I found this podcast through another great podcast (Nobody Should Believe Me) and binged the LaDonna Humphrey series, then almost immediately binged The Stalker series, and just WOW. His ability to go in unbiased to these stories is great, he goes after the facts which is much appreciated!

I started with the latest season about LaDonna Humphrey and it blew my mind. This story is insane and this woman is VILE! This podcast is a MUST listen. Bravo.

Have listened to ALL episodes and constantly waiting for more. Javier has a way with interviewing that just really drags the truth to the surface!

I’m listening to Lindsay’s story and it’s bringing back so many horrible memories of my first marriage. I’d love to share my story with you if you’re interested. Mostly financial abuse and constant lies and cons. So glad I got out when I did.

I really enjoy this podcast. I’ve listened to every episode. Thank you.

Usually narcissist love bomb someone making them fall deeply in love with them right away. Instead, ASHLEY is listing off all of the red flags about what a loser this guy was from the beginning. He didn’t trick her. If I were her, I would be so embarrassed.

The episode about the "narcissistic" partner may be the most disgusting podcast episode i have listened to in 15 years. She sounded like a bitter ex and you sounded like a grifter who's trying to get exposure by using a term that all grifters are using: "narcissism". Your work is getting lazier and lazier.

Boy o boy that was like going back in time 40 years. Ashley, thank you for sharing with us the evidence of his abuse, lies, and gaslighting. We ask ourselves, why does it take so long to find the courage to leave all that behind for good? Finally leaving, my life with 2 babies under the age of 3 began to see the fog lift. The almost subservience that I had succumbed to after so many years of gaslighting and abuse took time to shed. Once I was really clear about my family’s future, like you and so many others, transformed into the fierce unstoppable woman that our children need(ed) us to be.

I have many things to say, but she needs to be careful. The world is not what it used to be. Since the evidence has proven her guilt, the world is watching her.

How disgusting people are sending body parts and breast milk to this scammer. Why do people fetishize childbirth? 🤮

I listen all morning when working alone in a old three story building. Your voice is calming for my anxiety and love the work you do. I will continue to listen and convince everyone else to listen too. Thank you for all the investigating and work you do to produce your podcasts. It’s amazing.

I absolutely love this pod. The host is so likable. He is able to keep his cool and empathetic approach with the most unhinged subjects, yet he doesn’t shy away from the tough questions. Absolutely the best journalist for the job when it comes to the Ladonna/ stalker family types. Ten stars for doing the legwork to produce these fascinating glimpses into the types of people that most of us (hopefully) won’t have to encounter. Plus I just love his style.

The ad to content ratio in this one is too high for me. Really a gambling app ad?!? It that when you want to be associated with?

Love this podcast and hearing stories about con artists and fraudsters. Javier does a great job telling the stories and leaving you wanting more

Javier did a great job investigating LaDonna Humphreys. It is sad he could not get anyone to address these issue. LaDonna’s behavior is acceptable. The allegations should be investigated to the fullest. I’d be happy to be hired by the Arkansas Attorney General to do the job. Too many red flags.

This discussion totally reminds me of using Ouija Boards, it’s almost the same, but without consequences. Ouija Boards would be a great Pretend topic! Also, what about non-verbal autistic adults? Is this only a kid thing, or is it just easier to use kids as examples?

An excellent podcast by a very talented investigative journalist. A great premise for a podcast too! Dont miss the Ladonna Humphries episodes, season 17 I believe.

The Telepathy Tapes just put out an episode that debunks the Pretend episodes attempting to critique it. Pretend has absolutely no authority to make the claims it does. These episodes are offensive to autistic persons and should be taken offline. They give voice only to one mother of an autistic child with an IQ of 40 (who is not even nonverbal), which is wildly offensive and reductive to ASD persons and the people who love them. The narrator also falsely implies that all children tested have physical support for facilitated communication - when Dr Powell points out in the second episode of TT that the first episodes tests would not withstand rigorous scientific review because of the mother touching the child. Subsequent tests are conducted with independent typers/spellers. The narrator of Pretend didn’t listen to TT carefully, if at all. Also, I’m a behavioral science PhD and he defines confirmation bias and double blind completely inaccurately. I rarely am so brash but stay in your lane - you are the one Pretending. These episodes should be removed from circulation if only because of the implicit message being conveyed about the intellectual capacity of autistic people. I’m disgusted.

I am totally hooked on this podcast!! I subscribed so I could binge all the episodes!! Great investigative journalism

I’ve been listening to Pretend for a couple years and it never fails to shock and intrigue me. Javier does a great job of covering cases like that of Ladonna Humphrey, and I love that he is always well researched and doesn’t back down when things get awkward or tough. Keep up the good work Javier and the pretend team! Ladonna can’t lie her way out of this one.

Update: Thank you for covering the Telepathy Tapes with a critical eye. Some of us fear that science is taking a back seat in 2024-25. Great show that focuses on con artist type stories. Host is a nice humble story teller. I enjoy listening and am so happy he is keeping this show going. Any recent low ratings are from people who are personally or financially invested some of the people who have been outted as “pretenders” on the show. Ignore low rated reviews. Its an excellent show.

Not worthy the time anymore The LaDonna stories are mostly good but repetitive The rest after that lacks more investigation and impartiality

It is such a relief to hear Javier fearlessly shine a light of reason on these liars. Ugh, with DC doubling down on unaccountability, trying to destroy the idea of truth, ending fact checking in the US. Ugh, with all that in the air, this podcast is a welcome light of sanity. I’m halfway through Ladonna’s season and digging in on the new Telepathy topic. This guy is awesome! Thank you for the reality check.

Stumbled on this gem and haven’t looked back! Shout out to Javier from one of his old stomping grounds… MEMPHIS!

Javier is an exceptional storyteller and debunks Frank Abagnale’s claims that led to the movie “Catch Me If You Can.” An entertaining listen!

I’m only a few episodes in but I’m already so invested in learning all there is to know about Ladonna Humphreys. Javier does a wonderful job!

I have been enjoying this podcast for many seasons now, and it’s been on my top 10 list since day one!!!

I guess Ladonna’s supporters haven’t heard of setting a delay on an email message. Lol. What idiots.

I love when con artists get exposed. I’ve been listening, but somehow just stumbled on LaDonna. She’s so disturbing because she causes chaos for sport, and sounds plausibly believable if you weren’t aware of the path of destruction and lawsuits behind her. Thank you Javier!

I found this pod during The Stalker series, then went back and have listened to the present. Javier leads with empathy in interviews and isn’t afraid to push back. Very well produced and edited between music, audio clips, interviews, narration. Many takes on “pretending” has led to a great variety of episodes. I like that there are one offs and some in depth series, in real time at points. It’s fun to hear it develop as you listen!

Wow! Just wow! Great!

I applaud Javier’s dedication to his stories & his curious approach during interviews. His origin story on getting into this unique/niche genre of podcasting is also fascinating. As much as I enjoy this podcast, I truly struggled to listen to the entire “who’s afraid of Ladonna Humphrey” series because listening to Ladonna’s voice, tone, & manipulative demeanor was cringeworthy - which - makes Javier even more commendable for maintaining his composure while capturing the episodes. Kudos, Javier - I love your show & stoked this will be your full time job!

I like true crime but this is different and I like it. Good quality and interesting.

I have listened to many podcast that could fall within this category but none that has the longevity and integrity. I appreciate the effort and time that Javier dedicates to presenting each episode to bring us on a journey to discover truth. Javier is a storyteller at heart which keeps me engaged and intrigued!

I just heard Dr Jan Canty say rape is preventable (Season 19, episode 9).The context doesn’t matter. Oy.

Found Pretend by recommendation of a Reddit thread and started with season 18. Javier really takes you on a ride with him, I didn’t want to get off! He does his due diligence to fact check and present multiple sides of a story. I also appreciate that his story telling actually tells the story instead of veering off sidebars or gimmicks. Binged 18 over the course of 24 hours, only took time off to work and sleep. Ha! Thanks, Javier!

I discovered Pretend through Crimelines and, while it’s not on my daily line up, I do go on binges a couple times a year. I’ve been sucked into the Ladonna episodes this week and had a little chuckle at “whose afraid of Ladonna Humphrey *trademark*” comment at the beginning of episode 16. Keep fighting the good fight, Javier!

Wow. Just… this story is nuts. Great reporting, too. How can LaDonna be so sloppy yet so convincing at the same time? She needs to be stopped. Love this show. Also, I’d be willing to bet the only one star review is Ladonna herself LOL

Great job exposing her behavior. She needs to be stopped from her harassing & abusing. I am very worried for the women and children at oasis. If she really is this crazy, Javier be careful & stay safe.

This is the best podcaster EVER!! Every story is so well researched! Highly recommend!!

I love this podcast. Great content.

Love this show. It is one of the best out there.

Outstanding podcast! Thank you for going in depth on every subject.

What an excellent podcast! I’m so glad I found it from another podcast recommendation! 🙏🏻

Awesome! Thanks for calling out this liar and her followers!

Miss La Donna deserves it so don’t stop piling it on her.

I absolutely love this podcast! kudos to Javier Leiva and Neal McTighe for their incredible work. Ladonna Humphrey reminds me so much of the Tinder Swindler with her manipulating and con artist ways. She deceived the church and the clinic, proving herself to be a pathological liar. Shockingly, a police department would give full access to someone like her. Her harassment of her co-partner with the “Fetish Master” was disturbing. If I were in Alisha’s shoes, I would have called the cops on her. Unfortunately, Alisha seems too trusting and clueless much like the victim in “Dirty John” with lie after lie. Ladonna conveniently pulled her SIM card address to the cops, which is suspicious since it was her email address. It’s funny how the harassment and spoof emails stopped once Alisha Lockhart confronted her. Please continue doing what you do!!

Very entertaining, well researched

I wish this updated daily. I’ve listened to every episode - starting from season one when Javier was in between updates on the Ladonna season.

This is a well researched, well developed podcast. I will admit sometimes the hosts questions can be leading, but I think he tries hard not to do that. You can tell in his questioning. Man this Ladonna person sounds terrifying and morally debased.