Hire Javier
to Speak
Investigative journalist. Podcast host. Eight years reporting on the people who lie for a living, and what makes the rest of us believe them.
Javier Leiva has spent eight years asking one question: how do people get away with it? The answers have taken him inside Ponzi schemes, cult recruiting, stolen identities, and the courtroom hallways where the wreckage finally lands.
He speaks about fraud the way a doctor talks about disease, not as a curiosity, but as a public health issue. Whether the audience is business leaders trying to protect their organizations, university students learning to think critically about media, or true crime fans who just want to understand how the sausage gets made, Leiva’s talks are grounded in original reporting and told with the same narrative craft that has made PRETEND a top-charting podcast.
He is based in Raleigh, NC, and available for events throughout the United States. International bookings considered case by case.
Speaking Topics
The Psychology of Deception
Why intelligent people fall for scams, and what con artists learn about human trust that the rest of us never notice.
Financial Fraud, Explained
From Ponzi schemes to affinity fraud, a plain-English walkthrough of how the biggest financial cons actually work.
Building a True Crime Podcast
How PRETEND grew from a solo project into an 18M-download show, and what independent podcasters can learn from it.
Investigative Reporting in the Podcast Era
Sourcing, fact-checking, and legal review for narrative audio, plus how to keep your subjects (and yourself) safe.
Recognizing Modern Scams
A tour of today's most common frauds, romance scams, pig butchering, impersonation, and the red flags that give them away.
From Podcast to Screen
The story behind PRETEND's Netflix and Discovery+ adaptations, and what it takes to sell a story into film and TV.
How We Can Work Together
Keynote
45 to 60 minute talk with slides, tailored to your audience. Ideal for conferences, corporate events, universities.
Fireside Chat
Moderated conversation format. Great for private events, book clubs, or as a lead-in for panel discussions.
Live Podcast Recording
PRETEND recorded live on stage. A one-of-a-kind evening for true crime fans, community events, or festivals.
Get in Touch
Fill out the form and Javier responds within 3 business days. Prefer email? Send the same details to javier@pretendradio.org.