Could not even get through the first episode, annoying ads start after about 10 seconds of narration and continue like that throughout the episode. They didn’t even make it through an intro without interrupting for more ads. Interesting topic, but show is absolutely unlisten-able due to the ridiculously greedy amount of ads shoved in every 10 seconds. This must be a 20 minute podcast but it shows it’s over an hour because the other 40 minutes is just trashy ads.

I’ve always appreciated how Andrea has been so compassionate and thoughtful exposing the ugly truth of factitious disorder. That being said, the “bonus” episode featuring Chalice Howard was so articulately and perfectly raw and honest that it truly reflected what is at the heart of the podcast; love. Love for the victims, love for the perpetrators, love for those who blindly support the abuse. There is absolutely nothing vindictive about this reporting. Everything is expressed without judgement, just concern. The dialogue between Andrea and Chalice was the most honest and heartbreaking conversation I’ve ever heard in podcastland. I wish nothing but the best for the families featured, as well as those who are living in the shadows. Thank you for all you do Andrea. You as well Chalice. What a brave and compassionate gift you are.

Andrea is so empathetic and intelligent and this podcast is so well done. I’m so confused about the negative reviews, this is one of my favorite podcasts. You can deeply hear Andrea’s passion about this topic in her voice. She brings on a wide variety of guests including professionals that specialize in Munchausen by proxy. It is a very informative and well researched podcast with a lot of heart. Can’t wait to start reading her books as well! Highly recommend.

Thank you for the research that you do. I appreciate that you try to find or understand the “what if they are telling the truth.” As a mom I understand advocating for your child to get answers but I will never understand how people don’t see the glaring red flags when there is documented evidence of people lying to medical professionals. Let alone that most of these medical issues are spun as terminal when the disease is not a terminal disease.

I would love to know any thoughts from M’s perspective. What was her relationship with C? What did she think of everything? Did she ever talk to anyone about her sister and her mom?

I’m a big fan of the show, fascinating subject and well produced, the host is passionate about the work. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way this season (5) was sharing the older daughter’s diary entries. Seemed like extraneous info and invasive to her privacy.

I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Listening to Andrea's (and others') tireless advocacy for justice on behalf of vulnerable children has been deeply meaningful to me. Because of this podcast, I found the courage to request my childhood medical records and it has been so validating to have them. I am thankful to Andrea and Joe (Season 4) for speaking out about having the right to our medical records. All of this being said, I am a bit miffed by season 5. Certain parts of season 5 were in character with previous seasons being logical and other parts seemed sloppy. I agree that Sophie Hartman’s behavior is bizarre and has many telling symptoms of Munchhausen’s by proxy. What I did not appreciate were the broad, sweeping statements about Evangelical Christians. “Evangelicals believe that parents have a God-given right to raise their children…It is my strong belief that the world these people want is one in which they can bring their children to the doctor and the doctor does what they want, regardless of the harm to the child. A world in which children are not people, but property.” (Andrea Dunlop, S05 Ep08.) It seems like Andrea is putting all E-free Christians in the same category as Sophie Hartmann (and the handful of churches that she has been a part of.) Is there something I am misunderstanding about the above statement? I am an Evangelical Christian with children. I would NEVER view my child (or any child) as “property” or hurt my children in any way. My children are vaccinated, go to public school, and are happy and healthy. I liken the above statement to saying “All Mormons are polygamists.” Bizzare and untrue. I think Andrea lost a bit of her rational information-gathering credibility in this season. As a survivor of abuse who has found support through the show, I am left feeling confused and a bit disenfranchised.

Thank you for creating and continuing this podcast on a challenging topic. Thank you for bringing in experts, interviewing those who are close to the story, and sharing your personal experience. I hope and pray for the day the medical, legal, mental health, early childhood education, and social service fields and community as a whole look back on this as a groundbreaking podcast that shed light and paved the way to fix the broken systems and save children and families. I hope we can learn to recognize and treat children developing this illness before they grow into adults with children of their own. It seems the signs were there with the host’s sister in her teen years, perhaps earlier. How can we make prevention and intervention a thing here? How can we change social services, medical systems, and the legal system to save these young victims without a voice?

Andrea Dunlop clearly has delved deeply into the available resources on medical child abuse. She confers with experts who have decades of experience researching, investigating, and directly interacting with victims and perpetrators. (not to mention unpacking her own family experience so relatably) This is a topic that could easily be addressed in an exploitative or sensationalistic way. To consider the people who inflict this type of abuse on others (usually their own children) feels raw and disturbing. But Andrea grounds her podcast with the humans involved. She demonstrates empathy for the perpetrators but never loses sight of the very real, vulnerable children whose lives are at risk. The negative reviews seem loaded with personal grievance and/or backwards denial that things like racism and homophobia exist. Give it a listen yourself. I’ve learned so much about how situations like this can go undetected, how misunderstood Factitious Disorder is in mainstream media, and how we can all advocate for kids. Andrea’s podcasting skills have grown over the seasons, and her work is undeniably important.

Thoughtful and well produced.

It’s a good podcast but every story seems to come back to her sister. Maybe she should just get therapy instead of doing a podcast.

Season 5 shows how much you have learned and grown in the podcast world during the short period of time since your Podcast first began being shared with Season 1. I have listened to all five seasons with great interest and appreciate how you came to this horrendous treatment of children and the collateral damage resonating from it. Your covering individual stories of the children and families, friends, healthcare, legal, law enforcement professionals and more weaves a strong narrative and education for those who care about these children and I believe, that helps make a difference to help protect and help more kids and the adults they grow into. Season 5 was researched and communicated in a very professional and educational way. I found your tone and inflections to be engaging, where in the past I would be impatient for gist of the story while still understanding the pressures of podcasting and the intricate details needed. Unless I have slowed down your speech on my device, I believe that season 5 was presented in a way, that I was not bombarded with language coming at such a fast clip, as I have observed in the first 4 seasons Thank you for all your work and knowledge and passion and deep concern in this podcast, your advocacy work and to you and Mike for the publication of your new book.

I appreciate the focus on scientific evidence, advocacy, and ongoing hope in the face of our failed systems in the USA! I’m surprised by negative reviews, the storytelling is solid and thoughtful and appreciative of different perspectives. The host openly acknowledges her perspectives and biases- everyone has biases, it’s through acknowledging and challenging them that we can try to be fair and ethical. I think the host is ethical and advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable

I found this a compelling and interesting podcast for season 1 and 2. Then season 3 caused me to doubt the previous seasons. The hosts opinions seem to trump everyone’s experience and she manipulates the narrative to fit her beliefs. Now I am a bit concerned that they need to re-investigate all the cases in the county in Texas that they refer to all the time. Its a bit ironic when you think about it.

I am enjoying the podcast immensely, mostly because all the facts and professionals are involved, story easy to follow, and the host incredibly informative and diplomatic.

Was a good show until the decision to start talking political beliefs, trying to convince people to donate to LGBTQ, and pushing systemic racism on the current season. Was educational until it wasn’t anymore

The host is so condescensing, a bit close minded, and highly dismissive of anyone who doesn’t share her viewpoint or world view. This makes me skeptical of how she can be objective. Also, there are too many ads and unnecessary information.

Very interesting that Andrea has designed a scenario where only she can determine if there is MCA or not - despite having no expertise whatsoever. If a doctor disputes the allegations, they’re being conned. If police don’t press charges, it’s because they just don’t understand MCA. Even when there’s an entire trial, the only time Andrea will accept the outcome is when it fits her narrative. It should concern everyone that she and Weber have created a world where once a parent is accused, there is no possible way for them to prove their innocence even when actual medical professionals, police and the legal system determine they’ve done nothing wrong. There’s a very good reason she surrounds herself with an echo chamber and never speaks to anyone who will push back. Well, except when she went on RCA and couldn’t control the outcome. Even in that situation she tried to prevent the full conversations from coming out. She claims to hate Trump yet she behaves just like him - surrounding herself with people who pat her on the head and tell her how brave she is. She knows people typically won’t fact check her and she takes full advantage of that.

This could have been such a compelling story were it not in such desperate need of editing. Hours of interviews with all the repetition, each pointless anecdote that doesn’t advance the narrative, every “um” and “you know” left in. Then the narrator repeats what the interviewee just said.

Disgusted with season 3. Andrea shows no care or respect for the victim in this case. Instead, she exploits this girl’s story to push her own agenda, never once giving any consideration to the victim’s perspective or concerns. She’s reduced to a prop. Andrea never once invites a guest with actual expertise in rare medical conditions, and continuously comments on medical areas in which she has NO understanding of. The audacity in assuming the victim is all-better now because she isn’t parading her pain for the world to see is maddening. Having a chronic condition means you have good days and bad days. It means you become a master at masking pain from a young age. It means sometimes you grin and power through pain because goddamnitt you were looking forward to something or you’re sick of feeling helpless. It means encountering ignorant jerks who think you’re “fine” because they don’t have a front-row seat to your tears and bad days. I know because I have an uncommon autoimmune condition. And my parents lost count of how many doctors it took for me to receive a correct diagnosis. I was four. For Andrea to platform her own version of a victim’s story is deeply disgusting. Victims should be given the grace and dignity to speak for themselves and have their perspectives respected. Not trashed on and discarded at every turn. Andrea should be ashamed.

The deep dive with the experts makes this stand out. Excellent storytelling.

I enjoyed the podcasts pretty well, but there are a lot of adds! I also didn’t realize that I need a subscription to finish it. It’s not good enough to splurge on a subscription. I shouldn’t have bothered with this one.

Made it to episode two and the constant focus on missing details from Sophie‘s mission trip in Africa is a never-ending loop. It’s beating a dead horse. Can we please move on now to other facts?

Great reporting and very interesting! Love the host and the way she approaches these issues. But the episodes are like, 15-20 minutes of ads.

Just recently found this pod and am bingeing it. Especially the Maya episodes, it brings a whole other perspective

As a nurse I find this incredibly interesting and sadly very accurate. Andrea is a sincere, humble factual teller of truths…including those of her own family as well as other victims stories. She shares her information with empathy, always backed by facts and endlessly seeking answers. She includes professionals to help raise awareness. There are too many ppl that know nothing about this abusive mental illness. It could be happening in your own classroom, drs office or home. ***It doesn’t hurt that she has an amazing voice! Always pleasant when a podcast host doesn’t have a cringy voice.

Really good first few episodes then the host kept using guests as her personal therapy I am really liking the new season. Why any country would let an unqualified jobless missionary take 2 children is beyond me. Just listening to excerpts from her book is enough to see she is self centered and borderline insane. Any parent who makes their children sit in a car for hours each and every day needs to be on CPS s radar. Why would ANY parent put their child into elite gymnastics so young instead of going to school? Your child has more of a chance of ending up physically damaged than in the Olympics. It’s called childhood and this sounds like a job! This was the insular environment that bred the Nasser scandal.

I absolutely LOVE this podcast as a whole, but I’m currently finishing up season 3. I just can’t believe how many people can overlook the overwhelming facts and report such blatant lies about Dr. Sally Smith & about medical child abuse in general! It’s mind blowing to me how reporters can just omit whatever they want to support their narrative. The subsequent story that has been put out their due to the Netflix series “Take Care of Maya” is just so unfortunate and I’m so incredibly grateful to Andrea for this series! I wish there was a way to get everyone who watched “TCOM” to listen to this!

This season is told in a much more understandable, linear fashion. The earlier seasons are worth listening to but the jumping around can be confusing. I lean the same way politically as the host but I think it would be wiser to remain politically neutral to reach as many listeners as possible about this very important under reported crime.

It’s striking to me how often an “accomplished novelist” uses the word “striking” or “struck,” in every single episode. It’s distracting how you can’t come up with another way to phrase this.

I liked this podcast but it seems to have gone full subscription required. The first couple episodes were made free weekly but now each week it only unlocks half an hour of the show. Why bother with ads if you can’t listen to the show without a subscription?

Excellent investigations and insight into a very troubling type of abuse people need to all be more aware of. Start with season one for more context!

I question everything you claim after trying to listen to joes story.

Great show that is a unique topic compared to most true crime. I don’t love the political talk on any true crime show on either side but it is pretty limited. Overall good quality and interesting.

I’ve listened from the beginning, and I’m really grateful for the host bringing attention to the issue, which a lot of folks either don’t believe is even a thing, or if they do, don’t know what it looks like. But I’m growing increasingly frustrated with how condescending the host has grown, especially around the election. She is absolutely an expert on the issue. But today’s bonus episode about the Kowalski’s in particular had some off-the-cuff comments that were distasteful, as well as her ill-contained glee over the downfall of the Kowalski legal team calls her objectivity into question.

I tried to listen to this podcast when it first started and stopped for some reason (possibly the ads; that complaint is real) but i decided to try again and started with a later season. i went back and started season one again and have been binging it since. very thorough research, trauma informed host and so knowledgeable on this subject matter. as a mandatory reporter it’s helpful to learn as much as possible. and detective Mike is lovely:) thanks!

9 minutes of ads per a 25 minute episode. I wish I was joking. The episodes in season two kind of are missing a thorough narrative thread. Not too keen to listen to another season.

One big virtue signal. Ok, second down and 9!

Great job investigating and putting truth out there. This can be eye opening for many…

Purely subjective topic in most of this podcast. In most cases it sounds like parents trying to figure out why their kid is sick. Most wheelchair users can walk! Invisible illness is a thing. Hopefully people that believe this podcast is unbiased are not on a jury.

Halfway through season 4, I had to go back to the previous seasons to see if I had accidentally skipped something. What actually happened to Jo? It’s hard really understand the content of the season without some context. I don’t have to know all the details, but just a short explanation at the beginning would have helped.

This podcast is fascinating and incredibly well researched. Not to mention that the host has personal experience with the subject matter, and thus has a deep understanding of it.

The journalistic take down style to shed light on this topic is interesting and compelling on its own- there is no need to add the little personal digs on conservatives, Christians, and conspiracy theorists. The last thing we need is the continuation of putting types of people in boxes to further divide us.

Well done and so worth listening to, one episode after another. Appreciate not only the breadth but the depth of reporting. Thank you.

Thank you for educating me and others on this important topic. The trauma that this causes children and their families is devastating.

As a school based psychologist for 24 years this podcast has reinforced and introduced me to the the nuances of Munchausen. I know I’ve witnessed variations throughout my career and the lack of information from healthcare to CPS is incredible . You are bringing needed attention to this and I can only hope it somehow leads to more awareness across systems .

6 mins into an episode & it’s still ads… prerolls getting insane

I have worked for years with young children with disabilities. Much of my work has been home based and I have seen medical child abuse in person. I didn’t always know what to do with my suspicions. Andrea’s coverage of this topic and the legitimacy and compassion she brings to it have taught me a lot. I hope that everyone can listen and learn something about how to help kids.

You are brave and selfless for shedding light on this difficult topic. I have a journalism background and am very impressed by your investigative capabilities, transparency, and grit. Light will prevail. Please keep doing what you are doing.

As a licensed trauma therapist and child abuse survivor myself - though I didn’t experience MBP - I found this podcast to be very well done and most importantly, as a survivor, healing. Andrea’s passion and thorough handling of both the personal and complicated nature of this diagnoses make it hard not to binge. I listened to season 4 first, then 1, 2 and now I’m 2/3 done with 3. I disagree with the podcaster and child abuse “expert” Jessica who says that Stockholm Syndrome is not real. It certainly is real. It is at the extreme end of a “fawn” trauma response. My favorite seasons so far are 4 and 1. I found there was less repetition and the reporting and stories had a natural flow. Highly recommend for educational content and I am grateful to have the added bonus of healing. Thank You Andrea and others on this team.