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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

00:32:24

“Pastor David Taylor: Jesus’s Best Friend Loves You”

The Opportunist ·

2025/12/15

Pastor David Taylor built Kingdom of God Global Church into a sprawling ministry powered by aggressive fundraising call centers and promises of divine favor. In this episode of The Opportunist, his story exposes how spiritual authority can become a tool for manipulation, control, and unending financial gain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:46:25

Jeffrey Manchester: The Rooftop Robber

The Opportunist ·

2025/12/01

Jeffrey Manchester became known nationwide as the “Rooftop Burglar,” a figure often distorted by Hollywood and myth. But in this episode of The Opportunist, the real Jeffrey Manchester emerges - revealing how a quiet Army soldier turned thief built a double life of break-ins, secrecy, and startling ingenuity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:36:31

Steven Tomkins: Public Office, Private Gain

The Opportunist ·

2025/11/17

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins rose to power as a reformer promising justice and change within Boston’s jail system. But in this episode of The Opportunist, Sheriff Steven Tomkins’ story reveals how a crusade for reform became a vehicle for power, loyalty, and personal gain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:35:29

Danette Colbert: Bourbon Street Hustler

The Opportunist ·

2025/11/03

On this episode of The Opportunist, when 27-year-old Adan Manzano is found dead in a New Orleans hotel room, suspicion quickly turns to Danette Colbert. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and greed that suggests Adan wasn’t her only victim.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:38:44

Dr Thomas Weiner: The Cancer Con

The Opportunist ·

2025/10/20

On this episode of The Opportunist, trusted Montana oncologist Dr. Thomas Weiner is accused of diagnosing patients with cancer they didn’t have. What began as a story of hope and healing quickly turned into one of greed, deception, and shattered lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:34:43

Dishonorable Judge Mullins: Above the Law

The Opportunist ·

2025/10/06

On this episode of The Opportunist, we tell the story of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, who allegedly used his position to solicit sex from inmates, and how his abuse of power came to a shocking end.-- See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:33:15

Charlie Javice: The Startup Swindler

The Opportunist ·

2025/09/22

In this episode of The Opportunist, we follow Charlie Javice, a young fintech founder who sold her startup to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But behind the glowing headlines was a stunning fraud that would ultimately bring her empire crashing down.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free

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00:38:36

Mary Mahoney’s Old French House: Fish Fraud

The Opportunist ·

2025/09/08

Mary Mahoney’s Old French House was a beloved Gulf Coast landmark, serving presidents, celebrities, and locals for decades. On this episode of The Opportunist, we uncover the hidden story that threatened to tarnish its celebrated reputation.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free

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00:04:41

Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES

The Opportunist ·

2025/08/26

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s most shocking secrets and nefarious organizations. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a Crime House original powered by PAVE Studios. Follow the show now so you don’t miss a single story.LISTEN NOW

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00:42:11

Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned

The Opportunist ·

2025/08/25

Jeremiah ‘The Bull’ Evans was a flashy entrepreneur who launched the Alpha Con convention, promising the secrets to wealth and influence. On this episode of The Opportunist, we look at how his high-energy salesmanship unraveled into fraud charges and a prison sentence. Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first

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00:36:04

Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD

The Opportunist ·

2025/08/11

Kyle Norton Riester was an active duty Army pilot who used LSD on the weekends and sold psychedelics on the dark web. On this episode of The Opportunist, we examine how his double life led to federal charges and a stunning fall from grace. Thank you to our sponsors:Quince: Go to Quince.com/OPPORTUNIST for free shipping on your order and 65-day returns.Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new

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00:43:41

Exporting the Mission: Tim Ballard’s Legal Trouble in...

The Opportunist ·

2025/07/28

In this follow-up episode, The Opportunist explores the latest legal troubles facing Tim Ballard, this time in Argentina, where he's under investigation for alleged misconduct tied to his anti-trafficking efforts. As the international scrutiny mounts, questions grow louder about the true motives behind Ballard’s crusade. Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and

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00:41:35

Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future

The Opportunist ·

2025/07/14

Aimee Bock and Salim Said positioned themselves as champions of hungry children—until investigators uncovered a massive fraud scheme siphoning millions from a federal food aid program. “Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future” exposes how ambition, deception, and weak oversight collided in one of the largest pandemic-era scams in U.S. history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:36:54

Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red

The Opportunist ·

2025/06/30

When the beloved community newspaper Eugene Weekly suddenly stopped publishing, staff discovered a longtime employee had quietly drained the paper’s finances for years.“Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red” unravels the story of betrayal, denial, and the fight to revive a local institution nearly lost to criminal opportunity. Thank you to our sponsors: Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at

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00:35:18

Ryan James Wedding: Powder Runs

The Opportunist ·

2025/06/16

Once a promising snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding traded the slopes for smuggling routes in a shocking descent into the world of international drug trafficking. The Opportunists unpacks how fame, ambition, and risk collided in one man’s transformation from athlete to criminal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:39:09

Smoke, Mirrors, and Medical Bills

The Opportunist ·

2025/06/02

John Hunter Raines was a trusted CFO overseeing millions in public funds meant to support families of children with severe birth injuries in Virginia. The Opportunist investigates how he quietly exploited the system for personal gain—while the families he was supposed to help were left fighting for scraps.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:30:11

Jacob Runyan & Chase Cominsky: Bait & Switch

The Opportunist ·

2025/05/19

In this episode, The Opportunist Podcast explores how Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky cheated during a series of major fishing tournaments. The episode reveals how they manipulated the situation with illegal tactics, causing shockwaves in the fishing community.

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00:37:51

John Darwin: Up a Creek Without a Paddle

The Opportunist ·

2025/03/18

When John Darwin vanished in a canoeing accident off the coast of the United Kingdom, it seemed like a tragic loss—but it was all part of a calculated plan. In this episode we explore how his elaborate scheme came to light and the shocking role his wife played.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

The Opportunist ·

2025/03/18

Introducing Oprah & Maria Shriver on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home from The Oprah Podcast.Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@OprahBUY THE BOOK!https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720451/i-am-maria-by-maria-shriver/https://books.apple.com/us/book/i-am-maria/id6736963057This episode of The Oprah Podcast features special guest Maria Shriver, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, former national news anchor, seven-time New York

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00:34:20

Murder, Money, and a Children's Book

The Opportunist ·

2025/03/10

Kouri Richins was a grieving widow—or so it seemed—until her husband’s suspicious death revealed a web of deceit and greed. In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of how she exploited trust and love in a scheme that shocked everyone who knew her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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123 results

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