PRETEND

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TRUE CRIME
EVERY-TWO-WEEKS SERIES

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From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.

EPISODE 1

The Return of the Stalker

In this episode of PRETEND, I’m taking you back to the case of Tanya and Rick Fernandez—the Arizona couple behind one of the most bizarre harassment campaigns I’ve ever covered. For those of you who followed The Stalker series, you might think this story ended when they struck a plea deal, but not so fast. Despite completing court-ordered counseling and walking away without convictions, it looks like the Fernandezes are back at it. I'll fill you in on everything that's happened since our last episode, including an anonymous email, a bizarre self-published book, and their children's involvement in keeping the harassment alive. If you thought this story was over, you’ll want to hear what’s happened since. ______ Support our Patreon members and their small businesses: Rebel Dogs Detroit - is committed to saving dogs’ lives - not just cleaning up the streets. https://rebeldogsdetroit.com Guatemala Trading Company - Delicious chocolates, coffee, and spices from Guatemala https://guatemalatradingcompany.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 min
EPISODE 2

The Greatest Footballer Who Never Played

In this episode of PRETEND, we uncover the unbelievable story of Carlos Henrique Raposo, better known as "Kaiser," the man who lived the life of a soccer legend without ever kicking a ball. He partied like a star, signed with major teams, and tricked the entire football world for nearly three decades. I sit down with the producer of Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football, Louis Myles, to unravel how Kaiser pulled off this audacious stunt and the real story behind the myth. Keep the conversation going. Join the official PRETEND Facebook Group: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35 min
EPISODE 3

The Naked Surgeon Revisited

Where do sovereign citizens go when they need medical attention? Some of them seek help from homeopathic quacks like Rick Van Thiel. Rick Van Thiel is not a surgeon. He's a porn star operating on people with dirty scalpels, reused needles, surrounded by filth. And the worst part is that he performs his surgeries in the nude. This episode is part of my sovereign citizens series. I first learned about this story from Jerri William's podcast called FBI retired Case File Review. Disclaimer It's safe to assume that most PRETEND episodes are unsuitable for young children. Unfortunately, this is one of those episodes. In fact, trigger warning: today, we're going to talk about sexual assault and suicide. This episode is pretty disgusting. So, if you have the stomach for it, please proceed. You've been warned. Check out my Spotify Radar Billboard in New York City: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8vNvnOSTF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

55 min
EPISODE 4

The White Collar Support Group

It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings. When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Jeff Grant, the founder of the White Collar Support Group, doesn’t see it that way. After serving time for his crimes, Grant emerged with a mission—to help others like him rebuild their lives, one meeting at a time. “I was lost,” he admits. After his release from prison, Grant realized there was no blueprint for people like him to re-enter society. That’s why he founded the White Collar Support Group, a space for those prosecuted for financial crimes to navigate life after prison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

59 min
EPISODE 5 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

LaDonna's Surrogates part 1

LaDonna Humphrey uses her surrogates to do her dirty work. In part one, we discuss how she weaponized a tabloid blog in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to go after her enemies.

24 min
EPISODE 5

LaDonna's Surrogates part 1

LaDonna Humphrey uses her surrogates to do her dirty work; in part one, we discuss how she weaponized Dennis McCaslin, a Fort Smith, Arkansas tabloid blogger, to go after her enemies. Listen to LaDonna's Surrogates Part 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ladonnas-part-2-114024374 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 min
EPISODE 6

LaDonna's Surrogates part 2

What's the old saying? People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Well, it turns out that Dennis McCaslin, editor of LaDonna's tabloid blog, has some skeletons in his closet. Listen to part 3 of LaDonna's Surrogates: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ladonnas-part-3-114712491 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32 min
EPISODE 7 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

LaDonna's Surrogates part 3

LaDonna Humphrey groomed Lexi Kakis to be her next close ally—a “surrogate in training,” if you will. Drawn in by their shared passion for cold cases, Kakis found herself getting deeper into Humphrey’s world. Surprisingly, Kakis says she never experienced the harassment others have claimed, but during our interview, she learned how LaDonna truly felt about her. Kakis was with LaDonna the weekend the Pretend podcast series came out, and in a fit of desperation, LaDonna asked her to retaliate against her enemies. Now, Kakis looks back on how she narrowly avoided becoming more entangled in LaDonna's web.

29 min
EPISODE 8 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

LaDonna's Surrogates part 4

The Rise and Fall of LaDonna’s Loudest Surrogate: David McClam LaDonna Humphrey’s most vocal supporter, David McClam, launched the We Are Not Afraid podcast to defend her against mounting accusations. Episode after episode, McClam promised to deliver proof that LaDonna’s critics were lying. But instead of delivering proof, McClam brought Alecia Lockhart’s alleged sexual abuser on air to dismiss her claims, issued personal threats to show up at my doorstep and attack me, and even threatened to send the anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church to Anthony Christopher’s gay club for a "blood bath." This erratic behavior ultimately led to his podcast being pulled down from his hosting provider.

34 min
BONUS

The Stalker Correction

In the recent Stalker episode, I mistakenly referred to the legal situation involving the Fernandez family as a "plea agreement." However, what they actually had was a "felony diversion" program. This program is structured so that if they successfully complete therapy and meet all the outlined requirements, their case is dismissed—not as a plea deal, but entirely dismissed, as if they were never charged in the first place. Furthermore, it’s dismissed "with prejudice," meaning they cannot be recharged for the same crime using the evidence from the original investigation. Essentially, the investigation would have to start over from scratch if new developments arise.

2 min
BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

BONUS: LaDonna's Surrogates: David McClam extras with Marty Bass

In this bonus episode of LaDonna's Surrogates, you'll hear my full interview with self-proclaimed troll Marty Bass.

21 min
BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

BONUS: Everyone has a story

In this bonus episode, I’m stepping away from PRETEND's usual suspects to explore something deeper and different—a new podcast concept I’m calling it Speed Dial. The idea is simple but powerful: every guest randomly picks a contact from their phone, leading me to the next story and the next person. It’s a way to uncover those hidden stories in the people all around us, the ones we overlook every day. I’m sharing this with you because I want to know if this idea resonates. It’s time for something positive, something that brings us together in a world that sometimes feels so divided.

15 min

See All Season 19 (12)

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BUSINESS
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TRUE CRIME