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CONmunity Podcast

Sarah Ferris Media
  • 4.5 (119)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • MONTHLY SERIES

🎙️ CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) From Sarah Ferris Media When your gut says something’s off… do you follow it? Welcome to CONmunity Podcast, the investigative true-story series that explores trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion.Each season follows a different real-world investigation — told through the voices of those who lived it, questioned it, and tried to make sense of it. Season 1 (Conning the Con) followed my sister and me as we uncovered one of New Zealand’s most audacious relationship deceptions.Season 2 (The BADmiral) unpacks the rise of a global humanitarian organisation called IntSAR and the extraordinary claims surrounding the man who led it.Over eighteen months of reporting, I’ve traced how veterans, ex-law-enforcement, and humanitarians were drawn in by a vision that promised purpose and service — and how difficult it can be to see what’s real when hope is the hook. Independent, empathetic, and grounded in firsthand testimony, CONmunity brings listeners inside complex human stories — without assigning guilt, but always asking the questions that matter.

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  1. S2 | E1 — HOISTING THE SAILS OF SUSPICION

    EPISODE 1

    S2 | E1 — HOISTING THE SAILS OF SUSPICION

    When a podcast listener contacts Sarah with a story about a man calling himself Admiral Peter Cowell, curiosity quickly turns into an investigation.At the centre is an ambitious organisation called IntSAR – the International Sea Air Rescue Service, presented as a global humanitarian project with a military-style structure.Its mission sounds noble — but some of the details don’t quite align. In this opening episode of The BADmiral, Sarah begins tracing the origins of IntSAR, meeting those who believed in its promise and the people now questioning how it all unfolded. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to explore how trust, belief, and ambition can intersect in complex ways. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · veterans · belief · trust · leadership · humanitarian aid · true story All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to bonus seasons and exclusive content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – a bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – the full series ad-free plus exclusive video content (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, dedicated to telling real stories that shine a light on the mechanisms of trust and the human heart behind every headline. 🧭 Listen Next🌊 About CONmunity Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  2. S2 | E2 — RED FLAGS ON THE HORIZON

    EPISODE 2

    S2 | E2 — RED FLAGS ON THE HORIZON

    S2 | E2 — RED FLAGS ON THE HORIZON A uniform, a hangar, and a promise that sounds almost too ambitious to be true.As Sarah continues to investigate IntSAR – the International Sea Air Rescue Service and its self-described leader Admiral Peter Cowell, two retired detectives share their first-hand encounter — a meeting that left more questions than answers. From Bathurst to Fiji and Canberra, plans for global rescue fleets and billion-dollar budgets collide with shifting stories and unanswered emails. Were these simply bureaucratic hiccups, or early signs that something wasn’t as it seemed? Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · veterans · trust · belief · leadership · humanitarian aid · true story All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling real stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. 🧭 LISTEN NEXT🌊 ABOUT CONMUNITY PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  3. S2 | E3 — YOUR EYES ONLY

    EPISODE 3

    S2 | E3 — YOUR EYES ONLY

    ⚓️ S2 | E3 — YOUR EYES ONLY A letter marked For Your Eyes Only lands in Sarah’s inbox — and with it, a deeper look into the promises, paperwork, and personalities surrounding IntSAR, the International Sea Air Rescue Service. This episode uncovers the inner workings of a supposed global humanitarian organisation that aimed to unite nations under one rescue command. But as Sarah follows the trail of official-looking documents, job offers, and private messages, she begins to question: where do the facts end, and the fiction begin? Through conversations with insiders and veterans who believed in IntSAR’s mission, The BADmiral continues to explore how good people can get swept up in big visions — and why it’s so difficult to spot red flags when you’re already invested. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to understand how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · veterans · leadership · belief · humanitarian aid · trust · power dynamics All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling real stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. 🧭 LISTEN NEXT🌊 ABOUT CONMUNITY PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  4. S2 | E4 — TORPEDOING THE TRUTH

    EPISODE 4

    S2 | E4 — TORPEDOING THE TRUTH

    ⚓️ S2 | E4 — TORPEDOING THE TRUTH The deeper Sarah dives, the murkier the waters become.In this episode, she begins piecing together IntSAR’s shifting history — from early company records to its modern-day reincarnation — uncovering documents that raise questions about what was promised, what was delivered, and what might have been imagined. As veterans and former insiders recount their experiences, one thing becomes clear: truth can be slippery when wrapped in uniforms, titles, and purpose. With every new discovery, Sarah edges closer to understanding how an organisation claiming to save lives could leave so many people adrift. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to explore how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · veterans · trust · leadership · humanitarian aid · organisational truth · public interest All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    S2 | E5 — THE TALENTED MR COWELL

    The deeper Sarah investigates, the more versions of Admiral Peter Cowell she uncovers. Online profiles, official-looking biographies, and a growing trail of uniforms and honours paint a picture that keeps shifting with every click. In this episode, Sarah traces how Cowell’s public image evolved — from early job titles to later claims of international rank — and examines the psychology behind reinvention. How does a story take hold, and why do so many accomplished people accept it at face value? As new evidence emerges from emails, websites, and interviews, Sarah starts to see how credibility can be built one carefully placed detail at a time. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to explore how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · identity · credibility · veterans · leadership · belief · trust · true story All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  6. S2 | E6 — THE PARASITE IN THE HULL

    EPISODE 6

    S2 | E6 — THE PARASITE IN THE HULL

    A ship without a captain can drift — but what happens when someone new quietly takes the helm? In this episode, Sarah investigates how IntSAR evolved through three distinct lifespans: its founding as a small charitable company, its transformation under Peter Cowell’s leadership, and its sleek modern relaunch years later. Each version carries the same crest, motto, and mission — but behind the surface lies a changing cast of characters and unanswered questions. From archived websites and corporate filings to interviews with those once involved, The BADmiral explores how legitimacy can be borrowed, how old structures can hide new intentions, and how the line between purpose and pretense can blur at sea. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · organisational history · veterans · leadership · identity · legitimacy · humanitarian aid All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  7. S2 | E7 — LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

    EPISODE 7

    S2 | E7 — LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

    When secrets start to surface, even the strongest alliances can begin to crack. In this episode, Sarah turns her focus to those inside IntSAR who began to question what they’d signed up for. Private messages, quiet conversations, and shifting loyalties reveal a turning tide — one where silence is no longer sustainable. Through first-hand testimony and verified correspondence, The BADmiral explores how doubt spreads within a tight-knit group and what happens when speaking out means risking everything. This is the moment the currents begin to change. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · whistleblowers · loyalty · communication · manipulation · trust · group dynamics All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  8. S2 | E8 — THE SILENT MUTINY

    EPISODE 8

    S2 | E8 — THE SILENT MUTINY

    Loyalty can hold a crew together — until it doesn’t. In this episode, Sarah uncovers what happens when insiders within IntSAR begin to quietly question the leadership and promises that first inspired them. Through private recordings, WhatsApp messages, and first-hand testimony, the story turns inward: a mutiny not of ships and sailors, but of trust and truth. As one key figure steps forward to speak, Sarah pieces together how belief begins to break — and how manipulation can keep even the sharpest minds anchored in place. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · manipulation · whistleblowing · loyalty · group psychology · veterans · trust All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
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4.5
out of 5
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About

🎙️ CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) From Sarah Ferris Media When your gut says something’s off… do you follow it? Welcome to CONmunity Podcast, the investigative true-story series that explores trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion.Each season follows a different real-world investigation — told through the voices of those who lived it, questioned it, and tried to make sense of it. Season 1 (Conning the Con) followed my sister and me as we uncovered one of New Zealand’s most audacious relationship deceptions.Season 2 (The BADmiral) unpacks the rise of a global humanitarian organisation called IntSAR and the extraordinary claims surrounding the man who led it.Over eighteen months of reporting, I’ve traced how veterans, ex-law-enforcement, and humanitarians were drawn in by a vision that promised purpose and service — and how difficult it can be to see what’s real when hope is the hook. Independent, empathetic, and grounded in firsthand testimony, CONmunity brings listeners inside complex human stories — without assigning guilt, but always asking the questions that matter.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Ferris Media
  • Episodes
    43
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Ferris
  • Show Website
    CONmunity Podcast
  • Provider
    Sarah Marie Ferris

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