Michael shreds a mean "pretend" guitar. He's also a PRETEND podcast supporter on Patreon. If you want to co-host an episode with me, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon/ Patreon Guest Co-host: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0oxYlBPOTFOYnBfN1JIY2RmOWMyeEFVcVRmZ3xBQ3Jtc0trZmxsVFlSV0ZKY3ptbWxXVUtrUXI3aTRhTUxzc3d1aDV6cHR4RlUtN1dwRmhWc040YTRUdjh2U0hkR0lLcVBiTmhGZFN6c21URWl1bWFzWUp3cXh5THZFSXNVUmowUE9UWWpzOExkWlhUNUFfcUNDRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fpretendradio">https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Michael shreds a mean "pretend" guitar. He's also a PRETEND podcast supporter on Patreon. If you want to co-host an episode with me, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon/ Patreon Guest Co-host: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael shreds a mean "pretend" guitar. He's also a PRETEND podcast supporter on Patreon. If you want to co-host an episode with me, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon/ Patreon Guest Co-host: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0oxYlBPOTFOYnBfN1JIY2RmOWMyeEFVcVRmZ3xBQ3Jtc0trZmxsVFlSV0ZKY3ptbWxXVUtrUXI3aTRhTUxzc3d1aDV6cHR4RlUtN1dwRmhWc040YTRUdjh2U0hkR0lLcVBiTmhGZFN6c21URWl1bWFzWUp3cXh5THZFSXNVUmowUE9UWWpzOExkWlhUNUFfcUNDRQ&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fpretendradio" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Bonus: Michael plays air guitar

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web.

Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons.



PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. 



Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off.



PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. 



© 2025 Creative Babble LLC



[CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

Society & Culture

Technology

True Crime

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2025 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

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