Dirty John

Author: L.A. Times | Wondery

Subscribed: 292,163Played: 1,067,798

Description

Debra Newell is a successful interior designer. She meets John Meehan, a handsome man who seems to check all the boxes: attentive, available, just back from a year in Iraq with Doctors Without Borders. But her family doesn’t like John, and they get entangled in an increasingly complex web of love, deception, forgiveness, denial, and ultimately, survival. Reported and hosted by Christopher Goffard from the L.A. Times.

13 Episodes

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What happens when a seemingly-perfect marriage ends in a nasty divorce and someone ends up dead. Listen to Over My Dead Body today wherever you’re listening to this or visit www.wondery.fm/omdb

Introducing Over My Dead Body | 1

2019-02-1200:05:353

In the last of three special episodes, Alexandra Cunningham, showrunner of the new Bravo series, offers insight into how she approached the writing of the show and its titular psychopath. Jeffrey Reiner, who directed all eight episodes, discusses the creative team’s ambition to transcend the conventions of a traditional thriller.

Bonus Episode: Inside the TV Series “Dirty John” | 3

2018-11-2100:12:5425

In the second of three special episodes, Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights,” “Nashville”) talks about playing Debra Newell in the new Bravo series, and why the story feels timely. Julia Garner and Juno Temple, who play Newell’s daughters, discuss how they came to inhabit their roles, and the show’s production designer and costume designer share details of how they helped create the characters’ worlds.“Dirty John” premieres on Bravo at 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 25. You can also find the original LA Times series, plus 14 other pieces of narrative journalism, in a new collection called “Dirty John and Other True Stories of Outlaws and Outsiders,” by Christopher Goffard, published by Simon & Schuster.

Bonus Episode: Inside the TV Series “Dirty John” | 2

2018-11-1900:15:409

In the first of three special episodes about the making of the Bravo limited series, Christopher Goffard talks with actor Eric Bana about his portrayal of John Meehan, and the parallels between actors and con-men. “Dirty John” premieres on Bravo at 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 25. LA Times Studios is participating as a producer on the Bravo series. You can also find the original LA Times series, plus 14 other pieces of narrative journalism, in a new collection called “Dirty John and Other True Stories of Outlaws and Outsiders,” by Christopher Goffard, published by Simon & Schuster.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Squarespace - Need a professional looking website? Get started today at squarespace.com/dirtyjohn and use the offer code DirtyJohn at checkout for 10% off.

Bonus Episode: Inside the TV Series "Dirty John" | 1

2018-11-1400:18:0013

A year ago a listener of Dirty John emailed Wondery which produced Dirty John with the LA Times, with a tip about a surgeon. He said the surgeon appeared to have a lot in common with John Meehan. This is a story not just about a surgeon and the 33 patients he hurt, but about a system that failed to protect those patients at every possible turn. And It's the same system that supposed to protect you and me today. I hope you help us spread the word because it’s a story that everyone should listen to.Subscribe to Dr. Death on Apple Podcasts or visit www.wondery.com/drdeath

Introducing Dr. Death | 1

2018-09-0400:12:2422

In the months since “Dirty John” was released, more of John Meehan’s victims have told their stories. Carolina Miranda from the LA Times interviews Christopher Goffard, Debra and Terra Newell, and John Meehan’s first wife. Plus, a panel on coercive control and a special live performance by Tracy Bonham. Recorded live at the Ace Theatre.Thank you to our sponsors:Hunt A Killer - Get 10% your subscription when you use the code DIRTY JOHN at checkout when you visit www.huntakiller.com/dirtyjohn Quip - Get free shipping and your first refill pack free when you buy a toothbrush at www.getquip.com/dirtyjohn

Dirty John: Live at The Theatre at Ace Hotel | 7

2018-01-1601:23:33141

Jacquelyn and Terra Newell suspect that John has been watching them. When Jacquelyn tells her mother that he is in town, her mother believes she is mistaken. Jacquelyn warns Terra to carry her pocket knife. But Terra is preoccupied by a country-music concert, and she is watching for the wrong car. Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode: https://smarturl.it/dirtyjohnDo you like the music from Dirty John? To find out more, as well as find other podcasts to listen to, go to Wondery.com

Terra | 6

2017-10-0800:45:26239

John finds a lawyer and plots to unleash a blizzard of lawsuits against his enemies, with the aim of proving to Debra that he is the victim, in case after case. The lawyer believes her life is in danger. As her painful isolation from her family deepens, she secretly plans her escape from the marriage. Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode: https://smarturl.it/dirtyjohnDo you like the music from Dirty John? To find out more, as well as find other podcasts to listen to, go to Wondery.com

Escape | 5

2017-10-0700:52:02208

Debra is in hiding, living out of hotels and disguising herself with a wig. Debra fears she will meet the fate of her sister Cindi, who was killed by her husband as she tried to escape a bad marriage. John has explanations for the accusations against him. He weeps and apologizes. Three decades earlier, that had helped Cindi’s killer walk out of prison. Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode: https://smarturl.it/dirtyjohnDo you like the music from Dirty John? To find out more, as well as find other podcasts to listen to, go to Wondery.com

Forgiveness | 4

2017-10-0500:46:44240

Debra grapples with the question, “Who did I marry?” The story of John’s mysterious past unfolds through the eyes of his sisters, his law-school housemate, his ex-wife, and an Ohio cop who hunted him. The origins of John’s nickname are revealed. Bed-ridden in an Orange County hospital, he pleads with Debra to take him back.Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode: https://smarturl.it/dirtyjohnDo you like the music from Dirty John? To find out more, as well as find other podcasts to listen to, go to Wondery.com

Filthy | 3

2017-10-0400:51:32291

Nancy Williams

This story is infuriating...she LET HIM COME BACK. Its not "baffling" as the narrator exclaims, it's just plain old gullible and moronic. The women who fell for this shit had multiple red flags, they decided to ignore logic and better judgement. "Dirty John" is a straight up asshole, but the women who fell for his horseshit are unbelievable...pills, lies, police reports, no family contact, no home address he can prove, not a vehicle, friend or job in sight...ugh.

Feb 15th

S'mores

My uncle was like Dirty John. Women would knock on my aunt's door and tell her she could live with them when they got married. she would ask them who they thought she was. They said, his sister... LOL! But she'd stay with him despite all the red flags. He would get drunk and beat her senseless...one time when I was a kid, I spent the night with her. He came home in the early morning hours and beat her with a hose until she was black and blue. My mom and dad would beg her to leave but she'd always go back. He was a con man, and had people after him all the time. One time in Miami he got burried up to his neck in sand at the beach and left for the tide to come in to kill him. Someone came and dug him out in time, unfortunately. He told my mom (his sister) that he wanted her to come down to Florida to see him. When she came what he really wanted was for her to give him money and help him move before the people who were after him killed him. Despite everything my aunt stayed with him, she worked...no surprise, he did not unless it was illegal work...he was always scamming. My aunt finally got MS and he found a new woman to believe his crap. In fact, he tried to get my aunt committed to St. Elizabeth's in DC. one of the worst and most dispicable aslylums in the US. He couldn't get enough people convinced she was crazy. She was naive, but not crazy. The last time I saw him I had stopped by my aunt's house to check on her. He was there trying to empty the house of anything valuable. She was in a wheel chair at this point and he was about to slap her in the face. I stepped in front of him...he raised his hand to me, but I told him I was not my aunt and he'd pay dearly! My aunt eventually died of cancer...in her last days she still would say she loved him and would put his picture out discreetly. Her wealthy aunt had bought him off with $30K to go away. He didn't come back. I heard he made the woman who was a nurse and tried to help him commit my aunt miserable and that he mistreated her daughter horribly. In the end a cousin told me he got Alzheimer's. He's probably dead. I was so embarrassed to be his biological niece. He hurt so many women and deserted at least 6 children that I know of. I don't like it when people say it could happen to anyone. I adored my aunt, but she like the woman in the story refused to see the many, many red flags. I think women get addicted to men like this...it's more than co-dependency. It's an addiction unlike any other where these women, despite being intelligent, successful, hard-working business women...just can't live without a man. I think they like the drama in their lives and the idea that they are the woman who can change a man like Dirty John. Think again! They are easy targets and no amount of hard core evidence will budge them from their man once they fall under the spell. One of three things will happen...if they are lucky the devil will tire of them after getting all their money...or they will die or the devil will die trying to kill them or someone they love. Usually it's one of the first two options :(. My brother said it best...."Uncle Tom is like a bad penny that just keeps coming back!"

Jan 27th

Comments (361)

Frannie Billings

Im sure Debra got her smarts from her mother. Geez! How can you love everyone after they murder your child and testify to help him not be prosecuted. Crazy. Straight nuts.

Feb 18th

Shanice Meikle

Now I get why Debra is so dumb and gullible... it's the mother. This episode was hard to listen to.. smh

Feb 13th

Jessica Ruggiero

spoiler alert!

Feb 3rd

Lea S

I hate this woman. Debra needs help.

Nayeli A. Guerrero

I can't stand the mother.

Andrea Ann

This was a fabulous podcast! although I could have done without the political slant.

Feb 2nd

张导演

大家好

张导演听不太懂，但我会努力的

Brandy Larison

I enjoyed it!

Jan 30th

Danielle Marsh

ugh. this woman drives me nuts.....

Jan 21st

Attila Rahman

Jan 20th

Lisa Lawson

10 NEON.20.18. GOD

Jan 18th

j nut

the actress that played Terra sounds like a fucking retarded two year old

wow John you let some wimpy five foot two broad kick your ass in the end, you're pathetic

brown sugah

Love this podcast and just watched all the TV episodes

Jan 15th

Tracey Mrachek

wow!! I'm somehow courageously sending out this invisible post stating that i, too, am dealing with a dirty john who seems completely unstoppable...but he has yet to acquire a record. seems the crazy-maker will continue on to do major damage. So scary.

Jan 14th

Erin Nicole

I'm confused...listed to dr death first...maybe that's why this is bad

shikha sourav

very good podcast. I loved it. I started today and not stopped listening.

Jan 10th

Natasha Williams

awesome job