PRETEND

So, I've got to tell you about this crazy rabbit hole I slipped into. It's about that bizarre olive lady from the Maury show. Remember her? Olives freaked out Sally because they reminded her of, get this, dead people's eyes. Wild, right? I always wondered... Was Sally for real or just putting on a show for the cameras? This question led me to Anthony Freire, a guy who used to produce for Maury Povich. Man, the stuff I learned while putting together this episode! It’s like peeling back the curtain on daytime TV and finding a whole other world. Turns out, there are many mind games and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making these shows. Anthony spilled the beans on how they get people to react a certain way or amp up their emotions for the audience. It's not just about Sally and her olive phobia. This episode digs into the bigger picture of how these TV shows mess with people's heads, both the guests and us viewers. If you're into the psychology used in reality TV shows or love a good behind-the-scenes story, you must check this out. It's not your average episode of PRETEND. I can't wait to hear what you all think. Tune in, and let's get our minds blown together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Findley tried to steal Elvis Presley’s home. She almost got away with it. A con artist with a long history of scams almost pulled off her biggest scheme yet—stealing Elvis Presley’s iconic home, Graceland. Using fake documents and fabricated identities, Lisa Findley tried to claim ownership of the historic estate. In this episode, NBC News reporter Brandy Zadrozny takes us down a rabbit hole and shows us how she unraveled Findley’s web of lies, linking her to years of fraud and harassment. This is one of the boldest property scams in recent history, and Findley came dangerously close to succeeding/ We'll also talk about the loopholes that make these crimes possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Jan Canty, a psychologist, author, and podcast host, shares essential advice on recognizing and avoiding con artists in modern relationships. Dr. Canty, who experienced betrayal and tragedy in her life, offers insights into the red flags of deceptive individuals and provides practical tips for safeguarding against potential scams. Through her 'Don't Con Yourself' TikTok series, Dr. Canty breaks down each stage of interactions with con artists and how to protect oneself. She also discusses her life’s work in grief counseling, her compelling past, and the importance of trusting your gut feeling in relationships. Tune in to learn more about navigating the complexities of dating and protecting your personal boundaries. 00:20 Jan Canty's Tragic Past 01:05 Recognizing Con Artists 04:34 Understanding Psychopaths and Sociopaths 05:21 First Date Red Flags 14:24 Trusting Your Gut Instinct 16:09 CIA Techniques for Identifying Lies 21:34 Gaslighting 23:29 Dramatic and Unusual Histories 25:10 Understanding the Significance of Tattoos 28:26 The Importance of Personal Boundaries 29:26 Dealing with Missed Warning Signs 32:03 The Dangers of Sharing Personal Information Prematurely 35:14 Early Attempts at Control in Relationships 38:26 Preparing to Exit a Toxic Relationship 46:08 Finding True Love After Hardships PRETEND podcast featuring Jan Canty's life story The Sugar Daddy parts 1 & 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jXDdZvO197GVomFLseUiq?si=35087f142efd41bd A Life Divided: A psychologist's memoir about the double life and murder of her husband - and her road to recovery https://www.amazon.com/Life-Divided-psychologists-husband-recovery/dp/0578685922 Domino Effect of Murder Podcast https://jancantyphd.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rise and Fall of LaDonna’s Loudest Surrogate: David McClam LaDonna Humphrey’s most vocal supporter, David McClam, launched the We Are Not Afraid podcast to defend her against mounting accusations. Episode after episode, McClam promised to deliver proof that LaDonna’s critics were lying. But instead of delivering proof, McClam brought Alecia Lockhart’s alleged sexual abuser on air to dismiss her claims, issued personal threats to show up at my doorstep and attack me, and even threatened to send the anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church to Anthony Christopher’s gay club for a "blood bath." This erratic behavior ultimately led to his podcast being pulled down from his hosting provider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices