True Crime and Hollywood: A Personal Tale

In the Season Two opener of  True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale , Celene Beth sits down with Kristina Rose, the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) at the U.S. Department of Justice. Appointed by President Joe Biden, Director Rose brings her extensive expertise in advocacy, justice, and victim support to the conversation. But this episode is more than just about the work- it’s a...

In the season finale of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with Cheryl Hunter, a trafficking survivor and incredible advocate for resilience. Cheryl opens up about the first time she broke her silence in an untraditional and bold way, sharing how that moment became a turning point in her healing journey. She also reflects on how she entered the entertainment industry an...

Celene Beth sits down with seasoned true crime producer Rachel Giberman for an in-depth conversation about her remarkable career and journey through the world of storytelling. Rachel shares her early days as a hotline agent for America’s Most Wanted , where she played a vital role in handling anonymous tips and connecting law enforcement with crucial leads. The conversation then shifts to their ti...

 **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode features descriptions of Renèe Bergeron’s body after she was unalived. Listener discretion is advised. In this deeply personal episode, Amanda Campos, known for sharing her mother's tragic story and the unsolved murder case of Renée Bergeron on the hit podcast  Why Can’t We Talk About Amanda’s Mom- opens up about the emotional journey of breaking her silence in th...

In this new bonus episode, Lauren Skae (formerly Zen Blonde) and Celene Beth discuss Jessica Reed Kraus, the Instagram & Substack creator of House in Habit , and her troubling history of harassing sexual assault survivors who speak out against powerful figures in Hollywood. They examine Kraus' role in enabling toxic behaviors, the harm it caused to survivors, and how her actions further traumatize...

In this episode, Kristen Akers Gozdecki, a seasoned television producer and executive, shares her journey through the world of true crime and documentary storytelling. Beginning her career in 2001 with American Justice on A&E, Kristen went on to work on high-profile projects such as the Emmy-nominated Inside 9/11 and a two-hour National Geographic documentary on the war in Afghanistan. Over the pa...

In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Rita Isbell, sister of Errol Lindsay, one of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims. Rita’s emotional courtroom statement in 1992 became a pivotal moment in the trial, but for decades, the media reduced her identity to that single instance of grief and anger. Rita opens up about how her portrayal, particularly in Ryan Murphy's Dahmer series, retraumatized her, as the...

In this special bonus episode of True Crime & Hollywood Off Script, we flip the script as guest host John-Michael Lander takes the reins to interview our very own Celene Beth Olsen. Known for her powerful storytelling as a filmmaker, producer, advocate, survivor, and podcast host, Celene opens up in a way you've never heard before. In this raw and candid conversation, Celene shares her deeply pers...

In this episode, Celene Beth highlights the career of Farrah Fazal, an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning investigative journalist known for her work in true crime and unscripted television and film. Renowned for her trauma-informed approach, Farrah excels at conducting sensitive interviews, connecting deeply with her subjects to tell complex, human stories with empathy and integrity. Recentl...

In this week's episode, Celene Beth sits down with Pebbles Sarmiento to discuss who she is today - a courageous survivor, advocate, and voice for those who have endured trauma and abuse. As a former member of the notorious Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, Pebbles' early life was defined by fear, manipulation, and severe abuse. But her story is one of resilience, strength, and the power of reclaimi...

**Trigger Warning:** This episode discusses themes of violence against women, including sexual violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You are not alone, and help is available. In this powerful...

In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Jenny Gnirke, a seasoned reality television producer whose career began with P. Diddy and has evolved into showrunning ID's hit series, "Disappeared." Jenny shares her journey through the world of reality TV, highlighting her storytelling process and the importance of fostering empathy for both participants and audiences. They explore the intersection of...

**Trigger Warning:** This episode contains mature themes and depictions of violence, including sexual violence. It may be upsetting or triggering for some listeners and readers. Please prioritize your mental health, and for support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit their website at rainn.org for resources and assistance. In th...

In this episode Celene Beth sits down with accomplished Director of Photography Benjamin Wolf. From his early days as an intern with NPR, Benjamin shares the pivotal moments that shaped his cinematic career. He delves into his work on paranormal shows that intersect with true crime storytelling, highlighting the emotional depth and authenticity behind the lens. Benjamin also offers valuable insigh...

In this powerful episode, Celene Beth sits down with John-Michael Lander, a former Olympic diving contender whose journey has been anything but ordinary. Join us as John-Michael opens up for the first time about the trauma he endured in Hollywood, sharing his story of resilience and survival. Now a certified trainer and life coach, he uses his experiences to inspire others to find their strength a...

In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with Polly Kotowski, a seasoned true crime producer and trauma survivor whose unique perspective brings depth and empathy to her work. Polly reflects on her experiences producing for shows like The Dr. Phil Show, Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen, The Murder Squad: Jensen and Holes, and her current role on the dail...

In this captivating episode, Celene Beth sits down with trauma survivor and advocate Terra Newell, famously known for taking down "Dirty John." Together, they explore the crucial importance of trauma survivors owning their stories in the media. Terra shares her powerful journey as a silence breaker against Billy Jensen, which was featured in Rolling Stone, and highlighting how personal narratives...

In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with the multi-talented Sarah Cailean, host of the acclaimed true crime podcasts Why Can’t We Talk About Amanda’s Mom and Who Killed Jennifer Judd. Sarah shares how her dual career in law enforcement and media has deeply shaped her perspective on storytelling in the true crime genre. She offers an insider’s view of h...

In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Julie Murray, sister of Maura Murray, who has been missing since February 9, 2004. Julie opens up about the challenges of serving as her family’s advocate for the past two decades and sheds light on the concept of a “media hangover,” the emotional toll of being interviewed repeatedly over the years. Julie also shares the difficulties she faced while inte...

In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth interviews Connie Monroe, the Senior Casting Producer for A&E’s groundbreaking series Intervention. Connie opens up about how her work on the show has profoundly shaped her life, blending professional expertise with deep empathy. She offers an intimate look at the compassionate approach she takes in casting, emphasizing the im...

Celene Beth’s career as a filmmaker and producer in true crime storytelling is deeply shaped by her personal experiences and interactions with trauma survivors. From an early age, cases like the abduction of Elizabeth Smart- a crime that occurred just 30 minutes from her hometown- and the murder of Selena Quintanilla left an indelible mark on her understanding of the world and fueled her passion f...

Kate Ranta is a survivor of intimate partner and gun violence. In 2012, after leaving her abusive marriage, her ex-husband stalked Kate to her apartment, where he shot her and her father in front of her then 4-year-old son. In this engaging discussion, Celene Beth sits down with Kate to explore the representation of domestic violence in Hollywood, with a particular focus on Blake Lively's latest f...