Behind the Filter

In this "After Dark" edition, Ashley and Johnette dive into the darkest, weirdest, and most controversial corners of social media and reality TV. We’re moving past "emotional support chickens" and diving straight into a habit that left us speechless: a woman addicted to the scent of her father’s dirty laundry. Then, we shift gears to a chilling investigation into a modern-day "segregation" settlement in the Ozarks. Finally, we tackle the ethics of reality TV. From a 12-year-old father on TLC’s Unexpected to the "legalized trafficking" of Courtney Stodden’s 2011 child-bride scandal.

In this Unfiltered Weekly edition of Behind the Filter, Johnette Cruz pulls back the curtain on the Indiana Department of Correction. What started as a viral TikTok investigation has evolved into a massive archive of harrowing testimonials from former staff, medical professionals, and families of the incarcerated. From allegations of sexual assault and retaliation, Johnette explores why the system is failing those on both sides of the bars. We also sit down with King, a former inmate and activist, to discuss his Change.org petition and the fight for basic human rights within Indiana’s walls.

In this unfiltered "After Dark" edition, we are back to tackle everything from health hurdles to the latest viral tea. We’re diving deep into the tech-side of wellness, updating you on the latest viral stories, recapping the messiest moments of Love is Blind and reacting to the viral "Kitty Sunning" trend.

Behind the filter of the latest headlines lies a sobering reality: child fatalities in Indiana are on the rise. In this episode, we sit down with Nicholle Probst, Senior Director of Childhood Development and Safety at Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, to move beyond the numbers and into action. Following the release of the 2024 DCS Child Fatalities Report and the heartbreaking national case of Hailey Buzbee, we dive deep into the specific, preventable risks facing our children today.

In this episode of Behind the Filter, I’m pulling back the curtain and giving you a "fly on the wall" seat at my latest appointment with functional health expert Ashley from Total Body Wellness. We get real about navigating a three-week holiday setback and how recent illness impacted my lean muscle mass and lab results. Ashley explains the fascinating science of the gut-brain axis, revealing how my gut health is directly tied to my struggles with anxiety and "brain fog." We also map out the next phase of my journey, including a new protein-focused strategy, split-dosing for inflammation, and the "stair-step" supplements helping me reclaim my energy.

The duo is finally reunited! After a chaotic holiday break and a string of "on-the-go" travels, Ashley is back—though she’s sporting a raspy new voice and a post-laser glow. In this unfiltered "After Dark" session, we go down the deepest rabbit hole of My Strange Addiction yet. From the "semen facial" anti-aging hack to the 2022 trend of "vabbing" (vaginal dabbing) making a comeback, we’re questioning everything about the current dating and beauty landscape. Finally, we get real about 2026 goals. Is this the year of minimalism or the year of "Action"?

In this week’s episode, we’re unpacking the headlines that are blurring the lines between the digital and the physical. We start in Florida, where a controversial 50% "OnlyFans Sin Tax" has sparked a viral feud, the launch of NEO, the robot maid, and 5 red flags to spot "Chatfishing".

This week on Unfiltered Weekly, we’re diving into the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines released by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., we look at the $40 billion industry that has turned your child's Saturday soccer game into a private equity playground, a Detroit family is finally getting closure from a horrible loss, Karen is OUT and Jessica is IN, and the craziest things people are addicting to thanks to TLC.

This week we sat down with Mercedes and Leon Wells to discuss the traumatic event that sparked a national outcry and federal legislation. After being discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point Indiana while in active labor, Mercedes was forced to give birth in the front seat of her husband’s pickup truck just eight minutes later. We dive deep into their personal experience of "medical gaslighting," the viral footage captured by Mercedes’ mother, and the systemic health disparities that leave Black mothers in Indiana three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their White counterparts.

Special thanks to this week's episode sponsor: Sold Fast Home Buyers. Thinking about selling your home but feeling overwhelmed by repairs? Sold Fast is a local Indiana team with over 40 years of experience helping homeowners move on their own terms. Whether you want an immediate cash offer "as-is" or want to use their Fix2List program to remodel and sell for top dollar, they provide options most agents can’t.

This week, we’re on-location at Elysian Medspa & Rejuvenation Center on Indy’s Northeast side. We explore this "hidden gem" in the trees to talk about everything from revolutionary dry eye therapy to their brand-new, cash-based Primary Care facility. Then, Ashley and I get into the "After Dark" tea: The 159,000-text stalker, a wild, unfiltered story from a night at Yuletide and is the word "boyfriend" now officially cringe?!