Scam Goddess – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Bounding After People Like a Labrador
Guests: Anna Betsahler, Isabella Escalante
Host: Laci Mosley
Release Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Scam Goddess sees Laci Mosley joined by comedians Anna Betsahler and Isabella Escalante (duo hosts of "Anna and Isabella Do Improv"). True to form, Laci leads a lively and hilarious tour through scams both personal and historic, from the nature of improv comedy schools as a “scam,” to an in-depth exploration of the real-life con-job of “aircraft heiress” Mary Carol McDonald. The conversation is spontaneous, self-deprecating, and full of improv energy as the trio share personal scam stories, critique white-collar crimes, and riff on everything from television to Cameo awkwardness. Highlights include an honest dialogue about “scammability” in show business, Laci’s lasting pettiness toward improv cliques, and memorable musings on the subtle (and not-so-subtle) art of grifting.

Key Moments & Discussion Points

1. The "Improv School" Scam

(00:55–05:34)

• All three riff on the endless cycle of taking improv classes (especially at UCB and “The Pit”)—the feeling of being recruited and forever chasing the next rung in the comedy world.
  • Isabella: "The amount of money we've spent on improv classes is definitely like, a scam." (02:44)
  • Anna: "I feel like I'm scamming when I teach because I'm like, this is all subjective, you know?" (03:52)
• Self-awareness about the coaching hustle: Laci describes the subjective art of teaching and withholding honesty.
  • Laci: "I had to keep showing up every week, like giving them hope..." (04:29)
• The realization that not everyone’s in it for SNL—many just enjoy a hobby.

2. Personal Scam Confessions

(06:16–15:44)

• Anna shares her scam-bait experience: paying $2,000 for a fake Berkeley apartment via PayPal Friends & Family.
  • Anna: "Every red flag was obvious…we hadn't talked to anybody on the phone...We were like, 'Oh, we're gonna move to California!'" (08:03)
• Both Anna and Laci recount mishaps with payment apps and losing substantial sums with little recourse from tech companies.
• Anna recalls being involved in a shady college coupon website, admitting to being too honest to really succeed at grifting.
  • Anna: "I have a light confessional OCD where I'm like, you know what? I'm just gonna have to get the head of this..." (11:14)
• Isabella’s “unflattering” scam: Going undercover as a college student to re-audition for her old improv team at UC Santa Cruz, ten years later.
  • Isabella: "I called my cousin...I need to borrow your email address. I'm like, I need to prove something and then sign up for these improv auditions." (13:19)
  • She makes the callback, but is still only placed in the “dweeby team,” not the elite one—driving back and forth twice.
  • Laci and Anna compare this scam to their own ongoing quests for approval from competitive, cliquey improv circles.
  • Memorable Riff: "Enrolling back in school to shit on people in improv is just chef's kiss." – Laci (16:27)

3. Family Drama & Social Scheming

(19:45–23:10)

• Laci shares a personal story of being sabotaged by a boyfriend’s mother (who is Black, yet snubs Laci for being Black), and how pettiness can "fuel success."
  • Quip: "You ain't never gonna be able to close your eyes without seeing my face." – Laci (20:34)
• Isabella tells of living with her high school boyfriend’s family (post-breakup), capitalizing on their affection for her.
  • “He moves back in. Yes. And I live there for an entire year...everyone...feel too bad about my dead dad to kick me out.” (22:14)
  • Laci: “That is such a sitcom right there. Please write it.” (22:17)

4. Historic Hoodwinks—The Mary Carol McDonald Scam

(23:21–59:03)

• Laci introduces “Historic Hoodwinks”—today’s feature: Mary Carol McDonald, a 73-year-old TV producer who posed as an aircraft heiress and stole $30M.
• The gang riffs on the absurdity of FBI wanted posters (weights, scars, odd details), and the questionable logic of trust funds unlocking for septuagenarians.
  • Anna: "73 with a trust fund is wild." (35:32)
• McDonald’s shady production company, Bellum Entertainment: she defrauded banks and underpaid or didn’t pay staff, including ex-FBI and police officers.
  • Laci: “She produced crime already. She might as well produce it in real life.” (26:21)
  • On McDonald’s email to staff: “She put a Q in check, which I think is classy.” (47:16)
• The trio draws parallels to finance’s inherent scamminess and the difference between “scammed” when the target is a wealthy institution vs. regular workers.
• They debate the allure and aura of “heiress energy,” poke fun at “quiet luxury,” and Anna wonders why all heiresses aren’t attractive:
  • Laci: “Heiresses are never really that cute…So then the gene pool all kind of comes all muddily.” (53:25)
  • Laci: “If you have a lot of power, you don't have to yell.” (49:25)

5. Scammer of the Week—The Ski Pass Hustler

(59:55–66:14)

• Laci introduces the Scammer of the Week: Jamila Green, who (with accomplices) bought legitimate ski passes with stolen credit cards, then sold them at a discount—essentially a scam targeting ski vacationers and resort systems.
  • Anna: “I think the icon pass is a scam. I think all skiing is kind of a scam.” (62:16)
• They all reflect on the inherent “scamminess” of the ski resort industry and Anna recalls accidentally skiing into a child, adding to the farce.
• The group jokes about their own scam ambitions—from running fake churches (Laci) to labor-intensive surfing schools (Isabella), to “badly” braiding vacationers’ hair.

6. Cameo, Breakups, and Dream Scams

(66:14–71:51)

• The trio discusses the odd economy of Cameo and awkwardness of booking/recording custom videos—for birthdays or breakups.
  • Isabella: “Would you like that [break-up]...depends who it’s from, I guess.” (70:48)
• Notable Real Story: Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) being hired on Cameo to deliver a breakup.

7. Final Plugs and Outro

(72:05–end)

• Anna and Isabella promote their improv podcast "Anna and Isabella Do Improv" and their Instagram handles.
• Laci plugs her own social media, her TV show “Going Dutch” season two, the Scam Goddess TV show, upcoming tour dates, and her book.

Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

• “The amount of money we've spent on improv classes is definitely like, a scam.” – Isabella (02:44)
• “73 with a trust fund is wild.” – Anna (35:32)
• “If you have a lot of power, you don't have to yell.” – Laci (49:25)
• “Heiresses are never really that cute…So then the gene pool all kind of comes all muddily.” – Laci (53:25)
• “I'm, like, bounding after people like a Labrador.” – Isabella (56:18) [episode title origin]
• “Enrolling back in school to shit on people in improv is just chef's kiss.” – Laci (16:27)

Segment Timestamps (Approximate)

• [00:55–05:34] Improv culture/comedy school scams
• [06:16–15:44] Personal scam and grift stories
• [19:45–23:10] Family drama & social scamming
• [23:21–59:03] Historic Hoodwinks: Mary Carol McDonald
• [59:55–66:14] Scammer of the Week: Jamila Green (ski pass scam)
• [66:14–71:51] Discussing Cameo, break-ups, dream scams
• [72:05–73:55] Plugs, outros

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, irreverent, and loaded with comedic asides—true to Scam Goddess’s “true con” roots. The guests match Laci's energy with genuine stories, sly observations, and improvisational bits, while pop culture, personal pettiness, and a critical eye for grift steer every story. This episode offers as much heart (and improv therapy) as it does a rundown of classic and contemporary scams.

This summary is for Scam Goddess fans who missed the episode or want to relive the most deliciously scammy and funny moments. Stay schemin’!