Betrayal is a true-crime podcast that explores a fairy tale romance gone wrong that ends in tragedy. 

It is a masterpiece that tackles sensitive and complex topics related to sexual assault, deception, and infidelity.

The series takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions as it explores the story of Spencer Herron and Jenifer Faison. 

In this story of betrayal and deceit, many people are caught up in the aftermath.

At the center of the plot is Jenifer, who, after 20 years apart, reconnects with her college sweetheart, Spencer. 

Spencer is a highly respected teacher who has won Teacher of the Year twice. 

Throughout their marriage, he has led a secret life that Jenifer knows nothing about until she came home on June 1, 2018, to find him with a search warrant for sexually assaulting one of his students. (source)

The podcast is a go-to source for true crime enthusiasts and those interested in captivating stories of deception and fraud. 

Its unique approach to storytelling and well-researched and engaging content appeal to listeners fascinated with the psychology behind criminal behavior. 

The podcast also differs from other true-crime podcasts in that it deals sensitively with the victims and their families and does not fictionalize the events.

The Creator Behind the Podcast

Betrayal Podcast is one of the many audio series produced and broadcasted by iHeartMedia.

iHeartMedia is a leading audio company that produces and distributes podcasts, radio, and streaming audio content. 

The company owns 850 stations across the U.S., making it the largest broadcaster in America. 

In addition to its broadcast stations, iHeartMedia operates iHeartRadio, an online music service with more than 150 million registered users worldwide. 

The company’s iHeartPodcast Network is one of the largest podcast publishers in the world, with a library of over 30,000 shows across a variety of genres.

The Network features top-rated podcasts such as Stuff You Should Know, Disgraceland, The Ron Burgundy Podcast, and Betrayal. 

The creators did an outstanding job of highlighting how sexual assault can shatter lives through their honest depiction of what happened to these two individuals.

As a result, the podcast significantly impacted the true crime genre, highlighting the importance of sharing stories of justice and injustice and their impact on society.

Themes and Topics Covered

The Betrayal podcast covers a range of themes and topics related to the story of Jenifer Faison and Spencer Herron. These include:

The perfect husband: The first episode introduces Spencer Herron as the perfect husband and a model teacher and talks about how Jenifer Faison believed she had married the ideal man.

The aftermath: The second episode delves into the fallout of Spencer Herron’s arrest and its impact on Jenifer and the community.

Breaking her silence: In the third episode, Jenifer speaks to a teenage student, the victim of Spencer’’s most vile acts. 

It’s a solid exchange that shows how a predator operates and how trust can be exploited for vulnerabilities.

Grooming: A recurring theme throughout the series, grooming is explored in depth in the final episode. Jenifer and Andrea speak to Jerika Heinze, a survivor, and expert, to shed light on what grooming is and how it works.

Other themes and topics covered in the podcast include sexual assault, deception, betrayal, trauma, healing, and the impact of abuse on victims and their loved ones. 

The podcast provides a nuanced exploration of these complex issues, with insights from experts, survivors, and those affected by the case.

Episode 5 of the Betrayal podcast, “Absolution,” delves into the complex emotions and experiences of a woman who was involved with a married man. 

The episode explores the effects of emotional manipulation and physical aggression, shedding light on the tactics used by individuals who engage in infidelity.

For the podcast’s intended audience(people interested in true crime and stories of betrayal) this episode offers a unique perspective on the impact of infidelity on both the individuals involved and those related to the infidel.

Moreover, the episode highlights the importance of understanding the circumstances under which people engage in infidelity and how individuals can be manipulated and coerced into participating in such behavior. 

For those who have experienced infidelity in their own lives, the episode may provide a sense of validation and understanding and encourage them to seek support and healing. 

Episode 6 explores a common theme of betrayal in close relationships, specifically between friends. 

Many podcast listeners may have experienced similar situations in their own lives, and the episode provides a framework for dealing with such complex emotions and conversations. 

The episode also touches on (the lack of) communication between friends and partners, which is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships.

In episode 8, Jenifer, finally speaks with her ex-husband after more than two years of silence.

The episode provides a sense of closure and resolution for listeners following Jenifer’s story. 

It also offers insight into the complex emotions and difficulties of confronting a former partner who has committed such heinous acts.

Additionally, the episode serves as a support for those who have experienced betrayal in their own lives. 

It offers a powerful conclusion to the series and underscores the importance of healing and moving forward after experiencing trauma. 

Reach of the Podcast

The Betrayal Podcast won the Signal Awards 2023 under the True Crime – Shows category. (source)

As of January, the show has 3.9 stars on Apple Podcast.

On the iMedia platform, the broadcast must reach the 20,000 to 30,000 listener mark.

It has just 117 subscribers on YouTube, and according to available statistics an average podcast receives between 1000 to 2700 views on the platform.

Most viewers appreciate the show’s concept, but some have problems with the plot and the fact that the podcast does not cover the universality of crime.

Read this comment: 

“Story ran over-long. The focus should have been on his predatory behavior against his students. (There appears to be more than one sexual assault victim of his if you look this case up elsewhere). The portions of his run-of-the-mill cheating with adult women should not have been included….

This podcast missed the mark and did no real investigation into who Spencer really was and his crimes. Why no attempt to interview ex-wife or her family, other teachers who he worked with, former students of his, other friends of theirs, old neighbors? I feel her attempt was not to expose Spencer’s crimes against children, but to reveal him as a “cheating husband” only”.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, “Betrayal” is a gripping and thought-provoking podcast series that delves into the complexities of betrayal, infidelity, and abuse.

It sheds light on the devastating impact of such actions on the victims and their loved ones. 

The series raises important questions about trust, forgiveness, and healing, and offers insight into infidelity’s psychological and emotional consequences.

Listen to the podcast on platforms such as Apple Podcast, Podbay and YouTube.Find more cultural and true-crime podcasts like Dark Horror in our rich library here.