Podcast
CONmunity Podcast
Hosted by Sarah Ferris Media · EN
🎙️ CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con)
From Sarah Ferris Media
When your gut says something’s off… do you follow it?
Welcome to CONmunity Podcast, the investigative true-story series that explores trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion.Each season follows a different real-world investigation — told through the voices of those who lived it, questioned it, and tried to make sense of it.
Season 1 (Conning the Con) followed my sister and me as we uncovered one of New Zealand’s most audacious relationship deceptions.Season 2 (The BADmiral) unpacks the rise of a global humanitarian organisation called IntSAR and the extraordinary claims surrounding the man who led it.Over eighteen months of reporting, I’ve traced how veterans, ex-law-enforcement, and humanitarians were drawn in by a vision that promised purpose and service — and how difficult it can be to see what’s real when hope is the hook.
Independent, empathetic, and grounded in firsthand testimony, CONmunity brings listeners inside complex human stories — without assigning guilt, but always asking the questions that matter.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S2 EP14 WHAT'S HIDING IN VINCE'S GARAGE?
Feb 1900:33:40Tap to summarizeYou know those moments when you think you’ve reached the end of the story… …and then someone opens a dusty cardboard box and you realise you’re actually just getting started? This episode begins not in Thailand.Not on WhatsApp.Not in a bar with a man in full Admiral whites. It begins in a garage. Specifically, retired detective and criminologist Professor Vince Hurley’s garage. Inside? Old case files. Notes. Clippings. Things packed away but never quite forgotten. The kind of paperwork that doesn’t shout… it just waits. And when we start going through those boxes together, something becomes very clear: Patterns don’t disappear.They just gather dust. In this episode of The BADmiral, we step back in time. We look at what was known, what was said, what was documented — long before this podcast existed. We explore how experienced investigators think, how instincts form, and why sometimes your gut is simply pattern recognition catching up with you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to make sure you don’t miss it.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Thanks to Professor Vince Hurley for Joining us and if you haven’t seen the clip that made VInce a bit of a viral sensation here is the link The BADmiral is a long-form investigative podcast by Sarah Ferris, examining how alleged deception can hide in plain sight — and why capable, experienced people can find themselves inside something that doesn’t fully add up until it’s too late. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · reinvention · manipulation · belief · power · psychology · trust · resilience All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. About the Series🧭 LISTEN NEXT🌊 ABOUT CONMUNITY PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | EP13 - X MARKS THE SPOT
Feb 900:34:31Tap to summarize⚓️ S2 | E13 — X MARKS THE SPOT What happens after the season airs? In this episode, Sarah Ferris returns to The BADmiral with new developments and reflections that surfaced once the main investigation was already out in the world. As more people came forward and new information emerged, this episode explores what becomes visible in the aftermath — why accountability is often elusive, why many people never report what they’ve experienced, and why uncovering a potential con can feel like trying to catch smoke with your hands. This is not an episode about declaring guilt.It’s about what surfaces once belief collapses, and what the system does — or doesn’t — do next. With thanks to Alex Turner‑Cohen for her journalistic input and contribution to this episode. While this episode sits outside the main arc of the season, the conversation isn’t over. Subscribers will receive additional bonus content, continuing the discussion and expert insight raised throughout The BADmiral. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to make sure you don’t miss it.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon The BADmiral is a long-form investigative podcast by Sarah Ferris, examining how alleged deception can hide in plain sight — and why capable, experienced people can find themselves inside something that doesn’t fully add up until it’s too late. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · reinvention · manipulation · belief · power · psychology · trust · resilience All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Don’t Miss What Comes NextAbout the Series🧭 LISTEN NEXT🌊 ABOUT CONMUNITY PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E12 — OLD SEA DOG, NEW TRICKS
Dec 2900:46:33Tap to summarizeThe tide may have gone out on IntSAR, but the story isn’t over. In this season finale, Sarah traces what happens after the collapse — following the digital breadcrumbs that reveal how Admiral Peter Cowell re-emerges with a new identity, a new pitch, and a familiar playbook. From humanitarian aid to “angel investing,” the pattern repeats: new titles, new promises, and the same elusive outcomes. As Sarah reflects on the journey that began with a gut feeling, The BADmiral ends where all investigations do — at the intersection of belief, charisma, and consequence. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · reinvention · manipulation · belief · power · psychology · trust · resilience All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E11 — GHOST PLANE OR PLAIN GHOSTED
Dec 2200:47:12Tap to summarizeA plane that never lands. A meeting that never happens. And a leader who suddenly stops responding. In this episode, Sarah follows the surreal final chapter of the IntSAR operation — where delayed flights, missing passengers, and fantastical explanations blur the line between logistics and illusion.Through verified WhatsApp conversations and testimony from those still waiting to be paid or deployed, The BADmiralreveals the emotional toll of hope sustained for too long. What began as a mission to serve humanity now looks more like a masterclass in delay and deflection. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · manipulation · trust · veterans · psychological control · power and illusion · emotional fallout All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience 🧭 LISTEN NEXT🌊 ABOUT CONMUNITY PODCAST✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E10 — CUTTING THE LINES
Dec 1500:42:35Tap to summarizeThat moment when belief and doubt finally collide. In this episode, Sarah traces the fallout after IntSAR’s internal mutiny. With trust eroded and questions mounting, key members begin to step away, revealing just how far-reaching the promises of Admiral Peter Cowell had become. From Thailand to Fiji, and across encrypted messages and recorded calls, The BADmiral follows the final unraveling of a story that started with hope, purpose, and uniforms — and ended in silence, debt, and disillusionment. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · manipulation · trust · veterans · deception · emotional control · power and purpose All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E9 — TURN STARBOARD FOR MUTINY
Dec 800:51:21Tap to summarizeThe tide turns. In this episode, Sarah follows the unraveling of IntSAR from the inside out. As members begin to compare notes, stories collide, loyalties shift, and those once closest to Admiral Peter Cowell start to ask the questions they’d long avoided. Through verified WhatsApp messages, testimony, and recorded conversations, The BADmiral pieces together how the so-called “Admiralty” fractured — revealing a pattern of emotional manipulation, financial confusion, and eroding trust. This is the moment the crew begins to steer their own course. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · manipulation · trust · power dynamics · veterans · whistleblowers · human psychology All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E8 — THE SILENT MUTINY
Dec 100:46:22Tap to summarizeLoyalty can hold a crew together — until it doesn’t. In this episode, Sarah uncovers what happens when insiders within IntSAR begin to quietly question the leadership and promises that first inspired them. Through private recordings, WhatsApp messages, and first-hand testimony, the story turns inward: a mutiny not of ships and sailors, but of trust and truth. As one key figure steps forward to speak, Sarah pieces together how belief begins to break — and how manipulation can keep even the sharpest minds anchored in place. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · manipulation · whistleblowing · loyalty · group psychology · veterans · trust All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E7 — LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS
Nov 2400:38:53Tap to summarizeWhen secrets start to surface, even the strongest alliances can begin to crack. In this episode, Sarah turns her focus to those inside IntSAR who began to question what they’d signed up for. Private messages, quiet conversations, and shifting loyalties reveal a turning tide — one where silence is no longer sustainable. Through first-hand testimony and verified correspondence, The BADmiral explores how doubt spreads within a tight-knit group and what happens when speaking out means risking everything. This is the moment the currents begin to change. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · whistleblowers · loyalty · communication · manipulation · trust · group dynamics All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E6 — THE PARASITE IN THE HULL
Nov 1700:37:55Tap to summarizeA ship without a captain can drift — but what happens when someone new quietly takes the helm? In this episode, Sarah investigates how IntSAR evolved through three distinct lifespans: its founding as a small charitable company, its transformation under Peter Cowell’s leadership, and its sleek modern relaunch years later. Each version carries the same crest, motto, and mission — but behind the surface lies a changing cast of characters and unanswered questions. From archived websites and corporate filings to interviews with those once involved, The BADmiral explores how legitimacy can be borrowed, how old structures can hide new intentions, and how the line between purpose and pretense can blur at sea. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to examine how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · organisational history · veterans · leadership · identity · legitimacy · humanitarian aid All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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S2 | E5 — THE TALENTED MR COWELL
Nov 1000:51:48Tap to summarizeThe deeper Sarah investigates, the more versions of Admiral Peter Cowell she uncovers. Online profiles, official-looking biographies, and a growing trail of uniforms and honours paint a picture that keeps shifting with every click. In this episode, Sarah traces how Cowell’s public image evolved — from early job titles to later claims of international rank — and examines the psychology behind reinvention. How does a story take hold, and why do so many accomplished people accept it at face value? As new evidence emerges from emails, websites, and interviews, Sarah starts to see how credibility can be built one carefully placed detail at a time. Peter Cowell was contacted for comment during the production of this series. At the time of publication, no response has been received. All accounts and opinions in this series are those of the participants, based on their own experiences. Allegations are always attributed to their sources. The story is told in the public interest to explore how trust, belief, and ambition can intertwine. 🔎 Themes: investigative journalism · identity · credibility · veterans · leadership · belief · trust · true story All episodes of The BADmiral are available now — stream them ad-free and with bonus content:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Join on Patreon Follow @conmunitypodcast on Instagram for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes insight, and ongoing developments. Subscribers also get access to exclusive seasons & bonus content including: 🎙️ The Tonka Trilogy – bonus season to Conning the Con 💰 Klooghless – The Long Con – full series ad-free + video extras (where available) 📺 Subscribe on YouTube for videos from all Sarah Ferris Media podcasts → YouTube.com/@SarahFerrisMedia The BADmiral is Season 2 of CONmunity Podcast (from Sarah Ferris Media) — an independent investigative true-story series exploring trust, belief, and the fine line between ambition and illusion. 🌐 SarahFerrisMedia.com 🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit Watching Two Detectives — true crime told by those who solved it Guilty Greenie — sustainability without the guilt trip Klooghless – The Long Con — an award-winning investigation into New Zealand’s largest financial deception The Bravery Academy — stories of courage and resilience ✳️ Now part of CONmunity Podcast (formerly Conning the Con) — from Sarah Ferris Media, telling true stories that explore how belief and ambition intertwine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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