
115 episodes

Pretend - a true crime documentary podcast Creative Babble
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- True Crime
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4.8 • 122 Ratings
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Pretend Radio is a documentary-style podcast about real people pretending to be someone else. I interview con artists, snake oil salesmen, undercover FBI agents—pretty much anyone living a lie.
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The Real Catch Me If You Can part 3
Two reporters destroy Frank Abagnale's story. Yet nobody cared.
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Listen to part 4 right now on Patreon:
https://pretendradio.org/donate/
Special Thanks to:
Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Real Catch Me If You Can part 2
Frank Abagnale claims he never stole money from the little guy—it was all victimless crimes. But that's not what I found. Hear the story of one family who says they were robbed blind by Abagnale.
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Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Real Catch Me If You Can part 1
This might be my favorite PRETEND series of all time.
Remember the movie Catch Me If You Can? Most people believe the film is based on a true story. But, did you know it's mostly made up? I spent the last few weeks and months pouring over court records, police reports, and other documents to prove that Frank Abagnale faked his entire life story. It turns out that the real story behind Catch Me If You Can is actually a lot more fascinating than the one you thought you knew.
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Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.
Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5
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Jordan Harbinger
Search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts
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Trailer: The Real Catch Me If You Can
What if I told you that 90% of Frank Abagnale's claims are totally made up? Yeah, that's right. The most extraordinary con man in the world never actually did the crimes he claims he did.
In the new season of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva debunks Frank Abagnale’s claims one by one, not with opinions but with court and prison records. This series also gives voice to new victim testimonies. In the end, Leiva travels to Las Vegas to confront Abagnale about his lies. This is the real-life Catch Me If You Can.
Listen to part 1 now on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Man Who Wears Many Hats part 2
Fred Brito posed as a priest in order to hide from law enforcement. Find out how he ALMOST got away with it.
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Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX
We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!
Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!
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Listen to a preview for the Stolen Lives Podcast at the end of the episode:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Man Who Wears Many Hats part 1
Fred Brito worked as a psychiatrist, priest, and a Red Cross fundraiser—but it was all based on lies.
______________
Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
______________
True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX
We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!
Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Great podcast
Really enjoy this podcast. Javier is such a wonderful storyteller. And I just love the theme music!
Great job
Great podcast
I love this podcast. Been binging it since I discovered it a couple months ago. So grateful for all the past seasons!
Javier has a great story-telling style and is a wonderful interviewer. 10/10
A favourite of mine
I absolutely love Javier’s interviewing style and storytelling. I’m always thrilled when there is a new episode! Super interesting subject matter, very bingeable! Check out his other podcast Criminal Conduct too.