The Wedding Scammer

Have you ever been scammed? In The Ringer’s first true crime podcast, host Justin Sayles tracks a mysterious figure who once wronged him. A man with a lot of aliases, a lot of failed businesses, and a trail of victims. Justin follows him through a sham media company, a series of ruined weddings, and beyond, trying to find answers. The police can’t offer any help—but maybe we can. From Spotify and The Ringer, this is ‘The Wedding Scammer.’ A story in seven parts.

Episodes

8. The Arrest

September 2, 2025 • 72 mins

We are back with a big update: Carl Butcho has been arrested. Join Justin for one more trip down the rabbit hole as we explore how we got here and what closure looks like. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Vikram Patel, Jade Whaley, Kaya McMullen, Devon Baroldi, Justin Sayles Executive Producers: Sean Fennessey, Juliet Litman, Mallory Rubin Copy Editing: Jack McCluskey Fact-checking: Dan Comer Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering...

Mark as Played

7. Fool Me Twice

November 28, 2023 • 80 mins

In the final episode, we hear from the Wedding Scammer himself. A lot. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

6. Undercover Cowboy

November 21, 2023 • 69 mins

Justin confronts Carl Butcho, a.k.a. Lance Miller. And he records the whole thing. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

5. All My Scammers Live In Texas

November 14, 2023 • 50 mins

The Wedding Scammer resurfaces. Carl Butcho is still in the wedding business, and he's got a new alias. But a few discerning Texans manage to connect the dots, and find their way to Justin. To buy Rob Harvilla's new book, '60 Songs That Explain the '90s,' click here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-harvilla/60-songs-that-explain-the-90s/9781538759462/ Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby ...

Mark as Played

4. Coal Country

November 7, 2023 • 56 mins

Michael, Mark, Lawrence: What is the Wedding Scammer's real name? Turns out it's none of the above. In this episode, Justin gets the answer, takes a trip, and tells you an origin story. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Lear...

Mark as Played

3. The Fake Name Game

October 31, 2023 • 62 mins

The Wedding Scammer hits the road, and lands in the Bay Area. However, there’s a catch: He’s no longer going by Michael Esposito. But while he’s got a new name, some things haven’t changed. And the cost of knowing him has gone up. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagne...

Mark as Played

2. The Crooked Caterer

October 24, 2023 • 51 mins

Michael Esposito has shut down Newsaratti and moved on to a new hustle: the wedding industry. Over the next few years, a handful of couples in Los Angeles will sue him, saying he did the unthinkable: ruined their weddings and kept the money. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: ...

Mark as Played

1. The Glass Castle

October 17, 2023 • 57 mins

A drive across the country. A fresh start. An unexpected job offer. What could go wrong? In this episode, Justin tells the story of how he stumbled into the orbit of a con man. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more ...

Mark as Played

Introducing ‘The Wedding Scammer’

October 11, 2023 • 59 secs

Jump down the rabbit hole with host Justin Sayles as he tracks a scammer and tries to get some answers—for himself, and so many others. This is ‘The Wedding Scammer,’ The Ringer’s first true crime podcast. A story in seven parts, starting October 17. Video Trailer: Cory McConnell Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Business History

It’s the history of business. How did Hitler’s favorite car become synonymous with hippies? What got Thomas Edison tangled up with the electric chair? Did someone murder the guy who invented the movies? Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small and find out what you can learn from those who founded them.