PRETEND

By Creative Babble, LLCSociety & Culture Technology True Crime

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12th
on Technology
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Typical duration
38 min
per episode
If it hooks
62%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

PRETEND episodes

July 11, 2017 S105: Birth of a Con Man Part 2 - Opioid epidemic
Previously on Pretend Radio we witnessed the birth of a con man.Erik Torres started his criminal career as a street thug and worked his way up to car insurance scam artist.Here’s how how it works. Erik stages car accidents then the driver goes to his medical clinic and takes out a $10,000 personal injury claim. He made killing scamming thousands from car insurance companies.

Surprise, surprise… he got caught and was facing some serious jail time.

He could have easily walked away from without going to prison. All he had to do was rat out the guy running the medical clinic.

So why didn’t he do it? Why didn’t he cooperate with authorities and turn in the owner of the fake medical clinic?

Erik Torres: "I remember I went to jail and I ended up going to court. And the prosecutor was like, “Hey man, you don’t want to talk on your guy.” And I said, “I have nothing to talk to you about this guy.” You want to go to jail and stay in good terms with people because when you come back, you’ll need them.'

So, who is this guy? The owner of the clinic? His name is Dixan Barcelo-Castro.

The moment Erik set foot outside out of prison, Dixan Barcelo had a job lined up for him. You see, the whole time Erik was doing time in jail, covering for him, Dixan was operating another medical clinic. This time a pain management clinic.

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20 min
June 29, 2017 S104: Birth of a Con Man Part 1
Imagine, you’re driving on the road when suddenly a beat-down car full of passengers pulls into the lane right in front of you. Then, suddenly, the driver slams on the brakes. You look up at your rear view mirror, but it’s too late, you’re in a three-way accident. But no one should be hurt. It was a minor fender bender, right? Wrong. All eight passengers stumble out of both cars holding their necks and rolling around on the ground. The police officer shows up and incredulously writes up an accident report. In part one of the Birth of a Con Man, hear how Erik Torres became a career criminal, a con-man. He started scamming auto insurance companies, then the con got bigger and more elaborate. You see, that’s how it works. Once a con man gets away with it once, they have to do it again. But the next time, the con is bigger and more complex. Subscribe now: Apple Podcasts: tiny.cc/PretendApplePodcast Google Play: tiny.cc/PretendGooglePlay Stitcher: tiny.cc/PretendStitcher Also, make sure to sign up for our newsletter at pretendradio.org. We promise not to pester.

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24 min
June 22, 2017 S103: The Prophet Part 3 - Word of Faith Fellowship
In the Prophet part 3, we’ll look at the Word of Faith Fellowship from a completely different lens. We’ll hear from current sect members and get their version of the story. Plus, you'll hear the latest on trial against five ministers accused of beating and kidnapping Michael Fenner. If you enjoy the show, consider donating a dollar: https://patreon.com/user?u=5971503&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare2 Follow us on: Twitter: @pretend_radio Facebook: www.facebook.com/PretendRadioPodcast

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22 min
June 20, 2017 S102: The Prophet Part 2 - Word of Faith Fellowship
John Cooper remembers one of the Word of Faith Fellowship ministers commanding him to beat his wife. He also describes his family’s attempt to what he describes as a cult. Then it finally happened. John escaped. We’ll listen to secret recordings of pastor Jane Whaley trying to lure him back.

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24 min
June 06, 2017 S101: The Prophet Part 1 - Word of Faith Fellowship
///UPDATE///

Start with Season 3, episode 1. After covering this cult, I was personally invited by the cult leader to spend the day with her. You won't want to miss it.

///UPDATE///

The Prophet part 1 explores The Word of Faith Fellowship. You will hear about the accused cult leader, Pastor Jane Whaley, who many inside the sect believe is a prophet with direct communication with God. John Cooper describes the day 20 to 30 sect members surrounded and attacked him. He also shares secret recordings of Pastor Jane Whaley commanding someone to throw someone down to the ground. Plus, you’ll hear “blasting prayers” — ear-piercing crying sessions meant to cast out demons.

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25 min
June 04, 2017 PRETEND Podcast Trailer
PRETEND is a documentary-style podcast about con artists and real people pretending to be someone else.
Javier Leiva interviews real con artists, snake oil salesmen, and former cult members–anyone living a lie.

PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, and New York Magazine. In 2018, Vulture named PRETEND one of the top 52 True Crime podcasts in the U.S.

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2 min