Betrayal: Weekly — Mackenzie | Betrayal Weekly

Podcast: Betrayal: Weekly
Host: Andrea Gunning
Episode: Mackenzie | Betrayal Weekly
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Betrayal: Weekly features the harrowing account of Mackenzie, whose trusting relationships with her sister Lee and close friend Amy were upended by a catfishing scheme that spanned years. The episode explores how deceit can fester in friendship and family, the psychological aftermath of such betrayal, and the journey toward healing. It’s also a cautionary tale about authenticity in the digital age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Mackenzie, Lee, and Amy

• Mackenzie and Lee are sisters with a tight bond, spending their childhood as best friends ([04:08]).
• Amy, originally a teammate of Lee’s, becomes Mackenzie’s coworker and best friend ([14:41], [18:58]).
• The sisters enter long-distance online relationships with two “cousins,” Matt (Mackenzie’s boyfriend) and Ryan (Lee’s boyfriend), whom they met via Facebook through mutual friend Amy ([06:34], [07:30]).

2. The Online Relationships & Escalating Tension

• Both sisters are quickly swept into intense, long-distance relationships. The emotional investments deepen even though repeated plans to meet in person are canceled with elaborate excuses (Ryan's mom's illness, etc.) ([09:16], [12:23]).
• Amy plays a supportive role, helping Mackenzie get a job, spending time with the sisters, and facilitating gifts supposedly from the boyfriends ([14:41], [09:57]).
• Over time, Lee’s relationship spirals into dysfunction, leading her to withdraw from her social life and rely heavily on Mackenzie and Amy ([12:53], [21:17]).
• Amy starts to display intrusive behavior, often meddling in the sisters’ relationships and asking probing questions about Lee and Ryan ([21:47], [22:23]).

3. The Seeds of Doubt and Discovery

• The sisters, with encouragement from the boyfriends, watch the documentary “Catfish,” still believing their relationships are legitimate ([23:31]).
  • Quote:
    “We’re watching Catfish together. We’re like, I couldn’t even imagine if that happened to us. That would be devastating.” — Mackenzie ([23:59])
• A friend of Mackenzie’s notices that when she texts Matt, Amy’s phone vibrates at the same time, raising suspicions ([26:49]).
• Mackenzie connects the dots—gifts received always handed over by Amy, duplicate handmade items, and photos from “Ryan” being directly obtained at Mackenzie's work sites ([27:45], [28:14]).

4. The Catfish Unravels

• Mackenzie gathers evidence and uncovers that Amy is likely impersonating both Matt and Ryan. She confronts her sister Lee with her findings ([28:31], [35:09]).
  • Quote:
    “I just was like, yeah, I think Amy is Matt.” — Mackenzie ([28:14])
  • Quote:
    “I called Lee right away, and I told her. And when we got home and I was telling my parents, Lee was basically just sitting on the couch, not really having a reaction...‘No, I’m talking with Ryan. He’s real. Maybe Matt’s her, but Ryan’s real.’” — Mackenzie ([35:09])
• The sisters confront Amy at her home. Amy admits Matt isn’t real but continues to insist Ryan is ([36:59]).
  • Quote:
    “Amy finally came out after half an hour and said that Matt isn’t real. Matt is my friend Sam, but Ryan is real. Looks Lee straight in the eye: I swear to you, he is real. I touched him.” — Mackenzie ([36:59])

5. Aftermath: Emotional Fallout and Slow Healing

• Lee continues to believe Ryan is real, straining the sisterly bond ([39:13]).
• Mackenzie’s attempt to involve the police is fruitless; authorities state that no crime was committed unless social insurance numbers or identities are stolen ([39:35]).
• Lee moves away, never admitting the truth; the sisters’ relationship is forever altered ([40:13], [41:54]).
  • Quote:
    “She just wasn't Lee anymore. I was mad at her for a very long time. Now we're better, but we’re just not the same.” — Mackenzie ([41:54])

6. Amy’s Belated Confession

• A decade later, Amy sends an audio confession, claiming her actions were rooted in internalized homophobia ([45:55]):
  • Quote:
    “She says, ‘It was me. It was always me. I did it. I’m sorry… I was struggling with internalized homophobia, and that’s why I did the things I did.’” — Mackenzie ([45:55])
• Mackenzie vehemently rejects Amy’s justification, interpreting it as manipulation rather than accountability ([46:58]).
  • Quote:
    “You're giving yourself an out to explain the shitty things you did. I'm not manipulating other people… I barely have a friendship with my sister, and it’s all because of what she decided to do. For three years.” — Mackenzie ([46:58])
• Amy’s apology feels self-serving, another attempt at control ([47:47]).

7. Moving Forward: Resilience and Growth

• Lee and Mackenzie ultimately build fulfilling lives. Lee finds happiness with a husband and kids; Mackenzie embraces her authentic self and comes out as gay ([44:15], [44:41]).
  • Quote:
    “It was the opening of—okay, I can be me now. I had my first girlfriend, fell in love.” — Mackenzie ([44:57])
• Mackenzie seeks therapy, reflecting on how betrayal can foster growth and greater empathy ([42:20]).
  • Quote:
    “I needed that help because I was angry. I was trying to desensitize myself from this story and put together what the hell just happened.” — Mackenzie ([42:25])
• She ends the interview with a message of hope for listeners ([48:52]):
  • Quote:
    “I want people to know that regardless of the betrayal you go through, I feel like if you’re willing to do therapy and you’re willing to look at yourself on a deeper level, it can make you a better person and funnier because you have more trauma.” — Mackenzie ([48:52])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We’re watching Catfish together. We’re like, I couldn’t even imagine if that happened to us. That would be devastating.” — Mackenzie ([23:59])
• “I just was like, yeah, I think Amy is Matt.” — Mackenzie ([28:14])
• “I said, I can’t believe you could watch my sister fall into this deep depression for two years, lose all of that... her friends.” — Mackenzie ([34:36])
• “Amy finally came out... said that Matt isn't real. Matt is my friend Sam, but Ryan is real. Looks Lee straight in the eye: I swear to you, he is real. I touched him.” — Mackenzie ([36:59])
• “She just wasn’t Lee anymore. I was mad at her for a very long time. Now we’re better, obviously, but we’re just not the same.” — Mackenzie ([41:54])
• “She says, ‘It was me. It was always me. I did it. I’m sorry… I was struggling with internalized homophobia, and that’s why I did the things I did.’” — Mackenzie ([45:55])
• “You’re giving yourself an out to explain the shitty things you did… I barely have a friendship with my sister, and it’s all because of what she decided to do. For three years.” — Mackenzie ([46:58])
• “I want people to know that regardless of the betrayal you go through, I feel like if you’re willing to do therapy and you’re willing to look at yourself on a deeper level, it can make you a better person...” — Mackenzie ([48:52])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Sisterly Bond and Childhood (04:08–05:54)
• Beginnings of Online Relationships (06:34–08:39)
• Amy and Mackenzie’s Friendship (14:41–19:39)
• Tensions and Red Flags (21:17–23:14)
• Catfish Documentary & Heightened Doubt (23:31–25:00)
• Discovery and Confrontation (27:23–37:39)
• Emotional Fallout (39:13–41:54)
• Amy’s Audio Confession (45:55–47:44)
• Message to Listeners — Resilience (48:52–49:29)

Tone & Language

The episode is delivered with candor and empathy. Mackenzie’s retelling is raw, sharp, and self-aware, often laced with humor and biting honesty even as she recounts trauma. Host Andrea Gunning maintains a supportive, reflective tone, inviting deeper insight and broader lessons for listeners throughout.

Summary

This episode tells a striking modern-day cautionary tale of trust shattered by digital deception—how an intimate friend’s betrayal nearly destroyed sisterly bonds, and what it means to reclaim love, trust, and one’s sense of self in the aftermath. Mackenzie’s journey, though marked by heartbreak and loss, is ultimately one of resilience, healing, and the discovery of authentic identity.

If you or someone you know is dealing with betrayal or manipulative relationships, Mackenzie’s story encourages seeking support, trusting your instincts, and finding growth through vulnerability and honesty.