The Secret Room | True Stories

Tracy tells her harrowing tale of survival when she was a broke and destitute teen. Stories her mother never knew. Stories shared here for the first time. Production support: Susie Lark. Street Secret Team: Bobbi Jo Valdez. Thanks guys. PICTURES Tracy shared pictures of her from her high school, university and army days. Go get 'em: facebook.com/SecretRoomPod and instagram.com/SecretRoomPod and later in the week at twitter.com/SecretRoomPod ~Ben LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

Quinn's dark preoccupation lead her to an unusual career. Today she lifts the curtains to show us what really happens to the dead as they're prepared for their final journey. Production support: Susie Lark. Street Secret Team: Bobbi Jo Valdez. PICTURES To give you an even bigger peek behind the curtain, Quinn's sharing a bunch of pictures. There are a couple of Quinn…her face is obscured but you can still connect with her a bit. Then there's a nostalgic picture of an old hearse she found at the funeral home she worked at, which has been in business for a century. And remember she talked about restorative art, and how that was her passion? Quinn sent a picture of her project at mortuary school where she had to create a complete face from mortuary wax. You wanna see that one! facebook.com/SecretRoomPod and instagram.com/SecretRoomPod/ and later in the week on at twitter.com/SecretRoomPod ~Ben LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

Louise's brother Jessie was everyone's best friend. So she had to conceal her happiness when he died. Louise tells us about their complicated relationship and the unexpected things that have happened since he passed. Production support: Susie Lark. Street Secret Team: Bobbi Jo Valdez. PICTURES Louise made a discovery when she was searching for pictures. Read out exchange about it on social. Also a picture of Jessie living large, and pictures of Louise with Jessie as kids and then as adults. See them all now: facebook.com/SecretRoomPod and instagram.com/SecretRoomPod/ and later in the week on at twitter.com/SecretRoomPod ~Ben LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

Sarah's daydreams are so vivid they've crept into her reality. We learn how they manifest in the real world; and Sarah explains why she keeps them secret. Production support: Susie Lark. Street Secret Team: Bobbi Jo Valdez. Thanks guys. PICTURES Sarah sent a picture of her "relationship vs. single" budget spreadsheet! See how the numbers stack up with and without a boyfriend. And see the apartment building Sarah dreams about living in. She took a picture for you from her book club at the library across the street. And then there's a picture of the beautiful dog she would be happy to spend her days with. He doesn't leave shoes around the house. :) See them all now: facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/ ~Ben LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

The story of an unbreakable spirit in which a young woman is forced to make a decision that will haunt her the rest of her life. Production support: Susie Lark. Street Secret Team: Bobbi Jo Valdez. Thanks guys. AWAY TRAVEL OFFER Thanks to Away for supporting The Secret Room. Go to awaytravel.com/secret and use the promo code secret to get $20 off a suitcase! PICTURES See the street where Claire's mom tried to run down her father. Also the only pictures Claire has of her mom (from her wedding day) and of herself as a kid with her brother (their faces obscured.) Get 'em now: facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/ ~Ben SECRET ROOM TEES ON AMAZON PRIME! Show your affiliation with the coolest indie podcast on the planet with our great tee! Available in your favorite color with free returns. Prime members get free two-day shipping in the U.S. Find it now at Amazon.com. (Or search Amazon for "Secret Room Podcast".) AUDIBLE Thanks to Audible for supporting our podcast. Get a free audiobook with a free 30 day trial at audible.com/SECRETROOM or text SECRETROOM to 500-500. LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

Natalie's bizarre story of a two-pronged family betrayal and a kid who was like her brother. RAINN.org Sexual Assault Hotline (USA): 800-656-HOPE (4673). Production support by Susie Lark and Bobbi Jo Valdez PICTURES A couple days ago Natalie texted me some details that she didn't feel comfortable sharing in our interview. She said I could post her text for you to read in full. Also see Theo, the gorgeous doggie she had to give up. And see Natalie holding her new puppy four years ago, and a picture of him now. Get 'em now: facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/ ~Ben LISTENER SURVEY Take our Listener Survey! Thank you for supporting the Secret Room. :) ~Ben

Reverend Dave revealed in Ep. 53 that he had an X-Rated Tattoo. But he called Ben recently to tell him he missed an important follow up question; one that would have revealed another secret! We get to the bottom of it in this show. --- PICTURES: See Reverend Dave's tattoo and a mysterious picture of Reverend Dave himself on our Facebook page. facebook.com/secretroompod.

Tai tells why she feels partially responsible for the murder committed by her best friend when they were 15. And there's a twist… Production support by Susie Lark, Caitlin Bartholomew and Elkid. PICTURES See the letters and Christmas presents Cody sent Tai over the years. Also a bonus post-interview convo Tai and I had over text. Don't miss it. :) Get 'em now: facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/ ~Ben SUMMER SURVEY Take our Summer Survey!

Brittany bluffed her way through her final thesis. Everyone thinks she graduated but Brittany's not so sure. It's a story where both student and teacher were cheating. My guest is Brittany Ross, host of the Shortcomings Podcast, where she and her co-host Natalie Lander talk with guests about where they fell short in life. Brittany's also an actress, appearing on U.S. television shows The Middle, 2 Broke Girls and Girl Meets World. And you must follow her colorful Instagram: @iambrittanyross. Credits: Production by Susie Lark, and thanks to our Street Secret Editor Caitlin Bartholomew. PICTURES See Brittany's goofy college cheerleading picture; and the shot her hubby snapped as she and her dog Trask desperately tear the house apart looking for her diploma. facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/

Laura tells us how she was dramatically busted while cheating with a married man. Then she went back for more. What happened next will amaze you. PICTURES Laura shared so many great pictures for you! See the bangle she dropped and the tank top she was struggling to adjust on that fateful day in Anthony's house. You can also see the parking lot where she and Anthony used to meet before third shift. facebook.com/secretroompod and instagram.com/secretroompod/