DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Charlie Webster, the host and producer of the hit podcast 'Scamanda'. Webster discusses the story behind the podcast, which follows Amanda C. Reilly, a woman who faked having cancer for years and deceived thousands of people, including her family, friends, and online followers.
Webster explains how she got involved in the story and the process of investigating Amanda's lies. She talks about the challenges of uncovering the truth, as Amanda was extremely convincing and continued to double down on her lies even as the police started investigating her. Webster also discusses the emotional impact on Amanda's victims and the psychological manipulation involved in her deception.
The conversation also touches on Webster's personal experiences with trauma and how that shaped her approach to telling Amanda's story. Webster emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities and nuances behind human behavior, rather than presenting a black-and-white narrative.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Amanda C. Reilly faked having cancer for years, deceiving thousands of people, including her family, friends, and online followers.
- Charlie Webster, the host and producer of the 'Scamanda' podcast, investigated Amanda's web of lies and the psychological manipulation involved in her deception.
- Webster emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities and nuances behind human behavior, rather than presenting a black-and-white narrative.
- The episode discusses the challenges of uncovering the truth and prosecuting cases like Amanda's, where the deception was primarily psychological and behavioral.
- Webster's personal experiences with trauma shaped her approach to storytelling and allowed her to empathize with Amanda's victims.
- The episode highlights the emotional impact of Amanda's deception on her victims and the betrayal they felt.
- Webster aimed to allow listeners to experience the journey and come to their own conclusions, rather than presenting a one-sided narrative.
- The legal challenges and complexities involved in prosecuting cases like Amanda's are explored.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “She had the best disguise ever because you're not going to question anybody that's got cancer.“ by Charlie Webster
- “Nothing's black and white. I really don't believe it. There's so many colors in between black and white. There's so many reasons and complexities to our behavior and why we do things. It's not an excuse, but it was really important that, like, I looked at it that way.“ by Charlie Webster
- “I think it's fascinating, just even the charge aspect of how this justice system works with these kind of cases.“ by Charlie Webster
- “So I really wanted listeners to go along that journey and not have me tell them what to think or me tell them what this woman did. You know, once I started to look in the story, it really did intrigue me.“ by Charlie Webster
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Episode Information
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound
4/22/24
In this special bonus conversation, Charlie Webster sits down with Crime Story host Kathleen Goldhar to discuss why she believes Amanda was not only able to lie about having cancer, but steal from those closest to her. It's a fascinating conversation you don't want to miss that offers new insights and updates on the case.
You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find more Crime Story episodes in your podcast app, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/ElKMSt6q
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