Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

James Wolner

Booking Overview

This serialized true-crime investigative series focuses on unsolved murders, missing persons, and Midwest cold cases, typically featuring firsthand sources such as relatives, witnesses, retired investigators, and former law-enforcement personnel. PR agencies could credibly pitch case-relevant investigators, forensic or legal experts, missing-person advocates, and documentary creators with a direct connection to a case; booking difficulty is medium because topical firsthand relevance matters more than broad public prominence.

Metrics

Episodes: 248

Frequency: Weekly

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Estimated listeners: 10k-100k

Gender skew: Female

Location: USA

Contact Information

Publicly listed emails

dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

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Host

James Wolner - Investigative journalist and creator of Dakota Spotlight, specializing in research-driven reporting on unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

medium

Typical Credentials:

Direct firsthand connection to a featured case, or professional experience in law enforcement, criminal investigation, forensic analysis, missing-persons work, or related legal and investigative fields.

Required Achievements:

Firsthand involvement in a cold case or missing-person investigation, Professional experience in criminal investigation or law enforcement, Relevant expertise helping clarify unresolved investigative questions

Recent Guest Discussions

Jaden Woodworth - Memories Of Shelly Julson, Growing Up Without His Mother, Family History, And The Circumstances Surrounding Her Disappearance.

Tony Hulm - Shelly Julson’s Final Days, The Burnt Creek Club, The Comfort Inn, Railroad Workers, And Unresolved Investigative Leads.

Rob Carvell - The Initial Response To Shelly Julson’s Disappearance And The Later Review Of The Case.

Linda Julson - Shelly Julson’s Disappearance And The Family’s Efforts To Revisit The Case.

Wes Julson - Shelly Julson’s Disappearance And The Family’s Efforts To Revisit The Case.

Recent Topics

Cold Cases, True Crime, Missing Persons, Investigative Journalism, Law Enforcement

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on

Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

Call Me Shelly (9): Follow the Red Dirt Road

September 03, 2026

James shares new information about red scoria, or clinker, found on Shelly’s car and speaks with a North Dakota geologist about what that material could mean for the investigation. Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner. Archival audio courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakot...

Call Me Shelly (8): Frightened, Followed, Harassed

August 27, 2026

James examines allegations involving Bismarck Police Lieutenant Don Schaffer, discusses questions and comments from listeners, and lays out what he believes could still be done in Shelly’s case. Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner. Archival audio courtesy of the State Historical Society ...

Call Me Shelly (7): A Missing Mother’s Son

August 20, 2026

James speaks with Jaden Woodworth about his memories of his mom, growing up without her, his father and grandparents, and a later police interview with Kevin Woodworth that centered on when Shelly was reported missing. Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner. Archival audio courtesy of the S...

Publicly listed emails

dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

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