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REAL LIVES

Naomi Channell

Coming 7th October...


From Naomi Channell, TV producer, journalist, and host of the hit true crime podcast REAL, comes a brand-new series that proves the most extraordinary stories aren’t always about crime… they’re about life.


In REAL LIVES, Naomi sits down with people whose experiences are stranger, wilder, and more moving than fiction.


From a victim of a bigamist to a Dunblane survivor, the UK’s first commercial surrogate to a woman jilted at the altar, and even a death doula who helps people face the end — these are stories of resilience, heartbreak, survival, and reinvention.


Twisting, gripping, and deeply human, REAL LIVES invites you into the moments that changed everything. These aren’t just stories. They’re real lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • 26 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 52 min
  • English

Episodes 26

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  • S1 · E46
    September 14 · 57 min

    'After 17 Years of Fighting, My Mothers Murder is Going to Trial'

    In this very special episode of 'REAL LIVES', we hear from Michael J Porter, a man who has been fighting for justice for his mother, Jean Hanlon, who was murdered in Crete in 2009. You'll hear from Michael over a year long period, right up until the trial and the outcome. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can join me over on Patreon, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To Follow Justice for Jean - see here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255774531131043 https://www.instagram.com/justice_for_jean/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E45
    September 8 · 1 hr 23 min

    'My Stepfather Stopped Me For Seeing My Mother... And Banned Me From Her Funeral'

    Emma had a loving and close relationship with her mother growing up. Her father had died when Emma was a child and when her mother re-married, she had no idea that he would control her life and keep her from her children, even when she became terminally ill. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can join me over on Patreon here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E44
    August 31 · 49 min

    'I Put Him in Prison for 13 Years... Now We Are Friends'

    In this episode, we are joined by a former FBI detective, Shawn Johnson and former bank robber Steven Meyers. Steven was part of a team of bank robbers, led by Scott Scurlock, who stole millions of dollars from banks across Seattle, Washington. But since his release from prison, Steven and one of the detectives who put him in prison, have become firm friends. Both are here today to tell us of their incredible story. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To buy Steven's book The Treehouse: www.amazon.com/Treehouse-True-Story-Hollywood-Robber-ebook/dp/B0FV28G4C7 Steven's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/steven.meyers.7773/ Steven's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/steven.meyers.7773/reels/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E43
    August 24 · 56 min

    'I Built Cases for the Police. Now I Challenge Them'

    Duncan McNab was a detective for New South Wales Police - but when he witnessed corruption, he decided to change sides. He worked as a private investigator and journalist to expose wrong-doing and today he's here to share his story. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to join me over on Patreon, please see here, thank you so much: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To follow Duncan on social media, please see here: https://www.instagram.com/duncan_mcnab_crime_stories https://www.facebook.com/duncan.mcnab.336 https://x.com/DuncanMcNab And you can find his book, Recipe for Murder: The poisonous truth behind Australia's Mushroom Murderer, here: https://amzn.eu/d/0hsDZQDv Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E42
    August 17 · 1 hr 1 min

    'I Begged Doctors For Help For Eight Years... I Had Stage 4 Cancer'

    When Anna started to feel unwell eight years ago, she knew deep down that something wasn't right. She would constantly seek help from doctors, begging them to help her find out what was wrong. Anna believes that medical misogyny was partly to blame for cries for help, because the problems she was experiencing were gynaecological. Finally, after eight years, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Anna is here today to share her story, in the hopes that no one else will have to fight a battle to be heard, when they know something isn't right. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://www.patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast For Sarcoma UK, see here: https://sarcoma.org.uk/ For Macmillan cancer support see here: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ Health Advocate Services: https://www.advocacyforall.org.uk/one-to-one-advocacy/health-complaints-advocacy/ https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/help-from-social-services-and-charities/someone-to-speak-up-for-you-advocate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E41
    August 10 · 43 min

    'My Daughter Was Killed by Racing Drivers'

    In this episode, we are joined by Jo Alkir; her only child, 17-year-old Olivia went out with her friends to celebrate the end of her exams, but she never made it home. Olivia was killed after getting into a car with a boy who had passed his driving test the day before, and made the reckless decision to race his friend. That decision would claim Olivia's life. Jo is here to tell us about that fateful day, the court case and Olivia's Legacy, as she campaigns for safer driving. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To visit Jo's website, please see here: https://olivia-alkir.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E40
    August 3 · 49 min

    'I've Worked on Murder Cases... As a Psychic'

    When TJ Higgs was a single mother in her twenties, she went along to a psychic fair and it changed her life. She realised she had a gift and she wanted to use it for good. So she started working as a spiritual medium and after a few years of practicing, she was invited to try to help families who were looking for answers in their loved ones unsolved murder cases. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to find out more about TJ Higgs, please see here: https://www.tjhiggs.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E39
    July 27 · 42 min

    'Living With a Murderer Shaped My Life's Purpose'

    When Sonnet Daymont attended a job interview to be a live-in assistant and nanny to a little boy, she had no idea how much her life would change. Her new employer was Gigi Jordan, who went on to kill her son Jude, who suffered with a range of learning disabilities. Sonnet had tried to get help after she suspected the little boy was being abused, but flaws in the social care system meant that potentially life-saving intervention never came. Since Jude died, Sonnet has worked across a number of project to try to have a national database instated, that would span across state lines, to ensure children remain under the care of protective services, if they should move to another jurisdiction. Sonnet is a therapist who works with clients who have experienced relational trauma and is an advocate for post-traumatic growth. This is REAL LIVES. To find out more about Sonnet's work or to be added to her book list, please see here: https://www.sonnetdaymont.com/ To join me on Patreon, please see here: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E38
    July 20 · 55 min

    'My Boyfriend Had Me Sectioned... Because I Was Leaving Him'

    When Orla met a man in a bar in France, she had no idea how much that meeting would change her life. They started dating and she travelled around the world with him, so he could pursue his career. But he soon started to control Orla, he was emotionally abusive and was doing everything he could to cut her off from her friends and family... including trying to convince her that had been abused as a child. After years of manipulation and abuse, she decided to leave him. But instead of accepting that that their relationship was over, he orchestrated a plan.... to have her sectioned and held against her will.... This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to join me over on Patreon, you can do so here, thank you so much: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in today's episode, please see the links to organisations who can help and support you: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men https://sdvs.ie - Ireland https://www.mensaid.ie - Ireland for men https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E37
    July 13 · 37 min

    'Being In The Police Nearly Killed Me... Now I'm Saving Other Officers'

    Between 2022 - 2025, at least 70 police officers in England and Wales took their own lives. When Ben Dimmock joined the police, he knew he wanted to help others and serve his community. But after years in the force, seeing traumatic incidents and running towards danger, his mental health started to decline, and he started having suicidal thoughts. But he bravely confided in his superiors and after his own recovery, he asked Bedfordshire Police if he could be their wellbeing lead. Now Ben and his team work with officers who are feeling the way he once did, supporting them on the road to recovery. This is REAL LIVES. To join me on Patreon please see here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast For mental health support, please see here: https://thejordanlegacy.com/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E36
    July 8 · 39 min

    'My Abusers Walk Free... But I've Found Peace & Happiness'

    TRIGGER WARNING: Child Sexual Abuse When Jeanette was a child, she survived sexually assaults by two different predators, neither of them have ever been held to account and walk free. But Jeanette reached out because she wanted to share an important message, one that centres around healing and finding a way to let go of the trauma and control her abusers had over her life. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to join me over on Patreon, you can here, thank you so much: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the organisations below who can help and support you: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland https://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/ - Support for cult survivors (UK) https://www.peopleleavecults.com/services/support-groups - Support for cult survivors & Intervention (global) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E35
    June 30 · 1 hr 5 min

    'I'm Creating a Legacy for my Son who Died by Suicide'

    When Steve Phillip's phone rang on the 4th of December 2019, he didn't know that phone call would change his life forever. His son's partner told him that Jordan, his second born child, had died by suicide. He was 34 years old. Steve now runs The Jordan Legacy, a suicide prevention charity, and he is here today to share his story and what he hopes to achieve in Jordan's honour. This is REAL LIVES. To look at the incredible work Steve and Danielle do with The Jordan Legacy, including signing up for the lottery they run, please see here: https://thejordanlegacy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thejordanlegacycic# https://www.instagram.com/jordanlegacyuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jordan-legacy-foundation/ If you'd like to join my community over on Patreon, please see here: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast For mental health support, please see here: https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E34
    June 22 · 44 min

    "The Accusation That Changed My Life."

    When Sanjay met his ex-partner, red flags started to emerge shortly after they became a couple. She was rude to his family, tried to cut him off from his family and would verbally and physically abuse him. His family would get the police to conduct welfare checks on him, fearing he was in real danger of being seriously harmed. Sanjay started to recognise that he was being abused and told her that he wanted to end their relationship. But in an act of revenge, she went to the police with a serious allegation - one that left Sanjay's life in limbo for over 2 and a half years. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to join my community over on Patreon, please see here: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast If you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland https://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for men https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E33
    June 15 · 45 min

    'I Ended Up on the Sex Offenders Register Whilst I Was Pregnant'

    When Steph was working in a mental health facility, she was also dealing with the break down of her marriage. So when a patient who was preparing for release started showing her attention, she entered into a relationship with him. One that would leave her expecting his child and facing a prison sentence.... This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show and join me over on Patreon, please see here: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E32
    June 9 · 59 min

    The Affair... with Anna Williamson - 'My maid of honour was pregnant with my husband's baby'

    Today I want to share an episode of a podcast that I am the co-creator and producer of - 'The Affair... with Anna Williamson'. In the first episode Anna talks to Becky, a woman who has lived through the unthinkable. In this story of the ultimate double betrayal, Becky takes us through her journey of finding out that her husband and best friend were expecting a baby together and how she began to heal. There are currently 4 series of The Affair... with Anna Williamson and Series 5 is due to start at the end of June. Please see here for links to the show or just search 'The Affair... with Anna Williamson': Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-affair-with-anna-williamson/id1804881003 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3idWLizHLazBx210jFxJub?si=c5449204c73b4874 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/846b35ea-5443-42c2-a442-9b18099cba77/the-affair%E2%80%A6with-anna-williamson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E31
    June 1 · 1 hr 8 min

    End Eye Check: The Fight Against Spouses Who Drug & Abuse Their Partners

    In this very special podcast, hosts Naomi Channell (from the ‘REAL’ and ‘REAL LIVES’ podcast) and Lala (aka @Lalalaletmeexplain from the ‘Block, Delete, Move On’ podcast) are joined by Zoe Watts, a survivor of systematic drug facilitated abuse at the hands of her former husband and one of the founders of the #endeyecheck campaign. Zoe tells her story and the message and change she hopes to achieve with the campaign. For more information on Zoe’s campaign please see and information re the march outside Parliament on Saturday 13th June see here: www.endeyecheck.org Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zoewatts.sms_/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@zoewatts.sms For Lala’s social media and other links to her work please see here: https://linktr.ee/lalalaletmeexplain For Naomi’s podcasts and social media see here: Https://linktr.ee/realtruecrimepodcast If you have been affected by sexual abuse, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK) https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland If you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations: https://havendas.org.uk/ - UK https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland https://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for men https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/- Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E30
    May 26 · 1 hr 3 min

    'I Cut off my Parents to Save my Mental Health'

    From the outside looking in, Elaine was raised in your average household - Mum, Dad and 2 children. But as Elaine grew older, she started to realise that her mother was being emotionally abusive towards her. She's here today to share her story and to explain why she chose to cut-off from her family for good. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can join Patreon here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast If you need help or support with estrangement please see here: https://www.standalone.org.uk/ https://www.standing-together.net/about https://family-action.org.uk/get-support/familyline/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E29
    May 18 · 50 min

    'I work on the front lines of the war against poaching in Africa'

    Holly Budge is a modern day wonder woman. She started out as an adventurer, she was the first woman to skydive Mount Everest and she has jumped out of a place thousands of times. But when she came across the plight of wild animals, especially elephants, in Africa, and the thousands of poachers who illegally kill them every year for their ivory and other materials, she knew she wanted to be part of the anti-poaching fight. Even if it meant travelling to Africa's front lines.... and risking her own life. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can join me on Patreon, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To find out more about Holly's work, please see here: https://www.hollybudge.com/ To support her charity, How Many Elephants, please see here: https://howmanyelephants.org/ To find out more about The Black Mamba's, please see here: https://www.instagram.com/theblackmambas/ https://www.facebook.com/blackmambasapu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E28
    May 11 · 37 min

    The Story of Michael Dorian: An Unlikely 9/11 Hero

    On the 11th of September 2001, Michael Dorian, dressed in scrubs, raced towards the pile of debris that was now all that was left of the twin towers. He knew people would assume he was a doctor, but he wasn't, he was a veterinary technician. Whilst he was there, he helped many firefighters and volunteers. In the years that followed, Michael became unwell. He had skin cancer, caused by wading through the rubble and debris of the twin towers. He needed special treatment to try to pro-long his life, but he had to prove that he had been there on 9/11 to get money from the World Trade Centre Victim's Compensation Fund. Michael's story is incredible, so incredible that his best friend Neil Adam's has written a book on his life. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show and join Patreon, please see here, thank you so much: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast To buy Neil's book 'From the Pile' please see here: https://www.readneiladams.com/from-the-pile Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E27
    May 7 · 52 min

    'Estrangement From My Children Has Broken Me More Than The Estrangement From My Parents'

    Trinity grew up in a household that was void of love and care, her mother hadn't wanted children and she looked forward to the day she could start her own family and pour her love into them. But now she has found herself estranged from 2 of her children and she want's to speak out, to help make sense of her plight and to help others who might be going through something similar. This is REAL LIVES. If you'd like to support the show, you can join Patreon here, thank you: https://patreon.com/REALtruecrimepodcast If you'd like to get in touch with Trinity, she can be reached here: https://www.instagram.com/trinityb.spain If you need help or support with estrangement please see here: https://www.standalone.org.uk/ https://www.standing-together.net/about https://family-action.org.uk/get-support/familyline/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes