Podcast
Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel
Hosted by Rachel Uchitel · EN
New episodes every Tuesday at 12am EST
New Patreon episodes every Saturday at 12pm EST
This podcast will delve into the lives of those who have been reduced to a single headline. Each episode will take a closer look at the stories of those who are on a mission to change their narrative. Through raw and honest interviews, we will reveal the human behind the headline. Join me, as we uncover the truth behind the misconceptions, shed light on the stories of those who have perhaps been wrongfully portrayed, explore the complexities of the human experience, and celebrate the power of second chances.
90episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside the Las Vegas Massacre: The Survivors Who Refused to Give Up
Jun 3000:44:33Summary readyRachel sits down with author and longtime entertainment journalist Mark Gray, who was covering the Route 91 Harvest Festival for Rolling Stone on October 1, 2017—never imagining he'd become part of one of the darkest nights in American history.Mark shares what it was like to be inside the festival as gunfire erupted, the lasting impact of surviving the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, and why he chose to write Las Vegas Massacre Connections.But this conversation isn't just about tragedy.It's about the extraordinary people who found purpose after unimaginable loss. From widows and first responders to survivors who transformed grief into acts of kindness, Mark reveals the remarkable stories that inspired his book and changed his perspective on resilience.Rachel also reflects on her own experiences with trauma, healing, and why moving forward doesn't always mean moving on.A powerful conversation about loss, hope, and the strength of the human spirit.Buy Mark's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Las-Vegas-Massacre-Connections-Deadliest-ebook/dp/B0FQ4GGHSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z1W41ZMXJFCY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rzKHC8KJ_9S5-YdrIsh65Q.YGoToUtQVYHCf1q6vIFkImFnB2yzsOK30TvHxKgksKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=las+vegas+shooting+route+91+harvest+festival+mandalay+bay+massacre+survivor+memoir&qid=1757974447&sprefix=the+las+vegas+massacre+connections+finding+strength+through+tragedy+after+america%27s+deadliest+mass+shooting%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona
SummaryInside the Las Vegas Massacre: The Survivors Who Refused to Give Up
Jun 3000:45:34Summary readyRachel sits down with author and longtime entertainment journalist Mark Gray, who was covering the Route 91 Harvest Festival for Rolling Stone on October 1, 2017—never imagining he'd become part of one of the darkest nights in American history.Mark shares what it was like to be inside the festival as gunfire erupted, the lasting impact of surviving the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, and why he chose to write Las Vegas Massacre Connections.But this conversation isn't just about tragedy.It's about the extraordinary people who found purpose after unimaginable loss. From widows and first responders to survivors who transformed grief into acts of kindness, Mark reveals the remarkable stories that inspired his book and changed his perspective on resilience.Rachel also reflects on her own experiences with trauma, healing, and why moving forward doesn't always mean moving on.A powerful conversation about loss, hope, and the strength of the human spirit.Buy Mark's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Las-Vegas-Massacre-Connections-Deadliest-ebook/dp/B0FQ4GGHSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z1W41ZMXJFCY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rzKHC8KJ_9S5-YdrIsh65Q.YGoToUtQVYHCf1q6vIFkImFnB2yzsOK30TvHxKgksKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=las+vegas+shooting+route+91+harvest+festival+mandalay+bay+massacre+survivor+memoir&qid=1757974447&sprefix=the+las+vegas+massacre+connections+finding+strength+through+tragedy+after+america%27s+deadliest+mass+shooting%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryHow Would YOU Know If You Were In a Cult? Sarah Edmondson On Escaping NXIVM #380
Jun 2301:06:49Summary readySarah Edmondson never thought she'd join a cult.Like so many others, she was searching for personal growth, community, and purpose when she discovered NXIVM—a self-help organization that promised to help people become the best version of themselves.Instead, she found herself trapped inside one of the most notorious cults in modern history.In this eye-opening conversation, Sarah shares how she became involved with NXIVM, the red flags she noticed from the beginning, and why she ignored them. She opens up about the secret inner circle known as DOS, the shocking branding ritual that changed everything, and the moment she realized the organization was far more dangerous than she ever imagined.Rachel also shares her own experiences with coercive environments and explores the psychology behind manipulation, control, and why intelligent, successful people can find themselves caught in systems they never intended to join.This is more than a story about NXIVM.It's a conversation about trust, belonging, influence, and how easily our instincts can be overridden when the right person—or organization—knows exactly what we want to hear.Sarah's New Book "A Little Bit Culty: Navigating Cults, Control and Coercion" : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSLMQSNG/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_1SRVB8CAP59353KWMAFF?linkCode=ml1&tag=sarahjedmonds-20&linkId=392e3fe96936a691bf47e4d22bdf4b09--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona
SummaryHow Would YOU Know If You Were In a Cult? Sarah Edmondson On Escaping NXIVM #380
Jun 2301:07:44Summary readySarah Edmondson never thought she'd join a cult.Like so many others, she was searching for personal growth, community, and purpose when she discovered NXIVM—a self-help organization that promised to help people become the best version of themselves.Instead, she found herself trapped inside one of the most notorious cults in modern history.In this eye-opening conversation, Sarah shares how she became involved with NXIVM, the red flags she noticed from the beginning, and why she ignored them. She opens up about the secret inner circle known as DOS, the shocking branding ritual that changed everything, and the moment she realized the organization was far more dangerous than she ever imagined.Rachel also shares her own experiences with coercive environments and explores the psychology behind manipulation, control, and why intelligent, successful people can find themselves caught in systems they never intended to join.This is more than a story about NXIVM.It's a conversation about trust, belonging, influence, and how easily our instincts can be overridden when the right person—or organization—knows exactly what we want to hear.Sarah's New Book "A Little Bit Culty: Navigating Cults, Control and Coercion" : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSLMQSNG/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_1SRVB8CAP59353KWMAFF?linkCode=ml1&tag=sarahjedmonds-20&linkId=392e3fe96936a691bf47e4d22bdf4b09--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryThe Truth About Joey Merlino: Mob Boss, Prison, Loyalty & Life After The Headlines
Jun 900:58:15Summary readyFor decades, Joey Merlino has been one of the most controversial and recognizable figures in America. Federal prosecutors called him the boss of the Philadelphia crime family. He's spent years behind bars, fought some of the biggest federal cases of his life, and recently became the subject of renewed public attention through a Netflix documentary.In this candid conversation with Rachel Uchitel, Joey opens up about prison, solitary confinement, loyalty, betrayal, gambling addiction, family, second chances, and how he navigates a world where everyone seems to have an opinion about him. Whether you view him as a mob boss, businessman, survivor, or something else entirely, this conversation reveals a side of Joey Merlino that rarely makes the headlines.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona
SummaryThe Truth About Joey Merlino: Mob Boss, Prison, Loyalty & Life After The Headlines
Jun 900:59:44Summary readyFor decades, Joey Merlino has been one of the most controversial and recognizable figures in America. Federal prosecutors called him the boss of the Philadelphia crime family. He's spent years behind bars, fought some of the biggest federal cases of his life, and recently became the subject of renewed public attention through a Netflix documentary.In this candid conversation with Rachel Uchitel, Joey opens up about prison, solitary confinement, loyalty, betrayal, gambling addiction, family, second chances, and how he navigates a world where everyone seems to have an opinion about him. Whether you view him as a mob boss, businessman, survivor, or something else entirely, this conversation reveals a side of Joey Merlino that rarely makes the headlines.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryI Was In Prison With Mackenzie Shirilla: The Real Story Behind Netflix's The Crash | Miss Understood #378
Jun 200:54:51Summary readyAfter Netflix's The Crash reignited national attention around Mackenzie Shirilla, Rachel Uchitel sits down with former inmate Kat Crowder, who spent time incarcerated with her in Ohio prison.Kat shares what Mackenzie was really like behind bars, why she says the woman featured in the documentary didn't match the person she observed in prison, and what inmates thought about one of the most talked-about true crime cases in recent years. She also discusses Mackenzie's prison reputation, disciplinary reports, relationships behind bars, and the reaction inmates had to seeing the documentary while incarcerated.But this conversation becomes much more than a story about Mackenzie. Kat opens up about her own troubled past, her father's suicide, addiction, multiple arrests, a high-speed police chase that landed her in prison, and the daughter she believes ultimately saved her life. It's a powerful story about accountability, redemption, second chances, and rebuilding after prison.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona
SummaryI Was In Prison With Mackenzie Shirilla: The Real Story Behind Netflix's The Crash | Miss Understood #378
Jun 200:56:38Summary readyAfter Netflix's The Crash reignited national attention around Mackenzie Shirilla, Rachel Uchitel sits down with former inmate Kat Crowder, who spent time incarcerated with her in Ohio prison.Kat shares what Mackenzie was really like behind bars, why she says the woman featured in the documentary didn't match the person she observed in prison, and what inmates thought about one of the most talked-about true crime cases in recent years. She also discusses Mackenzie's prison reputation, disciplinary reports, relationships behind bars, and the reaction inmates had to seeing the documentary while incarcerated.But this conversation becomes much more than a story about Mackenzie. Kat opens up about her own troubled past, her father's suicide, addiction, multiple arrests, a high-speed police chase that landed her in prison, and the daughter she believes ultimately saved her life. It's a powerful story about accountability, redemption, second chances, and rebuilding after prison.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryThe Animals Left Behind in the California Fires | Miss Understood #377
May 2600:59:53Summary readyBoomer Buddies Rescue: https://www.boomersbuddies.comJessica Davis IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessandheranimals/?hl=enAs wildfires tore through California, many residents were forced to flee without knowing if they would ever see their pets again. In this heartbreaking episode, Rachel Uchitel speaks with animal rescuer Jessica Davis, who entered the Palisades fire zones to search for stranded animals after entire neighborhoods had been destroyed. Jessica shares the emotional stories of desperate owners, surviving pets found hiding in the rubble, and the devastating reality facing California’s overwhelmed shelter system. From rescue efforts during active fire conditions to the growing animal crisis happening across the state, this is a powerful conversation about survival, compassion, and the bond between people and their animals.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona
SummaryThe Animals Left Behind in the California Fires | Miss Understood #377
May 2601:01:39Summary readyBoomer Buddies Rescue: https://www.boomersbuddies.comJessica Davis IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessandheranimals/?hl=enAs wildfires tore through California, many residents were forced to flee without knowing if they would ever see their pets again. In this heartbreaking episode, Rachel Uchitel speaks with animal rescuer Jessica Davis, who entered the Palisades fire zones to search for stranded animals after entire neighborhoods had been destroyed. Jessica shares the emotional stories of desperate owners, surviving pets found hiding in the rubble, and the devastating reality facing California’s overwhelmed shelter system. From rescue efforts during active fire conditions to the growing animal crisis happening across the state, this is a powerful conversation about survival, compassion, and the bond between people and their animals.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: George Carmona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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