132: [Javier Leiva] Can’t Take My Foot off the Gas

*Content warning: harassment, cyberstalking, workplace abuse, sexual abuse material, sexual sadism, murder, and serial murder.

Javier Leiva is a podcast host and Emmy award-winning producer. His show, Pretend Podcast, began airing in 2017 and highlights cases of fraud executed by perpetrators from cult leaders to con artists to undercover FBI agents. However, it was in June 2024 that Pretend's eighteenth season became much more personal for him. At first, accusations against Arkansas based LaDonna Humphrey barely grabbed his attention. But the more accusations he received, the more Javier realized he had to work to uncover the truth about LaDonna, a seasoned true crime podcaster and author herself. And almost immediately after Javier reached out to her for comment, he would begin to experience alleged harassment too, joining the growing list of Ladonna's accusers. The Broken Cycle media team is incredibly grateful Javier was willing to share the behind the scenes of this formative season, and all that came next for him as his own role shifted from host to victim.

Pretend Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend/id1245307962

Javier on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/javier_ontheair

Pretend Podcast on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pretendpod/

Pretend Podcast on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pretendradio/

For additional resources and a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources