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2403: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 3
Harry spent nearly two years believing the woman he loved was dying of brain cancer. He stood by her for every surgery, organ failure...None of it was real. In this episode, Harry walks us through the emotional fantasy Rachel built. Want th
Listener Reaction: The Cancer Sympathy Machine
In this bonus episode, Ali, one of my longtime Patreon supporters, reached out after listening to the Cancer Sympathy Machine series. Ali talks openly about her past with addiction, stigma, Hep C treatment and why some people hide the truth
2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2
Why would anyone fake cancer? Money? Sure. Attention? Definitely. But as I learned in this episode… the motives are a lot darker, messier, and more human than you might expect. In Part 2 of The Cancer Sympathy Machine, we go beyond the head
2401: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe. In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out ther
2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack
Smallville's Allison Mack is out of prison, and she's finally talking. What was NXIVM, and how did Allison Mack become a high-ranking member? NXIVM was a self-help organization that sold leadership training and personal development courses.
2210: The High School Hoax Update
A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager. She sat in classrooms, made friends with freshmen, and even joined the girls basketball team. She wore number 32 on her jersey, which also happened
The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea
Breaking news in the stalker case: Rick Fernandez has pleaded guilty to harassment. Instead of facing trial, he admitted responsibility for a new wave of harassment tied to the book he published while awaiting trial on felony charges. His s
2208: The Monster
Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. In 1964, Winston Moseley stalked and murdered Kitty Genovese. The case became infamous not only for its brutality b
2208: State of Corruption: Ohio part 2
Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, offered him a $15,000 check. His recordings helped uncover a $63 million bribery scheme that brought down House Speaker Larry Householder. This is Part
2207: State of Corruption: Ohio part 1
Tyler Fehrman went undercover to bring down the Speaker of the Ohio House. He wore a wire. He met with mentors who turned into suspects. He risked everything. This is the story of how one political insider helped expose a billion-dollar cor
The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
If you’re a longtime listener, you probably remember my interview with Joe Pistone, the real Donnie Brasco. But I forgot to ask one important question: Where did the name Donnie Brasco even come from? Turns out, it wasn’t made up. Donnie Br
Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18: The 911 Caller
A 911 call in Madison County, Arkansas reported what sounded like a violent attack. It should have remained confidential. But when LaDonna Humphrey got involved, that caller’s life was turned upside down. Now she is caught in a web of haras
Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey part 17
LaDonna Humphrey has spent years trying to overturn a $3.57 million judgment. But in a rare legal move, her right to appeal was sold in bankruptcy court — to the very person she was fighting, Anthony Christopher. In this episode, you'll hea
"Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate Is the Abuser
This week on PRETEND, we’re bringing you something special: a feed drop from Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast created by author Andrea Dunlop. With over 15 million downloads and a spot on The New Y
2203: The Playwright part 3
Melanie dies. Jayson takes control of her estate. Then he moves in with her mother. Her children are stunned. They suspect something isn’t right, especially as questions about Melanie’s will and health begin to surface. Jayson was the last
2202: The Playwright part 2
In Part 2 of The Playwright, we shift focus to the show at the center of it all: The History of Now. Written and directed by Jason Bartlett, the play was billed as a bold, political drama. It was a plan meant to honor a woman he claimed to
2201: The Playwright part 1
In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Jayson Bartlett and the many women whose lives he upended. Emma was a single mother in England who fell for Bartlett’s charm and artistic persona. At first, everything seemed perfect. But soon,
BONUS: The Digital Trail to Epstein’s Island
What if your phone could place you at the scene of a crime—years later? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, we uncover how nearly 200 mobile devices that visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island left behind invisible data trails. Using just a
The Pale Faced Lie Revisited
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 crim
The Stalker - New Charges part 21
Rick Fernandez—yes, the same Rick who thought he’d escaped six felonies—just got slapped with brand-new criminal charges in Phoenix Municipal Court. I flew in a court-runner to watch the hearing, dug through fresh police files, and pieced t
2110: Cocaine Air
This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air. Jonathan isn’t just a vic
2109: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 4
In part 4 of 'The Internet Saves the Bachelor,' we examine the growing cracks in Laura Owens’ story as her pregnancy timeline collapses under scrutiny. At one hearing, she claims to be 24 weeks pregnant. In another, she says she miscarried
2108: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 3
In Part 3 of The Internet Saves the Bachelor, the truth—or at least, what remains of it—is put on trial. Laura Owens takes the stand. Under oath, she admits to altering the ultrasound she submitted as evidence. Her pregnancy timeline, once
2107: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 2
The story isn’t over. In Part 2, we dig deeper into the chaos that followed Laura Owens’ accusations against Bachelor star Clayton Echard. Internet sleuths start pulling court records, police reports, and medical documents. Their findings a
2106: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1
After a one-night hookup with a fan-turned-client, former Bachelor star Clayton Echard faced an unexpected legal battle — and public accusations that threatened to ruin his life. In this episode, we unpack the early timeline of Clayton’s ex
2105: The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities
In this episode of PRETEND, recorded live at the GISEC cybersecurity conference in Dubai, I spoke with Hieu Minh Ngo, once one of the most prolific identity thieves in the world. Operating out of Vietnam, Hieu stole and sold personal data o
2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted
While speaking at a hacker conference in Dubai, Javier revisits a conversation with professional pickpocket and entertainer James Freedman. James reveals how a childhood scuffle led to a lifelong obsession with the art of pickpocketing, evo
LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle
How LaDonna Humphrey Used a Children's Event to Funnel Money Through Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. What happens when a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt turns into a glowing red flag? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva expose
2102: Faking Insanity
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 t
2101: My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer
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 t
