CONmunity Podcast
CONmunity Podcast is an investigative true-story series from Sarah Ferris Media about trust, belief, and the line between ambition and illusion. Each season follows a different real-world investigation told through the voices of people who lived it. Season 1, Conning the Con, covered the host and her sister uncovering a major relationship deception in New Zealand. Season 2, The BADmiral, examines the rise of the global humanitarian organization IntSAR and the claims surrounding its leader. The show is independent and grounded in firsthand testimony, asking hard questions without assigning guilt.
Episodes
S2 EP14 WHAT'S HIDING IN VINCE'S GARAGE?
You know those moments when you think you’ve reached the end of the story……and then someone opens a dusty cardboard box and you realise you’re actually just getting started?This episode begins not in Thailand.Not on WhatsApp.Not in a bar with a man in full Admiral whites.It begins in a garage.Specifically, retired detective and criminologist Professor Vince Hurley’s garage.Inside? Old case files.
S2 | EP13 - X MARKS THE SPOT
⚓️ S2 | E13 — X MARKS THE SPOTWhat happens after the season airs?In this episode, Sarah Ferris returns to The BADmiral with new developments and reflections that surfaced once the main investigation was already out in the world.As more people came forward and new information emerged, this episode explores what becomes visible in the aftermath — why accountability is often elusive, why many people
S2 | E12 — OLD SEA DOG, NEW TRICKS
The tide may have gone out on IntSAR, but the story isn’t over.In this season finale, Sarah traces what happens after the collapse — following the digital breadcrumbs that reveal how Admiral Peter Cowell re-emerges with a new identity, a new pitch, and a familiar playbook.From humanitarian aid to “angel investing,” the pattern repeats: new titles, new promises, and the same elusive outcomes. As Sa
S2 | E11 — GHOST PLANE OR PLAIN GHOSTED
A plane that never lands. A meeting that never happens. And a leader who suddenly stops responding.In this episode, Sarah follows the surreal final chapter of the IntSAR operation — where delayed flights, missing passengers, and fantastical explanations blur the line between logistics and illusion.Through verified WhatsApp conversations and testimony from those still waiting to be paid or deployed
S2 | E10 — CUTTING THE LINES
That moment when belief and doubt finally collide.In this episode, Sarah traces the fallout after IntSAR’s internal mutiny. With trust eroded and questions mounting, key members begin to step away, revealing just how far-reaching the promises of Admiral Peter Cowell had become.From Thailand to Fiji, and across encrypted messages and recorded calls, The BADmiral follows the final unraveling of a st
S2 | E9 — TURN STARBOARD FOR MUTINY
The tide turns.In this episode, Sarah follows the unraveling of IntSAR from the inside out. As members begin to compare notes, stories collide, loyalties shift, and those once closest to Admiral Peter Cowell start to ask the questions they’d long avoided.Through verified WhatsApp messages, testimony, and recorded conversations, The BADmiral pieces together how the so-called “Admiralty” fractured —
S2 | E8 — THE SILENT MUTINY
Loyalty can hold a crew together — until it doesn’t.In this episode, Sarah uncovers what happens when insiders within IntSAR begin to quietly question the leadership and promises that first inspired them. Through private recordings, WhatsApp messages, and first-hand testimony, the story turns inward: a mutiny not of ships and sailors, but of trust and truth.As one key figure steps forward to speak
S2 | E7 — LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS
When secrets start to surface, even the strongest alliances can begin to crack.In this episode, Sarah turns her focus to those inside IntSAR who began to question what they’d signed up for. Private messages, quiet conversations, and shifting loyalties reveal a turning tide — one where silence is no longer sustainable.Through first-hand testimony and verified correspondence, The BADmiral explores h
S2 | E6 — THE PARASITE IN THE HULL
A ship without a captain can drift — but what happens when someone new quietly takes the helm?In this episode, Sarah investigates how IntSAR evolved through three distinct lifespans: its founding as a small charitable company, its transformation under Peter Cowell’s leadership, and its sleek modern relaunch years later. Each version carries the same crest, motto, and mission — but behind the surfa
S2 | E5 — THE TALENTED MR COWELL
The deeper Sarah investigates, the more versions of Admiral Peter Cowell she uncovers. Online profiles, official-looking biographies, and a growing trail of uniforms and honours paint a picture that keeps shifting with every click.In this episode, Sarah traces how Cowell’s public image evolved — from early job titles to later claims of international rank — and examines the psychology behind reinve
S2 | E4 — TORPEDOING THE TRUTH
⚓️ S2 | E4 — TORPEDOING THE TRUTHThe deeper Sarah dives, the murkier the waters become.In this episode, she begins piecing together IntSAR’s shifting history — from early company records to its modern-day reincarnation — uncovering documents that raise questions about what was promised, what was delivered, and what might have been imagined.As veterans and former insiders recount their experiences,
S2 | E3 — YOUR EYES ONLY
⚓️ S2 | E3 — YOUR EYES ONLYA letter marked For Your Eyes Only lands in Sarah’s inbox — and with it, a deeper look into the promises, paperwork, and personalities surrounding IntSAR, the International Sea Air Rescue Service.This episode uncovers the inner workings of a supposed global humanitarian organisation that aimed to unite nations under one rescue command. But as Sarah follows the trail of o
S2 | E2 — RED FLAGS ON THE HORIZON
S2 | E2 — RED FLAGS ON THE HORIZONA uniform, a hangar, and a promise that sounds almost too ambitious to be true.As Sarah continues to investigate IntSAR – the International Sea Air Rescue Service and its self-described leader Admiral Peter Cowell, two retired detectives share their first-hand encounter — a meeting that left more questions than answers.From Bathurst to Fiji and Canberra, plans for
S2 | E1 — HOISTING THE SAILS OF SUSPICION
When a podcast listener contacts Sarah with a story about a man calling himself Admiral Peter Cowell, curiosity quickly turns into an investigation.At the centre is an ambitious organisation called IntSAR – the International Sea Air Rescue Service, presented as a global humanitarian project with a military-style structure.Its mission sounds noble — but some of the details don’t quite align.In this
🎙️ COMING SOON | SEASON TWO | THE BADMIRAL
FROM SARAH FERRIS MEDIA — CONmunity PODCAST (FORMERLY CONNING THE CON)An international rescue organisation so ambitious, it would make the Thunderbirds jealous — admirals from every corner of the globe, millions of dollars promised… and one man at the helm who might not be all that he seems.From Sarah Ferris Media, this is THE BADMIRAL — a true-crime investigation uncovering how belief, purpose, a
Conning the Con Is Now CONmunity | The BADmiral Sets Sail Oct 20 ⚓
Big news! Conning the Con has officially re-branded to CONmunity Podcast — the same heart, same mission, just a new name that reflects the incredible community that’s grown around these stories.Our next season, The BADmiral, launches October 20 on this very feed — so if you’re subscribed, you don’t need to lift a finger; new episodes will drop automatically.Can’t wait to dive in? You can listen ea
INTRODUCING - THE TONKA TRILOGY
INTRODUCING THE TONKA TRILOGY Sshhh … IT’S CONfidential Well, it's been a hot minute since we released Conning The CON to the World back in 2021, and since then, top of the list of questions asked is where can we hear the whole Tonka Trilogy? And so without further ado, we are sharing the actual recordings we made as we received the Tonka Trilogy. And here is a sneak peak at what you can expect wh
S1|E13 CONcerning Red Flags
We're going to go a little bit off-piste in this episode. We are joined by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sophie Muir, to build a checklist of red flags so that you can protect yourself, your family and friends from becoming the next fraud statistic.From Sarah Ferris Media, creators of award-winning independent podcasts.🎧 Listen ad-free, get early access, and unlock bonus content: 👉 Subscribe on Apple
S1|E12 #CONquerer
From Sarah Ferris Media, creators of award-winning independent podcasts.🎧 Listen ad-free, get early access, and unlock bonus content: 👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts 👉 Join us on Patreon → patreon.com/conmunity🌐 More from Sarah Ferris Media: SarahFerrisMedia.com Follow on Instagram → @conmunitypodcast🎙️ Explore our other shows: Stop the Killing — with former FBI agent Katherine Schweit
S1|E11 Recovery and ReCONstruction
Your trust has been shattered, how do you rebuild after trauma. Dr Muir and Emma candidly discuss how to move forward and take back the power that was stolen.In the last Episode Emma finds out what justice looks like for a serial conmanFrom Sarah Ferris Media, creators of award-winning independent podcasts.🎧 Listen ad-free, get early access, and unlock bonus content: 👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcast
S1|E10 CONsequences
In the aftermath of Andrew's actions, Emma finds herself in the limbo land of the justice system as a victim.From Sarah Ferris Media, creators of award-winning independent podcasts.🎧 Listen ad-free, get early access, and unlock bonus content: 👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts 👉 Join us on Patreon → patreon.com/conmunity🌐 More from Sarah Ferris Media: SarahFerrisMedia.com Follow on Instagram → @
S1|E9 CONtainment
With Andrew in Australia and out of our reach, we get creative....or maybe a little desperate! In the last Episode We explored Andrew's past in Hobart, Tasmania. By the end of May, police are still building the case against him. Andrew had fled the country and was apparently living in Australia. He has told Emma he is working for the government as a spy and was going into one serious last miss
S1|E8 CONtainers of Tonka's Toys
This episode was put together after the first episode was released and those, who had previously been impacted by Andrew Tonks actions, reached out to us.Dr Muir shares her insight into what behaviour we should really question and how important it is to be able to see patterns in behaviour.In the last Episode We heard from Fabian Christoph, who sold his restaurant to Andrew Tonks. He had purchase
S1|E7 CONtradictory Stories
If past behaviour is a predictor of present behaviour, can we learn anything from Andrew's?In the last Episode We uncovered Andrew's involvement with Queenstown Restaurant, a deal that meant for Tony, the owner, he would be selling his flagship restaurant for a cool seven-figure sum. And for Tom, Andrew's investor and would-be Chef, it meant the funds he was days away from borrowing from his fa
S1|E6 CONnections
The New Zealand police were slowly but surely building that case against Andrew Tonks. And as far as we knew, Andrew, although he seemed a little suspicious, he didn't know that the net was closing in around him. But what he did know is that his house of cards had a few rather large cracks appearing in the foundations.In the last EpisodeEmma had just received a text from Andrew outlining his lates
S1|E5 CONcaved
We rejoin the story with Emma digesting the aftermath and calculating the cost of Andrew's deception. He still had a sizeable chunk of her money and getting it back was not going to be for the fainthearted. A plan was percolating, it was time to Con the Con.In the last EpisodeFor the last six months, Andrew Tonks had been playing a game of chess with my sister Emma and up until the 9th of April 20
S1|E4 IrreCONcilable Differences
Andrew has been playing a game of chess with Emma for six months. However, Emma's discovery of his real identity means the tables are about to turn on Andrew, just when he was almost at checkmate.In the last Episode Emma's friends, Sarsha and Jo, do some digging and find the ODT article (link below) Meanwhile, Emma is oblivious to their discovery and transfers $250,000 directly to Andrews accoun
S1|E3 ReCONnaissance
Emma's friends, Sarsha and Jo, smell a rat. However, smelling a rat and catching a rat, well, they are two entirely different things!In the last Episode Andrew had spent six months grafting, building Emma's trust. By March 2019 he had finally hit the payload and convinced Emma to invest in a "property venture" with him. She 'invests' a smaller amount for a month before Andrew doubles down and
S1|E2 The CONfidence Man
By March 2019, Emma and the man she knows as Andrew Thomson have been dating for almost six months, their relationship appears to be going from strength to strength. Andrew had put in months and months of graft, it was now time for him to double down on his lies and do what he does best, exploit, rinse ..... and repeat. In the last Episode Emma meets a man called Andrew Thomson on tinder He is a
S1|E1 The RomCON
Episode one, The RomCON, takes us back to where it all began...One swipe to the right. One small, seemingly insignificant flick of the index finger.....Meet my sister, Emma as she takes us back to the fateful day when she swiped right on the profile of Andrew Thomson.He's charming, charismatic, successful and empathetic, everything you look for in a life partner, right?He seemed like the perfect d
Introducing Conning the Con
Season 1 CONmunity Podcast. It was a relationship that was going just the way Andrew Thomson planned...right up until the point, Emma discovered his real identity and that's when things start to derail... for the both of them. And with the stakes high, there can be only one victor in this confidence game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
