243 avsnitt • Längd: 40 min • Månadsvis
From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they’re not.
The podcast PRETEND is created by Creative Babble. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Can you really fake being insane—and get away with it? In this episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system.
We explore how some criminals try to game the system, what psychologists look for when evaluating claims of mental illness, and why even experts can be fooled. Plus, we revisit infamous cases like Richard Speck, George Metesky (aka The Mad Bomber), Ted Bundy, and Ed Kemper to examine how psychology—and its blind spots—played a role in their investigations.
Guest:
Dr. Tristin Engels is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, published author, and co-host of the podcast Killer Minds.
👉 If you want more criminal psychology deep-dives, check out Dr. Engels’ podcast Killer Minds, where she breaks down infamous cases through the lens of a forensic expert.
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Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda—the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam.
In this episode of PRETEND, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner.
But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder.
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Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
When Lindsay first met him, he was charming, successful, and convincing—a financial advisor with all the right answers. What started as a storybook marriage quickly spiraled into a nightmare of manipulation, gaslighting, and escalating violence.
In this episode of PRETEND, Lindsay opens up for the first time in a raw, unfiltered conversation. She walks us through the early warning signs she missed, the love bombing tactics used to win her over, and the slow, calculated process of control that followed.
💬 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.
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After publishing the story of a woman trapped in a marriage with a narcissist, I wasn't sure how it would land. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t end in violence or arrest. But the response was overwhelming. Listeners wrote in to say, “That was me.” Some still carry the trauma years later. Others are just now realizing what they went through was abuse.
In this episode, we hear from listeners who saw their own relationships reflected in Ashley’s story. We also speak with criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards to understand how abuse often hides in plain sight—through gaslighting, coercive control, and emotional manipulation. And we ask: what happens when the narcissist isn’t a partner—but a parent? Or when the survivor is a man?
This bonus episode is about the quiet kind of abuse—the kind people are afraid to talk about but desperately need to hear.
🔊 Featuring: Laura Richards and listeners who bravely shared their experiences
⚠️ Trigger warning: discussions of abuse, addiction, and coercive control
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In this episode of PRETEND, we meet “Ashley”—not her real name—who recorded hours of arguments with her husband in an effort to understand what was happening inside her marriage. From the outside, it looked like petty spats over groceries or laundry. But when you hear the audio, you realize this was something darker.
Ashley’s husband was emotionally abusive, manipulative, and battling addiction. It wasn’t until COVID lockdowns that his mask slipped and she could see who he really was. He used suicide threats to control her, drained her financially, and isolated her from support. And yet, as is often the case with narcissists, everyone else thought he was the victim.
This is not one of the most outrageous stories we’ve told on PRETEND—but it’s one of the most common. It’s a story many people quietly live through and struggle to name. This is what emotional abuse sounds like.
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It started with a missing breast milk keepsake. But when Cheyna Lee joined an online group of frustrated customers, she uncovered something much bigger—hundreds of victims, stolen mementos, and a scam artist hiding in plain sight. This is the story of Destiny Magoon, a small business owner who promised sentimental jewelry made from ashes, hair, and even breast milk—but left heartbreak in her wake. What followed was an online investigation that played out like a true crime documentary, exposing fraud, deception, and a woman willing to do anything to cover her tracks.
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While working on the new season of Pretend, I wanted to bring back an episode from 2018 that’s worth another listen. It’s the story of Art Schlichter, a former Ohio State football star whose gambling addiction wrecked his life—and the lives of others. One of those people was Anita Barney, the widow of a Wendy’s CEO, who lost everything after trusting the wrong person.
This isn’t just a story about gambling. It’s about how someone can slowly gain control over another person’s life and bank account, one small ask at a time.
✔ How Art Schlichter went from an NFL draft pick to a convicted con artist
✔ The way he pulled Anita Barney into his schemes
✔ How quickly financial fraud can spiral out of control
📖 Quarterback Sneak – Anita Barney’s book about what happened
📌 Follow Pretend on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pretendpod/
If someone you trusted took advantage of you, I’d like to hear your story. Send a voice memo to [email protected].
💡 Rate & Review! If you liked this episode, leave a review and share Pretend with a friend.
🎧 Subscribe & Stay Tuned – More episodes coming soon.
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n part two of Licensed to Kill, we continue the shocking investigation into doctors who exploit their patients for profit. This episode follows Patty Hester, a fitness instructor who was misdiagnosed with a rare blood cancer and nearly subjected to years of unnecessary chemotherapy—all at the hands of Dr. Farid Fata, a Michigan oncologist who built his fortune by treating healthy patients for diseases they never had.
But Fata isn’t alone. Across the country, doctors like Thomas Weiner, Ian Paterson, and Javaid Perwaiz have betrayed their patients, mutilated bodies, and destroyed lives—all under the guise of medical care.
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What if your doctor wasn’t trying to save you, but trying to cash in on you?
In this episode of Pretend, we uncover the shocking case of Dr. Thomas Weiner, an oncologist accused of prescribing years of brutal chemotherapy treatments to patients who may not have even had cancer.
We follow the story of Scott Warwick, a man who was told he had stage 4 lung cancer and endured 11 years of toxic treatments—only to later learn there was no biopsy confirming his diagnosis. When Dr. Randy Sasich, a pulmonary critical care specialist, began questioning Weiner’s practices, he faced pushback, intimidation, and threats.
But Weiner’s case isn’t unique. Across the country, doctors like Farid Fata, Jorge Zamora-Quezada, and Michael Swango have been caught exploiting patients for profit, exposing just how broken the U.S. healthcare system truly is.
In this episode, we dive into:
✔️ How financial incentives reward doctors for prescribing unnecessary treatments
✔️ The loopholes in insurance billing that allow fraud to go undetected for years
✔️ The whistleblower who risked everything to expose the truth
✔️ The cult-like following that still defends Dr. Weiner
🔍 Sources & Additional Reading:
https://www.propublica.org/article/thomas-weiner-montana-st-peters-hospital-oncology
🎧 Next Time on Pretend:
Meet a patient who underwent three years of cancer treatments—for cancer she never had.
🔔 Subscribe on Patreon or Pretend Plus for early access to Part 2:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985
📢 Follow us: @PretendPod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook
💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Leave a review or send us a message—we’d love to hear from you!
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A group of women, all with eerily similar stories, say they were deceived—emotionally and financially—by the same man: William Sullivan. But instead of staying silent, they took matters into their own hands. They formed Operation Cock Block, a coordinated effort to expose what they claim were Sullivan’s deceptive tactics and warn others before they fell victim.
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Facilitated Communication is marketed as a miraculous tool for non-speaking autistic children. But what happens when this controversial method leads to devastating consequences? In this episode, we hear from Kevin Plantin, a father who was falsely accused of assault based solely on messages typed with the help of a facilitator.
Despite the evidence, some courts and institutions still give FC credibility—with tragic consequences.
In this episode, Kevin Plantan recounts how a letter typed via FC led to his wrongful imprisonment for 10 months on charges of sexual assault. We also revisit the story of Janyce Boynton, a former FC facilitator who now warns against the practice after witnessing its harmful effects firsthand.
Featured guests in this episode:
Kevin Plantin: Sharing his personal story of wrongful imprisonment.
Janyce Boynton: Former FC facilitator and advocate against the practice.
Additional Resources:
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A mother kills her autistic son. Why? Because he asked her to.
The mother claims he used facilitated communication to ask her to help him die. This case is just one of many tied to the controversial method that claims to give a voice to non-speaking autistic individuals. But what if the voice wasn’t theirs at all?
Share Your Thoughts:
Have you listened to The Telepathy Tapes? What do you think about the claims it makes? We want to hear from you! Send a voice memo with your thoughts to [email protected], and your message might be featured in an upcoming episode.
Resources Mentioned:
➜ Learn more about Amy Lutz’s work and her book Chasing the Intact Mind.
https://amzn.to/4gg9Mbe
➜ Read Zaid Jilani’s articles on Facilitated Communication and The Telepathy Tapes on his Substack, The American Saga.
https://www.theamericansaga.com/
➜ Explore the history of Facilitated Communication in the documentary Tell Them You Love Me (available on U.S. Netflix).
https://www.netflix.com/title/81783064
Stay Connected:
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The Telepathy Tapes podcast shot to the top of the charts, making bold claims about telepathic abilities in non-verbal autistic children. But are the claims rooted in science—or something else entirely? In this episode of PRETEND, we take a closer look at the phenomenon, the controversies, and the skepticism surrounding these extraordinary claims.
We’ll discuss:
➜ The premise of The Telepathy Tapes and the experiments it presents.
➜ Scientific skepticism surrounding telepathy claims.
➜ Ethical concerns, including the history of Facilitated Communication and its controversies.
➜ Voices from parents, experts, and critics, including Zaid Jilani and Amy Lutz.
Resources Mentioned:
Learn more about Amy Lutz’s work and her book Chasing the Intact Mind.
https://amzn.to/4gg9Mbe
Read Zaid Jilani’s articles on Facilitated Communication and The Telepathy Tapes on his Substack, The American Saga.
https://www.theamericansaga.com/
Explore the history of Facilitated Communication in the documentary Tell Them You Love Me (available on U.S. Netflix).
https://www.netflix.com/title/81783064
Share Your Thoughts:
Have you listened to The Telepathy Tapes? What do you think about the claims it makes? We want to hear from you! Send a voice memo with your thoughts to [email protected], and your message might be featured in an upcoming episode.
Stay Connected:
Follow PRETEND on social media and subscribe to the podcast for more stories exploring deception and the human condition.
➜ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pretendpod.bsky.social
➜ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pretendpod/
➜ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod
➜ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pretendpod
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Hello PRETENDERS! I'm excited to announce that the new season of my other podcast, Criminal Conduct Season, is here! To listen to the rest of the story, search for Criminal Conduct and subscribe.
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Buffalo Jim Barrier was a wrestling promoter, mechanic, and Las Vegas icon. He faced off against Rick Rizzolo, a powerful strip club owner with alleged mob ties. Their feud lasted decades. Days after Rizzolo’s release from house release, Buffalo Jim was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a motel room. Evidence is missing, and there are anonymous threats. Questions remain unanswered. Criminal Conduct Season 5 unravels a story of corruption, crime, and one man’s fight for justice.
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Today on PRETEND, we’re featuring the season 5 premiere of Nobody Should Believe Me, a compelling podcast hosted by author Andrea Dunlop that explores Munchausen by proxy abuse. Dunlop’s investigative storytelling sheds light on a complex and deeply troubling form of abuse, offering listeners both empathy and insight.
Season 5 kicks off with an in-depth look at Sophie Hartman’s 2016 memoir, Crowns of Beauty, where Hartman recounts her experiences in Zambia and her journey to becoming the adoptive mother of two Zambian girls. This episode unravels the layers of Hartman’s narrative, revealing her evangelical Christian roots and the persona she crafted as both a martyr and savior.
Andrea Dunlop is joined by Chad Goller-Sojourner, a performance artist and transracial adoption coach, who provides nuanced perspectives on the challenges and intricacies of transracial adoption. Together, they explore themes of identity, privilege, and the ways in which personal narratives can obscure uncomfortable truths.
Whether you’re a fan of Nobody Should Believe Me or new to the series, this episode promises a gripping and thought-provoking listen. Tune in to hear Andrea Dunlop and her team continue their important work of exposing the hidden dynamics of Munchausen by proxy abuse.
Where to Listen: Nobody Should Believe Me is available wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss the season 5 premiere, streaming now!
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0tU5rLsNkx7LeI2GhLlQ4X?si=1e02ca94e6ac4066
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nobody-should-believe-me/id1615637188
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DNA evidence is often seen as the gold standard in criminal investigations—a scientific fingerprint that can definitively prove guilt or innocence. But what happens when the science behind it is mishandled or manipulated? In this episode of PRETEND, we explore two shocking cases: the Garrett Coughlin triple homicide and the wrongful conviction of Josiah Sutton. Both cases reveal how sloppy forensic work and unethical practices can set guilty criminals free and, worse, imprison innocent people. Through interviews with victims' families, experts, and journalists, we unravel the myth of DNA as infallible evidence and expose the devastating consequences of a broken system.
Featuring insights from Kathy Eppler and a special contribution from Celisia Stanton of the Truer Crime Podcast, this episode serves as a sobering reminder: DNA is only as reliable as the people interpreting it.
Credits:
Pitch to Truer Crime Podcast:
If you're intrigued by the case of Josiah Sutton and want to dive deeper, check out Truer Crime Podcast hosted by Celisia Stanton, where she explores the complexities of DNA evidence, justice, and wrongful convictions with a sharp and compassionate lens.
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People panicked when a swarm of mysterious drones appeared in New Jersey’s night skies. Were they military? Foreign spies? Aliens? But buried under all the hysteria was one theory that refused to die: Birds Aren't Real. Yeah, that old internet conspiracy claiming birds are actually government surveillance drones. But here’s the thing—what if the joke isn’t as silly as it seems?
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As a holiday treat, Amanda of Wine & Crime, Javier of PRETEND, and Whitney of Navigating Advocacy sit down to chat true crime, being in the podcasting industry, cases that haunt us, dream collaborations, and more! Enjoy this bonus conversation and check out all of these amazing shows wherever you get your podcasts!
Javier Leiva - PRETEND, Criminal Conduct, Ponzi Playbook
Amanda Jacobson - Wine & Crime
https://open.spotify.com/show/5OeKXVPomhbejM9v7CDqxJ?si=4451247ce3704a0a
Whitney - Navigating Advocacy
https://open.spotify.com/show/6I09OWnoDtibLjE7rfQqrH?si=9265b522586d4727
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In today's Christmas episode, we delve into the story of David Ellisor, a man whose grand Christmas scheme left the city of Miami in disbelief. Ellisor, a real-life Grinch, planned to host "Christmas From Around the World," a supposed once-in-a-lifetime event promising the presence of ambassadors, live reindeer, and a spectacle of global traditions. But the event never happened. He collected the cash and made a run for it. This is a Christmas caper for the ages.
Plus, listeners tell their own Christmas con stories.
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And I wish all of you a Happy New Year!
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The true crime podcasting community has come together for the holiday season to discuss all things true crime podcasting. Over the next two weeks, ten shows will be dropping bonus episodes sharing these conversations. In this episode, I'm joined by Alvin Williams (Affirmative Murder) and Josh Hallmark (True Crime Bullsh**) to discuss how we started our shows, true crime as an industry, how we've grown and lessons we've learned, cases we've covered, monetizing true crime, television, the future of our shows, and more.
Check out Josh's and Alvin's shows:
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When the IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding $80,000, his girlfriend, Jennifer Mitchell, offered to help with his taxes. It seemed like a simple gesture of support.
But John would soon find himself caught in a troubling situation. Unbeknownst to him, his taxes were never filed, and a series of lies began to unravel. As John speaks out, his story reveals a strange and complicated web that extends beyond his own experience.
Today, we explore what happens when trust, love, and taxes collide.
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So, I've got to tell you about this crazy rabbit hole I slipped into. It's about that bizarre olive lady from the Maury show. Remember her? Olives freaked out Sally because they reminded her of, get this, dead people's eyes. Wild, right?
I always wondered... Was Sally for real or just putting on a show for the cameras? This question led me to Anthony Freire, a guy who used to produce for Maury Povich.
Man, the stuff I learned while putting together this episode! It’s like peeling back the curtain on daytime TV and finding a whole other world. Turns out, there are many mind games and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making these shows. Anthony spilled the beans on how they get people to react a certain way or amp up their emotions for the audience.
It's not just about Sally and her olive phobia. This episode digs into the bigger picture of how these TV shows mess with people's heads, both the guests and us viewers.
If you're into the psychology used in reality TV shows or love a good behind-the-scenes story, you must check this out. It's not your average episode of PRETEND.
I can't wait to hear what you all think. Tune in, and let's get our minds blown together!
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A con artist with a long history of scams almost pulled off her biggest scheme yet—stealing Elvis Presley’s iconic home, Graceland. Using fake documents and fabricated identities, Lisa Findley tried to claim ownership of the historic estate.
In this episode, NBC News reporter Brandy Zadrozny takes us down a rabbit hole and shows us how she unraveled Findley’s web of lies, linking her to years of fraud and harassment.
This is one of the boldest property scams in recent history, and Findley came dangerously close to succeeding/ We'll also talk about the loopholes that make these crimes possible.
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In this episode, Dr. Jan Canty, a psychologist, author, and podcast host, shares essential advice on recognizing and avoiding con artists in modern relationships. Dr. Canty, who experienced betrayal and tragedy in her life, offers insights into the red flags of deceptive individuals and provides practical tips for safeguarding against potential scams. Through her 'Don't Con Yourself' TikTok series, Dr. Canty breaks down each stage of interactions with con artists and how to protect oneself. She also discusses her life’s work in grief counseling, her compelling past, and the importance of trusting your gut feeling in relationships.
Tune in to learn more about navigating the complexities of dating and protecting your personal boundaries.
00:20 Jan Canty's Tragic Past
01:05 Recognizing Con Artists
04:34 Understanding Psychopaths and Sociopaths
05:21 First Date Red Flags
14:24 Trusting Your Gut Instinct
16:09 CIA Techniques for Identifying Lies
21:34 Gaslighting
23:29 Dramatic and Unusual Histories
25:10 Understanding the Significance of Tattoos
28:26 The Importance of Personal Boundaries
29:26 Dealing with Missed Warning Signs
32:03 The Dangers of Sharing Personal Information Prematurely
35:14 Early Attempts at Control in Relationships
38:26 Preparing to Exit a Toxic Relationship
46:08 Finding True Love After Hardships
PRETEND podcast featuring Jan Canty's life story
The Sugar Daddy parts 1 & 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jXDdZvO197GVomFLseUiq?si=35087f142efd41bd
A Life Divided: A psychologist's memoir about the double life and murder of her husband - and her road to recovery
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Divided-psychologists-husband-recovery/dp/0578685922
Domino Effect of Murder Podcast
https://jancantyphd.com/podcast/
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The Rise and Fall of LaDonna’s Loudest Surrogate: David McClam
LaDonna Humphrey’s most vocal supporter, David McClam, launched the We Are Not Afraid podcast to defend her against mounting accusations. Episode after episode, McClam promised to deliver proof that LaDonna’s critics were lying.
But instead of delivering proof, McClam brought Alecia Lockhart’s alleged sexual abuser on air to dismiss her claims, issued personal threats to show up at my doorstep and attack me, and even threatened to send the anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church to Anthony Christopher’s gay club for a "blood bath."
This erratic behavior ultimately led to his podcast being pulled down from his hosting provider.
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LaDonna Humphrey groomed Lexi Kakis to be her next close ally—a “surrogate in training,” if you will. Drawn in by their shared passion for cold cases, Kakis found herself getting deeper into Humphrey’s world. Surprisingly, Kakis says she never experienced the harassment others have claimed, but during our interview, she learned how LaDonna truly felt about her.
Kakis was with LaDonna the weekend the Pretend podcast series came out, and in a fit of desperation, LaDonna asked her to retaliate against her enemies. Now, Kakis looks back on how she narrowly avoided becoming more entangled in LaDonna's web.
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What's the old saying? People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Well, it turns out that Dennis McCaslin, editor of LaDonna's tabloid blog, has some skeletons in his closet.
Listen to part 3 of LaDonna's Surrogates:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/ladonnas-part-3-114712491
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LaDonna Humphrey uses her surrogates to do her dirty work; in part one,
we discuss how she weaponized Dennis McCaslin, a Fort Smith, Arkansas tabloid blogger, to go after her enemies.
Listen to LaDonna's Surrogates Part 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ladonnas-part-2-114024374
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It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings.
When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Jeff Grant, the founder of the White Collar Support Group, doesn’t see it that way. After serving time for his crimes, Grant emerged with a mission—to help others like him rebuild their lives, one meeting at a time. “I was lost,” he admits.
After his release from prison, Grant realized there was no blueprint for people like him to re-enter society. That’s why he founded the White Collar Support Group, a space for those prosecuted for financial crimes to navigate life after prison.
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Where do sovereign citizens go when they need medical attention? Some of them seek help from homeopathic quacks like Rick Van Thiel.
Rick Van Thiel is not a surgeon. He's a porn star operating on people with dirty scalpels, reused needles, surrounded by filth. And the worst part is that he performs his surgeries in the nude.
This episode is part of my sovereign citizens series. I first learned about this story from Jerri William's podcast called FBI retired Case File Review.
Disclaimer
It's safe to assume that most PRETEND episodes are unsuitable for young children. Unfortunately, this is one of those episodes. In fact, trigger warning: today, we're going to talk about sexual assault and suicide. This episode is pretty disgusting. So, if you have the stomach for it, please proceed. You've been warned.
Check out my Spotify Radar Billboard in New York City:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8vNvnOSTF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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In this episode of PRETEND, we uncover the unbelievable story of Carlos
Henrique Raposo, better known as "Kaiser," the man who lived the life of
a soccer legend without ever kicking a ball. He partied like a star,
signed with major teams, and tricked the entire football world for
nearly three decades. I sit down with the producer of Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football, Louis Myles, to unravel how Kaiser pulled off this audacious stunt and the real story behind the myth.
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In this episode of PRETEND, I’m taking you back to the case of Tanya and Rick Fernandez—the Arizona couple behind one of the most bizarre harassment campaigns I’ve ever covered. For those of you who followed The Stalker series, you might think this story ended when they struck a plea deal, but not so fast. Despite completing court-ordered counseling and walking away without convictions, it looks like the Fernandezes are back at it.
I'll fill you in on everything that's happened since our last episode, including an anonymous email, a bizarre self-published book, and their children's involvement in keeping the harassment alive.
If you thought this story was over, you’ll want to hear what’s happened since.
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Support our Patreon members and their small businesses:
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Can you believe this is the 16th episode of our investigation into LaDonna Humphrey—a story that, honestly, I didn’t think would last this long. But here we are.
Now, if you’ve followed along, you know this has been a wild ride. LaDonna, once a respected figure in the true crime community, has become the center of some truly shocking accusations. Stealing evidence from the Fort Smith Police Department? Allegations of harassment? Manipulating people for her own gain? It’s been hard to keep up, even for me.
In this episode, we’ll get a little help trying to make sense of it all. I brought in retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley—yes, the Julia Cowley, the one who worked on the Golden State Killer case. She will help us break down LaDonna’s behavior and explain why someone might go to such extreme lengths to control others. You might be surprised by some of the parallels she draws between white-collar criminals and more violent offenders.
We’re also going to revisit some of the disturbing messages that LaDonna has allegedly sent to her victims. And I’ll share some new evidence we’ve uncovered—evidence that links multiple harassing messages to a phone number connected to LaDonna herself. It’s the kind of proof that, quite frankly, is hard to ignore.
But here’s what makes this episode different: today, we’re not just looking at the past. We’re asking what’s next for LaDonna Humphrey. With court cases, potential criminal investigations, and a growing list of accusers, is the end finally near for her? Or is this just another chapter in a never-ending saga?
Guest:
Julia Cowley, Retired FBI Profiler
https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/
Watch LIVE Q&A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJr5bDWJ2nY
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We continue our investigation into Charles Ray Vines and his potential
involvement in the Melissa Witt murder. In this episode, we track down
Vines’ former neighbor and friend, Thomas Seymour. Seymour claims that
he spoke with Vines just before Vines was heading to the bowling alley
to meet a girl named Melissa. What other information does Seymour have
that could shed light on this 30-year-old mystery?
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I’ve been investigating the Melissa Witt case for a while now, and just
when I thought I had a handle on it, a new lead dropped into my lap. In
this episode, I sit down with Patti Rush, a victim advocate who might
have uncovered the most crucial evidence yet. We’re talking
about a case so warped by misinformation that even those
closest to it can’t tell what’s real anymore. But now, we’re pulling on a
thread that could unravel the whole story—and maybe, just maybe, lead
us to the truth about who really killed Melissa Witt.
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"Javier, aren't you worried that LaDonna might target you next?" That's the question I get asked most frequently. The answer is too late.
Even before this series dropped, LaDonna began sending me spoof emails. I've received various messages, including some from fake accounts, and even attempts to hack into my podcast platform. Additionally, LaDonna tried other creative ways to obstruct my investigation and stop the legitimate reporting of her abusive behavior toward others.
Fun, fun.
________
If you need an Intellectual Property attorney, I know a good one.
https://www.casimirjones.com/
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Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement. Today, we're closely examining Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, a sober living facility under LaDonna's direction. Our investigation reveals alarming stories of harassment, financial mismanagement, and overcrowded, unsafe living conditions.
A former resident of Oasis shares her harrowing experience living at the facility. She recounts how donations intended for her baby shower were allegedly kept by LaDonna, leaving her without the promised support. Residents describe living in cramped conditions, with up to 15 women and children in a house meant for nine. Basic amenities like smoke detectors, working washers, and air conditioning are often missing or broken.
We'll also examine the nonprofit's questionable accounting practices. Oasis's financial records show suspicious entries, such as LaDonna working 65 hours per week for only $15,600 annually and unexplained professional fees amounting to $58,000.
LaDonna is accused of using intimidation tactics, such as threatening to kick out residents over minor infractions and enforcing arbitrary fines for damages— creating a culture of fear and control.
Call to Action:
If you're as concerned as we are about the allegations against Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, we urge you to take action. Contact the Arkansas Attorney General's Office at [email protected] or call 501-682-1306. You can also raise awareness by posting on social media with the hashtag #justiceforoasis.
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Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement.
Today, we scrutinize LaDonna Humphrey's non-profit world, focusing on her troubled history with charities. Our investigation reveals a pattern of failed ventures, harassment accusations, and questionable financial practices.
______
I'd like to thank Jayson Blair with the Silver Linings Podcast for allowing me to use clips from his interview with LaDonna Humphrey.
Listen the Silver Linings Podcast: https://linktr.ee/silverliningshandbookpodcast
Also, referenced in this episode is the LaDonna Humphrey Talks Sub Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/LadonnaHumphreyTalk/
NEW EPISODES are available now:
Part 11
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/whos-afraid-of-108675318
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend/id1245307962?i=1000663349553
Part 12
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/whos-afraid-of-108813124
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend/id1245307962?i=1000664222141
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Content Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault.
Today, we're going to talk about the enigma that is LaDonna Humphrey. Like the fact that she was logged in under the same death fetish account, harassing her co-host, yet she denies creating the account. We'll also try to untangle how LaDonna went from attacking the death fetishers to befriending them. Or perhaps her plan to pin Missy Witt's murder on Daniel Watson despite having zero evidence.
Credits:
Written and produced by Javier Leiva.
Produced by Alison Byrne.
Edited by Puneeth Shenoy.
Theme music by Joel Basile with thechicken.net.
Referenced in this episode:
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/LadonnaHumphreyTalk
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To truly understand LaDonna Humphrey, we need to delve into her
childhood. In an exclusive interview, a family member describes the
years of harassing messages and relentless vendettas that have torn
their family apart. This episode sheds light on the deep-rooted
conflicts that have shaped LaDonna's tumultuous life.
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STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING! The LaDonna Humphrey interview episodes are in.
In this first part of my exclusive interview with LaDonna Humphrey, we dive deep into the accusations and controversies surrounding her. I confront LaDonna with the tough questions to unravel the intricate details of her story. We also hear from her supporters. Don't miss out on Part 2 of this interview, available now on Patreon and Pretend+ on Apple Podcasts.
Episode Highlights:
-LaDonna's surprising reaction to my interview request
- Confronting LaDonna about accusations related to Melissa Witt's case files and the River Valley Killer.
- Hearing from LaDonna's supporters and their perspectives on the situation.
- Discussing LaDonna's admissions about sending spoof messages and other allegations.
- A deep dive into LaDonna's legal battles and contempt charges.
- Addressing the evidence and LaDonna's strategy against the accusations.
Written and produced by: Javier Leiva
Producer: Alison Byrne
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with the Podcast Pundits
Theme Music by: Joe Basile with The Chicken (thechicken.net)
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True Crime Author LaDonna Humphrey Targets Ex-Boyfriend in Melissa Witt Killing, According to Recordings
LaDonna Humphrey is accused of relentlessly pursuing Daniel Watson as a suspect in the unsolved murder of Melissa Witt. Watson, who has consistently maintained his innocence, claims he is being unfairly targeted by Humphrey, who is alleged to be driven by personal and financial motives.
Later in the episode, Julie Murray, whose sister Maura Murray disappeared in 2004, also had a contentious experience with Humphrey. Despite initial cooperation, Murray's family became wary of Humphrey's motives, leading to accusations of fabricated evidence and misrepresentation.
Follow Us:
Twitter: @pretendpod
Instagram: @pretendpodcast
Facebook: Pretend Podcast
For more information and updates on Maura Murray's case, visit mauramurraymissing.org.
Today's episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva.
Producer: Alison Byrne
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with the Podcast Pundits https://podcastpundits.com/
Theme Music: The Chicken https://www.thechicken.net/
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LaDonna Humphrey, with a history marked by harassment allegations, emerges from the shadows 13 years later to entangle herself in the arson investigation of her former boss and preacher, Jon Allen. As the flames of the past reignite, investigators uncover a convoluted story of manipulation, embezzlement, and vindictiveness. Why has LaDonna returned after all these years to discredit the Allens, and what does this mean for the longstanding accusations against her? This episode revisits one of her earliest cases of alleged deceit and retribution.
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In part 3 of Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey, we explore the intense battle between Anthony Christopher and LaDonna. Anthony, LaDonna's former boss, shares his story of harassment, alleging LaDonna's relentless efforts to destroy his life and career. From sending spoof emails to unauthorized background checks, LaDonna's actions led to a legal showdown that landed her in jail for destroying evidence and contempt of court and awarded Anthony a multimillion-dollar judgment.
Highlights:
[00:00:00] Anthony Christopher introduces his experience of feeling isolated as LaDonna's victim and discovering other victims.
[00:02:00] Patti Rush speaks about finding empowerment after realizing she wasn't alone in being deceived by LaDonna.
[00:03:00] Anthony details the start of his professional relationship with LaDonna and her swift dismissal from Absolute Pediatrics.
[00:07:00] Nae Heintz discusses LaDonna's unauthorized background checks on colleagues.
[00:15:00] Anthony recounts the beginning of the harassment and the steps he took to address it, including filing a lawsuit.
[00:25:00] LaDonna admits to forwarding intimidating text messages under police questioning.
[00:30:00] The judge finds LaDonna in contempt of court for evidence spoliation and orders her to serve jail time.
[00:32:00] Anthony's attorney uncovers key phone records that contradict LaDonna's claims about her phone being stolen.
[00:36:00] LaDonna's damaging actions lead to a $3.5 million judgment in Anthony's favor.
[00:38:00] The broader impact of LaDonna's actions on other victims and the ongoing legal repercussions.
Part 4 is in the works. Please be patient as my team and I work through these next few episodes.
Follow Us:
Twitter: @pretendpod
Instagram: @pretendpodcast
Facebook: Pretend Podcast
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In this episode, we explore the troubling allegations against LaDonna Humphrey surrounding the Melissa Witt case. Crime victim advocate Patti Rush shares her story, claiming that Humphrey, once seen as an ally, was actually behind years of harassment and deceit. From stolen evidence to questionable motives, we peel back the layers on a complicated figure.
Patti Rush, a dedicated crime victim advocate, shares her experiences and evidence, suggesting that Humphrey, who was once seen as a supportive ally, may have been orchestrating years of harassment and deceit. We'll discuss stolen evidence, questionable motives, and the broader implications for the true crime community.
Highlights:
Call to Action: The story is far from over. Don’t miss out on the next part of this series. Listen to part three now on Patreon or PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast.
Links:
Follow Us:
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LaDonna Humphrey. Remember that name because she is central to this story. I've tried to sum up this tale quickly, but every time I attempt an elevator pitch, I fail. When friends ask me what this new series is about, I'm at a loss for words. It's impossible to explain in just a few minutes.
I'm about to retell the story the way I learned it: completely out of order. By the end, you'll need a suspect board like the ones in the movies. I've conducted over 20 interviews and counting, and you're going to hear some far-fetched allegations from many different people—strangers who share one common thread: they've all crossed paths with LaDonna Humphrey.
There's a lot of he said, she said in this story, and I'll do my best to prove or disprove each claim. This series is going to be a long one, unfolding in real-time as you listen. By the end, I hope I've done enough for you to make up your own mind and understand why so many people are afraid of LaDonna Humphrey.
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LaDonna Humphrey, a respected true crime author and podcaster, has built a strong reputation through her detailed investigations. However, beneath her acclaimed public image lies a troubling undercurrent of allegations and dark secrets. As former associates, friends, and family come forward with disturbing claims. These people have never spoken out... until now.
The question arises: Who's really afraid of LaDonna Humphrey?
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The strange and intricate hoax crafted by Saint Jovite "Kota" Youngblood, a hockey dad who posed as a Delta Force agent, unravels in court. An FBI agent peels back each layer of Youngblood's elaborate scheme that duped dozens of families.
Get early and ad-free episodes:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985
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Saint Jovite Youngblood posed as a Delta Force agent to swindle the families of his son’s hockey team.
Today's episode revolves around two victims: Eric Perardi, an Austin-based real estate developer, and Rebecca Kumar, a hockey mom, whose lives were turned upside down by Youngblood’s elaborate scams. Their experiences may sound like something out of a crime thriller, but they show the danger of falling prey to a master manipulator.
Listen to part 2 now:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985
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BREAKING NEWS - Kaitlyn Braun is Arrested Again for Duping Doulas in Phony Pregnancy Scam
25-year-old Kaitlyn Braun, who is currently under house arrest for prior offenses involving fraud and harassment against doulas, faces new charges as of Tuesday. This week's charges come after new allegations of once again exploiting the trust of unsuspecting doulas by falsely soliciting support related to pregnancy and childbirth.
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In the second installment of "The Doula" series, we uncover new dimensions of Kaitlyn Braun’s elaborate pregnancy scams. This episode features a new doula speaking out about her experiences, the story of how Kaitlyn was finally caught, and a revealing interview with a former friend whom Kaitlyn also deceived.
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Warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of pregnancy loss, sexual violence, and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of "Pretend," listen to the chilling tale of Kaitlyn Braun, a woman who orchestrated an elaborate pregnancy hoax, affecting nearly 60 doulas across Ontario. Seanna Hayes, a doula from London, Ontario, provides a firsthand account of her experience with Kaitlyn Braun. The story begins on a stormy night when Seanna is called to assist Kaitlyn, allegedly in labor, only to discover a web of lies, manipulation, and betrayal that spans across multiple doulas and involves a series of fake medical emergencies and hospital visits.
This episode explores the psychological and emotional impact of Kaitlyn's actions on the doulas, the potential motives behind her behavior, and the aftermath of this bizarre case.
Stay tuned for Part Two, exclusively on Patreon and Pretend+ on Apple Podcasts, where we continue the conversation with another doula who shares a very different experience with Kaitlyn Braun.
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This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.
If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe.
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq
_______
Also, listen to Javier's interview on The Film Nuts podcast.
Subscribe to Film Nuts Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
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In today's episode, we revisit the captivating story of Seafarer Exploration and its quest to unearth a 300-year-old treasure buried beneath the ocean waves off Florida's coast. Join us as we delve into the tale of Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, and his fateful encounter with Dr. Michael Torres, a man whose promises and credentials were as deep as the ocean itself. What begins as a hopeful journey into the past, seeking lost treasures of a Spanish galleon quickly spirals into a lawsuit and allegations of fraud. This rebroadcast from our previous series shines a light on the treasure hunters, the technology they dream of, and the deception that lurks beneath the surface.
Guest Speakers:
Listen to the Entire Series:
Don't miss out on the full adventure of treachery, technology, and sunken treasures. Click on the links below to listen to the entire series and explore the mystery surrounding Florida's Treasure Coast.
Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6S0XjD4QyyXvuFBh1dOyVY?si=c55b75b8eff4478e
Part 3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/19xvUTQQDILhRLrrtiB7Dk?si=df330a9fd2a54c3a
Part 4: https://open.spotify.com/episode/69e2SjjyDLJ3CmbU8mfpvn?si=06e9742270b749d4
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I recently spoke at the Triangle Content Creators Meetup in Raleigh, NC, about using OSINT techniques to locate and research your next guest. OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. As a journalist, I've teamed up with brilliant hackers like Mishaal Khan and Michael Bazzell to uncover new information about my subjects.
In this talk, I explain how Alan Logan and I exposed Frank Abagnale and how Mishaal Khan and I investigated the Stalker case. I thought you might find this interesting.
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Previously on Pretend, we dived deep into the murky waters of academic fraud. Celebrity behavioral scientist Dan Ariely of Duke University, alongside Francesca Gino from Harvard and other distinguished behavioral scientists, embarked on a series of experiments with a noble aim: to enhance honesty among individuals.
Their investigation centered on whether positioning an honesty pledge at the top of a form, as opposed to the bottom, would discourage deceit. However, it emerged that two out of the three experiments underpinning the study were marred by fabricated data.
I interviewed Dan Ariely about these troubling allegations, but our conversation was cut short. I assumed that was the last time I would hear from him. Surprisingly, Ariely reached out, proposing a second interview to directly address what he termed as "false accusations" on my podcast. He stipulated, "If you intend to add these false accusations to the podcast, maybe it's best to have another session and get my answers on the record, but I will ask you to promise me not to edit these. And to give my answers exactly as I present them. If you're up for this, let's schedule a sum If you're up for this, let's schedule something." And so, I agreed.
You're going to listen to my follow-up interview with Dan Ariely. I will, however, interject here and there to add context. But rest assured, every moment of our 43-minute exchange will be presented. I'll upload the raw, unedited versions of both interviews on Patreon and Pretend Plus, accessible for free. You don't need a subscription to tune in.
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We all tell lies—it's a human thing. But can we modify behaviors to coax people into doing the right thing? Let's delve into what the research indicates. After all, facts and numbers don't lie, and academic researchers shouldn't lie either, right? But what happens when these so-called truth experts, the Ivy League researchers who literally wrote the book on dishonesty, are accused of lying and manipulating data?
Science stands as our final bastion of objectivity. However, the individuals behind the studies we're discussing are people. And people make mistakes. But what happens when errors are set aside and data is deliberately fabricated to create an illusion of truth? The consequences could be dire, undermining our trust in everything we hear or read.
Today's story recaps a major scandal in behavioral science, one that's been spotlighted by The New Yorker, The Atlantic, NPR, and podcasts like Freakonomics and Planet Money. Each outlet brought attention to different aspects of the story, but they all missed one critical voice—Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. In a rare interview, I confronted Ariely about the studies in question, and to my surprise, he answered all of my questions.
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I discovered a little-known realm of con artists within the legal system. I found story after story of people impersonating attorneys, prosecutors, and even judges. One woman hacked into the court system and dropped the charges against her.
Get early and ad-free episodes:
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985
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Think all forensic evidence is foolproof? You'd be surprised. In our latest bonus episode of PRETEND, we're taking a deep dive into the murky world of forensic science with M. Chris Fabricant from the Innocence Project. We're talking about how some methods, like bite mark analysis and cadaver dogs, might not be as reliable as you’d think. It's a thought-provoking look at the challenges of separating solid science from shaky beliefs in our legal system.
Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System by M. Chris Fabricant: https://www.amazon.com/Science-American-Criminal-Justice-System/dp/1636140300
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Dr. Arpad Vass touts his Quantum Oscillator, a contraption made of plywood and PVC pipe, as a revolutionary tool capable of locating missing persons' remains with 92% accuracy from up to 60 miles away, using just DNA from fingernail clippings.
In a desperate attempt to solve the cold case of Brandy Hall, a Florida firefighter gone missing, Hall's family turned to Dr. Vass and his device. Guided by the oscillator's dubious promise, they believed Brandy could be buried in a specific wooded area. In a fit of hope and despair, Brandy's mother resorted to using a makeshift shovel to dig for her daughter, embodying the heart-wrenching grip of grief and the seductive, yet misleading, appeal of pseudoscience. Ultimately, the search yielded nothing but a painful journey back to square one.
In today's episode, we discuss the science behind the Quantum Oscillator.
Watch the video of Dr. Vass and the Quantum Oscillator:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3DTrzYM-8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/ub2kdJZ0JNQ?feature=share
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In today’s episode of Pretend, we're zeroing in on Dr. Arpad Vass's invention called the Quantum Oscillator—a device straight out of a sci-fi plot with the audacious promise of finding the lost with just a sliver of DNA. Imagine a gadget claiming to pinpoint your long-gone ancestors' graves or track down missing persons with a flicker of electromagnetic waves.
Dr. Vass claims that with a bit of your DNA, his Quantum Oscillator could lead him to grave sites with 92% accuracy from a distance as far as 60 miles. Sounds miraculous, right? But hold your horses—does this invention hold up under the scrutiny of science, or is it veering into the realm of pseudoscience?
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In "The Grave Detector," we delve into the enigmatic practice of using dowsing rods with a focus on the work of Dr. Arpard Vass, a forensic anthropologist renowned for his innovative methods in locating unmarked graves and human remains. The episode explores the traditional and modern uses of dowsing rods, often associated with finding water, treasures, and possibly ghosts. But most alarming of all, dowsing rods play a controversial role in police investigations and legal proceedings.
M. Chris Fabricant, Junk Science - https://a.co/d/cu4tn9m
Michael Hadsell, Peace River K9 Search and Rescue (PRSAR) - https://www.prsar.org/
Dr. Arpad Vass- http://forensicrecoveryservices.org/
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In "The High School Hoax," the latest episode of "PRETEND," we explore the true story of Shelby Hewitt, a 32-year-old woman who enrolled as a high school student in Boston.
What compels an adult to return to high school? How did this go unnoticed? Janelle, a 16-year-old classmate and friend of Shelby's, offers a unique window into this bizarre ruse.
See video of Shelby Hewitt:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C02ngXjsUh1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7312640020207242538
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/xG-y0td3MkI?feature=share
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Dartanyon A. Williams (DAW) stole his parents’ identities at the age of 15.
Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes
by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he’s
lost count. It’s rare to hear firsthand from an identity thief. In this
episode, Dartanyon
How did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique
was paying off restaurant employees, car dealerships, and tax
preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no
one was looking, they would collect customers' social security numbers and
smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He even ran for Congress for the U.S. House of Representatives.
These days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached
database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is
already online. What can you do to protect yourself?
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
I’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not
really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll
hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume
your identity.
Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide.
Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus,
then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line
of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit,
it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick
phone call.
Equifax
Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Experian
Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
TransUnion
Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page
If you just stumbled on this page, start with part 1.
To learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com
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It’s neither a disease nor a recognized mental disorder—it’s just a state of mind. Today, you’ll meet a man who became a fugitive to live in his very own Neverland.
Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. He’s not a dangerous man. Larry just became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.
This is a rebroadcast of a previous series about fugitives running from the law. In season 4 of PRETEND, we explore how abandoning your old identity leads to complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?
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In today's Christmas episode, we delve into the story of David Ellisor, a man whose grand Christmas scheme left the city of Miami in disbelief. Ellisor, a real-life Grinch, planned to host "Christmas From Around the World," a supposed once-in-a-lifetime event promising the presence of ambassadors, live reindeer, and a spectacle of global traditions. But the event never happened. He collected the cash and made a run for it. This is a Christmas caper for the ages.
Plus, listeners tell their own Christmas con stories.
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And I wish all of you a Happy New Year!
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Hey there, avid followers of the "Stalker" series! You might recall my last update, where I mentioned Tanya and Rick Fernandez may have taken a plea deal. Well.... There was a bit of a mix-up: while the State of Arizona court website had the trial marked as "vacated," a peek into the Maricopa Superior Court website told a different story. It turns out they have a new trial date set for February 27, 2024.
So, what does this mean? Initially, I speculated that the couple might have struck a plea deal. It seemed like a plausible explanation at the time, considering the how their settlement conference ended. But, as it often turns out, the reality was a bit different. I'm here to set the record straight: the trial is very much back on!
But wait, there's more. I had one more conversation with Tanya Fernandez and her oldest son. To say it was enlightening would be an understatement. The conversation added one more clue into revealing the identity of the stalker.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the trial date. This case has been a roller coaster of developments, and I'm committed to keeping you all in the loop with every twist and turn.
Until then, keep your eyes peeled for more updates. The "Stalker" saga is far from over.
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So, I've got to tell you about this crazy rabbit hole I slipped into. It's about that bizarre olive lady from the Maury show. Remember her? Sally was freaked out by olives because they reminded her of, get this, dead people's eyes. Wild, right?
I always wondered, was Sally for real or just putting on a show for the cameras? This question sent me down a path that ended with me chatting with Anthony Freire, a guy who used to produce for Maury.
Man, the stuff I learned while putting together this episode! It’s like peeling back the curtain on daytime TV and finding a whole other world. Turns out, there's a ton of mind games and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making these shows. Anthony spilled the beans on how they get people to react a certain way or amp up their emotions for the audience.
It's not just about Sally and her olive phobia. This episode digs into the bigger picture of how these TV shows mess with people's heads, both the guests and us viewers.
If you're into the psychology of TV shows or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, you've gotta check this out. It's not your average episode of PRETEND.
Can't wait to hear what you all think. Tune in, and let's get our minds blown together!
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Today on "PRETEND," we explore the unsettling world of red-collar criminals, as defined by Frank Perri. These are white-collar offenders who commit murder to hide their frauds. This episode takes a closer look at the motivations and warning signs of these dangerous individuals. They could be closer than you think: a friend, family member, or coworker.
We also investigate how male and female red-collar criminals differ in their methods and motivations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognizing and possibly preventing future red-collar crimes.
Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Collar-White-Crime-Corporate/dp/B09BGLZ7XL
PRETEND Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pretendradio/
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In this episode of PRETEND, we explore 'Red Collar Criminals,' a term coined by attorney, CPA, and Certified Fraud Examiner Frank Perri. Perri defines red-collar criminals as white-collar offenders who turn to violence to hide their frauds.
We investigate the psychology and patterns common among these criminals, revealing how ordinary financial crimes can escalate into brutal acts of violence. By examining various cases, this episode paints a vivid picture of the dangerous and often unnoticed overlap between deceit and murder.
Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:
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I checked the Arizona court website and it looks like Tanya and Rick Fernandez accepted a plea deal. So is this the end?
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"PRETEND: The Stalker" is back with a bombshell that you've all been waiting for: new court audio from The Fernandez Settlement Conference.
It's been a while since we've delved into the world of Tanya and Rick Fernandez, the subjects of one of The Stalker series. In the nine months since their indictment on January 25, 2023, where they faced a barrage of six felony charges, the Fernandez case has been marked by a relentless procession of delays.
The defense attorneys? They've been hitting the pause button time and time again, clamoring for more time to prepare their strategy. Meanwhile, the State of Arizona? They've remained steadfast, offering no plea deals whatsoever. The result? It was an agonizing year filled with 'hurry up and wait.'
But here's where it gets riveting – this past summer, the Fernandezes made an interesting move. They willingly relinquished their right to a speedy trial. Why? Their legal team argues that this case is anything but ordinary. It's complex, requiring more time for expert witness interviews, akin to a high-stakes murder trial. It's a bold move; let's see if it works.
We're inching closer to the December 6th, 2023 trial date. Will the State of Arizona finally extend a plea deal? And more critically, will the Fernandezes accept it, or are they unshakable in their belief that their narrative will captivate a jury?
In this episode of "PRETEND: The Stalker," you'll hear directly from the judge and prosecutor and finally get answers to our most burning questions. Will the Fernandezes cut a deal, or are they destined to take their chances in the unforgiving courtroom?
Let me know what you think on social!
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Get ready, folks!
I've just wrapped up listening to the Settlement Conference audio, and let me tell you, it's nothing short of mind-blowing. Right now, "WOW" is all I can muster. It's jam-packed with the answers we've all been itching to find.
Ever wondered what might happen if this case goes to trial? Will the Fernandez's stand firm in their refusal to accept a plea deal? What does the judge think of all this madness? Well, get ready to find out as the judge describes Tanya and Rick's possible fate.
I've even got a sneak peek for you, a short clip of the judge painting a vivid picture of their chances in front of a jury. Trust me; you won't want to miss this.
I'm hard at work on the new episode, and my hope is to get it out to you as soon as humanly possible. Bracing myself for a busy weekend ahead.
Stay tuned – there's much more to come!
Cheers, Javier
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Doug Williams is looking over his shoulder because, since 1979, he’s been on a crusade to defeat the polygraph machine. In 1996, he started a website called polygraph.com, offering a handbook and one-on-one training teaching people how to pass the test.
“There is no Pinocchio response. Your nose does not grow when you lie.” Doug Williams, polygraph critic
According to Doug Williams, a lie detector test is about as accurate as a coin toss. He claims the machine doesn’t work, and as a result, innocent people are paying the price. Many innocent people have pleaded guilty and skipped trial because they failed a polygraph during an interrogation. And employers routinely administered polygraph tests as part of their hiring process. If you fail a lie detector test in the US federal government, you’re potentially placed on a blacklist and never allowed to apply for that government agency job again.
Doug Willams says that the polygraph is just a stage prop used to scare people. How does he know this? Because he spent most of his law enforcement career using it as what he calls a psychological billy club. To him, it was just a tool to beat a confession out of a bad guy. But over the years, he realized that a polygraph test is just that… a test. It can be cheated. And he would devote the rest of his life to destroying it.
Doug Williams made a career giving people polygraph exams. Now, he’s going to prison for teaching people how to cheat the test.
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In today's episode titled "The Babalawo," we delve deep into the world of Santería - the religion, not the song. While many might recognize the song, few are familiar with this mysterious Afro-Cuban faith, also known as Regla de Ochá, La Regla de Ifá, or Lucumí, which translates to the worship of saints.
You might wonder, "Where's the twist in this tale?" I've always felt an unsettling vibe around this religion. My fellow Cubans often consult Santería priests as if seeking divination. But is this genuine spiritual guidance, or am I unfairly biased against it? Spoiler: I might be letting my biases cloud my judgment.
To truly understand, I need to immerse myself in the heart of Santería, right in my hometown of Miami. But first, what exactly is a Babalawo?
A Babalawo is a revered figure in Santería, a priest who communicates prophecies from the Orishas, spirits representing aspects of the divine God Olodumare. In this episode, we'll uncover the history and roots of Santería, engaging in enlightening conversations with both a Santería priest and priestess, shedding light on their clandestine ceremonies.
—–MUSIC—–
Our theme music is crafted by the talented Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Discover more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net.
We also feature tunes by Podington Bear.
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This week, we journey into the heart of dark tourism, exploring iconic haunted locations like the Winchester House, The Myrtle Plantation, and the eerie Lost City of Frenier. But how much of what we hear is historically accurate, and how much is just for show? Are the tales of the curse of Julia Brown rooted in fact, or are they just spine-chilling fables? Brandon Schexnayder of the Southern Gothic Podcast is here to help us separate spectral facts from fiction. Prepare for a deep dive into the stories that have both fascinated and terrified generations.
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Beth Green, a former member of Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan's staff, was arrested, facing felony charges stemming from a plot to torment her husband during their divorce proceedings. Accused of impersonating her former boss and employing deceptive personas, Green's arrest follows a warrant issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). But what's even more astonishing is what Beth's husband has to say about the extent of her alleged deception. In today's episode of the PRETEND Podcast, we explore the extraordinary story of betrayal, lies, and the unraveling of trust in the midst of a divorce.
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On the next episode of Pretend, we investigate the perplexing case of 17-year-old Rudy Farias. While he was presumed missing for eight years, an unexpected twist raised suspicions of a hoax.
Our investigation uncovers a trail of fraud linked to Rudy's mother, Janie Santana, spanning decades. This includes multiple marriages, charity scams, a fabricated cancer diagnosis, and even laying claim to the house of a late sheriff's deputy.
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So, here's a plot twist for you: Rudy Farias, the Houston teen who was reported missing in 2015, returned after eight years. Instead of celebration and joyful tears, rumors were swirling about possible deception. Where was Rudy Farias hiding? This is not your typical missing person's case.
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Enter James Freedman, a British entertainer and professional pickpocket who has chosen a unique and unexpected path. Rather than succumbing to a life of crime, Freedman employs his extraordinary skills to aid law enforcement in apprehending criminals.
The notion that pickpocketing is a vanishing art form is a misconception. Instead, it has evolved and adapted to the digital age. Today, we delve into the intriguing world of modern pickpocketing with James Freedman, who will unveil the intricate techniques behind the art of "tapp, dip, and swipe."
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In a world where technology reigns supreme, the art of pickpocketing has not vanished into history's annals.
While traditional pickpocketing still thrives in popular European tourist destinations like Barcelona, Prague, and Rome, the game has evolved. In an era where wallets bulging with cash have been replaced by minimalist essentials - a smartphone and keys - cunning thieves have adapted to exploit new opportunities. In this eye-opening interview with James Freedman, we delve into the world of pickpocketing in the digital age with a master of the craft, exploring a spectrum that spans from the classic pocket-wallet dip to the intricacies of credit card swipes and other forms of digital fraud that may leave you astonished—technology changes, as do the tactics of those seeking to exploit it.
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In this bonus episode, we pick up where we left off, diving into the events leading up to the much-anticipated August 24th contempt of court hearing involving Patrick Tomlinson.
In our previous episode, we shared the suspenseful build-up to this critical date, where Patrick faced potential jail time for failing to pay the legal fees of the opposing party. In our last interview. Patrick had made it clear that he had no intention of making the required payment.
So, what happened on August 24th contempt of court hearing? Patrick showed up with his attorney, and so did one of his relentless tormentors, Dan Mullen, who shared his account of a tense courtroom encounter.
Intriguingly, Patrick filed a motion just days before the hearing, outlining his demands to the court. He requested a postponement and a closed, private hearing held over video conferencing due to safety concerns. This was in response to online chatter suggesting some of his foes planned to attend in person.
But the drama didn't end there. Patrick made a bold claim in his motion, alleging the identity of his online nemesis, "quasi101," and hinting at a familial connection to a federal judge, all without providing any evidence.
However, the outcome of the hearing surprised many. Both sides agreed on a payment, and Patrick paid the court-ordered debt, amounting to $32,709.80, satisfying this particular legal obligation.
The big question now: Does this payment signify a truce in this long-standing online feud?
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A mother's anguish resurfaces as her son's convicted killer is set free due to a jury verdict reversal by a judge. This is the story of Pravin Varughese.
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There are always two sides to every story. In part 4, listen to my interview with the online forum administrator. We discuss the ongoing legal battle with Patrick Tomlinson and why Patrick may go to jail over this feud.
_____________
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Patrick Tomlinson, known for his imaginative works in the science fiction genre, took a stand against the onaforum's vicious gangstalking attacks, hoping to end the torment he endured for over five years. However, the court ruled against him, leaving him without the justice he sought and burdened with paying the site owner's legal fees.
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Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living a nightmare, enduring years of terror as cyber stalkers repeatedly sent police to their doorstep in a relentless "swatting" campaign. The couple, who claim to have experienced this terrifying ordeal 42 times, describes the chilling encounters with officers storming their home with guns drawn, handcuffing Tomlinson in his front yard, and even alleging that he had killed his wife. The reason for this campaign of terror, they say, stems from a trivial online criticism of the late comedian Norm Macdonald, leading to a series of threatening messages encouraging the author to take his own life.
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WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.
Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living in fear for years, enduring a relentless campaign of terror orchestrated by cyberstalkers, all stemming from a seemingly innocuous tweet about the late comedian Norm Macdonald. Tomlinson's criticism of the "Saturday Night Live" comic as not funny ignited a firestorm of online harassment, including threatening emails, voice messages, and disturbing Reddit posts urging him to harm himself.
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This is the episode you've been waiting for!
While we've primarily heard from Tanya and Rick Fernandez's perspective, it's time to introduce you to a key figure in this fascinating case: Dr. Grace Gressman (not her real name). As a central player, Dr. Gressman holds valuable insights into the stalker's actions. What is her connection to the Fernandez family? What does she have to say about the mysterious messages?
In today's episode, we finally hear Dr. Gressman's story.
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The IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding $80,000.
Jennifer Mitchell, his girlfriend, offered to handle John's taxes. At first glance, it seemed like a simple act of love. Little did he know that this act of goodwill would lead him down a treacherous path of deception and impersonation.
Unbeknownst to John, Jennifer never actually filed his taxes and instead fabricated an elaborate web of lies. She even went as far as impersonating the IRS to fool John into believing everything was in order. But John's story doesn't end there. As he bravely speaks out, it becomes evident that Jennifer's peculiar scam has also ensnared others.
Today, we explore the complexity between love and taxes.
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Previously on PRETEND, we heard the story of David Crow and his criminal father, Thurston. In today's episode, we delve deeper into "The Pale-Faced Lie," a memoir about growing up as his father's accomplice.
David's father, Thurston Crow, lived a life of crime: stealing, lying, and killing anyone who stood in his way. And right beside him, the whole time, was his young son David. In this episode, hear David's story of overcoming a life of crime and trying to understand why the one person he trusted most in the world took advantage of him.
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David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice.
In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled "The Pale-Faced Lie." It's the story of a father and son entangled in a life of crime.
David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was like growing up with a violent and convicted felon who used the Native American reservation as a refuge to evade his enemies.
This episode is the story of a young boy grappling with his place in the world, torn between his father's influence and his desire for a different path.
The Pale-Faced Lie part 2 is now available on PATREON and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast.
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Imagine being a fly on the wall at the Fernandez house. What are they like? What do they talk about? Who in that house is capable of sending such disgusting messages?
If only we could talk to someone who lived with them.
Last week, out of the blue, Brittni Stone reached out to me because she lived with the Fernandez family for five years. She has a lot to say about the Stalker series. But maybe her insights can lead us closer to the truth.
Plus, hear the latest on the trial. Has the state offered Tanya and Rick a plea deal?
Listen to the latest bonus episode of The Stalker, then post your reaction on Patreon, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
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The Ponzi Playbook:
Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.
Episode 1 Description:
We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit.
The first two episodes are available right now. Download wherever you get your podcasts
https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook
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This podcast series on the stalker case has captured the attention of many listeners, making it one of the most talked-about series on PRETEND. Some listeners have even listened to it multiple times, hoping to find some clue or slip-up that could help them solve the mystery.
Listeners are clamoring for more updates. But it's important to note that this type of investigation takes time, and it took me two years to report on this story. The series ended with Tanya and Rick Fernandez being indicted by a grand jury on computer tampering charges and aggravated harassment.
Initially, I wasn't sure if the case would even make it to trial. I expected Tanya and Rick to plead guilty and accept a lighter sentence. However, that has yet to happen.
In this episode, I will provide an update on where the trial stands and share some interviews I recorded with Tanya and Rick that were not included in the original series. While these interviews didn't align with the story's central plot at the time, they shed some light on the type of drama surrounding this case.
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Hidden within the Pentagon's vast maze, Ana Montes expertly spun her web of secrets for Cuba. Yet, as with all intricate schemes, the threads began to loosen. Over 17 covert years, her dance with deception went unnoticed, but even the best-laid plots have their breaking point. Venture with us into the moment it all came undone.
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You've probably never heard the name Ana Montes because the FBI arrested her just ten days after 9/11. "Ana Montes, I believe, was one of the most dangerous American spies, period. And I would argue, the most dangerous female spy." - Jim Popkin is a long-time journalist and author of "Codename Blue Wren," the story of Ana Montes, the Cuban Spy.
Ana Belen Montes spied on the US for Cuba for 17 years. Find out what made her so dangerous and how she spied on the Cubans from within the US intelligence community.
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Virginia Morris, a retired real estate agent from Houston, Texas, doesn't want me to use her real name. She claims Frank Abagnale scammed her out of $20,000 through a bogus investment scheme. Virginia spent years suing Abagnale, trying to recover her money. However, she was unsuccessful. Abagnale ignored the court summons and failed to appear in court.
So, Virginia did what anyone who lost more than $20,000 would do. She showed up at one of Frank Abagnale's speaking events and confronted him.
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Frank is Back!
This update episode is loaded with new allegations and never-before-told capers. Like the time Frank Abagnale:
Frank Abagnale is getting national attention. Just this month, the New York Post published an article citing an 87-page file of old newspaper clippings, court documents, and letters — from airlines, university officials, government sources, and others. Here's a link to the article written by Abby Ellin.
We end the episode with a song inspired by my 'Real Catch Me If You Can' Series.
STR8 DAD VIBES by KENDONTCRY
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In today's episode, we will talk about how to treat perpetrators of Munchausen by Proxy—if that's even possible. And also, what happens when you suspect a mother of abuse? Should you report it? And what happens if you get it wrong? We're going to get into it all of this. Plus, we'll talk about Hope Ybarra's downfall.
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In today's episode, we'll discuss Munchausen by Proxy and how to identify it. And I'm not talking about scandalous stories like the ones you've seen on TV. In fact, we will focus on the less popular cases to show you that this form of abuse is far more common than we even realized. You may know someone who is a victim of Munchausen by proxy and not even realizes it.
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Just when you thought this case couldn't get any crazier.
The night before the arraignment, Dr. Gressman's former patient, "Chelsea," starts badgering my followers on Instagram. The tone of her texts are eerily similar to the stalker.
Then, Tanya goes on Facebook and makes a surprise announcement. To almost all of her friends' shock and surprise, she announced a new addition. Yes, you read correctly. The night before her court appearance, she let everyone know she was the mother of a brand new baby girl. Where did this child come from?
Take a listen for yourself and keep the comments coming.
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Note: Tune in to the end of the episode for some breaking news on this case.
This series started as a whodunit about a menacing cyberstalker. But in reality, it turned into something else... something far more disturbing. We may all be witnessing medical child abuse in real-time. Munchausen by proxy is a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care to seek attention or sympathy.
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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.
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In this week's episode, we investigate who may be responsible for the harassing messages sent to the Rodriguez family. The postal inspector and the detectives assigned to the case have their sights set on the oldest daughter, Logan, but at this time, there are no official suspects, and no one has been charged.
One thing we can say for sure is that there is no evidence that Dr. Gressman or the husband is involved in any way. Whoever is behind these messages is someone living inside the Rodriguez family's house.
It's also worth noting that the Instagram accounts used by the stalker were created using the Rodriguez's IP address and were created before their disabled adult daughter, Chelsea, ever became a patient of Dr. Gressman. With seven people living in that house, there are six possible suspects. In today's episode, we'll be narrowing it down to two.
This podcast contains explicit language and mature content that may not be suitable for children.
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As the investigation into the cyberstalking of the Rodriguez family continues, new information has come to light about the possible culprit. To uncover potential leads, an ethical hacker was brought on to investigate all parties involved in the case, including the alleged stalker, Dr. Grace Gressman, and her husband, John. After a thorough search, it was determined that both the doctor and her husband had no unusual internet activity and were unlikely to be the stalker.
However, when the hacker turned their attention to the Rodriguez family, they found something curious. Logan, the oldest adult child of Claudia and David Rodriguez, had 5 active devices. Mishaal Khan, a cyber-security expert, says, "While it may be normal for someone of Logan's age to have multiple devices, it is unusual for someone to have so many." Naturally, this raised some suspicions, but no concrete evidence was found to pinpoint a suspect.
At this point, it is clear that John Gressman cannot be the stalker. But with the investigation at a standstill, questions remain about who is behind the threatening messages. Is it possible that Claudia is orchestrating the Stalking herself to gain attention? Could it be her husband, David, or one of their adult children? These questions will be explored in today's episode as the PRETEND host interviews Logan to learn more about her multiple devices.
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This series started out as a story of cyberstalking, but it has taken an unexpected turn. In the latest episode, we delve into the allegations that Claudia Rodriguez suffers from Munchausen by proxy. This criminal act involves intentionally making one's child sick to gain attention. However, the Rodriguez family fiercely denies these accusations, calling it victim blaming. Instead, they insist they are like any other family dealing with disabled children.
The detective on the case has revealed some disturbing new information. The Instagram accounts used to harass the Rodriguez family were created months before they were even the doctor's patients, and the IP addresses all point back to their own home address. This raises the question of whether the Rodriguezes could be behind the Stalking.
To help get to the bottom of this case, we listen in on a conversation with the detective and bring in an ethical hacker and cybersecurity expert to thoroughly investigate all parties involved. Will the ethical hacker uncover any new evidence that can shed light on this complex and confusing case?
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In today's episode, we finally hear from Dr. Grace Gressman, the woman at the center of the Rodriguez family's cyberstalking saga. Despite having her statements in the police report, Javier calls her up to get her side of the story. To everyone's surprise, she picked up the phone.
But that's not all. To get to the bottom of this case, Javier also confronts the alleged stalker himself. It's a bold move that could potentially reveal the true identity of the person behind the threatening messages that have terrorized the Rodriguez family for years.
What does Dr. Gressman say about the allegations against her and her husband? And what does the stalker have to say when confronted by Javier?
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The Rodriguez family has been the target of a cyberstalker for over three years. Despite their efforts to involve the police and find help, the stalking has continued until this day. In fact, the detectives and postal inspector assigned to their case have even accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite their claim of her having a solid alibi. However, the stalker has identified himself as Dr. Gressman's husband, John Gressman.
Recently, the Rodriguez family received a voicemail from a detective working on their case. The detective stated that Dr. Gressman was the actual victim in this investigation and that the threatening phone calls made by the cyberstalker were produced inside Rodriguez's home. The detective also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and that Dr. Gressman and her husband are not suspects.
Despite this, the Rodriguez family is convinced that John Gressman is behind the Stalking. Claudia Rodriguez stated, "He scares me. He scares me, and they already think I'm the one doing it. And I feel I'm one step away from having the cops visit here."
In the latest episode of the "Pretend" podcast, the tension between the Gressman and Rodriguez families reaches a boiling point. The host even attempts to go toe-to-toe with the stalker to provoke a reaction and potentially reveal their identity. However, as the case continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this situation is complex, confusing, and far from over.
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After months of peace, the cyberstalker who has been tormenting Claudia and David Rodriguez for years has returned. This time, the stalker has directed his rage toward his own infant daughter, causing great concern and fear for the child's safety.
In response to this disturbing development, the Rodriguezes have reported the alleged abuse to child protective services. They've also contacted the medical board in hopes of stripping Dr. Gressman from her medical license.
This situation is maddening. The Rodriguezes hoped to find a sense of normalcy and safety. Instead, more fear and uncertainty have consumed everyone's lives.
It's unclear at this time what actions child protective services will take, but it is clear that the Rodriguez family is not backing down.
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Claudia and David Rodriguez have five children, four of whom are adults, and most have severe medical or mental health issues. Two of their adult children are so disabled that the Rodriguezes have guardianship over them, meaning they have no rights. One child has undergone multiple surgeries, including spinal cord surgery, brain surgery, and stomach stoma surgery.
The Rodriguez family has faced accusations from their daughter's neurologist, Dr. Grisman, accusing Claudia of having Munchausen by proxy, a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care. Claudia vehemently denies these claims, stating that she is a mother who would do anything for her children and that others shouldn't judge her unless they have been in her shoes.
Despite their claims of innocence, the authorities suspect that Rodriguez's oldest daughter, Logan, is the one sending the Stalking messages. However, Claudia and David say this is impossible as Logan was in a mental health facility without access to any devices when the Stalking started up again.
In this podcast episode, we discuss this complex and confusing case that poses the question, who is behind these threatening messages?
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For over three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez have been dealing with the terror of being stalked. Despite their efforts to involve the police and get help, the Stalking has continued to this day. In fact, the detectives and even the postal inspector assigned to their case have accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite her claiming to have a solid alibi.
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In the world of cyberstalking, it's not uncommon for victims to have an idea of who their perpetrator might be. It could be an ex-partner, a disgruntled employee, or even an obsessed friend. But for Claudia and David Rodriguez, the situation was much more complex. For the past three years, they've been the victims of a cyber stalker who claims to be the husband of their daughter's doctor, a man they've never even met. The messages started off benign but quickly turned sadistic and threatening. Despite their efforts to report the harassment and seek help from the authorities, the Rodriguez family faced disbelief and suspicion. In this podcast episode, we'll explore the mysterious case of the Rodriguez family's cyber stalker and how a simple IP address couldn't provide all the answers.
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Claudia and David Rodriguez claim they have been the victims of a cyber stalker for the past three years. The person behind the messages claims to be the husband of Claudia's daughter's doctor, a man they've never even met. As bizarre as this situation sounds, it's been a constant source of harassment and anxiety for the Rodriguez family. In this podcast episode, we'll delve into the strange story of Claudia and David Rodriguez, including their ongoing battle with a mysterious cyber stalker and the surprising twist that led to them being accused of stalking.
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For more than three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez (not their real names) have been the targets of a sadistic cyber stalker. Despite their attempts to involve the police and stop the stalking, it has continued to this day. In fact, the couple has faced accusations from the very detectives assigned to their case. One detective suggests that Claudia may have a split personality and is causing the stalking herself.
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PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast
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It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.
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This is the story about a Christmas con artist pretending to be Santa Claus.
Brian Earl, the host of the Christmas Past podcast, joins me to tell a little-known true-crime holiday story.
The seventh season of Christmas Past is out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Brian shares the fascinating backstories behind our favorite holiday traditions.
Looking for a last-minute gift idea? Buy the Christmas Past book.
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The Prank series inspired the new Netflix documentary series "Don't Pick Up the Phone." This docuseries follows the investigation into a hoax caller who talked managers into strip-searching employees at fast food businesses across the US.
Binge the entire series on Netflix starting December 14th:
https://www.netflix.com/title/81576846
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Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. And to be honest, he's not a dangerous man. He became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.
This is the first in a series of stories about fugitives. In season 4, we explore how abandoning your old identity leads to a whole set of complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?
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This episode was 100% funded by you.
I was able to travel to Gulfport, MS for this story using funds raised on Patreon. So if you’d like to see me to take the show on the road, consider chipping in a buck or two on our Patreon page. Plus, you’ll get access to early episodes and bonus content. So, thank you so much for the support.
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Lies, lies, and more lies
A few seasons ago, I asked you to submit stories about lies. Either lies that you’ve told or lies that have impacted you personally. And boy, was the response crazy! I ended up making a whole episode dedicated to lies. I want to try it again. Email me a voice memo. Chances are your story could make it on the show.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
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When I started this podcast, I reported on a secretive church in the foothills of western North Carolina called the Word of Faith Fellowship.
The church, accused of being a cult, separates families—forcing them to break ties with non-believers.
One teenager named Matthew Fenner pressed charges against five church ministers because he said they beat the gay demons out of him.
And that’s just the beginning. Several former members remember spending weeks and months in forced isolation. Some male congregants say they lived in a makeshift storage unit for over a year. Locals know them best for their signature style of prayer—blasting. As you can hear in this secret audio recording, blasting is a form of deliverance meant to cast out the devil.
The episode you’re about to listen to is my first 3 episodes rolled into one.
To listen to my 11-part series on the Word of Faith Fellowship, start here:
https://pretendradio.org/episode/who-is-jane-whaley-word-of-faith-fellowship/
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John Browning investigates real blood-sucking vampires—people who need human blood to survive.
In today's episode, we will talk about real people who claim to be real vampires.
Self-harm
You know, we bantered about tapping into veins and arteries from the vantage point of vampires feasting on blood. But if you remove the word vampire from our conversation, it starts sounding like a much more familiar crisis...self-harm.
It's not uncommon for some of us with depression or anxiety to inflict pain on ourselves. The physical wounds hurt, but it's nowhere near as painful as the emotions inside our heads and hearts. So if you're listening to this, there are different places you can seek help. First, talk to a pro. You can use online counselors like BetterHelp, a real-life therapist, or even reach out to a friend. There are also crisis lines where you can text and talk to an actual human for free. Text HOME to 741741, Again text HOME to 741741. I'll have a list of numbers you can text for my international friends in the show notes.
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Sophrpsyne
Music featured in this episode is from Sophrosyne. Check out their music on Spotify.
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Unlike the general public, who were spellbound by the myth surrounding Abagnale's life, Xavier University knew precisely who they were honoring that night. They can't claim ignorance because I wrote the University and told them they had the wrong guy. Frank Abagnale doesn't deserve an ethics award. He lied about his entire life story. Was Malala busy that week? She deserves an ethics award. But despite knowing the truth, Xavier University went along with their little ethics ceremony anyway.
Xavier University's mission is built on moral and ethical responsibility- that's what it says on its website. And out of all the people in the world making a difference, they chose to honor a guy who ripped off his girlfriend and is accused of feeling up college girls pretending to be a doctor-slash pilot recruiter. But, seriously, did they even read this guy's Wikipedia page?
Picture a room full of business students, professors, lawyers, accountants, and even current members of the FBI eagerly awaiting Frank Abagnale's Heroes in Ethics acceptance speech. Little does Frank Abagnale know that Jim Grinstead, host of the Scams and Cons podcast, was in the audience. Jim planned to confront Frank Abagnale during the Q&A portion of the ceremony.
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What if I told you that Frank Abagnale wasn't the only con artist in his family? His older brother used multiple aliases, faked his career as a therapist, and was even accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old girl.
This episode reveals the dark and puzzling secrets of Frank Abagnale's family history.
Correction: In the episode, I mention that Susan was married to Roy Abagnale from 1970 to 1978 - but it was actually 1978 to 1992.
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Sleepover with Leo:
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Pernilla busted the Tinder Swindler. Hear her thoughts on Frank Abagnale
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pernilla-busted-72501591?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator
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Help me start a trending sound. Use this sound of Frank Abagnale denying writing his book, movie, and Broadway play:
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This series is not just a story about a con man who lied about his past experiences. No, it's much bigger than that. This series is about correcting history. For decades, we've celebrated Frank Abagnale's life. He's invaded our living rooms in countless tv interviews. He's had Leonardo DiCaprio play him in a movie. John Williams even scored his superhero theme song. And his life has even been turned into a musical that one reviewer wrote: "is an amazing true story with a happy ending we all need."
But it turns out that America's favorite con man is really just another petty criminal who's never really repaid all the money he stole. But if we zoom out, this is the story of the spread of misinformation. Where politicians and other grifters have taken a page out of Abagnale's book and learned that if they repeat multiple lies over and over, most people won't question it. And they can get away with it.
Frank claims he evaded the FBI for five years. They couldn't catch him even if they tried. Sure, he admits he finally got arrested, but in his version of the story, he's the hero working undercover for the FBI.
I may not believe his account, but I think he won in the end. The guy is in his mid-70s, lives in a multi-million-dollar island home, and makes a pre-school teacher's annual salary every time he takes the stage. He made it! And besides his alleged victims, no one seems to question his success. He fooled us all.
And he would have gotten away with too, if it weren't for this meddling kid and his scrappy friend from Belfast. (The Irish guy is Alan Logan, the author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth.) We're on a mission to set the record straight. So that when you ask someone if they know who Frank Abagnale is, Instead of it being based on a true story, they'll tell you that he made it all up.
Abagnale may have been on the run for the last 50 to 40 years, getting away with his biggest lie. But guess what?
We caught him.
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I confronted Frank Abagnale in Las Vegas, NV. He claims he posed as a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor, and a professor from the age of sixteen to twenty-one years old. But how is that possible if he was sitting in prison most of that time? You won't believe his response.
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Watch the Abagnale saga unfold:
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We've spent the last three episodes debunking the infamous Frank Abagnale myth. If he wasn't posing as a doctor, a lawyer, or a professor, then what the heck was Frank Abagnale up to? This is the story Abagnale never talks about.
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Part 5 will be available soon on Patreon.
https://pretendradio.org/donate/
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Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
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_______
Listen to part 4 right now on Patreon:
https://pretendradio.org/donate/
Special Thanks to:
Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
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Frank Abagnale claims he never stole money from the little guy—it was all victimless crimes. But that's not what I found. Hear the story of one family who says they were robbed blind by Abagnale.
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Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
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This might be my favorite PRETEND series of all time.
Remember the movie Catch Me If You Can? Most people believe the film is based on a true story. But, did you know it's mostly made up? I spent the last few weeks and months pouring over court records, police reports, and other documents to prove that Frank Abagnale faked his entire life story. It turns out that the real story behind Catch Me If You Can is actually a lot more fascinating than the one you thought you knew.
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Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
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Search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts
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What if I told you that 90% of Frank Abagnale's claims are totally made up? Yeah, that's right. The most extraordinary con man in the world never actually did the crimes he claims he did.
In the new season of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva debunks Frank Abagnale’s claims one by one, not with opinions but with court and prison records. This series also gives voice to new victim testimonies. In the end, Leiva travels to Las Vegas to confront Abagnale about his lies. This is the real-life Catch Me If You Can.
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Fred Brito posed as a priest in order to hide from law enforcement. Find out how he ALMOST got away with it.
__________
Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
__________
We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!
Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!
__________
Listen to a preview for the Stolen Lives Podcast at the end of the episode:
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Fred Brito worked as a psychiatrist, priest, and a Red Cross fundraiser—but it was all based on lies.
______________
Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
______________
We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!
Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!
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David Berry took an at-home DNA test and discovered dozens of half-siblings. Was this a coincidence or the scheme of one sperm donor?
______________
We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!
Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!
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Does death start when your heart stops beating? What if technology can extend our lives and gives us immortality? Today's episode is about one son who turned his dying father into a chatbot.
Here After AI
Replika
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Deepfakes are video or audio of a person in which their face, body, and/or voice has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else. And we're not just talking about some harmless Snapchat filters. This tech can start wars and destroy lives.
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Luxxury rips apart your favorite songs.
Check out his TikTok feed for more videos on interpolation.
https://www.tiktok.com/@luxxuryxx/
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Lauren Passell, the founder of Tink Media, interviews Javier in celebration of PRETEND's 100th episode.
Subscribe to Lauren's incredible podcast newsletter:
https://podcastthenewsletter.substack.com/
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In Season 2 of PRETEND, I covered the story of a serial killer who murdered at least five American ex-pats. Three years after the story aired, I received a message from a listener who said she could put me in touch with the killer.
I decided to turn my interviews with Wild Bill into an entire season of CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
Listen to part 1 of Criminal Conduct season 3 then subscribe to listen to the rest:
https://linktr.ee/criminalconduct
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Rebekah Sebastian and Javier Leiva visit businesses run by cults. Also, what happens when a cult leader dies or goes to prison? Can the cult go on without its leader? Find out which cults are trying to continue the organization without any clear leadership.
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Cults are businesses too. Like any company, cults recruit, have middle management, and some even have succession plans.
Many of these religious sects are tax-exempt. Like Scientology, even some fringe religions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Not all cults are religious. At first glance, some cults don't seem culty at all. For example, take a closer look at businesses such as multi-level marketing companies. These companies are masquerading as a business, but in reality, they're run by narcissistic ego-maniacs.
The Cult Startup
Like businesses, cults go through different phases. First, there's a startup phase where an entrepreneurial cult leader leads a movement and brings new innovative and revolutionary ideas. Take, for example, Jim Jones, leader of the People's Temple. In the beginning, he integrated his congregation during the Civil Rights Movement. After that, he was heavily involved in politics and social activism. The allure was undeniable. But in the end, Jones ordered 909 commune members to end their lives.
The Cult Franchise
Then, there comes the point where the cult needs to expand its Business and influence. Take, for example, The Twelve Tribes religious sect. This organization, widely considered a cult, operates several businesses worldwide. I visited one of their Yellow Deli restaurants for the second installment of this series.
The Cult Exit Strategy
If you're not evolving, you're dying. And sometimes, literally dying. So, what happens when a cult becomes too big to fail? Some morally bankrupt cult leaders resort to mass suicide. Other cults grow so big and fast that they become worldwide institutional organizations.
The Business of Cults
The Business of Cults is a three-part series hosted by Rebekah Sebastian with the DIELAOGUE Podcast and Javier Leiva of PRETEND podcast.
Part one focuses on The C Suite: Chief Cult Executives. Part two features an interview with former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson. And Part three explores the question, can a cult survive without its leader?
Listen to part two now on Patreon.
Buy the t-shirt for this week's episode. Collage art by @kelletteworks
https://pretend-radio-3.creator-spring.com/
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Cults are businesses too. Like any company, cults recruit, have middle management, and some even have succession plans.
Many of these religious sects are tax-exempt. Like Scientology, even some fringe religions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Not all cults are religious. At first glance, some cults don't seem culty at all. For example, take a closer look at businesses such as multi-level marketing companies. These companies are masquerading as a business, but in reality, they're run by narcissistic ego-maniacs.
The Cult Startup
Like businesses, cults go through different phases. First, there's a startup phase where an entrepreneurial cult leader leads a movement and brings new innovative and revolutionary ideas. Take, for example, Jim Jones, leader of the People's Temple. In the beginning, he integrated his congregation during the Civil Rights Movement. After that, he was heavily involved in politics and social activism. The allure was undeniable. But in the end, Jones ordered 909 commune members to end their lives.
The Cult Franchise
Then, there comes the point where the cult needs to expand its Business and influence. Take, for example, The Twelve Tribes religious sect. This organization, widely considered a cult, operates several businesses worldwide. I visited one of their Yellow Deli restaurants for the second installment of this series.
The Cult Exit Strategy
If you're not evolving, you're dying. And sometimes, literally dying. So, what happens when a cult becomes too big to fail? Some morally bankrupt cult leaders resort to mass suicide. Other cults grow so big and fast that they become worldwide institutional organizations.
The Business of Cults
The Business of Cults is a three-part series hosted by Rebekah Sebastian with the DIELAOGUE Podcast and Javier Leiva of PRETEND podcast.
Part one focuses on The C Suite: Chief Cult Executives. Part two features an interview with former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson. And Part three explores the question, can a cult survive without its leader?
Listen to part two now on Patreon.
Buy the t-shirt for this week's episode. Collage art by @kelletteworks
https://pretend-radio-3.creator-spring.com/
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I'm working on a new series on cults that's really exciting. While you wait, here's a fun little bonus episode for you.
Moxie LaBouche, host of the Your Brain on Facts podcast, and I talk about our favorite scams.
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In this podcast episode
For 10 years, Jack Barsky was a sleeper agent spying for the Soviet Union. His job was to obtain secret or confidential information from inside the United States any way he could.
The KGB Spy
Jack Barsky spied on the United States from 1978 to 1988. And that entire time, his primary mission was to become an American. And that's precisely what he did. He moved to New York City, got a job as a computer programmer, and lived an unremarkable life. He made friends and other relationships while being Moscow's eyes and ears. But his clandestine mission as a sleeper agent was bound to end.
"The KGB, for some reason, got spooked and thought my cover was blown," said Barsky.
The message was clear. Jack Barsky was exposed and needed to return to Moscow.
Double agent
Jack Barsky's birth name is Albrecht Dittrich. When he first joined the KGB, he didn't see himself as a spy. Instead, he and other recruits thought of themselves as scouts for peace. The spies are the enemies of the West.
The KGB spy living the American Dream
Jack Barsky never intended for his story to get out. So for 10 years, Barsky assumed the identity of a dead child. He took the boy's name, birth certificate, and social security number. The mission was to infiltrate, extract secrets and get out. But eventually, his years as a sleeper agent were exposed to the world.
Hear the true story of this KGB's spy career came to an end.
Special Thanks to
Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork. Purchase a t-shirt with this episode's artwork here.
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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WARNING: This episode contains details about Santa Claus that younger listeners will not appreciate. If you have little ones around, plugin your headphones.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Javier
Check out the Christmas Past podcast with Brian Earl for more magical fun listening.
https://christmaspast.media/
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Alien abductions and hypnosis
Like they say on the X-files, "the truth is out there." Throughout history, people claimed to have seen many unexplainable things. Some have tangible proof, like the leaked U.S. Navy cock pit videos chasing unidentified flying objects. Other experiencers don't have any evidence at all. The only thing they have are their memories. Maybe the answer is buried deep in our subconscious?
In today's episode, we'll introduce you to a Harvard professor who used hypnosis to help people recover memories from possible alien abductions. Sure, there are people out there who claim they encountered beings from another planet just to seek attention. But, others carry these experiences in secret.
John Mac and psychology of alien abductions
John Mack was a respected Harvard psychologist who became fixated with people claiming to have been abducted or encountered alien beings. Ralph Blumenthal recently wrote John Mack's biography titled, "Believer: Alien Encounters, hard science, and the passion of John Mack."
Blumenthal says that at first, Dr. John Mack tried to explain these encounters through other means. First, are these people insane? Are they hucksters looking to make some money? But Dr. Mack found their stories to be credible. Most of his patients never came out publicly with their stories. Instead, they sought his help to grapple with their tormented past. In the 1990s, John Mack conducted hundreds of interviews with men and women of all ages who claimed they had not just one but recurring alien encounters. And one method he used during these interviews was hypnosis.
Alien abductions or sleep paralysis?
Maybe there's a more straightforward medical explanation for all of this. What if some people weren't experiencing an abduction but sleep paralysis? Sleep paralysis is that feeling you get when you're in between sleep and being awake. You're awake, but you can't control or move your body.
Studies have shown that Sleep paralysis is much more common than we think. Studies suggest at least 40 percent or 50 percent of all people experience sleep paralysis at least once. However, John Mack argues that his patients did not experience sleep. Instead, many of his patients experienced encounters in daylight and were wide awake.
Special Thanks to
Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork
You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here
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Is hypnosis used in criminal investigations?
Believe it or not, law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the US routinely use hypnosis as a form of forensic evidence. And in some states, evidence gained from forensic hypnosis is admissible in court. Even the federal government allows hypnosis under certain circumstances.
What is investigative hypnosis?
When law enforcement hits a dead end, they sometimes rely on investigative hypnosis to solve the case. Specially trained law enforcement officers guide witnesses into a hypnotic trance to better recall a crime. But are the memories they recall even accurate? Medical experts say memories recovered after hypnosis can't be considered fact.
Texas leads the country in investigative hypnosis.
Many states ban the practice because its use leads to wrongful convictions. But one state leads the country in prosecuting citizens using hypnosis as a primary form of evidence. That state is Texas.
The Dallas Daily News reports that at least 11 people in Texas were executed in cases where police used hypnosis. Today, 4 people are on Texas death row because of this practice.
The Memory Room
Dave Boucher and Lauren Mcgaughy are investigative reporters who spent more than a year investigating the story you're about to listen to. Their two-part series is titled "The Memory Room." It's about the case of Helen Barbre, a Texas college student who was savagely attacked in the middle of the night. She couldn't recognize her attacker, so she used hypnosis to identify him.
Here's a link to their series titled "The Memory Room":
Featured Promo:
Caper - An Original Multilingual True Crime Series
Special Thanks to:
Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork
You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here
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In part one of The Hypnotist, I interviewed several hypnotherapists to answer the question: what is hypnosis? The short answer is a trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject.*
In part two, I try hypnosis for myself to see what all the fuss is about. You see, when I was 8-months old, I pulled the cord of an electric rice cooker and suffered 3rd-degree burns on the left side of my body. I don’t remember a thing. In this episode, I’ll let you listen to my hypnotic regression session. Then, hear for yourself if I was able to recover these lost memories.
Special Thanks to
Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork
You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here
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I want to undergo hypnotic regression, experience it for myself, and try to unlock memories from my childhood that should probably never resurface. Can hypnosis help me recover that memory?
So, what the hell is hypnosis anyway?
What is hypnosis? Is hypnosis even a real thing? The word "hypno" comes from the Greek word "hypnus," which means sleep. And the suffix "osis" describes a process or state. So, is hypnosis a state of hibernation? Or is it something in between? looked it up.
Webster's dictionary states that hypnosis is "a trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject." Another dictionary says that hypnosis is "the induction of a state of consciousness." A person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. It makes it sound like the person under hypnosis is some kind of puppet.
But maybe these dictionaries have it all wrong? What if hypnosis was another word for relaxation or meditation? I guess my point is that two freaking dictionaries can't agree on a definition; how are we supposed to know what it really is?
Can regression therapy help you remember a forgotten memory?
Regression therapy is a hypnotic treatment that focuses on recovering lost memories that are getting in the way of our everyday lives.
When I was 8 months old, I burned almost 30% of my body. I'm sure no one really knew if I was going to make it. One study shows that children younger than 48 months with burns on more than 30% of the body surface had a higher mortality rate than adults with identical injuries. But survival rates after a burn have significantly improved over the years. Even children with more significant burns can survive.
I've imagined this accident over and over in my head all of my life. Ever since I can remember, I've wondered what it was like. I know; it's morbid. But I've been curious. So, I contacted a local hypnotherapist to see if he could help me access these lost memories.
But how do you access memories from when you were a toddler? Ask any medical professional or psychologist, and they will tell you that most adults can't remember anything before their third birthday. It's called Childhood Amnesia. That's because the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps us recall life experiences, hasn't fully developed. Another reason is that kids don't start really talking until about three.
This podcast is about deception. Typically, the stories are about someone else pulling the wool over our eyes. But when it comes to hypnosis, is our mind the one playing tricks on us?
Listen to part 2 now on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/hypnotist-part-2-58412331
Have you undergone hypnosis?
Send me a voice memo with your story at [email protected].
Special Thanks to
Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork
You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here
Preview Ravi Patil's new podcast Institrve wherever you get your podcasts institrve.com
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John Browning investigates real blood-sucking vampires—people who need human blood to survive.
In today's episode, we will talk about real people who claim to be real vampires.
Self-harm
You know, we bantered about tapping into veins and arteries from the vantage point of vampires feasting on blood. But if you remove the word vampire from our conversation, it starts sounding like a much more familiar crisis...self-harm.
It's not uncommon for some of us with depression or anxiety to inflict pain on ourselves. The physical wounds hurt, but it's nowhere near as painful as the emotions inside our heads and hearts. So if you're listening to this, there are different places you can seek help. First, talk to a pro. You can use online counselors like BetterHelp, a real-life therapist, or even reach out to a friend. There are also crisis lines where you can text and talk to an actual human for free. Text HOME to 741741, Again text HOME to 741741. I'll have a list of numbers you can text for my international friends in the show notes.
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Sophrpsyne
Music featured in this episode is from Sophrosyne. Check out their music on Spotify.
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Michael shreds a mean "pretend" guitar. He's also a PRETEND podcast supporter on Patreon.
If you want to co-host an episode with me, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon/ Patreon Guest Co-host: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
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Lee King spilled the beans on his family's secret—leading to his father’s arrest.
Hannah’s boyfriend, Lee King, is hiding a big secret; and it’s not just about his multiple fiances. It turns out his father, “Fast” Eddie Maher is an international fugitive.
Fast Eddie, an international fugitive, was on the run for 20 years until his son gave him up.
Today’s episode was brought to us by a long-time PRETEND listener, Kim Evans.
Kim knew her daughter’s new boyfriend was no good. So, she did everything in her power to expose him. It turns out, he was hiding a secret that would eventually lead to the arrest of his father, Eddie Maher.
What’s your PRETEND story?
If you have a story to tell, do what Kim Evans did and send me an email at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org. You never know; your story could make it on the show.
The Christmas Lie
Also, I’m working on a Christmas episode. Do you remember when you learned about the big lie? You know, the one about the big guy who magically squeezes down the chimney at night and leaves gifts for children all over the world? You know which lie I’m talking about. If you have a fun Christmas story, send it my way.
Thank you for your support
Also, I want to thank Alex, Beth Cail and Corey Trevorson for supporting the show. I really couldn’t do this show without you.
Want to help keep PRETEND going? Buy me a coffee or throw a few dollars in the hat, head on over to patreon.com/pretendradio.
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Even if you've never heard those words before, trust me, most of us have experienced Ransomware one way or another.
If you live on the East Coast, you remember waiting long hours at the gas pump this past May. That's because a hacking group known as DarkSide hacked the Colonial Pipeline. The hackers demanded a ransom for 75 bitcoins which is equivalent to $4.4 million.
How did the hackers break into the oil company's system? Easy. Some employees used the same password they used on another account that was previously hacked.
And guess what? Colonial Pipeline paid the ransom and the hackers. $4.4. million dollars—gone, just like that.
The Justice Department was able to eventually recover half of the money, $2.2 million.
When we hear about news like this, we mostly ignore it. Until we run out of gas and everyone panics. But once we were able to fill up our tanks again, we all moved on and put it behind us.
We often ignore stories like these because, on the surface, it sounds like hackers are attacking large corporations with tons of cash. They've got the money.
But what if I tell you that the real victims here are not just the companies, but really it's you and me. What do you think happens if the company that got hacked decides not to pay the ransom?
If the company doesn't cave to the hacker's demands, the hacker will dump the company's data and make it publicly available on the dark web. By the way, the company's data is comprised of your social security number, date of birth, driver's license, and health insurance information... everything an identity thief needs to financially destroy you.
In today's episode, we'll talk to a guy whose job is to negotiate with these hackers. We're also going to talk about how you can protect your most valuable information.
Today's guests are:
Kurtis Minder - CEO and co-founder at GroupSense
Eva Velasquez - President and CEO, of the Identity Theft Resource Center
Freeze your credit to protect yourself from Ransomware
Equifax
Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Experian
Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
TransUnion
Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page
Use a password manager
Want to be my co-host?
I want to send a sincere thank you to Rachel Sincere for supporting PRETEND on Patreon. Rachel, you're amazing. Also, as a reminder, I've added a new tier on Patreon. Not only will you get a PRETEND t-shirt and stickers. But these new supporters will get the chance to co-host a Patreon and YouTube episode with me. Like Michael V, who played in the Air Guitar World Championship. People pretending to play guitar! It's apparently a big thing. I'll let you know when that episode is out. So if you want to co-host with me, visit PRETEND on Patreon.com.
Cam Cokas
Finally, I want to end the show by sharing an indie artist I've been listening to lately. His name is Cam Cokas, and the track is called Don't Quit or Try. Please check out Cam Cokas on Spotify or wherever you get your jams.
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Sean David Morton was arrested in 2016 after being charged with more than 50 counts related to filing phony tax documents and bogus government bonds. He was also accused of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. These are similar tactics used by sovereign citizens—but Sean David Mortin doesn't like that label.
You see, Sean David Morton's name is synonymous with the sovereign citizen movement. The New York Times wrote a whole piece about him titled, "How Sovereign Citizens Helped Swindle $1 billion from the government they disavow." So, when it comes to Sovereign Citizens, I thought Sean Mortin was the guy. But now he's telling me that sovereign citizens are idiots. Interesting.
If you're unfamiliar with this sub-culture, you should check out my episode on Sovereign Citizens. To listen to my interview with Sean David Morton, check out the episode The Sovereign Man where ever you listen to podcasts.
Patreon Bonus with Sean David Morton
To listen to more of my interview with Sean Morton, check out the FREE bonus episode on Patreon.
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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Where do sovereign citizens go when they need medical attention? Some of them seek help from homeopathic quacks like Rick Van Thiel.
Rick Van Thiel is not a surgeon. In reality, he's a porn star operating on people with dirty scalpels, reused needs, surrounded by filth. And the worst part is, he performs his surgeries in the nude.
The last episode about sovereign citizens was just exposition for what you’re about to hear. I first learned about this story from Jerri William’s podcast called FBI retired Case File Review. Jerri Williams is a retired FBI agent who interviews other former agents on her show. If you haven’t listened to it, you’re missing out. Her episode haunted me for days. So, I asked Jerri if I can share this story with you. If you thought the last sovereign citizen episode was shocking, wait till you hear this.
Disclaimer
It’s safe to assume that most PRETEND episodes are not suitable for young children. Unfortunately, this is one of those episodes. In fact, trigger warning, today, we’re going to talk about sexual assault and suicide. This episode is actually pretty disgusting. So, if you have the stomach for it, please proceed. You’ve been warned.
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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American Sovereign citizens believe that the laws of the United States do not apply to them. Therefore, no authority should tell them what to do: not judges, lawmakers, lawyers, or police officers. Oh, and they don't pay taxes either.
Sounds crazy, right? It would be crazy if they didn't get away with it so often.
________
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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This is the very first episode I recorded for PRETEND. Hear how a small-time crook went from breaking into houses to running a phony medical clinic.
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FEATURING: Follow the Truth Podcast Trailer
In 1993, James Jordan, father of NBA legend Michael, was murdered in NC. Was the wrong man convicted of pulling the trigger? E1 and E2 release date: 7/22/21
Check out Follow the Truth Podcast:
https://t.co/b4grdGjwJp?amp=1
________
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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This week, we revisit one of PRETEND's most popular episodes. It's called the Hijacker and it's a collaboration with my friend Chris Knittel. Hear Martin McNally describe the day he hijacked a plane.
________
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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Jules Hannaford from the Fool Me Twice podcast joins me to talk about 4 years of PRETEND.
________
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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This week, I turn the mic over to you. Two listeners share stories about their run-in with a con artist.
Our first story is from a long-time listener named Paul Schiffbauer Jr. He tells us about the time he learned the truth about the family business.
Our second story is about a listener whose con artist husband destroyed her life.
Links from the episode:
Amusement Only by Paul Schiffbauer Sr.
Do you have a story to share?
Leave me a voicemail 919-444-2800
or email me at [email protected]
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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There are two sides to Billy. There's Billy, who just wants to do the right thing. And then there's the criminal lurking from within.
So which way did he go? Did Billy end up becoming a criminal? Or did he choose to be the good guy in his own story? Well, he decided to do both.
If you've listened to this show long enough, you know I go to great lengths to fact-check my episodes. But today is different because it's tough to corroborate Billy's stories. And that's okay. One of my favorite movies is Big Fish with Ewan McGregor. It's about a man who lived an extraordinary life. In the end, it turned out that most of his tall tales were true--but just a little skewed due to time.
And that's how I feel about Billy. Some of these stories are too incredible to be real. But they might be. He's always wrestled between being the good guy and the bad guy. And in the end, managed to be both a criminal and a cop.
So lean back, relax, and grab your adult beverage of choice. Because today we're going to spend the next half hour or so chatting with Billy the Liquor Guy.
Get a copy of Under Too Long by Billy the Liquor Guy:
https://amzn.to/3sWlmjo
If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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This week's episode is actually the first episode of my other podcast CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
I wanted you, PRETEND listeners to get a sneak peek before it's debut on April 16th. If you like this episode, subscribe to the CRIMINAL CONDUCT feed to listen to the full episode.
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Criminal Conduct is back with a brand new case.
This season, John and Javier investigate a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down.
Like a police officer, a constable can carry a gun, a badge and drive around town with blue lights. However, unlike police, a Constable has all the powers of a sheriff. He answers to no one but the voters on election day.
Criminal Conduct season 2 returns April 16th.
http://criminalconduct.net/
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Doug Williams, the former Oklahoma City police officer who is best known for his crusade against the polygraph industry, teaches an undercover federal agent how to beat the lie detector test. The agent confessed that he had sex with a minor and was smuggling drugs into a prison. Should Doug Williams continue the training? What if Doug William's techniques get into the wrong hands?
Watch the undercover sting on YouTube.
________
Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva
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Doug Williams is looking over his shoulder because, since 1979, he's been on a crusade to defeat the polygraph machine. In 1996, he started a website called polygraph.com, offering a handbook and one-on-one training teaching people how to pass the test.
"There is no Pinocchio response. Your nose does not grow when you lie." - Doug Williams, polygraph critic
According to Doug Williams, a lie detector test is about as accurate as a coin toss. He claims the machine doesn't work, and as a result, innocent people are paying the price. Many innocent people have pleaded guilty and skipped trial because they failed a polygraph during an interrogation. And employers routinely administered polygraph tests as part of their hiring process. If you fail a lie detector test in the US federal government, you're potentially placed on a blacklist and never allowed to apply for that government agency job again.
Doug Willams says that the polygraph is just a stage prop used to scare people. How does he know this? Because he spent most of his law enforcement career using it as what he calls a psychological billy club. To him, it was just a tool to beat a confession out of a bad guy. But over the years, he realized that a polygraph test is just that... a test. It can be cheated. And he was going to devote the rest of his life to destroy it.
Doug Williams made a career giving people polygraphs exams. Now, he's going to prison for teaching people how to cheat the test.
To listen to the undercover tape that led to his arrest.
Check out my latest episodes on YouTube:
Credits
This episode was reported by Javier Leiva.
Special thanks to George Maschke with antipolygraph.org
Support PRETEND by becoming a member today at pretendradio.org/donate
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http://pretendradio.org/the-prophet-word-of-faith-fellowship-revisited/
When I first started this podcast, I reported on a secretive church located in the foothills in western North Carolina called the Word of Faith Fellowship.
The church is accused of being a cult and separating families—forcing them to break ties with non-believers.
One teenager named Matthew Fenner pressed charges against five church ministers because he said they beat the gay demons out of him.
And that's just the beginning. Several former members reported being forced into isolation in what is known as the lower building. Some male congregants say they lived in this makeshift storage unit for over a year. But perhaps they're best remembered for their signature style of prayer. It's known as blasting. As you can hear in this secret audio recording, blasting is a form of deliverance meant to cast out the devil.
It has been said that crying babies were often held down and yelled at until the devil released its grip on the child. I've experienced blasting first hand. In 2018, I was personally invited by the church's leader,
Jane Whaley, to spend the day at the Word of Faith Fellowship. While interviewing her in her office, Jane Whaley looked me straight in the eyes, opened her mouth, and began shouting. It was terrifying. To this day, I still get chills.
It's been 2 years since I finished my 11-part series on the Word of Faith. Since then, I've been flooded with emails asking me to give them an update. They want to know, have there been any new allegations of abuse?
Have any of the church leaders faced any criminal charges? Is Jane Whaley still running the church? Today, I plan to answer some of these questions.
______
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale
Covid-19 Timelines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_States_(2020)
https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus
Lotz International LLC v. Burnette:
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17404523/lotz-international-llc-v-burnette/
Case against Facebook commenters moves to state court:
Former Word of Faith member charged with breaking into minister's home: https://wlos.com/news/local/former-world-of-faith-member-charged-with-breaking-into-ministers-home
Word of Faith member reaches plea deal in fraud scam:
https://wlos.com/news/local/word-of-faith-member-reaches-plea-deal-in-fraud-scam
Trump March:
https://youtu.be/yxUksEHZGag?t=350
Trump Rally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7VJtRZBy-M
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Tori Telfer, author of Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion joins us to talk about female con artists. Today, we're focusing on one of the women in her book—Bonny Lee Bakley, the wife of Hollywood actor Robert Blake.
______
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva
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In today's episode, we're going to take another look at the opioid crisis, but this time from a pharmacist's perspective. But this is not just any pharmacist. Dan Schneider is a vigilante who helped bring down his son's killer, a pill mill, and one of Earth's largest pharmaceutical companies.
Watch the Pharmacist on Netflix:
https://www.netflix.com/title/81002576
______
Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale.
______
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate
Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale
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A respected anesthesiologist ran a pain-management clinic on the weekends out of a basement in Flushing Queens, New York.
Each Saturday, Dr. Stan Li saw more than seventy patients a day, writing prescriptions for Oxycontin, Xanax, and other opioids.
Today's episode features Charlotte Bismuth, author of Bad Medicine.
Here's a link to the Birth of a Con Man series.
Also, subscribe to the new PRETEND YouTube channel for a chance to win a t-shirt.
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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Johnny Depp played Donnie Brasco in the Academy Award-nominated film. But the real-life story of Donnie Brasco is even more fascinating. Joe Pistone, an FBI agent, went deep undercover as Brasco and spent six years inside the Bonanno and Columbo crime families.
The movie, if you remember, starts with Joe Pistone immediately infiltrating with the mob. In today's episode, we will talk about everything that happened before the movie even begins.
What was Donnie Brasco's backstory? Where did he come from, and how did he earn money? The FBI needed to figure out every single detail about this fictional character before Joe Pistone ever made the first contact with the mafia. They decided that Donnie Brasco was going to be a jewel thief. That required Pistone to learn how gemology, how to break into safes, and how to disable alarms.
In this episode, you will hear from Joe Pistone himself. You'll even get to listen to a real wiretap recording between Donnie Brasco and his associate Lefty Ruggiero.
If you want more, check out the new podcast "Deep Cover-The Real Donnie Brasco," Joe Pistone shares the true stories of his time with the mob to his friend and host actor Leo Rossi.
Make sure to subscribe to the PRETEND YouTube channel. I will pick 10 subscribers at random and mail them a screen printed PRETEND t-shirt.
"Fuhggedaboutit"
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If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brian Earl with the Christmas Past podcast shares a Christmas story you’ve probably never heard before. In the early 1900s, children’s letters to Santa Claus never made it to the North Pole. They landed in the dead letter office and were eventually destroyed.
But along came John Gluck, a hustler who took these letters to Santa and turned it into an opportunity to get rich and famous.
It’s the strange and true story of government agents, spies, an art thief, U.S. presidents, and gun-toting boy scouts.
Check out “My Dear Santa” with Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast
My Dear Santa: A True Crime Christmas Caper
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Remember when we used to go out to parties? Well, since you can't really go out these days, today we're going to celebrate together.
In this episode we're talking about party crashers.
Act 1:
Our first story is about the art of crashing a party. What do you need to do to attend a party you weren't invited to without ever getting caught? Megan Gillikin a wedding planner and the host of the Wedding for Real Podcast shows us how.
Act 2:
Our second story, is about the greatest party crasher story of all time. The date was November 24th, 2009. Two Washington D.C. socialites were on their way to the White House state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the stars of the Real Housewives of D.C., crashed the White House State Dinner. How were they able to crash the most secure party on Earth?
Act 3:
We end the show with stories from listeners like you about a time you crashed a party.
Oh, and by the way, just a warning. Some parts of this episode are not suitable for young children. Just want to put that out there.
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Do you have a party crashing story you would like to share? Leave me a voicemail at (919) 867-1871. Or email me javier [at] pretendradio [dot] org.
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The word on the street is that Michael Torres is Ph.D. by day and a treasure hunter by night. Torres claims he has an aeronautical engineering degree from Duke University. Don’t believe him? He has a photo of his diploma. Michael Torres also claims to have taught at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He has the library card to prove it.
When he’s not in the classroom, Torres is out looking for treasure. He claims he raided catacombs in Turkey, he’s recovered one of Sir Francis Drake’s sunken ship. And most recently, he discovered what he believes is a pre-Incan Peruvian burial mask off the eastern coast of Florida.
But like unlike Dr. Indiana Jones, some have accused him of stolen valor by exaggerating his military career. They say Torres falsely represented himself as a war hero with two Purple Heart medals.
His critics say not to believe a word he says. For instance, Michael Torres says he discovered a mass Jewish mass grave in Savannah, Georgia. Is he a serious treasure hunter or just a hack who makes up stories in order to gain attention?
As a spectator in the world of fraud, I allow myself to get sucked in towards the center of the storm of lies. I do this with great caution. The closer I get, the more believable the stories get. And unlike victims, who are emotionally and financially invested, it's easier for me to circle just outside the hurricane's eye wall.
In today’s episode, I’ll let you be the judge. Is Michael Torres a war hero/treasure hunter? Or is he a con artist?
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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In this episode, Michael Torres discovers "a mass Jewish grave." But is it what he thinks it is? And I talk to the CEO of Seafarer Exploration to figure out why he hasn't found a single treasure in 13 years.
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michael Torres is a self-proclaimed pirate. He says his most recent finds include the crown jewels of a pre-Incan civilization, a missing colonial settlement, and a desecrated Jewish burial site at Bonaventure cemetery.
These larger-than-life discoveries have come into question. In today’s episode, we’ll follow the evidence to separate fact from fiction.
Michael Torres is currently being sued by Seafarer Exploration, a treasure salvage company. The company says Torres lied about his credentials and has set them back financially. Today, we take a closer look at Seafarer Exploration to understand how this company stays afloat. After all, they’ve been around for 13 years, have millions of dollars in debt, and have yet to find a treasure.
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seafarer Exploration, a treasure salvage company, has spent the last 13 years trying to find a 300-year-old Spanish galleon sunken off the coast of Florida. A galleon is a large sailboat, with multiple leveled decks, and 3 or 4 masts. These ships were designed to carry large treasures found in the new world and bring them back to Spain.
In 1715, a Spanish fleet loaded up with silver departed from Havana, Cuba. Seven days later, a hurricane off the east coast of central Florida swooped in and took down eleven of the twelve ships. Hence, the reason they call this part of Florida the treasure coast.
But as you can imagine, trying to find the mother load buried underneath the ocean is like finding a needle in a haystack. If Seafarer Exploration has any chance of finding this treasure, they are going to need to find someone who can build a ship that is powerful enough to scan the ocean floor. Imagine a giant floating metal detector that can capture high-resolution images of the seabed. That's when Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, met a man who said, "Sure. I can build you this machine." His name was Dr. Michael Torres.
Kyle Kennedy claims that Michael Torres presented himself as an aeronautical engineer who graduated with a doctorate degree from Duke University. Torres also said he taught at MIT Draper labs and represented the NSA while also working on multiple classified government contracts. Kyle Kennedy couldn't believe it. This Dr. Michael Torres guy was perfect! And on top of an unbelievable resume, Kennedy says that Dr. Torres was a wounded war hero, who served two tours in Afghanistan. He was even awarded the Purple Heart medal.
Fast-forward a few years later, Kyle Kennedy is now suing Michael Torres for fraud. He says Michael Torres is a con artist who faked his credential.
So, who is this guy? Dr. Michael Torres? I'm going to track him down to find out if he really is who they say he is. It turns out that the conman in this story is not who you would expect.
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jonathan Walton fell for the oldest trick in the book. He said, “It wasn't some Nigerian Prince emailing me in my spam folder. It was a living, breathing, lovable woman.” That lovable woman’s name is Mair Smyth. She’s also known as Marianne Smyth, or Marianne Andle, or Marianne Welch. She has 23 known aliases.
The way Johnathan Walton describes her, Marianne Smyth is a gifted con artist who brilliantly juggles lies with ease. Each lie gracefully circles in the air, passing through her hands, without ever getting caught. But when she decided to rip off Johnathan Walton, she picked the wrong mark.
You can learn more about this story by visiting https://johnathanwalton.com/
Bonus episode
Patreon exclusive episode
This is the first in a series of new Patreon only episodes. The series will focus on historical con artists. Today's episode is about the man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge.
This week, I'm joined by Rebekah Sebastian with the Die-alogue podcast and the Yellowtape true crime trivia show.
Listen here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/42197195
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Story idea?
If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dartanyon A. Williams stole his parents' identities at the age of 15. Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he lost count.
How did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique was paying off employees at restaurants, car dealerships, and tax preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no one was looking, they would collect customer social security numbers and smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He’s currently running for congress this November for the U.S. House to represent Louisiana's 6th Congressional District.
These days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is already online. What can you do to protect yourself?
Click here to see if your email has been involved in a breached database:
I’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume your identity.
Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide.
Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus, then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit, it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick phone call.
Equifax
Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Experian
Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
TransUnion
Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page
To learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com and listen to his podcast The Privacy, Security, & OSINT show.
I also recommend you buy a copy of Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the last two episodes, you heard from Michael Bazzell a privacy expert whose job is to make people disappear. But who is he? Why is he so passionate about privacy? And how exactly does he make people disappear? I'm going to do my best to figure him out.
It turns out Michael Bazzell eats his own dog food. He's pretty much an invisible man. I have no idea where he lives or what he looks like. I've spent hours talking to Michael these past few months hoping that he will slip up and let out some detail about his private life. Nope. This guy is locked down and takes his privacy seriously.
First, you’ll need a copy of Michael Bazzell’s book titled Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear.
A secure VPN to protect your location. Michael Bazzell says that a VPN is probably the single most important item on this list.
A Faraday bag for your smartphone like this one.
For more resources, make sure to visit inteltechniques.com. And make sure to check out Michael Bazzell’s podcast The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show.
It's time to reevaluate your digital privacy. Everything you need to know in order to live off the digital grid.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the last episode, we talked about the wrong way to disappear. Faking your own death rarely works. But did you know that there are real people out there who legitimately need to fade away into society?
Who needs to disappear?
There are many reasons to live anonymously. However, we’ve broken it down to four different archetypes: the executive, the celebrity, the victim, and the government employee.
CEOs and business executives are easy targets. They take all the credit when things go right. But they’re also responsible any time something goes wrong. And when that happens they have to minimize the threat. It could be a disgruntled employee, or they'be a target because of their wealth. Recently, a Silicon Valley CEO was kidnapped and murdered by two former employees. Hear tactics executives use to live privately.
Today’s celebrities are more accessible than ever. Stars like Taylor Swift, Eminem, and UFC fighter Anthony Smith have had their homes broken into. Alison Sweeney, from Days of our Lives and the Biggest Loser, talks about balancing the limelight with basic privacy rights.
Often times, domestic violence victims need to disappear in order to survive. Hear the story on how one victim fled her attacker.
Judges and prosecutors are often targets of intimidation and death threats. And police are targets too due to the heightened attention on police brutality and racial profiling. Learn how government employees eliminate the threat by making themselves impossible to find.
This series is a collaboration with Michael Bazzell. In the next few episodes, we’re going to show you to successfully vanish from society. You too can live undetected. It’s not just for wealthy CEOs.
For more than 20 years, Michael Bazzell worked on behalf of the US government investigating computer crimes. He was also a consultant on the hacker show Mr. Robot. He no longer works for the government. These days, Michael Bazzell helps people disappear.
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Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did Olivia Newton-John’s Former Boyfriend Fake His Own Death?Faking your own death is almost always a bad idea. Hear the story of Patrick McDermott, Olivia Newton John’s boyfriend, who many believe staged his own death.
People have been playing dead since the beginning of time. There’s really no way of knowing for how long this has been going on. But I can imagine that the illusion of dying is closely correlated with the concept of debt. If you owe someone lots of money, you have two options: either pay it or run away.
Patrick McDermott, Olivia Newton-John’s missing boyfriend, had every reason to run away. His film work had dried up and he owed his ex-wife thousands of dollars in back child support.
It took 10 days for anyone to realize he was missing. Olivia Newton-John wasn’t looking for him because they had just recently broken up. It wasn’t until he didn’t show up to pick up his son that his ex-wife noticed something was wrong. But people can’t just run away without leaving behind clues.
Patrick McDermott was last seen after going on an overnight fishing trip. Was McDermott lost at sea or was he just on the run? The truth is, no one wanted to find out. His ex-wife filed a claim on his life insurance. And Olivia Newton John wanted the whole thing put behind her.
When the manager of the marina was asked about McDermott’s whereabouts, he said that Patrick McDermott’s name was indeed on the ship’s manifesto. And there was something else. He left behind his tackle box. Inside, they found his wallet, driver’s license, and car keys.
I haven’t seen any real study on this topic but I can imagine that there are many reasons why someone would want to leave their own life behind and start fresh. It could be forbidden love like in Romeo and Juliet. Or it can be greed—like someone trying to cash in on their own life insurance policy. When it comes to dying, people have many different motivations.
This series is a collaboration with Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant and host of The PRIVACY, SECURITY, & OSINT Show. We’re going to show you the wrong way and the right way to disappear.
Buy the book: Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear by Michael Bazzell:
A special thanks to Philip Klein. If you want to read more about Patrick McDermott’s disappearance, check out the book “Lost at Sea: The hunt for Patrick McDermott.”
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The COVID-19 pandemic is a conman’s Super Bowl. In times like these, when there's so much uncertainty, snake oil salesmen are ready to promise you a cure.
In this episode, you'll hear from a woman who takes one of these miracle drugs. I ask her why she takes it.
Joe Terrell with Instrument of Mercy https://instrumentofmercy.com/
A Concerned Citizen and host of Swindled
https://www.who.int/csr/don/2011_11_24/en/
https://news.gallup.com/poll/248837/church-membership-down-sharply-past-two-decades.aspx
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I wasn’t expecting to be back with a new PRETEND episode so soon. In fact, I’m still wrapping up the final episodes for my new show called CRIMINAL CONDUCT. But the world around us has changed. And scammers are on the prowl.
If you live in the US, chances are you probably received your stimulus payment. It went either straight into your bank account through direct deposit. Or some of you may have cashed the check that you received in the mail.
We’re talking about much-needed money for tens of millions of Americans out of work due to the Coronavirus. $1,200 for individuals and $3,400 for a family of four.
The IRS has sent out 150 million payments so far since the time of this recording… but more payments are still expected to still arrive through the end of June.
And if you haven’t received your check, you’re probably wondering what’s the hold-up? Unfortunately for some, your money is probably gone and in the hands of thieves.
Today, I’m going to show you exactly how easy it is for scammers to steal your money. In fact, I’ve challenged a privacy expert to try and hack into my private information. I was really shocked at what he was able to find.
1Password.com (User-friendly and secure)
Bitwarden (More secure cloud-based password manager)
KeePassXC (More secure computer-based password manager)
Credit Freeze Tutorial (Full Workbook)
Annual Credit Report (Free credit report to detect fraud)
Enable 2-factor authentication on all platforms that support it https://twofactorauth.org/
https://inteltechniques.com/data/workbook.pdf
Michael Bazzell’s website Intel Techniques
Eva Velasquez Identity Theft Resource Center
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
//Criminal Conduct debuts on March 23rd.//
Get an inside look into the making of the new podcast. Thank you to Jerri Williams from FBI Retired Case File Review for helping us with this bonus episode.
You can listen to the episode one now on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/34832524
Subscribe to Criminal Conduct now so you won't miss an episode.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On September 2nd, 2010, 24 year-old Michelle O’Connell broke up with her boyfriend, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Deputy, Jeremy Banks. Minutes later, she was dead.
The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office quickly ruled the case a suicide, without examining crucial forensic evidence or interviewing any key witnesses. A medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, yet other investigations failed to gain traction.
Her boyfriend, Deputy Jeremy Banks was never charged and is still working as a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Years later, an amateur sleuth named Eli Washtock winds up murdered after investigating Michelle O’Connell’s death. What did he find out?
‘Criminal Conduct’ is an investigative true crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. The hosts retrace the footsteps of Eli Washtock, the slain sleuth; picking up the investigation where he left off.
‘Criminal Conduct’ will be released in the spring of 2020. Subscribe now on all podcast platforms.
criminalconduct.net
Apple Podcast
https://apple.co/2S4KaoG
Google Play
http://bit.ly/CriminalConGoogle
Stitcher
http://bit.ly/CriminalConStitcher
Spotify
https://spoti.fi/2S0
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Joe Schmo Show is a real-life Truman Show—where everyone is an actor except one unsuspecting guy. It’s a reality show within a reality show.
The series everyone watched on SPIKE TV was called The Joe Schmo show. But the show Matt Kennedy Gould thought he was participating in was called The Lap of Luxury—a Big Brother style television show. He had no idea that the people he was living with were all actors.
The series was created by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (Deadpool). It was hosted by Ralph Garman and written and produced by J. Holland Moore. Season one starred a young Kristen Wiig who played a quack psychiatrist. I must warn you. This show did not age well. It would not survive in today’s #metoo movement. Despite what it lacks in sensitivity, it makes up for in its ingenuity and heart.
In this episode, Melissa with Moms and Murder and I talk with Chase Rogan, season three’s Joe Schmo, to find out what it’s like to be the star of television’s biggest hoax.
Today’s episode was written and produced by me and Melissa.
Original music was provided by thechicken.net
Additional music by Blue dot sessions
All clips in this podcast were used in compliance with the US copyright act for fair use exemption, for criticism and commentary
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A con artist save Christmas
Brian Earl with the Christmas Past podcast shares a Christmas story you’ve probably never heard before. In the early 1900s, children’s letters to Santa Claus never made it to the North Pole. They landed in the dead letter office and were eventually destroyed.
But along came John Gluck, a hustler who took these letters to Santa and turned it into an opportunity to get rich and famous.
It’s the strange and true story of government agents, spies, an art thief, U.S. presidents, and gun-toting boy scouts.
Check out “My Dear Santa” with Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast
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Credits
Today’s show was written and edited by Javier Leiva.
Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net.
Additional music by Podington Bear.
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Support for this episode is brought to you by Detective Trapp
Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp is not like other detectives. She’s the only woman on the homicide squad, and a skilled chameleon: undercover cop in vice stings, crime-scene commander, patient confidante of killers. A master interrogator, she invokes her personal experience – and deepest griefs — as a tool to elicit confessions. When a young woman’s body is found at a trash-sorting plant, Trapp learns the murder may be linked to the disappearance of three other women in nearby Santa Ana. Trapp embarks on a dark journey that brings her face to face with a man who takes “a little piece of her soul.”
Listen now at Wondery.fm/PretendDT
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
PrankNet is a network of online terrorists who performed crank calls which caused thousands of dollars worth in damages.
These cruel prank phone calls created anxiety and fear for anyone who picked up the phone. PrankNet victims destroyed hotel rooms, set off fire alarms, and flooded rooms by damaging the sprinkler system.
In part 3, you heard actual Pranknet prank calls. In part 4, you’ll hear from a former prank caller who says she was one of the architects behind Pranknet’s most despicable hoax. It involved two female KFC employees in Manchester, New Hampshire. The two employees were convinced to strip naked in the freezing cold and urinate on each other.
Hear how Jeri Batsford says she helped Pranknet orchestrate some of their most twisted pranks.
Credits
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Molly Brock.
Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net.
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
Support for this episode is brought to you by Detective Trapp
Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp is not like other detectives. She’s the only woman on the homicide squad, and a skilled chameleon: undercover cop in vice stings, crime-scene commander, patient confidante of killers. A master interrogator, she invokes her personal experience – and deepest griefs — as a tool to elicit confessions. When a young woman’s body is found at a trash-sorting plant, Trapp learns the murder may be linked to the disappearance of three other women in nearby Santa Ana. Trapp embarks on a dark journey that brings her face to face with a man who takes “a little piece of her soul.”
Listen now at Wondery.fm/PretendDT
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References
http://www.onpointnews.com/docs/hoax.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysSgG5V-R3U
https://www.wmur.com/news/18803151/detail.html
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
PrankNet
The punks at Pranknet are believed to be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars worth in damages. They often called restaurants making employees set off sprinklers systems and fire alarms. Sometimes they would even call hotel guests directly and convince them to shatter hotel windows.
An ESPN reporter falls for a Pranknet hoax
Nobody is safe from PrankNet's mayhem. Even Elizabeth Moreau, an ESPN reporter, was persuaded to swing a toilet seat across her Hilton Garden Inn window in the middle of the night. She thought there was a gas leak in the building. All of these calls were recorded and posted on Youtube. You can hear the desperation in her voice during the call.
Who is behind PrankNet?
The mastermind behind PrankNet is allegedly a Canadian man who goes by the name of Dex. Dex, who’s real name is Tariq Malik, is clearly proud of his work. However, when exposed by an internet blog, he vanished without a trace.
A prank caller confesses
I wanted to learn more about PrankNet and how they operate. The question is, could I get one of them to talk with me? Fortunately, Jeri Batsford, a former PrankNet member, deflected from the group.
Listen to part 3 of The Prank Call on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play.
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Credits
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale.
Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net.
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
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Support for this episode is brought to you by Detective Trapp
Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp is not like other detectives. She’s the only woman on the homicide squad, and a skilled chameleon: undercover cop in vice stings, crime-scene commander, patient confidante of killers. A master interrogator, she invokes her personal experience – and deepest griefs -- as a tool to elicit confessions. When a young woman’s body is found at a trash-sorting plant, Trapp learns the murder may be linked to the disappearance of three other women in nearby Santa Ana. Trapp embarks on a dark journey that brings her face to face with a man who takes “a little piece of her soul.”
Listen now at Wondery.fm/PretendDT
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References
http://www.onpointnews.com/docs/hoax.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysSgG5V-R3U
https://www.wmur.com/news/18803151/detail.html
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A prank call leads to a 2-hour strip-search at a fast-food restaurant
A prank caller posing as a cop calls a manager at a Hardee's Restaurant in Rapid City, South Dakota. He tells the store manager that one of his employees stole money from a customer. Instead of calling the real police, the manager decides to strip search the employee. This prank call went on for more than 2 hours.
I spoke with the manager of that restaurant to find out why he obeyed the prank caller's every demand.
Searching for David Stewart—the prank call suspect
Victor Flaherty is now the Cheif of Police in West Bridgewater police department in Massachusetts at the time in 2004, he was a detective sergeant searching for the notorious fast-food prank caller. Many police stations across the United States tried to locate the perpetrator—and all of them failed. It turns out that tracing the calls back to the source proved to be nearly impossible.
Listen to the lengthVictor Flaherty went through to find the suspect named David Stewart.
If you want to start from the beginning, listen to part 1 here.
Credits
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Molly Brock.
Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net.
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
References:
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Disclaimer: We will be talking about sexual abuse and other disturbing topics. Listener discretion is advised.
A prank caller pretending to be a police officer instructed fast-food managers to strip-search female employees forcing them to jog naked, do jumping jacks and perform other humiliating acts. He made more than 70 of these calls in the United States over a 12-year period.
Some of the managers were charged with rape and kidnapping as a result of these pranks. How could they fall for such a prank?
The truth is, humans are programmed to respect authority. But why do we obey? In this episode, you'll hear real audio from Stanley Milgram's experiments on obedience and authority. The results are shocking.
Donna Summers, the manager from the McDonalds restaurant in Mount Washington, sued McDonald's for failing to warn her about the previous hoaxes. She asked for $50 million. She was awarded $1 million in punitive damages and $100,000 in compensatory damages.
Listen to my conversation with her attorney Wendy Wagner.
The Pranks part 1 BONUS (McDonalds Lawsuit)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pranks-part-1-30952858
Links and sources
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2005/10/09/a-hoax-most-cruel-caller-coaxed-mcdonalds-managers-/28936597/
https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/man-on-trial-for-kidnapping-rape/article_faeff508-246c-54db-8a66-15d121c5112d.html
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2005/10/09/a-hoax-most-cruel-caller-coaxed-mcdonalds-managers-/28936597/https://web.archive.org/web/20090325234639/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15504125/
Credits
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Molly Brock. Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
Support for this episode is brought to you by HempFusion
Use promo code PRETEND for 20% off of your first order and free shipping at hempfusion.com. Get HempFusion shipped anywhere in the US.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Susan Fensten is a victim of cyberstalking. Distant family members and ex-cons bombarded her with harassing emails. She felt cornered and there was nothing she could do about it.
Two ex-cons convicted of raping a woman were sending her threatening emails. They even invited her to the Fall Slaughter an event hosted by a cannibalistic cult from upstate New York. The plan was to eat her alive.
None of this was real. All these threatening messages were fake. And worst of all, the people Susan thought she was interacting with weren’t real either. Today’s story focuses on the search for this cyberstalker. Who was targeting Susan? And why did they want her to suffer?
Subscribe to PRETEND on your favorite podcast app: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play.
Check out Susan Fensten’s Memoir based on this story titled, “You have a very soft voice, Susan.”
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Molly Brock. Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
Susan Fensten shares a story that didn't make it in her book.
The full interview with FBI Special Agent Brandon Waller
Support for this episode is brought to you by HempFusion
Use promo code PRETEND for 20% off of your first order and free shipping at hempfusion.com. Get HempFusion shipped anywhere in the US.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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It all started when Susan began looking for distant family members on a genealogy site. While trying to fill the gaps with her family tree, she found herself tangled in a web of lies.
Her newfound cousin, Leonard Nachman, bombarded her with pornographic emails and a picture of himself masturbating while wearing nylon bodysuits. It was disturbing.
But I don't want to give away too much of the story. After you’re done listening to part one, get an early preview of part two on Patreon.
Also, check out Susan Fensten’s Memoir based on this story titled, “You have a very soft voice, Susan.”
Subscribe to PRETEND on your favorite podcast app: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play.
Today’s show was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale. Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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Alan Canty was a prominent psychologist but to Dawn, and her pimp John “Lucky” Fry, he was known as Dr. Alan Miller. He developed an alter ego in order to protect his two worlds from colliding. However, secrets can’t last forever. One day, Alan Canty’s love affair came to a tragic end.
Links and sources:
If you enjoyed the story, check out Lowell Lowell Cauffiel’s book titled Masquerade
To read Jan Canty’s memoir visit Amazon or www.jancantyphd.com
Credits
Today’s episode was edited by Bear Beat Productions and additional editing by Molly Brock
Our Theme is Music by Joe Basie with theChicken.net
And additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1980s Prostitution in the Streets of Detroit
Back in the 1980s, Mark Bando was a Detroit police officer working the streets of Detroit. His assignment was to keep tabs on women forced into prostitution, their pimps, and the sugar daddies who kept them in business. Dawn Spens was one of those women. We follow their interlaced story.
Dawn’s sugar daddy was a prominent psychologist named Alan Canty. He would meet her for sex during his lunch break. This relationship went on for two years. Meanwhile, his wife Jan Canty didn’t know what was really going on. This rendezvous didn’t last forever. Hear how Alan Canty’s double life was exposed.
Meet the characters
The Sugar Daddy- Alan Canty
The Sex Worker- Dawn Spens
The Pimp- John “Lucky”
Links and sources:
If you enjoyed the story, check out Lowell Lowell Cauffiel’s book titled Masquerade
To read Jan Canty’s memoir visit Amazon or www.jancantyphd.com
This is part one of a two-part series. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to part two right now
Credits
This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva
Edited by Molly Brock
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear
Theme music by Joe Basile and thechicken.net
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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George Smith and his friend Chris Harven decided to rob a bank in Norco, California. And just like in the movies, these bank robbers charged into the bank and demanded all the money. Except, it was a Friday afternoon, and the vault was pretty much empty.
In part one of The Norco Bank Heist, we left off as the bank robbers blasted away the Sheriff Deputies arriving at the scene.
Peter Houlahan, author of the book “Norco ‘80” says that “There were over 500 rounds fired—200 of them shot at [Deputy Glyn] Balasky alone. They hit his vehicle 46 times, wounding him badly in the elbow. All three of the responding deputies had their vehicle struck multiple times. There were bullets in citizens cars, in houses, in the storefronts. Everything in that intersection was hit with gunfire. Five civilians had been injured.”
The Riverside County Sheriff's deputies were completely overwhelmed in the firefight. They never really stood a chance.
George Wayne Smith and his buddies managed to flee the scene and are on their way to get the cold cars parked a few miles away. But how did this chaotic chase end 60 miles east in a remote canyon heading towards the Mojave desert?
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Buy a copy of Norco ’80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History by Peter Houlahan on Amazon or wherever you get your books.
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Support for this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.
Is there is something that interferes with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Connect with your professional counselor in a safe and private online environment.
Sign up today with discount code “PRETEND” to get 10% off your first month.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
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This is the story of the 1980 Norco bank robbery—one of the most violent bank heists in U.S. history.
Remarkably, only three people died. However, 30 police cars and one helicopter were torn apart by bullets.
In this episode, you’re going to hear from some of the people who were there that day at the Security Pacific Bank.
This wasn’t your typical bank robbery. George Smith, the mastermind behind the heist, believed the rapture was coming.
His gang of bank robbers was armed with military-grade weapons. The police never stood a chance. I mean, it was a downright war zone. Why would George Smith go to such extremes just to rob a bank?
We’re going to spend the next two episodes trying to get inside the mind of George Wayne Smith. Who was he? And what motivated him to orchestrate such an insane bank robbery? And how did they finally catch him, the following day in the canyons, heading to the Mojave Desert?
Buy a copy of Norco '80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History by Peter Houlahan on Amazon or wherever you get your books.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva
Edited by Molly Clay
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Theme music by Joe Basile and thechicken.net
Support for this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.
BetterHelp
Is there is something that interferes with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Connect with your professional counselor in a safe and private online environment.
Sign up today with discount code “PRETEND” to get 10% off your first month.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
She asks, “Why isn’t anybody doing something about this?” Susan Gerbic is just like you and me. She has a normal job working as a baby photographer. But at night, she is a badass vigilante hunting psychics. Susan says, “One of my favorite things to do is try to expose people we call grief vampires. People who claim to speak to the dead.”
Her motivation is not to settle a vendetta. In fact, she says she’s never really been the target of a psychic. Susan simply doesn’t like them and the way they profit off of people’s grief. The US market for psychic services is worth about $2 billion annually according to IBIS World, a market research firm based in Los Angeles California.
On this episode of Pretend, Susan attempts to capture psychics lying on tape. These psychic hunters spent months setting up fake Facebook pages, hoping that a so-called psychic uses the falsified information during a psychic reading. It took a few tries, but she finally got one on tape.
Links:
Silvia Browne gets punked by skeptic Mark Edward
Tim Braun (psychic)
Chip Coffey (psychic)
Thomas John (psychic)
New York Times article:
Support for this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.
Is there is something that interferes with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Connect with your professional counselor in a safe and private online environment.
Sign up today with discount code “PRETEND” to get 10% off your first month.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva
Theme music by Joe Basile with thechicken.net
Additional music by Glad Rags
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In 1979, two high school kids claiming to be psychic managed to fool parapsychology researchers at Washington University using simple magic tricks and sleight of hand. Little did the scientists know, these kids were just amateur magicians pulling a fast one on them.
Today, these kids are grown. Their names are Steve Shaw, who now goes by the stage name Banachek, and Mike Edwards. But back in 1979, they were seen as boys with exceptional abilities. They were planted in the parapsychology research study by the magician and skeptic James Randi. They coined this stunt Project Alpha.
The parapsychology lab at Washington State University was called the McDonnell Laboratory for Psychical Research. The lab ran a long series of experiments ranging from moving objects in sealed glass domes to controlling clocks and creating images appear on unexposed film. Banacheck and Edwards say they received no training from James Randi. They had to rely on their instincts and come up with illusions on the fly.
During their time at the McDonnell research institute, they followed one rule—always tell the truth if you’re ever asked whether they were faking the results. They kept this ruse going for almost three years.
This is part of my series on Psychics. Part 1 features my conversation with Uri Geller.
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Links
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH WITH TWO NEW PSYCHIC METAL BENDERS
Transcribed from Research in Parapsychology (1981), pp. 144-146
Peter R. Phillips and Mark Shafer† (Washington University)
http://www.aiprinc.org/documents/PS.pdf
McDonnell Laboratory press release after the revelation
http://www.aiprinc.org/documents/CIA_on_Randi.pdf
Parapsychological Weapon - NSA Memo
Project STARGATE
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/nsa-rdp96x00790r000100030042-9
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Written and Produced by Javier Leiva
Theme music by Joe Basile with thechicken.net
Additional music by Podington Bear and Glad Rags
Additional audio provided by Banachek's Brain podcast
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Support for this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.
Is there is something that interferes with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Connect with your professional counselor in a safe and private online environment.
Sign up today with discount code "PRETEND" to get 10% off your first month.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The documents revealed a CIA funded study at the Stanford Research Institute revolving around psychokinesis. Psychokinesis is the ability for someone to move objects with the power of their minds. Why in the world would the CIA, arguably the world’s most elite spy agency, want to study psychics?
I interviewed Uri Geller about his time at the Stanford Research Institute. We spoke about his childhood, discovering his supernatural abilities, his involvement with spy agencies like the Israeli Mossad, and many other unbelievable events.
You have to remember, this all took place in the 1970s. Governments were more open to exploring the supernatural. Even the Soviet Union reportedly hired psychics to spy on their enemies.
But not everyone was eager to seek the help of psychics. Johnny Carson invited Uri Geller on The Tonight Show and it was a total disaster. Uri Geller could not perform his most basic tricks. What happened? Uri Geller says it was a hit job.
To learn more about Uri Geller, check out The Secret Life of Uri Geller. It's a fascinating documentary.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Theme music by The Chicken
Additional music by Podington Bear, Glad Rags, Blue Dot Sessions
Written and produced by Javier Leiva
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In part one of the Bounty Hunter, a judge sentenced Jack to 20 years in prison for a drug offense. After failing to appeal the judge’s decision, Jack decided he wasn’t going back to prison.
Instead, Jack Saltarelli moved to Pennsylvania and started cooking meth in a mountainside cabin. When he wasn't cooking meth, Jack was hiding in plain sight on national television. He was volunteering as a search and rescue crew members looking for victims of the Atlanta Monster, serial killer Wayne Williams.
This is a wild story, so I don't want to spoil it for you. Hear how the FBI finally caught up to him.
Special thanks to former agent Jerri Williams with the FBI Retired Case File Review podcast for introducing me to Jack. I would also like to thank former FBI agent Judy Tyler and Jack Saltarelli for sharing their stories.
Jack Saltarelli with agent Judy Tyler and the FBI[/caption]
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Credits
Pretend is produced by Javier Leiva
Theme music by The Chicken
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
Promos this week for A Date with Dateline
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You may be asking yourself what’s the difference between a cop and a bounty hunter? First, bounty hunters have more authority than local police. Cops have jurisdictions, and they need warrants in order to enter your home. Bounty hunters, on the other hand, can hunt you down anywhere, and they can even barge into your homes if they have to.
How can they get away with this? Simple. Let’s say you get arrested and sign a bail bond contract to get out of jail. The moment you sign that contract, you’re waiving your constitutional rights.
I met up with Jack at his bail bonds office in Gulfport, Mississippi. Let’s just say that Jack isn’t your ordinary bounty hunter. His story is much more complicated than that. Find out the secret Jack Saltarelli has been hiding for more than 30 years.
Part 2 is available right now for my Patreon supporters.
Retired FBI Agent Jerri Williams
You know, people always ask me, “Javier, where do you find these stories?” The answer is all sorts of places. But not this one. I learned about this story from my podcast from my friend Jerri Williams. Jerri is a retired FBI agent who has a podcast called FBI Retired Casefile Review. You may remember Jerri from the episode with the telemarketing con artist named Carl. If you haven’t check out FBI Retired Casefile Review, do yourself a favor and subscribe. Jerri is on every week featuring real former FBI agents describing their case. She is the real deal. You can listen to Jerri's interview with Jack Saltarelli and retired FBI agent Judy Tyler here.
Also, you should check out her new book, it’s called FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives. Jerri debunks clichés and misconceptions about the FBI in books, TV, and movies.
And thank you to you for helping me fund this story. If it weren’t for my Patreon supporters, I couldn’t be able to support the flight down to Gulf Port, MS, or the rental car and hotel. Seriously, this story was great because I was able to be there with Jack. If you want to hear more stories like this, please consider donating one dollar to the show. It really goes a long way.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Credits
Pretend is produced by Javier Leiva
Theme music by The Chicken
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
Promos this week for Beyond the Obituary and Spy Stories Podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Marie says, "I had a dream where they were chasing me and chasing me." But one night, Marie's nightmare was different.
"I finally got away. I was finally free, and they wouldn't be able to catch me. And I woke up feeling really happy. After all those years of being a nightmare, I'd finally gotten away."
But what was Marie running from? After all, she was just a middle-aged suburban mom who lived an unremarkable life.
"I was a middle-aged mother of three in a suburb of San Diego, California. I was a soccer mom. That's kind of what I did."
Every day revolved around her kids. "It was not that glamorous or exciting."
It was just this very average life. An average life that she’s worked so hard to keep. But one night, her recurring nightmare returned. Except for this time she was wide awake.
Find out the secret that kept Marie running for more than 30 years.
After the episode, make sure to read the book: A Tale Of Two Lives: The Susan LeFevre Fugitive Story
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A few seasons ago, I asked you to submit stories about lies. Either lies that you’ve told or lies that have impacted you personally. And boy, was the response crazy! I ended up making a whole episode dedicated to lies. I want to try it again. Email me a voice memo. Chances are your story could make it on the show.
-------
If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s neither a disease nor a recognized mental disorder—it’s just a state of mind. Today, you're going to meet a man who became a fugitive in order to live in his very own Neverland.
Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. And to be honest, he's not a dangerous man. He became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.
This is the first in a series of stories about fugitives running from the law. This season, we’ll explore how abandoning your old identity leads to a whole set of complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?
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This episode was 100% funded by you.
I was able to travel to Gulfport, MS for this story using funds raised on Patreon. So if you’d like to see me to take the show on the road, consider chipping in a buck or two on our Patreon page. Plus, you’ll get access to early episodes and bonus content. So, thank you so much for the support.
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Lies, lies, and more lies
A few seasons ago, I asked you to submit stories about lies. Either lies that you’ve told or lies that have impacted you personally. And boy, was the response crazy! I ended up making a whole episode dedicated to lies. I want to try it again. Email me a voice memo. Chances are your story could make it on the show.
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If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].
For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.
To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
My friend John Taylor interviewed John Paul Fay and asked him, what keeps him from acting on his disturbing urges. This episode is frightening. If you enjoyed it as much as I did, please check out the Twisted Podcast. You won't be disappointed.
The episode you're about to listen to is borrowed from the Twisted Podcast with John Taylor. You can read John Paul Fay's book titled the Shawcross Letters: My Journey Into The Mind Of Evil.
*Warning this episode contains extremely graphic material including descriptions of murder and cannibalism.
Listen to my full conversation with John Taylor on my Patreon feed.
Alison Sweeney joins us to talk about the Shawcross Letters and her new project “Chronicle Mysteries” on Hallmark Movie and Mysteries.
The host of a true crime podcast embarks on her latest project, and uncovers a decades-old murder while investigating a mysterious disappearance, in “Chronicle Mysteries: Recovered,” a new original premiering Sunday, February 17, (9 p.m. ET/PT) on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Alison Sweeney (“Days of Our Lives,” “The Biggest Loser”) executive produces and stars, along with Benjamin Ayres (“Saving Hope”).
The Chronicle Mysteries: Recovered premieres Sunday, February 17 at 9pm/8c
The Chronicle Mysteries: The Wrong Man premieres Sunday, February 24 at 9pm/8c
The Chronicle Mysteries: Vines that Bind premieres Sunday, March 3 at 9pm/8c
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Abby Ellin didn't know it yet, but the man she was about to marry was a compulsive liar living a double life. She was duped—hard.
In this bonus episode, we talk about her story and why she's now obsessed with con artists.
Abby Ellin is a New York Times contributor and author of Duped: Double Lives, False Identities and the Conman I Almost Married.
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Stick around to the end of the episode to listen to a preview of Pretend season 4.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let’s say a man speaks to another man. Perhaps he looks at him for too long or laughs at his joke. That’s gay. Maybe you’re standing too close. It doesn’t matter. If I’m a Word of Faith fellowship member and I think you’re gay—then you’re gay. I don’t have to prove it–I know it. And I can’t let you suffer from those gay demons. I have to pray for you to release the gay spirits out of you. And the way we pray at the Word of Faith Fellowship is through loud prayers. And it’s not only me praying over you—Sussie, Bobby, and Roger will join in. Soon, you’ll have 20 to 30 people screaming at you. And like Jane says, “people can get carried away.” So, it’s easy to imagine this prayer becoming more than a loud scream. I might hold on to your shoulders and give you a gentle tug. Then, I might punch you in the chest. Maybe my hands creep further up, and before I realize it, I’m wrapping my fingers around your neck. This hypothetical scenario I painted for you is exactly what Matthew Fenner says happened to him.
Release the gay demons
Tonight, it’s Matthew Fenner’s turn to receive an exorcism. Church ministers are praying over him. They’re trying to release the devil’s grip over his homosexual desires. Danielle Cordes was there the night. She says Brooke Covington, Jane’s so-called adopted daughter, was the one calling the shots. People who know Brooke’s style of worship say that she doesn’t have time to deal with your devils. So when it’s time to pray over you, it’s going to hurt. Brooke barks at Danielle and demands her to join in. “Brooke was the one coaching them through it,” explained Danielle. She says she too participated in the prayer. “I never slapped him or did any of that. I had my arm on him, but if I had like, I don’t know, I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t do it.”
The case against Brooke Covington and the Word of Faith Fellowship
The night after the alleged attack, Matthew Fenner escaped the Word of Faith Fellowship. He went straight to the police and filed a report. Unfortunately for him, the authorities were only willing to file misdemeanor charges. It will take years for actual criminal charges to be filed. To give you an idea, this beating allegedly took place in January 2013. Matthew was 19 at the time. He’s 25 years old now. That’s almost 5 years and there’s still no resolution to this case.
What happens next?
This is the final installment of season 3 The Prophet. This might be the last episode of this series, but the story is far from over. To keep up with this story, follow John Huddle’s blog religiouscultinfo.com andCitizens against corruption and abuse on Facebook.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jane Whaley recently turned 80-years-old. Obviously, the Word of Faith Fellowship can’t go on forever. At least not the way we know of it today. So, who’s taking over? Can it go on without Jane Whaley’s vision and authority? Or will it all just fall apart?
John Huddle, a former member, says that Jane’s biological daughter Robin Webster is believed to take over the church. But he suspects that, when Jane Whaley dies, there will be a power struggle within the church.The case against the Word of Faith Fellowship
We’ll talk more about this alleged attack in the next episode. Today, we’re going to focus on how we got to this point. Before Brooke Covington was charged with kidnapping and beating Matthew Fenner, she was actually the person who recruited him into the church. How did she go from being his spiritual leader, to being charged with beating him? In order to understand the case against Brooke Covington and the Word of Faith Fellowship ministries, you first understand how Matthew Fenner joined the church.
Cults recruit the vulnerable
The biggest questions I get all the time is, how do people get sucked into a cult. Everyone says that they would never fall for it, so how did Matthew and his family become one of them?
Before Matthew Fenner joined the Word of Faith Fellowship, he thought they were freaks. He heard rumors of the demonic possessions and members vomiting in buckets to evil spirits. Let’s just say that he wasn’t exactly a perfect candidate. And on top of that, Matthew was openly gay and considered himself an atheist. So, how does someone like him get sucked into a ultra conservative Christian cult?
The Word of Faith Fellowship found Matthew Fenner, and his family, when there were at their lowest point. Matthew’s family rejected his sexuality, his mother was in a bad marriage, and they were running out of money. These were desperate times.
Matthew attended his first service in February 2010. During this time he had friends, was a member of a dance troupe, and attended public school. By December of that same year, he cut ties with everyone he knew, quit dance, and enrolled in the church’s private school. How did it happen? How can someone go from gay atheist to a god-fearing cult member?
Matthew Fenner describes his journey into the Word of Faith Fellowship. Listen to episode 10 of the Prophet on Apple podcast, Google Play, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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Christina Bryant is about to go face-to-face with the real Jane Whaley.
In my previous episode, I got to see the political side of Jane—the Jane she wanted the world to meet. Christina, on the other hand, is about to talk with the real Jane Whaley—the one everyone fears. And she got it all on tape.
Christina Bryant went undercover inside the Word of Faith Fellowship. She’s wearing a hidden microphone. It’s been 6 years since she last step foot in the church. You see, Christina is a former member who has been excommunicated and is forbidden to contact her family. If she ever wants to ever speak with them again, she has to go through Jane Whaley first.
This 3-hour recording is completely engrossing. However, there are certain parts of this tape that brings up interesting legal questions regarding child abuse. Jane flat out says she’s not required by law to report sexual abuse because of pastor confidentiality. Is this true? How can this be true? Jane also claims if a child has bruising, the NC Department of Social Services doesn’t consider that abuse.
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in North Carolina
I reached out to my friend Rabia Chaudry from the Undisclosed Podcast for help. She put me in touch with her co-host Colin Miller, to walk me through what Jane says and how it applies to North Carolina law. I have to say, I’m shocked.
I also spoke with NC licensed attorney Paul Ditz. He’s one of the few attorney’s to have ever questioned Jane Whaley on the stand. He tells me that just because DSS allows minor bruising and Jane is protected by penitent privilege, doesn’t mean that she’s not responsible.
Take a deep breath because you’re about to go inside the mind of Jane Whaley.
Sources:
NC Article 7 – Competency of WitnessesReporting Child Abuse and Neglect in North CarolinaParental Discipline: When Is It Abuse and/or a Crime?A&E Documentary on the Word of Faith Fellowship titled “The Devil Next Door” postponed
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The world first learned about the Word of Faith Fellowship after an Inside Edition exposé in 1995. The investigation, led by the Trinity Foundation, revealed accusations of abuse within the church.
Watch the Inside Edition story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwE5fBT9RYE
Jane Whaley's quiet little kingdom was suddenly in the spotlight. Hidden cameras captured Jane's signature screaming prayer. Church members told Inside Edition that they would strap children to chairs so they wouldn't run away. It was horrifying. After a brief press conference, Jane Whaley never spoke to the media on the record ever again. So why did she pick me as her first interview since 1995?
I asked Jane, "Why me?" She told me that God spoke to her after listening to my show. But why now? Jane says she wanted to contact me but said that she didn’t know how to reach me.
During my visit, Sam Whaley told me that the closest they’ve come to talking to the media was when a BBC producer approached her about doing a story. She said he was very nice, just like me. But in the end, they decided it wasn’t right. Then, an A&E documentary crew asked to interview Jane and bring cameras into the church. Jane flat out said no because they weren’t interested in the truth. Her lawyers told me that the TV crew and former members showed up unannounced to church member owned businesses and caused a spectacle.
After the 3-hour service was over, Jane and I walked back to her office. Jane Whaley sat next to me. To my left sat her husband Sam Whaley. And across the room sat her two attorneys Mark Norris and Josh Farmer. Without ever even asking a question, Jane began to tell me about every controversial issue facing the church. She told me that she knows nothing about unemployment (Jane's referring to the recent the guilty pleas in the unemployment fraud cases.) When I asked her about the Brazilian slaves, she told me that some of the Brazilian's making these claims are entitled and lazy. During the meeting, Jane performed a blasting prayer for me. She also told me that she's gearing for a great confrontation and that they're ready for the end of times.
I also want to take the time to thank the former members who have listened to the show and have written me emails, facebook messages about their experience at the Word of Faith Fellowship. It just reinforces that what I’m doing is important.
Also, I know there are current members reading this right now. If you feel you’re in danger or just need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-7233. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you find a place to stay near Spindale while you figure things out. Or you can contact the Citizens against corruption and abuse828-289-7923. at area code
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Previously on Pretend Radio, I came face-to-face with pastor Jane Whaley of the Word of Faith Fellowship. When I arrived, we met in her office for a few minutes before the church service began. I was surprised by everyone's friendliness. Suddenly, the music started playing and we knew it was time to head into the main sanctuary. Jane Whaley held my hand as we walked down a long hallway towards the service. As we inched closer to the sanctuary, the music got louder and louder—it was ear drum busting loud. Jane and I walked in like rock stars. Her attorney escorted me to the second row behind Jane and her husband Sam Whaley.
Word of Faith Fellowship sanctuary in Spindale, North Carolina
The service started around 9:30am and ended around 12:30pm. It was a musical event filled with praise and worship. Old women were jumping up and down in their high heels, old men were singing as loud as they could, and the children appeared to be happy. Former members say that this is exactly what Jane Whaley wanted me to see. According to them, this service was tailored specifically for me.
Joe English played drums with Paul McCartney and Wings. Today, he's a devoted member at the Word of Faith Fellowship church in Spindale, North Carolina. I met Joe English during my visit. Hear how Jane Whaley saved him from a life of drugs and rock n' roll.
Listen to this exclusive Patreon episode.
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As far as I know, I'm the first journalist who has ever interviewed pastor Jane Whaley. Heck, I might be the only member of the media to have attended church service. How was I able to pull this off? The short answer is, I have no idea.
In fact, when the executive producer of the upcoming A&E series on Word of Faith Fellowship found out about my exclusive interview, he gave me a call. He asked me, "I just want to know one thing... how did you do it?" I told him, "I just asked nicely?"
(UPDATE: A&E pulls the docu-series the night before it was scheduled to air)
My first contact with Jane Whaley
The last people to get an invitation to the Word of Faith Fellowship got the cops called on them. However, that didn't stop me from contacting Jane. I have Jane Whaley's email address and intend to use it. Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? Get arrested for trespassing?
True Crime Podcast Festival | Chicago 2019
Also, I am excited to announce that Pretend Radio is going to be attending the first annual True Crime Podcast Festival on July 13, 2019 in Chicago! Trust me, start planning now. It’s worth traveling to. This is your chance to mingle with podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be live episode recordings as well as panel discussions. In fact, I’m speaking in one of them.
Some of the shows registered are All Crime No Cattle, Criminology, Canadian True Crime, Mugshot, Swindled, Sword and Scale, and so many more. You won’t want to miss this.
Go to the website TCPF2019.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. When you buy your ticket, make sure you mention Pretend Radio on the ticket registration survey. This is going to be a blast. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the True Crime Podcast Festival! For more information, see the show notes.
Many people have been writing me and sharing their stories. If you have a story to share, shoot me an email at [email protected] or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Our theme music was composed by Joe Basile with thechicken.net.
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Did you know that the Word of Faith Fellowship has nearly 2,000 members internationally? They have affiliate churches all over the world including Brazil, Sweden, Scotland, and other countries.
Brazil is by far the biggest territory ruled under Jane Whaley’s kingdom. They have churches in two southeastern Brazilian cities. The first church is in Soa Joaquim de Bicas which is about 6 hours north of Rio de Janeiro. They also have second church in Franco de Rocha which is an hour outside of Sao Paulo.
Jane conquers Brazil and offers them salvation
For a few lucky Brazilians, Jane blessed them with more than just salvation—an opportunity to live in the United States. Ana Albuquerque told the Associated Press that when she first arrived in Spindale, church members showered her with love. She said, "The first time you go, they treat you well. But afterwards, they start treating you bad.” Ana says things turned ugly fast. She claims she worked full time as a teacher’s assistant and baby sat church member’s children at night–all without pay. Then the physical abuse started. Ana says that Jane and another minister spanked her with a wooden stick. She told the AP they blasted her with a screaming prayer because she was “unclean” and possessed by the devil. And we’re not talking a small tap on the butt kind of spank. Ana says the beatings lasted for at least 40 minutes. She finally was allowed to return to Brazil and has since left the church.
16 Brazilians come forward
“It was a horror living there,” says Rebecca Mello. Her dreams of freedom quickly turned into a nightmare. She told the Associated Press that she was brought to the US in 2009 on a student visa. Immediately after she got here, church leaders took her passports and her money, and was quickly put to work. "We’re made to get up early, make the kids breakfast, cook, do their beds, pick up the the laundry.” Thiago Silva says, "We were there working, but we never got paid. If you’re not paid for something, even for your food, I would say that you’re a slave."
All in all, 16 Brazilian’s have come forward to share their personal story of abuse and enslavement.
True Crime Podcast Festival | Chicago 2019
Also, I am excited to announce that Pretend Radio is going to be attending the first annual True Crime Podcast Festival on July 13, 2019 in Chicago! Trust me, start planning now. It’s worth traveling to. This is your chance to mingle with podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be live episode recordings as well as panel discussions. In fact, I’m speaking in one of them.
Go to the website TCPF2019.com to find information on tickets and the hotel.
Many people have been writing me and sharing their stories. If you have a story to share, shoot me an email at [email protected] or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Today’s episode was edited by the talented Molly Clay. Our theme music was composed by Joe Basile with thechicken.net.
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When Nancy Burnette was appointed by the courts to be a guardian ad litem, she knew her job wasn’t going to be easy. A guardian ad litem is someone who represents kids in the foster care system. It’s her job to place children in homes with the right parents. If she doesn’t get right, her decision can cause lasting damage on these vulnerable children.
This was a challenge Nancy was willing to take.
So, put yourself in Nancy’s shoes for a second. If you had to place a child in the custody of the Word of Faith Fellowship family, what would you do?
This episode explores the series of questions surrounding the Word of Faith and accusations about their grip on local government. For example, did you know the Jane Whaley’s son in law, Frank Webster, was an assistant state prosecutor at a nearby county? There are also accusations that a local social workers undermined abuse investigations at the Word of Faith Fellowship? The list of accusations go on and on.
In this episode titled “Allegations of Abuse and Corruption,” I’ll do my best to describe some of the political controversy surrounding the Word of Faith Fellowship.
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See the front page article on Pretend Radio and the church's response:
http://pretendradio.org/word-of-faith-fellowship-prophet-allegations-of-child-abuse-and-corruption/
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Also, I am excited to announce that Pretend Radio is going to be attending the first annual True Crime Podcast Festival on July 13, 2019 in Chicago! Trust me, start planning now, it’s worth traveling to. This is your chance to mingle with podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be live episode recordings as well as panel discussions. In fact, I’m speaking at one of them.
Some of the shows registered are All Crime No Cattle, Criminology, Canadian True Crime, Mugshot, Swindled, Sword and Scale, and so many more. You won’t want to miss this.
Go to the website TCPF2019.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. When you buy your ticket, make sure you mention Pretend Radio on the ticket registration survey. This is going to be a blast. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the True Crime Podcast Festival! For more information, see the show notes.
—PROMO—
Framed: An investigative story
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It was an opportunity for former members to answer lingering questions for the citizens in the community. But in reality, it was probably an event designed to make good television for the documentary crew filming the whole thing. When I walked into the room, I expected a small gathering with a few chairs. Instead, I counted 6 professional video cameras and crew to match it. It was a huge production. I soon learned that today’s community event was part of an upcoming A&E documentary series on the Word of Faith Fellowship. Each former member in the panel sat behind a microphone provided by the A&E crew. About 80 to 100 people were in attendance—including current members of the Word of Faith Fellowship. The room was tense.
John Cooper, former Word of Faith Fellowship Former Members speaks about his experience with the Department of Social Services in Rutherford, County.
Survivors speak out against Pastor Jane Whaley
This episode was especially hard to write because there were so many stories to tell. But there was one story that stood out more than the others. Former Word of Faith Fellowship member Jamey Anderson delivered an impassioned speech about leaving the church. He lamented about being cut off from his family and missing his own grandfather’s funeral. In the audience sat his mother with an emotionless expression on her face. You see, Jamey’s mother is still a member at the church and has cut all communication with her son. Jamey called her out and said, “I’m very happy to see that whatever I've done has motivated her to show up today. So it's at least good to see her.”
Jamey used his time behind the microphone to respond to his mother’s 30 minute YouTube video. In the video, his mother Patti, his grandmother Dot, and his step-sister Allison describe why they think Jamey’s a liar and justify why they have disowned him.
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Those who have left the church describe her as a ruthless cult leader. But, we don't know much about her. Where did she come from? How did she assume power? I spoke with John Huddle, a former Word of Faith Fellowship member, to learn more about Jane Whaley's past.
To learn more visit pretendradio.org
--Promo--
All Crime No Cattle
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Thechicken.net
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Season 3: The Prophet - Word of Faith Fellowship Revisited
I’m back with a whole new season of Pretend Radio. But this time it’s going to be a little different. Instead of telling you a different story each episode, I decided to do a serialize season where I tell you a single story, one episode at a time. So what is it about? It’s about the first episode I aired on this show—the Word of Faith Fellowship church.
Back in season one, I met up with a man who says he escaped the cult. His name is John Cooper. I contacted him and asked "Hey, do you want to meet up? I’m thinking about starting a podcast and would like to tell your story."
So, we just met up at a park in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At this point, I didn’t know what this podcast was all about. All I knew was that he was part of a religious sect. And what he told me that day in that park blew my mind. But in the end, I feel like I didn’t do that story justice. It was one guy’s story. I needed to go out to the other side of the state, where the Word of Faith Fellowship is located, and do a little more digging. So, I got in my car and drove west. After I spending the whole day in Spindale, North Carolina, I thought to myself, there is no way I keep everything I just learned in one episode.
If season one was about John cooper, season 3 is all about the town of Spindale.
The episode you’re about to listen to is my first 3 episodes rolled into one. And I’m going to stitch them together by playing some ads for some non-profits organizations. And at the end of the episode there’s a preview of the new season.
Now many of you have already heard this story, but trust me, even I had to go back and listen to these episodes. Once the season starts, I’m not going to spend a lot setting things up. We’re just going to get right to it.
If you’re new to Pretend Radio, well this is a great place to start.
Let me tell you, it’s pretty crazy. I got deeper into this story than any other journalist. The BBC has tried and failed. The Associated Press tried and they couldn’t get in. Even A&E is producing a documentary on the WOFF and they didn’t get the access I got.
So enjoy this flashback episode and revisit The Prophet from season one. And get ready for the season because it’s coming out very soon.
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If you haven’t listened to part one, check that out first.
Today’s episode, picks up where we last left off. It’s 1972, and Martin McNally just hijacked a plane heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma. His plan was simple… Demand a half a million dollars, jump out of the plane, and disappear into the darkness of night.
After 15 seconds of freefall, McNally pulls the ripcord. He begins to spin out of control. The parachute whips out and blasts him in the face. McNally looks up at the canopy as it pulls him away from the Earth. Then he looks down, and he realizes that the money bag slipped out of his hands.
What now? He’s beat up, he lost all the money, and by the time he reaches the ground, there will be hundreds of FBI agents searching for him. What’s the point? McNally, considers ending it all.
You definitely want to check out the rest of this story.
This story was produced by Chris Knittel with the Burner Phone Podcast and was written and edited by me, Javier Leiva.
LINKS
Chief of Police for Peru Indiana picks up Martin McNally | New York Times Article
Copter Hijacker Killed by Pilot Had Car With Weapons | New York Times Article
Garrett Trapnell | Wiki
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Martin McNally’s story is gripping and will have you at the edge of your seat. He was inspired by the infamous hijacker D.B. Cooper. But unlike D.B. Cooper, we actually know how McNally’s story ends.
As you can imagine, his plan didn’t go smoothly. The pilot had to return to St. Louis to get the mailbags full of money. After hours of negotiations with the FBI, there was a crew change and an FBI agent, dressed as crew members, snuck on board. Then, as the plane was preparing for take off, a drunk passenger smashed his Cadillac into the nose of the plane.
By now, it should have been over. But McNally persisted and demanded a new plane. Once up in the air, McNally jumped into the darkness and disappeared with the cash.
This story was produced by Chris Knittel with the Burner Phone Podcast and was written by me, Javier Leiva.
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You may remember Sharon McConnell-Dickerson from episode 8 titled “The Sculptor.” You know, the blind artist who casts the faces of dying blues musicians. When we first recorded that episode, she told me a story that quite frankly was hard to believe. It sounded like something out of a movie. In fact, it should be turned into a movie. It’s one of the most sadistic con artist stories I’ve ever heard. And warning, this episode is pretty dark. So if you don’t like that kinda stuff, you’ve been warned.
This is the story of Wild Bill.
Wild Bill, who’s real name is William Holbert, had long blonde curly hair and frequently wore a viking helmet. He was 6 feet tall and looked like one of those guys at the gym who’s pumped up on steroids. Wild Bill was also the owner of a Panamanian bar he liked to call the Jolly Rogers Social Club. The bar, which sat off the side of his island property, was a down and dirty watering hole, known for loud parties and the occasional drug use. The decor was simple. Wild Bill flew a flag with skull and bones. And the bar's motto says it all—90% of our members survive.
William Holbert, and his wife Laura Reece, were not only the island bar owners. They also had a keen eye for real estate. The strange thing is, every time they closed a deal, the person selling them the property would disappear.
Sharon McConnell-Dickerson shares with us the story about her friend Bo Icler and the real estate con that ripped them apart.
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To learn more about this story, please check out the book titled, "The Jolly Roger Social Club" by Nick Foster.
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Featured Promos:
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Theme music composed by Joe Basile with thechicken.net
Additional music by Poddington Bear
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This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva
If you would like to support the show, please leave us a rating on iTunes or donate $1 to our Patreon Page.
Also, check out our sweet t-shirts.
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Guess what? Pretend Radio turns one year old this month. So I thought it would be cool to replay some old guest interviews I've done on other shows.
(01:00) Generation Why Podcast Interview - I talk about Vester Flanagan, the reporter who murdered the news crew live on television
(14:23) Maurer Glass Podcast Interview - Learn how I find my guests and behind the scenes insights
(30:22) The Live Canary Interview - I traded a story for a beer
I'll be back soon with a new episode. In the meantime, spread the word.
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Unlike the pop tune, not a lot of people know about this mysterious religion. Santería, also known as Regla de Ochá, La Regla de Ifá, or Lucumí, is an Afro-Cuban religion that means the worship of saints.
So, you maybe asking yourself, “Javier, where’s the pretend angle here?” Well, this religion in particular gives me the heebie jeebies. I feel like people visit these Santeria priests like if they’re fortune tellers. Are they just taking advantage of people’s emotions or am I discriminating on this faith? Spoiler alert… I’m pretty sure I’m discriminating against their faith.
But, I’m better than that right? Are my fears real or is this just a bunch of urban legends? Well, there’s only one way to find out. I need to travel to my hometown of Miami and embed myself in the Santeria community.
First, I had to find a babalawo. What’s a babalawo? A babalawo is a Santeria priest who acts as a medium channeling the prophecy from the Orishas. Orishas are spirits who are a manifestation of the supreme God Olodumare. In this episode, we’ll get into the history and origins of Santeria. I also talk with a Santeria priest and priestess to learn more about their secret rituals.
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Has someone ever lied to you? Have you ever lied to protect someone else? Send me your personal story and I'll post it on my Patreon channel.
https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
If you'd like to submit a story, leave me a voicemail at 919-867-1871 or record your story on your smart phone's voice memo app and email it to me at [email protected].
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Theme Music composed by Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Find out more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net
Additional music by Podington Bear
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How does a good cop turn bad? For Ruben Palomares, a former corrupt LAPD Rampart division officer, the process was slow. He went from receiving LAPD’s highest honor to becoming one of the most corrupt cops in US history.
Officer Palomares’ story begins with his first undercover assignment. In the late 1980s there was this show called 21 Jump Street. Johnny Depp starred in it. It was about undercover cops, who pretended to be students, in order to bust drug dealers in schools.
But did you know that back in the 1994, the Los Angeles police department juvenile narcotics unit actually recruited young officers to infiltrate classrooms in order to investigate drug dealers? They couldn’t just get any cop to fill this undercover role. They needed a fresh face who could blend in with the students. So, they approached officer Ruben Palomares.
In 1995, Ruben Palomares got transferred to LAPD’s Rampart Division where he continued to work undercover cases. He was specifically assigned to the anti-gang unit called CRASH. CRASH is an acronym for the Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums. This is when Ruben’s fate will be decided.
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Theme Music composed by Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Find out more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net
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A lie is only powerful if you choose to believe it. So why do we fall for it every time? In this episode, we’ll hear four different stories. Each describes a tall tale, so persistent, that it’s hard to imagine someone keeping all the lies straight in their head.
Each one of these stories reminds me of the movie The Truman Show. It seems like everyone I spoke with lived in a world carefully created just for them.
Now it’s time to ask you. Have you ever been lied to? Or have you ever told a lie in order to do the right thing? I invite you to share your story on Pretend Radio. If selected, your story will be featured as bonus content on our Patreon channel. Patreon is a way that you can support the show. And who knows, your story could be featured on the main show.
If you would like to share your story, record your story using your smartphone voice recording app and email your audio to [email protected]. Or leave me a voice mail at (919) 867-1871. Please try to keep your story under 10 minutes.
Don’t forget to leave me your name and a way to contact you.
I can’t wait to listen to your stories.
Theme Music composed by Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Find out more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net
Additional music by:
Podington Bear - Bambi
Podington Bear - Twosome
Podington Bear - Bumble
Podington Bear - Suppose it is
Thank you to Steven Pacheco with the Trace Evidence Podcast and Nicki T with the Strictly Homicide Podcast for partnering with me on this episode. And I’d love to thank Carly Nichols and Andrea Hill for listening and taking the time to talk with me.
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Previously on Pretend Radio, we learned how Art Schlichter’s gambling habits destroyed Anita Barney life. She went from being the wealthy widow of a Wendy’s CEO to becoming broke and struggling to pay her light bill. In part two of The Gambler, we’re going to talk about how Anita went from being Art Schlichter’s victim to his accomplice. You can find Anita Barney's memoir titled "Quarterback Sneak: Exposing the Criminal Game Plan of Art Schlichter" on Amazon.
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In order to understand Art Schlichter’s crimes, you first have to understand how his story ends. Anita Barney, heiress and widow of a former Wendy’s CEO, lost every single penny her husband left her.
Art Schlichter and Anita Barney
How did it happen? Art Schlichter gambled away her entire fortune.
This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva
Music by:
Cylinder Eight by Chris Zabriskie
Careless Morning, Bivly, Pxl Eventuat, Pxl Cray, Pxl Ultra by Blue Dot Sessions
Bittersweet, Pounded Piano by Podington Bear
No More Trap by Audiobinger
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Warning, this episode may be disturbing for some listeners. It describes a shooting that resulted in the death of two people. While this story is not technically about a mass shooting, it has every characteristic of one. This is the story of Bryce Williams, the reporter who murdered Alison Parker and Adam Ward live on television. It turns out Bryce Williams is not his real name. Bryce Williams is just a pseudonym for his on air personality. The killer’s real name is Vester Flanagan.
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In today's episode, Karl talks about bribing corrupt company building managers. He says he sold them cheap light bulbs, trash can liners, and cleaning supplies at a premium price. In exchange for buying overpriced products, Karl would send these building managers gifts and cash.
He made lots of money working as a B2B telemarketer. He eventually started his own company doing the same scheme. Karl admits that what he was doing was unethical, but surely it wasn't illegal. Finally, he got his answer when the FBI and the Postal Inspector's office showed with a subpoena.
Jerri Williams, the FBI agent who busted him, says she could have locked him up right then and there—but she had bigger plans for Karl.
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Special thanks to Jerri Williams for contributing her episode titled, "Karl LNU."
This episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva and Jerri Williams.
Subscribe to Pretend Radio:
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Google Play:
http://jerriwilliams.com/cooperating-witness-telemarketing-fraud/
You can learn more about Jerri Williams at jerriwilliams.com
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Candis Cox and her husband Adam live in North Carolina. This is their love story. Their story is unremarkable in many ways. They met at a bar, went on a date, and eventually married after years of dating. What makes this story special is listening to them retell it. But love doesn’t come without sacrifice. This is a story about being your true self, even when the world is making you pretend to be someone else. The boy and the girl was written and produced by Javier Leiva and Wendy Gatlin.
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Last time, I spoke with a group of women who drink a bleach-type chemical that they claim cures everything from cancer to depression. I soon discovered that parents are forcefully giving bleach enemas to kids with autism. In this episode, I interview Kerri Rivera, the woman leading this movement, and find out why she thinks this chlorine dioxide treatment is the cure for autism.
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I stumbled upon a group of people who self-medicate with chlorine dioxide, a bleach like substance. They claim it cures everything from headaches, malaria, HIV, & cancer. In this episode, you'll hear from the man who discovered the "miracle cure" and from the people who take it. Thanks to Chris Cogswell w/ the Mad Scientist Podcast & Dr. Zuckerman with the TOXnow Podcast. toxnow.org/ themadscientistpodcast.com/ The Disgraceland Podcast disgracelandpod.libsyn.com/
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Mary Turner Thomas says she married a bigamist. She claims her husband, William Allen Jordan, was involved with 8 different women and fathered 13 kids. At one point, he had two wives, two fiances and a girlfriend on both sides of the Atlantic. William Allen Jordan and Mary Turner Thomson How in the world did Mary not know about these other relationships? How can one man pull off a con this big? It's easy to dismiss Mary as being naive. However, William Jordan was a skilled con man. Once you listen to how they met, and fell in love, it's easy to understand how he could steal her heart. Little did she know he will eventually steal much more than that. Mary says that William conned her out of £200,000. How did he do it? He led her to believe that he was a contractor for the CIA and terrorist were holding his family for ransom. As unbelievable as this sounds, he crafted evidence to back up his claims. Listen to Mary Turner Thomas describe the tactics he used to con her and learn how he finally got caught. This story was originally reported by my friend Lanie Hobbs at the True Crime Fan Club. I highly recommend you check out their show.
You can find Mary’s book titled The Bigamist on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3uI9OkS
She is also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheBigamistBook or at http://maryturnerthomson.com/book-inner
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The Pretender - Marc Ruskin FBI undercover agent Remember the name Marc Ruskin: because if you run into him, chances are he will introduce himself as Alex Perez, H. Marc Renard, or Sal Morelli – just a few of his FBI undercover personas. Marc Ruskin started his career as an assistant DA in Brooklyn and left it all behind to join the FBI Academy. It didn’t take him long to become an FBI undercover agent. His first big undercover case landed him in Wall Street busting up trading scams. That case went down in flames when a former colleague recognized his true identity and blew his cover. His next assignments proved to be much more dangerous. Marc embedded himself with mobsters, corrupt public officials, terrorists, and powerful drug dealers. Of course, we can’t cover his entire 27 year career here on this podcast. For that you’ll need to check out his new book titled “The Pretender.” It’s a great read. What we will do is talk about a few cases that were so intense, it had me grip the book so tight that I almost fused the pages together. Marc Ruskin’s next assignment was to bust up a fraudulent documents scheme in New York City. I'm not talking about fake IDs – there’s a difference. These fraudulent IDs are the real thing. If a police runs a fraudulent driver’s license, it actually checks out in their database. Marc told me terrorists, mob guys, fugitives were being arrested and had all kinds of real documents in their wallets under fake names. The FBI didn't have any leads. First, they had to find the source of these fraudulent documents. Marc says that some of these fraudulent driver’s licenses were selling for as much as a thousand dollars on the streets. It wasn’t until a tip from a twenty-something-year old man named John Sultan that led the FBI to a shabby travel agency in the Bronx called Holy Land Travel. The travel agency was a front led by Palestinian immigrant named Mahmoud Noubani.
The Pretender Marc Ruskin FBI Undercover You can find The Pretender on Amazon.com or at your local bookstore. Also a special thanks out to St. Martin’s Press for letting me share Marc’s story with you.
Buy the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dRXbgl
You can also follow Marc Ruskin on Twitter https://twitter.com/mhruskin
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Before Marc Ruskin was an undercover FBI agent, he was an assistant DA in Brooklyn. Why did he give up his career as a powerful attorney to join the FBI academy? Well, in order to prosecute criminals, you have to catch them first. It didn’t take long for Marc to become an undercover agent. For 27 years, he slipped into various different characters busting criminals ranging from drug dealers to Wall Street insiders. At one point, Marc was juggling three or four cases at a time – switching back and forth between identities. He wrote a book about his time at the FBI appropriately titled “The Pretender.” When I first discovered his book I immediately shot him a message. Luckily for me, he agreed to share some of his stories. In the late 80s and early 90s, San Juan Puerto Rico had one of the highest murder rates of any US city. Some of the violence can be blamed on the Machetero, a separatist group actively trying to make Puerto Rico and independent country. Marc: "So I had gone from being an attorney in New York where the biggest thing I had to worry about was a papercut. Now I was in the streets of San Juan Puerto Rico as a combatant to the Macheteros. We learned at one point that the Macheteros had a plot to assassinate an FBI agent. The problem was, we didn’t know who the FBI agent was." Listen to my interview with Marc Ruskin on part 1 of "The Pretender" on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. You can find The Pretender on Amazon.com or at your local bookstore.
Purchase Marc Ruskin's autobiography titled The Pretender:
https://amzn.to/3dRXbgl
Also, you can follow Marc Ruskin on Twitter http://twitter.com/mhruskin
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Sharon McConnell-Dickerson is preserving the Mississippi Delta blues with her own two hands. She's doing it by creating molds of some of the most influential blues musicians of our time. The lifecasts include a mask of Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton from Memphis, “Honeyboy” Edwards from Chicago, and Pinetop Perkins from Clarksdale, just to name a few – almost 60 musicians total. http://mcconnelldickersonart.com/blues-lifecast
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South Carolina serial killer Todd Kohlhepp confesses to the Superbike Motorsports mass murder. This is part 2 of "The Real Estate Agent." I suggest starting with part 1. It was a Thursday morning. Kohlhepp walked into the Superbike motorsports store and started scoping out the place. He’s not shopping for motorcycle. He’s looking for his next victims. Kohlhepp: "I got there. Not everybody was there. I went in sat on a few bikes, did my usual. Basically buying for time. And doing my best to make sure the paying customers are not there. Collateral damage is not cool. I chose a time when it was not busy. A time after work when I would have a lot of people in there. I did not want to shoot other people. Finally all four show up. From the sound of it nobody else was there." The four people Kohlhepp is referencing are Brian Lucas, Chris Sherbert, Scott Ponder, and Scott’s mother Beverly Guy. Investigator: "When you say all four?" Kohlhepp: "All the four people who work at the bike store. The mechanic, the mom. I was not going for the mom but she was there at the time. Working there. She was thrown into it. She was not a primary target." The store finally cleared. Kohlhepp was the only customer in the store. He tells one of the employees that he’s interested in a certain bike. Kohlhepp: "I cleared that room in under 30 seconds. You guys would have been proud. I’m sorry but you guys would have been proud." This was the crime Kohlhepp got away with. Nobody was looking for him. Why would he confess?
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This week’s story is about self-professed serial killer Todd Kohlhepp. What’s terrifying about Todd Kohlhepp? He’s not the type of serial killer you see in the movies. He doesn’t collect body parts in his fridge. He doesn’t taunt the media with riddles. He seems like a normal guy who owns a successful real estate company. Listen as his last surviving victim describes how he killed her boyfriend and locked her up in a shipping container for weeks. And that's just the beginning.
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Previously on Pretend Radio we witnessed the birth of a con man.
A man started his criminal career as a street thug and worked his way up to car insurance scam artist.
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In part one of the Birth of a Con Man, hear how man became a career criminal—a con-man. First, he started scamming auto insurance companies. Then the con got bigger and more elaborate. You see, that’s how it works. Once a con man gets away with it, they have to do it again. But the next time, the con is bigger and more complex.
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In the Prophet part 3, we’ll look at the Word of Faith Fellowship from a completely different lens. We’ll hear from current sect members and get their version of the story. Plus, you'll hear the latest on trial against five ministers accused of beating and kidnapping Michael Fenner. If you enjoy the show, consider donating a dollar: https://patreon.com/user?u=5971503&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare2 Follow us on: Twitter: @pretend_radio Facebook: www.facebook.com/PretendRadioPodcast
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John Cooper remembers one of the Word of Faith Fellowship ministers commanding him to beat his wife. He also describes his family’s attempt to what he describes as a cult. Then it finally happened. John escaped. We’ll listen to secret recordings of pastor Jane Whaley trying to lure him back.
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///UPDATE///
///UPDATE///
The Prophet part 1 explores The Word of Faith Fellowship. You will hear about the accused cult leader, Pastor Jane Whaley, who many inside the sect believe is a prophet with direct communication with God. John Cooper describes the day 20 to 30 sect members surrounded and attacked him. He also shares secret recordings of Pastor Jane Whaley commanding someone to throw someone down to the ground. Plus, you’ll hear “blasting prayers” — ear-piercing crying sessions meant to cast out demons.
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Javier Leiva interviews real con artists, snake oil salesmen, and former cult members–anyone living a lie.
PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.
It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, and New York Magazine. In 2018, Vulture named PRETEND one of the top 52 True Crime podcasts in the U.S.
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.