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Society & Culture

Truth Be Told with Zara McDermott

Zara McDermott

In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget.

Catch new episodes every Wednesday at 3pm on Spotify.

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  • 6 episodes
  • Updated Wednesday

Episodes6

Newest first
  • Wednesday · 19 min

    From ‘Britain’s Greatest Fraudster’ to Fraud Prevention Expert: How I Stole £30 Million

    Support Resources:R eport Fraud -- 0300 123 2040 reportfraud.police.uk We Fight Fincrime -- wefightfincrime.com Tony Sales is one of the only people in the world to have ever worked at both the highest level of organised fraud and at the forefront of fraud prevention. He became involved in crime at a young age following an unstable and traumatic childhood, and by his mid-teens was running increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. Over six years, he stole an estimated £10-30 million from banks and businesses before being arrested whilst on the run. After his release, he moved into fraud prevention, and now uses his experience to advise governments, law enforcement and major organisations on how to combat financial crime. https://www.youtube.com/@zaranicolemcdermott

  • July 22 · 19 min

    One Punch Killer on Violence, Guilt and Redemption

    In 2011, Jacob Dunne threw a single punch on a night out that turned fatal, landing him in prison and changing both his life and his victim's family's lives forever. After his release, he connected with his victim's parents through restorative justice and ultimately turned his life around with their encouragement. Find the full episode of Truth Be Told with Zara McDermott on Spotify and YouTube now. https://www.commongroundjustice.uk/

  • July 15 · 15 min

    Bereaved Mother: Did Social Media Take My Son’s Life?

    Support Resources: Samaritans -- 116 123 -- samaritans.org.uk Child Bereavement UK -- 0800 02 888 40 --childbereavementuk.org Drinkline -- 0300 123 1110 Adfam -- adfam.org.uk In 2022, Ellen's life was forever changed by the tragic death of her 14-year-old son, Jools. The cause of Jools' death is unknown, and Ellen has always believed there is more to it - but when she tried to access Jools' social media data to find out more, she found herself blocked by tech giants. This led her to her campaigning for 'Jools’ Law', which called for children's social media data to be automatically preserved after death. What started as a grassroots petition led by a bereaved mother has now turned into a national movement that is spurring changes in national policy and legislation.

  • July 8 · 26 min

    Ex Gangster On The £80 Million Drug Deal That Got Him Arrested

    Support Resources: Samaritans -- 116 123 -- samaritans.org.uk Frank Stedman was working as a drug dealer in Essex when he was caught by the Serious Organised Crime Agency in one the biggest undercover drug stings in British history. After a stint on the run in Thailand, he was apprehended upon his return at Heathrow Airport and convicted for his involvement in a major drug deal involving 299 kilos of cocaine, worth an estimated £80 million in street value. After nearly a decade in prison, Frank has since turned things around; he now runs his own scaffolding business and shares his story publicly in a bid to avoid young people following in his footsteps. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify now. In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget. This story may include sensitive themes. Please listen with care. The experiences and views shared belong to the individuals involved and reflect their own experiences and beliefs. Follow on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@zaranicolemcdermott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthbetoldstories Produced by South Shore Productions

  • July 1 · 18 min

    Domestic Abuse Survivor: Escaping My Husband

    At 17, Natasha Saunders met John: an older man who swept her off her feet with his flattery, charm and constant communication. Within a few months, the new couple had moved in together, gotten engaged and were due to have a baby. This sudden escalation marked the beginning of an eight-year marriage marred with relentless, complex and multifaceted abuse -- until Natasha eventually hatched a plan to escape and report her husband to the authorities. Now, she is a dedicated campaigner, consultant and public speaker, drawing on her personal experiences of domestic abuse and coercive control to advocate for change. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify now. Support Resources: National Domestic Abuse Helpline -- 0808 2000 247 Refuge -- refuge.org.uk Women's Aid -- womensaid.org.uk In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget. This story may include sensitive themes. Please listen with care. The experiences and views shared belong to the individuals involved and reflect their own experiences and beliefs. Follow on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@zaranicolemcdermott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthbetoldstories Produced by South Shore Productions

  • June 24 · 20 min

    The Woman Who Brought Down A Global Cult

    Support Resources Childline -- 020 7616 9999 childline.org.uk Samaritans -- 116 123 samaritans.org.uk Juliana Bühring was born into a notorious, global cult founded by David Berg in the 1960s. Removed from her parents' care at the age of three, she was raised in a series of military-style training camps and endured a difficult, nomadic childhood, alleging frequent physical, psychological and sexual abuse. After the death of her sister Davida, Juliana left the group and co-wrote a memoir that helped to expose the cult's wrongdoings, eventually leading to its demise. Using the strength and resilience she found within herself during her early years, she later took up endurance cycling and became the first woman to complete a round-the-world cycle. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify now. In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget. The Family International has previously said that it respects the views of former members, while maintaining that these allegations are subjective, exaggerated, and do not reflect the organisation as a whole. However, it acknowledges that some former members have had negative experiences, for which it apologises. The Family International has admitted that there were incidents of inappropriate behaviour towards minors in the past. However, since 1986, any form of abuse has been forbidden and sexual contact between adults and minors has been prohibited, resulting in immediate expulsion. The Family International says that it has undergone independent investigations involving around 700 children, with no evidence of abuse found. It also states that such claims risk overshadowing what it describes as its longstanding Christian missionary and humanitarian work. This story may include sensitive themes. Please listen with care. The experiences and views shared belong to the individuals involved and reflect their own experiences and beliefs. Follow on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@zaranicolemcdermott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthbetoldstories Produced by South Shore Productions