2010: The Keepsake Scandal
PRETEND
03/21/25
•34m
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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 even breast milk—but left heartbreak in her wake. What followed was an online investigation that played out like a true crime documentary, exposing fraud, deception, and a woman willing to do anything to cover her tracks.
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Previous Episode
2009: The Gambler Revisited
March 11, 2025
•41m
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 everything after trusting the wrong person.
This isn’t just a story about gambling. It’s about how someone can slowly gain control over another person’s life and bank account, one small ask at a time.
Topics Covered:
✔ How Art Schlichter went from an NFL draft pick to a convicted con artist
✔ The way he pulled Anita Barney into his schemes
✔ How quickly financial fraud can spiral out of control
Resources & Links:
📖 Quarterback Sneak – Anita Barney’s book about what happened
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Have a Story to Share?
If someone you trusted took advantage of you, I’d like to hear your story. Send a voice memo to Javier@pretendradio.org.
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🎧 Subscribe & Stay Tuned – More episodes coming soon.
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Next Episode
2011: I Married a Narcissist part 1
March 25, 2025
•55m
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 emotionally abusive, manipulative, and battling addiction. It wasn’t until COVID lockdowns that his mask slipped and she could see who he really was. He used suicide threats to control her, drained her financially, and isolated her from support. And yet, as is often the case with narcissists, everyone else thought he was the victim.
This is not one of the most outrageous stories we’ve told on PRETEND—but it’s one of the most common. It’s a story many people quietly live through and struggle to name. This is what emotional abuse sounds like.
🛑 Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse:
- Constant criticism or belittling (often about “small” things like chores or tone of voice)
- Love-bombing followed by extreme withdrawal or cruelty
- Gaslighting: making you question your memory, reality, or emotions
- Isolation from friends, family, or support systems
- Walking on eggshells to avoid setting them off
- Financial control or sabotage
- Using guilt, blame, or self-harm threats to manipulate behavior
- Alternating between praise and punishment
- Jealousy of your attention—especially toward children
📌 If you’re in a similar situation, here are resources that can help:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org — Free, confidential, 24/7
- Psychology Today Therapist Finder: psychologytoday.com
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Narcissist Abuse Recovery Support: DomesticShelters.org – Includes emotional abuse filters
- One Mom’s Battle: onemomsbattle.com – Focused on divorcing narcissists and protecting children
- Love is Respect (for younger listeners): loveisrespect.org
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