Defending Gacy: Karen Conti on True Crime, Public Branding, and Media Secrets

Meet Karen Conti LIVE (and JULIE AND DOM) at Cre8tive Con IN CHICAGO

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How do you go from defending the world’s most infamous serial killer to hosting a radio show for 30 years? In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur, we sit down with Karen Conti—veteran criminal defense attorney, WGN Radio host, and author of the gripping new book, "Killing Time."

Karen shares the high-stakes reality of joining the final defense team for John Wayne Gacy and how she transformed a controversial, high-pressure legal case into a multi-decade career in national media. Whether you are navigating a PR crisis or looking to build a powerful public brand, Karen’s insights on "the pivot" are essential for every entrepreneur.

Inside the Episode: High-Stakes Storytelling

• The Gacy Files: What it was really like to sit across from a sociopath and why Karen took the case to fight for the bigger picture of legal justice.

• Controlling the Narrative: How to take a "sink or swim" situation and leverage it into appearances on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC.

• The "Camera Ready" Rule: Why being an expert isn't enough—you need to master the visual and verbal polish required for the spotlight.

• Finding Your Lane: How to identify your unique area of expertise and become the "go-to" source for producers and journalists.

• The Psychology of Likability: Lessons from Karen’s father (a stand-up comic) on winning over an audience, even when the subject matter is dark.

Serial Killer Lore: A "Jules' Rules" Special

Julie and Karen dive into the true crime fascination that grips the nation. They discuss the profiles of the most infamous figures in history, including John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and the mystery of Jack the Ripper.

Actionable Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs

"There is a very fine line between being courageous and bold and being naively stupid. Stretch your abilities, have confidence, and then work hard to prove you can do what you say you're going to do." — Karen Conti

• Audit Your Media: Watch your own recordings to check body language and catch "filler words" like um, so, and you know.

• The "Helper" Strategy: Don't just pitch yourself; offer to explain complex topics to producers without being on camera.

• Professional Preparedness: Keep a "media kit" in your car—a polished jacket and a grooming kit. You never know when a 45-second window for a national interview will open.

Connect with Karen Conti

• Read the Book: Killing Time: My Experience on the John Wayne Gacy Final Defense Team

• WGN Radio: The Karen Conti Show

• Official Website: KarenConti.com

• Law Firm: Conti & Levy

Join the Community

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Sponsor Shoutout – Keap

This episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Keap—the all-in-one CRM and automation platform designed to help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder. From managing contacts and automating follow-ups to streamlining sales and marketing, Keap helps you stay organized, save time, and grow your business with confidence. If you’re ready to stop juggling tools and start scaling with intention, Keap has your back.

Why Dom & Julie Are Obsessed with Keap

Dom and Julie are obsessed with Keap—because it actually does what entrepreneurs need it to do. Keap keeps their contacts organized, automates follow-ups, and makes running a business feel way less chaotic. When your CRM works as hard as you do, everything changes. If you’re serious about scaling without the stress, Keap is a no-brainer.
Learn more at www.keap.com

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