Larj Media to Launch True Crime Podcast: Nobody Should Believe Me
By Carmen Elena Mitchell, Larj Media Marketing Director
“I find myself trying to make sense out of memories that don’t make any sense.”
So begins Andrea Dunlop’s investigation into the upside-down world of Munchausen by proxy (MBP), a form of medical child abuse in which a caregiver feigns, exaggerates, or induces illness in their child for the purpose of receiving attention and sympathy from medical staff, their family, and the community.
But Andrea isn’t a reporter on the hunt for a sensational story, she’s mother trying to make sense out of a series of events that that nearly destroyed her family. She’s also a novelist whose own life has become the stuff of news stories.
Dunlop became interested in the subject after her older sister was investigated for MBP on two separate occasions. Though her sister was never ultimately charged with a crime, the investigation tore the family apart and set Andrea on a journey to understand this most taboo form of abuse.
“The lack of awareness about this abuse leaves children vulnerable and survivors isolated. I'm devoted to changing that any way I can,” said Dunlop.
In Nobody Should Believe Me premiering October 13, 2022, Dunlop talks to some of the top experts in the world to explore the criminology and psychopathology behind Munchausen by proxy and to reveal the wide swath of destruction these perpetrators leave in their wake.
“The lack of awareness about this abuse leaves children vulnerable and survivors isolated. I’m devoted to changing that any way I can.””
Along the way, she becomes captivated by the case of Hope Ybarra. Ybarra served 10 years in prison for poisoning her daughter and subjecting her to unnecessary medical procedures and surgeries. Dunlop speaks to those most familiar with the case, from the reporter who broke the story, to the detective who investigated it, to the family who lived through it. In the dramatic finale episode of Nobody Should Believe Me, she’ll speak to Ybarra herself, the first and only interview to date since her release from prison.
For Dunlop, the intimacy of the podcast medium was key to creating an impactful journey for her audience. “To hear people’s stories in their own words and in their own voice is incredibly powerful.”
Andrea Dunlop records an episode of podcast Nobody Should Believe Me at Larj studios.
To this end, she partnered with Larj Media, a full- service creative podcast production agency. “This podcast was an intense, emotional project to make and I needed a team I could really trust. Everyone at Larj was instrumental in getting this out into the world.”
For Larj Media, whose client list includes major brands such as Microsoft and The B Team, and who produced the multi-award-nominated Battle Fatigue, Nobody Should Believe Me was an opportunity to collaborate on a story that had potential to bring awareness to survivors of this devastating form of abuse. “Not only is Andrea a skilled storyteller, but she has a personal stake in this investigation which makes it all the more compelling.” said Tina Nole, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Larj Media.
Andrea Dunlop has been interviewed about the subject of Munchausen by proxy in outlets such as Vanity Fair, People, and Marie Claire, and King 5 Seattle’s New Day Northwest where she is a regular guest. Her novels have been featured in outlets such as Town & Country, Cosmopolitan, US Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, and many others. Her third novel We Came Here to Forget was inspired by her family’s personal connection to Munchausen by proxy.
Nobody Should Believe Me premieres October 13, 2022.
Listen on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.