PRETEND

Latest Episodes:

2408: PRETEND Live AMA Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

PRETEND's first live YouTube AMA, co-hosted by Patreon supporter Katie Watson. The conversation covers listener questions about the making of PRETEND, behind-the-scenes stories, and what's coming next.

Highlights include: how Javier knows when a story is worth pursuing (hint: it's like fishing) and his techniques for getting interview subjects to let their guard down. He shares updates on past subjects including LaDonna and Frank Abagnale.

Looking ahead to 2026: Season 25 kicks off next week with psychic stings featuring undercover Patreon supporters. Also coming: State of Corruption (North Carolina), a caught-on-camera confessional, and a Word of Faith Fellowship update—the DA supposed to try the case is now on trial himself.

00:00 Intro

02:53 Katie's Podcast Journey

04:08 The Art of Storytelling

06:09 Balancing Bias in Journalism

07:49 Building Trust with Interviewees

13:33 Balancing Podcasting and Life

14:55 Ponzi Playbook & Criminal Conduct

17:22 Scariest Interview Subjects

20:08 LaDonna Updates

26:15 Red Flags and Trust

27:37 Telepathy Tapes

30:58 The Truth in Storytelling

34:36 Interview Techniques

37:20 Biggest Challenges in Podcasting

39:14 Balancing Truth and Twists

42:37 Family Reactions

44:11 Maintaining Neutrality

45:19 Dream Project: Speed Dial

46:56 What's Coming in 2026

50:06 Proudest Series

58:35 Word of Faith Update

01:03:33 Season 25 Announcement

Blind Dave (Katie's YouTube show "Only in the UK"): https://youtube.com/@blinddave88
Decoding the Unknown: https://youtube.com/@decodingtheunknown2373
The Greatest Hoax on Earth by Alan Logan: https://a.co/d/gIHDef2

ChaptersLinks

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2407-Licensed to Kill Revisited Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

A Montana oncologist allegedly treated patients for cancer they never had and made millions doing it. We're re-releasing our two-part investigation into Dr. Thomas Weiner, plus a brand new interview with whistleblower Dr. Randy Sasich on what's happened since. The medical board finally revoked Weiner's license, but criminal charges still loom, a wrongful death lawsuit is underway, and the broken system that enabled this hasn't changed.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2406: The Real Life Grinch Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

'Tis the season for true crime chaos! Hosts Kristen Seavey from Murder, She Told, Javier Leiva from PRETEND, and Shaun from Sins & Survivors join forces to explore Christmas crimes gone horribly wrong.

From a bath salts-fueled home decorator in suburban Ohio to a serial burglar stealing Robert De Niro's wrapped presents right from under his tree, these real-life Grinches prove that the holidays bring out the worst in some people. The hosts also dive into the disturbing case of postal workers who intercepted letters to Santa meant for underprivileged children...stealing laptops, iPads, and gift cards intended for kids in need.

But the main event is a fresh-off-the-press case from Bangor, Maine. When a couple woke up to find a stranger sleeping on their couch surrounded by their unwrapped Christmas presents. Police body cam footage reveals just how terrifying this "funny" story really was.

Want to see the footage?

https://youtube.com/shorts/XOBl40Ky6Dc

Murder, She Told:

https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/bertha-cote-1

PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=6c96588b93d04eb3

Sins & Survivors: https://open.spotify.com/show/1W2swCx9LP38sFY06294pB?si=4b64a4ba692a4025

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listener Reaction: Matthew Fenner vs. Ted Bell (Bonus) Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

This bonus episode features Kim, a Patreon supporter who connected with the Matthew Fenner story...but not for the reasons you might expect.

Kim's been through the criminal justice system herself. She was prosecuted, sentenced, and spent two years in jail.

The conversation goes to some unexpected places. Kim discusses how small-town politics can impact a case in ways that seem backward.

We talk about what jail was really like, why she now advocates for criminal justice reform, how the FBI got involved with her ex-husband's January 6th case, and how Word of Faith Fellowship's political connections might reach all the way to the White House.

---

This is part of a new series of listener conversations about recent episodes. Want to be part of it? Support PRETEND on Patreon or PRETEND+ on Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Prophet: Matthew Fenner vs Ted Bell Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the person responsible for prosecuting your case seems more interested in protecting your attackers? Matthew Fenner has been asking that question for eight years. After a 2017 mistrial in his assault case against Word of Faith Fellowship members, the judge ordered an immediate retrial. It never happened. Instead, DA Ted Bell granted delay after delay to the defendants while refusing to meet with Matthew, the victim. A gag order meant to last weeks stretched into years, silencing everyone involved and shielding WOFF from public scrutiny. Now Bell has suddenly scheduled the trial—during Matthew's critical medical residency interview. And when Matthew asked for a single accommodation after watching defendants receive years of them, Bell said no. Matthew's response? A legal petition alleging willful misconduct, political corruption, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. He's asking the court to remove Bell from office entirely—or at minimum, remove him from this case.

This episode features parts 10 and 11 of The Prophet series, followed by an in-depth analysis of Matthew's petition. Stick around for an update at the end of the episode.

Listen to the entire Prophet series on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wvQwgTDC0XPEo5rkkW2Uj?si=2a9e6c9214e64b81

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Off Script: Pretend, Murder She Told & Sins and Survivors Spill the Tea (BONUS) Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Join hosts Javier from Pretend, Kristen Seavey from Murder She Told, and Shaun from Sins and Survivors for a special holiday crossover episode where three true crime podcasters let their guard down and talk shop.

Featured Guests:

Kristen Seavey, host of Murder She Told

https://open.spotify.com/show/0n9q2IMjGQyrHMMByvnA2H?si=5975eb73d4714d07

Shaun, host of Sins and Survivors

https://open.spotify.com/show/1W2swCx9LP38sFY06294pB?si=05c3269c69b94a73

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2404: Open Enrollment, Open Season for Scammers Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

This is the story of Simple Health Plans, a $150 million health insurance scam that preyed on desperate Americans and left thousands buried in medical debt. We'll meet Dawn, who nearly fell victim to their scheme, and Steven Dorfman, the mastermind who spent over a million dollars on jewelry while his customers discovered their "insurance" was worthless.

With Open Enrollment happening right now, scammers are out in full force. This episode will help you spot the red flags and protect yourself.

PROTECT YOURSELF - ESSENTIAL RESOURCES Verify a Company is Legitimate: - NAIC.org - Find your state insurance commissioner - Google: Company name + "scam" or "complaint" Shop for Real ACA Health Insurance: - HealthCare.gov - Federal Marketplace - LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov - Get free help from navigators Report Fraud: - ReportFraud.FTC.gov - File FTC complaint - Contact your State Insurance Department RED FLAGS: ✗ Not listed with state insurance department ✗ Pressure to sign up immediately ✗ Won't provide documents before purchase ✗ Suspiciously low prices ✗ Can't ask questions during "verification"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2403: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 3 Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Harry spent nearly two years believing the woman he loved was dying of brain cancer. He stood by her for every surgery, organ failure...None of it was real.

In this episode, Harry walks us through the emotional fantasy Rachel built.

Want the full story?

🎧 Listen to The Rachel Cancer Scam

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Hn5De466DmCIN8Sppw5Ik?si=6ba6b8cee95e4697

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rachel-cancer-scam/id1772955263

Protect your business before hackers even make a move.
NordStellar centralizes breach, dark web, and attack surface intelligence into one powerful threat-intelligence platform—helping you spot risks early and take action fast.

Get 20% off all NordStellar plans with the Black Friday code: BLACKFRIDAY20 (valid until December 10, 2025).
Use the link nordstellar.com/pretend

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listener Reaction: The Cancer Sympathy Machine Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Ali, one of my longtime Patreon supporters, reached out after listening to the Cancer Sympathy Machine series.

Ali talks openly about her past with addiction, stigma, Hep C treatment and why some people hide the truth about what they’re really going through.

I’m also sharing two listener stories about friends, classmates, and loved ones who faked cancer.

Thanks to everyone who’s reached out, shared stories, and supported the show. And if you’ve got something you want to talk about, send it my way: javier@pretendradio.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2 Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Why would anyone fake cancer?

Money? Sure.

Attention? Definitely.

But as I learned in this episode… the motives are a lot darker, messier, and more human than you might expect.

In Part 2 of The Cancer Sympathy Machine, we go beyond the headline-grabbing scams and into the emotional machinery behind these lies. With the help of cancer-survivor-turned-researcher Bill Petrich, we break down the categories of cancer fakers — from those seeking sympathy to those hiding crimes, escaping abuse, or covering up addictions.

We revisit the infamous cases you’ve heard about: Belle Gibson, Scamanda, and Jennifer Cataldo.

To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:

https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert

Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9

Protect your business before hackers even make a move. NordStellar centralizes breach, dark web, and attack surface intelligence into one powerful threat-intelligence platform—helping you spot risks early and take action fast.

Get 20% off all NordStellar plans with the Black Friday code: BLACKFRIDAY20 (valid until December 10, 2025). Use the link ⁠nordstellar.com/pretend

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected