PRETEND

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  • 4.7 (2.2K)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
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From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.

  1. The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

    5D AGO

    The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

    After a one-night hookup with a fan-turned-client, former Bachelor star Clayton Echard faced an unexpected legal battle — and public accusations that threatened to ruin his life. In this episode, we unpack the early timeline of Clayton’s explosive case with Laura Michelle Owens, who claimed she was pregnant with his twins… despite his insistence they never had sex. But Clayton wasn’t her first target. When no one else believed him, the internet showed up and started pulling Laura’s story apart. Stayed tuned for part 2 and 3 of the "Internet Saves the Bachelor." Be the first to listen on Patreon and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast. Credits: Hosted, Produced: Javier Leiva Written by: Mackenzie Aimes Additional Reporting: The Dating Detectives Podcast References: https://allthebestresearch.com  Dave Neal's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@davenealcomedian?si=buUz1EGyODwQ6aGv https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Laura_Michelle_Owens_-_Court_Case_History https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForClayton/ https://victimsoflauraowens.com/coverage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  2. The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

    MAY 10

    The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

    In this episode of PRETEND, recorded live at the GISEC cybersecurity conference in Dubai, I spoke with Hieu Minh Ngo, once one of the most prolific identity thieves in the world. Operating out of Vietnam, Hieu stole and sold personal data on over 200 million Americans. We're talking names, birth dates, Social Security numbers—everything you’d need to become someone else. But he didn’t hack his way in. Instead, he used open-source intelligence and even impersonated a private investigator to gain legal access to massive data broker networks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  3. MAY 6

    2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted

    While speaking at a hacker conference in Dubai, Javier revisits a conversation with professional pickpocket and entertainer James Freedman. James reveals how a childhood scuffle led to a lifelong obsession with the art of pickpocketing, evolving from swiping coins to mastering social engineering and even digital fraud. 🔗 Listen to Part 2Click here for The Digital Pickpocket, Part 2 → 💬 Connect with Javier on social Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @pretendpod 🛡 Stay safe: Learn how to defend yourself against modern pickpockets — both analog and digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  4. LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle

    APR 29

    LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle

    How LaDonna Humphrey Used a Children's Event to Funnel Money Through Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. What happens when a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt turns into a glowing red flag? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva exposes a so-called family event that promised “magic,” but delivered mayhem — all tied to LaDonna Humphrey and her questionable nonprofit, Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. Held at Mt. Hebron Park on April 12, 2025, the event was marketed as an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark Easter experience. According to the Facebook ad, attendees were told to: “Embark on an egg-citing adventure under the starry sky..." “Search high and low for luminescent treasures..." “Watch the park come alive with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors..." “A plethora of prizes and surprises await..." But in reality, it was more like the FYRE Festival of Easter egg hunts. One parent described the event as “no different than any free egg hunt at a church”—except this one cost $50 per family. Instead of a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, this event featured crying kids, confused parents, and a nonprofit operating in the dark, literally and figuratively. 👀 New LaDonna episodes are in the works — featuring new fake accounts, missing persons cases, and a sheriff caught in the crossfire. Stay tuned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  5. Faking Insanity

    APR 22

    Faking Insanity

    Can you really fake being insane—and get away with it? In this episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system. We explore how some criminals try to game the system, what psychologists look for when evaluating claims of mental illness, and why even experts can be fooled. Plus, we revisit infamous cases like Richard Speck, George Metesky (aka The Mad Bomber), Ted Bundy, and Ed Kemper to examine how psychology—and its blind spots—played a role in their investigations. Guest: Dr. Tristin Engels is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, published author, and co-host of the podcast Killer Minds. 👉 If you want more criminal psychology deep-dives, check out Dr. Engels’ podcast Killer Minds, where she breaks down infamous cases through the lens of a forensic expert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  6. My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

    APR 15

    My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

    Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda—the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode of PRETEND, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner. But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  7. I Married a Narcissist part 3

    APR 8

    I Married a Narcissist part 3

    Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. When Lindsay first met him, he was charming, successful, and convincing—a financial advisor with all the right answers. What started as a storybook marriage quickly spiraled into a nightmare of manipulation, gaslighting, and escalating violence. In this episode of PRETEND, Lindsay opens up for the first time in a raw, unfiltered conversation. She walks us through the early warning signs she missed, the love bombing tactics used to win her over, and the slow, calculated process of control that followed. 💬 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  8. I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions

    APR 1 · BONUS

    I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions

    After publishing the story of a woman trapped in a marriage with a narcissist, I wasn't sure how it would land. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t end in violence or arrest. But the response was overwhelming. Listeners wrote in to say, “That was me.” Some still carry the trauma years later. Others are just now realizing what they went through was abuse. In this episode, we hear from listeners who saw their own relationships reflected in Ashley’s story. We also speak with criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards to understand how abuse often hides in plain sight—through gaslighting, coercive control, and emotional manipulation. And we ask: what happens when the narcissist isn’t a partner—but a parent? Or when the survivor is a man? This bonus episode is about the quiet kind of abuse—the kind people are afraid to talk about but desperately need to hear. 🔊 Featuring: Laura Richards and listeners who bravely shared their experiences ⚠️ Trigger warning: discussions of abuse, addiction, and coercive control 🛑 Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse: Love-bombing followed by emotional withdrawal or cruelty Gaslighting: making you doubt your memory, emotions, or reality Blaming you for their self-harm threats or emotional instability Constant criticism or belittling over mundane issues Financial control or sabotage Isolating you from family or friends Guilt-tripping, triangulation, or passive-aggressive threats Refusing accountability or twisting facts during arguments 📌 If you’re in a similar situation, here are resources that can help: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org — 24/7, free, confidential Psychology Today Therapist Finder: psychologytoday.com SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – for substance abuse and mental health support Domestic Shelters: domesticshelters.org – helps identify resources near you One Mom’s Battle: onemomsbattle.com – for navigating high-conflict custody and divorce Love is Respect: loveisrespect.org – support for young people in abusive relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min
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Trailers

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and his victims. Season 4: Getting Away with Murder: The Death Investigation of Pravin Varughese Season 5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim Barrier

    • 4.6 (1057)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.

    • 4.7 (84)
    • BUSINESS
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4.7
out of 5
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About

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

Information

  • Channel
    PRETEND+
  • Creator
    Creative Babble
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    291
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved 2024
  • Show Website
    PRETEND
  • Provider
    Javier Leiva

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