Podcast Summary: "Dirty Dirty John" Episode of The Dream

Episode Information:

• Title: Dirty Dirty John
• Podcast: The Dream
• Host/Author: Little Everywhere
• Release Date: March 13, 2025

1. Introduction

The Dream, hosted by Jane Marie and Tara Newell, embarks on an in-depth exploration of the infamous "Dirty John" story in this episode titled "Dirty Dirty John." The episode delves into the complexities of storytelling, media ethics, and personal trauma, focusing on Tara Newell's harrowing experience with John Meehan and the subsequent portrayal of her story in the media.

2. Tara Newell's Background

Tara Newell introduces herself as the survivor of John Meehan, famously known as Dirty John. She recounts how she fought against him and ultimately took his life in self-defense. Post-trauma, Tara has been active in helping other survivors through podcasting and even ventured into a side baking business to cope with her experiences.

Tara Newell [01:20]: "I am best known for being the survivor of Dirty John Meehan. I fought against him and took his life in self-defense. I now have started my own podcast, worked with survivors, and I also started a little side baking business recently too because, you know, you just can never do enough things."

3. The Making of "Dirty John" Podcast

Jane Marie reveals that Little Everywhere was initially pitched to produce the "Dirty John" podcast six months before its launch. However, they believed the story should center around Tara and her mother, focusing on the generational trauma rather than John Meehan himself.

Jane Marie [04:15]: "Our company was pitched producing that podcast, the Dirty John podcast, six months or so before it became a thing."

Tara expresses her surprise upon discovering that the podcast was developed without her full knowledge and involvement.

Jane Marie [05:05]: "I just want to talk to you about how that show got made and how it became so popular and what your role is in that. Is that okay?"

4. Tara's Involvement and Issues with Production

Tara recounts her interactions with Christopher Goffard, a journalist from the LA Times, who approached her and her mother to record interviews for the podcast. Initially, Tara was unaware that her interviews would be used for a podcast series rather than standalone articles.

Tara Newell [12:18]: "So at the restaurant, he decides to pull out a recorder. And it's either a recorder, like his phone... he tells me he just wants to record this so that he just, like, has everything for, you know, keepsakes, basically."

As the project progressed, Tara felt sidelined as production moved forward without proper consent or individualized agreements for her, her mother, and her sister. She highlights the coercive nature of the negotiations and the eventual signing of contracts that did not fully respect her autonomy.

Tara Newell [36:52]: "I felt like I was pushed into a hard place. It was kind of coercive control a little bit."

Jane Marie expresses frustration over the unethical practices observed, emphasizing how Tara was left out of crucial decision-making processes despite being the central figure of the story.

Jane Marie [24:45]: "I don't think it was how things are supposed to work. It just doesn't... This isn't how things are supposed to work."

5. Impact and Reflections

Tara reflects on the emotional and psychological toll the unauthorized use of her story has taken. While acknowledging the positive impact the podcast and subsequent TV adaptations have had on others, she remains conflicted about how her personal narrative was exploited for commercial gain without her full participation.

Tara Newell [48:42]: "It was cathartic for a couple years talking about my story, but then now it comes to the point where it just continuously triggers me, and I live in it."

She also discusses her frustrations with the portrayal of her actions during her traumatic experience, feeling that essential emotional layers were either misrepresented or omitted for the sake of storytelling.

Jane Marie [55:26]: "Like, I just have never understood that."

6. Conclusion

In this episode of The Dream, Tara Newell provides a candid account of the behind-the-scenes challenges she faced during the production of the "Dirty John" podcast and its adaptations. The conversation sheds light on the broader issues of consent, representation, and the ethical responsibilities of storytellers when handling deeply personal and traumatic narratives.

Tara Newell [53:02]: "And that was really important to me to have that say. And because they did that, like, I was pleased to a certain extent."

Jane Marie and Tara Newell conclude by acknowledging the ongoing journey of healing and the importance of maintaining agency over one's own story amidst the pressures of media and public consumption.

Notable Quotes:

• Tara Newell [05:07]: "I was part of the Dirty John podcast. I was, well. I was the survivor who took him down in self-defense."
• Jane Marie [24:27]: "I personally found that abhorrent."
• Tara Newell [37:05]: "I felt like I was pushed into a hard place. It was kind of coercive control a little bit."
• Jane Marie [54:11]: "People didn't know this part of the story, so I was shocked when you told me."
• Tara Newell [50:18]: "I just think of, like, how many adaptations of O.J. Simpson, this and that, Nicole Brown has come out..."
• Jane Marie [51:26]: "Right. Exactly. I know... You're the central character. Like, it's not him, you know."

This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions, insights, and emotional narratives presented in the "Dirty Dirty John" episode of The Dream, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of Tara Newell's experiences and the ethical dilemmas encountered during the podcast's production.