PRETEND
True Story MediaPRETEND 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, an and based in the United States, 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 emoti... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 320 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeTechnology | |||
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Latest Episodes
Alien abductions.
Hundreds of people say it’s happened to them.
They’re not looking for fame or attention.
Some keep it a secret...haunted by memories they can’t explain.
In Day 3 of PRETEND’s Halloween Marathon, we meet Dr. John Mack, a Pulitzer Pr... more
It’s Day 2 of my Halloween Marathon, and today we’re diving into The Haunted Tourist.
I’m joined by Brandon Schexnayder, host of Southern Gothic and Fear Daily—two shows that live and breathe ghost stories. Together, we pull back the curtain on haun... more
Hey, it’s Javier. Quick update: Meghan Walsh, the subject of my Cracks in the Fandom series, has filed copyright complaints on every major platform. As a result, Spotify and Patreon have temporarily taken down the series. My attorneys are already on ... more
Important Update on “Cracks in the Fandom”
Meghan Walsh, the subject of my latest series, filed a copyright infringement claim with all major podcast platforms. As a result, Patreon and Spotify have temporarily removed the episodes pending review.
Th... more
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Reviews
- Offensive political bias
Most of the episodes are interesting but anytime there is political commentary, the egregious liberal bias is overwhelming and ruins the episode. This isn’t journalism, it’s propaganda. Do better.
Apple Podcasts2DC from CW
United States18 days ago - Warning to Pretenders! Javier is looking for you!
This podcast discovers hidden
Pretenders everywhere! With mirth and intensity - I await every episode with presumptive delight!
Apple Podcasts5Cowgirl SlimUnited States24 days ago - Omg this is so weird
Megan wake
Apple Podcasts1AsolareUnited Statesa month ago - Okay narrator, terrible reporter
I've had issues with Pretend for ages, things like Javier consistently getting people's names wrong (including his editor somehow???). I've overlooked a lot because he finds super interesting stories. I even joined the Patreon.
However the episode where he talks about the murder of Kitty Genovese is inexcusable. There has been so much information about how the initial reporting on her murder and the "bystander effect" was blatantly false, but he cited the false reporting in depth with a level o... more
Apple Podcasts1CLH0713United Statesa month ago - Awesome podcast
I discovered this podcast during the Ladonna season (MUST listen) and I was hooked. Time after time my jaw is on the floor listening to the things he uncovers. Javier is smart, a great investigator, and isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. Great storytelling!
Apple Podcasts5YinMnBlueOrchidsUnited Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #109 | United States/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #144 |  Canada/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #159 |  United Kingdom/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #140 |  Australia/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #245 |  Italy/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #83 |  South Africa/True Crime |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About PRETEND
What is PRETEND about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A unique exploration of deception, the content focuses on various individuals who present themselves as someone they are not. Episodes feature engaging narratives about con artists, cult leaders, and undercover agents, all emphasizing the psychological and societal factors behind the act of pretense. Listeners can expect a blend of true crime elements, detailed investigative storytelling, and an examination of the consequences of manipulation in personal relationships and wider societal contexts. The series is known for its compelling, deeply researched storytelling that draws listeners in with emotional depth and authenticity.
Where can I find podcast stats for PRETEND?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PRETEND. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PRETEND and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does PRETEND get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for PRETEND, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for PRETEND?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for PRETEND, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
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. Scamfluencers
4. Swindled
5. Betrayal: Weekly
How many episodes of PRETEND are there?
PRETEND launched 8 years ago and published 320 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.
Where can I see ratings and reviews for PRETEND?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for PRETEND from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for PRETEND?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of PRETEND. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on PRETEND?
Recent guests on PRETEND include:
1. Trey Renee
2. Michelle Ivey
3. Meghan Walsh
4. Olivia Fernandez
5. Naomi Mitchell
6. Joe Pistone
7. Donnie Brasco
8. Tina Snarr
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.