PRETEND
PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, it exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation, from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. The podcast explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling.
Episodes
Introducing: 'Hardcore Con' with Johnathan Walton
My friend Johnathan Walton just launched a new show called Hardcore Con, and I had to share it with you.
Each episode, he breaks down a con story and the specific psychological tactics scammers use to pull it off. And this episode gets at something I think about a lot: it doesn't matter how smart you are.
Subscribe to Hardcore Con on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mXtr05OjD4wk4M8JrvL
Chain of Command part 7
Federal prosecutors say the man known as Rony Denis isn't Rony Denis at all.
The arrest finally came in the fall of 2025. Three years after the FBI raids. But the church is still operating. So my friend Jared Smith from the Heliocentric YouTube channel and I drove down to Fayetteville to attend a Sunday service and see what's left of the House of Prayer Christian Church.
And the whole sermon, it
Chain of Command part 6
In Part 6, the FBI comes knocking.
Rony Denis and his top associates allegedly defrauded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military veterans out of more than $23.5 million. The House of Prayer Bible Seminary looked like a school. Veterans used their GI Bill benefits to enroll, paying the church hundreds of dollars a month for classes that led nowhere and credits worth nothing outside th
Chain of Command part 5
Rony Denis wasn't just the spiritual leader at the House of Prayer Christian Church... He was their god.
In Part 5, former members start connecting the dots on how Rony Denis consolidated control, and it's worse than you think. He ordered members to smash their own phones in front of the congregation. He commanded public confessions. And when he set his eyes on something he wanted, whether that w
The Lottery Curse with Murder: True Crime Stories
I teamed up with Carter Roy for a special guest collaboration on Murder: True Crime Stories and this one is something else. For the full episode, follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1745145932In November 2006, Abraham Shakespeare won $30 million in the Florida Lottery. He couldn't read or write, and within two years he'd given most of it away to anyone
Chain of Command part 4
Note: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse and psychological manipulation.
It started with a revolt. Thirty ministers walked out of NTCC mid-service and never looked back. They thought they were done with high-control leadership, mandatory tithing, and pastors who ruled by fear. They were wrong. In this episode, former pastor Arlen Bradeen and Greg Shepard tell us what happe
Chain of Command part 3
In part three of Chain of Command, we hear from those who grew up in the New Testament Christian Churches of America. From Victor Johanson, a former Army soldier who confirms on tape that NTCC ministers got vasectomies because children would interfere with their ministry. From a woman we're calling Kaylee, who was raised inside the church and was groomed and assaulted by a family member who was al
Chain of Command part 2
Part one was about control. Part two is about the money.
Behind the soul-winning and the sermons and the bylaws, the New Testament Christian Churches of America runs a very well-funded business. Tithing is tracked, enforced, and tied to your military paycheck. Fall behind and you go before the general board. Fall further behind and you lose your credentials.
So where does the tithing money go?
The Raid | From Deep Cover: The Family Man
Deep Cover is a true crime show about double lives, brought to you by our friends at Pushkin Industries.
Their new season, The Family Man, is a gripping story about how families can deceive each other and the lengths we’ll go to to protect our loved ones.
Elise and Marissa grew up in a seemingly normal house in the suburbs of St. Louis—but it was a house built on secrets. There were things their
Chain of Command part 1
In 1996, Sarah DeJonghe was a 20-year-old Navy Seabee stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Two guys in uniform approached her on base and invited her to church. She said no.
They came back anyway.
Four months later, Sarah was out of the Navy and on her way to a Bible seminary in Washington State. She didn't see it coming. Neither did the dozens of other military members who found themselves drawn into t
Operation Cockblock Revisited
A Colorado businessman with a criminal record, no credit, and a gift for charm somehow convinced dozens of women to finance his cars, his home, and his lifestyle. When they finally compared notes, they didn't get mad. They got organized. This is the story of Bill Sullivan, and the self-appointed militia of scorned women who banded together to take him down: Operation Cockblock.
Before you go:
The Greatest Podcast Episodes Ever Made (Bonus)
Somebody went through hundreds of Reddit comments asking what the greatest podcast episode of all time is, then actually listened to all of them. That somebody is Ivy, the creator behind @watchandlisten.ivy on TikTok, and she has been going viral ever since.
In this episode we go through the ones that kept coming up:
Reply All: "The Case of the Missing Hit" https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ca
I Beg Your Pardon part 6: The MAGA Granny
On January 6th, 2021, Pam Hemphill followed the Proud Boys to the Capitol, got trampled by the mob, was carried out by a police officer named Joe, and recorded every minute of it. The internet called her the MAGA Granny. She did 60 days in federal prison. And then, slowly, she woke up.
When Trump issued sweeping pardons for more than 1,500 January 6th defendants, Pam did something almost no one e
I Beg Your Pardon part 5
My cousin spent 23 years in an Illinois prison for a crime she says she didn't know she was committing. She was 33 when a judge handed down a 60-year sentence. She would have been 93 before she saw the outside again.
This episode is personal.
In "Only God Pardons," we follow my cousin Iris (not her real name) through the Illinois clemency system: what it takes to apply, what the odds actually lo
I Beg Your Pardon part 4
Content Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of nursing home neglect, including accounts of residents found in unsanitary conditions. Listener discretion is advised.
You're about to hear the story of a man who built a nursing home empire from a tiny office above a pizza parlor in New Jersey.
His name is Joseph Schwartz. At its peak, his company Skyline Healthcare owned or operate
I Beg Your Pardon part 3
You know that little bottle of 5-Hour Energy sitting on the counter of almost every gas station in America? Someone was faking it. Millions of bottles, mixed by hand in a filthy warehouse by day laborers with no training, no sanitation licenses, and no recipe. Just plastic barrels, canoe paddles, and industrial chemicals that may not have been approved for human consumption.
In this episode, yo
I Beg Your Pardon part 2
Twelve days. That’s how long David Gentile spent in federal prison for a $1.8 billion fraud that wiped out the retirement savings of 17,000 people.
On Thanksgiving 2025, President Trump signed a one-page clemency grant, commuting Gentile’s seven-year sentence to time served and erasing a $15 million restitution order in the process.
In this episode, we talk to one of those 17,000 victims, CarolA
I Beg Your Pardon part 1
Jerry Bush was a plumber from Virginia with fourteen employees, a wife battling cancer, and a business his father built from nothing. When a big construction job left him waiting on $350,000 he'd already earned, he did what you'd probably do. He looked for a loan.
The man who picked up the phone was named Jonathan Braun.
Before Braun found Jerry, he was running a half-billion dollar internationa
Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Revisited
CONTENT WARNING: Graphic content. Listener discretion is advised.
Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey — Revisited
A lot of people ask: where should I start if I just discovered PRETEND? The answer is always LaDonna.
It’s been almost two years since the first episode of Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey dropped — and this one is still mind-blowing. Whether you’re a first-time listener or coming b
Update on “The Hand That Held Me”
I want to share a quick update about the "Hand That Held Me" series.
Due to some recent developments, I’ve made the decision to postpone the release. I know many of you were expecting it, and I’m sorry for the change. These situations can be complex, and I want to make sure I handle the story the right way.
This also leaves an unexpected three-week gap in the schedule while I prepare the next se
The Pests part 3 & 4 Revisited
We conclude one of the most disturbing series ever covered on this podcast. Here are parts 3 and 4 of the Pests.
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The Pests part 1 & 2 Revisited
This week, we're revisiting one of the most terrifying series ever produced for PRETEND. It's about a gang-stalking internet group known as The Pests.
Content Advisory: This episode is disturbing and includes language and topics not suitable for all audiences.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2505: State of Corruption: The School That Didn't Exist
Look, I'm not anti-private school. You want your kid to learn in an environment that matches your beliefs? Cool. To each their own. But should your neighbors be paying for it? North Carolina is funneling half a billion dollars into private schools with almost zero oversight. 87% of new voucher money is going to families who were already paying for private school. Meanwhile, public schools are losi
Introducing Everything They Missed
Hey guys, it's Javier here with a new recommendation! I've come across a true crime podcast that I just had to share with you all. It's called 'Everything They Missed' and it's hosted by Stephanie Tinsley. This podcast dives deep into the possible wrongful conviction and police mishandling of the Danny Harris case, a particularly gruesome murder that was mishandled from the get-go. What sets this
2504: How to Spot a Fake ICE Agent
Criminals have been impersonating ICE agents, using fake badges to rape, rob, kidnap, and terrorize communities across America. These imposters have conducted workplace raids, street stops, and home invasions.
They wear tactical gear, drive unmarked vehicles, and ask "Are you a U.S. citizen?" Our investigation documented 13 cases spanning from 2016 to last week.
We also talk with Laura Jade
Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming Part 3
Patreon supporter Kenito Wills joins Javier to break down the finale of the "Didn't See It Coming" series.
They talk through Susanne Wilson calling off the reading at the last minute. Did she know it was a sting? Did she just have a bad feeling? Javier shares a detail that got cut from the episode: Suzanne actually arranged for the fake family to get a reading with another medium in Europe, which
2503: Didn't See It Coming (Part 3)
The sting is set. The bait is in place. Six skeptics are logged into a Zoom call, pretending to be grieving siblings. They've paid $1,400 for a private reading with a medium Susan Gerbic believes is a hot reader. Months of planning have led to this moment.
And then... the medium does something no one expected.
In the finale of this three-part series, we find out what happened to Operation Banana
Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming part 2
Patreon supporter Christine Harnos (not the Star Trek actress, the other one) joins Javier to break down Part 2 of the "Didn't See It Coming" series before listening to the finale.
They get into the weeds on Susan Gerbic's sting setup: the Facebook accounts she's been maintaining for years, the fake obituary, the hog farm detail. If a psychic mentions pigs, you know something's up. They also disc
2502: Didn't See It Coming (Part 2)
In Part 1, we watched skeptic Susan Gerbic dissect a celebrity psychic's cold reading techniques. But cold reading is the little leagues of the psychic industry. In Part 2, Susan sets her sights on something harder to catch... a hot reader.
Hot reading is when a psychic does their homework, researching their clients before the reading even starts. So Susan devises an elaborate sting: fake Faceboo
Listener Reaction: Didn't See That Coming Part 1
Longtime Patreon supporter Rebecca Catalfu joins Javier to unpack her firsthand experience going undercover at Matt Fraser's psychic readings.
Rebecca went into this investigation as a believer and came out the other side with a very different perspective. In this conversation, she and Javier break down the patterns they observed across multiple readings: the decision tree (grandparent, parent, o
2501: Didn't See It Coming (Part 1)
Skeptic Susan Gerbic invited PRETEND inside one of her psychic sting operations. In Part 1 of this three-part series, we go inside "Operation Gobble Gotcha," a Thanksgiving sting targeting celebrity psychic Matt Fraser. Susan and her team of volunteers infiltrate one of Matt's online group readings to observe his techniques in real time. What they witness isn't a connection to the other side. It's
2408: PRETEND Live AMA
PRETEND's first live YouTube AMA, co-hosted by Patreon supporter Katie Watson. The conversation covers listener questions about the making of PRETEND, behind-the-scenes stories, and what's coming next.
Highlights include: how Javier knows when a story is worth pursuing (hint: it's like fishing) and his techniques for getting interview subjects to let their guard down. He shares updates on past su
2407-Licensed to Kill Revisited
A Montana oncologist allegedly treated patients for cancer they never had and made millions doing it. We're re-releasing our two-part investigation into Dr. Thomas Weiner, plus a brand new interview with whistleblower Dr. Randy Sasich on what's happened since. The medical board finally revoked Weiner's license, but criminal charges still loom, a wrongful death lawsuit is underway, and the broken s
2406: The Real Life Grinch
'Tis the season for true crime chaos! Hosts Kristen Seavey from Murder, She Told, Javier Leiva from PRETEND, and Shaun from Sins & Survivors join forces to explore Christmas crimes gone horribly wrong.
From a bath salts-fueled home decorator in suburban Ohio to a serial burglar stealing Robert De Niro's wrapped presents right from under his tree, these real-life Grinches prove that the holidays b
Listener Reaction: Matthew Fenner vs. Ted Bell (Bonus)
This bonus episode features Kim, a Patreon supporter who connected with the Matthew Fenner story...but not for the reasons you might expect.
Kim's been through the criminal justice system herself. She was prosecuted, sentenced, and spent two years in jail.
The conversation goes to some unexpected places. Kim discusses how small-town politics can impact a case in ways that seem backward.
We tal
2405: The Prophet: Matthew Fenner vs Ted Bell
What happens when the person responsible for prosecuting your case seems more interested in protecting your attackers? Matthew Fenner has been asking that question for eight years. After a 2017 mistrial in his assault case against Word of Faith Fellowship members, the judge ordered an immediate retrial. It never happened. Instead, DA Ted Bell granted delay after delay to the defendants while refus
Off Script: Pretend, Murder She Told & Sins and Survivors Spill the Tea (BONUS)
Join hosts Javier from Pretend, Kristen Seavey from Murder She Told, and
Shaun from Sins and Survivors for a special holiday crossover episode
where three true crime podcasters let their guard down and talk shop.
Featured Guests:
Kristen Seavey, host of Murder She Told
https://open.spotify.com/show/0n9q2IMjGQyrHMMByvnA2H?si=5975eb73d4714d07
Shaun, host of Sins and Survivors
https://open.s
2404: Open Enrollment, Open Season for Scammers
This is the story of Simple Health Plans, a $150 million health insurance scam that preyed on desperate Americans and left thousands buried in medical debt. We'll meet Dawn, who nearly fell victim to their scheme, and Steven Dorfman, the mastermind who spent over a million dollars on jewelry while his customers discovered their "insurance" was worthless.
With Open Enrollment happening right now,
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 the full story?
🎧 Listen to The Rachel Cancer Scam
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Hn5De466DmCIN8Sppw5Ik?si=6ba6b8cee95e4697
Apple Podcast: https://
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 about what they’re really going through.
I’m also sharing two listener stories about friends, classmates, and loved ones who faked cancer.
Thanks to every
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 headline-grabbing scams and into the emotional machinery behind these lies. With the help of cancer-survivor-turned-researcher Bill Petrich, we break down the
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 there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illegal to fake cancer?” Um, yeah.
Bill Petrich,
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. Beneath the surface, it operated as a coercive group led by Keith Raniere, using control tactics like starvation diets, sleep deprivation, emotional manipulati
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 to be her real age.
This is the story of Shelby Hewitt, a state social worker who lived a double life. For two years, she convinced students, teachers, and a
2209: 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 sentence? 180 days in jail (suspended) along with three years of probation. If Rick contacts the victims directly or indirectly, he risks going to jail and faci
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 but also for the silence of neighbors who heard her cries and did nothing. During his trial, Moseley confessed to other killings, including the murder of 15-y
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 Two of State of Corruption from Pretend.
Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO documentary Dark Money Games.Written and Produced
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 corruption scheme at the heart of Ohio politics.
Part two will be available on Patreon and PRETEND+ this weekend. Stay tuned
Credits: Portions of this episo
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 Brasco is a real person. He’s Joe Pistone’s nephew. And not just any nephew — an undercover FBI agent who followed in his uncle’s footsteps.
This story blew my
2205: 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 harassment, conspiracy theories, and public exposure that puts her safety at risk.
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2204: 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 hear directly from Anthony Christopher as he reacts to the latest court decision. I also spoke with law professor Joshua M. Silverstein from the University of Ark
"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 York Times' radar as “a rich and harrowing chronicle of the condition,” this show dives deep into one of the most disturbing forms of abuse—Munchausen by Proxy.
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 person caring for her before she passed.
Just when we think the story is over, another woman comes forward. We’re calling her Julie. She says she was seeing J
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 love. But former cast members and collaborators started noticing red flags. Was this play ever really meant to open? Or was it all just a front?
Was The His
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, she realized she was being gaslit, lied to, and emotionally manipulated.
Then there’s Melanie. She lived in North Carolina and had been diagnosed with a term
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 free trial from a location data broker, an outsider was able to map those devices back to homes, offices, and even gated communities across the U.S.
This
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 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
2111: 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 together how a self-published book and two midnight phone calls may blow up Rick & Tanya’s “clean-slate” diversion deal.
🎧 New to this saga?
Binge the entire
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 victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true story of TJ Dominguez, a Cuban-American businessma
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 months earlier. The dates keep shifting — July, August, October — and still, no medical provider can confirm that she was ever pregnant.
Clayton Echard’s
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 shaky, now completely collapses under cross-examination. The judge wants answers. The internet sleuths want accountability. And Clayton Echard? He just wants
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 are wild — fake identities, stolen ultrasounds, and a pregnancy that might never have happened.
Laura pushes back. She sues YouTuber Dave Neal and threaten
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 explosive case with Laura Michelle Owens, who claimed she was pregnant with his twins… despite his insistence they never had sex.
But Clayton wasn’t her first ta
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 on over 200 million Americans. We're talking names, birth dates, Social Security numbers—everything you’d need to become someone else.
But he didn’t hack his
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, evolving from swiping coins to mastering social engineering and even digital fraud.
🔗 Listen to Part 2Click here for The Digital Pickpocket, Part 2 →
💬 Connect
2103: 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 exposes a so-called family event that promised “magic,” but delivered mayhem — all tied to LaDonna Humphrey and her questionable nonprofit, Oasis of Northwest Ark
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 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
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 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
2013: I Married a Narcissist part 3
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.
2012: I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions
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 t
2011: I Married a Narcissist part 1
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. I
2010: The Keepsake Scandal
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.
2009: The Gambler Revisited
Episode Summary:
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 j
2008: Licensed to Kill part 2
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 dise
2007: Licensed to Kill part 1
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 treatme
2006: Operation Cock Block
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Vi
2005: The Telepathy Tapes B-side part 3
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 credi
2004: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 2
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 a
2003: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 1
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 Ta
Criminal Conduct S5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim
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 dec
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