ScamWow

Scammers, swindlers, con artists: unethical rogues who should be brought to justice? Or brilliant players in the game of capitalism that can help you get a free mattress? Comedian and author Caitlin Brodnick can’t always decide. Each week, join Caitlin and a special guest as they dive into current and historic scams, from skillful mobsters to Real Housewives fraudsters, from MLMs to YouTube grifters. Together, they’ll explore the thin line between swindle and survival, between fleecing an easy mark and just launching a startup. Listen and embrace the art of the dupe with true crime’s less-disturbing sister: the true con. 

Comedy
True Crime
Society & Culture
151
S01E40. Catfishing For Babies on Instagram
Well hello! Caitlyn and Sue are both on the East Coast, reporting from their family homes, wrapped in blankets and soundproofing foam like the delicate, fragile angels they are. First, Caity gives you a little update on super cool Swedish Sofia and her small sister, La Petit. Then, Sue tells you all about how some psychopath who sells slime to hopeful adoptive families on Instagram. It’s wild. Then, Sue and Caity talk to Naomi Pallas from the BBC all about this emotional, slimy scammer. Enjoy!
50 min
152
S01E39. Is Jeffrey Epstein Even Dead, and Who S...
Did Jeffrey Epstein even die? Or is the government trying to conceal an international sex trafficking ring comprised of several foreign leaders? Sue and Caity explore some serious conspiracy theories on today’s episode. Plus, the return of the vintage con! We deep dive into Sweden history and have never felt smarter! Find out which ruler was the disgrace of a nation, and what con artist used that to her advantage in a scam we are proud of!
44 min
153
S01E38. Caroline Calloway Gave Mackenzie Thomas...
Are we being scammed by Tana and Jake Paul? What about by Caroline Calloway? First, we’re catching up on Jake Paul and Tana Mongeau’s scammy wedding and livestream. (We love garbage content.) Also what is Tik Tok and should Mackenzie be on it?
62 min
154
S01E37. Cambridge Analytica & The Great Hack w/...
We’re reading your emails, playing your calls, and talking about propaganda.Producer Cait, aka Caitlyn Moldenhauer, aka Pod Mom, aka the founder of More Banana, joins us in the studio to talk about PROPAGANDA. Turns out, she has a college degree in it. Can you believe? She watched The Great Hack, the new Netflix documentary that analyzes Cambridge Analytica’s role in the 2016 election and the way in which they peppered propaganda into our newsfeeds, and has THOUGHTS. It’s a legit scam, folks!
55 min
155
S01E36. Fundamentalist Christianity w/ Rachel O...
Trigger warning: this is an episode about feminism, Christianity, and a little bit of abuse. Author Rachel Overvoll joins Sue and Caitlin to discuss her new memoir, Finding Feminism. She talks about purity balls in fundamentalist Christianity, Joshua Harris, and the way in which some churches tend to scam women into believing that they should be subservient to men. It’s difficult, it’s frustrating, but it’s an enlightening episode with a wonderful author. Enjoy!
39 min
156
S01E35. Gambling w/ Austin Rodrigues
Austin Rodrigues (a comedian and also Sue’s husband!) joins us today to share his expert insight on gambling. And he’s been playing cards since he was a mere baby, so he’s truly an legendy. He even fondly recalls being given free cigarettes in a casino at the ripe young age of 15. He’ll tell you about ways to lightly get away with some tricks while playing cards (lightly!), how the casino scams you to stay longer and spend more money, and he’ll even talk about some legendary casino scammers. (Also, my audio isn’t this great because I don’t know how to use one microphone with two people please forgive me! —Sue ) We’re not worthy!
61 min
157
S01E33. I Looked Aunt Becky in The Eyes: The L...
In this episode, Caitlin and Sue break down the fresh-out-of-the oven college admission scam led by Rick Singer, with comedian, current college student, and scam-spondent Mackenzie Thomas. The scam got the children of celebrities and various other rich people accepted to top universities through an elaborate bribery and cheating ring. Mackenzie was outside the Boston courthouse during Lori Loughlin’s indictment. Mackenzie shares every detail about her now-infamous exchange with Aunt Becky and the media frenzy that followed. They’ll also learn about the Dote girls and find out where Felicity Huffman gets all her great ideas.
50 min
158
S01E32. It’s A Mish Mosh
Listen, this episode is a mish mosh of lots of stuff. We’re talking about bits and pieces of lots of little things. We have a listener email from Texas, an interview with Maria Kowalski, an actual event planner with opinions on Tanacon, and a casual summation of the most popular YouTube drama with Mackenzie Thomas. Plus, Sue almost got scammed this week, you guys! Enjoy and be careful out there.
40 min
159
S01E31. Tanacon Part 2: It’s Like Fyre Festival...
Ok, we are BACK with Part 2 of this epic shitshow. First of all, happy 21st birthday, Tana! And congrats on your engagement to Jake Paul! Unfortunately, you’re a scammer. This time, we’re taking a look at what exactly went wrong and caused Tanacon to be complete and utter chaos. And take it from Caity and Sue: real life is not iconic. Enjoy!
37 min
160
S01E30. Tanacon Part 1: It’s Like Fyre Festival...
IS THIS REAL LIFE!!!?? Sue and Caitlin are in the studio together and are so excited to be in the same place at the same time to talk about something that was a total shitshow. It was like the Fyre Festival of YouTube, people. Sue and Caitlin are talking about Tana Mongeau’s very own Tanacon. The YouTube celeb created an enormous festival/meet up/rhythmic dance performance after being snubbed by the infamous Vidcon, and things went real bad right away. It was fascinating.
38 min
161
S01E29. Infomercial King Kevin Trudeau (w/ Magg...
Mega Memory: ever head of it? Today, Caitlin and Sue are talking to SPIN reporter, Maggie Serota, about the legendary infomercial salesman slash conman, Kevin Trudeau. You may remember him from such hits as Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About, the non-surgical facelift, the International Pool Tour, and his various legal proceedings. To be honest, this guy was the original Goop. And also? If Gwyneth Paltrow is your guru, then you’re gonna eat dust. Fact.
37 min
162
S01E28. RICO, The Five Families & The Concrete ...
Goons are gonna get whacked! Investigative journalist, Allen Arthur, is back and this time he’s talking about the mob. The mob did this thing where they monopolized the concrete market in New York City and then they scammed the windows in public housing. Public housing! Today’s topics also include ready mix concrete, the Five Families, and big chins. If you aren’t into organized crime, then fuggedaboutit.
63 min
163
S01E27. Barbara Gray Conjures "The Queen of the...
Ride or die listeners will remember Marm Mandelbaum, the godmother of American scammers from our very first episode. But Marm wasn’t the only boss lady at her school for aspiring thieves. She couldn’t have done it without her second-in-command Sophie Lyons and, well, Sophie lived a wild one. She went from hardcore con artist to radically progressive do-gooder over the course of a truly unique life. One day she was snagging pocket watches, and the next she was building supportive housing for disadvantaged youth. (Ok it wasn’t really that quick, but it was still a huge change.)
67 min
164
S01E26. Anna Delvey : How to Scam in Supreme
Today’s guest is the ultra cool journalist Alexis Cheung. She and our hosts Sue and Caitlin dive into the Anna Delvey case. Anna Delvey (Sorkin) is known as the SoHo Grifter, she made headlines by running out on checks, forging bank documents, and infiltrating the fashion elite. Anna’s arrest and court appearances gained notoriety when a stylist was hired to make her look “less inmate” more scorned socialite.
64 min
165
S01E25. Sue Worked For A Scammer
Once upon a time, right after this podcast was born, Sue moved her entire life to Los Angeles for a job that she knew would be only medium. It was not going to be exciting: she understood that. She recognized that the job would only serve the purpose of paying her bills and transforming her from a black-uniformed New Yorker into a sun-kissed West Coast girl. What she didn’t know was that she’d actually be helping a serial con-man scam small businesses in Southern California. 😱
58 min
166
S01E24. Is Disney A Scam? w/ Carlye Wisel
Sue and Caity chat with theme park journalist (yes, that’s her job), Carlye Wisel. Carlye spends all day, every day at Disney so she breaks down some of the park’s most common scams. Sue takes a vehement stance against Fast Pass and blames her childhood therapist for stealing a runner’s bib. (It wasn’t her, though. Sorry, Patty!) And this time? Caity get to Skype into the call in pajamas. My how the tables have turned. Enjoy!
59 min
167
S01E23. Did Patty Hearst Scam Us? w/ Let’s Get ...
Hey, did you know that ScamWow is on an all-female podcast network calle More Banana? It’s true! We are. It’s run by our awesome producer, Cait Molden. In addition to ScamWow, More Banana also has a show called Let’s Get Civical, which is hosted by Lizzie Stewart and Arden Walentowski. Lizzie and Arden stopped by to tell Sue and Caity all about Patty Hearst’s kidnapping, robbery, and subsequent Presidential pardon. Listen to find out whether she was in on it the whole time or just an innocent victim of Stockholm Syndrome.
49 min
168
S01E22. Avoiding Financial Scams w/ Paco de Leon
Today’s episode features the coolest financial advisor on the planet, Paco de Leon, and she’s truly THE BEST. Found of The Hell Yeah Group, Paco is the co-host of Refinery29’s Money Diaries and considers herself to be your financial friend. And she is! She’s the easiest person to talk to about money that Sue and Caity have ever met.
51 min
169
S01E21. TargeTED
This week Sue and Caitlin talk to Ted Limpert, Comedian who just might be the kindest man in West Hollywood. Ted, a filmmaker and comedian, also happens to be Caitlin's TV husband. He is also the perfect Target inside a Target, has a bad habit of getting scammed. See ya next week for more scams! And as always call our Hot Tip Hotline with any juicy scams 347-509-9414 or email them in to scamwowpodcast@gmail.com! Our Patreon, social media channels, and more! DISCLAIMER: We are comedians and this is satire. C’mon.
41 min
170
S01E20. Audrey Kitching, The Myspace Energy Sca...
Wow. We all occasionally suspect that energy healers and new age stuff is kind of BS, but investigative journalist for the Daily Dot, Nayomi Reghay, proved that our suspicions are sometimes correct, unfortunately. Nayomi went down a rabbit hole (or a 5D portal, if you prefer) to uncover the truth behind the proprietor of Crystal Cactus, Audrey Kitching. Kitching runs an online store selling spiritual goods like candles, butterfly pins, and crystal dildos that are actually just cheap products repurposed from AliExpress. She also used to be big on Myspace and dated Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco, which may or may not be how she started scamming people. Caity and Sue don’t know! But they do know that Audrey Kitching is a scammy witch who burped at somebody to align their chakras and heal their energy. Also, this turns into a conversation about spirituality and feminism as a whole so you’re gonna want to tune in!
62 min
171
S01E19. Scams of The Real Housewives: Part 2
Sue & Caitlin are joined in the studio by comedian and writer, Caitlin Bitzegaio once more for the second half of Scams of The Real Housewives! Their coverage of The Housewives franchise continues with a deep dive into the historic “Fake Cancer”  schem...
59 min
172
S01E18. Scams of The Real Housewives: Part 1
Sue & Caitlin are joined in the studio by comedian and writer, Caitlin Bitzegaio. Caitlin has written for shows on BET, Bravo, ESPN, MTV, CMT, truTV, A&E Lifetime, Nickelodeon, PBS, and The Travel Channel, so she’s a television connoisseur. And yes,
52 min
173
S01E17. Felicity Huffman, Aunt Becky Are Going ...
*BREAKING NEWS* We interrupt your regularly scheduled scam to discuss COLLEGE ADMISSIONS-GATE 2019! Sue & Caity dropped everything for a bi-coastal skype to talk about Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman, and their dirty college entrance schemes.
15 min
174
S01E16. H.H. Holmes w/ Jiji Lee: Don’t Get Trun...
This week, Caitlin and Sue welcome JiJi Lee, whose writing has appeared in Reductress, McSweeney’s, The New York Times, and The New Yorker. JiJi comes to the studio bearing significant research and brought extensive notes on the mysterious scam artist ...
35 min
175
S01E15. DoTerra, Young Living & Caitlin’s Infom...
Listen, if an MLM (multi-level marketing) company thinks that they are going to get by Caitlin and Sue without being ridiculed, then they have another thing coming. These two girls will mock them all! Today,
53 min