True Crime and Hollywood: A Personal Tale

Sherri's 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 national scrutiny. Sherri reflects on her experiences in her own words, sharing how vulnerability, fear, and years of emotional pressure shaped her life long before the events that thrust her into the public eye. Together, Celene Beth and Sherri examine what it means to have personal trauma dissected across traditional and social media, and why consent, agency, and trauma-informed ethics are essential when discussing high-profile cases. Sherri speaks candidly about the psychological dynamics she faced, her reflections on danger and coercion, and the impact of being publicly misunderstood. Today, Sherri channels her healing into purposeful work supporting incarcerated women and guiding them through both entry into the prison system and the challenges of reentry. Her approach focuses on empowerment, practical education, and giving women tools she wishes she had earlier in her own journey. This episode offers a clear, humanized portrait of a woman reclaiming her story, and using her resilience to help others rewrite theirs. Connect with Sherri: Instagram: @sherripapiniofficial Book: ⁠https://www.sherripapinibook.com/⁠ [https://www.sherripapinibook.com/] Resources If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, kidnapping, domestic violence, or coercive control, the following organizations provide confidential support: United States * RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Online chat support available. * National Domestic Violence Hotline24/7 Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Text “START” to 88788 Confidential help for domestic violence, emotional abuse, and coercive control. * National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)24/7 Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) Support for families of missing persons and kidnapping victims. International ◦RAINN Global Resources ListA directory of international support organizations for sexual assault survivors.Website: ⁠https://www.rainn.org/international-resource⁠ ◦UN Women – Ending Violence Against Women ProgramProvides links to crisis centers and domestic violence support resources worldwide.Website: ⁠https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women ⁠ [https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women]

Sherri Papini: The Story You Haven’t Heard

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 shared experiences as survivors whose stories have played out not only in traditional media but across social media spaces that can be harmful or dehumanizing. Together, they highlight the importance of consent, personal agency, and trauma-informed ethics when engaging with high-profile trauma. This episode creates space for understanding and healing, honoring the person behind the headlines and inviting listeners to move past assumptions and listen with care. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss this special episode, releasing this week.

Marina's Personal Tale

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 advocate who has transformed her experiences into a movement of strength, truth, and empowerment. Marina’s journey is one of reclaiming her voice, standing in her power, and showing what it means to rise after being silenced. Marina spent her early childhood in Brazil before moving to the United States at eight years old. Her path included experiences of exploitation that eventually brought her into the Jeffrey Epstein case as Minor Victim 1. Today, she uses her story as a catalyst for change, leading with compassion, honesty, and a deep commitment to helping others find healing and hope. Through her conversation with Celene Beth, Marina reflects on what it means to rebuild from within. She shares how motherhood, her love for animals, and the solidarity of other survivors, including Virginia Giuffre, have strengthened her purpose and renewed her belief in the power of community. A defining moment in Marina’s advocacy came on September 3, 2025, when she stood proudly on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., alongside her fellow survivors. In that moment, they embodied resilience and unity, raised their voices in a collective demand for justice, and affirmed the undeniable truth that every survivor’s voice matters. This episode honors the courage it takes to rise beyond silence and reclaim your story. Marina reminds us that healing is not only possible but powerful, and that by standing together, survivors can create change that echoes far beyond their own stories. Marina's Instagram: @marinalacerdaforsurvivors The podcast remains on hiatus until 2026. Please join Celene Beth for a special bonus episode on November 26th, featuring a meaningful conversation with Sherri Papini. Resources for Survivors If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault (as an adult or minor), child exploitation, trafficking, or challenges connected to substance use, the organizations below offer confidential, trauma-informed support: United States RAINN – Sexual Assault Support 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Compassionate, confidential support for anyone impacted by sexual assault. Website: https://www.rainn.org [https://www.rainn.org/] National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 Text: “BeFree” to 233733 Support for individuals experiencing or recovering from trafficking or exploitation. Website: https://humantraffickinghotline.org [https://humantraffickinghotline.org/] NCMEC – National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) Assistance for concerns involving child exploitation and online harm. Website: https://www.missingkids.org [https://www.missingkids.org/] SAMHSA – Substance Use & Mental Health 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Confidential guidance and treatment referrals for drug and alcohol use, as well as co-occurring mental health needs. Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] International RAINN Global Resources Directory Listings for international sexual assault crisis centers and support lines. Website: https://www.rainn.org/international-resources ECPAT International Global network dedicated to ending child exploitation and trafficking. Website: https://www.ecpat.org [https://www.ecpat.org/] International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) Worldwide resources focused on child protection and exploitation prevention. Website: https://www.icmec.org [https://www.icmec.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) International Global recovery meetings and peer support for individuals navigating alcohol use challenges. Website: https://www.aa.org [https://www.aa.org/]

Nicole's Personal Tale

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 and emotional responsibility that comes with telling true crime narratives, and the importance of honoring the beautiful soul Lauren was. Nicole, who spent years at ESPN producing more than 50 investigative reports and short documentaries, has earned six Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody for her work covering education, health, and social issues. She recently left ESPN to pursue independent filmmaking, focusing on socially conscious projects that amplify underrepresented stories and create real-world impact. In this episode, Celene and Nicole discuss what it has meant to collaborate closely with the McCluskey family and the Lauren McCluskey Foundation. Nicole shares her experience creating a documentary that not only holds systems accountable but honors Lauren’s life, voice, and legacy in every frame. They talk about how true crime films can be made ethically and factually, while being mindful of the lived realities behind the headlines, and why Lauren’s story continues to move and inspire so many. This conversation is a reminder that what we consume on our screens often comes from someone else’s lived trauma and heartbreak. It challenges storytellers and audiences alike to hold space for that truth and to remember the people behind the stories. * Watch LISTEN on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGkIL70TD4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGkIL70TD4] * U of U continues to make changes 6 years after murder of student Lauren McCluskey by Olivia Kelleher, KUTV: https://youtu.be/l5keP_VMyKE?si=k0wA-3EGDFg4HoUh [https://youtu.be/l5keP_VMyKE?si=k0wA-3EGDFg4HoUh] * MacKenzie Lueck: A kind and devoted friend: https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/mackenzie-lueck-a-kind-and-devoted-friend/ [https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/mackenzie-lueck-a-kind-and-devoted-friend/] * The Lauren McCluskey Foundation: https://laurenmccluskey.org/ [https://laurenmccluskey.org/] * Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara : https://www.instagram.com/girlsincsb?igsh=aWp1eHdwenFyYTJ0

Quincy's Personal Tale

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 exciting opportunity working with basketball influencer "The Professor" quickly turned into something much darker and traumatic. In the years since, Quincy has courageously spoken out about her experiences and the harm she endured within Fearless Church, a group closely tied to that chapter of her life. Through her advocacy, she has built a platform dedicated to supporting survivors and raising awareness about cult dynamics, coercive control, and the ways these systems manifest in both religious and digital spaces. Her work is grounded in resilience, advocacy, and a commitment to creating safer, trauma-informed communities. When she’s not advocating, Quincy finds joy in music, travel, and quiet moments with her pups. A devoted fan of her favorite band, MUNA, she embraces the small, grounding rituals that bring comfort and peace amid the ongoing work of healing! Resources For Sexual Assault Survivors: * RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — 24/7 confidential support: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.org [https://www.rainn.org/] * National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) — www.nsvrc.org [https://www.nsvrc.org/] * MTMV Community Support Network: https://www.instagram.com/mtmvcommunity?igsh=MWcyaXNjemd5MXFzNw== [https://www.instagram.com/mtmvcommunity?igsh=MWcyaXNjemd5MXFzNw==] For Trans and Queer Survivors: * FORGE — Support and resources for trans and nonbinary survivors of violence: www.forge-forward.org [https://forge-forward.org/] * The Trevor Project — Crisis intervention and support for LGBTQIA youth: 1-866-488-7386 or www.thetrevorproject.org [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] * LGBT National Help Center — Peer support hotlines and resources: www.glbthotline.org [https://www.glbthotline.org/] LGBTQIA+ Community Support: * Trans Lifeline — Peer support for trans people, by trans people: 1-877-565-8860 or www.translifeline.org [https://www.translifeline.org/] * PFLAG — Support for LGBTQIA+ people, families, and allies: www.pflag.org [https://www.pflag.org/]