Rising Stars: Meet Justin Shepherd of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Shepherd.

Hi Justin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never set out to be a content creator or have any kind of public platform. The first video I ever made was at the suggestion of my wife, after I opened up to her about going no-contact with my mother. For most of my life, I had normalized the abuse I went through, but something shifted when I became a parent. That first video—raw and unfiltered—unexpectedly resonated with thousands. I went to sleep with a few followers and woke up to 40,000. I kept answering questions, kept sharing my experience, and a community began to form.

Then, in August 2021, everything changed again. The Gabby Petito case broke. My wife urged me to watch the police footage from Moab, and what I saw was chillingly familiar. Brian Laundrie’s gaslighting and manipulation were textbook narcissism—things I had lived through and recognized instantly. I spoke on it. Loudly. That moment pivoted my content into true crime, and it took off. My commentary gained national attention. With the help of my audience, we raised funds to fly two aerial banners over the Laundrie residence, demanding accountability.

That case pushed me into covering not just true crime, but injustice in all forms—cases the media misrepresents, survivors who deserve to be heard, and stories that demand deeper conversations.

Today, my platform has grown to over 2 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and others. I’m verified on multiple platforms, co-host a podcast called Reel Victims, and I’ve had my work featured in documentaries and media outlets. But the mission hasn’t changed: amplify voices, tell the truth, and hold power accountable.

I never planned for this, but I take it seriously. Every video, every post, every story I share—I know someone out there needs to hear it. It’s more than just content. It’s advocacy.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been anything but smooth—though that’s never been because of my audience. My followers have been supportive and engaged from day one. The challenges have come from the weight of the content I cover and the platforms I use to share it.

Covering abuse, trauma, and true crime on a daily basis is heavy. It stays with you. Sometimes I have to take a step back just to mentally reset, because the emotional toll is real.

Then there’s TikTok itself, which adds another layer of difficulty. Community Guidelines are vague and inconsistently enforced. I’ve had videos taken down for violations when all I did was respond to another user’s post—yet their original video stays up. And when that happens during a major story or ongoing case, being restricted or silenced when people are relying on your updates is beyond frustrating.

What’s been even more disheartening is how TikTok handles impersonation. I’ve had scammers use my name and content to deceive people, and despite reporting it and having a visible presence—being featured in documentaries, news outlets, and other media—TikTok still won’t verify my account. That blue check matters. It helps protect my community from being misled. Meta and YouTube verified me quickly, but TikTok refuses, even though I’ve built the bulk of my audience there. It feels like I’ve had to fight just to be recognized on the platform I helped grow.

Still, I keep going. I’ve built a presence across multiple platforms and stayed focused on telling the stories that matter—no matter how many roadblocks get thrown in the way.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m now a full-time content creator and digital journalist. I cover true crime, current events, and social justice issues, with a focus on giving victims and survivors a voice and holding systems of power accountable. My work lives across multiple platforms—TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, etc, and my podcast Reel Victims—where I dive into cases the media often glosses over, sensationalizes or gets wrong.

What sets me apart is that I approach every story with lived experience. I know what it feels like to be gaslit, silenced, or ignored. That’s why I don’t just report—I advocate. I go beyond the headlines, fact-check the narratives, and call out inconsistencies, even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. We’ve raised awareness, supported survivors, and even crowdfunded campaigns that led to real-world action—like flying aerial banners over the Laundrie residence during the Gabby Petito investigation. I’ve also had my content featured in documentaries and news outlets, and I’ve earned verification on platforms like Instagram and YouTube as a trusted voice in this space.

I didn’t plan for this to become my career, but now that it is, I’m fully committed to using my platform to challenge injustice, amplify the truth, and create meaningful change.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that your story—no matter how painful or personal—has power. For a long time, I was ashamed of my past and convinced no one would care, or worse, that speaking out would only bring judgment. But when I finally shared my truth, it not only helped me heal—it helped others feel less alone.

I’ve also learned that consistency matters more than perfection. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up, be honest, and stay grounded in your “why.”

Most of all, I’ve learned that impact doesn’t always look like a viral video. Sometimes it’s a single message from someone saying, “You helped me leave,” or “You made me feel seen.” That’s what keeps me going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justinthenickofcrime.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinthenickofcrime
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinthenickofcrime0
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@justinthenickofcrime
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@reelVictims