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From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.
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Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and ...
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Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control.
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Two Sisters, Brandi and Sunni discussing real life liars, frauds, fakes and phonies who lie lie lie! New Episodes Weekly.
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202 - The Ultimate Con w/ Guest Javier Leiva
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Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast and Hello April! This week we have a new episode for you. We are joined by guest Javier Leiva of Pretend Podcast. You will enjoy this discussion, we cover topics ranging from Cults to Clown Porn and Ponzi Schemes to Fyre Fest 2. Join us for this great conversation as learn more about Javier and the people pretend who…
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UNLOCKED BONUS EPISODE-Chaos & Control: Navigating Information Overload PT. 1
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I originally released this episode as a Patreon exclusive, but I'm making this episode available to all listeners due to its timely relevance to current events. As our nation experiences unprecedented political turbulence, understanding how to process the constant flow of information becomes more important than ever. In Chaos and Control part 1, I …
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Can you really fake being insane—and get away with it? In this episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system. We explore how some criminals try to game the system, what psychologists look for …
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW-The Dynamics of Consent: Freedom vs. Coercion pt. 1
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This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Rachel dives deep into the complex and often misunderstood topic of consent. With a powerful exploration of how consent can be manipulated, she high…
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In this gripping episode, Rachel welcomes Beth Granger, a courageous survivor of a Christian cult. Beth shares her harrowing journey from being raised in a controlling environment to her eventual escape at the age of 31. Now a teacher, wife, and mother, Beth has dedicated her life to helping others heal from the long-term impacts of religious traum…
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Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda—the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode of PRETEND, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary e…
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The Absurdity of Belief with Jon Atack
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In the latest episode, Rachel had the privilege of speaking once again with Jon Atack, a renowned expert on authoritarian cult groups and the author of several influential books, including "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky." Jon has spent decades studying the psychological mechanisms that underpin cult behavior, and his insights are both…
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Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. When Lindsay first met him, he was charming, successful, and convincing—a financial advisor with all the right answers. What started as a storybook marriage quickly spiraled into a nightmare of man…
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW- Navigating Moral Injury: Healing After Cult Involvement
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This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Rachel addresses the often-overlooked topic of moral injury experienced by ex-cult members. She delves into the psychological, social, and spiritual dis…
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Clearly Lies Are True: Surviving Scientology Pt.2 w/ Pamela Nickel Williams
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In this powerful continuation of Rachel's conversation with Pamela Nickel Williams, the two delve deeper into Pamela's traumatic experiences growing up in Scientology and the complex dynamics of her family relationships. Pamela shares her painful journey of reconciling her childhood memories, including the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of …
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2012: I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions
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After publishing the story of a woman trapped in a marriage with a narcissist, I wasn't sure how it would land. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t end in violence or arrest. But the response was overwhelming. Listeners wrote in to say, “That was me.” Some still carry the trauma years later. Others are just now realizing what they went through was abuse. I…
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Clearly Lies Are True: Surviving Scientology Pt.1 w/ Pamela Nickel Williams
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In this compelling episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with Pamela Nickel Williams, a former member of Scientology and an accomplished educator, to explore her harrowing journey from childhood within the church to becoming a survivor and advocate. Pamela was born into Scientology, with parents who were early followers and worked closely with L. Ron…
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In this episode of PRETEND, we meet “Ashley”—not her real name—who recorded hours of arguments with her husband in an effort to understand what was happening inside her marriage. From the outside, it looked like petty spats over groceries or laundry. But when you hear the audio, you realize this was something darker. Ashley’s husband was emotionall…
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Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast! This week we discuss the dreaded Catfish that gets you for your money. Share this episode with a friend. If you like what you hear come back, subscribe, leave a review. We would really appreciate it. Have a story of Fraud or a Scam you want to share? Email us at [email protected] You can connect with us on…
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It started with a missing breast milk keepsake. But when Cheyna Lee joined an online group of frustrated customers, she uncovered something much bigger—hundreds of victims, stolen mementos, and a scam artist hiding in plain sight. This is the story of Destiny Magoon, a small business owner who promised sentimental jewelry made from ashes, hair, and…
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW-Resisting Cultic Thinking: Strategies for Empowerment
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This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this insightful bonus episode, Rachel delves into the critical topic of resisting cultic thinking. She begins by defining cultic thinking and its impact on individual identity, highlightin…
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Understanding Pathological Manipulation with Dr. Peter Salerno
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In this enlightening episode, Rachel engages with Dr. Peter Salerno, a licensed psychotherapist and trauma-informed educator, to discuss the complex dynamics of pathological relationship abuse and the psychological impact of cultic environments. Drawing from his extensive experience and personal journey, Dr. Salerno sheds light on the characteristi…
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The Art of Pretending: Unmasking Con Artists with Javier Leiva
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In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel welcomes Javier Leiva, a true crime podcaster and storyteller, to explore the intricate world of con artists and cult leaders. With his extensive background in journalism, Javier shares his insights into the psychology of deception and manipulation, drawing from his experiences with notorious fraudsters and…
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Episode Summary: While working on the new season of Pretend, I wanted to bring back an episode from 2018 that’s worth another listen. It’s the story of Art Schlichter, a former Ohio State football star whose gambling addiction wrecked his life—and the lives of others. One of those people was Anita Barney, the widow of a Wendy’s CEO, who lost everyt…
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Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast! Scams are always happening, someone is always trying to get your information to do terrible things with, therfore here is a list of scams that are currently cooking in 2025. If you like what you hear come back, subscribe, leave a review. We would really appreciate it. Have a story of Fraud or a Scam you want to shar…
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Chaos & Control: Navigating Information Overload pt.2
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This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In part two of this insightful Patreon exclusive bonus episode, Rachel dives deeper into the pervasive issue of information overload and its impact on our mental well-being. Building on the…
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In the Shadow of Enlightenment w/Sarito Carroll
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In this captivating episode, Rachel welcomes Sarito Carroll, a former member of the Rajneesh movement, to share her deeply personal journey from childhood within a cult to finding her voice and healing in the outside world. Sarito recounts her experiences growing up in the ashram of Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, detailing the complexities of being a secon…
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n part two of Licensed to Kill, we continue the shocking investigation into doctors who exploit their patients for profit. This episode follows Patty Hester, a fitness instructor who was misdiagnosed with a rare blood cancer and nearly subjected to years of unnecessary chemotherapy—all at the hands of Dr. Farid Fata, a Michigan oncologist who built…
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Liberation & The Aftermath w/Claire Headley
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In this heartfelt episode, Rachel sits down with Claire Headley, a former high-ranking executive in the Church of Scientology, to discuss her journey of healing and recovery after leaving the organization. Claire shares her experiences growing up in Scientology, the emotional toll of disconnection from family, and the challenges of navigating life …
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What if your doctor wasn’t trying to save you, but trying to cash in on you? In this episode of Pretend, we uncover the shocking case of Dr. Thomas Weiner, an oncologist accused of prescribing years of brutal chemotherapy treatments to patients who may not have even had cancer. We follow the story of Scott Warwick, a man who was told he had stage 4…
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Chaos & Control: Navigating Information Overload pt.1
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This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this timely bonus episode, Rachel addresses the overwhelming phenomenon of information overload, a topic that resonates deeply in today's fast-paced and chaotic world. Rachel explores how constant s…
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As Criminal Conduct Season 5 comes to a close, we examine the unanswered questions surrounding Buffalo Jim Barrier’s death. From the missing Rolls Royce to contradictory toxicology reports and Lisa’s elusive story, this episode leaves no stone unturned. Could his death have been staged to look like an accident? Or were key clues deliberately ignore…
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The Line Between Transformation and Exploitation w/Anne Peterson
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In this compelling episode, Rachel welcomes back Anne Peterson, a former leader in the Landmark education movement who has dedicated her life to understanding the complexities of personal development and its potential for exploitation. After two decades of involvement with Landmark, Ann experienced a profound reckoning that led her to question the …
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A group of women, all with eerily similar stories, say they were deceived—emotionally and financially—by the same man: William Sullivan. But instead of staying silent, they took matters into their own hands. They formed Operation Cock Block, a coordinated effort to expose what they claim were Sullivan’s deceptive tactics and warn others before they…
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