In this episode, we speak with Mark Dapin. Dapin is a veteran true crime writer, with a career including a stint as editor of the lad mag Ralph - but also as a columnist for Good Weekend. He has spent many, many hours with infamous hardened criminals, and now - for a story in the current issue of Good Weekend - has flipped sides to see through the eyes of aspiring police officers. Dapin - an irreverent but incisive and insightful writer - joins us today for a chat about that piece, but also the wild popularity of the true crime genre more generally, touching on his own encounters with the likes of hit man Chopper Read, and con man Jack Karlson (of “succulent Chinese meal” fame). And hosting this conversation - about kidnappers and murderers, and the darkness in us all - is Good Weekend acting editor Greg Callaghan.