Secrets of the Underworld

Karen Teasdale grew up in a small village outside Newcastle, raised by a mother with what psychiatrists would later confirm was a psychopathic brain. From the age of four, Karen was beaten with a leather belt, isolated from friends, poisoned, and gaslit so relentlessly she lost all faith in herself. It went on for 48 years. In this episode of Secrets of the Underworld, Neil sits down with Karen to...

Haley Robson was sixteen years old when she was recruited into Jeffrey Epstein's orbit — approached at a beach resort by a classmate and driven to his Palm Beach mansion under the pretence of a $200 massage. What followed was two years of sexual abuse, coercion and psychological manipulation that would shape the course of her life. In this episode, Neil speaks with Haley about growing up in...

Megan grew up in Adelaide not caring much about school, not fitting in, and not following the rules — and she never really started. After a drug dealer boyfriend introduced her to a life where everything was paid for, she found her own way to keep it that way. What followed was a decade-long journey through Sydney's most notorious venues — massage parlours, brothels, strip clubs &mdash...

Suzanne Salloum grew up the youngest of ten children in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney — the only Lebanese girl in her school, navigating relentless racism, cultural isolation and the weight of an immigrant family finding its footing in Australia. What followed was a life lived defiantly in spaces that didn't want her — she did it anyway. In this episode, Suzanne opens up to Neil ab...

In April 2010, 21-year-old Pralav Dhyani was four months into his first voyage as a trainee deck officer when Somali pirates boarded his vessel. What followed was 332 days held hostage off the coast of Somalia — no contact with family, dwindling food and water, guns pointed at his head, and the devastating loss of a crewmate who didn't make it home. Pralav takes Neil inside the moment the sh...

In this special episode, competition winners Angela and Costa turn the tables on Neil — putting him in the hot seat with questions that cover 20 years of life in the shadows. From his first security job chasing shoplifters at Westfield Miranda to walking beside one of Sydney's most feared men, Neil opens up about the highs, the loyalties, and the cost of it all. He talks about what it was li...

She came from a small mining town with big dreams, a stubborn streak, and a whole lot of anger to burn. Desley "The Destroyer" Robinson was told girls don't box — so naturally, she went and became a two-time IBF/WBO World Middleweight Champion. In this episode, Neil sits down with Desley for a full-circle conversation that covers everything: growing up in Moranbah chasing athletics dreams sh...

In this episode, Neil sits down with Bondi Brat, the social media personality and OnlyFans creator known for her sharp humour and even sharper commentary on the adult industry. What starts as a chat about content creation quickly becomes something far deeper. Bondi Brat opens up about growing up in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs, dropping out of school, getting kicked out of home as a teenager a...

Neil sits down face-to-face with Russell Small — the Brighton-born DJ and producer whose fingerprints are all over some of dance music's biggest moments. From growing up with undiagnosed ADHD to Grammy nominations and co-producing tracks that hit number one in 19 countries (including a little something for Beyoncé), Russell's story is as raw as it is remarkable. In this one, they get...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Jamie's story. Imagine jumping from a burning plane, knowing it’s your only chance to survive. At 32, while serving in the armed forces, Jamie Hull faced this exact nightmare. He suffered life-threatening burns over 63% of his body and spent two years in the hospital recovering. In this episode, we dive into his incredible story...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains graphic discussions of murder, cannibalism, and disturbing psychological themes. Some listeners may find the content confronting or distressing. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this chilling episode of Secrets of the Underworld , host Neil Cummins sits down with French cannibal and convicted killer Nicolas Claux — a man whose crimes shocked...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Andrew's story. Neil sits down with Andrew, a former uni student turned mushroom dealer turned stand-up comic . They chat about growing up, selling drugs, getting arrested, and doing time — plus how Andrew turned prison life into punchlines. From public vs private prisons to performing behind bars, this raw and revealing convo i...

In this episode of Secrets of the Underworld, Neil Cummins sits down with Liverpool dance music pioneer Ian Redman, the driving force behind chart-smashing act Ultrabeat. From a dyslexic class clown in Crosby with a Sony Walkman glued to his ear, to headlining clubs at just 15 years old, Ian’s story is pure graft, hustle and Scouse belief. He opens up about sneaking into the DJ booth at The...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Andrew's story. Neil sits down with Andrew, a former uni student turned mushroom dealer turned stand-up comic . They chat about growing up, selling drugs, getting arrested, and doing time — plus how Andrew turned prison life into punchlines. From public vs private prisons to performing behind bars, this raw and revealing convo i...

In this harrowing episode of Secrets of the Underworld, Neil sits down with Colby Ryan, a man whose life was shattered by one of the most disturbing family crimes in modern American history. Colby opens up about growing up in a household shaped by instability, extreme religious beliefs, and quiet manipulation — long before the world came to know the names Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. From a...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Claudette's story. Claudette Douglas is a former member of the Australian Defence Force, in this episode she shares what it was like coming through the Army as a woman and the abuse she faced at the hands of soldiers and even her then partner. 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to the complete episode now on Secrets of the Underworld . Se...

In this episode, host Neil Cummins sits down with Gabbi Tuft, a former WWE wrestler whose life took an extraordinary and unexpected turn. From growing up bullied, to building an intimidating physique, to being signed by WWE and stepping onto one of the biggest stages in sports entertainment, Gabbi’s rise was fuelled by discipline, grit and raw ambition. Gabbi opens up about the brutal realit...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Jordan's story. Jordan Stephenson shares her story of betrayal, survival, and motherhood after an FBI investigation exposed a crime inside her own home. This is a raw account of trauma, resilience, and choosing to keep going. 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to the complete episode now on Secrets of the Underworld . See omnystudio.com/l...

In part two, Owen Pomana’s story goes deeper — and darker — before turning in an unexpected direction. From prison, homelessness, and the streets of Sydney, to faith, purpose, and operating in active war zones in Ukraine. This episode explores consequences, transformation, and what it means to find meaning after a life lived on the edge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Jordan's story. In this Best Of episode, Jordan explains how inmates slowly break down prison guards, the hidden dangers of escort work, and what it really costs to survive Sydney’s prisons. 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to the complete episode now on Secrets of the Underworld .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Owen Pomana’s life didn’t follow a straight line. In part one of this two-part episode, Owen takes us from a troubled youth and joining the New Zealand Navy, through discipline, violence, bodybuilding and a descent into the criminal underworld. This is the story of how a life built on adrenaline, fear, and survival began — long before redemption was even a possibility. See o...

In this episode, Neil Cummins sits down with Hector Lombard — Olympic judoka, MMA legend, and survivor in every sense of the word. From growing up in brutal conditions in Cuba, enduring family trauma and narrowly escaping death, to representing his country on the world stage and forging a life far from where he began, Hector speaks with brutal honesty. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Haze's story. ‘Haze The Huntsman’, is a 130kg Queensland Fighter who boasts 56,000 Tiktok followers. He is unmissable given his body is covered in ink representing both his Maori ancestry and Norse Pagan religion. In this episode he shares his story of fighting from a young age. 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to the comple...

In this episode of  Secrets of the Underworld , we revisit Ashton's story. Former Sydney hard-man, Neil 'The Muscle' Cummins takes you on a journey of insight into his time as a notorious Sydney heavy, Episode 2 introduces Ashton, A former First Lady of the Kings Cross night life! 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to the complete episode now on Secrets of the Underworld . See omnystudio.com/list...

From building pirate radio transmitters as a kid to shaping the sound of Wild FM , dominating Sydney’s nightclub scene, and conquering the UK with gold-selling albums and packed venues in Liverpool, Alex speaks openly about the moments that defined him. He reflects on loyalty, industry politics, fame, family, the pressures of success and the reality of surviving lockdowns as an artist when t...