Podcast Summary: The Girlfriends S5/E2 – "The Busted Nut"

Podcast: The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe
Host: Anna Sinfield (for iHeartPodcasts and Novel)
Episode: Season 5, Episode 2
Date: April 20, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe continues the unfolding story of Derek Alldred, a prolific romance scammer, through the voices and lived experiences of his targets—strong, witty women who become unlikely detectives and allies. In “The Busted Nut,” host Anna Sinfield guides listeners through two parallel timelines: Cindy’s discovery and pursuit of justice on the West Coast, and Lisa’s dangerously escalating romance with “Steel Aldridge” (Derek) in Minnesota, culminating in a roadside rescue worthy of a thriller. The episode digs into themes of gut instinct, friendship as a lifeline, and the real-life obstacles victims face with law enforcement and trust.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Cindy’s Story: How the Web Unravelled (02:31–07:39)

• Cindy Connects with Wendy
  Cindy cold-calls Wendy to share, “Hi Wendy. You don't know me, but my name's Cindy and we both dated Derek.” (02:31)
  Emotional resonance: Both are reeling from financial and emotional devastation.

• The Scope of Derek’s Scam
  Cindy recounts how Derek “took her computer and looked up all of her finances... ordered credit cards in his name... stole a lot of money.” (03:38)
  Cindy discovers Derek used her own resources to buy gifts for other women, including Wendy.
  Quote: “He took a picture of her dog... that dog had not died.” — Cindy (05:10)

• Law Enforcement Letdown
  Cindy tries to report Derek to police, who dismiss it as a “domestic squabble.” (05:25)
  Despite detailed files, “it was very apparent they were not taking any of it seriously. She felt very alone.” — Cindy (06:37)

• Determination
  Cindy vows: “He is not going to get away with this. I am going to find him and bring him to justice.” (06:57)

Minnesota: Lisa’s Turn in the Web (07:39–42:00)

Meeting Steele (Derek): Red Flags and Friendship

• Hockey Night and First Impressions (08:44–12:29)
  Lisa, a nurse and hockey fan, introduces her boyfriend ‘Steel Aldridge’ to friends after a game.
  Michelle observes: “He was carrying a backpack, a pretty full backpack, and I just thought that was so weird... He just looked disheveled.” (12:10–12:26)

  Tammy grills him: “What do you do for work? Where do you live?” Lisa adds, “She was starting to grill him... he’s being very defensive with her.” (13:08–13:16)

  Michelle: “It was almost like a rehearsed line... I'm going to use the word weaselly.” (13:22)

• Creepy Behavior Escalates
  After being confronted, Steel turns cold and controlling.
  “It's the first time I ever can say I got scared of him. He just had this look in his eyes. His demeanor was creepy.” — Lisa (14:17)

• Possessiveness and Manipulation (15:01–17:36)
  Lisa receives a barrage of texts from Steel and his “family” asking her to forgive him after erratic behavior, excused as a reaction to taking pain medication.
  Lisa: “Sometimes you have such a big heart that you believe people, and you're very forgiving and very caring. I wouldn’t listen to my gut. I’d listen to my heart. So you forgive them.” (17:23)

The Illusion of Wealth: The Hawaiian Honeymoon Set-Up

• Promises and Paperwork (18:04–19:50)
  Derek/Steel presents himself as a lottery winner wanting to buy a house for them.
  “It was going to be ours. But he was going to pay for it.” — Lisa (18:45)
  He fills out real estate paperwork on the spot, deepening Lisa’s emotional and financial investment.

• Big Gesture: The Busted Nut and the Trip (23:23–25:36)
  At the bar “The Busted Nut,” Lisa reveals she and Steel are back together and he’s taking her to Hawaii to check on his surf business.
  Friends are skeptical but concede: “Maybe there’s something about him that I don’t know, that she really likes about him.” — Michelle (25:23)
  Friends insist on safety checks: car photos, location updates, etc. (26:10–26:29)

Friends Mobilize and the Scammer Slips

• Hawaii: Control and Gaslighting (27:10–35:07)
  Lisa enjoys romantic moments but is disturbed by blackouts she’d never experienced before:
  “I remember being down at the pool. And then I also remember waking up... like, how the hell did I get here?” — Lisa (34:45)

• Friends' Concern Peaks
  Back in Minnesota, nurse friend Steph cross-references info and discovers Derek’s real identity: “My heart just sunk. Oh my God, this is the same man. I remember saying, ‘I knew it.’” — Steph (29:12)

• The Rescue Plan (35:14–38:41)
  Friends carefully text Lisa, trying not to alert Derek, asking for flight details and location to plan a safe return.
  “At one point I called her just to see what was going on... I said, ‘where’s Steele?’... I couldn't say anything to him that would lead him to know that we knew.” — Michelle (37:05)

The Return: The Take Down

• The Great Getaway and Confrontation (38:41–41:35)
  Derek manipulates return flights, delays, and excuses. Lisa finally returns to Minnesota, only to be intercepted at the airport by police.
  Quote:
  Lisa (at the airport, stunned):
  “I have them. What the hell is going on? They have them. And the one guy goes, are you Lisa? I go, yes. The other cop goes, are you Derek Aldridge? And I look at him like, what the hell? And he goes, yes.” (41:13)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Cindy on being dismissed by police:
  “She's finding out this guy is a serious con artist, and nobody is listening to me.” (05:39)

• On Derek’s manipulation:
  “It was almost like a rehearsed line... I'm going to use the word weaselly.” — Michelle (13:22)

• Lisa's self-reflection on forgiveness:
  “I wouldn't listen to my gut. I'd listen to my heart.” (17:23)

• The crucial break:
  “My heart just sunk. Oh my God, this is the same man. I remember saying, ‘I knew it. I knew it. That's him. I knew it.’” — Steph (29:12)

• Airport confrontation:
  “Are you Lisa?... Are you Derek Aldridge? ... Yes.” (41:13)

Important Timestamps

• 02:31 – Cindy connects with Wendy, revealing the scam.
• 05:25 – Cindy’s failed attempts with police.
• 06:57 – Cindy’s vow for justice.
• 08:44 – Lisa and friends at the hockey game.
• 12:10 – Michelle’s bad first impression of Steel/Derek.
• 14:17 – Lisa expresses fear for the first time.
• 18:04 – Derek’s fake backstory about lottery and property hunt.
• 23:23 – Announcement of the Hawaii trip at The Busted Nut.
• 29:12 – Steph learns Derek's true identity.
• 34:45 – Lisa’s blackout and growing unease in Hawaii.
• 37:05 – Michelle’s cautious check-in call.
• 41:13 – Police confront Lisa and Derek at the airport.

Episode Tone

The episode balances dark intrigue with moments of warmth, humor, and deep female friendship. The voices of the women—sarcastic, vulnerable, determined—ground the investigation in lived emotion and resilience. The host’s narrative style is relatable, at times irreverent (“As a lesbian, I wouldn’t be caught dead in a pub without a well packed, ready to hike backpack”), keeping listeners engaged and invested in the journey.

Conclusion

“The Busted Nut” advances both the individual and collective stories of Derek’s victims, expertly weaving tension, heartbreak, and camaraderie. Through tenacious friendship and determination, these women uncover—and start to unravel—the complex web of lies. The episode ends on a cliffhanger: Lisa and Derek (Alias Steel) intercepted by police, setting the stage for confrontation, truth, and the next steps in seeking justice.

For listeners affected by romance scams or relationship fraud:
Resources are available at NO MORE and FightCybercrime.org.