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. © 2026 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]Creative Babble, LLC. All rights reserved 2025 Biografías y Memorias Ciencias Sociales Crímenes Reales
Episodios
  • I Beg Your Pardon part 1

    I Beg Your Pardon part 1
    Mar 10 2026
    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 international drug smuggling operation. After he found Jerry, he froze his bank account, drained his father's retirement, took money from his 16-year-old son, and told Jerry his only way out was to win the lottery or die. And then things got worse. By the time it was over, Jerry Bush had lost his business, his savings, and nearly his life. Jonathan Braun had a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a personal butler, and a very powerful friend. What happens next will make you question everything you think you know about who the justice system is actually designed to protect and who it leaves behind. I Beg Your Pardon is a new investigative series from PRETEND. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 m
  • Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Revisited

    Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Revisited
    Mar 3 2026
    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 back to revisit, this is the place to start. In this episode, we’re replaying Part One. It’s a hell of an introduction. 🎧 Want the full series? We’ve put together a Spotify playlist with all the episodes and updates, tidied up in one place. Check it out below. ➡️ Listen to the full LaDonna Humphrey playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LOnqAGe8D4JQ4bAwjGn9P?si=54f21cbedfb640f8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 m
  • Update on “The Hand That Held Me”

    Update on “The Hand That Held Me”
    Feb 28 2026
    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 series. I appreciate your patience as I work to queue up what’s coming next. Thank you, as always, for listening and for trusting the work. — Javier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 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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