Ex-Newswatch 16 Anchor REVEALS Shocking Truths! / Marisa Burke | The Ryan Leckey Show | Ep. 18
Hey Fam! In this week’s episode of The Ryan Leckey Show we have my former co-worker at WNEP-TV and acclaimed Author Marisa Burke! Wondering where she’s been since she’s left Channel 16? Well, now, you can find out! Buckle up because this is going to be an exciting and super informative ride!
For decades, Marisa Burke was a revered and respected anchor at WNEP-TV, a top-rated ABC affiliate in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. This story is full of unexpected twists and turns. We hear about the scandal, the betrayal, and ultimately, the inspiration of redemption. We really get into the nitty gritty details of Marisa’s life, both professionally and personally, and the public humiliation she endured when her life changed from reporting the news to being the news.
This podcast is a real eye-opener. Marisa holds nothing back in our conversation of what she and her daughters went through when her husband/father was arrested and charged with sex crimes involving underage boys. As a prominent figure in the world of local television news, Marisa’s ideal life came crashing down when news of the charges against her husband became the top local news story.
Marisa tells us why she decided to reveal all of the inner details of her life during this scandalous time in her memoir, “Just Counting Scores.” It’s a story so intriguing, her book reached the number one New Release in Criminal Procedure Law on Amazon.com. I read it myself… It's pretty amazing how candid Marisa is as she describes her living nightmare. Marisa also explains how she hopes her experiences might help and inspire others in similar situations.
At the heart of this episode, however, is an inspiring testament of Marisa’s perseverance and resilience. Despite the trials and tribulations Marisa faced, she displayed an admirable strength of character and a will to reclaim her professional and personal life. She admits her mistakes and how she missed the red flags that could have clued her into her husband’s double life. She has strived for redemption, rebuilt her life, and emerged as a symbol of courage and fortitude.
I was absolutely floored by Marisa’s honesty and grace during our conversation in this week’s episode. A GIANT thank you to Marisa for agreeing to sit down with me about this vulnerable but inspiring story. I think all of you will be equally as awe-struck as I was when you hear her breathtaking story.
FAM! Don't forget you can listen to every episode of The Ryan Leckey Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and anywhere else you listen to your favorite podcasts!
YouTube Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Intro
2:06 - Welcome Marisa Burke!
3:08 - Where did Marisa go after WNEP?
7:58 - Marisa's roles at WNEP.
9:29 - "Everything was perfect... then it came crashing down."
11:33 - May 2008: The first phone call.
15:10 - Marisa becomes the news.
17:17 - Mark and Marisa's marriage.
18:42 - Charges that Mark was facing in 2008.
20:39 - Consequences of Mark's 2008 charges.
22:56 - Did WNEP initially botch the coverage of the story?
24:10 - WNEP gives Marisa a leave of absence.
26:00 - Did Marisa want to leave Mark in 2008?
27:05 - "At that point... you were just out to get us."
28:26 - "The public humiliation and embarrassment was excruciating for me."
30:54 - Did Marisa regret not asking if Mark was gay in 2008?
32:30 - Marisa becoming more compassionate on new stories.
33:32 - Mark continues to mentor young men at home.
35:36 - "Mark was convincing."
36:27 - Marisa home vandalized in 2012.
37:52 - November 2012: The second phone call.
39:49 - Mark "I may have gotten into some trouble."
42:09 - "You know what? I'm done."
43:34 - Mark is arrested.
44:40 - Mark makes bail, Marisa throws him out.
46:38 - Mark is sentenced.
47:34 - Did Marisa's daughters ever want to speak to their father again?
49:22 - "I had an angel come into my life."
51:08 - Marisa's misstep.
52:56 - Marisa gave co-anchor Mark's suits.
53:28 - Why did Marisa write the book?
55:01 - Impact of the book with Marisa's daughters
57:26 - Why the title 'Checking Scores'?
58:54 - "I am a different person."
1:00:46 - Where to find the book?
1:01:14 - Book showing interest in Hollywood?
1:02:27 - Impact of the book to others.
1:04:21 - Keeping in touch with people from WNEP.
1:05:41 - How does Marisa still look the same?
1:06:45 - Final thoughts?
1:11:09 - Outro