“Queen of The Con: The Irish Heiress”

Eight-Part Series Premieres Thursday, September 30 on iHeartRadio and All Podcasting Platforms

Listen to the trailer HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA – (September 23, 2021) – Aliza Rosen’s AYR Media and iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally as per podtrac, have teamed to launch “Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress,” a new original podcast chronicling the life, lies and larceny of Marianne “Mair” Smyth, an international serial con artist who scammed her way through Hollywood from 2013 to 2017 with a hit list comprised of A-list actors, producers and politicians. Host Johnathan Walton, an Emmy Award-winning producer (America Ninja Warrior; Shark Tank) and Mair’s best friend-turned-victim, brings listeners along as he recounts both his personal history with the woman who stole his life savings, and his arduous quest for justice. Listen to the official audio trailer here.

The first two episodes of “Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress” premiere Thursday, September 30, with new episodes dropping weekly, every Thursday on iHeartRadio and all major podcasting platforms. The series is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network, is executive produced by Rosen and Walton and is AYR Media’s first of several upcoming podcasts with iHeartMedia.

Johnathan Walton’s world was shattered when he discovered his best friend and closest confidante was not the Irish heiress she claimed to be; in reality, she was a pathological liar on the run, using a sophisticated web of lies and identities to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars from her victims… and he was next. In the new eight-part series, Walton recounts the investigation that exposed her cons to the world, and that led him to discover 45 other victims.

Featuring first-hand accounts from several of Mair’s prey, as well as her estranged daughter, childhood friends, neighbors and more, Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress unveils shocking new information about the skilled operative.

Said Rosen, “From impersonating celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and blackmailing married men, to posing as a psychic, mortgage broker and even a cancer patient, Mair robbed and terrorized countless victims across the globe – including a notable politician, lawyers and the mentally ill. Johnathan’s bravery and courage to fight for what is right is incredibly inspirational and I’m excited for listeners to hear his cautionary tale first-hand.”

Additionally, Johnathan will host two bonus episodes that dive deeper into the life and mind of the con, featuring conversations with Buddha Noah, the spiritual guide who intervened at a crucial moment to keep Johnathan on Mair’s trail, and Tori Telfer, a con artist expert and author of the award-winning book Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion. This bonus content will provide listeners keen insight into the notorious scammer, and critical information on protecting themselves from cons.

“I used to think con artists were people you'd see in movies and TV shows,” said Walton. “They weren't real, and if they were, I'd certainly be able to spot one. I couldn't have been more wrong. Con artists are everywhere – your new boyfriend or girlfriend, your coworker, your neighbor – and the good ones, like Marianne Smyth, can get away with scamming people for decades undetected because most victims remain silent. However, the telltale signs of a professional are always there if you know what to look for, and that's what ‘Queen of the Con’ will reveal.”

About AYR Media

AYR Media is a full-service production company focused on premium unscripted and documentary content, encompassing podcasts, television and film. Founded in 2019 by veteran producer and development executive Aliza Rosen, AYR’s slate includes Bitter Blood: Kasem vs. Kasem and The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror, both for Audible, as well as numerous other podcasts set to launch in 2021. Additional AYR projects include series for both Audible and iHeart Media, as well as other IP currently in development for television and streaming. For more information, please visit AYR Media’s website.