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
Mary Mahoney’s Old French House: Fish Fraud
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…
Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES
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…
Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned
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 c…
Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD
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.T…
Exporting the Mission: Tim Ballard’s Legal Trouble in Argentina
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 scrut…
Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future
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” expose…
Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red
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 betr…
Ryan James Wedding: Powder Runs
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 tran…
Smoke, Mirrors, and Medical Bills
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 …
Jacob Runyan & Chase Cominsky: Bait & Switch
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 t…
John Darwin: Up a Creek Without a Paddle
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 …
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Introducing Vanessa Van Edwards: Stop Overthinking Every Social Interaction! (Use THESE Cues to Be Liked, Respected, and Build Confidence in Every Conversation) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyWhat…
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Introducing Wendy Suzuki: 2 Powerful Tools To Use When You Feel Stressed Out (This Will Lower Your Anxiety in 1 Minute) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyWhat’s one thing that’s been stressing you o…
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Introducing Dr. Vonda Wright: Formula to Lose Weight and Gain Muscle (Why your Current Workout is Not Giving You Results) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyHow often do you work out? What’s been the …
Murder, Money, and a Children's Book
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…
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Introducing Lewis Howes: The Scarcity Belief That’s Blocking You from Making Money & How to Feel Rich Even When You’re Broke from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyHave you ever avoided looking at your f…
Part 2: The Season and Scandal That Shattered Hayfield
Coach Overton’s win-at-all-costs mentality led Hayfield High to a dream season—but also to its darkest chapter. In this episode, we delve into how his opportunistic actions unraveled the team, exposing a scandal that left a community reelin…
Part 1: The Opportunist Coach Overton’s Big Move
When Coach Overton made a surprising leap to Hayfield High School, he was hailed as the savior of the struggling football program. But behind his calculated move lay the actions of an opportunist willing to bend the rules to build his legac…
Part 2: The Fraternity
After Peter Martins’ actions were exposed, a dancer named Chase Finlay was caught taking inappropriate pictures and videos of dancers at the New York City Ballet. In this episode, we dive into how the misogynistic culture created by Peter M…
The New York City Ballet, Part 1: Peter Martins
The American Ballet Company, led by the charismatic Peter Martins, was the epitome of grace and perfection—until allegations of abuse and exploitation surfaced. In this episode, we explore how Martins used his influence to exploit dancers a…
John Greer: Above the Law
Discover the shocking story of Officer John Greer, a trusted law enforcement officer who exploited his badge to commit unthinkable murders. In this episode, we uncover the dark secrets Greer tried to hide, and how his abuse of power led to…
Tim Ballard E10: The Roundtable
In the final episode of The Opportunist: Tim Ballard - Unmasking a Hero, host Sarah James McLaughlin sits down with the producers and writers to explore the creative and investigative processes behind this compelling series. They also discu…
Tim Ballard E9: The Lawsuit
In this episode of The Opportunist, we delve into the new allegations against Tim Ballard and explore the Federal civil lawsuit that accuses him of exploiting his position as the head of O.U.R to traffick the women he worked with. Thank you…
Tim Ballard E8: Operation Resurrection
In this episode, we delve into the latest chapter of Tim Ballard’s controversial journey. Facing multiple lawsuits and a fallout with the LDS Church, Ballard is navigating scandal and scrutiny while attempting to hold onto his public influe…
Tim Ballard E7: Too Close to the Sun
In this episode, we explore Tim Ballard's dramatic downfall. As his hidden actions were exposed, even his most devoted supporters started to pull away, leaving the promising future he once imagined increasingly overshadowed by each new reve…
Tim Ballard E6: Crusade & Conspiracy
In this episode, we delve into Tim Ballard’s connection to QAnon conspiracy theories and the role the Sound of Freedom movie played in reinforcing these narratives. We explore how the film’s themes of child trafficking and heroic rescues mi…
Tim Ballard E5: The Church
In this episode, we examine how Tim Ballard's ties to the LDS Church and his relationship with Former President M. Russell Ballard may have provided cover for the controversial "couple ruse" used in undercover operations. Allegations sugges…
Tim Ballard E4: The Couples Ruse
In this episode, we investigate the controversial "couple ruse" tactic used by Tim Ballard during undercover operations. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that this strategy blurred professional boundaries and contributed to claims of in…
Tim Ballard E3: A Broken Moral Compass
In this episode, we explore the pull of Tim Ballard’s powerful appeal and how his public persona drew volunteers like Bree Righter to the OUR movement. And we look at how that appeal blinded supporters to his potential misdeeds. See Privacy…
Tim Ballard E1: For A Good Cause
In this episode, we dive into the recent allegations made by Celeste Borys against Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad. Borys accuses Ballard of unethical behavior during their work together, raising serious questions…
Tim Ballard E2: The Origin Myth
In this episode, we explore the rise of Tim Ballard, from his claims of being in the CIA to his early days in law enforcement to at DHS. We examine how Ballard built a global anti-trafficking organization and gained widespread attention fo…
Unmasking a Hero: Tim Ballard - The Opportunist Season 10
Coming October 21, 2024... In the 10th season of "The Opportunist: Tim Ballard," PodcastOne will explore controversy surrounding Tim Ballard, the celebrated founder of Operation Underground Railroad, an organization known for its mission to…
Sneak Preview of a New Season of “The Opportunist”
Join the host and producers of The Opportunist for a behind-the-scenes discussion on some of the most captivating single-story episodes from the past season. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at the twists and turns of the upcoming season,…
Dr. Henry Lee: Evidence of Foul Play
In this episode, we dive into the controversial career of forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, exploring allegations that he may have fabricated or mishandled evidence in several high-profile cases. Did one of America's most famous forensic e…
Baby Doe: An Afghan Abduction
In this episode, we delve into the controversial story of U.S. Marine Joshua Mast, who adopted a young Afghan girl under questionable circumstances. Using the 2021 fall of Afghanistan and its ensuing chaos as a pretext, Mast navigated lega…
Arian Taherzadeh & Haider Ali: Highstakes Cosplay
In this episode of The Opportunist, we explore the bizarre case of Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali, who posed as federal agents and infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. Secret Service with astonishing ease. We delve into the duo's mot…
David Xu: Toxic Workplace
In this episode of “The Opportunist,” we explore the chilling case of David Xu, a seemingly ordinary engineer who attempted to poison his coworker with cadmium over a period of several months. We explore his twisted motives behind his acti…
Judge Jeffrey Ferguson: Deadly Lapse of Judgment
Is justice really blind? In this week’s episode of “The Opportunist” we explore the shocking case of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson. Known as a strict law and order judge, Ferguson is accused of shooting his wife during a drunken rage. Despite ad…
Sebastián Marset: The Ultimate Score
Sebastián Marset is currently one of South America’s most powerful drug traffickers - opening new cocaine trafficking routes to Europe. In this episode of the "The Opportunist," we explore his rise to power and uncover how Marset cunningly…
Ruby Corado: Casa of Cards
Casa Ruby was once a vibrant shelter offering essential services to Washington D.C.'s vulnerable and at-risk LGBTQ+ community. The non-profit shelter was the vision of Ruby Corado, an activist born in El Salvador, who dedicated her life to …