I Want You To Know

The National Center for Victims of Crime

Some stories don’t end when the headlines fade. They are just beginning. I Want You To Know is a powerful, trauma-informed true crime podcast that centers the voices too often left out of the narrative, victims and the people who love them. Hosted by Kristen Feden and Renee Williams, this series blends legal insight with deeply human storytelling to explore the lasting impact of crime long after the case is closed. Each episode dives into a real story through intimate conversations with victims and their families, uncovering the emotional, psychological, and often overlooked realities they continue to face. In a moment unlike anything else in true crime, every episode concludes with a powerful, uninterrupted victim impact statement. These are words spoken directly, honestly, and without limitation. This is more than a podcast. It is a space for truth, for healing, and for voices to finally be heard. Because these stories matter. And now, they get to be told the way they were always meant to be.

  1. 4d ago

    When Chaos Feels Like Love with June Berlinger

    What happens when the trauma you experienced as a child follows you into your relationships, your parenting, and every part of your adult life? In this episode, we are joined by June Berlinger, a nurse, survivor, and author, for an incredibly honest conversation about surviving abuse and finding a way forward. June shares what it was like to grow up surrounded by abuse, how those experiences shaped her self-worth and relationships, and why she found herself drawn to chaos and unhealthy relationships rather than the safety and kindness she deserved. We talk about the guilt and shame survivors often carry, how trauma can affect the way we trust and connect with others, and what it means to finally understand that the abuse was never our fault. We also talk about something that is so important: breaking generational cycles. June shares how becoming a mother changed her perspective, how she worked to protect her own children from the patterns she had experienced, and how years of counseling, support groups, education, and advocacy became part of her healing journey.  If you or someone you love has experienced abuse, I hope you'll listen to this episode knowing that you are not alone, your story matters, and there is hope beyond what you've survived. June has also created free resources for survivors and those who want to help them at RisingAboveTrauma.net, where you can find information from her book and additional support resources. Resources: Buy June's Book: https://www.risingabovetrauma.net/ June’s Website: https://www.risingabovetrauma.net/ Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

  2. Aug 21

    When Faith Is Betrayed: Diana Hernandez’s Story

    What happens when the person entrusted with guiding your faith becomes the person who betrays your trust? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Diana Hernandez, who shares her story of being sexually abused as a teenager by a Catholic priest who also served as a vice principal and disciplinarian at her high school. Diana opens up about the grooming that began when she was 16, how her vulnerability following her parents' divorce was exploited, and the complicated ways abuse can affect a survivor's sense of safety, identity, relationships, and faith. We also discuss how authority, secrecy, and institutional silence can allow abuse to continue for years. Diana shares what healing has looked like for her, how finding a community of fellow survivors changed her life, and what she would want other survivors to know if they are still carrying their stories in silence. Her message is clear: what happened to you does not define you, and healing happens on your own timeline. If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse, we hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone. Listen to Diana's story, share this episode with someone who may need to hear it, and continue creating space for survivors to be heard, believed, and supported. Resources: Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

  3. Aug 14

    D’Sean Perry: A Mother’s Story After the UVA Shooting

    A tragedy can become a headline in seconds, but for the families left behind, the story never ends. In this episode of I Want You To Know, we sit down with Happy Perry, the mother of D’Sean Perry, one of three University of Virginia student athletes killed on November 13, 2022. Happy shares the story of D’Sean beyond the tragedy: his creativity as an artist, his kindness as a friend and teammate, his role as a protector, and the dreams he was still building.  We talk about what happens when the news cycle moves on but a family’s grief remains, how losing a child changes everyday life, and why remembering the person behind the headline matters. Happy also opens up about turning unimaginable grief into advocacy, carrying on D’Sean’s passion for helping others, and fighting for gun safety and prevention. She talks honestly about the realities of grief, the triggers that can surface years later, the importance of giving yourself grace, and what she wants other families affected by violence to know. Resources: Learn more about the D’Sean Perry Foundation: dseanperry.com/  Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

  4. Aug 7

    I Live Here with Lori Poland

    Some stories make national headlines. The story that follows almost never does.  When Lori Poland was just three years old, her abduction made national headlines and captured the attention of the entire country. Decades later, Lori joins us in this episode to share the story the public never heard. Instead of focusing on the crime itself, this conversation explores what it means to grow up carrying a story that the world already thinks it knows. Lori opens up about reclaiming her identity beyond the headlines, navigating trauma that shaped her sense of self, and the lifelong process of healing. She shares what survivors truly need from the people around them, why justice is about more than a courtroom, how advocacy helped her reclaim her voice, and the powerful meaning behind her memoir, I Live Here. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, grace, and choosing to write your own story, no matter what has happened to you. Resources: Check out Lori's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1BPCSSX?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

  5. Jul 24

    The Caregiver's Game with Charles Wallace

    Some of the most devastating crimes begin with trust. In this episode, we’re joined by Charles "Chip" Wallace, author of The Caregiver's Game, to explore the quiet and often overlooked reality of financial elder abuse. After the death of his mother, Chip uncovered a trail of suspicious financial decisions, a rewritten will, and a pattern of manipulation that forced him into a years-long investigation.  We discuss how caregiving can slowly shift into control, why these cases are so difficult to recognize, and how predators exploit both emotional dependence and systemic blind spots before families even realize something is wrong. Chip shares the warning signs he wishes he had recognized sooner, the painful lessons he learned while fighting for answers, and why so many safeguards fail the very people they are supposed to protect.  Resources: Connect with Chip: https://thecaregiversgame.com/  Buy The Caregiver’s Game on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G322349C  Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

  6. Jul 10

    Chasing a Dream, Facing a Predator with Jayden Harris

    One young woman's dream of performing on stage became a fight to reclaim her voice. In this episode of I Want You To Know, Jayden Harris and her mother, Shannon, share the story behind Jayden's allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation while working as a teenage performer in Branson.  They open up about the warning signs that were easy to miss, the impact of manipulation and abuse, and the emotional toll that continued long after everything became public. This is about the realities of power imbalances, survivor silencing, and why healing looks different for every person. Jayden also shares how finding her voice transformed her pain into purpose. Rather than accepting a settlement that would have required her to remain silent, she made the courageous decision to refuse signing a non-disclosure agreement because, as she explains, healing could never come at the cost of losing her voice. Every conversation helps break the silence, raise awareness, and remind survivors that they are not alone. Resources: Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org   If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org  — This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Some stories don’t end when the headlines fade. They are just beginning. I Want You To Know is a powerful, trauma-informed true crime podcast that centers the voices too often left out of the narrative, victims and the people who love them. Hosted by Kristen Feden and Renee Williams, this series blends legal insight with deeply human storytelling to explore the lasting impact of crime long after the case is closed. Each episode dives into a real story through intimate conversations with victims and their families, uncovering the emotional, psychological, and often overlooked realities they continue to face. In a moment unlike anything else in true crime, every episode concludes with a powerful, uninterrupted victim impact statement. These are words spoken directly, honestly, and without limitation. This is more than a podcast. It is a space for truth, for healing, and for voices to finally be heard. Because these stories matter. And now, they get to be told the way they were always meant to be.