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.
Episodes
In this episode of The Opportunist, Ari Giselle is at the center of a case tied to the killing of three surfers in Baja California. The episode traces how the crime unfolded - and how it turned a long-considered tourist playground into the focus of international scrutiny.
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On this episode of The Opportunist, probation guards at LA County’s Camp Scott, entrusted with the care of vulnerable girls, are accused of using their authority to sexually abuse those in custody. The episode examines how power, isolation, and a broken oversight system created the conditions for exploitation- and the reckoning that followed.
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Jontay Porter \
On this episode of The Opportunist, NBA journeyman Jontay Porter is accused of fixing games to cash in on bets placed by his gambling partners. The episode unpacks how a professional athlete risked his career - and the integrity of the sport - for profit.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...
On this episode of The Opportunist, a rising model with a double life, Adva Lavie conned fellow models and wealthy older men, leaving a trail of betrayal in her wake. The episode unpacks how looks, access, and opportunity fueled a years-long scheme hiding in plain sight.
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This episode of The Opportunist pulls back the curtain on pastor Mike Bickle, tracing years of troubling claims and unanswered questions that lingered in the shadows of his ministry.
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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.
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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.
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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.
...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.
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.
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.
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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/OPPORTUNIST
- Simplisafe: Get 50% off y...
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/OPPORTUNIST
- Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new S...
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...
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/OPPORTUNIST
- Simpli...
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...
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/OPPOR...
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.
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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.
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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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