The 5 Best Pretend - a true crime podcast about con artists Podcast Episodes
1) S1201: The Stalker part 1
Couple terrorized by a sadistic cyber stalker for years For more than three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez (not their real names) have been the targets of a sadistic cyber stalker. Despite their a...Show More
2) S503: The Cousins part 1
This is not your typical internet stalker story. Susan Fensten's tale is one of torture, rape, bondage, cannibalism, and murder. It’s just plain cruel. It all started when Susan began looking for d...Show More
3) From Death of an Artist: Ana Mendieta and Carl Andre
Here’s a preview from a new podcast, Death of the Artist, that explores a tragedy in the art world. For more than 35 years, accusations of murder shrouded one of the art world’s most storied couples: ...Show More
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.4) S1101: The Real Catch Me If You Can part 1
This might be my favorite PRETEND series of all time. Remember the movie Catch Me If You Can? Most people believe the film is based on a true story. But, did you know it's mostly made up? I spent the...Show More
5) S510: The Joe Schmo Show
The Joe Schmo Show is a real-life Truman Show—where everyone is an actor except one unsuspecting guy. It’s a reality show within a reality show. The series everyone watched on SPIKE TV was called The...Show More
6) Listener Reaction: The Cancer Sympathy Machine (BONUS)
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 tre...Show More
7) 2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2
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 Ca...Show More
8) The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
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...Show More
9) Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato
On PRETEND, we tell stories about people who build false identities and hide the truth in plain sight. This week, we are featuring a case that fits right into that world. It is the newest season of Da...Show More
10) 2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack
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 tr...Show More