Transcript

A (0:01)

The following program contains names, places and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following program is provided for entertainment purposes only, and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances. If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-6-7233 for support.

B (0:38)

Happy dating. Today you guys were in studio together and it's the best when we're together. But that was so funny.

A (0:48)

It's actually Friday when we're recording, and last night we got to go to a very cool party because there's a podcast category at the Golden Globes.

B (0:54)

The Golden Globes. The Golden Globes nominee pre party. And it was so amazing. We got to meet some incredible people, incredible artists, and it was really awesome. And we went there because you guys listened to our show.

A (1:08)

Yeah.

B (1:08)

So that's kind of cool. So our gratitude is so big. Thank you so much for supporting our podcast.

A (1:14)

To my dad who thinks we're nominated, and he kept saying like, congratulations. I'm like, no, thank you. But we're not nominated yet.

B (1:23)

Not yet.

A (1:24)

But I love that you think that.

B (1:26)

And there were a lot of really great podcast hosts there. That was really amazing to meet. So really cool to be in that space. Thank you so much. It's all because of you guys for listening, supporting us, and sharing your incredible, incredible, incredible, vulnerable stories that you're so brave and courageous to share. So thank you so much. Thank you to our Patreon, which by the way, now we have the two Patreon tiers, the $5 where you get the two bonus episodes, and the book club, which by the way, is next Sunday.

A (1:53)

The. It's two Sundays from now, right?

B (1:54)

The 18th.

A (1:55)

The 18th.

B (1:56)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dating Detectives – "Mackenzie Undercover: The Surrogate Scandal"

Host: Dear Media
Air Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this riveting episode, hosts Private Investigator Mackenzie Fultz and comedian Hanna Anderson unravel a jaw-dropping real-life case involving lies, betrayal, and a surrogacy agreement gone terribly wrong. The story follows two married men, their close friends who agree to be their surrogate, and a startling web of infidelity and deception that leaves no one unscathed. As Mackenzie takes us deep into her investigation, listeners are confronted with uncomfortable truths about trust, surrogacy, and the complexity of human relationships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Surrogacy Arrangement

[02:27-07:05]

Two men, Adam (bisexual) and Steve (gay), are in a committed relationship and want to have a child.
Instead of a medical surrogacy, they ask longtime friends, Betsy and her husband Bob, for Betsy to be the surrogate.
Adam and Betsy agree to conceive the child naturally (sex during ovulation, with full spousal awareness).
Betsy gets pregnant after three days of attempts, with Bob and Betsy abstaining from sex during the window to ensure Adam is the biological father.

2. Suspicion and Red Flags Emerge

[11:47-15:25]

A group chat among all four manages communication for transparency.
During a late-pregnancy checkup, Steve sends a cryptic group message: “It was really good seeing you like that again today” ([13:17] Steve).
Bob, Betsy’s husband, grows suspicious of Steve and Betsy's relationship.

3. Bob's Growing Anxiety, Stacy's Involvement

[15:25-16:11]

Bob confides in his sister Stacy, a divorce mediator with great instincts from her career.
Stacy, concerned for Bob, contacts Mackenzie for a professional investigation.

4. Digital Sleuthing & Surveillance

[17:18-23:17]

Bob pulls phone records—he can see call and text logs (not content), noticing Betsy and Steve have private exchanges, violating group-only communication boundaries.
Betsy often “goes to the gym,” coinciding with hours of communication silence.
Stacy formally hires Mackenzie to surveil Betsy to uncover what’s truly happening during gym trips.

5. The Surveillance Findings

[24:18-28:41]

Mackenzie observes Betsy at the gym, after which Betsy always gets into Steve’s car in the parking lot for about 45 minutes ([24:35]).
This pattern is repeated multiple times; Steve claims to Adam he is going to therapy to process Adam’s prior sexual encounter with Betsy for conception.
Both Adam and Bob privately feel something is “off,” but lack concrete evidence.

6. The Confrontation (Post-Birth)

[29:33-33:53]

After Betsy gives birth, communication and behavior patterns don’t change (Betsy and Steve continue frequent contact).
Stacy eventually shares Mackenzie’s findings with Bob, who confronts Betsy. Betsy denies everything, even with phone records as evidence ([33:44]).
Bob’s self-doubt and distress grow due to Betsy’s gaslighting.

7. Second Phase of Investigation & Bombshell Discovery

[34:47-39:13]

Stacy requests another round of surveillance post-birth. Mackenzie records Betsy and Steve kissing at Adam and Steve’s house—clear evidence of an affair ([37:33]).
It’s revealed that Betsy and Steve’s affair may have predated the pregnancy.
The ultimate twist: the baby is biologically Steve’s, not Adam’s ([39:01]).

Consequences & Aftermath

Dissolution of Relationships:
- Adam and Steve divorce; Betsy and Bob divorce; Adam and Steve split custody of the child.
Legal Wranglings:
- The paternity test confirms Steve is the biological father.
- Adam and Steve remain legal parents; the courts maintain split custody.
Emotional Fallout:
- Bob is deeply traumatized and gaslit but eventually recovers, finds happiness with someone new, and shares custody with Betsy.
- Stacy is praised for her loyalty despite initially keeping her investigation discrete from Bob.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Surrogacy Plan:
“They decided they didn’t want to go the medical route, so Adam... was going to have sex with Betsy.” — Mackenzie ([05:57])
When Suspicions Start:
“[Steve] text[s] the group chat, ‘It was really good seeing you like that again today.’ And so obviously, everybody’s like, I’m sorry, what?” — Mackenzie ([13:17])
Stacy’s Investigative Instinct:
“My spidey senses are tingling. My femtuition is off.” — Mackenzie (as Stacy) ([16:05])
On Finding the Pattern:
“She goes to the gym. She walks outside, but she doesn’t get into her car. She gets into a different car. And this different car belongs to Steve.” — Mackenzie ([24:35])
On Gaslighting:
“Betsy gaslights Bob so bad to the point where he no longer believes that she’s talking to Steve… all she says is no, and you’re like, okay, this is fine.” — Mackenzie ([33:53])
The Affair Revelation:
“Her and gay Steve, who has never been with a woman in his life… she kisses him, and they are… making out in front of the screen door. …Gay Steve is not gay Steve.” — Mackenzie ([37:33])
The DNA Bombshell:
“The baby is not Adam’s. It’s Steve’s.” — Mackenzie ([39:01])
The Aftermath:
“Adam and Steve are both the legal parents at this point. Adam says, ‘Screw you, I’m out.’ Divorces them. … So they both have… 50/50 [custody].” — Mackenzie ([41:10])
Advice:
“Trust, but verify. … This is kind of why I don’t trust anybody, because… my life has been following these cases where people just don’t tell the truth.” — Mackenzie ([47:47])

Important Timestamps

[02:27] — Case introduction: Adam, Steve, Betsy, and Bob.
[05:57] — Decision to conceive naturally.
[13:17] — Steve’s suspicious group text.
[15:25] — Bob’s sister Stacy steps in.
[24:35] — First surveillance observation: Betsy and Steve meet at the gym.
[29:33] — Betsy delivers baby; investigation continues.
[37:33] — Mackenzie catches Betsy and Steve kissing.
[39:01] — Paternity twist revealed.
[41:10] — Divorce, custody, and legal outcome.
[47:47] — Mackenzie’s reflection and advice: “Trust, but verify.”

Listener Engagement & Reflections

The hosts encourage listeners to share their own surrogacy and betrayal stories, especially those that ended well, to balance the tragedy of this case ([54:14-55:19]).
A discussion on how rare but impactful these betrayals can be in close-knit, trusting arrangements, with a request for listeners’ “WTF moments” from the episode ([60:37]).

Tone & Language

The episode weaves together the professionalism and insight of PI Mackenzie with Hanna’s humor and relatability. The conversation respects sensitive topics with empathy, while candidly expressing disbelief and outrage over the behavior uncovered. The tone is engaging, informal, and often incredulous—a hallmark of the show’s storytelling style.

Summary Conclusion

The "Surrogate Scandal" is a case study in how secrecy, poor boundaries, and broken trust can devastate families and friendships, even with the best intentions. Ultimately, the hosts urge due diligence, open communication, and, as Mackenzie summarizes: “Trust, but verify.”

For story sharing, questions, and continued discussion:

Email: investigate@thedatingdetectivespodcast.com
Patreon/book club at $5 or $9/month
Share your own “WTF moment” from the episode on their socials.