Rephonic
Artwork for PRETEND
Dowsing Rods
Quantum Oscillator
Honesty
Mental Health
David Ellisor
Dan Ariely
Forensic Anthropology
Dr. Arpad Vass
Sally
Maury Povich Show
Tanya Fernandez
Rick Fernandez
Christmas
Identity Theft
Research Scandal
Behavioral Economics
Red Collar Crime
Shelby Hewitt
Missing Persons Investigation
William Holbert

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 ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes356Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyTrue Crime

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Artwork for PRETEND

Latest Episodes

My cousin spent 23 years in an Illinois prison for a crime she says she didn't know she was committing. She was 33 when a judge handed down a 60-year sentence. She would have been 93 before she saw the outside again.

This episode is personal.

In "O... more

YouTube

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of nursing home neglect, including accounts of residents found in unsanitary conditions. Listener discretion is advised.

You're about to hear the story of a man who built a nursing home em... more

YouTube

Introducing Season Seven of Nobody Should Believe Me. Andrea revisits the case of Maya Kowalski—the story at the center of the Netflix film Take Care of Maya–and the family’s high-profile lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. What be... more

YouTube

You know that little bottle of 5-Hour Energy sitting on the counter of almost every gas station in America? Someone was faking it. Millions of bottles, mixed by hand in a filthy warehouse by day laborers with no training, no sanitation licenses, and ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Swindled
SwindledA Concerned Citizen

Recent Guests

Geoffrey Potter
Anti-counterfeiting attorney, partner at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler
Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler
Episode: I Beg Your Pardon part 3
Jerry Bush
Owner of a plumbing business and victim in the Braun case
Formerly Wells Fargo borrower, victim in the predatory lending scheme
Episode: I Beg Your Pardon part 1
Kenito Wills
Longtime supporter of the podcast and first-time podcaster
Episode: Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming Part 3
Christine Harnos
Patreon supporter and listener
Episode: Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming part 2
Rebecca Catalfu
A long-time Patreon supporter who participated in psychic readings investigations
Episode: Listener Reaction: Didn't See That Coming Part 1
Scott Warwick
A patient who was treated for cancer he didn't have, allegedly misdiagnosed by Dr. Thomas Weiner.
Episode: 2407-Licensed to Kill Revisited
Dr. Fareed Fata
A physician who misdiagnosed patients for profit, subjecting them to unnecessary chemotherapy.
Episode: 2407-Licensed to Kill Revisited
Matthew Fenner
Victim of the Word of Faith Fellowship and main subject of the episode.
Episode: 2405: The Prophet: Matthew Fenner vs Ted Bell
Bill Petrich
Cancer researcher and individual who has studied people faking cancer.
Episode: 2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2

Host

Javier Leiva
Host of this investigative true crime podcast; a journalist exploring the psychology behind scams and deception.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.2k ratings
  • I greatly like the way M. Leiva dismantles the psychopathic con artist's arguments.

    Podchaser
    5
    Fortore
    a month ago
  • Incredibly biased in his comments about Republicans. Always chasing the monetization.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Jga001
    a month ago
  • Yawn.

    Couldn't help yourself could you? As soon as I saw ICE with some lame pretense I knew it was over for this podcast. So cliche.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    itwasntmesir45
    United States2 months ago
  • Agenda

    Loved Ladonna’s series. Dislike the Pro Abortion propaganda.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LifeWithKaishon
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Podcast!

    Such a great Podcast! Well researched and great stories. You get a pretty good look into the void of human failings but also of the resilience people have to fight their way back to life and happiness. Highly recommend this one.

    👍 from Berlin, Germany.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amanita Caesarea
    Germany3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thorough research and compelling storytelling, often praising the ethical approach to discussing sensitive topics.
The podcast is recognized for engaging with profound themes of manipulation and deceit without victim-shaming, making it a valuable resource for understanding complex human behaviors.
Some feedback indicates that the direction of certain episodes may stray into political issues, resulting in mixed reactions among listeners.
Overall, it is viewed as a strong investigative series that captivates and educates its audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#187
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#191
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#194
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#226
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#159
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#163
Spain/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Pests part 3 & 4 Revisited
Q: What happens on later on this month when, when you have to appear in front of court like what do you expect is going to happen?
We expect we're going to tell our side of the story, which is the only side of the story, by the way.
The Pests part 3 & 4 Revisited
Q: Do you think if Patrick and Nicky just stopped engaging with them, this would go away?
If they had done that more towards the beginning, that would be realistic that the trolls would get bored and move on.
The Pests part 3 & 4 Revisited
Q: How does this end?
It ends with us dead or then in prison, it doesn't end any other way.
Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming part 2
Q: What was your opinions about psychics prior to this?
Christine expresses her skepticism but acknowledges some inexplicable experiences with intuition.
Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming part 2
Q: Can you share that story?
Christine recounts an eerie experience with her children predicting an event concerning their daycare.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About PRETEND

What is PRETEND about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the deceptive underbelly of human interaction, this investigative true crime podcast unveils stories of con artists and their victims, shedding light on the psychological mechanisms of manipulation. Each episode is a gripping tale that details real cases, from financial fraud to emotional scams, emphasizing the complexities of deceit without victim-blaming. Listeners can expect well-researched narratives that blend ethical journalism with engaging storytelling, offering insights into how and why such deceptions occur, while also reflecting on their impact on society. The podcast's unique focus on the human side of fraud and betrayal sets it apart, making it a compelling listen for those interested in the intricacies of trust and d... more

Where can I find podcast stats for PRETEND?

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How many listeners does PRETEND get?

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How many subscribers and views does PRETEND have?

To see how many followers or subscribers PRETEND has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to PRETEND?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PRETEND:

1. Nobody Should Believe Me
2. The Opportunist
3. The Rachel Cancer Scam
4. Scamfluencers
5. Swindled

How many episodes of PRETEND are there?

PRETEND launched 9 years ago and published 356 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact PRETEND?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for PRETEND from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on PRETEND?

Recent guests on PRETEND include:

1. Geoffrey Potter
2. Jerry Bush
3. Kenito Wills
4. Christine Harnos
5. Rebecca Catalfu
6. Scott Warwick
7. Dr. Fareed Fata
8. Matthew Fenner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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