77 episodes

The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Hannah Smith.

The Opportunist Opportunist

    • True Crime
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Hannah Smith.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 4 of 5: The Sleeping Bear

    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 4 of 5: The Sleeping Bear

    Rose searches for evidence to bring to law enforcement and comes across a CRLA laptop, as Jill realizes the awful truth behind Chris' behavior. A hopeful new client named Amanda enters CRLA with the intent to stay sober, but suddenly finds herself isolated and alone with Chris Bathum.

    • 52 min
    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 3 of 5: Rumors

    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 3 of 5: Rumors

    More rumors circulate around Chris Bathum, especially over the death of a beloved client named Mo. Meanwhile, a devoted employee named Jill is skeptical of CRLA's insurance billing and Rose sets out to find the truth behind the biggest rumor of them all.

    • 54 min
    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 2 of 5: Hypnotist

    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 2 of 5: Hypnotist

    Chris tells Rose that all the rumors about him are because of Cliff Brodsky, a former investor in CRLA's predecessor, Walking Miracles. Chris paints Brodsky as his nemesis, an unhinged wild card who wants to destroy their community. But his battle against Brodsky gets out of hand when he suggests desperate measures to stop him. 

    • 50 min
    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 1 of 5: Rehab Mogul

    Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 1 of 5: Rehab Mogul

    In 2013, Rose Stahl sought the help of Christopher Bathum, a therapist and CEO of a burgeoning recovery organization called Community Recovery Los Angeles. Chris would eventually offer Rose a job at CRLA. But after a while, she started hearing unsettling rumors surrounding Chris' behavior, especially towards female clients.

    Find the episode transcript here: tinyurl.com/opppodcast

    • 55 min
    Welcome To Varnamtown! Available now!

    Welcome To Varnamtown! Available now!

    Two years ago, Kyle MacLachlan, the star of Twin Peaks, called investigative journalist Joshua Davis with a strange story. Kyle had heard a rumor that Pablo Escobar did a deal in the early 1980s with a remote, coastal Southern town of 300 people. In exchange for vast wealth and limitless cocaine, Escobar would be allowed to land planes and ships in the area. Over the last 24 months, Josh and Kyle investigated the rumor, journeying to Varnamtown to knock on doors and find out what really happens when a firehose of money and cocaine is turned on a small, tight knit community.

    Listen to and follow Varnamtown at Apple Podcasts now! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varnamtown/id1725195343

    • 3 min
    End of Year Wrap Up 2023

    End of Year Wrap Up 2023

    In this wrap up episode for 2023, Hannah revisits some of your favorite episodes and seasons and gives updates! She also takes questions and voicemails from listeners, including one listener who writes in with a bizarre mystery that she wants your help to solve. 
    Hannah checks back in with people she interviewed years ago as well as gives an update on Sherry Shriner's followers and speaks with someone who has a very personal relationship with Orgone.
    Links from the episode:
    Check out C.C.’s plant-urns at boycestudio.com  
    If you want to stay up-to-date with Nora's project on her father, you can find her on Instagram @Noracroftcutsmyhair 
    Visit the Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association at bluefaery.org 
    You can reach out to Hannah on Instagram or X @hannahpodcasts 

    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

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