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.