Amanda C. Riley– better known as “Scamanda”–is the woman who faked terminal cancer for 9 years, swindling countless kind-hearted supporters out of money and services. 

Nancy Moscatiello is the TV producer and journalist whose dogged investigation ultimately led to Amanda’s arrest and conviction. 

And Nancy tells us all about it in this fascinating interview!

What circumstances led Nancy to create the hit podcast “Scamanda”? How did Nancy come into contact with Cory’s mother, and what did she learn from those communications? What were some behind-the-scenes details that did not emerge in the podcast or docuseries? And what has Nancy discovered about Amanda’s activities in prison?

We discuss all this and more with “Scamanda” creator and TV producer Nancy Moscatiello. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Hey, you guys! In honor of its 40th anniversary, we’re revisiting the beloved 80s adventure classic “The Goonies!”

What experience from Steven Spielberg’s own life inspired the idea for “The Goonies? Where are the cast members now? What elaborate prank did Steven Spielberg and the child actors play on director Chris Columbus? And how do the original cast members feel about the rumored sequel? We discuss all this and more!

If the phrase “Goonies never say die!” still brings a lump to your throat, this podcast is for you. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Known as America’s first ghost story, Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has been adapted by the likes of Disney, Tim Burton, and Scooby Doo.

And just in time for Halloween, we too revisit the timeless classic that turned the Headless Horseman into an American legend.

How did a pandemic play a role in Washington Irving’s creation of the creepy tale? On what real-life men was the character of Ichabod Crane based? Which landmarks mentioned in the ghost story are still standing in Sleepy Hollow today? And was Ichabod really done in by the terrifying Headless Horseman, or was he run off by the jealous Brom Bones? We discuss all this and more!

Off the top of our heads, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate Spooky Season than with this fun podcast on “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!” 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Was it the creepy monsters? The alien abductions? The government conspiracy? The chemistry between Mulder and Scully? What IS it that fans love so much about “The X-Files?” 

All of the above– and we touch on every one of these points in this lively podcast!

What inspired Chris Carter to create the show? In what ways was “The X-Files” groundbreaking? How does Gillian Anderson feel about being associated with ‘The Scully Effect?’ And what was shared by Gillian and David Duchovny on his podcast about the infamous “dysfunction” between the two co-stars? We discuss all this and more.

The truth is out there… 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

On November 24, 2016, a woman who’d been missing for 22 days, Sherri Papini, was spotted by a trucker on the side of the road, wearing chains and screaming for help. Upon examination, the beautiful wife and mother of two was discovered to be emaciated, her body showing signs of terrible abuse, including a brand on one shoulder. 

For years investigators tried to find the kidnappers, two Hispanic women who reportedly took Sherri at gunpoint while she was out for a run. 

But then Sherri’s story started to unravel, raising this question: Instead of a victim, was Sherri Papini actually a ‘Gone Girl’ who’d not only staged her own kidnapping, but also inflicted–or directed– her own torture?

Hostage or hoax? Join us as we unravel the fascinating case of Sherri Papini. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Celebrate good times, come on… It’s a celebration! 🎶🎉

Scandal Water has hit 200 episodes and to mark this momentous event, you’re invited to an awards party!

Which episode would you choose for the “Ugly Duckling Award?” How about “The Oscar Goes to…,”  “Most Intriguing Interview,” or the “You’re Ridonculous” title? 

Join the fun as Candy and Ashley stroll down memory lane by discussing a few early events in the life of the podcast and sharing their picks for these and other (not-so-prestigious) episode awards. The link is in the bio!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

How do you stop a woman who has successfully faked terminal cancer for 9 years and swindled her kind-hearted supporters out of more than $100,000 in online donations alone?

That’s the focus of this Part 2 episode on infamous scammer Amanda C. Riley, better known as Scamanda.

What impact did Amanda’s scam have on some of her victims, including Cory’s ex-wife Aletta? How did Amanda try to block journalist Nancy Moscatiello’s investigation? What did Detective Jose Martinez consider to be the first big break in the case against Amanda? Why did most of her supporters continue to believe and champion Amanda even after receiving notification of the scam? And how was Scamanda finally brought to justice?

Listen (and follow!) on your favorite app or Scandal Water Podcast YouTube channel.

How to support Scandal Water:

To the people who read her blog and attended her church, Amanda C. Riley was a beautiful, young wife and mother who managed to live her life with hope and faith even as she was dying of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

But who was the real Amanda? 

The story of how this beguiling woman deceived and betrayed countless supporters, including many of her closest friends, is so compelling, Charlie Webster’s 2023 “Scamanda” was the most downloaded and shared podcast, world-wide, on Apple that year, since sparking a 2025 Hulu docuseries.

In Part 1 of this fascinating podcast, we first introduce you to the carefully-crafted persona Amanda showed to the world, then take you behind the scenes to meet the real Amanda C. Riley.

Listen (and follow!) on your favorite app or Scandal Water Podcast YouTube channel. 

Thank you to listener Rebekah for her ongoing support on Buymeacoffee.com!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

In the 18th century, the term ‘scandal water’ was coined to refer to tea, as people would often enjoy a juicy bit of gossip as they lingered over their daily cuppa.

As a special treat, each week in August, while Candy and Ashley are on break, they are releasing a minisode, bonus content usually reserved for their friends on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. While the last three episodes have been previously released, this week’s episode is brand new! 

You can also listen (and follow!) the show on your favorite podcast app or the Scandal Water Podcast YouTube channel.

And after listening, if you have a hankering to listen to the rest of the Scandal Water bonus catalog, simply become a member through BuyMeaCoffee or Patreon. You can find the link to both at the website ScandalWaterPodcast.com. 

We hope you enjoy the episode, and we’ll see you next week for the start of Season 5!