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. 2d ago

    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.

    38 min

  2. May 25

    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.

    1h 32m

  3. May 18

    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.

    1h 45m

  4. May 11

    The Legal Analyst Millions Watch: Jesse Weber on True Crime, Trials, and Media

    This week on Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, I sit down with Jesse Weber, attorney, legal analyst, host, and one of the most recognized voices in true crime and courtroom coverage today. Known for his work with Law&Crime, CourtTV, NewsNation, national television appearances, and extensive coverage of high profile criminal trials, Jesse joins me for an in depth conversation about some of the biggest cases dominating headlines, the evolution of true crime media, courtroom strategy, and what really happens behind the scenes when the cameras are rolling. From livestreamed trials and internet sleuthing to the ethical line between reporting and entertainment, this is a raw and honest discussion between two people who spend their lives immersed in some of the darkest and most talked about stories in the country. We also discuss the pressure of live television, the responsibility that comes with covering victims and defendants in real time, and why certain cases explode into national obsessions while others disappear from public attention. If you follow criminal trials, breaking news, legal analysis, or the modern true crime landscape, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Follow and subscribe to Unheard on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are available. Be sure to leave a review and turn notifications on so you never miss an episode. #JesseWeber #LawAndCrime #TrueCrime #Podcast #UnheardPodcast #CourtTV #NewsNation #LegalAnalysis #CriminalJustice #TrialCoverage #BreakingNews #TrueCrimeCommunity #JustinShepherd #CrimeNews #HighProfileCases See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 11m

  5. May 4

    The DNA Solving “Unsolvable” Cases (Including Kohberger) | Othram Labs

    There are cases that sit for years, sometimes decades, with no answers. No suspect, no clear direction, and no path forward. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs, to break down how advanced DNA technology is being used to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Othram specializes in working with extremely limited or degraded DNA, evidence that, until recently, would have gone nowhere. Their work has helped identify unknown victims, generate new leads in cold cases, and push investigations forward when traditional methods failed. That includes playing an instrumental role in the process that helped connect DNA evidence to Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho four case, using an incredibly small amount of touch DNA. In this conversation, Dr. Mittelman explains how this technology works, what people often misunderstand about DNA evidence, and how forensic science is rapidly evolving. More importantly, this episode looks at what all of this means for the future, where cases that once had no path forward may now have one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 5m

  6. Apr 27

    The Cases We Get Wrong | Allison Weiner on True Crime, Media, and Missteps

    There’s the version of a case you see… and then there’s what’s actually happening while it’s unfolding. In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Weiner, an investigative journalist who’s spent years covering high-profile cases in real time, not after the fact, not cleaned up for a documentary, but as they’re happening. We get into cases like Holly Bobo case and Amy Harwick case, but this isn’t about retelling what happened. It’s about everything that happens around it. How quickly narratives form. How pressure, whether it’s media, law enforcement, or public opinion, can shape the direction of a case. And how hard it is to undo that once it starts. We also talk about the impact on victims’ families, what people misunderstand about investigative reporting, and where the line is in true crime, and what happens when it gets crossed. This is one of those conversations that makes you step back and question how these stories are told… and what you think you know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    48 min

  7. Apr 18

    Columbine: Rachel Scott’s Father Speaks — The Truth About What Happened After

    The Columbine High School shooting changed everything, but what came after is a story most people don’t fully understand. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting, shares what happened after that day, how his family coped with unimaginable loss, and how Rachel’s story became a movement that has impacted millions. This is not only a conversation about Columbine. It’s about what came next. Darrell walks through the creation of Rachel’s Challenge, a program focused on kindness, compassion, and preventing violence in schools, which has now reached more than 30 million students and parents. Alongside Kristi Krings, we talk about bullying, mental health, forgiveness, and what schools, parents, and communities can actually do to change the culture for the next generation. We also get into what people still misunderstand about Columbine, the long-term impact on families, and why Rachel Scott’s message continues to resonate decades later. If you think you understand Columbine, this conversation will challenge that. Make sure you subscribe as we continue bringing you real conversations with the people directly connected to the stories you think you know. SUPPORT RACHEL'S CHALLENGE https://rachelschallenge.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 1m

  8. Apr 13

    All Bark, No Bite? The Reality Behind Dog the Bounty Hunter

    What does it actually look like to chase fugitives for a living… and then have your life turned into a television show? In this episode, I sit down with Justin Bihag, someone who didn’t just appear on Dog the Bounty Hunter… he lived it. We get into what most people never saw. Not the edited version. Not the dramatized version. The reality of what it took to track people down, what those apprehensions actually felt like in the moment, and how quickly everything changed once cameras showed up. We break down the case that put everything on the map, the capture of Andrew Luster, and why that moment became bigger than just one fugitive. It shifted public perception of bounty hunting entirely and turned a dangerous, unpredictable job into something the world suddenly couldn’t stop watching. But the part that stuck with me most isn’t the fame. It’s what came after it. Because when the cameras stop, life doesn’t. Justin talks openly about the pressure, the personal struggles, the hits his life took behind the scenes, and what it’s like trying to rebuild when people think they already know your story. Addiction, scrutiny, relationships, identity, none of it wrapped up neatly when the show ended. And then there’s the comeback. We get into how he found his way back through music, why that outlet matters, and what it takes mentally to keep moving forward when you’ve already lived multiple versions of your life in the public eye. There’s also something else in this conversation that I think people will connect with, the idea of resilience that isn’t polished or performative. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. And it’s real. This isn’t just about reality TV. It’s about what reality actually looks like when the cameras aren’t rolling. Follow and subscribe for more stories that deserve to be heard. These stories don’t get told unless people are willing to listen. New episodes drop every Monday at 2:00pm Central See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 14m
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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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