Once Upon A Con
Episode 1: He Thinks I’m a Masseuse
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Host: Caroline D'Amore
Produced by AYR Media and 32 Flavors

1. Introduction

In the gripping premiere of Once Upon A Con, Caroline D'Amore shares her harrowing personal journey from a celebrated socialite to a victim of a sophisticated con orchestrated by David Bloom, a man she once trusted implicitly. This episode delves deep into Caroline's past, her encounter with Bloom, the devastating impact of his deceit, and her relentless pursuit of justice.

2. Early Life and Background

Caroline begins by painting a vivid picture of her upbringing in Los Angeles, highlighting the complexities of growing up in the affluent yet tumultuous environment of Calabasas, California.

• Family Dynamics and Tragedy:
  "My mother's death from AIDS when I was just five years old forever impacted me in ways I'm still trying to wrap my head around." ([08:05])

• Educational Journey:
  Caroline recounts her experiences at A.E. Wright Middle School and Malibu High, detailing the challenges of fitting into a scene filled with privileged peers.
  "Life in Malibu as a teenager trying to fit in was equal parts hard and, honestly, dangerous." ([12:43])

3. Career and Personal Life

Transitioning into adulthood, Caroline shares her ventures into modeling, acting, and DJing, providing insights into her multifaceted career.

• Modeling and Acting:
  "I was like a celebrity before there were celebrities. Like, I was, like, a celebrity in middle school." ([05:50])
  She discusses her roles in films like "Sorority Row" alongside Carrie Fisher and her brief stint in the entertainment industry before pivoting to DJing.

• DJing and Relationships:
  "I just started DJing. And honestly, I learned how to be a good DJ by being a terrible DJ." ([24:10])
  Caroline details her rise in the DJ scene, including her residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, and her personal struggles with substance abuse.
  "What comes with being a DJ is sobriety or death. That's how I look at it." ([25:36])

4. Encounter with David Bloom

The heart of the episode revolves around Caroline's encounter with David Bloom, a charismatic man who would later betray her trust.

• Meeting at Villa Carlotta:
  Caroline describes moving into Villa Carlotta after her divorce, a prestigious building in Hollywood.
  "I found my groove at that place and I loved living there. Then all of a sudden, it became my worst nightmare." ([42:13])

• David Bloom’s Manipulation:

  • "He was strategic about it. David had a Bentley and a chauffeur one time when I was with him for dinner." ([43:40])
  • Behavior and Deception:
    "He was pathologically. He's a psychopath." ([44:43])
    Caroline recounts Bloom’s tactics of flaunting his connections and financial power to establish dominance and trust.
    "He did so many names. Oh, I'm so connected." ([43:45])

5. The Con Unfolds

Caroline details how David Bloom systematically defrauded her and others, manipulating her trust and exploiting her vulnerabilities.

• Manipulation and Deception:
  "He seemed like a really nice guy. And looking back, I was like Little Red Riding Hood being courted by the big bad wolf." ([42:55])

• Financial Betrayal:
  Bloom leverages his connections to offer Caroline lucrative opportunities, only to siphon funds under false pretenses.
  "David Bloom's a scammer. We out here, David. Nowhere to hide now." ([45:25])

6. Aftermath and Pursuit of Justice

The aftermath of the con left Caroline emotionally and financially devastated, pushing her to the brink of despair. However, her resilience shines through as she channels her pain into determination.

• Emotional Turmoil:
  "It knocked me down hard. The shame and embarrassment was just too much. I didn't want to live anymore." ([03:40])

• Turning Point and Fight for Justice:
  Inspired by past experiences and supported by her friend Tom Hamilton, Caroline vows to expose Bloom’s schemes.
  "I'm not going to let him get away with what he did to me and what he did to hundreds of other people." ([04:19])

7. Launching the Podcast

Empowered by her experiences, Caroline launches Once Upon A Con to shed light on David Bloom’s fraudulent activities and prevent others from falling victim to similar deceit.

• Dedication and Purpose:
  "This podcast is dedicated to the memory of my amazing mother, Bonnie Major, who would be super proud of me standing up for myself." ([45:25])

• Call to Action:
  Caroline passionately urges listeners to support her mission to bring Bloom to justice, emphasizing the importance of awareness and vigilance.
  "David Bloom did such a number on me that by the time it was all over, I didn't want to live." ([37:56])

8. Conclusion

Episode one of Once Upon A Con sets the stage for a compelling narrative of betrayal, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Caroline D'Amore's candid storytelling, enriched with personal anecdotes and emotional depth, invites listeners into her world of navigating deception and seeking justice.

Notable Quotes

• "I was like Little Red Riding Hood being courted by the big bad wolf, and I didn't stand a chance." – Caroline D'Amore ([42:55])

• "He was pathologically. He's a psychopath." – Caroline D'Amore ([44:43])

• "I'm not going to let him get away with what he did to me and what he did to hundreds of other people." – Caroline D'Amore ([04:19])

• "David Bloom's a scammer. We out here, David. Nowhere to hide now." – Caroline D'Amore ([45:25])

Production Credits

• Executive Producers: Aliza Rosen (AYR Media), Alex Baskin (32 Flavors), Jonathan Walton (Jonathan Walton Productions)
• Written by: Jonathan Walton
• Senior Associate Producer: Jill Piesznik
• Coordinator: Malena Krolejewski
• Sound Design & Editing: Tim Mulhern
• Supervising Editor: Victoria Chang
• Legal Counsel: Beam Gianni Douglas
• Theme Song: "Freshly Served" by Maddie Noyes

Listen to Once Upon A Con on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.