Somebody

Tenderfoot TV
Somebody

When Shapearl Wells's son Courtney is found outside a Chicago police station with a fatal bullet wound, Shapearl immediately distrusts the official narrative. So she launches her own investigation into her son’s murder and teams up with journalists from the Invisible Institute to confront the cops and find the truth about Courtney's death. Somebody explores the racial disparities and turbulent relationship between law enforcement and citizens in one of America’s largest cities. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV.

  1. Courtney

    EPISODE 1

    Courtney

    On March 4, 2016, Shapearl Wells wakes up to a bamming at her door. It’s the police, telling her that her 22-year-old son, Courtney Copeland, has been shot. Detectives tell her Courtney drove his BMW to a police station for help. But Shapearl’s grief turns into suspicion when police start asking her questions. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. For more information, go to somebodypodcast.com. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  2. The Nurse

    EPISODE 2

    The Nurse

    Police promise Shapearl they’ll do everything they can to solve Courtney’s case, but the detectives won’t release the names of officers who interacted with her son. With nowhere left to turn, Shapearl begins her own investigation and has a serendipitous run-in with the nurse who treated Courtney the night he died. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  3. The Police

    EPISODE 3

    The Police

    Shapearl enters a legal battle with the City of Chicago, to get them to release videos from the night Courtney died. She contacts a journalism organization called the Invisible Institute and teams up with them to investigate the case. With this added pressure, the city releases the videos, and Shapearl and her family gather to watch. New information prompts the Invisible Institute and Shapearl to re-examine the case. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
  4. The Secret Girlfriend

    EPISODE 4

    The Secret Girlfriend

    Shapearl and Alison sit down with Courtney’s secret girlfriend. Turns out, she knows more than she initially told Shapearl and provides new leads in the case. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. For more information, go to somebodypodcast.com. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  5. The Two-Year Anniversary

    EPISODE 5

    The Two-Year Anniversary

    On the second anniversary of Courtney’s death, Shapearl holds a middle-of-the-night protest in front of the police station. She drives the exact route that Courtney took the night he was killed, and runs into the supervising officer from that night. Two witnesses show up at the protest to tell Shapearl what they know. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. For more information, go to somebodypodcast.com. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min
  6. The Tipster

    EPISODE 6

    The Tipster

    Shapearl receives a Facebook message from someone with crucial information, but police dismiss the tip. On Halloween night 2018, there’s a similar murder in the neighborhood where Courtney was shot. Shapearl and Alison decide to tell detectives what they know. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. For more information, go to somebodypodcast.com. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  7. Shapearl

    EPISODE 7

    Shapearl

    Having taken her investigation as far as she can, Shapearl moves on to an even bigger fight: making sure this never happens to anyone else’s child. She travels to Brazil to speak at a summit of mothers of murdered children and works to honor Courtney’s legacy and advocate for police reform in new ways. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. Host: Shapearl Wells Producers: Alison Flowers and Bill Healy Story Editor: Sarah Geis Associate Producer: Ellen Glover Executive Producer, Invisible Institute: Jamie Kalven Executive Producers, Topic Studios: Maria Zuckerman, Christy Gressman and Leital Molad with Special Thanks to Lizzie Jacobs Supervising Producer, The Intercept: Roger Hodge Sound Design: Carl Scott and Bart Warshaw Mix Engineer: Michael Raphael Theme Song: “Everybody’s Something,” Chance the Rapper Additional Reporting: Sam Stecklow, Annie Nguyen, Kahari Blackburn, Rajiv Sinclair, Henri Adams, Matilda Vojak, Dana Brozost-Kelleher, Frances McDonald, Diana Akmakjian, Andrew Fan, Erisa Apantaku and Maddie Anderson. Translation Support: Benny Hernandez Ocampo and Emma Perez Fact Checking: Nawal Arjini Original Music: Eric Butler and Nate Fox of the Social Experiment Special thanks to Chaclyn Hunt, Maira Khwaja, Andrew Fan, Anwuli Anigbo, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Sukari Stone, Erisa Apantaku, Craig Futterman, Rick Rowley, Yanilda Gonzalez, Forrest Stuart, Mariah Garcia, Sarah Kinter, Shannon Heffernan, Aaron Moselle, Alan Mills, Vidura Jong-Bahadur, Jason Schumer, Justin Williams and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center, Matt Topic, Chris Rasmussen, Bennett Epstein, David Bralow and Julie Wolf. Elizabeth Van Brocklin's original story, "Scoop and Run: Where Cops Cars Double as Ambulances" first appeared in The Trace. Theme song “Everybody’s Something” by Chancelor J. Bennett and DJ Ozone with compositions by Roger Karsher, Chuck Magione and James Yancey of Universal Music Publishing Group and Slum Village (R.L. Altman III, Titus Glover/Baatin, J Dilla); recording artist/performance by Chance the Rapper, appearing courtesy of himself and Chance the Rapper LLC. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  8. "Democracy in the Streets," a Conversation with Shapearl Wells and Jamie Kalven

    BONUS

    "Democracy in the Streets," a Conversation with Shapearl Wells and Jamie Kalven

    Shapearl and Jamie sit down to talk about the uprising for Black lives happening in Chicago and around the nation, and their hope that this moment might translate to great positive change. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV. We want to hear from you, email us at info@somebodypodcast.com or leave us a voicemail at 773-270-0121. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
See All Season 1 (8)

Trailers

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Up and Vanished host and creator Payne Lindsey wants to talk you to death in his first “true crime” talk show (that may or may not actually be about true crime). Pull up a chair as Payne and guests talk about all things crime, life, mystery and fun. From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartRadio comes a new weekly series, Talking to Death. Take a listen… odds are, you won’t die.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • SOCIETY & CULTURE

  • In 2007, NBA referee Tim Donaghy was arrested for betting on games he officiated. It was the biggest scandal in American sports history, but it quickly faded from the headlines. Why? Because everyone in this scandal has something to hide. This isn't a story about basketball - it's a story about money, and a conspiracy that spans far beyond one referee. Sports journalist Tim Livingston takes you inside his eight-year odyssey to find the truth at the heart of the scandal. This is Whistleblower.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • SPORT

  • Discover real-life horror stories, from bizarre crimes to paranormal activity. These true stories are set inside the fictional world of Radio Rental, an 80’s video rental store run by an eccentric shopkeeper, Terry Carnation (Rainn Wilson). This imaginative, cult classic-inspired horror brand blurs the lines of reality, with cutting-edge documentary storytelling and a splash of comedy. From the mind of Payne Lindsey, this is Radio Rental.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • SOCIETY & CULTURE

  • Host Payne Lindsey heads to the edge of the arctic circle to investigate two mysterious disappearances from Nome, Alaska. Up and Vanished investigates mysterious cold case disappearances with each new season of the hit true crime franchise. Season 1: The case of missing South Georgia teacher, Tara Grinstead, led to two arrests. Season 2: The disappearance of Kristal Reisinger, a young mother who disappeared from a remote Colorado mountain town. Season 3: The North West Montana disappearance of Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, an indigenous woman who went missing from the Blackfeet Nation Indian Reservation. Season 4: The case of missing Alaska Native, Florence Okpealuk and missing 36-year-old Joseph Balderas.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • In Feb 2018, an aspiring actress vanished from her Hollywood apartment. Rolling Stone journalist Neil Strauss was asked to help the family get answers. Together, they found them...sometimes at great personal risk. Now the award-winning true crime podcast returns, unraveling the baffling and tragic case that started Neil Strauss down the rabbit hole of true crime investigation, along with his wife and his neighbors, Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger, and concert violinist Ann Marie Simpson. To Live and Die in LA Season 2 is available now. www.livediela.com

    • 5.0 (1)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • When a parent dies, they always leave something behind to their kids. For Alex Estrada it was a burning question: was his father involved in the 1973 murder of one of his business partners? The Estate is a true-crime documentary podcast series following Alex's search for the truth. A murder mystery, political conspiracy and family memoir, touching on race, the justice system and a pain that moves from one generation to the next. Produced by Sonoro in partnership with Tenderfoot TV.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

Join now for ad-free listening & exclusive content

US$4.99/mo or US$49.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

Hosts & Guests

About

When Shapearl Wells's son Courtney is found outside a Chicago police station with a fatal bullet wound, Shapearl immediately distrusts the official narrative. So she launches her own investigation into her son’s murder and teams up with journalists from the Invisible Institute to confront the cops and find the truth about Courtney's death. Somebody explores the racial disparities and turbulent relationship between law enforcement and citizens in one of America’s largest cities. A co-production of Topic Studios, The Intercept, the Invisible Institute, and iHeartRadio, in association with Tenderfoot TV.

Information

  • Channel
    Tenderfoot TV
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Episodes
    19
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Somebody
  • Provider
    Tenderfoot TV

More From Tenderfoot TV

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada