Ep 335: Con Men and Coercive Control: The Psychology of Deception with Sarah Ferris, Part 2

In this powerful second part of her interview with Sarah Ferris, host Laura discusses the psychological manipulation and coercive control tactics used by con men like Peter Cowell, a self-proclaimed admiral who allegedly ran a 25-year international con targeting veterans, law enforcement, and high-credibility individuals. Ferris reveals how Cowell exploited the patriarchy and the shame associated with being deceived in a uniform to avoid accountability, while also exposing the dangerous charlatan Pam—self-proclaimed FBI profiler and convicted felon—who manipulated the host through a referral chain from Dr. Lisa. The episode delves into the red flags of such predators: the use of costumes and titles, the drip-feed of small financial requests, the erasure of trust, and the psychological vortex that traps victims. Ferris emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s gut, stepping back from toxic situations, and maintaining healthy skepticism—especially for women navigating relationships and power dynamics. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Ferris shares her own battle with metastatic breast cancer, framing her investigative work as a vital purpose that fuels her resilience. The episode ends with a call to action: to trust intuition, support female networks, and recognize the power of wisdom that comes with age and experience.