Girlboss. Oily Mamas. Bridesmaid fonts. Linguist Amanda Montell joins us to discuss the languages cults use to control you. Check out her new book, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, coming to bookstores everywhere this June. Plus, an update on Sue’s stepdad’s rifle scope scam. And, should adult friends really be expected to remember each other’s birthdays? Is it just too much? RESOURCES: Visit www.formulate.co/podcast and use our code “scamwow” at checkout. Order today and get a second order ...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 125
This week Sue and Caity realize they've always been one tupperware party away from joining a cult. Luckily, journalist Sabra Boyd, schools them on how to graduate from college and a cult, simultaneously. Sabra shares her experience as a child actor, homeless teen, and her susceptibility to scams. Also if your co-worker invites you to a meeting held inside a hotel conference room- RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. RESOURCES: Village Voice Article about Julia Siverls and Dahn P:ear Yellow Brick Road Str...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Sue and Producer Cait are joined by legendary LA prosecutor, David Fleck, to discuss the legacy of legendary scammer, Mickey Henschel. This guy scammed for 40 years before he was finally caught! Plus, David breaks down all things fraud, including a new con on Clubhouse and he weighs in on Erika Jayne’s husband, Tom Girardi. Then, Sue discusses the breaking news rocking Salt Lake City and the Real Housewives nation. RESOURCES: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-04-fi-mickey4-story.h...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 123
This week Caitlin and Sue kidnap Cait as she tries to flee the city, to discuss a scam which has the entire team completely divided. First they cover the complicated, shady, provocative and creepy lineage that has brought us Armand Hammar, and how his sinister relatives used chairs. Then we cover “Made You Look” the Netflix documentary on the infamous Knoedler Gallery and the con that closed its doors. And finally the most sexual painting we have ever viewed arrives at Caitlin’s house. And hey A...
Mar 25, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Comedian, actor, and Emmy-nominated producer, Jenny Gorelick, joins Sue and Caitlin to discuss the scams pulled by contestants on the legendary show Survivor. Jenny is the host of the Receipts podcast AND co-host of the new More Banana show The Women’s Alliance: A Survivor Podcast. She was also personally scammed by Fyre Fest’s Billy McFarland and spills all the tea on her old high school classmate. Oh, and if you’re free, join us every Friday night on Stereo for an aftershow chat. . RESOURCES: ...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 121
Caitlin and Sue are taking a much needed week off and will be back next week with more scammy cons and Anna Delvey updates! Check out this episode of We Stan Together, another hot More Banana show. hosted by Caitlin Bietzgaio (another Caitlin!) and Lauren Brickman. Subscribe to We Stan Together here! The one and only Pat Regan (Seek Treatment, Search Party) joins the classroom to discuss The Challenge, Real World and why he’d marry Ryan from Teen Mom. Pat guides us through from Veronica and Tris...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 24 min
It’s been a minute, but we are finally sitting down to read your emails, voicemails, and Instagram messages. What’s up, everyone? Sue here and man am I loopy! We’re talking about such a range of stuff today, from fillers to egg donation, Anna Delvey and more. Be sure to join us on the Stereo app on Friday night at 9pm EST for our aftershow so we can spill some more tea. Ok, I literally have no words left in my brain, but I love you and I love podcasting thanks for listening to our show! RESOURCE...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 120
We’re talking to #FreeBritney expert, Brennen White, about everything that the Framing Britney Spears documentary left out. Turns out, Britney is being scammed by SO MANY people, including her business manager, her dad, her ex-husband and even her lawyer! Let’s call them out by name: Lou Taylor, Jamie Spears, and Kevin Federline. Lou Taylor even runs and anti-gay conversion therapy group. LITERALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR GIRL? You can call it a scam, or you can call it human trafficking. Eithe...
Feb 25, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Sue and Caitlin are joined by Matt and Sie from the Heist podcast to discuss some juicy scams. First, Heist Podcast covers the cutest little thief ya ever did see. They’re talking about Theodore Conrad (aka Teddy Crown), who robbed a bank that he worked at and then smoked a carton of Marlboros. Then, Caitlin and Sue dive into the Twelve Tribes cult that runs a bunch of Yellow Delis throughout the world. Going forward, you’re going to probably want to get your sprouts and sundried tomato sandwich...
Feb 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Sue and Producer Cait delve into the scam Jason Collier, the police chief of Stinnett, Texas who is apparently engaged to like eight women in several states, despite being married with four children. It’s truly the internet mess slash Hilaria Baldwin-level scam we need this week. And we’d like to thank Brandy’s Internet for providing it! Please note that the original Facebook thread has been removed but you know we’ll have some juicy screenshots on our IG! @scamwowpodcast RESOURCES: Lipstick All...
Feb 11, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Caity, Sue, and special guest Sarah Galli of the Andy’s Girls podcast dive deep into some juicy Real Housewives scams. The investigate Mary M. Cosby from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Erika Jayne from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in particular. Turns out it really is expensive to be Erika Jayne. Plus, not to be a communist or anything, but if you’re a rich pastor, then you’re a little shady. Just saying. RESOURCES: Andy’s Girls - https://www.sarahgalli.com/andysgirls Faith T...
Feb 04, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Feminist author, Tori Telfer, stops by to discuss her new book, Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapshifters of the Feminine Persuasion. It’s chock full of stories about the type of historical con artists we just love. Today, we’re focused on the legendary Candian who came to America to scam on a much larger level, Cassie Chadwick. Plus, is it imposter syndrome if you’re actually an imposter? RESOURCES: Confident Women: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/confident-women-tori-telfer...
Jan 28, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Grab a seltzer, sit back, relax and let’s talk about something completely superficial: plastic surgery! Watch What Happens Live writer, Janie Stolar, stops by to tell us about the latest plastic surgery trends, how we can spot them, and which celebs are leading the pack. Plus, Janie lets us know about liquid nose jobs and people putting strings in their faces. Then, Caitlin discusses David and Linda Morrow’s epic insurance fraud scam in Southern California. It’s wild out there, folks. Follow Jan...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Diets are a scam, so tell your New Year's resolution to suck it. Caitlin brings on special guest host, Ellen Haun, to talk about the diet trends that have clawed their way into our lives. These scammy diets have claimed for years to be the golden ticket to a perfect body but even your BMI is a total scam! It was even used in the 80s by insurance companies to overcharge and discriminate against clients. We’re not bringing that foolishness in 2021! Diet and wellness culture is crippling and Ellen ...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 113
This week, Sue bursts forth from maternity leave to talk about Hilaria Baldwin with Caitlin. You know her: the famous mom, yogi, wife, and admirer of all things Spanish. Sue and Caitlin discuss the current headlines and Reddit threads buzzing over this grift. If you travel to Spain a few times and come back with a full accent and a spray tan, forgetting the English word for cucumber ... you might be the Latina Rachel Dolezal? Resources: Original Twitter thread- https://twitter.com/lenibriscoe/st...
Jan 07, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Send us your scams! scamwowpodcast@gmail.com Or call: 347-509-9414 scamwowpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 24, 2020•5 min
Why was Newsweek raided? Is Olivet University trying to sell you mealworms? The International Business Times, Newsweek, Jesus II, and drop shipping all make an appearance in this scam that combines religion, e-commerce, and a shady department store. Journalist (and Caity’s husband) Allen Arthur brings a (probably purposely) convoluted scam even the journalists reporting on it don’t fully understand. Grab your pencil, students, and start taking notes from minute 19. The story takes so many twists...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Comedian and writer Josh Gondelman is this week’s guest, and he just might be the nicest comedian in New York City. Plus, if you are a scammer, you will love this guy. Josh shares his long history with scams, how a carny changed his life, and the flirty drunk-girl texts that apparently everyone is getting. Plus, so many questions came out of this episode like: Where is all Josh’s dog food? Can a teddybear be pointy? And most importantly, do you just want to be treated like a princess, and are yo...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 110
She’s a talent scout, devoted babysitter, and sometimes impersonates Florida judges: It’s Australian con artist Samantha Azzopardi. Our special guest this week, comedian Ariel Elias, unpacks the many scams and uncomfortably basic aliases of Azzopardi. Azzopardi traveled around the globe conning unsuspecting families, young girls, and even entire police stations. Is she schizophrenic, is she creative, or is she just craving attention à la Caroline Calloway? Ariel Elias is a nationally touring sta...
Dec 04, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Gobble, gobble! To show our thanks for you and all of our fans, we’ve put together a very special mailbag episode. We received so many great emails from you all about tons of topics like an Audrey Kitching-esque drop shipping scam, a guy who stopped going to work but kept getting paid, and even a composer who pretended to be deaf but really wasn’t. Like, what?! Some scammers are truly amazing and admirable. Thanks to our new Patreon patrons, Kevin and Chris. We hope everyone has a delicious, soc...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 108
The fabulous Lauren Brickman joins us today to talk about a few classic conwomen, including Susanna Mildred Hill and Big Bertha Hayman. Honestly? We stan an old-school lady scammer. Big Bertha was a pickpocket and con artist who swindled her way throughout the nation and eventually was plucked from prison into fame with her own one-woman show. What a dream! Plus, hear about the TikTok scammer who’s allegedly running for president in 2024. We can’t even think that far ahead, tbh, but it’s a good ...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 107
We love Britney! Clark Moore, host of the Soul Balm podcast, joins us today to break down the #FreeBritney movement. Is Britney getting scammed by conservators who have control over her body, her career, and even the sound of her voice? Or is Britney scamming us into passionately believing that we must fight for her freedom when, in reality, she was killed years ago and replaced by a clone?! We NEED to hear from Britney herself on this. Plus, Princess Diana was probably killed by Jeffrey Epstein...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 106
You think magic is all just balls? Well, it’s pickles, too. Listener Kevin Smith joins us to explain some hot hot magic secrets, which we’ve always wanted. Tell us how you’re doing it! He goes over tricks, false transfers, casinos, card games, and even a special con artist language, called the Roth Memory System. And, we just can’t with David Blaine. That cold, cold man. Plus, Caity won a poker game against 80 guys once. DISCLAIMER: We are comedians and this is satire. C’mon Send us your scams! ...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Happy halloween, ya creeps! We’re talking about a scammy bonkers show called Ghost Adventures, which has been on since 2004. Plus, the hosts all wear leather trench coats, so that’s definitely sus. We cover the spectral spectrum today and talk about ghost shows, mediums, and even Lawrenece’s childhood home. Plus, we learn about pareidolia, which has no relation to stromboli. Resources: Able Ensemble - https://www.ableensemble.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ableensemble/ https://www.imdb.com/name...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s Lauren Adams is here with some hot takes on skincare. You won’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. She even claims that soap is a scam! Plus, what’s really the difference between Botox and gel nails? And are Vaseline and sunscreen all you need? Then, we’re talking about Chicago’s Dirty John, Matthew DeRolf, and the influencer he scammed, Samantha Hills. And don’t forget to get the boobs you want! Resources: More about Lauren: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm538549...
Oct 22, 2020•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 103
The wine is fake! We’re covering the epic documentary Sour Grapes, made by a man with two very cute kids whom Sue used to babysit. If you’re looking for a film where one of the main characters wears sunglasses inside, another wallpapers his bathroom with wine labels, and they all spend egregious amounts of money on wine, then this is the one for you! Sue and Caitlin both agree: Rudy Kurniawan is a good scammer. He’s like Anna Delvey, but with wine. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5728684/ DISCLAIME...
Oct 15, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Hello babies and gentlemen! We’re here to give you the extra special anniversary mailbag episode that your heart craves. We go deep into some dirty diaper scams and some super sad puppy stories. Seriously, who dyes their pup’s hair? And is art just one big scam? But most importantly, thank you so much for all of your calls, emails, and messages. Keep ‘em coming like our lives depend on them, because they do! PSI self-actualization dream-fulfillment self-improvement blah blah blah system/organiza...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 101
It’s our 100th episode, people! We’re so excited that we’re doing a special scam retrospective where we look back on our favorite episodes, hottest scammers, and even our least favorite episodes. Plus, good news! Caity’s Isaac Newton obsession has survived quarantine. AND we do great journalism. Tell your husbands. DISCLAIMER: We are comedians and this is satire. C’mon Send us your scams! scamwowpodcast@gmail.com Or call: 347-509-9414 Scamwowpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Oct 07, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Oy, what a shitshow, eh gang? If you live in America, things here are kind of a total nightmare. I mean, I guess it’s good that we have clean water (some of us) and electricity (for now) but wow, those presidential debates last night really took it out of me. I had to go to bed right after because they were so emotionally exhausting. ANYWAY, today we’re breaking news about The Borgen Project, a scammy internship farm masquerading as a non-profit that fights poverty using unpaid internships. We’r...
Oct 01, 2020•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 99
The queen has arrived! Legendary New York Times reporter, Taylor Lorenz, joins us to talk about Tik Tok, her favorite internet scams, being Team Tati, and her controversial skincare routine. Plus, we touch down on some of our faves like Jake Paul, Shane Dawson, Jeffree Star, and more. If you want to take your mind off of the trash fire that is America, then this is the episode! Resources: Taylor’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz F Factor Diet Scam: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/st...
Sep 24, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 98
