About the Host

Image of a pilot in uniform with American flag background.

Host & Investigator

Steve Rhode

aka “The Get Out of Debt Guy”

2 Years Police Dispatcher

Nationally Syndicated Consumer Debt Columnist

Featured on Major Media Outlets as Consumer Debt Expert

Decades of Radio & Podcast Broadcasting Experience

Pilot Since 1987 (38 Years) – Civil Air Patrol & State of North Carolina Missions

Founder – GetOutOfDebt.org

Published Author – 6 Books + Medical Textbook

Chief Pilot – Wake Forest Fire Dept Search & Rescue

Freelance Photojournalist, Photographer & Videographer for Major News Stations

For three decades, I’ve investigated the stories others overlook—from financial fraud to overlooked criminal cases. My background isn’t typical for true crime podcasting, and that’s the point. I’m a nationally syndicated consumer debt columnist and founder of GetOutOfDebt.org, where I became known as “The Get Out of Debt Guy.” I’ve appeared on all major media outlets as a consumer debt expert, with extensive radio experience and decades as a podcaster. I spent two years as a police dispatcher, learning which cases get prioritized—and which ones slip through the cracks.

I’ve authored six books on consumer debt and financial problems, becoming a recognized expert in how criminals exploit financial systems. I’ve written one ophthalmology textbook and numerous articles spanning finance, medicine, and investigative reporting. I’ve been a pilot since 1987 (38 years) and served as Chief Pilot for search and rescue operations with Wake Forest Fire Department. I’ve flown missions for the Civil Air Patrol and the State of North Carolina. For many years, I’ve also flown dog rescue missions, transporting animals from kill shelters to care facilities and forever homes—volunteer work that taught me about advocacy for those who can’t speak for themselves, a principle that guides my approach to covering victims in true crime cases. Earlier in my career, I worked as a surgical assistant and eye bank technician in morgues, and spent two years as the on-call ophthalmic technologist for eye emergencies—experiences that taught me profound respect for the deceased and their families.

I’ve worked as a freelance photojournalist, photographer, and videographer for multiple news stations, documenting stories as they unfolded. I founded a hometown news outlet and created TapYourNews.com, producing daily local news podcasts for communities nationwide. All of this taught me one thing: the most important stories are often the ones nobody’s telling.

My Approach to True Crime

Every case I cover follows three foundational principles that separate documentary storytelling from sensationalized entertainment.

Documentary Integrity

Every fact comes from verified court documents, FBI affidavits, and official records. When I reconstruct scenes, I tell you. When evidence is unclear, I say so.

Victim-Centered

The people in these cases aren’t characters in entertainment. They’re real people who deserve dignity and respect. That guides every decision I make.

Overlooked Cases

You won’t find these cases on Netflix. I focus on overlooked criminal cases that didn’t make headlines but reveal something profound about crime, justice, or human nature.

When Experience Matters Most

Documentary journalism isn’t just about research—it’s about staying calm when things go wrong and documenting honestly even when it doesn’t make you look good.

Here’s what nearly four decades of aviation experience looks like in action—from volunteer rescue missions to official search and rescue operations.

Volunteer Dog Rescue Mission

In-Flight Emergency – Staying Calm Under Pressure

Dog Rescue Mission - In-Flight Emergency

Fire Demon 1 Operations

Chief Pilot – Wake Forest Fire Department Search & Rescue

Fire Demon 1 - Search and Rescue Operations

This is the same approach I bring to true crime: document honestly, stay focused under pressure, and never sacrifice truth for a better story. Whether handling an aviation emergency, leading search operations for missing persons, or investigating a cold case—the principles remain the same.

Why This Podcast Exists

You won’t find these cases on Netflix.

True Crime Cases You Haven’t Heard focuses on overlooked criminal cases that deserve attention—not because they’re sensational, but because they’re significant. Cases where court documents reveal extraordinary human stories. Cases that teach us something about justice, psychology, and the systems meant to protect us.

My promise to you: Every fact is sourced from verified court documents, FBI affidavits, and official records. When I reconstruct scenes, I tell you I’m doing it. When evidence is unclear, I say so. This isn’t entertainment at the expense of real people—it’s documentary storytelling that honors victims and seeks truth.

Our mission: Honor the people. Tell the whole story.

National Media Recognition

As a nationally syndicated consumer debt columnist and the founder of GetOutOfDebt.org, I’ve appeared on all major media outlets as a consumer debt expert. With decades of broadcasting experience across radio and podcasting, I’ve spent countless hours investigating financial fraud, consumer protection, and the systems that criminals exploit. That same investigative approach now drives True Crime Cases You Haven’t Heard.

The Experience Behind The Stories

My background isn’t typical for true crime podcasting, but that’s precisely why it matters. Over 30 years, I’ve worked in roles that few podcasters have experienced:

• Police Dispatcher (2 years): I learned how cases begin, which ones get prioritized, and—critically—which ones slip through the cracks.

• Nationally Syndicated Consumer Debt Columnist: My column reached millions of readers, establishing me as a trusted voice in financial journalism and consumer protection.

• National Media Expert: I’ve appeared on all major media outlets as a consumer debt expert, bringing complex financial crime stories to mainstream audiences. My extensive radio experience and decades in podcasting have honed my ability to explain complicated investigations in ways people understand.

• Founder – GetOutOfDebt.org: Known as “The Get Out of Debt Guy,” I built a leading consumer advice and investigative site, becoming a recognized expert in financial fraud and consumer protection. My work has helped countless people navigate complex financial systems—the same systems criminals exploit.

• Published Author (6 Books): I’ve authored six books on consumer debt and financial problems, demonstrating my ability to research, verify, and present complex information accurately—essential skills for documentary-style true crime.

• Medical Textbook Author: I wrote one ophthalmology textbook, proving my expertise in technical writing and medical documentation.

• Pilot Since 1987 (38 years): Nearly four decades of aviation experience, including serving as Chief Pilot for search and rescue operations with Wake Forest Fire Department. I’ve flown missions for the Civil Air Patrol and the State of North Carolina. I’ve led operations to find missing persons, understanding the urgency and precision required when someone’s life depends on getting answers quickly.

• Volunteer Dog Rescue Pilot: For many years, I’ve flown rescue missions transporting animals from kill shelters to care facilities and forever homes, learning about advocacy for vulnerable populations who can’t speak for themselves.

• Broadcast Veteran (Decades of Experience): From radio to podcasting, I’ve spent decades refining the craft of investigative audio storytelling. This experience translates directly to the documentary approach of True Crime Cases You Haven’t Heard.

• Freelance Photojournalist, Photographer & Videographer: I’ve worked for multiple news stations, documenting stories as they unfolded and understanding how visual evidence tells the story when witnesses can’t.

• On-Call Ophthalmic Technologist (2 years): I handled eye emergencies, learning to work under pressure when every second counts and accuracy is non-negotiable.

• Surgical Assistant & Eye Bank Technician: Working in morgues taught me profound respect for the deceased and their families. These aren’t “bodies”—they’re people with stories that deserve to be told with dignity.

• News Outlet Founder: I started a hometown news outlet, demonstrating entrepreneurial journalism and commitment to community storytelling.

• Creator – TapYourNews.com: Beyond true crime, I produce daily local news podcasts for communities across the country, keeping people informed about what matters in their neighborhoods. I’ve also produced multiple “Good Morning” style local news shows.

This combination gives me context you won’t get from podcasters reading Wikipedia articles. I’ve investigated financial fraud on national platforms, documented crime scenes as a photojournalist for news stations, led aerial search operations for missing persons through Civil Air Patrol and state missions, and worked in morgues where I learned to honor the deceased. My decades of broadcast experience—from syndicated columns to radio to podcasting—have taught me how to tell complex investigative stories with clarity and respect.

With six published books and a medical textbook to my name, I understand the responsibility of putting information into the world. Every fact must be verified. Every claim must be supported. Every story must honor the real people it represents.

What Makes This Different

Documentary Integrity

I don’t sensationalize. Every fact comes from court records, official documents, and verified sources. You get the truth, not the tabloid version.

Overlooked Cases

I focus on cases you haven’t heard about—the ones that didn’t make headlines but reveal something profound about crime, justice, or human nature.

Professional Insight

With decades of broadcast experience and national media recognition, I bring investigative journalism standards honed across radio, television, and print.

A Note on Ethics

Every episode undergoes a liability review before publication. We verify facts, protect against defamation, and ensure transparent attribution. When we add dramatic reconstruction beyond what’s explicitly documented, we tell you.

This isn’t about entertainment. It’s about truth, justice, and remembering the people these cases represent.

Beyond True Crime

My work extends far beyond criminal cases. As a nationally syndicated consumer debt columnist, I reached millions of readers investigating financial fraud and consumer protection issues. I founded GetOutOfDebt.org, where I became known as “The Get Out of Debt Guy”—a leading voice in exposing how criminals exploit financial systems.

I’ve appeared on all major media outlets as a consumer debt expert, with extensive radio experience and decades in podcasting. I’ve authored six books on consumer debt and one ophthalmology textbook, along with numerous articles spanning finance, medicine, and investigative journalism.

I founded a hometown news outlet and created TapYourNews.com, producing daily local news podcasts and “Good Morning” shows for communities nationwide. Whether investigating financial fraud, producing local news, or uncovering overlooked criminal cases, it’s all part of the same mission: tell the stories that matter, with accuracy and respect.

Ready to Explore Overlooked Cases?

Every episode brings you stories you haven’t heard—backed by court documents, verified sources, and documentary integrity from a nationally recognized investigative journalist.

Browse Case Files

Steve Rhode Podcaster - Investigator

Steve Rhode is an investigative journalist with 30 years covering financial crime, a former police dispatcher, surveillance photographer, and Chief Pilot (Retired) for search and rescue operations. His early career included surgical assistance and morgue work. This unique background informs his documentary approach to overlooked criminal cases—built entirely on court documents and official records, with unwavering respect for victims.

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