PRETEND

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 most disturbing forms of abuse—Munchausen by Proxy. Told through the voices of survivors and leading experts, Nobody Should Believe Me pulls back the curtain on cases that are as heartbreaking as they are eye-opening. Season Six unpacks the devastating saga of the McDaniel family—a true Southern Gothic story of generational trauma and medical child abuse that has haunted those involved for decades. And here’s some exciting news: PRETEND is now part of Andrea Dunlop’s new true crime podcast network, True Story Media. We're proud to be joining forces with storytellers who aren’t afraid to dig into the darkest corners of human behavior. Listen to Season 6 of Nobody Should Believe Me now: 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OBmfOH5umqm6AHKtBNprg?si=963e00595cd740c0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I teamed up with Carter Roy for a special guest collaboration on Murder: True Crime Stories and this one is something else. For the full episode, follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1745145932In November 2006, Abraham Shakespeare won $30 million in the Florida Lottery. He couldn't read or write, and within two years he'd given most of it away to anyone who asked. Then Dee Dee Moore showed up promising to protect what was left — and within months, she had his house, his insurance, and his power of attorney. Not long after, Abe vanished. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PRETEND is a documentary-style podcast about con artists and real people pretending to be someone else.  Javier Leiva interviews real con artists, snake oil salesmen, and former cult members–anyone living a lie. PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.  It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, and New York Magazine. In 2018, Vulture named PRETEND one of the top 52 True Crime podcasts in the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

///UPDATE/// Start with Season 3, episode 1. After covering this cult, I was personally invited by the cult leader to spend the day with her. You won't want to miss it. ///UPDATE/// The Prophet part 1 explores The Word of Faith Fellowship. You will hear about the accused cult leader, Pastor Jane Whaley, who many inside the sect believe is a prophet with direct communication with God. John Cooper describes the day 20 to 30 sect members surrounded and attacked him. He also shares secret recordings of Pastor Jane Whaley commanding someone to throw someone down to the ground. Plus, you’ll hear “blasting prayers” — ear-piercing crying sessions meant to cast out demons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Cooper remembers one of the Word of Faith Fellowship ministers commanding him to beat his wife. He also describes his family’s attempt to what he describes as a cult. Then it finally happened. John escaped. We’ll listen to secret recordings of pastor Jane Whaley trying to lure him back.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices