PRETEND

Latest Episodes:

2401: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1 Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe.

In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illegal to fake cancer?” Um, yeah.

Bill Petrich, a real cancer survivor who now investigates fake cases, helps us understand the psychology behind the deception.

We also take a look at the biggest cancer cons in recent history: Scamanda, Belle Gibson, Jennifer Flynn Cataldo and how these scams went from emotional manipulation to full-on fraud.

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

2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Smallville's Allison Mack is out of prison, and she's finally talking.

What was NXIVM, and how did Allison Mack become a high-ranking member?
NXIVM was a self-help organization that sold leadership training and personal development courses. Beneath the surface, it operated as a coercive group led by Keith Raniere, using control tactics like starvation diets, sleep deprivation, emotional manipulation, and eventually a secret “master-slave” subgroup called DOS.

Who is Allison Mack?
Allison Mack, best known from Smallville, joined NXIVM in the mid-2000s. She rose quickly inside the group and later played a major role in recruiting and controlling women within DOS. Mack pled guilty to racketeering and served three years in federal prison for her crimes. She was released in 2023.

What is this episode about?
In this conversation, journalist Natalie Robehmed — host of the new CBC podcast Allison After NXIVM — explains how Allison Mack describes her journey from devoted follower to active perpetrator. We break down the psychological mechanics that made NXIVM work: obedience training, emotional conditioning, sexual manipulation, and why even smart people get pulled into systems like this.

We also revisit Allison’s early life as a child actor, her abusive relationship before NXIVM, and how these patterns help explain the control she eventually exerted over others.

After you listen, check out:
👉 Allison After NXIVM from Uncover (CBC + Campsite Media) — Episode 1 is out now.

https://open.spotify.com/show/5asD2sDYXsiUCtYi7VUO49?si=0325705c159b4f54

👉 Comic Book Central’s 2016 interview with Allison Mack — recorded before NXIVM collapsed, offering an eerie look at who she was then.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VXZyFrQGrzwHzgU1D1Cih?si=dd94dae2332a493e

20% off all NordStellar Plans (valid until December 10th, 2025)

Link: nordstellar.com/pretend

Coupon code is: blackfriday20

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

2210: The High School Hoax Update Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager. She sat in classrooms, made friends with freshmen, and even joined the girls basketball team. She wore number 32 on her jersey, which also happened to be her real age.

This is the story of Shelby Hewitt, a state social worker who lived a double life. For two years, she convinced students, teachers, and administrators that she was a foster kid with nowhere else to go. She built fake social workers and false backstories to make her cover believable.

When PRETEND first aired this episode, there were more questions than answers. Was Shelby trying to relive her youth? Was she gathering information on the kids she worked with? Or was she doing this just for kicks?

In this replay, you will hear the original story and then get the latest updates. Since the episode first aired, new details have emerged about the extent of her lies and who got caught up in them. We will also examine the criminal charges she is currently facing.

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

The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Breaking news in the stalker case: Rick Fernandez has pleaded guilty to harassment. Instead of facing trial, he admitted responsibility for a new wave of harassment tied to the book he published while awaiting trial on felony charges.

His sentence? 180 days in jail (suspended) along with three years of probation. If Rick contacts the victims directly or indirectly, he risks going to jail and facing new charges.

In this episode, I dig into what this guilty plea really means, and you’ll also hear from Rick’s sister, Olivia Fernandez, who shares her complicated reaction to the news.

The big question is: will Rick finally stop the harassment, or is this just another chapter in a story that refuses to end?

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

2208: The Monster Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences.

In 1964, Winston Moseley stalked and murdered Kitty Genovese. The case became infamous not only for its brutality but also for the silence of neighbors who heard her cries and did nothing. During his trial, Moseley confessed to other killings, including the murder of 15-year-old Barbara Kralik. But another man, Alvin Mitchell, had already confessed to that crime. Two men. Two confessions. One murder.

This episode is not just about Barbara Kralik’s death. It is about Alvin Mitchell, who later reinvented himself as a minister and claimed he was a wrongfully convicted man saved by God. Behind that testimony, his children say Alvin was hiding decades of abuse.

You will hear from Naomi, one of Alvin’s daughters, and Pastor Pete, a prison minister who once worked alongside Alvin. And for the first time, you will hear Alvin himself as I confront him directly.

This is a story about the cost of looking away.

👉 Support independent investigative storytelling. Join PRETEND on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

Fraud Uncovered by Trade Winds

October 01, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/rvcxhpf/lp/3e23dfff-59f6-4be9-82b2-821afd2293b1?mode=preview&source_id=34206647-f2bd-4bc3-9c6a-4f3882a86833&source_type=em&c=

To book Javier Leiva for keynotes, workshops, or speaking events, visit pretendradio.org

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

2208: State of Corruption: Ohio part 2 Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, offered him a $15,000 check. His recordings helped uncover a $63 million bribery scheme that brought down House Speaker Larry Householder.

This is Part Two of State of Corruption from Pretend.

Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO documentary Dark Money Games.
Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with Podcast Pundits

Listening on Spotify?

Scroll down and leave a comment on this episode. Tell me what corruption stories are happening in your state.

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

2207: State of Corruption: Ohio part 1 Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Tyler Fehrman went undercover to bring down the Speaker of the Ohio House. He wore a wire. He met with mentors who turned into suspects. He risked everything.

This is the story of how one political insider helped expose a billion-dollar corruption scheme at the heart of Ohio politics.

Part two will be available on Patreon and PRETEND+ this weekend. Stay tuned

Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO documentary Dark Money Games.

Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with https://podcastpundits.com/
Theme Music: by Thechicken.net

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

The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

If you’re a longtime listener, you probably remember my interview with Joe Pistone, the real Donnie Brasco. But I forgot to ask one important question: Where did the name Donnie Brasco even come from?

Turns out, it wasn’t made up. Donnie Brasco is a real person. He’s Joe Pistone’s nephew. And not just any nephew — an undercover FBI agent who followed in his uncle’s footsteps.

This story blew my mind, and I wouldn’t have known about it if it weren’t for my friend and fellow podcaster Jerri Williams, host of FBI Case File Review. Jerri interviewed both Joe Pistone and the real Donnie Brasco. Yes, both of them.

This might be the FBI’s worst-kept secret, and it’s finally out. This is history being rewritten, and I had to share it with you. So here it is... Part 1 of JerrI’s episode, re-shared with her blessing.

Subscribe to FBI Case File Review: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PG0LHyYjKH7hWTtql3Lfo?si=c55ae6e3d47a4142

Learn more: https://jerriwilliams.com/367-donnie-brasco-following-in-the-footsteps-of-uncle-joe-pistone-part-1/

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

Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18: The 911 Caller Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

A 911 call in Madison County, Arkansas reported what sounded like a violent attack. It should have remained confidential. But when LaDonna Humphrey got involved, that caller’s life was turned upside down.

Now she is caught in a web of harassment, conspiracy theories, and public exposure that puts her safety at risk.

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

Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey part 17 Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

LaDonna Humphrey has spent years trying to overturn a $3.57 million judgment. But in a rare legal move, her right to appeal was sold in bankruptcy court — to the very person she was fighting, Anthony Christopher.

In this episode, you'll hear directly from Anthony Christopher as he reacts to the latest court decision. I also spoke with law professor Joshua M. Silverstein from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Mark Friedman from Arkansas Business, who explained how this type of sale is even possible.

If you want to hear my full bonus conversation with Professor Silverstein, you can find it here:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/posts/yes-person-who-135873336

And if you’re just now joining the story, binge the entire series:
🎧 Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey on Spotify
👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LOnqAGe8D4JQ4bAwjGn9P?si=2a376d2f740443ee

Stick around — next week in Part 18, we dig into new allegations of harassment. This time, the alleged victim is a 911 caller and a key witness to a murder case. You don’t want to miss it.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected