Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson podcast

June 17, 2025 ‘Dirty John’ Survivor Turns Traumatic Experience into Advocacy for True Crime Ethics w/ Terra Newell

In this emotion-filled and riveting conversation, Terrra Newell joins Nick to share her journey from surviving “Dirty John” Meehan’s attack to reclaiming her life as a survivor and advocate for ethical true crime content creation.

She recounts her traumatic experience with the attack from psychopath “Dirty John,” which led to her self-defense act that gained media attention. She further shares her journey from feeling like a victim to becoming a survivor who supports and advocates for others.

Terra discusses the challenges of navigating public life, the ethics of true crime journalism, and the emotional impact of her story on her identity and future family.

Through her advocacy work, she aims to promote responsible storytelling in the true crime genre, empowering survivors and ensuring they are properly represented and compensated for their stories.

Nick and Terra explore themes of survival, morality, personal identity, and the impact of public perception. They discuss how fictional narratives, particularly from shows like “The Walking Dead,” influence their views on survival and morality in extreme situations.

Terra shares her personal experiences with trauma and how they shape her identity, while Nick reflects on the challenges of being defined by his past on reality TV.

They also delve into the complexities of navigating public perception, especially in relation to their advocacy work and political beliefs, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself amidst external pressures.

They go on to discuss the complexities of navigating public reactions to personal opinions, particularly in the realm of social media and Reddit.

The conversation continues on to the ethical responsibilities of podcasters, the importance of empowering survivors through education, and the challenges of maintaining personal relationships in the public eye.

The dialogue emphasizes the importance of accountability and respect in storytelling, content, and the impact of public perception on the personal lives of participants and subjects.

I hope this conversation enlightens you on the importance of ethics in content creation and helps you show up in the world with your eyes wide open.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Terra Newell

05:29 The Dirty John Experience

10:54 Turning Trauma into Empowerment

19:30 The Ethics of True Crime

24:04 Navigating Public Life and Personal Identity

34:01 Survival Strategies Inspired by Fiction

37:04 The Complexity of Morality in Survival Situations

41:01 Personal Reflections on Identity and Trauma

49:04 Navigating Public Perception and Personal Advocacy

55:51 The Intersection of Politics and Personal Beliefs