Deep Cover Presents: Snowball
Pushkin Industries
Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals.
Deep Cover Presents: Snowball. A special limited series from the Unravel Podcast team at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Ollie Wards' family lost everything after their brush with a charming Californian con woman. As he embarks on a quest to find out how she did it, why she did it, and where she is now, he opens the door on a mystery that spans decades and across continents.
Binge episodes of Deep Cover Presents: Snowball early and ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Find Pushkin+ on the Deep Cover show page in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
In the sixth season of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah, Jake Halpern and acclaimed investigative journalist Jess McHugh unravel an epic six-year deception that upended lives of countless people. Sarah Cavanaugh was many things: A decorated veteran. A Marine who saved her comrades. A young woman fighting cancer. She was stoic, humble, tough. In short: a hero. Sarah was everything people wanted her to be—until she wasn’t. Turns out, no one knew the real Sarah. Not her comrades. Not her wife. No one. Jake and Jess interview all of the key sources—including Sarah, herself—to tell this sprawling tale.
Season five covers the rise and fall of George Santos, the former Republican Congressman from New York, and the stories—many of which were not true—he told about his life and credentials.
Season four, The Nameless Man, tells the epic tale of two federal agents who investigate a rumor about a murder that supposedly took place 15 years prior. It is also the story of a family searching for answers about why their brother was killed. These two storylines collide in a courtroom in Philadelphia, where murder, memory, and morality go on trial.
Season three, Never Seen Again, tells the story of two women living on opposite sides of the country, who went missing in the summer of 1999. Seven years later, their stories collided when a small town detective got a tip and became convinced that if he could solve one mystery, he’d solve the other.
Season two, Mob Land, is about a high-rolling lawyer who joins forces with the feds to try to bring down one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the country.
Season one, The Drug Wars, tells the story of an FBI agent who goes undercover with a biker gang, and follows a trail of clues that eventually leads to the US invasion of a foreign country.
Deep Cover drops on Mondays. To hear episodes early and ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Deep Cover Presents: Snowball. A special limited series from the Unravel Podcast team at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Ollie Wards' family lost everything after their brush with a charming Californian con woman. As he embarks on a quest to find out how she did it, why she did it, and where she is now, he opens the door on a mystery that spans decades and across continents.
Binge episodes of Deep Cover Presents: Snowball early and ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Find Pushkin+ on the Deep Cover show page in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
In the sixth season of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah, Jake Halpern and acclaimed investigative journalist Jess McHugh unravel an epic six-year deception that upended lives of countless people. Sarah Cavanaugh was many things: A decorated veteran. A Marine who saved her comrades. A young woman fighting cancer. She was stoic, humble, tough. In short: a hero. Sarah was everything people wanted her to be—until she wasn’t. Turns out, no one knew the real Sarah. Not her comrades. Not her wife. No one. Jake and Jess interview all of the key sources—including Sarah, herself—to tell this sprawling tale.
Season five covers the rise and fall of George Santos, the former Republican Congressman from New York, and the stories—many of which were not true—he told about his life and credentials.
Season four, The Nameless Man, tells the epic tale of two federal agents who investigate a rumor about a murder that supposedly took place 15 years prior. It is also the story of a family searching for answers about why their brother was killed. These two storylines collide in a courtroom in Philadelphia, where murder, memory, and morality go on trial.
Season three, Never Seen Again, tells the story of two women living on opposite sides of the country, who went missing in the summer of 1999. Seven years later, their stories collided when a small town detective got a tip and became convinced that if he could solve one mystery, he’d solve the other.
Season two, Mob Land, is about a high-rolling lawyer who joins forces with the feds to try to bring down one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the country.
Season one, The Drug Wars, tells the story of an FBI agent who goes undercover with a biker gang, and follows a trail of clues that eventually leads to the US invasion of a foreign country.
Deep Cover drops on Mondays. To hear episodes early and ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 42min
Snowball - Episode 6: Stakeout
Leslie Manukian, the focus of the Snowball series, shares her story amidst longstanding allegations and complicated relationships. As Ollie and Simon conduct a tense stakeout, they seek the truth behind various business dealings. Psychologist and poker expert Maria Konnikova weighs in, offering insights into the world of con artists and the importance of charm in confrontations. The conversation takes unexpected turns as Leslie navigates accusations and attempts to explain her actions while Ollie grapples with the complexities of trust and deception.
15 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 45min
Snowball - Episode 5: Black Widow
Cameron, a Paso Robles restauranteur and investor, shares his turbulent relationship with Leslie, a woman known for her charm and escalating deceit. He recounts how her charisma quickly drew him in, leading to significant financial trust. Listeners learn about allegations of forgery, fabricated restaurant experiences, and a web of lies that may soon unravel. Cameron discusses the emotional toll of betrayal and the decision to avoid legal repercussions, offering a gripping insight into the consequences of misplaced trust.
11 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 41min
Snowball - Episode 4: Charmed
Ollie delves into Lezlie's emails and uncovers a wild story of a fraudulent book deal involving a ghostwriter and a famous actress. As he investigates the truth behind Lezlie's elaborate fabrications, he discovers that she might have created a whole persona to escape financial troubles. With a lead taking him to her first restaurant in Lake Tahoe, Ollie uncovers local accounts revealing Lezlie's shady past. The hunt intensifies as he plans to confront her in Paso Robles, leaving listeners eager for more.
12 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 42min
Snowball - Episode 3: The Coconut Wireless
In this gripping tale, a woman's charm leads to chaos as she opens a bar in Maui. Rumors swirl through the community, revealing stories of deceit and financial ruin. Former associates recount her manipulations, while police uncover a history of fraud. A look into family dynamics adds layers to the mystery. As confrontations escalate, Leslie's web of lies starts to unravel, forcing her off the island. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure, set to play a crucial role in her next scheme, lurks in the shadows.
13 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 44min
Snowball - Episode 2: The Great Houdini
David, a devoted father, dives into a shocking tale of deception surrounding his son's marriage. He uncovers forged documents linking his daughter-in-law to a massive bank loan, leading to the family's financial collapse and eventual homelessness. As they scrabble for answers, David reveals suspicious bank statements and details about Leslie's charm and manipulation. The plot thickens with connections to past scams and a mysterious attorney, all while David sifts through emails and clues left behind to crack the case.
13 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 52min
Snowball - Episode 1: The Girl With the Dragonfly Tattoo
In this gripping discussion, Greg Ward, the middle son of the Ward family, unfolds the whirlwind romance that led to his marriage with the enigmatic Lezlie Manukian. He shares the magnetic first encounter at a London party, painting a vivid picture of her captivating aura. Delve into the unsettling signs that emerged post-wedding, from financial struggles tied to their cafe venture to a mysterious warning from Lezlie before her sudden disappearance. The family's unraveling story and Greg's memories make for a chilling yet captivating narrative.
Oct 27, 2025 • 6min
Deep Cover Presents: Snowball
In 2006, Greg Wards was your average Kiwi backpacker on an overseas adventure in the UK, working hard, playing harder — and falling head-over-heels in love. After a whirlwind international romance, Greg married Lezlie Manukian in New Zealand. Their new life started out by setting up a small business north of Auckland. But a snowball had started to roll the day Greg met Lezlie Manukian. It wasn't long before this ball of chaos gathered pace and crushed Greg and his family. Starting November 3, binge episodes of Deep Cover Presents: Snowball early and ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription. Find Pushkin+ on the Deep Cover show page in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 23min
Episode 5: Santos Released From Prison
Amy Gaines McQuade, a producer and collaborator on the original series about George Santos, joins Mark Chisano, author of 'The Fabulist,' to unpack the surprising commutation of Santos's prison sentence by Trump. They explore reactions from those who know Santos, including shock over his release. Discussions dive into the complexities of legal terms like commutation versus pardon and broader implications for the justice system. They also speculate on Santos's future moves and his recent promise of rehabilitation, questioning the authenticity of his intentions.
Oct 23, 2025 • 43sec
Deep Cover Live in Boston on December 19
If you've ever wondered what goes into making an episode of Deep Cover, now's your chance. Join Jake Halpern and Jess McHugh for a live bonus taping of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah at WBUR's Boston CitySpace on December 19. Listen to never-before-heard recordings from interviews, go behind-the-scenes on Jake and Jess' reporting and storytelling process. Find more details and tickets here: https://www.wbur.org/events/1046207/deep-cover-the-truth-about-sarah-liveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 26min
Rosemarie’s Story
Rosemarie Coffey, a dedicated community support specialist, shares her heartfelt journey assisting veterans, particularly Sarah Cavanaugh, who faced significant challenges. Rosemarie candidly discusses the bonds formed amid Sarah’s struggles with mental health and the deceptive narratives surrounding her military service. As they navigate emotional ups and downs, secrets begin to unravel, revealing layers of betrayal and identity crises. Listeners gain insight into the complexities of care, loyalty, and the profound impacts of trust in the world of support services.
