Jason White has developed a fan base as one of the best detectives featured on A&E’s The First 48—and now he’s becoming an exemplary podcaster, too.
Detective White is well-known for his work with the Tulsa Police Department’s homicide unit, where he’s won awards and closed over 100 murders. He’s also been a staple of The First 48 for almost a decade. The show’s first Tulsa installment, Season 16, Episode 2, “Ringside Seat,” featured one of White’s investigations. Eight years later, Season 23, Episode 13, “Back Street” followed White’s 100th case for Tulsa Homicide. Audiences have taken to him because of his no-nonsense approach and his ability to connect with people, so he’s a natural to be hosting his own podcast.
White is behind the microphone for Into the Fire: True Crime Stories, which is hosted by KGRA Digital Broadcasting. New episodes air live Fridays from 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST, and then audio-only versions can be streamed on demand via Spotify and the KGRA website. And the podcast is well worth listening to—not just for The First 48 fans, not just for true crime enthusiasts, but for anyone who enjoys thoughtful conversations in and around the law enforcement space. Together with his now-retired Tulsa Homicide colleague Ronnie Leatherman, White has created a space that features complex and occasionally tough topics, but uniquely makes them fun.
Of course, anyone who’s seen The First 48 will gravitate toward Into the Fire, because several familiar faces have been guests on the podcast. Another fan-favorite, former Tulsa Homicide detective Matt Frazier, appeared in the April 19 episode—one of the best episodes yet because it gave even more depth to someone audiences already love. Fans remember the Ray Howard case that was featured in the First 48 hours “M.I.A.” and “End of the Road,” and had a chance to follow Matt’s journey from that first case to his retirement.
But on Into the Fire, they got to hear more from him about what that specific experience was like, and get greater insight into what he’s been doing since he left homicide (and The First 48) in 2018. Once detectives or their departments drop off the series, viewers normally don’t hear about them again, but the conversation between Jason, Ronnie and Matt let people develop an even greater appreciation of Matt Frazier beyond just his time as a homicide detective.
Another important episode featured Jermaine Rogers from Mobile Homicide, which had a greater resonance given Mobile’s decision to pull out of The First 48 earlier this year. That choice meant that the wonderful work Corporal Rogers and the rest of the Mobile Homicide team are doing won’t have a national platform anymore, so having Jermaine on gave some extra recognition to an officer who’s an outstanding example of community policing and just an all-around great person. More people ought to know who Jermaine Rogers is and his Into the Fire episode illustrated that in spades.
But the podcast isn’t just for people who watch The First 48 or who are interested in true crime. While that’s a jumping-off point, Jason has brought in guests from many different points of view, and asks questions that go beyond whatever their careers are. A great example of that is the episode with Stephanie Kiesow, author of the book Workicide: How to Overcome a Career-Related Decline in Mental Health and Reignite Your Passion for Work and Life. Though Kiesow is a retired police officer, the episode delved into a universal subject that everyone can identify with. Yet the guests are only one part of the reason why Into the Fire is a must-watch (or a must-listen).
Every podcast sits on the shoulders of its hosts. Jason White and Ronnie Leatherman have a rapport they’ve honed over years, and that comes out on the show even when they’re talking about mundane things like Christmas plans at the start of episodes. Jason is a natural interviewer who’s been able to get both witnesses and suspects to open up with him, and that has translated completely into the podcast space. There’s a comfort level that exists with Into the Fire, both for the guests who seem more relaxed and willing to talk, and for the audience. In a sea of podcasts that are often sensational or needing to find some kind of angle, Jason White just delivers great conversation every Friday. His podcast should be tops on everyone’s lists.
Into the Fire: True Crime Stories streams live Fridays at 8:00 p.m. EST on KGRA Digital Broadcasting. Past episodes are also available to listen on their website and Spotify.
