Podcast
The Wedding Scammer
Hosted by The Ringer · ENGLISH
Have you ever been scammed?
In The Ringer’s first true crime podcast, host Justin Sayles tracks a mysterious figure who once wronged him. A man with a lot of aliases, a lot of failed businesses, and a trail of victims. Justin follows him through a sham media company, a series of ruined weddings, and beyond, trying to find answers.
The police can’t offer any help—but maybe we can.
From Spotify and The Ringer, this is ‘The Wedding Scammer.’ A story in seven parts.
9episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
8. The Arrest
Sep 201:12:16Tap to summarizeWe are back with a big update: Carl Butcho has been arrested. Join Justin for one more trip down the rabbit hole as we explore how we got here and what closure looks like. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Vikram Patel, Jade Whaley, Kaya McMullen, Devon Baroldi, Justin Sayles Executive Producers: Sean Fennessey, Juliet Litman, Mallory Rubin Copy Editing: Jack McCluskey Fact-checking: Dan Comer Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering: Scott Somerville Video Production: John Richter Art Direction: David Shoemaker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →7. Fool Me Twice
Nov 28, 202301:20:41Tap to summarizeIn the final episode, we hear from the Wedding Scammer himself. A lot. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →6. Undercover Cowboy
Nov 21, 202301:09:12Tap to summarizeJustin confronts Carl Butcho, a.k.a. Lance Miller. And he records the whole thing. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →5. All My Scammers Live In Texas
Nov 14, 202300:50:21Tap to summarizeThe Wedding Scammer resurfaces. Carl Butcho is still in the wedding business, and he's got a new alias. But a few discerning Texans manage to connect the dots, and find their way to Justin. To buy Rob Harvilla's new book, '60 Songs That Explain the '90s,' click here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-harvilla/60-songs-that-explain-the-90s/9781538759462/Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →4. Coal Country
Nov 7, 202300:56:55Tap to summarizeMichael, Mark, Lawrence: What is the Wedding Scammer's real name? Turns out it's none of the above. In this episode, Justin gets the answer, takes a trip, and tells you an origin story.Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →3. The Fake Name Game
Oct 31, 202301:02:47Tap to summarizeThe Wedding Scammer hits the road, and lands in the Bay Area. However, there’s a catch: He’s no longer going by Michael Esposito. But while he’s got a new name, some things haven’t changed. And the cost of knowing him has gone up. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →2. The Crooked Caterer
Oct 24, 202300:51:40Tap to summarizeMichael Esposito has shut down Newsaratti and moved on to a new hustle: the wedding industry. Over the next few years, a handful of couples in Los Angeles will sue him, saying he did the unthinkable: ruined their weddings and kept the money. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →1. The Glass Castle
Oct 17, 202300:57:07Tap to summarizeA drive across the country. A fresh start. An unexpected job offer. What could go wrong?In this episode, Justin tells the story of how he stumbled into the orbit of a con man. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social ClubSound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Introducing ‘The Wedding Scammer’
Oct 11, 202300:00:59Tap to summarizeJump down the rabbit hole with host Justin Sayles as he tracks a scammer and tries to get some answers—for himself, and so many others. This is ‘The Wedding Scammer,’ The Ringer’s first true crime podcast. A story in seven parts, starting October 17.Video Trailer: Cory McConnellOriginal Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →