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Artwork for Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Justin Shepherd
Black Dahlia
Elizabeth Short
Los Angeles
George Hodel
Mark Hansen
Robert Red Manley
California
Kidnapping
Sonya Massey
Justice System
Law Enforcement
Cleveland Torso Murders
Chicago
Los Angeles Examiner
Ruth Boulding
Hollywood Canteen
James Elroy
American Horror Story
Lie Detector Tests
Trauma

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 fol... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes19Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Latest Episodes

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 bo... more

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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 infamou... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 O... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

John Michael Jones
Private prison phone call collector and co-creator of Making Manson documentary
Making Manson (documentary)
Episode: What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?
Billie Mintz
Director of Making Manson
Peacock
Episode: What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?
Jesse Weber
Attorney, legal analyst, journalist, and broadcast host
Law&Crime, NewsNation
Episode: The Legal Analyst Millions Watch: Jesse Weber on True Crime, Trials, and Media
Allison Hope Weiner
Senior producer for News Nation and investigative journalist
News Nation
Episode: The Cases We Get Wrong | Allison Weiner on True Crime, Media, and Missteps
Darrell Scott
Father of Rachel Scott and founder ofRachel's Challenge
Rachel's Challenge
Episode: Columbine: Rachel Scott’s Father Speaks — The Truth About What Happened After
Kristi Krings
CEO of Rachel's Challenge
Rachel's Challenge
Episode: Columbine: Rachel Scott’s Father Speaks — The Truth About What Happened After
Justin Bihag
Former bounty hunter featured on Dog the Bounty Hunter; guest on this episode
Independent/Entrepreneur
Episode: All Bark, No Bite? The Reality Behind Dog the Bounty Hunter
E. Monique Smith
Survivor of trafficking; author and advocate
Independent
Episode: She Was Trafficked as a Baby… and Lived 50 Years Without Knowing Her Name | E. Monique Smith
Dewitt Gilmore
Relentless Aaron, subject of the episode, longtime promoter/entrepreneur and author
Episode: Diddy, Power, and Silence: What Relentless Aaron Says He Witnessed

Host

Justin Shepherd
Host of Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words; focuses on survivor and family voices, investigative insights, and ethical storytelling.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 148 ratings
  • Adams College story at VCU

    I feel bad for the parents but the dad is not good at storytelling or speaking in general- could not listen after a few minute.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    vc@0
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great stories but…

    He talks way too much about himself and his own opinions, his own stories, turning things back to him. At least cut some of those parts out even if you do minimal other cuts. It’s cringey hearing you talk over your guests and hog the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    teeeeeeeeeeeekle
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best podcast period

    Justin is amazing. He gives a voice to the victims and I always learn something I didn’t know before from each episode. He is the standard in true crime. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DC3Director
    United Statesa month ago
  • I’m the host and wanted to give a quick note

    If you’re new here, this isn’t a recap show.

    Most true crime podcasts tell the story. This one puts you in the room with the actual people who lived it. Survivors, family members, investigators, sometimes perpetrators and voices that don’t always get heard. Those are the ones telling these stories in their own words, the way they want it told, and it’s purposely unedited and unpolished.

    Some episodes are hard to listen to. They’re supposed to be. The goal isn’t just to inform you, it’s to mak... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JustInTheNickOfCrime
    United Statesa month ago
  • Poscasters phone is ringing

    Someones phone kept going off ringing during the podcast and originally thought it was the guest which happens. But come to find out its the actual podcaster and he never shuts his ringer off it just keeps going off. Crazy for a podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brittahhh
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great depth and empathy; a must-listen for those seeking context and accountability in true crime.
Engaging interviews that amplify voices rarely heard in crime coverage.
Sincere, thorough storytelling that goes beyond headlines, though pacing can be intense at times.
The host keeps conversations respectful and focused on the people affected by cases.

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48 Hours
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20/20
20/20ABC News
Serialously with Annie Elise
Serialously with Annie EliseAnnie Elise & Audioboom Studios

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?
Q: How did the tapes influence your view of who ordered the murders and the state of mind of Tex Watson?
They suggest that the traditional idea of a clear command from Manson is not supported by trial transcripts, and that drug use and personal psychology played a larger role in the night of the murders than the myth of mind control implies.
What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?
Q: What sparked your interest in revisiting the Manson case through these private tapes?
The archival conversations offered a chance to challenge the established narrative and to uncover a more nuanced truth about Manson, his followers, and the jury's perception, beyond sensational headlines.
The DNA Solving “Unsolvable” Cases (Including Kohberger) | Othram Labs
Q: Can you explain how you infer identity rather than confirm it, and what this means for traditional forensic testing that goes to court?
We infer identity by connecting a crime scene DNA to distant relatives and building a family-tree-based lead, which is then confirmed by traditional forensic testing to establish the probability, enabling court-admissible evidence.
The DNA Solving “Unsolvable” Cases (Including Kohberger) | Othram Labs
Q: So with the Kohberger case, how long after everything kind of started did you first start building a profile that linked back to him?
We received the DNA evidence the week of Thanksgiving, worked around the clock, built a profile in the first 24 hours, and began getting matches and answers back to law enforcement within the first 48 hours.
Columbine: Rachel Scott’s Father Speaks — The Truth About What Happened After
Q: How does Rachel's Challenge stay relevant to students in 2025 and beyond?
The program emphasizes universal human principles—kindness, compassion, empathy, hope, and connection—paired with practical actions like clubs, pantry and closet programs, and service opportunities that adapt to new contexts while keeping core values intact.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

What is Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful true-crime interview series that centers voices often left out of headline coverage. Across episodes, the host guides intimate conversations with survivors, family members, investigators, journalists, and insiders to surface the human impact of cases, examining how reporting, advocacy, and policy shape public understanding. Topics frequently touch on victims' perspectives, media ethics, the justice system, and movements that push for accountability and prevention, with an emphasis on careful, empathetic storytelling over sensationalism. The show is likely especially appealing to listeners who want to hear directly from those closest to the cases and appreciate nuanced, in-depth discussions that address systemic issues in crime ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words:

1. Frozen Files
2. Bridge of Lies
3. The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole
4. Blood Will Tell
5. Burden of Guilt

How many episodes of Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words are there?

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words launched 7 months ago and published 19 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words?

Recent guests on Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words include:

1. John Michael Jones
2. Billie Mintz
3. Jesse Weber
4. Allison Hope Weiner
5. Darrell Scott
6. Kristi Krings
7. Justin Bihag
8. E. Monique Smith

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