The Escape Pod

For Whom the ‘Belles’ Toll – Ep. 20

After many misdiagnoses, a teenage girl in Australia learns she has a rare type of cancerous tumor. She begins her search for anything that might help her escape it, including a regimented diet promoted by a social media influencer. The influencer, a beautiful young woman named Belle, says she beat cancer and numerous other ailments by detoxifying her body and strengthening her immune system, and her following grows quickly. 
 
But Belle’s “wellness brand” starts to take its toll, and many of her followers report their health conditions getting worse, not better. 
 
Have you escaped the influence of a deceptive social media influencer? Tell us about it at escapeartist@escapepod.live! 
 
UPDATE: A co-worker briefly mentioned in this episode underwent surgery for brain tumors in late 2023, but – good news! - the tumors were NOT cancerous, and she continues to be an amazing co-worker today. Woohoo! 
 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   1:03 Co-host escapes tornadoes in Tornado Alley! 
Topic #2 11:52 Australia, 2013: 17yo is diagnosed with cancer  
Topic #3 22:42 The truth about Belle is revealed, but why all the lies? 
Topic #4 34:57 Belle’s victims respond 
Topic #5 53:53 Escapism, co-host-style! 
 
 
Resources & Links 
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gibson  
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/belle-gibson-faked-cancer-wellness-influencer-b1102443.html  
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9799359/Belle-Gibsons-victims-reveal-sucked-cancer-fakers-web-lies-toll.html  
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/21/cancer-con-woman-belle-gibsons-home-raided-to-try-to-recoup-unpaid-fines 
https://7news.com.au/news/bella-was-desperate-and-dying-then-she-came-across-fraudster-belle-gibson-c-12709384  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnUGxvwtjf4  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IBh9JTXmf4  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuBeV_fhsc  
https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/co-occurring-disorders/pathological-liar-signs/#:~:text=In%20some%20cases%2C%20pathological%20lying,love%20and%20reassurance%20they%20crave.  
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/nightline-documentary-podcast-dropout-story-elizabeth-holmes-theranos/story?id=60365362
 
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WHO IS SHE ... REALLY? - Ep. 19

Girl in the Picture. Suzanne Sevakis.
The mystery of a missing person spans 40 years, taking more twists and turns than even the Escape Pod cohosts can count! 
As a teenage girl in the mid-1980s, this wannabe escape artist was known as a smart girl and good friend with big dreams, but – time and time again – one person kept preventing her from reaching her full potential. In the end, he couldn’t escape the many investigators who pursued truth and justice for a woman whose true identity took decades to reveal. 
 
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes graphic content about kidnapping and violence against women and children. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
 
Topic #1 10:33 The first of several stories that, eventually, collide.  
Topic #2 28:13 1990: 3 men near OKC find critically injured on side of road  
Topic #3 45:10 2002: Investigative journalist interviews suspect in string of crimes 
Topic #4 56:20 Escapism, cohost-style 
 
 
Resources & Links 
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/girl-in-the-picture-netflix-suzanne-sevakis-b2116243.html  
 
“Girl in the Picture” Netflix documentary 
 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/inside-the-true-crime-netflix-documentary-girl-in-the-picture/5FGD3MCIDBEIPOHHXZFJWSOVFM/  
 
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/cold-case-investigation  
  
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Holy cow! When ‘faith’ preys on vulnerability - Ep. 18

A Swedish man joins a Pentecostal church in 1989 and soon becomes a pastor. But he has a unique way of fighting off the devil: with sex – and sex with women who aren’t his wife. (Spoiler alert: she’s a pastor, too, and claims to be the “bride of Christ.”) In time, their love triangle starts to look more like a love hexagon, and the body count begins to grow. 
Plus, co-host Charity shares her own story of seeking out a church where she thought she could belong, only to find a religious sect using scare tactics (and pet bunnies on Easter?) to try to influence a small child. It’s a pretty crazy story too! So jump into the Escape Pod this week for a wild ride of “religion” gone very wrong! 
 
DISCLAIMER: The Escape Pod and its cohosts are, in no way, passing judgement (pun intended) on ALL churches or faith leaders. The first story in this episode is shared in keeping with our focus on tales of true crime; the second is a co-host's personal experience trying to find a spiritual home but being sorely disappointed with her search. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   6:30 Introduction of key members of church in Sweden 
Topic #2 13:31 Woman used to “ward off the devil” is shunned  
Topic #3 23:49 6-year-old Charity goes on an ill-fated faith journey 
Topic #4 40:33 Escapism, cohost-style! 
Resources & Links 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9462799/How-Pentecostal-pastor-convinced-lover-murder-wife.html  
https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Man-guilty-of-sending-murderous-messages-from-God-1668112.php  
https://www.news24.com/news24/priests-murder-plot-sickens-20040730  
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282224820_The_Life_Story_of_Helge_Fossmo_Former_Pastor_of_Knutby_Filadelfia_as_Told_in_Prison_A_Narrative_Analysis_Approach  
https://www.thelocal.se/20111214/37938  
https://www.religionnewsblog.com/8939/i-was-a-sex-slave 
https://infosekolah.net/en/Helge_Fossmo  
https://infosekolah.net/en/%C3%85sa_Waldau  
 
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"Fr-odd" But True – Ep. 17

FR-Odd But True – Ep. 17 
Summary of Episode 
If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is wrong with people?” then this episode is for you! 
Join co-hosts Julie and Charity in the Escape Pod for three very odd but true stories of people who failed to escape from their very bad ideas – including a case of insurance fraud that led to severe (and severed?) consequences. 
CORRECTION: In “The Office” episode referenced here, Andy was the driver of the car, while Dwight was pushed into the shrubbery. (We apologize to our fellow Office fans for the mix-up.) 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   4:03 6 for 1: Police investigating a car theft end up with way more suspects than they bargained for.  
Topic #2   8:44 A would-be arsonist wants revenge on an ex.  
Topic #3 15:00 Super-hard fraud: Two friends in Taiwan attempt to cash in on an insurance policy, with dire results for one of them. 
Topic #4 26:52 Escapism, co-host-style! 
 
Resources & Links 
Story #1: 
https://www.ccso.us/press-releases/12662/ 
https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-guardian-arrives-stolen-vehicle-take-custody-teens-arrested-auto-theft-police-say 
https://www.newser.com/story/335690/after-cops-arrested-6-the-arrests-kept-coming.html 
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/03/10/711686.htm#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20new%20analysis,consistently%20exceeded%2075%2C000%20in%202022.  
https://www.fastcompany.com/91028032/car-thefts-and-carjackings-are-up-unreliable-data-makes-it-hard-to-pinpoint-why  
https://www.newsweek.com/car-theft-rise-fbi-council-criminal-justice-annual-report-2023-1863972#:~:text=The%20%22clearance%20rate%22%20or%20rate,and%2013%20percent%20for%20burglary.  
 
Story #2: 
https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/04/23/charges-upgraded-to-attempted-murder-for-alleged-arsonist/ 
https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/08/03/woman-sentenced-to-20-25-years-for-attempted-murder-in-2022-fire/  
https://truecrimedaily.com/2022/07/27/north-carolina-christie-jones-sets-wrong-house-on-fire-revenge-ex-boyfriend/ 
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252459/number-of-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=Number%20of%20arson%20offenses%20in%20the%20United%20States%202022%2C%20by%20type&text=In%202022%2C%20a%20total%206%2C508,which%2013%2C147%20were%20structure%20fires.  
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252461/average-damage-caused-by-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20average%20damage,costing%20about%20324%2C389%20U.S.%20dollars. 
Clip from “The Duel” (The Office): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIzFIOJA2c 
 
 
Story #3: 
https://people.com/man-allegedly-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-authorities-8611327  
https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-student-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-prosecutors-2024-3 
https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/taiwanese-duo-accused-of-self-amputation-insurance-fraud-scheme-zhang-and-liao-taiwan-taipei-district-prosecutors-office-fraud-investigation 
https://www.moneycontrol.com/investor-education/insurance/classroom/student-used-dry-ice-to-get-frostbite-got-legs-amputated-for-million-insurance-payout-17502041.html 
https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/insurance-fraud#:~:text=The%20Coalition%20Against%20Insurance%20Fraud,%24700%20a%20year%20in%20premiums 
 
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THE AGREEMENT: Kamarie’s Story – Ep. 16

Escape Pod Show Notes – Episode 16: THE AGREEMENT (KAMARIE’S STORY) 
 
Date: 5/17/2024 
Episode Title and Number: THE AGREEMENT: Kamarie’s Story – Ep. 16 
 
Summary of Episode 
A little girl goes missing in Georgia just days before Christmas. It doesn’t take investigators long to find the body of Kamarie Holland or the person suspected of killing her. As they dig into the case, investigators not only learn about the suspect’s violent past, but also that one of the people closest to Kamarie may have made the deal that ultimately led to her death. 
 
Kamarie couldn’t escape her fate, but as co-hosts Charity and Julie explain in this episode of The Escape Pod, those responsible for her death couldn’t escape the justice system either. 
  
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains content about physical and sexual violence committed against children. 
 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1    9:35  | Dec. 13, 2021: Kamarie Holland goes missing. 
Topic #2  16:48  | A 31-year-old woman says she was sexually assaulted by a man who called her “Kamarie.”  
Topic #3  27:50  | Human trafficking doesn’t look like what we might imagine.
Topic #4  41:55   | Escapism, cohost-style.  
 
 
Resources & Links 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqj2770kI44  
https://www.wrbl.com/news/local-news/alaska-authorities-man-accused-of-killing-kamarie-holland-now-a-suspect-in-2005-death-of-his-1-month-old-daughter/ 
https://www.wrbl.com/news/columbus-woman-sex-trafficked-five-year-old-daughter-to-childs-alleged-killer/ 
https://1819news.com/news/item/capital-murder-rial-for-mother-accused-of-killing-5-y-o-daughter-slated-to-begin-in-february  
https://www.wrbl.com/news/local-news/kamarie-holland/breaking-mother-of-kamarie-holland-pleads-guilty-to-human-sex-trafficking/  
 
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High-Functioning Addict Escapes His Delusional Self – Ep. 15

He could be in prison; instead, he’s in the Escape Pod, sharing his story of escaping cycles of addiction and criminal activity. 
 
Michael will be the first to tell you he didn’t have a “hard knocked” life. He grew up in a loving, two-parent home. He went to college, got good grades, and earned a degree. But he also had a curiosity for drugs at a very young age, and that curiosity led to harder drugs, grand theft, and many other problems. 
 
After several arrests, broken relationships, and a crash that could have killed him, Michael asked for help, and his escape from his “delusional” self finally began. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   3:05 Meet escape artist Michael, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 
Topic #2 20:16 Michael considers enlisting in the military. 
Topic #3 38:49 A fight with his girlfriend leads to yet another major relapse. 
Topic #4 57:07 Workout junky! Michael fills the addiction void with much healthier habits. 
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Show Up & Try: Escape Artist Linda shares her story – Ep. 14

Her trauma was extensive, but it was no match for her faith and resilience. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
From testifying against her father at age 5, to dealing with toxic relationships and addiction as an adult, escape artist Linda is brutally honest about the “crappy hand” life dealt her. But she’s also brutally honest about her faith in God, her love for her children, and her new-found peace of mind. 
Buckle up for this episode of the Escape Pod, as we experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows on Linda’s journey toward transformation. 
 
Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   2:40 Meet escape artist Linda, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 
Topic #2 10:33 Linda’s drug use begins. 
Topic #3 28:57 What changed in Linda’s life? She explains. 
Topic #4 37:17 An opportunity arises … but she’s not ready. 
Topic #5 57:27 Escapism, cohost-style!
 
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http://www.escapepod.live 
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When you gotta go, you gotta go! – Ep. 13

We’ve all been there – on a long car ride, waiting in line, stuck in traffic, etc., etc. - when you realize the extra-large coffee, half-gallon bottle of water, or super-sized iced tea you just finished was a REALLY bad idea because now you REALLY “gotta go.” But where you go and the circumstances surrounding that sweet release could be downright criminal.
On this episode of the Escape Pod, the level of criminality runs the spectrum – from a teen who simply didn’t know peeing in public was against the law, to a killer who left his mark (and the clue to identifying him) on his victim.
You’ll cringe. You’ll crack up. You’ll get a little bit of every emotion when you escape to the Escape Pod with Charity and Julie!
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
 
Topic #1 11:53 16-year-old's murder case goes cold in Pennsylvania
Topic #2 19:46 GAG WARNING: Contaminated water cooler leads to man’s arrest on multiple charges
Topic #3 29:00 Co-host goes to jail! (At least, the 19-year-old version of her did!)
Topic #4 46:05 Escapism, cohost-style!                                                         
 
Resources & Links
 
06.26.2004. Dan Conti. “Urine Stain Traced to Murder Suspect” https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/
07.07.2004. Glenn May. “Suspect in murder of girl, 16 gets trial” https://archive.triblive.com/news/suspect-in-murder-of-girl-16-gets-trial/
 
10.12.2005. Dan Conti. “Man convicted of first-degree murder of teen”
https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/
 
Huffpost. 10.25.2022. David Moye. “13 People Come Forward After Texas Janitor Is Accused Of Urinating In Water Bottles” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lucio-diaz-urinating-co-workers-water-bottle_n_63583a02e4b04cf8f3888649
 
ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston, TX. 01.26.2023. “Lawsuit filed after 13 women claim they contracted incurable STDs from bottles infected by janitor” https://abc13.com/houston-janitor-urinates-in-water-bottles-employees-infected-with-stds-lucio-diaz-charged-civil-lawsuit-filed/12737788/
 
 
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