Episode notes
Sarah was everything people wanted her to be—until she wasn’t. Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah is available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to binge the entire season, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Deep Cover show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
Read the transcript · about 370 words, follows along as you listen
Speaker 1:Pushkin. She was a decorated veteran, a marine who saved her comrades a hero.
Speaker 2:She had been in a convoy and her vehicle was hit by an ID. The door from the humphe like crushed her hip.
Speaker 3:I was just like, goodness, gracious, the amount of tragedy in trauma. I just resolved like I am gonna do everything that I can do to help you.
Speaker 4:She was stoic, modest, tough, someone who inspired people.
Speaker 2:I liked her. I liked her a lot. She worked really hard and she was really humble. She was injured and everybody knew it, but she was still running.
Speaker 4:I distinctly remember her saying, if I'm going to have to have my leg amputated, then I'm gonna make this bitch give me every last ounce of what it's got to give.
Speaker 1:There were also moments when she said things that seemed a little off or just didn't add up, but no one called her on it, at least not at first.
Speaker 2:That's kind of like if you had a friend that told you that she'd had a miscarriage, the very last thing that you're going to do to that friend while she's crying about losing a baby is ask her if that actually happened. Everyone thought they knew her until they didn't.
Speaker 5:Picked up the phone just to check my messages before I went back to work, and that she said, you need to come home. The FBI is here.
Speaker 2:I remember sitting on her couch and asking her, is this real?
Speaker 3:Is this real? Is this real? Is this real?
Speaker 6:I just couldn't wrap my head around what kind of person would do that to another person that was getting treatment, that was, you know, dying.
Speaker 1:This is a story all about trust and about a woman named Sarah Cavanaugh.
Speaker 5:When you live two separate lives for so long, it feels normal.
Speaker 4:Who's decided to share her side.
Speaker 2:Of the story.
Speaker 5:I've always been told I'm a really good listener, right, and I maximize that people. When you create space, people fill that space.
Speaker 1:I'm Jay Calburn and I'm Jess McHugh. Deep Cover the Truth about Sarah, coming May twelfth from Pushkin Industries
Transcript supplied by the publisher with the episode.
Podcast
Deep Cover
Pushkin Industries · True Crime · English
Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals. Deep Cover: The Family Man: Elise and Marissa grew up in a seemingly normal house
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S6 · E5 · 2 Jun 2025 · 40 min
Episode 5: The Wife
One overlooked detail in Sarah’s story: she was married. Her wife, Nicole, never spoke to the press or the feds. She remained a mystery—until now. Get early, ad-free access to more episodes of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S6 · E4 · 26 May 2025 · 33 min
Episode 4: The Suspect
A former Marine and media personality asks questions and publicly challenges Sarah Cavanaugh’s credentials. Behind the scenes, law enforcement is already investigating Sarah; but the surge of media attention forces their hand. Fearing she might destroy evidence, federal agents move quickly to search Sarah’s home. Get early, ad-free access to more episodes of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on…
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S6 · E3 · 19 May 2025 · 41 min
Episode 3: The Confidante
Jess and Jake speak with Sarah and learn about her past life. As a social worker, she really knew how to listen to people. But when Jake and Jess interview two of Sarah's former friends, a darker picture emerges. Get early, ad-free access to more episodes of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S6 · E2 · 12 May 2025 · 36 min
Episode 2: The Poster Child
In her home state of Rhode Island, Sarah builds her reputation as a celebrated war hero. But as her public profile grows, so do the quiet doubts. Get early, ad-free access to more episodes of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S6 · E1 · 12 May 2025 · 41 min
Episode 1: The Warrior
A mysterious handwritten letter arrives from Sarah Cavanaugh. In it, she asks: What do you think of my crime? Get early, ad-free access to more episodes of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5 · E4 · 28 Aug 2024 · 36 min
Episode 4: The Donor
Amy Gaines McQuade sits down with GOP donor and former Santos supporter Cathy Soref. Then Amy and Jake Halpern discuss some of the most serious charges that George Santos faced, and pled guilty to in federal court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5 · E3 · 21 Aug 2024 · 17 min
Episode 3: The Plea
George Santos pleaded guilty in federal court this week. Amy Gaines McQuade was in the courtroom. Amy and Jake discuss the proceeding and where things go from here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5 · E2 · 19 Aug 2024 · 37 min
Episode 2: The Congressman
George Santos takes office. His communications director, Naysa Woomer, walks us through her five months with Congressman Santos as she tries to manage the chaos and sort fact from fiction. Author Mark Chiusano unpacks some of the most complicated allegations surrounding Santos’ personal narrative. For more on Mark’s reporting on George Santos, check out his book: The Fabulist - The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing and Very American Legend of George Santos . For more on how 9/11 has impacted first responders, and those who lived around Ground Zero, listen to Amy Gaines McQuade’s Frontline…
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S5 · E1 · 19 Aug 2024 · 35 min
Episode 1: The Campaign
George Santos runs for Congress and wins. Then the stories he told on the campaign trail start to fall apart. Semafor’s Kadia Goba wants to figure out where his money is coming from. Saurav Ghosh, of the Campaign Legal Center, finds the Santos filings suspicious. As Santos’ criminal trial approaches, Producer Amy Gaines McQuade walks Jake Halpern through the moment when the cracks began to show. Note: George Santos is now expected to plead guilty, as first reported by Talking Points Memo . This is a developing story. We will update listeners as more information becomes available. See…
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S5 · 15 Aug 2024 · 2 min
Deep Cover: George Santos
George Santos, the former Republican Congressman from New York, told a lot of stories about his life and his credentials. Many of which, it turns out, were not true. And now–in just a few weeks–Santos is scheduled to face a criminal trial. Deep Cover Producer Amy Gaines McQuade, who grew up in Santos’ congressional district, speaks with insiders and experts to try to answer the question: Who is George Santos… really? Welcome to Deep Cover: George Santos. Coming August 19th See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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