The Opportunist Opportunist
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- True Crime
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The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Hannah Smith.
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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.
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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 -
Welcome To Varnamtown! Available now!
Two years ago, Kyle MacLachlan, the star of Twin Peaks, called investigative journalist Joshua Davis with a strange story. Kyle had heard a rumor that Pablo Escobar did a deal in the early 1980s with a remote, coastal Southern town of 300 people. In exchange for vast wealth and limitless cocaine, Escobar would be allowed to land planes and ships in the area. Over the last 24 months, Josh and Kyle investigated the rumor, journeying to Varnamtown to knock on doors and find out what really happens when a firehose of money and cocaine is turned on a small, tight knit community.
Listen to and follow Varnamtown at Apple Podcasts now! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varnamtown/id1725195343 -
End of Year Wrap Up 2023
In this wrap up episode for 2023, Hannah revisits some of your favorite episodes and seasons and gives updates! She also takes questions and voicemails from listeners, including one listener who writes in with a bizarre mystery that she wants your help to solve.
Hannah checks back in with people she interviewed years ago as well as gives an update on Sherry Shriner's followers and speaks with someone who has a very personal relationship with Orgone.
Links from the episode:
Check out C.C.’s plant-urns at boycestudio.com
If you want to stay up-to-date with Nora's project on her father, you can find her on Instagram @Noracroftcutsmyhair
Visit the Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association at bluefaery.org
You can reach out to Hannah on Instagram or X @hannahpodcasts -
MARC ST-ONGE Part 1 of 1: The Mudman
In early 2021, a new product went viral in health and wellness spaces on Facebook. Black Oxygen Organics (or BOO) was an MLM selling what was touted as the "miracle cure." What was it? It was mud. Actual mud that people were eating, drinking, bathing in and giving to their babies and pets. Many claimed it cured their COVID symptoms. But this product was not what it claimed to be. What was it actually doing to people? The man behind it all was Marc St-Onge and he watched as millions of orders flooded in.
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Show Announcement + Mini Episode
Enjoy today's mini episode about a guardianship scam and please send your stories and questions to:
hannahmegsmith@gmail.com
or on Instagram or Twitter/X @hannahpodcasts
Thank you Lindsey Dominguez for sharing your story! Her podcast is called What's Up ABQ.
Customer Reviews
Thoughtful and Incredible Journalism
I never leave reviews on podcasts, but this show is just so so good. Hannah and her producers do an incredible job of telling the full story in an honest and respectful way. All of the seasons are very well done and meticulously produced, but the Aubrey Lee Price season is really what prompted me to leave this review. Hannah is incredibly (and honestly very impressively) respectful during all of her interviews, but I was especially impressed by her decorum and poise while talking to Lee himself. She is able to craft a well-rounded view of these “opportunists” in a way that I feel most true crime podcasts are unable to — she understands that they are human, and works to uncover that part of them while still being mindful to not excuse their behavior. She speaks to people of all backgrounds and religions and worldviews, and I have never once felt she used anyone’s beliefs or circumstances to paint them in a negative or biased light. Truly good journalism.
On top of that, the flow and style of their reporting keeps you interested and always wanting to listen to the next episode. I am always wishing I had time to sit down and listen to the entire season at once!! Well done Opportunist crew! I love this podcast!!!!
Wow
Incredible podcast and I listen to A LOT of podcast.
Great
A very well done non-comedy true crime podcast that is not boring and tells stories that are varied, interesting, and hold my attention.