Best Creative Babble Podcasts (2025)

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The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1 37:49

Play Pause

3d ago37:49

37:49

Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe. In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illeg…

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Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato 56:03

4d ago56:03

56:03

On PRETEND, we tell stories about people who build false identities and hide the truth in plain sight. This week, we are featuring a case that fits right into that world. It is the newest season of Dakota Spotlight, titled “Meanwhile in Mankato.” In 1965, an 18-year-old gas station attendant named Ray Dahm was murdered during an overnight shift at …

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2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack 43:23

10d ago43:23

43:23

Smallville's Allison Mack is out of prison, and she's finally talking. What was NXIVM, and how did Allison Mack become a high-ranking member? NXIVM was a self-help organization that sold leadership training and personal development courses. Beneath the surface, it operated as a coercive group led by Keith Raniere, using control tactics like starvat…

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Bonus: The Psychology Behind Parasocial Relationships (Cracks in the Fandom) 28:05

11d ago28:05

28:05

This bonus episode is a chance to step back and make sense of everything that just unfolded in Cracks in the Fandom. If you listened to the series, you saw how an Instagram unfollow spiraled into harassment, infighting, and full-on chaos inside the SVU fandom. This series was petty, confusing , and pretty revealing about how people form attachments…

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The Hypnotist - Alien Abductions 39:56

20d ago39:56

39:56

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 Prize–winning Harvard psychiatrist who risked his reputation to study these so-called abductees. Using …

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Building Teams, Battling Doubt & Owning Your Growth | Casual Babble Episode #64 19:31

21d ago19:31

19:31

In the final installment, Alan reveals how he and his partner bootstrapped their company from zero to six figures and an 18-person team—without outside investment. We discuss delegation, global hiring, and why fear of success can be as paralyzing as fear of failure. The episode closes with Alan’s top three daily habits for growth and mental clarity…

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The Haunted Tourist 1:00:29

21d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

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 haunted tourism: the ghost tours, the myths, and the money that fuels them. From fake cemeteries built fo…

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The Real Vampires 43:00

22d ago43:00

43:00

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 it, and we expect everything to be restored soon. In the meantime, it’s Halloween weekend — so let’s…

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Decoding Greatness — Systems, Consistency & the Path to Mastery | Casual Babble Episode #63 16:30

23d ago16:30

16:30

In Part 2 of our conversation with Alan Lazaros, we shift into the how: What does it take to build real momentum? Alan breaks down the systems he created—drawing on his engineering and MBA background—to study greatness, implement discipline, and build a business (and mindset) that lasts. From 2,000+ podcast episodes to a team of 20+, you’ll get beh…

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2304: Cracks in the Fandom part 4 56:21

24d ago56:21

56:21

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. The good news? You can still listen to the entire series on Apple Podcasts. https://itunes.apple.com/u…

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Casual Babble | Alan Lazaros Teaser 9:05

27d ago9:05

9:05

BC Babbles thanks his listeners, lets you know how you can get more involved with the community and announces the release of the Alan Lazaros Entrepreneur Spotlight Series!By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble Episode #61 | Alleged Debt — The Language of Power, Law, and Control 21:35

28d ago21:35

21:35

In part two of our series with Tommy Kilpatrick, we explore the deeper philosophy behind his argument: that “law is language and language is law.” Tommy breaks down why he insists on calling credit card balances “alleged debt,” and what happens when everyday consumers start paying closer attention to the fine print. 🎧 In this episode: Why language …

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Casual Babble Episode #60 | The $85,000 Awakening - Taking on the Banks 21:38

1M ago21:38

21:38

When a business deal left him buried in $85,000 of credit card debt, Tommy Kilpatrick didn’t declare bankruptcy — he went to court. In this opening episode, Tommy shares the story of how one lawsuit led to an awakening that changed his understanding of credit, law, and the banking system itself. We dive into the emotional toll, the turning point th…

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2303: Cracks in the Fandom part 3 44:53

1M ago44:53

44:53

Cracks in the Fandom — Part 3 (Edited Copyright Cut) PRETEND: Stories about real people pretending to be someone they’re not Michelle Ivey has been painted as the villain. Meghan Walsh calls her a stalker, a criminal, a threat to her life. She’s warned not to contact her. But in this episode, I do just that. I talk to Michelle. And what I find is s…

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2302: Cracks in the Fandom part 2 41:55

1M ago41:55

41:55

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 of Mariska’s adopted daughter. Her story begins with a supposed secret adoption, and spirals into accus…

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Casual Babble Episode #59 | Unlocking Creativity: The Final Product Approach 16:45

1M ago16:45

16:45

By BC Babbles

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2301: Cracks in the Fandom part 1 39:13

2M ago39:13

39:13

By Creative Babble, LLC

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2210: The High School Hoax Update 32:37

2M ago32:37

32:37

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 real age. This is the story of Shelby Hewitt, a state social worker who lived a double life. For two…

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Casual Babble Episode #58 | Integrity, Myths, and Making the Book 37:32

2M ago37:32

37:32

Sales stereotypes, debunked. Bryan explains why the best reps are often invisible, why integrity beats gimmicks, and how to navigate “marketing” roles that turn out to be kiosk cold-pitch gauntlets. We close with the five-year journey behind his book Pitching Sales—impostor syndrome, brutal first drafts, and the editing that turned experience into …

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Casual Babble Episode #57 | Baptism by Fire: The First Year in Sales Ft. Bryan Charleau 15:49

2M ago15:49

15:49

This is the grind behind the highlight reel. Bryan takes us into his first sales job—ringing phones, sky-high turnover, a new hire who quit at lunch—and the athlete’s mindset that kept him in the fight long enough to learn something. Expect hard truths about entry-level sales cultures, what perseverance really looks like, and the small wins that br…

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Casual Babble Episode #56 | Identity After Athletics: Finding Your Next Team ft. Bryan Charleau 20:05

2M ago20:05

20:05

What happens when the jersey comes off and the structure disappears overnight? Former athlete–turned–sales leader Bryan Charleau opens up about the anxiety, uncertainty, and identity shock that follow the end of competitive sports—and why building a new support system is non-negotiable. We dig into naming what you’re actually missing, separating em…

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2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea 12:25

2M ago12:25

12:25

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? 180 days in jail (suspended) along with three years of probation. If Rick contacts the victims direct…

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Casual Babble Episode #55 | The Creative Loop: Ideas, Entrepreneurship, and Culture Feed Each Other 17:51

2M ago17:51

17:51

In this special episode of Casual Babble, I’m introducing a brand-new framework for the show: The Creative Loop. This simple but powerful idea recognizes that creativity fuels entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship shapes culture, and culture sparks the next wave of creativity. We’ll explore: -Why creativity is the spark behind every business venture H…

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2208: The Monster 43:58

2M ago43:58

43:58

Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. In 1964, Winston Moseley stalked and murdered Kitty Genovese. The case became infamous not only for its brutality but also for the silence of neighbors who heard her cries and did nothing. During his trial, Moseley confessed …

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2208: State of Corruption: Ohio part 2 40:37

2M ago40:37

40:37

Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, offered him a $15,000 check. His recordings helped uncover a $63 million bribery scheme that brought down House Speaker Larry Householder. This is Part Two of State of Corruption from Pretend. Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO doc…

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2207: State of Corruption: Ohio part 1 36:45

3M ago36:45

36:45

Tyler Fehrman went undercover to bring down the Speaker of the Ohio House. He wore a wire. He met with mentors who turned into suspects. He risked everything. This is the story of how one political insider helped expose a billion-dollar corruption scheme at the heart of Ohio politics. Part two will be available on Patreon and PRETEND+ this weekend.…

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Casual Babble Episode #54 | Burnout, Algorithms, and the Future of Local Music 10:18

3M ago10:18

10:18

In the final part of my conversation with Allen Halas, we explore the challenges of sustaining momentum in today’s media landscape. Allen opens up about burnout—why it hits him every year and how he’s learned to push through—and reflects on the constant battle to stay visible in a world shaped by algorithms and shifting social platforms. We wrap up…

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Casual Babble Episode #53 | Side Hustles, Celebrity Interviews, and the Art of Balancing Platforms 25:50

3M ago25:50

25:50

Welcome back to part two of my interview with Allen Halas of ⁨@HustlingSideways⁩ . In this episode, we dive into the unique balancing act Allen has mastered—managing his role at OnMilwaukee, running Breaking and Entering, and even hosting a local radio show. Allen shares how he draws clear boundaries between platforms while still letting them overl…

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The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review 1:11:40

3M ago1:11:40

1:11:40

If you’re a longtime listener, you probably remember my interview with Joe Pistone, the real Donnie Brasco. But I forgot to ask one important question: Where did the name Donnie Brasco even come from? Turns out, it wasn’t made up. Donnie Brasco is a real person. He’s Joe Pistone’s nephew. And not just any nephew — an undercover FBI agent who follow…

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Casual Babble Episode #52 | Origins of Breaking and Entering 18:16

3M ago18:16

18:16

Today on Casual Babble, we introduce Allen Halas, an incredible entrepreneur who built a long-running platform that has brought focus and elevation to the underground music scene in Milwaukee, WI. We delve into the origin story of "Breaking and Entering".By BC Babbles

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2205: Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18: The 911 Caller 55:28

3M ago55:28

55:28

A 911 call in Madison County, Arkansas reported what sounded like a violent attack. It should have remained confidential. But when LaDonna Humphrey got involved, that caller’s life was turned upside down. Now she is caught in a web of harassment, conspiracy theories, and public exposure that puts her safety at risk. Learn more about your ad choices…

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2204: Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey part 17 30:08

3M ago30:08

30:08

LaDonna Humphrey has spent years trying to overturn a $3.57 million judgment. But in a rare legal move, her right to appeal was sold in bankruptcy court — to the very person she was fighting, Anthony Christopher. In this episode, you'll hear directly from Anthony Christopher as he reacts to the latest court decision. I also spoke with law professor…

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"Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate Is the Abuser 52:45

4M ago52:45

52:45

This week on PRETEND, we’re bringing you something special: a feed drop from Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast created by author Andrea Dunlop. With over 15 million downloads and a spot on The New York Times' radar as “a rich and harrowing chronicle of the condition,” this show dives deep into one of the mo…

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Casual Babble Episode #Cancel51 | Culture vs. Consequence Culture: Know the Difference 38:42

4M ago38:42

38:42

Following our discussion going viral for the wrong reasons, BC Babbles explores the origins of #cancelculture and compares it to the more objective #consequenceculture and how we tell the difference. Is redemption possible after fall so hard? Follow this week's Entreprneurial Spotlight, Jack Allweil of ⁨@thebrothersonbookspodcast4069⁩ Find our link…

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Casual Babble Episode #50 | Your Brand, Your Problem: The Risk of Going Viral for the Wrong Reasons 39:40

4M ago39:40

39:40

We all saw the viral moment when a Jubilee contestant openly admitted to proudly having beliefs that seemed to have cost him his career. Is it fair if you're personal believe effect your employment? Should he have known better and conducted himself differently? In this episode, BC Babbles the relationship between the individual and the culture of t…

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2203: The Playwright part 3 43:52

4M ago43:52

43:52

Melanie dies. Jayson takes control of her estate. Then he moves in with her mother. Her children are stunned. They suspect something isn’t right, especially as questions about Melanie’s will and health begin to surface. Jayson was the last person caring for her before she passed. Just when we think the story is over, another woman comes forward. We…

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Casual Babble Episode #49 | How to Better Your Business and Be Crisis-Ready 30:40

4M ago30:40

30:40

In this episode, BC Babbles discusses the importance of building certain inter-operational bridges to be ready for business hardships. This is also the third episode featuring Entrepreneur Spotlight, Lisa Franz!By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble Episode #48 | The Importance of Communications in Business 27:57

4M ago27:57

27:57

Today, BC Babbles discusses the importance of consistent internal communications when operations change. Also, this is our second episode featuring Lisa Franz for this weeks Entrepreneur SpotlightBy BC Babbles

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Casual Babble Episode #47 | Are You Taking On Too Much Work 27:49

4M ago27:49

27:49

Today, BC Babbles, discusses the struggles of taking on too much work with the aim of getting one's voice out there and establishing oneself as an entrepreneur. We also have our first ever Entrepreneur Spotlight featuring Health & Wellness coach, Lisa Franz! Enjoy!By BC Babbles

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2202: The Playwright part 2 39:19

4M ago39:19

39:19

In Part 2 of The Playwright, we shift focus to the show at the center of it all: The History of Now. Written and directed by Jason Bartlett, the play was billed as a bold, political drama. It was a plan meant to honor a woman he claimed to love. But former cast members and collaborators started noticing red flags. Was this play ever really meant to…

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2201: The Playwright part 1 43:55

4M ago43:55

43:55

In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Jayson Bartlett and the many women whose lives he upended. Emma was a single mother in England who fell for Bartlett’s charm and artistic persona. At first, everything seemed perfect. But soon, she realized she was being gaslit, lied to, and emotionally manipulated. Then there’s Melanie. She lived in N…

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BONUS: The Digital Trail to Epstein’s Island 13:12

5M ago13:12

13:12

What if your phone could place you at the scene of a crime—years later? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, we uncover how nearly 200 mobile devices that visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island left behind invisible data trails. Using just a free trial from a location data broker, an outsider was able to map those devices back to homes, offices, and…

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Casual Babble #46 | The Importance of Portfolios 22:29

5M ago22:29

22:29

Today, BC Babbles discusses the school assignment that taught him the importance of building your professional portfolio early on.By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble #45 | How I Attracted a $50K Client 23:17

5M ago23:17

23:17

BC Babbles share a story on how he was able to attract a client promising a 5-figure yearly contract with NO money out of pocket. You won't want to miss this.By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble #44 | Let's Discuss AI 29:03

5M ago29:03

29:03

BC Babbles delves into the discussion of AI and makes a point to establish what is potentially the best kind of relationship to have with this new age tool.By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble #43 | The Gig Mindset Part 2 34:25

5M ago34:25

34:25

BC Babbles shares some insights on young trailblazers, how you can support upandcoming entrepreneurs in Charlotte, and the Gig MindsetBy BC Babbles

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The Pale Faced Lie Revisited 44:50

5M ago44:50

44:50

David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice. In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled "The Pale-Faced Lie." It's the story of a father and son entangled in a life of crime. David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was lik…

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Casual Babble #42 | Introducing the Gig Minset 33:29

5M ago33:29

33:29

In this episode, BC Babbles stumbles upon and discusses the "Gig Mindset". A common phenomena within todays employees seeking to find their preferred position in the work place.By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble Episode 41 | Entrepreneur Habits & Strategic Focus with Brittany Duerksen 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

Life and Leadership Coach Brittany Duerksen, formerly Canaski, joins us back in the studio to discuss the challenges of developing productive habits and identifying ways in which you work better.By BC Babbles

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Casual Babble Episode #40 | Business Acquisitions & Contentment 58:10

5M ago58:10

58:10

Meet Drake Gens, Charlotte-based Fractional CFO and owner of FinTeam Business Consulting. Drake and I sit down to discuss the element of finances in the entrepreneurial culture, how he facilitated his first business acquisition at 23, and about finding contentment in your work. You can learn more about his business at https://thefinteam.com/…