Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Justin Shepherd

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words is a podcast that strips away the sensational headlines and lets the people at the heart of true crime stories speak for themselves. From survivors and families to investigators, journalists, and insiders, these are raw, unfiltered conversations that rarely make it into mainstream coverage.Hosted by Justin Shepherd, a creator and advocate with millions of followers across platforms, Unheard brings a new dimension to true crime by centering voices that are often overlooked. Each episode offers an intimate, human perspective on cases that shocked communities, shaped public opinion, or exposed flaws in our justice system. This isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about listening. It’s about giving people the chance to reclaim their narrative, share their truth, and be truly heard.

  1. 2 hr ago

    When Prosecutors Break the Rules: Who Holds Them Accountable? | Iris Eytan

    Who holds the prosecutor accountable? Prosecutors are some of the most powerful people in our criminal justice system. They decide what charges to bring, what plea deals to offer and what evidence to put before a jury. But what happens when a prosecutor breaks the rules — or when the pursuit of a conviction comes at the expense of a defendant's constitutional rights? On this episode of UNHEARD, I sit down with Iris Eytan, a former Deputy State Public Defender and criminal defense attorney who spent nearly 30 years inside the criminal justice system. Iris has represented thousands of defendants and was part of Barry Morphew's defense team in a murder prosecution that became a national story and raised serious questions about prosecutorial conduct. Today, Iris is the Founder and CEO of Protect Ethical Prosecutors (PEP), a nonpartisan watchdog organization advocating for ethical prosecution and accountability when prosecutors engage in misconduct. We get into just how much power prosecutors actually have, why holding them accountable can be so difficult, prosecutorial immunity, wrongful convictions, the Morphew case, and what Iris believes needs to change. This isn't a conversation about being anti-prosecutor. It's a conversation about what accountability should look like when the people entrusted with enforcing the law are accused of breaking the rules themselves. 🎙️ UNHEARD: True Crime in Their Own Words Guest: Iris Eytan ABOUT PROTECT ETHICAL PROSECUTORS: PEP is working to document prosecutorial misconduct and advocate for greater accountability within the criminal justice system. Learn more, support their work, or find their social channels at: protectethicalprosecutors.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. 23 Jul ·  Bonus

    A Special Update for Our Listeners

    Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words returns in early August with brand-new episodes and incredible guests. In the meantime, please make sure you're following the podcast, leave a five-star review if you've enjoyed the show, and share it with someone who loves true crime. You can also support our mission by signing the petition to help end plea deals for child predators. You can find the petition at Change.org/EndPleaDeals If you're new here, I highly recommend starting with Episode 1 featuring Elizabeth Smart. Thank you for being part of this community. See you in August! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. 22 Jun

    My Nonverbal Son Was Being Abused and Couldn't Tell Me | Jessica Vestal

    When Jessica Vestal's son Dax started coming home with bruises and injuries, she knew something wasn't right. The problem was that Dax is nonverbal. He couldn't tell her what was happening. What Jessica eventually uncovered led to criminal charges, national attention, and difficult questions about how vulnerable children are protected when they can't speak for themselves. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Jessica shares Dax's story, the warning signs she saw, the fight for answers, and what happened after the truth finally came to light. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, for more conversations with the people at the center of the stories making headlines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. 15 Jun

    He Killed His Abuser and Went to Prison | David Garlock

    At 17 years old, David Garlock and his brother killed the man they say subjected them to years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The crime led to murder convictions and decades-long prison sentences. David ultimately spent more than 13 years behind bars before being released on parole. Today, he is a criminal justice reform advocate, speaker, and survivor who openly discusses what he calls the "trauma-to-prison pipeline"—the connection between childhood trauma, violence, incarceration, and rehabilitation. His story has drawn comparisons to the Menendez brothers, raising many of the same questions that continue to divide the public: Can someone be both a victim and an offender? How should courts evaluate years of abuse when a victim eventually becomes a perpetrator? What does accountability look like after taking a life? And can redemption exist after prison? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, David walks through the abuse he says he endured, the events that led to the killing, his years inside prison, and how he rebuilt his life after release. Whether you see his story as one of justice, tragedy, survival, or all three, it challenges many of the assumptions people hold about crime, punishment, and trauma. Listen now and decide for yourself. 🎙️ Subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on your favorite podcast platform. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. 8 Jun

    The Missing Person Case That Makes No Sense: Bryan Vladek Hasel

    On November 6, 2021, 22-year-old Vladek Hasel walked away from a coffee shop near the University of Central Florida and seemingly vanished. More than four years later, his family is still searching for answers. In this episode, I sit down with Vladek's sister, Bethany Hasel, to discuss the day her brother disappeared, the investigation that followed, the theories surrounding his case, and why she refuses to give up hope. This is not just the story of a missing person. It's the story of a family living through every unanswered question imaginable. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Vladek Hasel, please contact law enforcement immediately. Make sure to follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Follow Find Vladek Hasel on IG, FB and TikTok #VladekHasel #MissingPerson #TrueCrime #UnsolvedMystery #Missing #BryanHasel #ColdCase #Justice #CrimePodcast #JustInTheNickOfCrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  6. 1 Jun

    Mark Geragos on Diddy, the Menendez Brothers & Defending America's Most Controversial Clients

    Mark Geragos has spent more than three decades at the center of some of the most high-profile and controversial legal battles in America. From Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Winona Ryder, and Scott Peterson to Erik and Lyle Menendez, Geragos has represented clients whose names dominated headlines around the world. Most recently, he served as an advisor to Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team during one of the most closely watched federal trials in recent memory. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin sits down with one of America's most recognizable defense attorneys for a candid conversation about the justice system, celebrity defendants, media narratives, public perception, wrongful convictions, the Menendez brothers' fight for freedom, and the challenges of defending clients in the age of social media. Whether you agree with him or not, Mark Geragos has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest legal stories of our generation. Topics include: Sean "Diddy" CombsErik & Lyle MenendezMichael JacksonScott PetersonCelebrity trialsMedia influence on juriesThe court of public opinionHigh-profile criminal defenseAmerica's justice system 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people closest to the stories that captivated the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. 25 May

    George Floyd’s Uncle on Justice, Rage, and What Changed America

    On May 25, 2020, the world watched as George Floyd’s final moments sparked one of the largest social justice movements in modern history. Six years later, on the anniversary of his death, Unheard sits down with the man who has spent years carrying both the grief and the responsibility of keeping George’s name alive: his uncle, Selwyn Jones. In this deeply personal and emotional conversation, Selwyn speaks openly about the pain of losing George, the weight of becoming a public voice for his family, and the reality of fighting for justice in America long after the headlines fade away. But this episode goes far beyond one case. Selwyn and Justin Shepherd discuss systemic racism, police brutality, sentencing disparities, and the larger history that connects George Floyd to generations of injustice stretching back through the civil rights era and the murder of Emmett Till. Selwyn reflects on the courage of Mamie Till, the outrage that followed George Floyd’s death, and why accountability still remains elusive for so many families. The conversation also explores the emotional toll of activism, the failures within the justice system, the importance of speaking out, and why silence only allows injustice to continue. Throughout the episode, Selwyn shares raw personal reflections, difficult truths, and a message centered on courage, awareness, and action. This is not a political debate. It is a conversation about humanity, loss, accountability, and what happens when ordinary people decide they can no longer stay quiet. Follow and subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. 18 May

    What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?

    This isn't just another Charles Manson episode.... For decades, the name Charles Manson has been synonymous with evil. The media painted him as a master manipulator, a cult leader capable of controlling minds, and the face of one of the most infamous murder cases in American history. But what if the story the public was told was never the full story? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin Shepherd sits down with John Michael Jones — a man who developed a deeply personal relationship with Charles Manson over years of correspondence and conversations — alongside filmmaker Billie Mintz, director of the documentary Making Manson. Together, they explore the man behind the myth through unheard prison recordings, firsthand experiences, and years of research into one of the most controversial criminal cases in American history. The conversation challenges long-held beliefs surrounding the so-called “Manson Family,” the idea of mind control, and whether Manson became a scapegoat for a chaotic era America was desperate to make sense of. It also examines the role media narratives played in transforming Manson into something larger than life, often overshadowing the deeper complexities of the case itself. John Michael Jones shares what it was like communicating directly with Manson and witnessing sides of him the public never saw, while Billie Mintz discusses the process of creating Making Manson and the questions that emerged while digging through archival material, recordings, and decades of public mythology. The episode also dives into prison brutality, manipulation, redemption, societal fear, and the emotional burden carried by those connected to the case. At the center of it all is an important reminder: while history often turns killers into legends, the victims and the lives stolen should never be forgotten. This is not a glorification of Charles Manson. It is an attempt to understand how one man became a symbol, how narratives are shaped, and what happens when media mythology overtakes reality. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more long-form conversations with survivors, investigators, journalists, insiders, and voices rarely heard in mainstream coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words is a podcast that strips away the sensational headlines and lets the people at the heart of true crime stories speak for themselves. From survivors and families to investigators, journalists, and insiders, these are raw, unfiltered conversations that rarely make it into mainstream coverage.Hosted by Justin Shepherd, a creator and advocate with millions of followers across platforms, Unheard brings a new dimension to true crime by centering voices that are often overlooked. Each episode offers an intimate, human perspective on cases that shocked communities, shaped public opinion, or exposed flaws in our justice system. This isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about listening. It’s about giving people the chance to reclaim their narrative, share their truth, and be truly heard.

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