by the Milwaukee PD. Funny how some of the same people involved here are also involved in the Steven Avery Making A Murder case. Wisconsin is the wurst.
  • RamongaG
    Good but very depressing
    Really well told, really interesting but also a really depressing story that makes you feel sad at the end.
  • Darbybow
    LOVE
    Didn’t want it to end!
  • JanetZag
    Well Told
    I remember parts of this story but just the sensationalized portions: playboy bunny escaping from prison sentenced for killing a cop (this was what I thought). Good to know the whole story and told from a feminist perspective. Truth is usually more interesting than fiction and has more levels to it. Extremely well told. Love the storyteller’s voice (Vanessa Grigoriadis).
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.