Podcast
The Opportunist
Hosted by PodcastOne · EN
The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin.
41episodes
Episodes
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Steven Tomkins: Public Office, Private Gain
Nov 1700:36:31Tap to summarizeSuffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins rose to power as a reformer promising justice and change within Boston’s jail system. But in this episode of The Opportunist, Sheriff Steven Tomkins’ story reveals how a crusade for reform became a vehicle for power, loyalty, and personal gain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Danette Colbert: Bourbon Street Hustler
Nov 300:35:29Tap to summarizeOn this episode of The Opportunist, when 27-year-old Adan Manzano is found dead in a New Orleans hotel room, suspicion quickly turns to Danette Colbert. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and greed that suggests Adan wasn’t her only victim.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Dr Thomas Weiner: The Cancer Con
Oct 2000:38:44Tap to summarizeOn this episode of The Opportunist, trusted Montana oncologist Dr. Thomas Weiner is accused of diagnosing patients with cancer they didn’t have. What began as a story of hope and healing quickly turned into one of greed, deception, and shattered lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Charlie Javice: The Startup Swindler
Sep 22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Opportunist, we follow Charlie Javice, a young fintech founder who sold her startup to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But behind the glowing headlines was a stunning fraud that would ultimately bring her empire crashing down.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTPlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future
Jul 14, 2025Tap to summarizeAimee Bock and Salim Said positioned themselves as champions of hungry children—until investigators uncovered a massive fraud scheme siphoning millions from a federal food aid program. “Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future” exposes how ambition, deception, and weak oversight collided in one of the largest pandemic-era scams in U.S. history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Ryan James Wedding: Powder Runs
Jun 16, 2025Tap to summarizeOnce a promising snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding traded the slopes for smuggling routes in a shocking descent into the world of international drug trafficking. The Opportunists unpacks how fame, ambition, and risk collided in one man’s transformation from athlete to criminal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Murder, Money, and a Children's Book
Mar 10, 202500:34:20Tap to summarizeKouri Richins was a grieving widow—or so it seemed—until her husband’s suspicious death revealed a web of deceit and greed. In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of how she exploited trust and love in a scheme that shocked everyone who knew her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Part 2: The Season and Scandal That Shattered Hayfield
Mar 3, 202500:41:17Tap to summarizeCoach Overton’s win-at-all-costs mentality led Hayfield High to a dream season—but also to its darkest chapter. In this episode, we delve into how his opportunistic actions unraveled the team, exposing a scandal that left a community reeling. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Part 1: The Opportunist Coach Overton’s Big Move
Feb 24, 202500:33:38Tap to summarizeWhen Coach Overton made a surprising leap to Hayfield High School, he was hailed as the savior of the struggling football program. But behind his calculated move lay the actions of an opportunist willing to bend the rules to build his legacy at any cost. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Part 2: The Fraternity
Feb 18, 202500:47:04Tap to summarizeAfter Peter Martins’ actions were exposed, a dancer named Chase Finlay was caught taking inappropriate pictures and videos of dancers at the New York City Ballet. In this episode, we dive into how the misogynistic culture created by Peter Martins spurred others to misuse their perceived power. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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