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PRETEND - 2202: The Playwright part 2
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2202: The Playwright part 2

PRETEND

07/22/25

39m

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In Part 2 of The Playwright, we shift focus to the show at the center of it all: The History of Now.

Written and directed by Jason Bartlett, the play was billed as a bold, political drama. It was a plan meant to honor a woman he claimed to love. But former cast members and collaborators started noticing red flags. Was this play ever really meant to open? Or was it all just a front?

Was The History of Now a sincere artistic project...or just another performance?

Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy
Theme Music: by Thechicken.net

Episode Credits:

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Previous Episode

undefined - 2201: The Playwright part 1
2201: The Playwright part 1

July 15, 2025

43m

In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Jayson Bartlett and the many women whose lives he upended.

Emma was a single mother in England who fell for Bartlett’s charm and artistic persona. At first, everything seemed perfect. But soon, she realized she was being gaslit, lied to, and emotionally manipulated.

Then there’s Melanie. She lived in North Carolina and had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She thought she had found love and a creative partner. Instead, Jayson took control of her finances and disappeared.

Episode Credits:

Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Editor: Puneeth Shenoy
Theme Music: by Thechicken.net

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Next Episode

undefined - Listen Now: Business Wars
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July 23, 2025

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In the year 2000, the merger of AOL and Time Warner seemed like the

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now wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/BW_IFD

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