⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains real accounts of domestic violence, coercive control, stalking, knife attack, and self-defense. Listener discretion strongly advised.

Terra Newell and her sister desperately tried to get her mom, Debra Newell, to leave her stepfather. Sometimes it worked, but only temporarily at best. Debra would always go back.

Then on August 20, 2016, Terra was ambushed and stabbed by her stepfather—the infamous conman, abuser, and psychopath John Meehan, known worldwide as “Dirty John.” Despite her injuries, Terra fought back, wrestled the knife away, and killed her attacker in a desperate act of self-defense. Her courage ended the terrifying cycle of abuse that threatened her, her mother, and her sister.

The Dirty John story is a global true crime sensation—first reported by the LA Times, then adapted into a top-charting podcast, a Bravo TV series starring Eric Bana and Connie Britton, and multiple documentaries. Unfortunately, these stories have never been told by those who lived it. The podcast and TV show were based on the article, not on conversations with John's victims. A miscarriage of justice.

Terra is here today with us telling her story, in her own words. And it's powerful. She is a true "Baddie", empowered by a glowing personality emoldened by wit and humor that is a necessity for someone that has survived multiple traumas and her own domestic abuse and violence relationships. Yet she and her sister watched helplessly as their empowered, successful mother was love-bombed and manipulated into marriage by a master manipulator. Like so many caught in cycles of narcissistic abuse and coercive control, they struggled to convince their mom to escape before it was too late.

In this episode, Terra exposes the red flags she saw early, the isolation tactics John Meehan used, and the terrifying escalation that led to a life-or-death confrontation. She reveals what it’s really like to be trapped by a psychopath, how she and her sister tried to fight back, and what it took to survive a near-fatal attack.

We are very thankful Terra chose to share her story with us.

About Terra Newell

At 25, Terra survived and killed serial predator John Meehan—aka Dirty John—changing her life forever. She’s now a leading survivor advocate, ethical podcasting coach, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and founder of a nonprofit for domestic violence survivors. Terra has been featured on Dateline, People Magazine, Women of Impact, and more, using her voice to raise awareness about coercive control, narcissistic abuse, and survivor empowerment.

🎧 Listen to Terra’s podcast: TERRA’S BADDIES CLUB

Need Help?

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

What Our Besties WIll Learn in This Survivor’s Guide:

• How abusers use charm, lies, and love bombing to gain control
• The warning signs and tactics of coercive control that tear families apart
• What it’s really like to be targeted by a psychopath inside your own home
• The moment Terra fought back—and her journey of trauma recovery and healing
• Practical steps for escaping domestic violence and reclaiming your power

Terra Newell, Dirty John, domestic violence survivor story, true crime, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, psychopath survivor, self-defense, domestic abuse recovery, toxic relationships, love bombing, manipulation tactics, escaping domestic violence, warning signs of abuse, survivor empowerment

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

Follow: Instagram TikTok

Subscribe: Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.