Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Rachel Uchitel

New episodes every Tuesday at 12am EST New Patreon episodes every Saturday at 12pm EST This podcast will delve into the lives of those who have been reduced to a single headline. Each episode will take a closer look at the stories of those who are on a mission to change their narrative. Through raw and honest interviews, we will reveal the human behind the headline. Join me, as we uncover the truth behind the misconceptions, shed light on the stories of those who have perhaps been wrongfully portrayed, explore the complexities of the human experience, and celebrate the power of second chances.

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  1. 1d ago

    Dusty Turner: The Navy SEAL Wrongfully Convicted for 31 Years. Prison, Parole, and the Fight for Exoneration

    Want some more BTS bonus content of Miss Understood? Join our patreon for Post Show Podcasts, Monthly Merch Giveaways and Weekly Bonus Episodes! Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel Shop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com In 1995, twenty-year-old Navy SEAL Dusty Turner watched the man he trusted most — his SEAL Team “swim buddy” — murder a young woman in the back seat of his car. What followed was 31 years in a Virginia prison for a crime Turner didn’t commit: two trials, an 82-year sentence, a 2008 ruling that called him “actually innocent” (the first of its kind in Virginia history), and a Virginia Supreme Court reversal that sent him back to prison for 18 more years on what he calls a legal technicality. Paroled in March 2026, Turner sits down with Rachel Uchitel for his first extended interview since walking free — the SEAL “code” that kept him silent for a week, the polygraph strategy he used so the truth could surface without him breaking that code, what three decades inside 13 different facilities does to a person, and why he’s still fighting for full exoneration while living under sex-offender-registry restrictions for a crime he was never charged with. In this episode: • The night of June 18, 1995, and how it unraveled in under two minutes • Why Turner didn’t go to police — and the polygraph gambit he used instead • Learning years later that Billy Brown had confessed to the murder • Being ruled “actually innocent” in 2008 — and losing it again in 2011 • Training rescue dogs and growing an apple tree from a windowsill in solitary • Walking out of prison after 31 years, and what “paroled, not pardoned” really means • His new work with Veterans Healing Veterans, helping other wrongfully convicted vets Learn more and support Dusty’s fight for exoneration: https://www.freedusty.com/ Veterans Healing Veterans from the Inside Out: https://veteranshealingveterans.com/index.html --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us pr@missumedia.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Dusty Turner: The Navy SEAL Wrongfully Convicted for 31 Years. Prison, Parole, and the Fight for Exoneration
  2. Jul 28

    My Grandfather Was a Mob Boss: Jackie Orena’s Fight to Bring “Little Vic” Home

    🎧 Want more Miss Understood? Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes conversations, extended interviews and more. Visit the Miss Understood Patreon and become a member today. To the world, Victor “Little Vic” Orena became known as a powerful figure in New York’s Colombo crime family. To Jackie Orena, he was simply her grandfather. Jackie joins Rachel for a deeply personal conversation about growing up with the Orena name, the moment she realized her family wasn’t like everyone else’s, and why she has dedicated herself to fighting for her grandfather after more than three decades behind bars. Now elderly and suffering from serious health problems, Orena remains incarcerated—and Jackie is asking a difficult question: At what point should punishment give way to compassion? Rachel doesn’t shy away from the other side of the story. She challenges Jackie on her grandfather’s conviction, the victims connected to the case, whether Jackie is arguing for his innocence or simply asking for mercy, and how she responds to people who believe she was too young to understand the man her grandfather was accused of being. Jackie also reveals what she would say if she had five minutes with President Trump, why every rejection has made her fight harder, and whether her advocacy will continue even after her grandfather is gone. This isn't just a conversation about organized crime. It's about what happens when the person the world knows from headlines is the person you simply know as family. --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us pr@missumedia.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    My Grandfather Was a Mob Boss: Jackie Orena’s Fight to Bring “Little Vic” Home
  3. Jul 25 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    “It’s Us or Him!” Rachel’s Wild Political Dinner + Our AI Panic

    Rachel and George are back for another Patreon catch-up—and this one goes in a few unexpected directions. First, Rachel is officially worried the robots are taking over after reading about an alarming AI cybersecurity story, so George attempts to explain what an AI “escaping the sandbox” actually means… before security expert Dan Donovan makes a surprise appearance to give his take. Then Rachel finally spills on the night before: dinner aboard the boat with a candidate for Florida governor that somehow turned into political strategy, campaign advice, and a security showdown when Dan decided it was time to ask the question nobody else would: “So… is it us or him?” Rachel thought things were about to get VERY uncomfortable. Dan insists it was just business. Plus, Rachel reveals the advice she gave the campaign, whether The Rock is actually showing up to this weekend’s event (there may have been a very funny misunderstanding), George gives an update on his home studio, and we tease a huge upcoming Miss Understood interview. It’s politics, business, AI paranoia, behind-the-scenes chaos, and the usual Patreon oversharing. --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us pr@missumedia.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona

  4. Jul 24

    The Man Behind The Asher House Dog Sanctuary: Lee Asher’s Story, Told in Full

    With Lee Asher back in the news following the recent attention surrounding Velveteen, I wanted to bring back one of my favorite interviews. For those who aren’t familiar with him, Lee is the founder of The Asher House and one of the most influential voices in animal rescue today. Nearly 3 million people follow his work across Instagram and YouTube as he documents the realities of rescuing animals and running a sanctuary. Years ago, I interviewed Lee for Miss Understood. At the time, we released the conversation in two separate episodes. We’ve never published it as one complete interview—until now. The interview was recorded well before the recent Velveteen story, so it isn’t about the current headlines. This is a candid conversation about Lee’s childhood, how he built The Asher House, why he devoted his life to rescue, and what it’s really like caring for so many animals every day. One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Lee’s honest perspective on running an animal sanctuary. The biggest challenge often isn’t the animals—it’s the people. We talk about the emotional toll, public expectations, criticism, and the realities of rescue work that most people never see. Whether you’ve followed Lee for years or you’ve only recently discovered him because of the Velveteen story, this is the full interview you’ve never heard in one place. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Man Behind The Asher House Dog Sanctuary: Lee Asher’s Story, Told in Full
  5. Jul 21

    What It Means To Be A Man | Therapist Trey Tucker Explains

    Why do so many men struggle to open up? Why do relationships break down even when both people care? And what does "manning up" actually mean today? Rachel sits down with therapist and Rugged Counseling founder Trey Tucker for one of the most honest conversations we've had about masculinity, rejection, anxiety, childhood trauma, and why so many men quietly carry emotional burdens they never talk about. Together they explore how our earliest experiences shape who we become, why rejection affects us more than we realize, the differences between how men and women process emotions, and the misconceptions both sides have about each other. Whether you're trying to better understand yourself, your partner, your son, or the men in your life, this conversation challenges conventional thinking while offering practical insight into what healthy masculinity really looks like. In this episode: Why rejection hurts more than we realize The childhood experiences that shape adult relationships Why many men shut down emotionally What anxiety is actually trying to tell you Therapy, EMDR & modern mental health What "manning up" really means Why women often misunderstand men's emotional responses --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel Shop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us infomissunderstoodpodcast@gmail.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    What It Means To Be A Man | Therapist Trey Tucker Explains
  6. Jul 17 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Everything You Think You Know About Veneers Is Wrong | Dr. Tyler Hales

    Can a new smile really change your life? This week, Rachel sits down with renowned cosmetic dentist Dr. Tyler Hales, whose work has transformed the smiles of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and patients from around the world. From the biggest myths about veneers to the truth about "Turkey teeth," social media trends, and whether cosmetic dentistry is really worth the investment, Dr. Hales breaks down everything you've always wanted to know—but were afraid to ask. Rachel also shares her own experience as one of Dr. Hales' patients, giving listeners an inside look at the entire veneer process, from temporary teeth to the final smile transformation. In this episode, they discuss: Why most people misunderstand veneers Do dentists really shave your teeth into tiny pegs? How cosmetic dentistry has evolved The biggest mistakes people make when choosing a cosmetic dentist Celebrity smile transformations Why confidence starts with your smile The rise of social media dentistry and AI The future of cosmetic dentistry Whether you're considering veneers yourself or you're simply curious about how a smile can impact confidence, this conversation is packed with practical advice and surprising insights. --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel Shop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us infomissunderstoodpodcast@gmail.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona

  7. Jul 14

    This $150,000 School Promises Kids Will Make $1 Million… Or Your Tuition Back | Nat Eliason

    What if high school wasn't about preparing students for a job—but teaching them how to build a business instead? Rachel sits down with Nat Eliason, co-founder of Founders School, an innovative high school redefining what education can look like in the age of AI. For $150,000 per year, students spend their mornings learning through AI-powered instruction and their afternoons building real businesses alongside experienced entrepreneurs. The boldest promise? If students don't generate $1 million in gross profit by graduation, Founders School refunds their tuition. Rachel and Nat discuss: Why Founders School has no traditional teachers How AI is changing education Why students spend most of their day building businesses The admissions process and why families are turned away The $1 million guarantee explained Whether college is still necessary What skills today's kids actually need to succeed Whether you think it's the future of education or one of the boldest experiments ever attempted, this conversation will challenge the way you think about school, entrepreneurship, and preparing the next generation. Founders School Website: https://founders.school/ --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel Shop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel Email us infomissunderstoodpodcast@gmail.com Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4.5
out of 5
409 Ratings

About

New episodes every Tuesday at 12am EST New Patreon episodes every Saturday at 12pm EST This podcast will delve into the lives of those who have been reduced to a single headline. Each episode will take a closer look at the stories of those who are on a mission to change their narrative. Through raw and honest interviews, we will reveal the human behind the headline. Join me, as we uncover the truth behind the misconceptions, shed light on the stories of those who have perhaps been wrongfully portrayed, explore the complexities of the human experience, and celebrate the power of second chances.

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