About This Episode
What is this episode about?
The episode "Fighting For Joanna" from REAL covers the story of Joanna Lazaris, who in October 2024 was using a dating app when she came across a man calling himself 'Derek'. He presented himself as the perfect match — exciting, ambitious, and intriguing — but the episode reveals that behind this persona was a liar whose deception had lasting consequences for Joanna.
The episode is tied to ongoing efforts by Joanna's sister, Vicky, who continues to fight on Joanna's behalf, including a petition related to the case. The episode also points listeners toward support resources for those affected by romance fraud, sexual abuse, and domestic abuse, reflecting the range of harm explored across Joanna's experience.
Hosts and release
Naomi Channell hosts the show, an independent true crime podcast built around audio documentaries that dig into real-world criminal cases. REAL is produced independently and is available on Spotify. This episode was released on November 2026.
