REAL

By: Naomi Channell
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  • Summary

  • Real is an independent true crime podcast made by award winning TV Producer Naomi Channell. Each episode is an audio documentary, telling a true crime story that is almost unbelievable. But these stories, are Real. If you would like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice
    Copyright Naomi Channell
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History Politics & Government Social Sciences True Crime
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Episodes
  • Episode 6: Bad Grandpa

    Episode 6: Bad Grandpa
    Jan 29 2025
    It wasn't only the media that were now paying attention to the Children of God survivors, so were the authorities. In this episode, we hear from Mary Mahoney, who joined the Children of God when she was just 16 years old and raised eight children under the reign of David Berg, until she found the strength to escape. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. Mary's book: 'Abnormal Normal: My Life in the Children of God' can be found here: https://amzn.to/3WRrBH9 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.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans 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) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Episode 5: Bad Grandpa

    Episode 5: Bad Grandpa
    Jan 29 2025
    In the 1990s, more survivors who had escaped the Children of God started appearing on television around the world, sharing their stories. And it wasn't just the media the survivors were talking to... it was also the authorities. In this episode we meet Hope Bastine, a survivor of the cult and one of the first people to get a successful conviction against one of her abusers, here in the UK. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. To find out more about Hope's work, you can view more information here - her book will be released on the 5th of February 2026: https://hopebastine.com/ Kristina, Celeste and Juliana's book can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Without-My-Sister-violated/dp/0007248075 You can support the Safe Passage Foundation here: https://www.safepassagefoundation.org/ 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.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans 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) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 4: Bad Grandpa

    Episode 4: Bad Grandpa
    Jan 29 2025
    It is estimated that over 100 people who were part of the Children of God have taken their own lives. The abuse they endured and the control they were placed under whilst in the cult has had tragic lasting consequences on so many people. This is Bad Grandpa. WARNING: This series contains descriptions of abuse against minors, sexual abuse, suicide and murder. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening. To listen to Kacey's podcast, where cult survivors share their experiences, you can do so here: https://www.cultvaultpodcast.com/ 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.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health support https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans 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) If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so here, thank you: buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins

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Profile Image for Kerry

I'm convinced

I don't normally leave reviews, but this podcast has ignited a string sense of belief that this young man is innocent and Jodi's killer has literally gotten away with murder.

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Profile Image for Kylie McIntyre

Very interesting

Been following this for years been hoping for a true deepdive. Really enjoyed I'm re-listening

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I'm hooked!

I absolutely love this podcast, so factual and gripping.
Naomi does a brilliant job of painting a picture and gathering factual evidence. I'm completely addicted! k

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