Podcast · 86 episodes

The Opportunist

by PodcastOne · English

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.

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Latest episodes

Gerhardt Konig: Alpine Divorce in the Aloha StateThe episode follows Dr. Gerhard Koenig and his wife, Ariel Koenig, whose marriage deteriorated after Koenig discovered Ariel’s emotional affair with TerraPower coworker Jeffrey Miller.28 Sep 2026 · 32 min

Ian Mitchell: The Man with Two NamesThe episode follows real estate agent Terrence Harding and his former client, who appeared to be “Ian Madelon,” a wealthy Jamaican hedge-fund manager from the prominent Madelon family.14 Sep 2026 · 38 min

INTRODUCING "Burden of Proof: Luigi Mangione"Episode 1 of “Burden of Proof: Luigi Mangione” (ABC Audio/2020) examines the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan and what the case means for America’s…1 Sep 2026 · 6 min

All episodes

ANNA MARCH: Nom de PlumeThe episode traces how Nancy Cruz reinvented herself as “Anna March,” first scamming U.S.31 Aug 2026 · 37 min · 17 chapters

Cedric Lodge: Grave MistakeThe “grave mistake” of Cedric Lodge, longtime manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue’s anatomical gift program, who stole donated cadaver parts and sold them online through an…17 Aug 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters

Dean Tran: Fraud, Forgery, and FirearmsThe rise and fall of Dean Tran, a former Massachusetts state senator, whose career shifted from trailblazing immigrant-politician to federal prisoner.3 Aug 2026 · 32 min · 14 chapters

Arian Taherzadeh & Haider Ali: Highstakes CosplayArian Teherzadeh and Haider Ali impersonate Homeland Security/private police to infiltrate Washington, D.C., obtain access to luxury apartments, and even befriend Secret Service agents—ending in an…6 Jul 2026 · 42 min · 11 chapters

Luther Davis: Mission ImposterThe episode follows Luther Davis, an Alabama defensive tackle (No.22 Jun 2026 · 40 min · 12 chapters

Tai Lopez: Guru to GrifterThe episode “Tai Lopez: Guru to Grifter” argues that Tai Lopez’s “good life” brand—built on self-education and paid programs—may mask business practices that shift from hype to fraud.8 Jun 2026 · 38 min · 14 chapters

Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper: Unholy RollerThe Catholic St. James School in Redondo Beach, CA, run by Sisters Lana Chang (vice principal) and Mary Margaret Crooper (principal), allegedly misused school funds for gambling and a lavish…26 May 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters

Natalie Marie Gonzalez: High Achiever Drug DealerStanford graduate Natalie Marie Gonzalez in San Francisco who built a “harm reduction” drug business that scaled into a DoorDash-style operation, sold counterfeit/possibly dangerous pills, and was…11 May 2026 · 42 min · 13 chapters

Chef Valentino Luchin: Recipe for RuinChef Valentino Lucan’s rise as an authentic Italian chef in the Bay Area, followed by financial collapse, a first bank robbery (2018), later domestic/legal troubles, and a 2025 spree of three more…27 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters

Dishonorable Judge Mullins: Above the LawThe 2024 courthouse shooting of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins by acting Letcher County Sheriff Sean “Mickey” Steins, and the sex-for-favors corruption allegations that surfaced afterward.13 Apr 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters

Daryl Hagler and Kenny Rozenberg: The Care ConThe “Care Con” alleges Daryl Hagler and Kenny Rosenberg ran a for-profit nursing home scheme that prioritized profits over resident care, using an Opco/Propco structure, inflated related-party…6 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 13 chapters

Murder, Money, and a Children's BookThe Opportunist episode examines the alleged murder of Utah house flipper Corey Richens’ husband, Eric Richens, via illicit fentanyl, and how Corey’s financial motives, public persona, and later…30 Mar 2026 · 35 min · 14 chapters

Ian Bick: Ponzi PartyThis episode of *The Opportunist*, hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin, explores the story of Ian Bick, a young entrepreneur from Danbury, Connecticut, who crafted an illusion of success while…16 Mar 2026 · 35 min · 11 chapters

Ari Gisell: Murder in BajaIn this episode of The Opportunist, hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin, the tragic story of Ari Gisell is explored, highlighting the brutal murder of three surfers in Baja California.2 Mar 2026 · 36 min · 19 chapters

The Reckoning of LA County: Camp ScottIn this episode of *The Opportunist*, hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin, the dark realities of Camp Joe Scott, a juvenile detention center for girls in Los Angeles County, are explored.16 Feb 2026 · 39 min · 18 chapters

Jontay Porter NBA FixerThe episode delves into the downfall of NBA player Jontay Porter, who was accused of fixing games to profit from betting schemes, ultimately risking his career and the integrity of the sport.2 Feb 2026 · 29 min · 14 chapters

Adva Lavie: Model ThiefThe Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity, exploring how everyday individuals transform into thieves, scammers, or cult leaders.21 Jan 2026 · 45 min · 17 chapters

Mike Bickle: A Prayer, a Prophecy, and a PredatorIn this episode, host Sarah James McLaughlin delves into the disturbing history of Pastor Mike Bickle, the founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC).5 Jan 2026 · 46 min · 20 chapters

“Pastor David Taylor: Jesus’s Best Friend Loves You”The Opportunist explores true stories of ordinary people who turn to sinister paths by seizing opportunities, often revealing the dark potential that resides within.15 Dec 2025 · 32 min

Jeffrey Manchester: The Rooftop RobberThe Opportunist explores true stories of ordinary individuals who embrace opportunities that lead them down dark and sinister paths, examining how normal people can turn into thieves, scammers, or…1 Dec 2025 · 46 min

Steven Tomkins: Public Office, Private GainThe episode explores the rise and fall of Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tomkins, who initially came to power as a reformer in the Boston jail system.17 Nov 2025 · 37 min