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
Dishonesty
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 weeklyEpisodes344Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for PRETEND

Latest Episodes

Hey guys, it's Javier here with a new recommendation! I've come across a true crime podcast that I just had to share with you all. It's called 'Everything They Missed' and it's hosted by Stephanie Tinsley. This podcast dives deep into the possible wr... more

YouTube

Criminals have been impersonating ICE agents, using fake badges to rape, rob, kidnap, and terrorize communities across America. These imposters have conducted workplace raids, street stops, and home invasions.

They wear tactical gear, drive unmarked... more

YouTube

Patreon supporter Kenito Wills joins Javier to break down the finale of the "Didn't See It Coming" series.

They talk through Susanne Wilson calling off the reading at the last minute. Did she know it was a sting? Did she just have a bad feeling? Jav... more

YouTube

The sting is set. The bait is in place. Six skeptics are logged into a Zoom call, pretending to be grieving siblings. They've paid $1,400 for a private reading with a medium Susan Gerbic believes is a hot reader. Months of planning have led to this m... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Nobody Should Believe Me
Nobody Should Believe MeTrue Story Media
The Opportunist
The OpportunistPodcastOne
Betrayal Season 5
Betrayal Season 5iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
Infamous
InfamousCampside Media / Sony Music Entertainment

Recent Guests

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
Elizabeth Tekkenbrock
Individual who faked cancer and has faced public scrutiny.
Episode: 2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2
Trey Renee
Host of the podcast Two Mean Blondes, follows Meghan Walsh's claims online.
Two Mean Blondes
Episode: 2303: Cracks in the Fandom part 3

Host

Javier Leiva
Host and creator, known for compelling storytelling and ethical journalism, focusing on real-life cases of deception and fraud.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.2k ratings
  • Operation “Banana Cream Pie” Reveal.

    So disappointing. That cliffhanger hanger was really lame. Come on Javier….

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nddhdjjsjd
    United States14 days ago
  • You’ll LOVE This Show!

    I especially love the long and winding series that feature lots of audio from the people involved in the stories. Javier’s communication with the subjects of his investigations are part of what really sets this podcast apart. The Stalker and the Ladonna episodes are must-listens! I hope they come up with more series like these soon! Update to say that Cracks in the Fandom was a wildly interesting listen, as well!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    haleyaj
    United States16 days ago
  • Psychics and Mediums

    Eye Opener! I believe some people Do Have Psychic Abilities, but to learn now a days with social media and being able to look up people and find out anything we want to know about anyone -takes away the accuracy of cold readings, and makes it much easier for the Psychic/ Medium,to PRETEND to be something their NOT. They are preying on the vulnerability of people who have lost someone or something near and dear to their hearts. Thank You for this educational podcast on Pretenders in our midst, an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J3d1Mab3L
    United States19 days ago
  • Love it

    This is a great podcast with interesting stories and perspective. I am often surprised by the interviews he gets access to. I loved the Word of Life coverage.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hbme8
    United Statesa month ago
  • I've only listened to The Stalker. It was a really interesting case, but I found it extremely repetitive. I thought the medical child abuse became obvious very quickly but the reveal was drawn out.

    Podchaser
    3
    Abby
    a month ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the production quality and compelling narratives are highly regarded, with many expressing enjoyment and eagerness for new episodes.
There are mentions of the host's strong investigative skills, making complex stories accessible and engaging.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the unique approach to exploring deception and manipulation in society.
Some criticism exists regarding perceived political bias in certain discussions within episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#161
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#194
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#202
Germany/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#144
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#147
South Africa/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming Part 3
Q: How did you discover Pretend and what draws you to this topic?
Kenito shares that he can't recall how he found the podcast, but mentions that the first episode he listened to was about an FBI agent named Mark, who was involved in true crime.
2502: Didn't See It Coming (Part 2)
Q: What are the ethics behind charging for psychic readings?
Javier emphasizes it's not illegal to research clients online, but it poses an ethical dilemma, especially when grieving families are involved.
2502: Didn't See It Coming (Part 2)
Q: What is the significance of hot and cold readings?
Hot readings involve prior knowledge obtained through research, while cold readings are improvised without specific prior knowledge.

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?

This podcast presents a gripping exploration of deception and fraud, focusing on the lives of con artists and the victims they ensnare. Each episode investigates real-life cases that reveal the intricacies of human psychology behind lies, manipulation, and scams, ranging from elaborate financial frauds to emotional cons. With a commitment to ethical journalism, the host guides listeners through engaging narratives that reveal how deception affects individuals and society, without placing blame on those deceived. The storytelling is likely to intrigue true crime enthusiasts and those interested in understanding the mechanics of trust and betrayal in everyday life, making it a compelling listen.

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. Betrayal Season 5
5. Infamous

How many episodes of PRETEND are there?

PRETEND launched 9 years ago and published 344 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. Kenito Wills
2. Christine Harnos
3. Rebecca Catalfu
4. Scott Warwick
5. Dr. Fareed Fata
6. Matthew Fenner
7. Bill Petrich
8. Elizabeth Tekkenbrock

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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