REAL LIVES

On this episode, I am joined by a woman who we are calling 'Natalie' to protect her identity. Her brother is serving a natural life order for killing two people and Natalie is here to give insight in to what it is like, grieving the loss of her brother, not through death, but through his incarceration.With approximately 300 people jailed for murder every year in England and Wales, the families of the perpetrators are seldom heard in the media and in a very raw and real interview, Natalie explains how it's impacted her life and why she's chosen to stand by him.This is REAL LIVES.If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When journalist Anke Richter moved to New Zealand, she wanted to explore more of life. So she joined an organisation that promised to help her explore sexuality. But it was a chance encounter with a cult survivor that she was writing a journalistic piece on that she realised that she was also in a cult.Anke is now one of the worlds most respected 'cult journalists' and advocates and she's here today to tell her story.This is REAL LIVES.If you'd like to join me over on Patreon, you can here, thank you so much:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastAnke's website with links to her book 'Cult Trip' is here, where you can find the best place to buy it in your country:https://ankerichter.net/To connect with Anke, please see here:https://www.facebook.com/ankerichterwriterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anke-richter-748a3243/https://www.instagram.com/ankerichterwriter/For information on Decult - see here:https://decult.netIf you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the organisations below who can help and support you:https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health supporthttps://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UKhttps://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritanshttps://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USAhttps://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USAhttps://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australiahttps://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australiahttps://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Irelandhttps://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Irelandhttps://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK)https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of REAL LIVES, Jay Flynn MBE tells the extraordinary story of the two years he spent homeless, sleeping rough and living without certainty. It was a deliberate decision that would go on to shape his life, his career, and his sense of purpose.But then something changed... Jay was offered help from The Connection at St Martin's charity and now he's the Nation's Favourite Quizmaster, homeless advocate and.... he has an MBE.This is REAL LIVES.If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo have a go at Jay's Quizzes, please see here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcSqjJWHJeDWD_SbdorBRwFor his books and social media, please see here:https://linktr.ee/jayflynn?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=fe4138db-e898-447c-ae0c-6bcf9e73b8e8For support with homelessness please see here:https://www.crisis.org.uk/https://www.mungos.org/https://thestreetlink.org.uk/For the charity that helped Jay, see Connections St Martins:https://www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/For mental health support, please see here:https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity supporthttps://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UKhttps://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritanshttps://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USAhttps://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australiahttps://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tad Nelson is one of Texas' most successful criminal defence attorneys. With Texas being a death penalty state, Tad has saved lives but also defended some of America's most dangerous criminals. He's worked on over 500 jury trials and has a plethora of qualifications under his belt, including certificates in forensic science.In this episode, Tad tells us what being a criminal defence attorney is really like, how he defends people who have committed the most depraved acts imaginable and why he has spent over 30 years working in the criminal justice system.This is REAL LIVES.If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo find out more about the work Tad does, please see here:https://tadlaw.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to domestic violence and suicide. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. In March 2023, Danielle Haggarty was found unresponsive in the flat of a man she was dating on and off for eight years. The circumstance's in this case revealed a disturbing fact - it's not a crime to witness someone dying and not call for help. Today we're joined by Danielle's brother Jonathan, whose life has been shaped by a series of unimaginable losses, and he is now on a mission to change the law in his sisters name. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo sign Jonathan's petition please see here:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750545Justice for Danielle Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584415784649&locale=en_GBIf you need support with mental health and suicidal thoughts, please see the links below to organisations that can help:https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity supporthttps://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UKhttps://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritanshttps://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USAhttps://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australiahttps://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention IrelandIf you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations:https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UKhttps://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victimshttps://safelives.org.uk/ - UKhttps://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Irelandhttps://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for menhttps://sdvs.ie/ - Irelandhttps://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for menhttps://www.lifewire.org/ - USAhttps://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for menhttps://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australiahttps://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Ellen De Meyer delivered her baby girl, she was over the moon to give her son a baby sister. But when her daughter Pia was just 3 months old, Ellen noticed that something was wrong with Pia's movement and strength.Pia was diagnosed with SMA Type 1, which can be life-limiting. There was a medicine that could save her, but it cost over £1.5m.And what happened next, is enough to restore anyone's faith in humanity.This is REAL LIVES.To join the show's Patreon, please see here:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo follow Pia's journey, here Instagram page is here:www.instagram.com/@teampia2018or to connect with Ellen please see here:https://www.instagram.com/ellendm1986Ellen wrote a book on her experiences, it is currently only available in Dutch:https://share.google/Vw1sPTuyHt6ffjUoHTo find out more about the signs and symptoms of SMA Type 1, please see here:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/'Welcome to Holland' is written by Emily Perl Kingsley and you can find out more about her work here:https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If someone we loved is killed by someone else, we rely on detectives in the major crime teams to catch the killer. In this episode, murder detective Steve Keogh talks us through his career, how he has foiled terrorism plots, caught killers and got justice for than 100 murder victims.This is REAL LIVES. To join me on Patreon, please see here:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcastTo buy Steve's book, see here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Investigation-Team-Steven-Keogh/dp/1789466423Or check out Steve's website:https://stevekeogh.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have different points of view from our spouse, but what happens when your partner becomes a full time conspiracy theorist?This is exactly what happened to Louise Williamson. And she's here to tell us about her experience.This is REAL LIVES.To find out more about Louise's experience and how she started to heal, you can find her wonderful book 'My Husband, The Rabbit Hole and Me - When Marriage Becomes a Cult', here:https://amzn.eu/d/fGJmc0FAnd Louise's website is here:https://www.louisewilliamsonwriter.com/And her Substack 'SEEDS' is here:https://louisewilliamson2.substack.com/ If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Crompton knew he was gay, but the church he was part of told him it was wrong. So he entered their 'Gay Conversion' therapy programme. In this episode, Lewis describes his experience and how his life looks very different now. This is REAL LIVES. if you'd like to support the show, you can do so here by joining Patreon, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo follow Lewis on social media, you can find him here:https://www.instagram.com/withlewiscromptonhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Lewis-Crompton-61567102598294/For services for any who needs support with their sexuality or identity, see here: United KingdomSwitchboard LGBT+ Helpline — Website: switchboard.lgbt Homepage | SwitchboardLGBT Foundation — Website: lgbt.foundation LGBT FoundationIrelandLGBT Ireland (National LGBT+ Helpline) — Website: lgbt.ie LGBT IrelandBeLonG To Youth Services — Website: belongto.org Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth IrelandUnited StatesThe Trevor Project — Website: thetrevorproject.org The Trevor ProjectLGBT National Help Center — Website: lgbthotline.org (peer support hotlines & chat) LGBT GreatAustraliaQLife — Website: qlife.org.au transhelplinesMinus18 — Website: minus18.org.au Pride AidNew ZealandOutLine Aotearoa — Website: outline.org.nz transhelplinesRainbowYOUTH — Website: ry.org.nz transhelplines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Tinsley is the lawyer who stepped into one of the most notorious — and deeply troubling — criminal investigations of recent years: The Murdaugh Family Murders. Mark meticulously followed the facts and relentlessly pursued justice in one of America's most infamous trials. In today’s episode of Real Lives, Mark opens up about his fight against Alex Murdaugh, getting justice for Mallory Beach, and how he became a household name for true crime consumers everywhere. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak to three female PI's who are blowing the stereotype of a 'Private Investigator' right out of the water. These women work on everything from cheating spouses to unsolved murders. Today's guests are Samantha and Emma from Verity Henton - www.verityhenton.co.uk / https://www.instagram.com/verityhenton/ / https://www.tiktok.com/@verityhentonAndAli Marsh from Miss AM Private Investigations - https://missaminvestigations.co.uk/To buy Ali's book, Private Lies: True Stories From my Life As a Private Investigator - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Private-Lies-True-stories-Investigator/dp/178946840XTo support the show, please see Patreon for extra benefits and content: https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Comerford was raised in a home where he felt happy, safe and loved. But when he went to high school, his teacher took those feelings from him. He was physically and sexually abused by his teacher and it changed his life forever. After he left school, he was left with the emotional scars and deep routed trauma that made him want to take the life of the man who had caused him so much pain. So he loaded a shotgun and made his way school...In this episode, John tells us his story and how, after his journey of healing, he has helped many other victims of child abuse. This is REAL LIVES. To find John's books, see here: https://jjcomerford.com/booksThe organisation that helped John is here: www.samsn.org.auIf you need help or support please see these organisations that can help: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USAhttps://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory or www.samsn.org.au - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 30th of May 2015, Eugene Scardifield's life changed forever. His brother Michael had been murdered in a violent attack. In this episode, Eugene takes us through Michael's case and guides us through his reality. What does the family of a person lost to homicide do once they receive such devastating news? And how do you begin to live again? This is REAL LIVES. To join my Patreon, please find the details here: https://www.patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcastTo find Eugene's books, see here: A Tortured Gift: Words After Murder - https://amzn.eu/d/73Au48QMichael: Words from a Broken Heart - https://amzn.eu/d/ekMHyNE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kayley Stead thought she had it all.... a job she loved, a man she adored and now... he'd put a ring on it and she was getting married.But as she was getting ready on the morning of her wedding, her bridesmaid dropped a bombshell - nobody could find the groom. And what happened next is something most of us would never have predicted. This is REAL LIVES. To support the show and become part of a lovely community, you can join my Patreon here, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcastTo follow Kayley on social media, you can find her here:https://www.tiktok.com/@kayleystead?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/kayleystead2206/?hl=en Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have midwives and birth doula's to help bring us into this world, but there are a growing number of people who are helping people leave this world too. In this episode, Dr Emma Clare tells us about her role an end of life doula, how she helps people die on their terms and why this job changed her view on life. This is REAL LIVES.if you'd like to support the show, you can join my Patreon here, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcastTo find out more about Emma's work, please see End of Life Doula Uk's website here:https://eol-doula.uk/The video referenced by Emma by Dr Kathrine Mannix - 'Dying for Beginners' is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayMhA1pRLeY&t=17s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1980s, a British mother of 2 became the UK's first commercial surrogate. But what started out as an act of kindness, made headlines around the world. In her first podcast interview, Kim Cotton talks about her life as a once controversial figure, who has helped 1147 couples have babies via surrogacy. This is REAL LIVES. To support the show, you can join my Patreon here, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yve Gibney thought she had it all, a successful career, thriving children and a husband she adored.But almost two decades into her marriage, her husband said something that made her question everything. So she started to investigate him and what she discovered would turn her world upside down.This is REAL LIVES.If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcastTo buy Yve's books, please see here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Yve-Gibney/author/B08ZSYGSPJ?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=truef you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations:https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UKhttps://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victimshttps://safelives.org.uk/ - UKhttps://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Irelandhttps://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for menhttps://sdvs.ie/ - Irelandhttps://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for menhttps://www.lifewire.org/ - USAhttps://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for menhttps://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australiahttps://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - AustraliaAddiction services:https://www.turning-point.co.uk/find-a-local-service - UKhttps://www.asam.org/ - USAhttps://www.turningpoint.org.au/ - Australiahttps://info.health.nz/mental-health/alcohol-and-drug-services - New Zealand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March 1996, a man entered the Dunblane primary school in Scotland and murdered 16 primary school children and their teacher who was trying to protect them. This tragedy is mourned and remembered by millions across the UK and beyond, no more so than those from the local community. Amy Rose was a pupil at the school the day the unthinkable happened, and she is here to share how this tragedy impacted her community, her family and her life. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcastTo buy Amy's book - Emotionally Unstable Mumma: From Broken to Blessed: A Survivor's Story of Dunblane, Trauma and Healing please visit:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotionally-Unstable-Mumma-Survivors-Dunblane-ebook/dp/B0FFJWNNJGFor help and support with domestic violence, here are some organisations and support services that can help you:https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UKhttps://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victimshttps://safelives.org.uk/ - UKhttps://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Irelandhttps://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for menhttps://sdvs.ie/ - Irelandhttps://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for menhttps://www.lifewire.org/ - USAhttps://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for menhttps://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting weekly from the 6th of October 2025....From Naomi Channell, TV producer, journalist, and host of the hit true crime podcast REAL, comes a brand-new series that proves the most extraordinary stories aren’t always about crime… they’re about life.In REAL LIVES, Naomi sits down with people whose experiences are stranger, wilder, and more moving than fiction. From a victim of a bigamist to a Dunblane survivor, the UK’s first commercial surrogate to a woman jilted at the altar, and even a death doula who helps people face the end of their lives — these are stories of resilience, heartbreak, survival, and reinvention.Twisting, gripping, and deeply human, REAL LIVES invites you into the moments that changed everything. These aren’t just stories. They’re real lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.