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PODCAST

The Opportunist

The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin.

true crime

All Episodes

00:41:43

Arian Taherzadeh & Haider Ali: Highstakes Cosplay

The Opportunist ·

2024/09/02

In this episode of The Opportunist, we explore the bizarre case of Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali, who posed as federal agents and infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. Secret Service with astonishing ease.We delve into the duo's motivations, the extent of their deception, and the ramifications of their actions on national security. Tune in to learn how these two individuals turned deception into an audacious opportunity, exposing serious security flaws surrounding President Joe Biden and

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00:45:59

David Xu: Toxic Workplace

The Opportunist ·

2024/08/26

In this episode of “The Opportunist,” we explore the chilling case of David Xu, a seemingly ordinary engineer who attempted to poison his coworker with cadmium over a period of several months. We explore his twisted motives behind his actions and uncover the dark side of a workplace rivalry.

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00:44:01

Judge Jeffrey Ferguson: Deadly Lapse of Judgment

The Opportunist ·

2024/08/19

Is justice really blind? In this week’s episode of “The Opportunist” we explore the shocking case of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson. Known as a strict law and order judge, Ferguson is accused of shooting his wife during a drunken rage. Despite admitting to the murder via text message, Judge Ferguson is currently out on bail and has been allowed to leave the state of California. Is Judge Fergeson leveraging his deep connections within the judicial system to receive preferential treatment?

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00:48:18

Sebastián Marset: The Ultimate Score

The Opportunist ·

2024/08/12

Sebastián Marset is currently one of South America’s most powerful drug traffickers - opening new cocaine trafficking routes to Europe. In this episode of the "The Opportunist," we explore his rise to power and uncover how Marset cunningly used soccer to hide in plain sight, and to launder vast drug profits.

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00:54:02

Ruby Corado: Casa of Cards

The Opportunist ·

2024/08/03

Casa Ruby was once a vibrant shelter offering essential services to Washington D.C.'s vulnerable and at-risk LGBTQ+ community.The non-profit shelter was the vision of Ruby Corado, an activist born in El Salvador, who dedicated her life to advocating for gay and transgender individuals. Her efforts garnered numerous awards and helped her secure millions in government grants and donations from wealthy philanthropists. However, suddenly the shelter closed, and Corado fled the country.

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00:43:42

Sam Haskell IV: Second-Rate Slasher

The Opportunist ·

2024/07/29

As the son of a powerful Hollywood agent, Sam Haskell IV seemed to have everything at his fingertips - money, power and connections. But when a homeless man discovers part of a human body in a dumpster in an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood, Haskell’s dark secret is revealed.

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00:43:16

Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper: Unholy Roller

The Opportunist ·

2024/07/22

To the families of St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang were the picture of morality and religious devotion. The two lifelong educators were known at St. James as stern disciplinarians, who instilled their students with Christian values that were disappearing from society. But the nuns had a secret addiction, an addition that would rip apart the small Christian community.

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00:27:48

The Curse of “The Three Body Problem”

The Opportunist ·

2024/07/15

Xu Yao’s career potential seemed limitless. The Chinese lawyer and entertainment executive was in charge of all business related to the best selling Chinese science fiction trilogy, and soon to be hit Netflix show, “The Three Body Problem.” But then, overnight, the entire franchise, and all of the life changing wealth that came with it, was all taken from Xu Yao. He had been demoted. Xu Yao’s demotion set in motion a revenge plot ripped from the pages of a Hollywood script.

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00:36:33

The Fake CIA Spy

The Opportunist ·

2024/07/08

As the veteran and former spokesperson for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Garrison Courtney seemed destined to end up as a Washington, DC powerbroker. But Courtney had a secret. He was a conman and was tricking some of America’s most senior National Security officials out of millions of dollars.

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00:19:03

Vigilante - Byron David Smith: THE DEER HUNTER

The Opportunist ·

2024/05/28

Byron Smith was tired of his home being burgled. He said it had been broken into at least a half dozen times. And he was determined not to let it happen again.So, Smith set a trap and laid in wait to protect his “castle.” When two teenage cousins broke into his house on Elm Street, it set off a true-life horror story. Listen to Vigilante: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vigilante/id1622288667 https://open.spotify.com/show/49wzulSXKQKWYOIWoTVEPT?si=0d4c8835885e4fa1

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00:16:18

Ransom! Available now!

The Opportunist ·

2024/05/23

Ransom: Season 1 - Position of Trust is a story of greed and betrayal and how one’s outward appearance can be dangerously deceiving.Go to ransompodcast.com, or follow Ransom on your favorite podcast app. Twelve-year-old McKay Everett disappeared from his Texas home in September 1995. His father Carl returned from an Amway meeting to find the back door ajar and the telephone ringing. On the line, a woman with a raspy voice demanded $500,000. Over the next week, the FBI played a game of

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00:54:04

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 5 of 5: Criminal

The Opportunist ·

2024/05/06

Multiple investigations close in on Chris Bathum as his behavior leads to dire consequences, including a drug arrest with a former CRLA client named Erika Littell. As his criminal trial gets underway, the prosecution battles with the idea of victim credibility, and Chris' defense is unintentionally reinvigorated thanks to evidence provided by Cliff Brodsky.

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00:52:07

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 4 of 5: The Sleeping...

The Opportunist ·

2024/04/29

Rose searches for evidence to bring to law enforcement and comes across a CRLA laptop, as Jill realizes the awful truth behind Chris' behavior. A hopeful new client named Amanda enters CRLA with the intent to stay sober, but suddenly finds herself isolated and alone with Chris Bathum.

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00:54:58

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 3 of 5: Rumors

The Opportunist ·

2024/04/22

More rumors circulate around Chris Bathum, especially over the death of a beloved client named Mo. Meanwhile, a devoted employee named Jill is skeptical of CRLA's insurance billing and Rose sets out to find the truth behind the biggest rumor of them all.

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00:50:53

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 2 of 5: Hypnotist

The Opportunist ·

2024/04/15

Chris tells Rose that all the rumors about him are because of Cliff Brodsky, a former investor in CRLA's predecessor, Walking Miracles. Chris paints Brodsky as his nemesis, an unhinged wild card who wants to destroy their community. But his battle against Brodsky gets out of hand when he suggests desperate measures to stop him.

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00:55:24

Vault Release: CHRIS BATHUM Part 1 of 5: Rehab Mogul

The Opportunist ·

2024/04/08

In 2013, Rose Stahl sought the help of Christopher Bathum, a therapist and CEO of a burgeoning recovery organization called Community Recovery Los Angeles. Chris would eventually offer Rose a job at CRLA. But after a while, she started hearing unsettling rumors surrounding Chris' behavior, especially towards female clients. Find the episode transcript here: tinyurl.com/opppodcast

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00:03:09

Welcome To Varnamtown! Available now!

The Opportunist ·

2024/01/25

Two years ago, Kyle MacLachlan, the star of Twin Peaks, called investigative journalist Joshua Davis with a strange story. Kyle had heard a rumor that Pablo Escobar did a deal in the early 1980s with a remote, coastal Southern town of 300 people. In exchange for vast wealth and limitless cocaine, Escobar would be allowed to land planes and ships in the area. Over the last 24 months, Josh and Kyle investigated the rumor, journeying to Varnamtown to knock on doors and find out what really happens when

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01:03:40

End of Year Wrap Up 2023

The Opportunist ·

2023/11/14

In this wrap up episode for 2023, Hannah revisits some of your favorite episodes and seasons and gives updates! She also takes questions and voicemails from listeners, including one listener who writes in with a bizarre mystery that she wants your help to solve.Hannah checks back in with people she interviewed years ago as well as gives an update on Sherry Shriner's followers and speaks with someone who has a very personal relationship with Orgone. Links from the episode: Check out C.C.’s

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00:39:40

MARC ST-ONGE Part 1 of 1: The Mudman

The Opportunist ·

2023/10/31

In early 2021, a new product went viral in health and wellness spaces on Facebook. Black Oxygen Organics (or BOO) was an MLM selling what was touted as the "miracle cure." What was it? It was mud. Actual mud that people were eating, drinking, bathing in and giving to their babies and pets. Many claimed it cured their COVID symptoms. But this product was not what it claimed to be. What was it actually doing to people? The man behind it all was Marc St-Onge and he watched as millions of orders flooded

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00:15:42

Show Announcement + Mini Episode

The Opportunist ·

2023/10/27

Enjoy today's mini episode about a guardianship scam and please send your stories and questions to: hannahmegsmith@gmail.com or on Instagram or Twitter/X @hannahpodcasts Thank you Lindsey Dominguez for sharing your story! Her podcast is called What's Up ABQ.

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124 results

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