Free Daily Podcast Summary
Sympathy Pains: Daily Summaries Delivered
by iHeartPodcasts
Hosted by Laura Beil (Dr. Death, Bad Batch), Sympathy Pains is a six-part series. For 20 years, Sarah Delashmit told people around her that she had cancer, muscular dystrophy, and other illnesses. She used a wheelchair and posted selfies from a hospital bed. She told friends and coworkers she was trapped in abusive relationships, or that she was the mother of children who had died. It was all a con. Sympathy was both her great need and her powerful weapon. But unlike most scams, she didn’t want people’s money. She was after something far more valuable.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Aug 25, 20261 min
Introducing: The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart
Hosted by famed abduction survivor turned advocate Elizabeth Smart, The Survivor Files is a true crime podcast featuring firsthand accounts from ordinary people who were thrust into impossible circumstances. Targeted by serial killers, held-hostage, stalked, attacked, and controlled – their stories reveal what survival really looks like. Guided by Elizabeth’s uniquely personal perspective, each conversation explores the choices, instincts, and strength that helped survivors make it out alive and rebuild their lives. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- May 4, 202229 min
Justice
Laura gets a call from a relative who provides insight into Sarah's past. Sarah has her day in court. Her victims have the chance to say their piece, but still struggle to make sense of what happened to them. The judge issues a surprising sentence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 27, 202238 min
Truth
Across the country, people who have known Sarah see the Dr. Phil show and learn the scope of her lies. Victims call police, who say they cannot prosecute Sarah because “it’s not a crime to fake cancer.” Soon, federal prosecutors learn of crimes they can prosecute Sarah for. But should her mental state be considered in the search for justice?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 20, 202237 min
Andrea
Liz, Brian and Bethany confront Sarah on national television. Dr. Phil arranges psychiatric care for Sarah, after she leaves the set. Meanwhile, Andrea Smith, a stay-at-home mom in South Carolina, has been tracking Sarah across the internet for 20 years, warning non-profits not to allow her into their communities. Andrea even went to the police when Sarah was in college. Sarah’s past is about to catch up with her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 13, 202235 min
Liz
Liz Hickox works in financial services and volunteers for a breast cancer charity. At a bike ride for young survivors, she meets Sarah, who says she has stage 4 metastatic disease. Liz and her husband Brian welcome Sarah into their winter home in Florida and help her train for a triathlon– her single goal before she dies. After they discover the truth, they find other victims of Sarah’s scams and together vow to get her help, turning to an unlikely person: Dr. Phil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 13, 202237 min
Erin
This time, at a summer camp in California, Sarah Delashmit is a counselor. She becomes fast friends with Erin Johnson, a 23-year-old woman who was born with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Over the next decade, Erin supports Sarah, from afar, through setback after setback: a brain tumor, an Ebola infection, and multiple children born prematurely and dying. Erin mourns Sarah’s losses as if they were her own, and ultimately faces an even greater devastation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 13, 202230 min
Bethany
Sarah shows up at a Texas camp for people with disabilities in the fall of 2015 in a power wheelchair, seemingly unable to move her body. During the week of camp, counselor Bethany Turner takes care of Sarah’s every need, bathing her, and even changing her menstrual pads. After camp is over, they speak almost daily. Then one day, Bethany gets a shocking call from the camp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Apr 5, 20223 min
Introducing: Sympathy Pains
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Get Sympathy Pains summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
What Happened to Her
Melissa Jeltsen investigates the deaths and disappearances of women failed by systems meant to protect them.
The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart speaks with survivors of violent crimes about their experiences and paths to recovery.
Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast
Patients battle undiagnosed illnesses as host Lauren Bright Pacheco investigates their journeys to uncover hidden medical conditions.
Something Was Wrong
Survivors share their experiences of discovering, enduring, and recovering from crime and abuse.
Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
A veteran journalist explores true crime cases with a personal perspective and investigative depth.
Hands Tied
A woman uses her knowledge of true crime to investigate her father’s murder and fight for justice after her mother is found bound in their home.
The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told
Anthology of complex true crime cases exploring female killers, justice, and societal forces through a psychological lens.
Betrayal Weekly
Real-life stories of broken trust and hidden lives, told through gripping firsthand accounts of deception and resilience.
Killer Psyche
A retired FBI agent examines the psychological motives behind notorious criminals and their crimes.
The Burden
A documentary series exploring corruption in law enforcement and the criminal justice system through real investigations and insider accounts.
Serialously with Annie Elise
Annie Elise investigates true crime cases with deep detail and a conversational tone, uncovering overlooked facts and breaking developments.
The Real Killer
A cold case murder of a teenager is re-examined through conflicting evidence and unanswered questions.
About Sympathy Pains
Hosted by Laura Beil (Dr. Death, Bad Batch), Sympathy Pains is a six-part series. For 20 years, Sarah Delashmit told people around her that she had cancer, muscular dystrophy, and other illnesses. She used a wheelchair and posted selfies from a hospital bed. She told friends and coworkers she was trapped in abusive relationships, or that she was the mother of children who had died. It was all a con. Sympathy was both her great need and her powerful weapon. But unlike most scams, she didn’t want people’s money. She was after something far more valuable.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Sympathy Pains in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Sympathy Pains daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Sympathy Pains as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Sympathy Pains podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Sympathy Pains product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by iHeartPodcasts.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Sympathy Pains release new episodes?
Sympathy Pains publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Sympathy Pains cover?
Sympathy Pains covers topics including True Crime, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Sympathy Pains summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.