2401: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
PRETEND
11/18/25
•37m
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Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe.
In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illegal to fake cancer?” Um, yeah.
Bill Petrich, a real cancer survivor who now investigates fake cases, helps us understand the psychology behind the deception.
We also take a look at the biggest cancer cons in recent history: Scamanda, Belle Gibson, Jennifer Flynn Cataldo and how these scams went from emotional manipulation to full-on fraud.
To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:
https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert
Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9
Protect your business before hackers even make a move. NordStellar centralizes breach, dark web, and attack surface intelligence into one powerful threat-intelligence platform—helping you spot risks early and take action fast.
Get 20% off all NordStellar plans with the Black Friday code: BLACKFRIDAY20 (valid until December 10, 2025). Use the link nordstellar.com/pretend
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Previous Episode
Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato
November 17, 2025
•56m
On PRETEND, we tell stories about people who build false identities and hide the truth in plain sight. This week, we are featuring a case that fits right into that world. It is the newest season of Dakota Spotlight, titled “Meanwhile in Mankato.”
In 1965, an 18-year-old gas station attendant named Ray Dahm was murdered during an overnight shift at a rural Minnesota truck stop. The person who killed him was a clean-cut 17-year-old who looked harmless, the kind of kid no one would ever suspect. On the surface, it seemed simple. A robbery. A terrible act of violence. Case closed.
But that was only the beginning. Reporter James Wolner later uncovered that the killer did not stay locked away for long. Within a few years, he was quietly back in the community, working around teenage girls who had no idea they were interacting with a convicted murderer. His past had been buried, ignored, or conveniently forgotten.
“Meanwhile in Mankato” is a story about manipulation, vanished accountability, and the people who were left to carry the fallout of one man’s lies. It is exactly the kind of story we look at on PRETEND, because it shows how someone can reinvent themselves while everyone else looks the other way.
If you follow PRETEND, you will want to hear this one. It is sharp reporting, unsettling truth, and a reminder that the most dangerous story is often the one no one bothered to check.
Subscribe to Dakota Spotlight on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZqpK6FfXIvS35TUYjckd6?si=fe79cf9a61264247
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Next Episode
2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2
November 25, 2025
•30m
Why would anyone fake cancer?
Money? Sure.
Attention? Definitely.
But as I learned in this episode... the motives are a lot darker, messier, and more human than you might expect.
In Part 2 of The Cancer Sympathy Machine, we go beyond the headline-grabbing scams and into the emotional machinery behind these lies. With the help of cancer-survivor-turned-researcher Bill Petrich, we break down the categories of cancer fakers — from those seeking sympathy to those hiding crimes, escaping abuse, or covering up addictions.
We revisit the infamous cases you’ve heard about: Belle Gibson, Scamanda, and Jennifer Cataldo.
To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:
https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert
Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9
Protect your business before hackers even make a move. NordStellar centralizes breach, dark web, and attack surface intelligence into one powerful threat-intelligence platform—helping you spot risks early and take action fast.
Get 20% off all NordStellar plans with the Black Friday code: BLACKFRIDAY20 (valid until December 10, 2025). Use the link nordstellar.com/pretend
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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