Unicorn Girl – Episode 8: "Manic Summer"

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Charlie Webster
Produced by: Apple TV+ / Seven Hills

Episode Overview

In “Manic Summer,” journalist Charlie Webster delves into the pivotal summer of 2023, as cracks in Candace Rivera’s unicorn-perfect image finally rupture. Despite her public-facing success—including multi-million dollar ventures and a partnership with Homeland Security—behind-the-scenes chaos, deception, and an increasingly visible unraveling throw her life and nonprofit, Exodus, into chaos. Through first-hand accounts, the web of lies, financial irregularities, and personal betrayals come to light, culminating in a criminal investigation and Candace’s shocking arrest.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Homeland Security Partnership and Growing Suspicion

[00:03–02:28]

• Candace’s rising star: 2023 began on a high, with Exodus (her nonprofit) securing a high-profile partnership with Homeland Security to form an anti-human trafficking task force.
• Charlene Paul, Candace’s only paying client, expresses increasing anxiety after being warned by other stakeholders that Candace is not who she claims to be.

“Can you convince him to please talk to me? ... I need to find out what’s going on.” (Charlene Paul, 01:20)

• Sam Brower, famed private investigator and cult whistleblower, is drawn into the drama as concerns about Candace’s authenticity multiply.

2. Red Flags: Lies and Manipulation

[02:28–07:27]

• At a Holding Out Help event, Candace’s fabrications escalate—claiming to be a physician, boasting of international exploits, and offering dubious collaborations.
• Sam Brower becomes suspicious after Candace introduces herself as a physician, prompting his own investigation.

“Right then all these red flags are going up.” (Unnamed attendee, 03:10)

• Charlene discovers Candace’s claimed companies aren’t properly licensed, buys the business licenses herself for $22 each, and thwarts Candace’s backdating attempt.

“I own seven of the businesses that she says she owns.” (Charlene Paul, 06:12)

• Sam Brower turns evidence over to the Attorney General; Charlene becomes a victim for the criminal case.

3. The Manic Summer: Erratic Behavior Intensifies

[09:50–13:18]

• Candace makes extravagant purchases (a vintage Corvette, two Escalades), giving conflicting stories about how she paid for them.
• Money issues and legal troubles surface—bounced checks, confusion over her name, and fear of arrest.

“That was manic summer.” (Unnamed friend, 12:39)

• Starley, who worked on Candace’s branding, quits after a volatile confrontation:

“I have a Candace filter. I only believe about a quarter of what comes out of your mouth, you know, because she was just attacking me.” (Starley, 13:18)

4. Candace’s Machinations Unravel

[14:38–18:28]

• Candace tries to get ahead of rumors through damage control with associates like Survivor Felicia.
• Assistant Ora, whose paychecks are bouncing, continues to be emotionally manipulated, with Candace invoking illness to avoid paying her.
• Candace instructs Ora on what to say if contacted by a supposed bank investigator, blaming her ex-husband.

“She said, so you might get a phone call. There’s an investigator looking into my bank accounts ... this is what you need to tell him.” (Aura, 19:02)

5. A Public Good Deed Raises Eyebrows

[20:37–25:57]

• In the midst of turmoil, Candace extends shelter to a grieving family from a book club, arranging a private plane and managing the logistics for their deceased child’s return.
• She shares photos and videos—some unsettling—on social media:

“Candace posted multiple pictures to the for the love group, including candid photos of the family grieving. She also posted a reel to her public Instagram, which had photos and video showing the boy’s dead body, including his face.” (Charlie Webster, 25:57)

6. Criminal Investigation and Fallout

[26:05–38:06]

• Investigation heats up: Former Exodus member Sarah is contacted by police about forged checks:

“There were six checks that Candice forged Sarah’s signature on ... for a total of $37,500...” (Charlie Webster, 27:37)

• Exodus falls apart: mass resignations, suspicions about misuse of funds and Candace’s nursing credentials, and a growing realization among former confidantes that much of Candace’s narrative was fabricated.
• Assistant Ora learns Candace took out a $17,000+ credit card in her name to buy a car for her son; Ora files a police report.

“I had to go to the police station and file a police report about that purchase, about that car. It wrecked me ...” (Aura, 38:40)

7. The Birthday Lie and Final Betrayal

[31:55–37:17]

• Candace’s age and birthday become inexplicably murky—her IDs list different birthdates, undermining her narrative further:

“I had never noticed the dates on these IDs before. Like, why would I try and compare the two birthdays? And so that’s when I noticed they were both different.” (Aura, 33:29)

• Stories about her twin daughters’ deaths shift dramatically, another sign of her duplicity.

“She said that she was six months pregnant when they were hit by the drunk driver.” (Kate, 36:10)

• Kim’s realization: “I am pretty sure that I am in bed with a con artist.” (Kim, 37:00)

8. Confrontation, Collapse, and Arrest

[42:07–51:02]

• Ora brings evidence to Special Agent Pettis; police present her with mountains of forged checks and probe international bank records.
• Kim tries to confront Candace—met first with gifts and emotional manipulation, then anger, then rapid-fire defensive texts.

“I meant to write a card with it, but it’s supposed to say ... you’re stuck with me forever ... She knows.” (Kim, 46:50)

• Final text from Candace, denying wrongdoing and referencing Anna Delvey:

“I’m not your Anna Delvey TV show.” (Candace [read by Kim], 50:20)

• The bombshell: Candace is arrested on more than 30 charges, with a recorded jail call indicating her dramatic fall.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “How does a woman who is running a nonprofit just go out and buy this Corvette?”
  (Kate, 10:17 – on Candace’s ostentatious purchases)

• “I own seven of the businesses that she says that she owns.”
  (Charlene Paul, 06:12 – on outmaneuvering Candace with business licenses)

• “Sometimes you can be wrong, Kim ... I’m not your Anna Delvey TV show.”
  (Candace (via Kim), 50:20 – her last defensive message before arrest)

• “It was like everything stopped and my heart just sunk. And I knew she’s lying and she has probably lied about far more than I can even imagine.”
  (Kim, 37:00 – recognizing Candace’s fabrication about her twins)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03–02:28 – Candace’s partnership with Homeland Security and first suspicions
• 03:10–07:27 – Red flags at the Holding Out Help event, license investigation
• 09:50–13:18 – Manic summer, erratic behavior, and employee fallout
• 19:02–20:37 – Bank manipulation and Candace attempting to coach assistants
• 20:37–25:57 – Grieving family incident and questionable sharing on social media
• 26:05–27:54 – Police investigation, forged payroll checks
• 31:55–34:43 – The birthday riddle and unraveling lies
• 38:40–42:07 – Credit card fraud against Ora, police report filed
• 42:38–44:03 – Ora’s evidence handover and AG meeting
• 45:06–50:07 – Kim’s confrontation, Candace’s defensive/intimidating tactics
• 51:02–51:33 – Breaking news of Candace’s arrest

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is fast-paced, candid, and driven by shock, betrayal, and gradual revelation—the hosts and sources employ conversational and at times confessional language. Charlie Webster maintains investigative focus while allowing survivors and former associates to narrate their emotional journeys, spotlighting the blurred boundary between belief and skepticism. The rich firsthand accounts anchor an exposé where glamour, altruism, and deception collide—ending with Candace’s empire collapsed and her freedom gone.

For listeners who want to know how Candace Rivera went from influencer and humanitarian CEO to a defendant facing a slew of charges, this is the episode to catch.