PRETEND

Latest Episodes:

"Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate Is the Abuser Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

This week on PRETEND, we’re bringing you something special: a feed drop from Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast created by author Andrea Dunlop.

With over 15 million downloads and a spot on The New York Times' radar as “a rich and harrowing chronicle of the condition,” this show dives deep into one of the most disturbing forms of abuse—Munchausen by Proxy. Told through the voices of survivors and leading experts, Nobody Should Believe Me pulls back the curtain on cases that are as heartbreaking as they are eye-opening.

Season Six unpacks the devastating saga of the McDaniel family—a true Southern Gothic story of generational trauma and medical child abuse that has haunted those involved for decades.

And here’s some exciting news: PRETEND is now part of Andrea Dunlop’s new true crime podcast network, True Story Media. We're proud to be joining forces with storytellers who aren’t afraid to dig into the darkest corners of human behavior.

Listen to Season 6 of Nobody Should Believe Me now:
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OBmfOH5umqm6AHKtBNprg?si=963e00595cd740c0

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

2203: The Playwright part 3 Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Melanie dies. Jayson takes control of her estate. Then he moves in with her mother.

Her children are stunned. They suspect something isn’t right, especially as questions about Melanie’s will and health begin to surface. Jayson was the last person caring for her before she passed.

Just when we think the story is over, another woman comes forward. We’re calling her Julie. She says she was seeing Jayson during this same time.

In this episode, we unravel what really happened after Melanie’s death and why her family is still looking for answers.

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

2202: The Playwright part 2 Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In Part 2 of The Playwright, we shift focus to the show at the center of it all: The History of Now.

Written and directed by Jason Bartlett, the play was billed as a bold, political drama. It was a plan meant to honor a woman he claimed to love. But former cast members and collaborators started noticing red flags. Was this play ever really meant to open? Or was it all just a front?

Was The History of Now a sincere artistic project...or just another performance?

Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy
Theme Music: by Thechicken.net

Episode Credits:

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

2201: The Playwright part 1 Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Jayson Bartlett and the many women whose lives he upended.

Emma was a single mother in England who fell for Bartlett’s charm and artistic persona. At first, everything seemed perfect. But soon, she realized she was being gaslit, lied to, and emotionally manipulated.

Then there’s Melanie. She lived in North Carolina and had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She thought she had found love and a creative partner. Instead, Jayson took control of her finances and disappeared.

Episode Credits:

Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy
Theme Music: by Thechicken.net

🔓 Get Early Access:

Hear the next episode early and unlock bonus content by subscribing to:Pretend Plus on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/pretendradio

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

BONUS: The Digital Trail to Epstein’s Island Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

What if your phone could place you at the scene of a crime—years later?

In this bonus episode of PRETEND, we uncover how nearly 200 mobile devices that visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island left behind invisible data trails. Using just a free trial from a location data broker, an outsider was able to map those devices back to homes, offices, and even gated communities across the U.S.

This episode dives into how mobile advertising IDs—those “anonymous” trackers buried inside your apps—are being used to surveil people without their knowledge. It’s not just Epstein’s guests. Similar tactics were used to target abortion clinic visitors in Wisconsin… and the law hasn’t kept up.

Sources and Further Reading:

WIRED: Location Data From Phones Used to Track Epstein Island Visitors

https://www.wired.com/video/watch/we-tracked-every-visitor-to-epstein-island

Motherboard (VICE): A Data Broker Was Selling Location Data on People Who Visited Abortion Clinics

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/02/meet-abortion-bans-new-best-friend-your-phone/

EPIC.org: Data Broker Helped Anti-Abortion Group Target Planned Parenthood Visitors

https://epic.org/data-broker-helped-anti-abortion-group-target-planned-parenthood-visitors-wyden-letter-reveals/

U.S. Congress: American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Data_Privacy_and_Protection_Act

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

The Pale Faced Lie Revisited Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice.

In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled "The Pale-Faced Lie." It's the story of a father and son entangled in a life of crime.

David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was like growing up with a violent and convicted felon who used the Native American reservation as a refuge to evade his enemies.

This episode is the story of a young boy grappling with his place in the world, torn between his father's influence and his desire for a different path.

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

The Stalker - New Charges part 21 Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Rick Fernandez—yes, the same Rick who thought he’d escaped six felonies—just got slapped with brand-new criminal charges in Phoenix Municipal Court. I flew in a court-runner to watch the hearing, dug through fresh police files, and pieced together how a self-published book and two midnight phone calls may blow up Rick & Tanya’s “clean-slate” diversion deal.

🎧 New to this saga?

Binge the entire 20-part series first: The Stalker — Season 12 playlist on Spotify. Start there, then come right back.

🗂️ Docs & extras

PDF of the new criminal complaint
Snippet from Layers of Attack

All available for Pretend + supporters

🤝 Support the Show

Patreon / Apple Pretend + for early drops, bonus tapes, and deep-dive documents.
Rate & review PRETEND on your favorite app—helps new listeners find the show!

Host / Reporting: Javier Leiva
Court-runner: Tore Lynn
Theme: TheChicken.net

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

2110: Cocaine Air Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air.

Jonathan isn’t just a victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true story of TJ Dominguez, a Cuban-American businessman who got scammed out of $100,000 and decided to take matters into his own hands... by becoming one of the world’s biggest cocaine smugglers for Pablo Escobar.

This story is wild, raw, and straight out of the Miami Vice era—but it's all true. If you're into PRETEND, you’re going to love Cocaine Air.

🎙️ Guest: Johnathan Walton
🔗 Listen to the full series: CocaineAir.com
📚 Preorder Johnathan’s book: Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags of Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves (Out August 19).

Also, listen to Johnathan share his personal scam story for the first time on PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ixMjLTNaxf4ONIuktqq7s?si=e80842100f984067If.

If you liked this episode, text it to a friend who loves true crime. And don’t forget to leave a review for both PRETEND and Cocaine Air. Indie creators like us rely on your support.

—
Created and hosted by Javier Leiva
For more episodes, visit pretendradio.org

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

2109: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 4 Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In part 4 of 'The Internet Saves the Bachelor,' we examine the growing cracks in Laura Owens’ story as her pregnancy timeline collapses under scrutiny.

At one hearing, she claims to be 24 weeks pregnant. In another, she says she miscarried months earlier. The dates keep shifting — July, August, October — and still, no medical provider can confirm that she was ever pregnant.

Clayton Echard’s legal team seizes on the inconsistencies. They ask the court to dismiss the case, arguing it was filed in bad faith. Sanctions, attorney’s fees, and even questions of criminal liability begin to surface.

Sources:

SchnitzelNinja69 on YouTube

Dave Neal

Just Jen & Hay Bales – All the Best Research

Justice for Clayton Wiki

Megan Fox on YouTube

Credits:

Written by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames

Hosted by: Javier Leiva

Music: thechicken.net

Produced by: Creative Babble

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

2108: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 3 May 28, 2025

Show notes

In Part 3 of The Internet Saves the Bachelor, the truth—or at least, what remains of it—is put on trial.

Laura Owens takes the stand. Under oath, she admits to altering the ultrasound she submitted as evidence. Her pregnancy timeline, once shaky, now completely collapses under cross-examination. The judge wants answers. The internet sleuths want accountability. And Clayton Echard? He just wants this nightmare to end.

Part 4 is available right now on Patreon and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Sources:

SchnitzelNinja69 on YouTube

Dave Neal - https://www.youtube.com/@DaveNealComedian

Just Jen & Hay Bales with https://allthebestresearch.com/

Justice for Clayton - https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Megan Fox - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9XP_Ax4_vTi1IqSSRD9ORQ

Credits

Written by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames

Hosted by: Javier Leiva

Music by thechicken.net

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