Behind the Filter

Johnette Cruz

We love authenticity....we love a centrist point of view and we don’t follow a specific narrative. We're about having real, unfiltered conversations about society, culture and life! Behind the Filter is about creating strong connections, having meaningful discussions and sharing stories that can cultivate a sense of community. Follow us and subscribe to get the latest content and news related to lifestyle along with trending topics and viral stories Learn more at johnettecruz.com

  1. 21H AGO

    After Dark Edition :: What Netflix Didn't Show

    The world knows her as the "39-year-old virgin" from Netflix’s Age of Attraction, but there is so much more to Ashley’s story than a viral headline. In this kickoff to our special Age of Attraction After Dark series, we’re peeling back the filters and diving deep into the deleted scenes that finally tell the whole truth. Plus, we introduce our official series sponsor, Zero FKS Drinks. We’re talking about how to stay social and present without the sugar, the calories, or the soul-crushing hangover. Zero FKS is the gamechanger you’ve been waiting for.

    53 min

  2. 6D AGO

    The Daughter Who Solved Her Mother’s Murder

    In this deeply personal and technical episode, we sit down with Megan Tomlinson to discuss a journey that feels like it was written for a true crime script—except it was her reality. Megan spent years teaching herself Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) to help find missing persons, never realizing she would eventually use those exact tools to solve her own mother’s murder. We also pull back the curtain on the Hailey Buzbee case. Megan shares her involvement in the search for Hailey and the legislative push for Hailey's Law. We discuss the terrifying reality of digital grooming, why "runaway" labels are costing children their lives, and what parents need to know about the shift toward encrypted messaging apps.

    1h 14m

  3. APR 2

    After Dark Edition :: Spilling Reality Tea at 3UP

    The filter is coming all the way off! This week, Johnette and Ashley took the podcast on the road to the award-winning 3UP Rooftop Lounge in Carmel, Indiana. Joining the table is the hilariously unfiltered Erin from the Netflix hit show Age of Attraction. The ladies dive deep into why women often feel the need to "tone it down" for men, the hilarious "grandpa words" that kill the mood instantly, and the powerful therapy session that changed Erin’s life forever. Whether you’re navigating the dating apps, recovering from "church hurt," or just looking for the best rooftop vibe in Indy, this episode is your ultimate girls' night out.

    1h 7m

  4. MAR 28

    Unfiltered Weekly :: Vanished in Indy; A Daughter's Fight for April Marie Garcia

    This week on Unfiltered Weekly we dive into the disappearance of April Marie Garcia who walked out of her home on the South Side of Indianapolis on April 1, 2025 and hasn't been seen since. She left behind her identification, her cell phone, and the life-saving epilepsy medication she needs to survive. For nearly a year, her family has been trapped in a nightmare of unanswered questions, cruel ransom scams, and a shifting narrative that just doesn't add up. In this episode, we chat with April’s eldest daughter, Alexis Ibarra, who joins us from California. Alexis shares the "unfiltered" truth about her mother—a woman who loved to dance, write in her journals, and find community among the unhoused—and the volatile environment she was living in before she vanished.

    47 min

  5. MAR 19

    After Dark Edition - No Matter What: Faith, Netflix, and Finding My Voice

    While the cameras only captured a glimpse of her time on screen, on Age of Attraction; Ashley’s story was far too powerful to stay hidden. In an inspiring masterclass on reclaiming your narrative, Ashley took to TikTok to share her authentic truth—her proud choice to remain a virgin until marriage at 39. What started as a personal moment of vulnerability blossomed into a global sensation, capturing the hearts of major outlets like TMZ, Us Weekly, and The Daily Mail.

    1 hr

  6. MAR 18

    Disability Awareness Month: A Deep Dive with Sycamore Services CEO Yolanda Kincaid

    What does it mean to truly "push pause" for inclusion? In honor of Disability Awareness Month, we sit down with Yolanda Kincaid, CEO of Sycamore Services, to discuss the vital work of supporting Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From "First Steps" therapies for infants to navigating the daunting "cliff" of adulthood at age 22, Yolanda shares how Sycamore has spent 65 years bridging the gaps in our community.

    50 min

  7. MAR 12

    After Dark Edition :: Dirty Laundry, Secret Settlements, and Childhoods Interrupted

    In this "After Dark" edition, Ashley and Johnette dive into the darkest, weirdest, and most controversial corners of social media and reality TV. We’re moving past "emotional support chickens" and diving straight into a habit that left us speechless: a woman addicted to the scent of her father’s dirty laundry. Then, we shift gears to a chilling investigation into a modern-day "segregation" settlement in the Ozarks. Finally, we tackle the ethics of reality TV. From a 12-year-old father on TLC’s Unexpected to the "legalized trafficking" of Courtney Stodden’s 2011 child-bride scandal.

    47 min

  8. MAR 7

    Unfiltered Weekly :: Stories Behind Indiana’s Prison System

    In this Unfiltered Weekly edition of Behind the Filter, Johnette Cruz pulls back the curtain on the Indiana Department of Correction. What started as a viral TikTok investigation has evolved into a massive archive of harrowing testimonials from former staff, medical professionals, and families of the incarcerated. From allegations of sexual assault and retaliation, Johnette explores why the system is failing those on both sides of the bars. We also sit down with King, a former inmate and activist, to discuss his Change.org petition and the fight for basic human rights within Indiana’s walls.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

We love authenticity....we love a centrist point of view and we don’t follow a specific narrative. We're about having real, unfiltered conversations about society, culture and life! Behind the Filter is about creating strong connections, having meaningful discussions and sharing stories that can cultivate a sense of community. Follow us and subscribe to get the latest content and news related to lifestyle along with trending topics and viral stories Learn more at johnettecruz.com

Information

  • Creator
    Johnette Cruz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Johnette Cruz 2024
  • Show Website
    Behind the Filter

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