Speaking of Serial

A military judge decided not to sentence Hailey, Idaho native Bowe Bergdahl to prison time Friday, Nov. 3. In this encore episode of Speaking of Serial, Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio journalists sit down to digest the news -- and talk about what could be next for Bergdahl.

Co-hosts Erin Fenner of the Idaho Statesman and Frankie Barnhill of KBSX lead panelists John Sowell, Anna Webb and Katy Moeller in a discussion of the final episode of "Serial" Season Two. The big question? Whether Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is to blame for the deaths of soldiers in the months after he walked off his post in Afghanistan, and how "Serial" tries to answer that. We also share a very special interview with "Serial" producer Julie Snyder, who explains why the podcast decided to zoom in on Bergdahl’s story in the first place. We wrap up the final episode of "Speaking of Serial" with a big “thanks!” to our listeners.

Erin Fenner and panelists John Sowell, Anna Webb and Nate Poppino discuss episode 10 of Serial's second season. We digest the rift between Congress and the Department of Defense that formed in the wake of the Bergdahl trade and react to descriptions of Bergdahl's initial recovery. Special guest Adam Ragusea - Journalist in Residence at the Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University and host of Current's podcast, The Pub - talks about podcasting, entertainment and media ethics. And with Serial poised to examine if any soldiers died in the search for Bergdahl, we look at what reporting has already been done in the past two years.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episode nine of Serial's second season with panelists Nate Poppino and Anna Webb. They share their views about Serial's portrayal of the delicate diplomatic maneuvering going on behind the scenes to try and get Bowe Bergdahl released from the Taliban, and the characters leading the effort to end the Afghan war. We also talk with James Weirick, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and military lawyer who has worked on terrorism cases at Guantanamo Bay. Weirick's a co-host of another podcast focusing on Serial Season 2, called Task & Purpose Radio.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episodes seven and eight of Serial's second season. Our panelists share their reactions to stories of Bergdahl's childhood and time before the military--almost all of which was spent in Hailey, Idaho. We discuss the loner, backcountry stereotype, the mental health diagnosis and where Serial might be taking us as much of the season winds down. We also speak with Tony Evans, a reporter at Idaho Mountain Express, who has covered the Bergdahl story since it began in 2009.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episode six of Serial's second season. Our panelists share their reactions to “5 O'Clock Shadow” and the circumstances that surrounded Bergdahl's decision to walk off his base in Afghanistan--essentially his opportunity to convince us his commanding officers were inept and his life was truly at danger. We also talk to former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy about Bergdahl's decision to talk to Mark Boal in the first place and how that might affect the outcome of his trial.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episode five of Serial's second season. Our panelists share their reactions to “Meanwhile, In Tampa,” and dive in to the bureaucratic efforts made in the U.S. to get Bowe Bergdahl home -- some of which were more successful than others. We also talk to George Prentice of the Boise Weekly about the story of another Idaho soldier who got into big trouble while serving in Afghanistan, and his thoughts on how local media reacted once Bergdahl was released.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episode four of Serial's second season. Our panelists share their reactions to “The Captors,” and dissect the language used by Bowe Bergdahl to describe the torture he endured. We also bring unique Idaho perspectives when we chat with KBSX journalist Adam Cotterell. He covered the story early in Bergdahl’s captivity, and shares his experience of what it was like reporting from Hailey.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss episode three of Serial's second season. We pick up our conversation with a pretty challenging topic: details of Bergdahl’s torture and his attempted escapes. Our panelists share their reactions and lingering questions on “Escaping.” We also hear from journalist Adam Ashton of the Tacoma News Tribune who shares his years of experience reporting on the military – and his thoughts on Bergdahl’s case.

Idaho Statesman reporters Anna Webb and Erin Fenner share with listeners some of their favorite Serial-related podcasts and articles. Stay up to date while Serial takes a holiday break.

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss the second episode of Season 2 of Serial with guests. Following Bergdahl's first court appearance earlier this week, the Speaking of Serial team explores the perspectives, portrayals and ethics laid out to us in "The Golden Chicken."

Frankie Barnhill with Boise State Public Radio and Erin Fenner with the Idaho Statesman discuss the first episode of Season 2 of Serial. The big news? Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's firsthand description of why he left his post in Afghanistan. Also, how will Idaho be portrayed this season? Guests include Nate Poppino and Anna Webb of the Idaho Statesman. Haven't listened to Serial yet? Warning: We've got spoilers.