What happens when the person you believe is the love of your life turns out to be a professional con artist?

In this episode of We the Sunlight, Jill Stoddard talks with Heather Rovet., a successful real estate agent and designer whose relationship with Jace Perretti unraveled into a shocking story of romance fraud, deception, identity fraud, financial abuse, and betrayal.

Heather thought she had finally met “the one.” But as their relationship progressed, small inconsistencies began to surface: stories about his education and career that didn't quite add up, unexplained financial problems, a dating profile that appeared while they were living together, and increasingly elaborate explanations for why things weren't what they seemed.

Eventually, Heather discovered that Jace Perretti wasn't even his real name. His true identity was Jason Porter, a convicted fraudster who had previously served time in federal prison for defrauding women he met online.

What followed was a painstaking investigation into the man Heather thought she knew—including fake identities, dating profiles, stolen property, financial deception, fabricated stories about his family and career, and connections to other victims.

But this episode isn't only about romance scams and online dating fraud. It's also about what happens psychologically when someone you love systematically deceives you—and the complicated decision to speak publicly when shame, fear, career consequences, and safety are all on the line.

After Heather went public with her story, other victims began reaching out. Her experience ultimately became the subject of the documentary Rom Con and helped connect her with other women who had experienced similar forms of betrayal.

Heather shares what she learned about red flags in abusive relationships, trusting your instincts, betrayal trauma, victim shame, finding your voice, and reclaiming your power after deception. She also explains why she has no regrets about telling her story—and why she believes that bringing darkness into the light can help protect others.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How romance scammers build trust and emotional intimacy
• The warning signs Heather initially overlooked
• How manipulation can make seemingly obvious red flags difficult to recognize
• The connection between romance fraud and financial abuse
• What happened when Heather discovered her partner's secret dating profiles
• The shocking discovery of Jace Perretti's true identity as Jason Porter
• How Heather uncovered evidence of years of deception
• Why victims of scams and abuse often experience shame and self-blame
• What happened when Heather went to the police
• The importance of safety when deciding whether to speak up
• How connecting with other victims helped Heather heal
• Why telling her story helped Heather reclaim her voice and power
• The documentary Rom Con and what happened after Heather went public
• What Heather would say to someone who is afraid to speak their truth
• Why “standing in your light” can be an act of resistance

Heather's story is a powerful reminder that being deceived does not mean you're stupid, gullible, or to blame. Manipulation works precisely because it is designed to exploit trust, connection, and our desire to believe the people we love.

And sometimes, bringing the truth into the light isn't just about telling your own story. It can be about giving someone else the information they need to recognize theirs.

Content note: This episode discusses romance fraud, financial abuse, deception, sexual and emotional manipulation, stalking/intimidation, and the aftermath of an abusive relationship.

Learn more about Heather and her story at heatherrovet.com, and watch Rom Con on Prime Video.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a romance scam, remember: you are not alone, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

We the Sunlight is hosted by Jill Stoddard, a clinical psychologist, author, and truth teller exploring what happens when ordinary people decide to speak up about extraordinary circumstances.

Truth illuminates. Stories heal.

Want to share your story? Email [email protected].

Brandon Wolf shines a light on the Pulse nightclub shooting, gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and the power of speaking up after unimaginable loss.

On June 12, 2016, Brandon Wolf went to Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, with his best friend Drew and Drew’s partner, Juan. What began as an ordinary night out at a place where Brandon felt safe to be fully himself became one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

Brandon survived. Drew and Juan did not.

In the years since the Pulse nightclub shooting, Brandon has transformed his grief into activism. Today, he is a nationally recognized civil rights and gun safety advocate, the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, and the author of A Place for Us, a memoir about finding belonging, chosen family, and a place in the world.

In this deeply moving conversation, Brandon shares what it was like to survive the Pulse shooting, lose two of the people he loved most, and find a way forward without allowing violence to take away his joy.

We talk about:

• Growing up biracial and gay in a community where Brandon often felt like an outsider
• Losing his mother to cancer as a child and how she became his first ally
• The painful experience of being outed as gay in high school
• Moving across the country to Orlando and discovering chosen family and a sense of belonging
• His friendship with Drew, the clinical psychologist whose legacy continues to shape Brandon’s life
• What happened inside Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016
• Surviving a mass shooting and escaping the Pulse nightclub
• The devastating loss of Drew and Juan
• How trauma, grief, and survivor's guilt can change a person
• Why Brandon refused to let the Pulse shooting take away his ability to experience joy
• Turning personal tragedy into gun violence prevention and LGBTQ+ activism
• His work with Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign
• Testifying before the U.S. Congress
• The personal costs of speaking publicly, including harassment, lies, and death threats
• Why sharing your story can be both painful and healing
• Post-traumatic growth and turning pain into purpose
• The power of storytelling to change minds rather than trying to convince people to change
• Repairing his relationship with his father
• The importance of finding your people and building chosen family
• What Brandon wishes he had understood earlier about owning his power
• His advice for anyone considering whether to speak up and tell their story
• Why every one of us has the power to be a lifeline for someone who feels alone

Brandon's story is ultimately about much more than surviving a mass shooting. It is about refusing to let hatred, fear, or violence define the rest of your life. It is about the courage to be seen, the importance of community, and the possibility of transforming grief into purpose.

As Brandon says, the moral arc of the universe doesn't bend toward justice by accident. It bends because we make it.
If you or someone you know is struggling

This episode contains detailed discussion of gun violence, mass shooting trauma, death, and grief. Please take care while listening.

If this episode brings up difficult feelings, consider reaching out to someone you trust or a qualified mental health professional.

Connect with We the Sunlight

We the Sunlight is a podcast about the brave act of speaking up in a culture that too often rewards silence. Each episode explores what happens when people tell the truth, challenge silence, and use their voices to create change.

If you have a story you'd like to share, email [email protected].

Truth illuminates. Stories heal.

What happens when you risk everything to tell the truth?
We, The Sunlight is a true-crime podcast about the brave act of coming forward. From whistleblowers to victims, to those intimately connected to people who’ve caused harm, our guests share raw, personal stories of speaking up and speaking out—why they came forward, what it cost them, and how radical transparency became part of their healing.
Hosted by psychologist and author Dr. Jill Stoddard