Part One: The Naturopathic Doctor Who Bombed a Plane

This episode of *Behind the Bastards* dives into the twisted life of Robert Vernon Spears, a prolific con man born as Clyde Stringer in 1894, whose criminal career spanned over half a century. From a childhood shaped by a manipulative, identity-shifting mother, Spears mastered the art of deception early, using forged identities, bad checks, and elaborate scams to survive and thrive. His charm and charisma allowed him to repeatedly evade serious consequences, even earning sympathy from victims and judges. After serving time and briefly joining the army under a fake name, he reinvented himself as a charming suitor, marrying women only to rob them blind—earning him the moniker 'the tender swindler.' The episode also explores the historical roots of naturopathy, tracing its origins to Dr. Benedict Lust and the early 20th-century alternative medicine movement, which often blurred the line between genuine belief and profitable quackery. While Spears' later life as a self-styled naturopath is hinted at, the full story of his descent into plane bombing and mass murder is saved for Part Two. The episode blends dark humor, historical context, and moral ambiguity, painting Spears as both a tragic figure and a quintessential American grifter. The episode opens with a satirical tone, mocking the podcast’s own obsession with pedophiles before pivoting to a 'good old-fashioned con man' for relief. It features comedic interludes and sponsor reads from iHeartRadio podcasts like *2%*, *Look Back At It*, and *Learn the Hard Way*, which are seamlessly woven into the narrative. The hosts, Sophie and the narrator, debate the ethics of con men and the blurred lines between belief and fraud, especially in the context of early naturopathy. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, teasing the shocking conclusion of Spears’ life in the next installment.