True Crime and Hollywood: A Personal Tale

Content Note: This episode discusses sexual assault, drug-facilitated harm, and domestic violence. Some parts may feel out of sequence due to required legal updates and safety edits.  In this special bonus episode, Celene Beth sits down with Sherri Papini for a grounded, compassionate conversation that moves beyond sensational coverage to focus on the human reality of surviving trauma under nation...

This Wednesday, November 26th, listeners are invited into a conversation that moves far beyond headlines and public narratives. In this special bonus episode, Celene Beth sits down with Sherri Papini for a grounded, compassionate discussion centered on Sherri’s experiences, her reflections, and the complex realities of navigating a highly publicized trauma. Their dialogue also acknowledges their s...

Content Note: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, drug addiction, child abuse, and human trafficking. Please take care of yourself and step away if you need to. Your well-being matters. Thank you for being here and for supporting this safe space. In this powerful and inspiring bonus episode, Celene Beth shares space with Marina Lacerda, a survivor, mother, and...

In this powerful season finale of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with director, producer, and award-winning journalist Nicole Noren for the very first time to talk about LISTEN, the ESPN documentary that told the story of Lauren McCluskey’s life, advocacy, and tragic case. Together, they reflect on their intersecting journeys involving Lauren’s story, the personal a...

Content Note: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and other themes of violence against women. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, resources are listed below in the episode summary. Quincy Durkin is a queer aspiring filmmaker who found her voice on social media after a life-altering experience at her first full-time job. What began as an excitin...

True crime producer Rachel Giberman returns for her second personal tale on the podcast, continuing a conversation shaped by her years of experience both in the field and behind the scenes. As one of our previous guests, Rachel reflects on some of the more difficult moments in her career and the ongoing need to advocate for herself and others in an industry. In this episode, Rachel shares more sto...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Celene Beth is joined by Anne Marie Hauben, a survivor of sexual assault, to discuss the lasting impact of experiencing such trauma at just 18 years old. Anne shares her story of being assaulted during a high school trip to Bermuda, an experience made even more painful by the fact that her assailant later became a local politician. Together, Celene and...

In this episode, Celene Beth welcomes back another member of the  In Pursuit with John Walsh  family—Kyle Joyce. A seasoned cameraman and former aspiring comic, Kyle brings a unique blend of emotional insight and unexpected humor to the conversation. His work behind the lens has helped tell some of the most powerful stories on television, from the intense kitchens of  Chopped  to the justice-drive...

Trigger Warning: Please note, this episode contains discussions of sexual violence, suicide, conversion therapy, self-harm, and other mature and potentially distressing themes. Listener discretion is heavily advised. In this deeply impactful episode, Celene Beth sits down with Zachary Mallory, a survivor, speaker, and change maker who’s turning pain into purpose. Zachary (he/they) is a survivor of...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of sexual assault, suicide ideation, and murder. Listener discretion is advised. This week on Off-Script, Celene Beth welcomes back Lauren Skae to dive into the chaotic trio of Billy Jensen, Armie Hammer, and Jessica Reed Kraus—three public figures clinging to relevance by distorting truth and avoiding accountability. In a raw moment, Celene share...

In this episode, memoirist and essayist Laura Donovan joins Celene Beth to talk about her path from digital journalism to true crime and personal storytelling. Laura, who once served as the social media manager for  Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen , shares what it was like working in the fast-paced world of true crime TV—including her experience collaborating with Billy Jensen, a former fixtur...

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Bill Thomas, the older brother of Cathy Thomas—one of the victims of the Colonial Parkway Murders—shares his journey of grief, advocacy, and the pursuit of justice. Cathy, along with her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski, was tragically murdered in 1986, their bodies discovered in a remote area along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia. Their deaths remain part o...

Things have taken a serious turn for Jessica Reed Kraus, aka HouseinHabit, as her grift unravels in a very public way. In this episode, Lauren Skae joins Celene Beth to discuss the explosive events of the past week, which have brought people from all political backgrounds together in the wake of Jessica's actions. From the fallout with her closest friends and ghost conspiracy theory writers to her...

In this insightful episode of Off-Script, Celene Beth is joined by the one and only, Christl Stringer, a filmmaker, artist, visionary, and a wealth of knowledge, to discuss the complexities of consuming true crime media as women of color. They explore how marginalized communities, particularly Black individuals, are portrayed in documentary narratives, with a discussion on The Stroll  (directed by...

In this episode, Amanda Edwards and Celene Beth delve into the often-overlooked mental health implications of working in the creative arts. Drawing from Amanda’s extensive background in dance, theater, and mental health, the conversation explores how trauma impacts not only survivors but also creatives, actors, and crew members. Amanda shares her journey from her childhood in the studios of New Je...

**Please note this episode discusses murder, crimes committed against children, sexual assault, and other mature themes. Listener discretion is heavily advised.** In this episode, Celene Beth and Callahan Walsh sit down for the first time since wrapping season 4 of In Pursuit with John Walsh . Callahan, the son of NCMEC co-founders John and Revé Walsh, has been a tireless advocate for missing and...

In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Yoshi Telles, a field coordinator whose career spans some of the biggest projects in entertainment, including iconic game shows, Below Deck , and most recently, the Beyoncé Bowl , a massive, high-stakes production that required Yoshi’s unparalleled coordination and dedication. As an integral member of the In Pursuit with John Walsh field team for Season...

In this episode, Celene Beth takes us on a journey that’s deeply personal and transformative. She shares how she grew up on the streets of Main Street in Park City as a Parkite, with Sundance shaping much of her life and career. A love letter to the festival that has been a part of her life for over three decades, Celene reflects on her time volunteering and working seasonally at Sundance for the...

Listener discretion is advised as this episode discusses severe physical and mental abuse In this powerful episode, Meg Richter shares a deeply personal chapter of her life, revealing her harrowing experiences in reform school, where she endured severe abuse and trauma. Despite the unimaginable hardships, Meg uses her story as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to ov...

In this episode, television producer and writer Jill Michelle Williams joins Celene Beth to discuss the ethical responsibilities of producers and creatives in the true crime genre. Jill, whose career spans broadcast, streaming, and cable networks, shares her experience creating content across various genres, including true crime, and reflects on how her career has been shaped by her dedication to...

This episode discusses drug addiction and robbery. While not explicit, listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Louie Fojut, a recurring cast member on Love After Lockup, to discuss his inspiring journey of overcoming addiction, crime, and incarceration. Louie shares how his resilience has helped him turn his life around, and how he now works to inspire others wh...

In this episode of Off Script, Celene Beth welcomes back Lauren Skae to unpack the latest headlines and cultural moments in America. As a resident of LA, Lauren shares the powerful community response to the recent fires, where neighbors have come together to support one another through these difficult times. The conversation moves to the whirlwind TikTok ban saga-how it quickly came and went- and...

In this episode, Celene Beth and Grace McNally explore the complexities of documentary filmmaking, particularly when working with sensitive subjects. Grace, a Brooklyn-based director and producer known for her acclaimed work on Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey and Slay the Dragon, discusses the obstacles of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic and the unique challenges of building trust with trauma survi...

**This episode discusses rape, suicide, and domestic violence. While not explicit, listener discretion is advised** Celene Beth sits down with Lauren Weingarten, a credentialed Victim Advocate and Certified Trauma Support Specialist, to discuss her journey from a successful career in TV/Film production to founding the MTMV Community Support Network, a groundbreaking online support community for su...

**CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MURDER, CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND UNALIVED BODIES** In the season two opener of Off Script, Celene Beth is joined by Emma Shrapnel, one of the hosts of the victim-centered podcast  Ossuary Investigates , to explore the unsettling topics of gender-based violence in America and Australia. Emma opens up about the rising rates of femicide in her hom...