Cultivate Curiosity

Opportunist

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Channel • 4 Shows

True Crime

True Crime

Updated weekly
True Crime

True Crime

Updated weekly
True Crime

True Crime

Updated weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated weekly

08/04/2024

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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

08/04/2024

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52 min
10/02/2025

The New York City Ballet, Part 1: Peter Martins

The American Ballet Company, led by the charismatic Peter Martins, was the epitome of grace and perfection—until allegations of abuse and exploitation surfaced. In this episode, we explore how Martins used his influence to exploit dancers and manipulate those around him to maintain his dominance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10/02/2025

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45 min
11/08/2025

Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD

Kyle Norton Riester was an active duty Army pilot who used LSD on the weekends and sold psychedelics on the dark web. On this episode of The Opportunist, we examine how his double life led to federal charges and a stunning fall from grace. Thank you to our sponsors: Quince: Go to Quince.com/OPPORTUNIST for free shipping on your order and 65-day returns.Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTEarnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11/08/2025

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36 min
25/04/2023

GAYLE PALMER Part 2 of 7: The Price of Admission

Before Summit Quest, Gayle Palmer worked at another wilderness therapy program called Challenger. Challenger was founded by Steve Cartisano, who is generally viewed now as a con artist. Listen to The Opportunist ad-free on Amazon Music You can purchase Opportunist merchandise here: https://theopportunistpodcast.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25/04/2023

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41 min
15/04/2024

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15/04/2024

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48 min
25/04/2023

GAYLE PALMER Part 1 of 7: The Deadly Mirage

In May of 1990, 15-year-old Michelle Sutton attended a wilderness therapy program called Summit Quest. It was a 63-day program promoted as a way to help stuggling teens, founded by Gayle Palmer. But after only nine days, Michelle Sutton was dead. Was this a tragic accident, or the result of a more calcuated pattern of abuse in a burgeoning industry? Listen to The Opportunist ad-free on Amazon Music You can purchase Opportunist merchandise here: https://theopportunistpodcast.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: Athena Club Razor: Go to athenaclub.com and use code OPP for 25% off your first order Babbel: Start speaking a new language for up to 55% off at babbel.com/OPP Earth Breeze:Get 40% off your first order of eco-friendly laundry detergent at earthbreeze.com/OPP Dipsea App: Get a 30 free trial and explore hundreds of sexy audio stories at dipseastories.com/OPP See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25/04/2023

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41 min
09/05/2023

GAYLE PALMER Part 4 of 7: I Hate This Place

Amanda DeRose attended Summit Quest with Michelle in May of 1990. She shares her experience of the program, including what happened to Michelle on the last day of her life. Listen to The Opportunist ad-free on Amazon Music You can purchase Opportunist merchandise here: https://theopportunistpodcast.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: Athena Club Razor: Go to athenaclub.com and use code OPP for 25% off your first order. Earth Breeze: Get 40% off your first order of eco-friendly laundry detergent at earthbreeze.com/opp. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

09/05/2023

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41 min
25/08/2025

Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned

Jeremiah ‘The Bull’ Evans was a flashy entrepreneur who launched the Alpha Con convention, promising the secrets to wealth and influence. On this episode of The Opportunist, we look at how his high-energy salesmanship unraveled into fraud charges and a prison sentence. Thank you to our sponsors: Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTEarnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.PlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25/08/2025

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42 min
16/05/2023

GAYLE PALMER Part 5 of 7: Far From Over

Amanda and the other survivors are uncertain of their fate. Gayle Palmer continues to operate Summit Quest even as she’s being investigated for Michelle’s death. Meanwhile, Cathy Sutton begins to piece together the truth of what happened. Listen to The Opportunist ad-free on Amazon Music You can purchase Opportunist merchandise here: https://theopportunistpodcast.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: Dipsea app: Get an extended 30 day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/OPP. Canva: get a FREE 45-day extended trial when you go to Canva.me/OPP Microdose: To learn more about microdosing THC go to Microdose.com and use code OPP to get free shipping and 30% off your first order See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16/05/2023

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38 min
15/07/2024

The Curse of “The Three Body Problem”

Xu Yao’s career potential seemed limitless. The Chinese lawyer and entertainment executive was in charge of all business related to the best selling Chinese science fiction trilogy, and soon to be hit Netflix show, “The Three Body Problem.” But then, overnight, the entire franchise, and all of the life changing wealth that came with it, was all taken from Xu Yao. He had been demoted. Xu Yao’s demotion set in motion a revenge plot ripped from the pages of a Hollywood script. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15/07/2024

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26 min

The Opportunist is investigative storytelling crafted for the curious. We are dynamic storytellers, relentlessly chasing authentic stories and sharing them across digital platforms. Leveraging the power of in-depth investigative journalism, we bring true tales to life. Specializing in multi-platform storytelling, our tales weave their way through the written word, to social media, to podcasts, and on to scripted and unscripted film and TV series. Join us on the journey of the curious!

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Opportunist

Top Shows

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

The New York City Ballet, Part 1: Peter Martins

Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD

GAYLE PALMER Part 2 of 7: The Price of Admission

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 2 of 5: Hypnotist

GAYLE PALMER Part 1 of 7: The Deadly Mirage

GAYLE PALMER Part 4 of 7: I Hate This Place

Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned

GAYLE PALMER Part 5 of 7: Far From Over

The Curse of “The Three Body Problem”

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Opportunist

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