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

From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes317Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyTrue Crime

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Artwork for PRETEND

Latest Episodes

Meghan Walsh says she is being stalked by three people. One of them is Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay. Sounds impossible, right?

But she’s not the only one saying it.

In this episode, we meet Lauren. She claims to be the biological mother o... more

🎧 NEW SERIES: “Cracks in the Fandom”

What would you do if you thought your favorite celebrity was stalking you?

That’s exactly what Meghan Walsh claims. She says she’s being harassed by not one, not two—but three stalkers. And one of them? Is Mari... more

YouTube

A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager. She sat in classrooms, made friends with freshmen, and even joined the girls basketball team. She wore number 32 on her jersey, which also happened to be her ... more

YouTube

Breaking news in the stalker case: Rick Fernandez has pleaded guilty to harassment. Instead of facing trial, he admitted responsibility for a new wave of harassment tied to the book he published while awaiting trial on felony charges.

His sentence? ... 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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Recent Guests

Olivia Fernandez
Rick Fernandez's sister who provides insight on his guilty plea
Episode: 2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea
Naomi Mitchell
One of Alvin Mitchell's daughters, who has accused him of sexual abuse.
Episode: 2208: The Monster
Joe Pistone
Former undercover FBI agent, known for infiltrating the Mafia using the alias Donnie Brasco
FBI
Episode: The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
Donnie Brasco
Nephew of Joe Pistone, FBI agent sharing insights into life with the family name and joining law enforcement
FBI
Episode: The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
Tina Snarr
Blogger and commentator on local crimes
Episode: 2205: Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18: The 911 Caller
Andrea Dunlop
Indie podcaster and host of Nobody Should Believe Me, focusing on true crime
True Story Media
Episode: "Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate Is the Abuser
David Crow
Author of the memoir 'The Pale-Faced Lie' recounting his upbringing as his father's criminal accomplice.
Episode: The Pale Faced Lie Revisited
TJ Dominguez
A former cocaine smuggler who tells his story of transformation after being a victim of a con artist.
Episode: 2110: Cocaine Air
Jonathan Walton
Podcast producer and former victim of a con artist who tells remarkable stories about con artists.
Cocaine Air
Episode: 2110: Cocaine Air

Host

Javier Leiva
Host and producer known for his engaging storytelling and journalistic approach, passionately uncovering truths behind con artists, cult leaders, and deception in society.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5k ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    YinMnBlueOrchids
    United States20 days ago
  • The Stalker

    Love how the story unfolds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    praxis78
    United States21 days 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 Podcasts
    1
    CLH0713
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fantastic

    I love this podcast. Javier is so likable and his reporting is very interesting and entertaining. Highly recommend

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mary ann with no e
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of the best investigative podcasts

    Great production quality, the stories are absolutely wild, and Javier presents them so well. Absolutely stellar journalism.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CandyCanerWithABeautifulBrainer
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The thorough research and journalistic integrity resonate with audiences, establishing the show as a go-to for those interested in true crime.
Reviews indicate that listeners appreciate the emotional depth and relatability of personal stories, making the topics more compelling.
Overall, the podcast has developed a loyal following, characterized by passionate appreciation for its investigative depth and entertainment value.
Listeners rave about the engaging storytelling and transformative narratives that combine heart and humor with serious themes.
Some critical feedback points to discomfort with specific interview approaches, indicating a need for sensitivity in storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#170
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#148
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#43
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#87
Japan/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2210: The High School Hoax Update
Q: How did she pull this off?
She created fake identities, used forged documents, and manipulated the school system for over two years without being caught.
2210: The High School Hoax Update
Q: Why did she do it?
Shelby might have had motivations related to her history or to gather information on her social work cases, but those reasons are still not fully understood.
2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea
Q: What was your reaction to the news yesterday?
I'm just really happy about it. I wish it would have been jail, of course, and I wish it would have been Tanya.
The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
Q: How did your relationship with Joe influence your career path?
I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become an FBI agent myself.
The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
Q: What did you find out about your uncle and the name Donnie Brasco?
It was used as his alias during undercover operations and it was based on my name.

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?

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. The Binge Cases: Where is Daniel Morcombe?

How many episodes of PRETEND are there?

PRETEND launched 8 years ago and published 317 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. Olivia Fernandez
2. Naomi Mitchell
3. Joe Pistone
4. Donnie Brasco
5. Tina Snarr
6. Andrea Dunlop
7. David Crow
8. TJ Dominguez

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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