In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with Polly Kotowski, a seasoned true crime producer and trauma survivor whose unique perspective brings depth and empathy to her work. Polly reflects on her experiences producing for shows like The Dr. Phil Show, Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen, The Murder Squad: Jensen and Holes, and her current role on the daily syndicated series True Crime News.

Together, they explore their collaborative producing styles on a new series and discuss the essential role empathy plays in crafting meaningful true crime narratives. Polly shares her thoughts on resilience, the importance of supporting survivors, and the responsibility producers have in handling sensitive stories. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with insight, passion, and a little school pride- Go Zags!

Follow Polly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PollyKotowskiAuthor/

Polly's book: https://www.amazon.com/Marble-Dealer-Fire-Ice-Chronicles/dp/B0C7YYVF4F

In this captivating episode, Celene Beth sits down with trauma survivor and advocate Terra Newell, famously known for taking down "Dirty John." Together, they explore the crucial importance of trauma survivors owning their stories in the media. Terra shares her powerful journey as a silence breaker against Billy Jensen, which was featured in Rolling Stone, and highlighting how personal narratives can drive the fight against domestic violence.

The discussion also takes a creative turn as Terra presents her innovative public relations strategies for films depicting domestic violence, aiming to reshape the narrative and promote understanding. And of course, no conversation with Terra would be complete without her sharing her love for The Walking Dead, Lord of the Rings, and her beloved pups!

Join us for an inspiring episode that weaves together personal storytelling and impactful insights, reminding us all of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of speaking your truth. Tune in now!

Terra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terranewell/?hl=en

Terra's website: https://www.terranewellsurvival.com/terra-3/

Ethical True Crime Podcasting Course: https://coaching.terranewellsurvival.com/ethical-true-crime-podcasting/

In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with the multi-talented Sarah Cailean, host of the acclaimed true crime podcasts Why Can’t We Talk About Amanda’s Mom and Who Killed Jennifer Judd. Sarah shares how her dual career in law enforcement and media has deeply shaped her perspective on storytelling in the true crime genre. She offers an insider’s view of how her hands-on investigative work and her passion for justice influence her podcasting approach and the broader narrative of true crime content.

Sarah also dives into the critical topic of mental health, emphasizing its importance for creators in the true crime space. She candidly discusses the psychological toll of producing emotionally intense content and the need for self-care in such a demanding field. In addition, listeners will get to know Sarah on a personal level as she reflects on her journey and shares her surprising love of pho. Don’t miss this compelling conversation that blends passion, resilience, and a unique lens on the true crime industry.

Who Killed Jennifer Judd Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/11XBGSPMSMGeF64SLljzkU

Sarah’s website: https://www.caileaninvestigations.com/

In this episode, Celene Beth sits down with Julie Murray, sister of Maura Murray, who has been missing since February 9, 2004. Julie opens up about the challenges of serving as her family’s advocate for the past two decades and sheds light on the concept of a “media hangover,” the emotional toll of being interviewed repeatedly over the years. Julie also shares the difficulties she faced while interviewing her own family for Media Pressure, a podcast by Sarah Turney that she narrates, including the deeply personal and raw conversations with her father.

Through it all, Julie’s journey of healing shines through as she reflects on how her experiences have inspired her to advocate for other families of missing loved ones. This powerful discussion is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the enduring search for answers.

To submit a tip to the New Hampshire Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General: https://www.doj.nh.gov/bureaus/cold-case-unit/victim-list/maura-murray

To learn more about Maura's story, please go to: https://www.mauramurraymissing.org/

Listen to Media Pressure: https://www.mediapressure.com/

Join Maura's Missing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MauraMurrayMissing/

In this episode of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth interviews Connie Monroe, the Senior Casting Producer for A&E’s groundbreaking series Intervention. Connie opens up about how her work on the show has profoundly shaped her life, blending professional expertise with deep empathy. She offers an intimate look at the compassionate approach she takes in casting, emphasizing the importance of honoring the humanity of each subject and their unique struggles.

Connie also shares why Intervention remains a deeply impactful series, committed not only to compelling storytelling but also to the wellbeing of its participants. With over 10 seasons under her belt, she reflects on the personal growth she’s experienced while working on such an emotionally charged show. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation about the transformative power of compassion and storytelling in the world of true crime and reality TV.

Celene Beth’s career as a filmmaker and producer in true crime storytelling is deeply shaped by her personal experiences and interactions with trauma survivors. From an early age, cases like the abduction of Elizabeth Smart- a crime that occurred just 30 minutes from her hometown- and the murder of Selena Quintanilla left an indelible mark on her understanding of the world and fueled her passion for justice.

As a child, Celene watched America’s Most Wanted religiously, which not only deepened her interest in true crime but came full circle years later when she found herself filming on location with the Walsh family for In Pursuit with John Walsh. These experiences, coupled with her work alongside survivors of trafficking, sexual assault, and families of missing persons, have profoundly influenced her approach to storytelling.

Celene’s work is characterized by a profound empathy and respect for those impacted by crime. She focuses not only on the events but on the human stories behind them, amplifying the voices of survivors and advocating for meaningful change. Her approach demonstrates that, when handled with care, true crime narratives can foster understanding, drive awareness, and inspire action.

To learn more about Celene Beth, follow her on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok at @CeleneBeth. Stay connected with her projects, Producing with Empathy and True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, on Instagram.

To learn more about the Lauren McCluskey Foundation and Lauren’s Lap, visit https://laurenmccluskey.org.

Kate Ranta is a survivor of intimate partner and gun violence. In 2012, after leaving her abusive marriage, her ex-husband stalked Kate to her apartment, where he shot her and her father in front of her then 4-year-old son.

In this engaging discussion, Celene Beth sits down with Kate to explore the representation of domestic violence in Hollywood, with a particular focus on Blake Lively's latest film, It Ends with Us. They delve into the ethical considerations of storytelling in cinema, examining how the portrayal of such a sensitive issue impacts public perception and contributes to meaningful dialogue.

Additionally, we learn more about Kate, who shares her deep passion for music, singing, and her enduring love for her heroes!

Kate is the co-author of “Killing Kate: A Story of Turning Abuse and Tragedy into Transformation and Triumph,” available on Amazon. https://a.co/d/6TzqOpv

Visit Kate’s website to learn more about her story and to view links to her advocacy and appearances by going to https://www.kateranta.com

You can also follow her journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportkateranta