REAL

Naomi Channell
REAL

Real is an independent true crime podcast made by award winning TV Producer Naomi Channell. Each episode is an audio documentary, telling a true crime story that is almost unbelievable. But these stories, are Real.  If you would like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 6: Bad Grandpa

    It wasn't only the media that were now paying attention to the Children of God survivors, so were the authorities. In this episode, we hear from Mary Mahoney, who joined the Children of God when she was just 16 years old and raised eight children under the reign of David Berg, until she found the strength to escape. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. Mary's book: 'Abnormal Normal: My Life in the Children of God' can be found here: https://amzn.to/3WRrBH9 If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 5: Bad Grandpa

    In the 1990s, more survivors who had escaped the Children of God started appearing on television around the world, sharing their stories. And it wasn't just the media the survivors were talking to... it was also the authorities. In this episode we meet Hope Bastine, a survivor of the cult and one of the first people to get a successful conviction against one of her abusers, here in the UK. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. To find out more about Hope's work, you can view more information here - her book will be released on the 5th of February 2026: https://hopebastine.com/ Kristina, Celeste and Juliana's book can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Without-My-Sister-violated/dp/0007248075 You can support the Safe Passage Foundation here: https://www.safepassagefoundation.org/ If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    41 min

  3. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 4: Bad Grandpa

    It is estimated that over 100 people who were part of the Children of God have taken their own lives. The abuse they endured and the control they were placed under whilst in the cult has had tragic lasting consequences on so many people. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. To listen to Kacey's podcast, where cult survivors share their experiences, you can do so here: https://www.cultvaultpodcast.com/ If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 3: Bad Grandpa

    Ricky Rodriguez was Davidito. The story of his childhood had been shared in a book produced by the 'Children of God' called 'The Story of Davidito' - a 'childcare manual' sent to thousands of families in the cult, detailing the abuse this child had endured, disguised as religious teachings. As Ricky grew up, the abuse he suffered at the hands of those who were supposed to protect him continued to hurt him and he wanted revenge. Ricky had a plan. In 2005, Ricky sat in his apartment, facing a camcorder, surrounded by deadly weapons, and he hit record... This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35 min

  5. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 2: Bad Grandpa

    David Berg's 'Children of God' cult now had thousands of members across the globe. But he didn't want them to consume media from the outside world, so he produced his own. He sent hundreds of letters, books and videos out to his followers, encouraging them to take part in deeply disturbing and abusive practices. Within this media, was the darkest children's tv show the world has ever seen... and it was being seen by thousands of children in the cult. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min

  6. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 1: Bad Grandpa

    In the 1960s, David Brandt Berg formed a cult that would become widely known as the 'Children of God'. He declared himself a prophet and he was known too many of his followers, as 'Grandpa'. But 'Grandpa' was a highly dangerous man who normalised the abuse of women and children and he did all of this in plain sight. This is a six-part series on the crimes of David Berg and others who belonged, and still belong, to the Children of God... and the cult is still operating today... all over the world. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. If 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 support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min

  7. 22 JAN · BONUS

    BONUS EPISODE: Inside Virginia McCullough's House

    In October 2023, Virginia McCullough was arrested for the murder of her parents, John and Lois. She has lived in their house with their bodies for over 4 years. (I covered this case in episode Episode 73 and the video version is on my YouTube channel link below). 2 weeks ago I received a message from a man called Ben who told me in December 2024, he went into the home of Virginia McCullough... and he wanted to tell me, and you, what he found... This is Real. Ben's accounts - @places_forgotten https://www.instagram.com/places_forgotten https://www.tiktok.com/@places_forgotten YouTube video version of this case: https://youtu.be/1RcGg7Y8EgM?si=sCUC-4adyBGccjy8 Naomi Channell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomichannell https://www.instagram.com/realtruecrimepodcast If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    42 min

  8. 22 JAN

    Episode 84: The Murder of Lynsey Quy

    When 21-year-old Lynsey Quy was reported missing in February 1999 by a social worker, the police soon discovered that she had last been seen two months prior, in December 1998. Lynsey had been in an abusive relationship with her husband Mitchell, and he was the prime suspect. But when he invited a documentary crew into his home, people were intrigued and suspicious... would a guilty man really parade himself on television? The answer to this would shock everyone. This is Real. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Link for the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/robin-wilson-evil-wife-killer-mitchell-quy-due-for-release-help-keep-him-behind-bars Reference for advice on leaving an abusive relationship:  https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/i-am-planning-to-leave-my-abuser/ If you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims  https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men  https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland https://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for men  https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men  https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - Australia  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    30 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

Real is an independent true crime podcast made by award winning TV Producer Naomi Channell. Each episode is an audio documentary, telling a true crime story that is almost unbelievable. But these stories, are Real.  If you would like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

Information

  • Creator
    Naomi Channell
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Naomi Channell
  • Show Website
    REAL

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