126 episodes

Novelist Andrea Dunlop is looking for answers. When her older sister was first investigated for Munchausen by Proxy abuse more than a decade ago, it tore her family apart. This catastrophic series of events sent Dunlop on a journey to understand this most taboo form of abuse. In this groundbreaking podcast, she talks to some of the top experts in the world to explore the criminology and psychopathology behind Munchausen by Proxy and to reveal the wide swath of destruction these perpetrators leave in their wake. Along the way, she becomes captivated by the case of Hope Ybarra. Dunlop speaks to those most familiar with the case, from the reporter who broke the story, to the detective who investigated it, to the family who lived through it. In the dramatic finale, she’ll speak to Hope Ybarra herself.​ ​ (LM032423)

Nobody Should Believe Me NSBM Plus

    • True Crime
    • 4.2 • 1.7K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Novelist Andrea Dunlop is looking for answers. When her older sister was first investigated for Munchausen by Proxy abuse more than a decade ago, it tore her family apart. This catastrophic series of events sent Dunlop on a journey to understand this most taboo form of abuse. In this groundbreaking podcast, she talks to some of the top experts in the world to explore the criminology and psychopathology behind Munchausen by Proxy and to reveal the wide swath of destruction these perpetrators leave in their wake. Along the way, she becomes captivated by the case of Hope Ybarra. Dunlop speaks to those most familiar with the case, from the reporter who broke the story, to the detective who investigated it, to the family who lived through it. In the dramatic finale, she’ll speak to Hope Ybarra herself.​ ​ (LM032423)

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Welcome To Hutchinson

    Welcome To Hutchinson

    Welcome to Season 4 of Nobody Should Believe Me! This season we are following the story of Jordyn Hope as they unravel the secrets of their childhood. After revelations that they were abused as a child, Jo bravely returns to their small, deeply religious hometown to attempt to unravel their many lingering questions about their upbringing. Was their abuse a secret? If not, why didn’t anyone help them? Jo connects with her first grade teacher and childhood best friend as they begin their search for answers. Andrea travels with Jo, hoping to help her friend find healing, and to see what the future might look like for the survivors in her own life. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 50 min
    “I Brought You Into This World I Can Take You Out”

    “I Brought You Into This World I Can Take You Out”

    While visiting their hometown, Jo reconnects with their older sister, Crystal, to have the deeply honest and heart-wrenching conversation their mother never wanted them to have: one where they share the hard truths about the abuse they both suffered at her hand. Crystal and Jo reach a new level of understanding of their shared experiences and their love for each other. We also speak to Munchausen by proxy expert Bea Yorker to talk about the process of discovery and recovery for survivors. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 59 min
    Not Without My Daughter

    Not Without My Daughter

    As we dig deeper into Jo’s history, we tackle one of the many confusing aspects of their childhood: their paternity. We navigate the many twists and turns around the father figures in Jo’s life. From abusive men in the home to a secret father they never knew about, we unravel another complex layer of Donna’s deceptions. We hear more from Jo’s sister Crystal and talk to Jo’s biological father, Reza, about what it was like to be on the other side of the big lie.  
    *A note that this episode does include mention of sexual assault and may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    National Sexual Violence Resource Center
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 41 min
    Breaking Free

    Breaking Free

    Jo reconnects with their friend, Kristin, who took them in as a homeless teenager after Jo was removed from Donna’s care due to her alcoholism. As a young mother in the midst of her own difficult situation, Kristin’s relationship with Jo had its challenges, but as they recount their time together, it’s a healing and clarifying moment for both of them. Jo continues on their rocky road to freedom from their mother’s clutches as they look for help from the medical community outside their mother’s influence.  
    *A warning for listeners this episode does contain descriptions of disordered eating. Please take care. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    National Eating Disorders Resources: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 52 min
    Revelations

    Revelations

    Today we look back at Jo’s revelation in their twenties that they’d been a victim of Munchausen by proxy abuse: a moment that turned their world upside down. As Jo forges a path forward – reviewing their medical records and even confronting their childhood pediatrician – they discover how complex healing from this abuse truly is.
    Jo also opens up about their experiences with Dissociative Identity Disorder. We speak to Jo’s therapist, Angie, about their complicated system of coping mechanisms. We also bring in Jackie Rodriguez LMSW, QMHP-CS and peer support specialist Jade Miller to help us understand the deeply misunderstood and stigmatized condition of DID. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Jade Miler - https://www.peersupportformultiples.com/
    Jackie Rodriguez, LMSW, QMHP-CS - Instagram 
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 58 min
    “I love you to death”

    “I love you to death”

    When Jo begins sharing their experiences online, they get a request from the producers of nationally broadcast television show “The Doctors” to tell their story to an audience of millions. During their dramatic confrontation on air, Donna continues to gaslight Jo and deny the abuse; Jo nonetheless finds healing and release in opening up about the truth. But even as Jo begins to break away, Donna finds ways to pull them back in and distort their reality. 
    ***
    Links/Resources: 
    Watch Jo’s episode of The Doctors
    Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy
    Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!
    Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.
    Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop
    Buy Andrea's books here.
    To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.
    For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com
    The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

Pasotex1 ,

Informative

Thank you for a great informative podcast. Your voice and story telling
Is very soothing. Hard to fathom a parents state of mind to put their child through this. I have a hard time comprehending a physician treating a patient and not being aware of parent lie and not reporting it.
Keep up the great work!!

ConFan6 ,

Good until Season 4

I enjoyed the first 3 seasons however season 4 is not nearly the same quality. There’s just seems to be an “attention seeking” vibe and like other reviewers have noted, we never hear exactly what constituted the abuse.

On another note though, kudos to Andrea for being open minded and not immediately painting all conservative leaning folks as the villains as many other pod casters tend to. While Andrea and I would probably disagree on many things, I feel it would be great to have discourse with her as she is thoughtful, articulate and has facts to back her arguments. I also sense she would listen respectfully even if we didn’t agree.

RoadRunner2021 ,

People… clear your throat!!!!

Too hard to listen to the host and the guest who sound like they have a throat full of something.

The content is super repetitive too.

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