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Artwork for The Surgeon Of St Helena

The Surgeon Of St Helena

Always True Crime
Pitcairn Island
Child Sexual Abuse
Legal Trials
St Helena
Abuse
Wondery Plus
Cultural Justifications
Pitcairn Trials
Naval Mutiny
Journalism
Simon Moore
Sergio Villatoro Bran
Police Investigation
Bounty
Statutory Rape
Pitcairn
Operation Unique
Glenda
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Child Protection

What happens when a dangerous surgeon arrives on one of the world’s most remote islands? How much damage can he do before he is stopped?

St Helena is a small British island in the South Atlantic, over 1000 miles from the nearest landmass. It is famous for hosting Napoleon in exile, and boasts the world's oldest living land animal, Jonathan the tortoise, as one of its residents.

But this tiny Briti... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes19Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentaryTrue Crime

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Artwork for The Surgeon Of St Helena

Latest Episodes

Luke plans to travel to St Helena to meet Dr Sergio Villatoro Bran’s victims, but unexpectedly the airport closes. Leaving the population of the island stranded.

He takes us back to 2023, when the criminal charges against Sergio were mounting. But w... more

Could Dr Sergio be part of a bigger picture? Why are some of the doctors who came before him on the island also dogged by horrible stories of malpractice?

Luke hears the story of two women on St Helena who suffered badly at the hands of a different ... more

Dr Sergio Villatoro Bran was arrested, but someone seemed intent on helping him get off the island. 

Meanwhile, Bernard and Sandra started speaking to Sergio’s patients, and a troubling pattern emerged. Why would some hospital staff not speak to the... more

After the release of The Pitcairn Trials, Luke received emails about another British Overseas Territory - St Helena. They told a shocking story of medical negligence, criminality and social divide. 

Luke meets retired Met police officers Bernard and... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Ruth Powell
Criminal defense/legal professional involved in the case
Lawyer, Central London law firm
Episode: Driftwood
Mark Willems
Barrister who represented clients in the case
Barrister, UK
Episode: Driftwood
Catherine Turner
Head of Human Rights Commission on St Helena
Human Rights Commission, St Helena
Episode: Driftwood
David Jeremiah
Former Attorney General of St Helena
St Helena government
Episode: Driftwood
Bernard McCabe
Retired detective, Metropolitan Police
Former Met Police
Episode: The Bone Man
Sandra McCabe
Former Metropolitan Police Officer
Metropolitan Police
Episode: The Bone Man
Simon Moore
Public prosecutor involved in the Pitcairn trials
Episode: The Aftermath
Iona Thomas
Current governor of Pitcairn
British Government
Episode: The Aftermath

Host

Luke Jones
Luke Jones is a journalist and presenter known for his empathetic storytelling style. His ability to navigate sensitive topics with depth and care makes him a compelling host for the series, particularly as it explores difficult narratives of abuse on Pitcairn Island.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 561 ratings
  • Give it a chance!!

    Might take a replay of episode 1…or not but it requires focus and attention. Not only to the podcast but to the matter of the podcast. Very interesting and sadly mostly unknown. Brave ladies. Bless Glenda for her participation of such difficult personal attacks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doobeedi
    Canada3 months ago
  • I don’t know which is worse

    Ok this is such a typical British interpretation and frankly I don’t know which is worse, the crimes of Pitcairn, the shortsighted colonial point of view, or the awfully disgusting commercials aimed at it’s audience.

    It’s all so imperialist and barfy

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    oldjohnhall
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent primary and secondary research, the first hand accounts are grueling but important. Very well done. I hope all the survivor-victims know peace.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    wonkledonkle
    3 months ago
  • Very good!

    So well narrated and researched.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Uglybatty
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Heartbreaking

    Thank you for telling the true stories of the Pitcairn abuses of children, especially young girls.

    I had no idea of the trial and the history of the small island community beyond the film version about the Mutiny on the Bounty, which seemed romantic, and yet this is how the culture borne out of that historical era ended up.

    Thank you especially for allowing Glenda to tell her story, bless her. What a heroine she is for standing up and telling the truth of what happened to her, which also was... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NickLaurensMom
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the emotional impact of the series resonates strongly, leaving listeners moved and reflective about the subjects discussed.
Listeners commend the podcast for its thorough and engaging storytelling, especially praising the sensitive handling of traumatic subject matter.
Critics express frustration with the paywall and early subscription model, though they recognize the podcast’s quality despite this.
Many reviews highlight the quality of journalism and personal anecdotes from survivors, emphasizing the importance of ethics in storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#221
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#123
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#87
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#178
France/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Your Questions Answered
Q: Did it at any point make you want to go however many miles away it is?
Absolutely, the unique nature of Pitcairn is undeniably fascinating and exploring its current society would be intriguing.
Your Questions Answered
Q: How has Glenda felt about the series since it's been released?
Glenda has listened to most of it and appears pleased with her story being shared, emphasizing the need for detailed and truthful representation.
Your Questions Answered
Q: What's the response been like for you?
The response has been really good, with many listeners reaching out after each episode with shock and engagement as the story unfolds.
The Aftermath
Q: Would you say that's working?
Iona Thomas expressed optimism that the new child safeguarding measures are working, indicating that the community now knows where to get help and feel safer.
White Wigs and Red Dirt
Q: How did you find Glenda? How did she seem?
She was certainly prepared for the trial but also nervous and anxious about it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Surgeon Of St Helena

What is The Surgeon Of St Helena about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate and harrowing narrative of familial abuse and legal trials, this podcast sheds light on the traumatic events surrounding Pitcairn Island, a remote British territory with a fascinating history rooted in naval mutiny. Listeners are taken through a series of episodes detailing the emotional and legal repercussions faced by the community as they confront the alarming allegations of child sexual abuse. The podcast is notable for its sensitive portrayal of personal accounts from survivors, particularly Glenda, who bravely reveals her story and engages in the broader discussions surrounding child protection and community resilience.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Surgeon Of St Helena?

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How many listeners does The Surgeon Of St Helena get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Surgeon Of St Helena?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Surgeon Of St Helena:

1. The Binge Cases: U R NEXT
2. Bone Valley
3. The Expert Witness from Uncover
4. We call her Emma | Tortoise Investigates
5. The Binge Crimes: The Poet

How many episodes of The Surgeon Of St Helena are there?

The Surgeon Of St Helena launched 2 years 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.

How do I contact The Surgeon Of St Helena?

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What guests have appeared on The Surgeon Of St Helena?

Recent guests on The Surgeon Of St Helena include:

1. Ruth Powell
2. Mark Willems
3. Catherine Turner
4. David Jeremiah
5. Bernard McCabe
6. Sandra McCabe
7. Simon Moore
8. Iona Thomas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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