I'm Not a Monster
BBC Radio 5 Live
4.0
(2)
Seeking to separate fact from fiction, the multi award-winning series returns to investigate the divisive story of Shamima Begum.
When three London school girls went missing in 2015, they generated global headlines and the media storm that ensued continues to this day. Back then, investigative journalist Josh Baker was filming at a mosque in the girls' neighbourhood as their families came to seek help; their daughters were on the way to Syria to join the Islamic State group. But it was too late, and they disappeared inside the so-called caliphate.
For four years, their fate remained a mystery - with only occasional glimpses and sometimes conflicting reports of what they were doing with the terror group being made public. Only one of the girls emerged from the ashes of the so called caliphate - Shamima Begum.
The new series will take listeners inside Josh's attempts to figure out what really happened, unearthing new information about one of the most talked about stories of our time. He travels from Bethnal Green in East London to the depths of what was ISIS controlled Syria as he challenges Shamima Begum and investigates if the story she tells is true.
Series One - 'I'm Not A Monster: from BBC Panorama & FRONTLINE PBS'
The first series of I'm Not A Monster told the story of Sam Sally, an American mother who left behind a comfortable life and travelled to the heart of what the Islamic State group called its caliphate with her family. Her husband became an IS sniper and her 10 year-old son was forced to appear in an infamous propaganda video threatening President Trump. It's the BBC's most awarded podcast series to date, having received 16 nominations, winning 11 awards in 10 different international programme competitions including the Rose d 'Or for Best Audio series, three Golds and the Grand Jury Prize at the New York Festivals Radio Awards and Best Documentary Series at the Webbys and the inaugural Podcast Academy Awards (the Ambies) in 2021.
8 Listeners
4.0
(2)
1 Comment
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 I'm Not a Monster Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best I'm Not a Monster episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to I'm Not a Monster for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite I'm Not a Monster episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Series 1: 1. I love you, I miss you
I'm Not a Monster
11/23/20 • 20 min
A suicide bombing in Iraq and a home video from inside the ISIS caliphate begin the search for a family trapped in Syria. A desperate plea arrives from an American woman who says she wants to escape the Islamic State group with her young children.
This episode includes descriptions of violence and some upsetting scenes involving children.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Sound Design and Mix: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps “I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
5 Listeners
Series 1: 6. Now I’m calling the shots
I'm Not a Monster
12/28/20 • 32 min
A torture prison, buying slaves and a dramatic escape: Sam continues her account of her years in Raqqa.
This episode includes references to sexual abuse, extreme violence and some upsetting moments involving children.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Rod Farquhar Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country.
For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
3 Listeners
Series 1: 4. She’s like my mother
I'm Not a Monster
12/14/20 • 28 min
A young boy in the mountains of Northern Iraq makes Josh question what he knows about Sam. Then ten days searching war-torn Syria lead to an offer of help, but can it be trusted?
This episode includes descriptions of violence and some upsetting moments involving children.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
ARCHIVE:
CBS News: Are Yazidis facing genocide at the hands of ISIS? (August 2014)
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
3 Listeners
Series 1: 7. On American soil
I'm Not a Monster
01/18/21 • 39 min
As Josh starts to uncover more about the family’s past, Sam tries to explain away some of the many discrepancies in her story. Then, a connection to the FBI raises new questions about her.
If you know something that you think might help the investigation please email [email protected]
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
ARCHIVE:
ITV News: Filthy and overcrowded': Islamic State families stuck in 'no man's land' CBS News: CBS News goes inside Syrian refugee camp filled with ISIS supporters
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
3 Listeners
Series 1: 5. We had a great life
I'm Not a Monster
12/21/20 • 30 min
Josh is face-to-face with Sam after a year trying to track her down. On a military base in Syria, she begins to tell her side of the story. She says it all started as a family holiday.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed By: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
3 Listeners
Series 1: 3. My name is Yusef
I'm Not a Monster
12/07/20 • 24 min
The Islamic State group forces Sam’s son Matthew to spread its propaganda. Josh searches the woods of Idaho looking for a man on an elk hunt. Then an obscure tweet leads him to Syria to try to find the family.
If you know something that you think might help the investigation please email [email protected]
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
This episode includes strong language, descriptions of violence and some upsetting moments involving children.
ARCHIVE:
NBC News: Boy In ISIS Propaganda Video Claims To Be 10-year-old American | TODAY (August 2017) Sky News: Battle for Raqqa: The uneasy alliance fighting IS. Foreign Affairs Editor Sam Kiley reports (2017) France 24: Syria: Islamic state group counter-attacks in Raqqa as fierce fighting rages (2017) Channel 4 News: Battle for Raqqa: is Isis about to be driven out? Lindsey Hilsum reports. (2017)
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
2 Listeners
Series 1: 8. I take my book back
I'm Not a Monster
01/25/21 • 51 min
Josh retraces Sam’s steps in Syria and asks could she have been an ISIS supporter all along? He meets her old neighbours in Raqqa, visits the infamous torture prison where she says she was held and meets an Islamic State group member who knew her personally.
This episode includes references to violence.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
2 Listeners
Series 1: 2. Read between the lines
I'm Not a Monster
11/30/20 • 31 min
A man who says he’s a people smuggler offers to help the family, while a drive around a suburb in Indiana reveals their past. Sam’s father adds a new twist on who his daughter really is.
This episode includes descriptions of violence and some upsetting moments involving children.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
ARCHIVE:
Fox News: ISIS uses purported American boy in latest propaganda video (August 2017) NBC News: Boy In ISIS Propaganda Video Claims To Be 10-year-old American | TODAY (August 2017) CBS News: ISIS claims boy in propaganda video is American (August 2017)
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
2 Listeners
Series 1: 9. The rest be damned
I'm Not a Monster
02/01/21 • 33 min
After years of insisting she’s innocent, Sam pleads guilty and Moussa’s exes reveal more about the man that led her to Syria. Sam’s team claims she was “a wife under the thumb of her violently abusive and radical husband” but the prosecution says she has “credibility issues” and tells stories that serve her personally. So how long will she spend in prison?
This episodes contains some upsetting moments involving children.
If you know something that you think might help the investigation please email [email protected]
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
ARCHIVE:
ABC News: President Donald Trump declares national emergency to address coronavirus outbreak
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds.
2 Listeners
Series 1: 10. It’s all behind me now
I'm Not a Monster
02/12/21 • 32 min
Sam’s son Matthew was just seven when he was taken to Syria and the Islamic State group. He thought he’d never see America again. Now he’s back with his dad and talks of the “sweet relief” of being home.
Josh finds out how he and Sam’s other children are doing now.
This episode includes references to violence and some upsetting moments involving children.
Reporter: Josh Baker Written by: Josh Baker and Joe Kent Producers: Joe Kent and Max Green Production assistant: Lucie Sullivan Composer: Sam Slater Mixed by: Tom Brignell Series Editor: Emma Rippon
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
“I’m Not a Monster” is a collaboration between BBC Panorama and FRONTLINE (PBS) and is a BBC Radio Current Affairs production for BBC Sounds
2 Listeners
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does I'm Not a Monster have?
I'm Not a Monster currently has 31 episodes available.
What topics does I'm Not a Monster cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, True Crime, Documentary and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on I'm Not a Monster?
The episode title 'Series 1: 1. I love you, I miss you' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on I'm Not a Monster?
The average episode length on I'm Not a Monster is 27 minutes.
How often are episodes of I'm Not a Monster released?
Episodes of I'm Not a Monster are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of I'm Not a Monster?
The first episode of I'm Not a Monster was released on Nov 13, 2020.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ
Comments
@adelamiz
Feb 13
Excellent podcast! Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Like
Reply