This week's episode delves into the intricate details surrounding Beata Kowalski's death, which was central to the Kowalski's lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's, as well as the documentary 'Take Care of Maya'. In court, Beata's death was presented as an act of maternal sacrifice and heroism. Through interviews and court deposition excerpts, we'll explore the odd circumstances leading up to and immediately after Beata's death that suggest a far more complex story might lie beneath the surface.

* * *

Get up to speed on the Kowalski case with our Kowalski Catch-Up Playlist on Spotify

Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy.

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening helps us keep making the show!

Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

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

Introducing Introducing: The Fraud Files - The Rise & Fall of Dawn J. Bennett from The Fraud Files.

Follow the show: The Fraud Files

The Fraud Files, by FloQast Studios, is a true financial crime podcast, that takes on the form of an narrative “audio-movie” in the way it tells a story through assorted voice actor characters and sound design. The first season is 6 episodes long, and takes listeners through the fascinating and bizarre career journey of Dawn J. Bennett, who was an American financial advisor that turned into a fraud criminal at the highest of levels, and used uncanny methods to preserve her brand image and keep her clients money in her possession. The story teaches listeners about how fraud like this is committed, and is a lesson in ethics, due-diligence, and professional skepticism best practices.

Hosted by Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, CPA, all podcast podcast episodes are eligible for CPE credit to listeners on www.FloQademy.com starting May 2, 2024. For more information about the show, check out www.fraudfilespod.com 

--
SEASON 1 of The Fraud Files

The Fraud Files delves into the captivating world of white-collar crime… but with a twist. In Season 1 of The Fraud Files, we explore the saga of a renowned financial advisor whose entire empire was built on deception. It’s one thing to be swindling clients' money to use for personal luxuries… but it’s a whole other side of fraud to be using the money on magical spells. Through a unique blend of forensic accounting, vivid storytelling, and rich sound design, we uncover the intricate lies that propelled Dawn J. Bennett's professional and personal life—all in one captivating movie for your ears.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

As we prepare to launch Season Four next month, we’re revisiting the subject of Season Three—the landmark Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s verdict, in which a jury awarded Jack Kowalski more than $200 million dollars in damages following the suicide of his wife Beata while their daughter Maya Kowalski was in state custody because a medical child abuse investigation. Though the media has been largely sympathetic to Kowalski’s case—thanks in large part to the popular Netflix film “Take Care of Maya”—our exploration continues to reveal that nothing about this story is what is seems.

With the case headed towards appeal, we take a closer look at newly released information about what was going on with the Kowalski family, as well as how this verdict is affecting mandatory reporting and the safety of children in pediatric hospitals all around the country.

* * *

Get up to speed on the Kowalski case with our Kowalski Catch-Up Playlist on Spotify

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content.

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

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

Introducing Episode #1: How NOT To Get Away With Fraud from The Fraud Files.

Follow the show: The Fraud Files

Earn CPE Credit For This Podcast by listening here: https://bit.ly/3JFIQUz

Enter our free Fraud Files Launch Giveaway where we will be giving over $4K of free prizes during our release week: https://www.fraudfilespod.com/p/giveaway/
--
In Episode 1 of The Fraud Files, listeners enter a forensic accounting classroom as instructor Kelly Richmond Pope, PhD in Accounting, Fraud Expert, and Author, begins to tell us about the story of financial advisor Dawn J. Bennett, in how she began her advisory business, and the tactics she used to get new clients on board. We also hear about how the timing of her business development, during the 2008 recession, impacted how she used narratives to maintain her brand during these difficult times in the investment world.

Head over to https://www.fraudfilespod.com/p/credits/ for a list of credits.

Follow FloQast Studios

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floqaststudios/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FloQastStudios
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/floqaststudios 
• Watch Seasons 1 & 2 of PBC here: https://bit.ly/4b0oH7Y

The Fraud Files, by FloQast Studios, is a true financial crime podcast, that takes on the form of a narrative “audio-movie” in the way it tells a story through assorted voice actor characters and sound design. The first season is 6 episodes long, and takes listeners through the fascinating and bizarre career journey of Dawn J. Bennett, who was an American financial advisor that turned into a fraud criminal at the highest of levels, and used uncanny methods to preserve her brand image and keep her clients money in her possession. The story teaches listeners about how fraud like this is committed, and is a lesson in ethics, due-diligence, and professional skepticism best practices.

The Fraud Files is a FloQast Studios production, produced on behalf of FloQast inc. and FloQademy.

You can find more of our work, such as the workplace comedy series, PBC, at  FloQast Studios, and if you’re looking for more ways to earn CPE, you’ll find a wide variety of engaging formats and topics across the library of courses we’ve produced by heading to floqademy.com

--
SEASON 1 of The Fraud Files

The Fraud Files delves into the captivating world of white-collar crime… but with a twist. In Season 1 of The Fraud Files, we explore the saga of a renowned financial advisor whose entire empire was built on deception. It’s one thing to be swindling clients' money to use for personal luxuries… but it’s a whole other side of fraud to be using the money on magical spells. Through a unique blend of forensic accounting, vivid storytelling, and rich sound design, we uncover the intricate lies that propelled Dawn J. Bennett's professional and personal life—all in one captivating movie for your ears.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

On this week's episode, Andrea is joined by Roberta Blevins, creator and host of the Life After MLM podcast, and Terra Newell, who was featured in mega-hit Dirty John podcast and has since created and hosts Terra's Baddy Club. The audience gets to listen in as these three women talk about about the pros and cons of having a personal connection to the topics of their podcasts, how that affects their coverage of the topic, and the intersection between Munchausen by proxy, MLMs, and domestic violence. *Special thanks for Spotify, who provided recording support for this episode!

* * *

Listen to Life After MLM.

Follow Roberta on Instagram.

Listen to Dirty John.

Listen to Terra's Baddy Club.

Follow Terra on Instagram.

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

To learn more about Dr. Marc Feldman, visit Munchausen.com

* * *

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

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

Listen to an episode we're releasing from our subscriber vault -- Andrea's full conversation with Hope Ybarra, whose story we've been revisiting in our look back at season one of the show. This conversation gives listeners a peek into the mind of a perpetrator and inspired the name of the show "Nobody Should Believe Me".

* * *

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

To learn more about Dr. Marc Feldman, visit Munchausen.com

* * *

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

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

In the final episode of our look back at season one, Andrea reflects on her experience interviewing Hope Ybarra, how it impacted her in regards to her sister, and audience reactions to the conversation.

* * *

Andrea has made an intense connection with Hope Ybarra's family, and asked experts, doctors, and the detective so many of her burning questions about Munchausen by Proxy. But she's become increasingly fixated on talking to Hope herself as she comes to realize that it may be her only chance to get the insights she needs. In this stunning season one finale, Andrea travels to Mountain Home, Idaho, to meet with Hope Ybarra.

In this intense, emotional back-and-forth, we hear straight from Hope what life is like for her after being released from prison. We find out what she's up to and what she hopes for from the future. Hope listens to her own family—all of whom she's estranged from with the exception of Robin—talk about what she was like before everything fell apart. She insists that she still loves her children, despite what she did. We see the human being behind the monstrous acts that splashed Hope's story across headlines and landed her in prison for a decade.

Andrea asks Hope what might have been done to help her and what she might say to her younger self if she could go back. Finally, she tells Hope that if she really wants her family back, she should get treatment and offers to help her if she wants that.

Hope is friendly and warm in person, but Andrea is left with the unsettling truth that she hasn't changed.

* * *

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

To learn more about Dr. Marc Feldman, visit Munchausen.com

* * *

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

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

After a look back at season 1 episode 7, Can They Be Saved?, Andrea reflects on how her thoughts regarding the psychopathology of Munchausen by Proxy has evolved over the years, as she has spoken to experts, survivors, and perpetrators of this abuse.

* * *

Andrea delves deep into her questions around the psychopathology of Munchausen by Proxy perpetrators. Floored by the similarities in the many cases she’s researched, she talks to two of the world's foremost experts on the disorder—Dr. Marc Feldman and Dr. Mary Sanders—about the characteristics, warning signs, and causes of the disorder that has upended the lives of so many people Andrea has spoken to throughout the course of the podcast. Why would a mother ever do this? What do they get from it? And most importantly, what could be done to stop them? Is it possible for someone who does these things to get treatment?

* * *

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andredunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

To learn more about Dr. Marc Feldman, visit Munchausen.com

* * *

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

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

During this look back at the 6th episode of our first season, we hear the story of twin sisters who survived Munchausen by Proxy at the hands of their foster mother. At the end of the episode, we get a visit from very special guest, Erica Blake (then Handt), one of the sisters we interviewed almost 3 years ago. Andrea reconnects with her to chat about life since that interview.

***

As Andrea contemplates what the future looks like for survivors of Munchausen by Proxy, she gets an unexpected message from two young women who’ve lived it. After appearing with Marc Feldman on a podcast, Andrea hears from twin-sisters who survived MBP.

Liz and Erica Handt were taken from one terrifying situation to another when the foster mom who adopted them turns out to be abusive, telling the girls they had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and dragging them from specialist to specialist. The twins' story is harrowing but ultimately hopeful as they're now thriving.

* * *

Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andredunlop

Buy Andrea's books here.

To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content.

For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here.

To learn more about Dr. Marc Feldman, visit Munchausen.com

* * *

Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you’re listening and helps us keep making the show!

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