About this episode

Tonia Bales, the first wife of John Meehan, shares her story and discusses her new book about her experiences.

🎙️ Tonia – Dirty John’s First Wife Today on Missing Pieces, I’m joined by Tonia Bales, the first wife of John Meehan, also known as Dirty John. 🧬 At one point in the episode, an unknown sibling comes into the story. Tonia has a new book out today — January 13, 2026: 📘 When You See It: How I Outsmarted & Outlasted Dirty John 🛒 Available wherever books are sold 👉 Amazon: https://a.co/d/2v1sdNR 🎧 Listen to Tonia’s podcast The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror 👉 https://www.audi...

People in this episode

Host: Don Anderson

Guest: Tonia Bales

Topics covered

• true crime
• personal story
• domestic abuse
• memoir
• family dynamics

Keywords

• Dirty John
• Tonia Bales
• memoir
• true crime
• domestic abuse
• family secrets
• podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Amazon

Books & works: When You See It: How I Outsmarted & Outlasted Dirty John, The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror

More episodes of Missing Pieces - NPE Life

• Jamilia - Out of Anonymity · April 13, 2026 · 42 min
• 3 Sisters United · January 27, 2026 · 54 min
• Amanda From Texas · January 7, 2026 · 53 min
• A Christmas Check-In With Don · December 22, 2025 · 33 min
• David Field Actor from Down Under · November 19, 2025 · 46 min
• Shelby - Sister of NPEs · November 5, 2025 · 41 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Missing Pieces - NPE Life podcast page.