True Crime Conversations

By: Mamamia Podcasts
  • Summary

  • True Crime Conversations explores the stories and the people behind some of the world’s most notorious crimes.

    2025 Mamamia Podcasts
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Episodes
  • Tortured, Starved, & Brainwashed: How Ben Shenton Survived Australia’s Most Disturbing Cult
    May 7 2025

    At just 18 months old, Ben Shenton was handed over to a woman who claimed she was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

    That woman was Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of a secretive doomsday cult called The Family. For 14 years, Ben lived cut off from the outside world—beaten, starved, drugged, and taught to stay “unseen, unheard, unknown.” The cult twisted Christianity into a tool of fear and control.

    Ben was finally rescued at age 15 during a police raid. Today, he’s an advocate for survivors and a pastor who still follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, just not the version the cult tried to force on him.

    You can find Ben’s website, Rescue the Family, here, and his book Life Behind the Wire here.

    CREDITS

    Guest: Ben Shenton

    Host: Claire Murphy

    Producer: Tahli Blackman

    Audio Producer: Jacob Round

    GET IN TOUCH

    Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

    Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show, then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.

    If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

    We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    53 mins
  • Erin Patterson: A Mushroom Murder Trial Update
    May 6 2025

    As the trial of Erin Patterson enters its second week, The Quicky news podcast examines the latest developments in the mushroom murder case that shocked a small Victorian town.

    Stay tuned! True Crime Conversations will be covering the full case and trial very shortly...

    Listen to Mushroom Case Daily here

    THE END BITS
    Check out The Quicky Instagram here

    GET IN TOUCH
    Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note.

    CREDITS

    Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy

    Guests:

    Stephen Stockwell, Producer of ABC's Mushroom Case Daily podcast

    Executive Producer: Taylah Strano

    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    9 mins
  • "I Had to Kill Him": The Woman Who Survived Dirty John
    Apr 30 2025

    "Dirty John" Meehan, a serial con artist and violent criminal, was Terra Newell's stepfather. He had married her mother and spent years manipulating and abusing her until she finally left him. Enraged by her departure, he sought revenge.

    One day, after finishing her shift at work, Terra was walking to her car when John suddenly grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and trying to abduct her.

    In a desperate attempt to escape, she bit him. But his response was brutal—he began stabbing her repeatedly with a large knife.

    With every ounce of strength she had, Terra fought for her life. In a fierce struggle, she managed to knock the knife from his hand. Realising the only way to survive was to stop him for good, she knew she had to act fast.

    This is the story of Dirty John’s demise, told by the woman who lived through it.

    CREDITS

    Guest: Terra Newell

    Host: Gemma Bath

    Producer: Tahli Blackman

    Audio Producer: Jacob Round

    GET IN TOUCH

    Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast.

    Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.

    If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

    We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

    Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins

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how horrible the human animal really is

some were a little convoluted...
some were great ..
some are shicking
some are stomach turning

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Great! Best podcast I ever listened to

I really liked how they would really go into the story not just the oh this happened who did it the end they would go into the backstory of the victim why the ‘culprit’ did it

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.