In this powerful season finale of True Crime & Hollywood: A Personal Tale, Celene Beth sits down with director, producer, and award-winning journalist Nicole Noren for the very first time to talk about LISTEN, the ESPN documentary that told the story of Lauren McCluskey’s life, advocacy, and tragic case. Together, they reflect on their intersecting journeys involving Lauren’s story, the personal and emotional responsibility that comes with telling true crime narratives, and the importance of honoring the beautiful soul Lauren was.
Nicole, who spent years at ESPN producing more than 50 investigative reports and short documentaries, has earned six Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody for her work covering education, health, and social issues. She recently left ESPN to pursue independent filmmaking, focusing on socially conscious projects that amplify underrepresented stories and create real-world impact.
In this episode, Celene and Nicole discuss what it has meant to collaborate closely with the McCluskey family and the Lauren McCluskey Foundation. Nicole shares her experience creating a documentary that not only holds systems accountable but honors Lauren’s life, voice, and legacy in every frame. They talk about how true crime films can be made ethically and factually, while being mindful of the lived realities behind the headlines, and why Lauren’s story continues to move and inspire so many.
This conversation is a reminder that what we consume on our screens often comes from someone else’s lived trauma and heartbreak. It challenges storytellers and audiences alike to hold space for that truth and to remember the people behind the stories.
- Watch LISTEN on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGkIL70TD4
- U of U continues to make changes 6 years after murder of student Lauren McCluskey by Olivia Kelleher, KUTV: https://youtu.be/l5keP_VMyKE?si=k0wA-3EGDFg4HoUh
- MacKenzie Lueck: A kind and devoted friend: https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/mackenzie-lueck-a-kind-and-devoted-friend/
- The Lauren McCluskey Foundation: https://laurenmccluskey.org/
- Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara : https://www.instagram.com/girlsincsb?igsh=aWp1eHdwenFyYTJ0
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