73 episodes

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.

The Opportunist Opportunist

    • True Crime
    • 4.8 • 9.6K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Welcome To Varnamtown! Available now!

    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

    • 3 min
    End of Year Wrap Up 2023

    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 

    • 1 hr 3 min
    MARC ST-ONGE Part 1 of 1: The Mudman

    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.

    • 39 min
    Show Announcement + Mini Episode

    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.  

    • 15 min
    Show Announcement + Mini Episode

    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. 

     

    KIMBERLY SMITH Part 5 of 5: A Breath of Stale Air

    KIMBERLY SMITH Part 5 of 5: A Breath of Stale Air

    Fred and Stacia anxiously wait for Kimberly Smith to face justice and continue to look for answers as to how Goldie Robinson died.
    You can purchase Opportunist merchandise here: https://theopportunistpodcast.com/

    Thank you to our sponsors:
    Hello Fresh: Go to Hellofresh.com/50opp and use code 50opp for 50% off plus free shipping!Go to HelloFresh dot com slash 50opp and use code 50opp for 50% off plus free shippingGo to HelloFresh dot com slash 50opp and use code 50opp for 50% off plus free shipping!

    Shopify: sign up for a $1-per-month trial at shopify.com/opp
    Dipsea: sign up for a 30-day free trial at DipseaStories.com/opp
    Sports Explains the World: To hear incredible stories from the wide world of sports, listen to Sports Explains the World on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.
    Canva: Get a free 45-day trial when you go to Canva.me/opp
    Better Help: This show is sponsored by Better Help. Go to Betterhelp.com/opp to get 10% off your first month.

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
9.6K Ratings

9.6K Ratings

DobrivJ ,

Nice approach

I really enjoy the careful and calm storytelling. The show avoids spectacle and speculation instead relying on solid research. The narrators voice and delivery are excellent. One suggestion- sometimes sound/music is overlaid on source material voice recordings which makes them harder to hear, which can obscure the older, low fidelity recordings. Otherwise excellent work.
Story idea- Billy Coull, Willy Wonka land guy.

ajm0916 ,

Amazing

Great podcast! She really does a lot of research before covering an individual. Amazing work!!

Jt10087 ,

Hooked

All it takes is listening for a few minutes and you get hooked on these stories and the way they are told. Great job!

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