PRETEND Podcast Por Creative Babble LLC arte de portada

PRETEND

PRETEND

De: Creative Babble LLC
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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, PRETEND 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. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2025 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]Creative Babble, LLC. All rights reserved 2025 Biografías y Memorias Ciencias Sociales Crímenes Reales
Episodios
  • The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1

    The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
    Nov 18 2025
    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, a real cancer survivor who now investigates fake cases, helps us understand the psychology behind the deception. We also take a look at the biggest cancer cons in recent history: Scamanda, Belle Gibson, Jennifer Flynn Cataldo and how these scams went from emotional manipulation to full-on fraud. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Why people fake cancer 02:10 – The power of a diagnosis 06:50 – Madison Russo: TikTok’s medical theater 10:45 – Elizabeth Teckenbrock: Google searches and fake ports 15:30 – Scamanda and the long con 18:15 – The Belle Gibson wellness empire 21:05 – The real cost: money, trust, and consequences 25:40 – Bill Petrich’s empathy and insight 28:10 – What’s next: One man. One relationship. One massive lie. To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert: https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert Listen to eLIESabeth podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 m
  • Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato

    Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato
    Nov 17 2025
    On PRETEND, we tell stories about people who build false identities and hide the truth in plain sight. This week, we are featuring a case that fits right into that world. It is the newest season of Dakota Spotlight, titled “Meanwhile in Mankato.” In 1965, an 18-year-old gas station attendant named Ray Dahm was murdered during an overnight shift at a rural Minnesota truck stop. The person who killed him was a clean-cut 17-year-old who looked harmless, the kind of kid no one would ever suspect. On the surface, it seemed simple. A robbery. A terrible act of violence. Case closed. But that was only the beginning. Reporter James Wolner later uncovered that the killer did not stay locked away for long. Within a few years, he was quietly back in the community, working around teenage girls who had no idea they were interacting with a convicted murderer. His past had been buried, ignored, or conveniently forgotten. “Meanwhile in Mankato” is a story about manipulation, vanished accountability, and the people who were left to carry the fallout of one man’s lies. It is exactly the kind of story we look at on PRETEND, because it shows how someone can reinvent themselves while everyone else looks the other way. If you follow PRETEND, you will want to hear this one. It is sharp reporting, unsettling truth, and a reminder that the most dangerous story is often the one no one bothered to check. Subscribe to Dakota Spotlight on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZqpK6FfXIvS35TUYjckd6?si=fe79cf9a61264247 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 m
  • 2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack

    2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack
    Nov 11 2025
    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 manipulation, and eventually a secret “master-slave” subgroup called DOS. Who is Allison Mack?Allison Mack, best known from Smallville, joined NXIVM in the mid-2000s. She rose quickly inside the group and later played a major role in recruiting and controlling women within DOS. Mack pled guilty to racketeering and served three years in federal prison for her crimes. She was released in 2023. What is this episode about?In this conversation, journalist Natalie Robehmed — host of the new CBC podcast Allison After NXIVM — explains how Allison Mack describes her journey from devoted follower to active perpetrator. We break down the psychological mechanics that made NXIVM work: obedience training, emotional conditioning, sexual manipulation, and why even smart people get pulled into systems like this. We also revisit Allison’s early life as a child actor, her abusive relationship before NXIVM, and how these patterns help explain the control she eventually exerted over others. After you listen, check out:👉 Allison After NXIVM from Uncover (CBC + Campsite Media) — Episode 1 is out now. https://open.spotify.com/show/5asD2sDYXsiUCtYi7VUO49?si=0325705c159b4f54 👉 Comic Book Central’s 2016 interview with Allison Mack — recorded before NXIVM collapsed, offering an eerie look at who she was then. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VXZyFrQGrzwHzgU1D1Cih?si=dd94dae2332a493e 20% off all NordStellar Plans (valid until December 10th, 2025) Link: nordstellar.com/pretend Coupon code is: blackfriday20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 m
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Very good podcast. If you like casual crime without the gory stuff this is the one to listen too!! Javier does a very good job!!

Love this

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One of the best podcasts with interesting content each time there is a new release. All are worth listening to.

Great

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I am about 2/3 way through the catalog and have enjoyed most episodes. there's a casual yet familiar feel but the episodes are clearly well researched

well worth the time

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Saw the Stalker suggested online, and decided to give it a listen as I like to listen to podcasts on my long commute home from work. Binged it as I couldn't wait for my commute to listen to more episodes! Been trying to get friends to listen so I have someone to talk to about the craziness that is that season.

I listened to the LaDonna season next, which was also really good. Then I saw the episodes on The Internet Saves the Bachelor and was excited to listen because I've been following that case since LO made her first post on reddit. I'm now trying to decide which season of the podcast to start next!

Came for The Stalker and stayed for more!

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The story telling is well paced, keeps you listening to the end, and waiting for more!

Riveting

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The guy who hosts this podcast is just interested in exploiting sensational topics. He tries to pretend he's sincere but he is fundamentally unethical.

All about clicks and views

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