How a family were shocked by allegations about a dead dad's double life: best podcasts of the week

A British army major's secret life uncovered decades after his death has left a family reeling. Robbie Mills, 55 at the time of his death in 1955, was allegedly involved in espionage. A man named John Cotell emerged from the shadows, claiming to be a friend and fellow spy. This true-crime investigation reveals how Cotell insinuated himself into Mills' life after his apparent accident on a submarine.

Mills had been married with two children, but it appears he led a double life. Cotell's arrival at his home was a turning point, sparking a chain of events that would change the lives of Mills' family forever. The podcast 'Codename Badger' delves into this shocking story, shedding light on the complex web of deceit and betrayal.

Meanwhile, another woman has been found to have escaped from prison 30 years ago with an assumed identity. Margo Freshwater was given a life sentence for her involvement in a killing spree, but after escaping, she managed to evade detection. Her family declared her dead, unaware that their loved one had been living a separate life.

The podcast 'The Crimes of Margo Freshwater' is an almost unbelievable tale of survival and deception.

In another shocking case, Kerri Cunningham's podcast 'A Moment With Murphy' offers a unique space for parents to share their thoughts on various topics, including the loss of children. Cunningham reads her own musings while playing acoustic guitar, then conducts intimate interviews with parents who are willing to open up about their personal struggles.

This week, we also have the excellent podcast 'Happy To Be Here', hosted by Greta Johnsen, a safe space for geeks and book lovers alike. In one recent episode, Johnsen offered insightful advice on how to improve reading habits and discussed her own favorite books of 2026.

Lastly, Pulitzer winner Anne Applebaum is exploring the alarming rise in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's custody numbers. Her podcast series examines how the country's tough stance on immigration has drawn parallels with its earlier "war on terror".
 
can you believe this? people are still getting caught up in all sorts of shady stuff after their deaths it's wild to think about how some folks can lead such double lives 🤯 and the way they manipulate those around them is just mind-blowing too... i mean, we're talking espionage and prison breaks here! it's like something out of a movie 🎥

anyway, it got me thinking... what's the appeal of these true-crime podcasts? are we all just morbidly curious about other people's secrets or is there something more to it? for me, it's a mix of both - i love learning new things and being able to piece together the puzzle of how someone ended up in such a situation... but at the same time, i feel like these podcasts also tap into our own darker desires 🤪

and on a completely different note, have you checked out those podcast recommendations? 'A Moment With Murphy' is so relatable - i've been there too, struggling to put my thoughts into words and just wanting someone to understand 😔
 
🙏 I just listened to that true-crime podcast 'Codename Badger' and it got me thinking, life's not always what it seems right? Robbie Mills was living a double life, sneaking around like a spy, while his family thought he was just a regular bloke. It's crazy how one person can lead so many different lives. And then you have Margo Freshwater, who managed to escape prison and start a new life without anyone even knowing... it's like she reinvented herself! 🤯
 
🤯 I mean, can you believe it? This major guy, Robbie Mills, was living a whole other life while his family thought he was just your average suburban dad 🌳. Decades later, someone shows up claiming to be a friend and the whole thing blows wide open 😱. And what's even crazier is that there are these other stories about people who escaped from prison and assumed new identities... it's like they're living in their own little worlds 🌐. But you know what really gets me? These podcasts, like "A Moment With Murphy" and "Happy To Be Here", they're giving a voice to people who need one, especially those struggling with loss or identity issues 💕. And I love how Anne Applebaum is shedding light on some really tough topics, even if it's uncomfortable to listen to 🤔.
 
I'm still reeling from that British army major's secret life story 🤯 it's wild to think he was living a double life all these years, and his family had no idea. And can you imagine being told your spouse died in an accident when really they were off saving the world? 🚀 It's like something out of a spy novel. I'm also fascinated by Margo Freshwater's story - 30 years on the run is crazy 💥.
 
🤯 I'm still trying to wrap my head around this Robbie Mills guy. Can you believe he was leading a double life for decades? His family thought he died in an accident, but it turns out he was living this secret life as a spy 🕵️‍♂️. And the fact that his 'friend' John Cotell just appeared at his doorstep and changed everything... it's like something out of a movie 🎥. I'm not even sure what to think about this story, but I do know that it's definitely left me with some questions. How many other people are living these kinds of secrets? And how hard is it for families to find out the truth after someone dies? 💔
 
[Image of a person looking shocked with a "Mind Blown" expression] 🤯😲
[ GIF of a person with a shocked face, eyes wide open ] 😱
[ Picture of a double life puzzle piece falling into place ]
🔍💡
[ Image of a spy getting caught, with a big X marked through it ] 😂🚫
 
just listened to that codename badger podcast thingy 🤯 really mind blown about this Robbie Mills guy, who knew he was leading a double life? and now his family is dealing with all these secrets they never knew about their dad... feel so sorry for them 🤕 also that Margo Freshwater case is insane, 30 years on the run and they had no idea 🚨
 
I'm tellin' ya, 30 years in prison ain't all it's cracked up to be... I mean, can you imagine just walkin' outta that place and startin' fresh? Margo Freshwater's story is like somethin' outta a novel, I'm genuinely shocked she managed to pull off escapin' for so long. And what's even crazier is her family thought they'd lost her forever 😱. It's wild how people can adapt and reinvent themselves, but it raises some questions about accountability and justice.

I've been listenin' to Kerri Cunningham's podcast 'A Moment With Murphy', and it's really given me a new perspective on grief and loss... bein' a parent yourself can make you realize just how tough it is to navigate these situations. And then there's Anne Applebaum's podcast series, it's like she's shed some light on a dark issue that needs attention. The more I think about it, the more I'm reminded of how much we still need to learn and grow as a society 🤔
 
can you believe this? some guy dies 70 yrs ago and his "friend" comes outta nowhere like it was no big deal but he's been livin wit his whole life... meanwhile, ther's a woman who escaped prison & nobody even noticed she was gone for 30 yrs 😱. sounds like movies or tv shows but sadly its real life 🤯.
 
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