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Artwork for Truth Be Told

Truth Be Told with Zara McDermott

Zara McDermott
Cocaine
The Children Of God
Banaz Mahmod
Domestic Abuse
Prison
Tony Coy
Fraud Prevention
Bekhal Mahmod
Police and Social Services
The Family International
Social Media
Restorative Justice
Credit Card Fraud
Identity Theft
Mitcham, United Kingdom
Honor-Based Abuse

In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget. Catch new episodes every We... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes7Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Truth Be Told

Latest Episodes

In 2006, Bekhal's younger sister Banaz was murdered by her family in the name of so-called ‘honour’ after leaving an arranged marriage and beginning a relationship of her own choosing.

Bekhal later gave evidence in court against her father, uncle an... more

Support Resources:R eport Fraud -- 0300 123 2040 reportfraud.police.uk We Fight Fincrime -- wefightfincrime.com

Tony Sales is one of the only people in the world to have ever worked at both the highest level of organised fraud and at the forefront o... more

In 2011, Jacob Dunne threw a single punch on a night out that turned fatal, landing him in prison and changing both his life and his victim's family's lives forever. After his release, he connected with his victim's parents through restorative justic... more

Support Resources:

Samaritans -- 116 123 -- samaritans.org.uk

Child Bereavement UK -- 0800 02 888 40 --childbereavementuk.org

Drinkline -- 0300 123 1110

Adfam -- adfam.org.uk

In 2022, Ellen's life was forever changed by the tragic death of her 1... more

Support Resources:

Samaritans -- 116 123 -- samaritans.org.uk

Frank Stedman was working as a drug dealer in Essex when he was caught by the Serious Organised Crime Agency in one the biggest undercover drug stings in British history.

After a stint... more

At 17, Natasha Saunders met John: an older man who swept her off her feet with his flattery, charm and constant communication. Within a few months, the new couple had moved in together, gotten engaged and were due to have a baby. This sudden escalati... more

Support Resources

Childline -- 020 7616 9999

childline.org.uk

Samaritans -- 116 123

samaritans.org.uk

Juliana Bühring was born into a notorious, global cult founded by David Berg in the 1960s. Removed from her parents' care at the age of three, ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Bekhal Mahmod
Sister of Banaz Mahmod, eyewitness and survivor
Family of Banaz Mahmod
Episode: 'My Family Killed My Sister': Surviving Honour-Based Abuse
Tony Coy
Former Britain's Greatest Fraudster turned fraud prevention expert
Independent, later fraud prevention advocacy
Episode: From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million
Frank Stedman
Former Essex-based drug dealer and undercover bust participant
Personal history in drug trafficking
Episode: Ex Gangster On The £80 Million Drug Deal That Got Him Arrested

Host

Zara McDermott
Host of Truth Be Told with Zara McDermott

Top Documentary Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'My Family Killed My Sister': Surviving Honour-Based Abuse
Q: What does honor-based abuse mean, and how is it understood in your experience?
Bekhal explains that honor-based abuse is a cultural mechanism used to minimize perceived shame on the family by controlling a woman's behavior, restricting her autonomy, and punishing acts seen as bringing dishonor, with violence historically used as a control tactic.
From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million
Q: What changed after you came out of prison?
He decided to redirect his skills toward helping victims and law enforcement, building training and awareness to stop younger generations from becoming victims of economic crime.
From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million
Q: What led to the shift from crime to fraud prevention later in life?
A lifetime of experience and a moment in prison gave him a perspective that allowed him to see rehabilitation as a path, leading to work in loss prevention and advocacy against fraud.
From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million
Q: How much money were you earning when you were younger?
He indicates substantial sums, noting a half-million pounds found under his bed and later large-scale earnings as part of a growing criminal operation.
From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million
Q: How old were you when you were introduced to the world of crime?
He describes starting around seven or eight, guided by older peers who pulled him into theft and eventually escalated to more serious crimes.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Truth Be Told

What is Truth Be Told about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on people who have lived through extraordinary, high-stakes experiences—crime, cults, abuse, and transformative personal journeys. Episodes often blend first-person storytelling with investigative context, exploring themes like accountability, resilience, restorative justice, and the societal impact of traumatic events. Guests commonly share intimate moments—from violent mistakes and undercover encounters to escaping coercive control—while discussing the path to healing, advocacy, and preventing others from following similar paths. The show frequently highlights how personal histories intersect with legal, policy, and community responses, making it a compelling listen for audiences interested in human impact, justice ref... more

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Truth Be Told launched 2 months ago and published 7 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 Truth Be Told?

Recent guests on Truth Be Told include:

1. Bekhal Mahmod
2. Tony Coy
3. Frank Stedman

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