Fraud Busting NeoFraus

Ex-NATO Executive Turned Entrepreneur on Courage and Resilience / E33

Welcome to Fraud Busting NeoFraus podcast, the go-to resource for female fraud professionals and their allies. In this episode, host Olga invites Nadja El Fertasi, a former NATO executive turned entrepreneur, to share her inspiring journey.
Nadja opens up about her experiences with burnout, the challenges of balancing work and personal life. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in cybersecurity and discusses the impact of human behavior on digital security.
Through her candid storytelling, Nadja provides valuable insights into overcoming challenges, maintaining mental health, and building resilience. She also offers practical advice on setting boundaries, managing stress, and staying true to one's values.
Join us for an enlightening conversation filled with actionable tips and personal anecdotes that will inspire you to navigate your own professional and personal hurdles with courage and resilience.
Nadja's Bio:
Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ, is a Human Resilience Expert and former NATO senior executive renowned for her leadership in emotional intelligence and resilience. With over 20 years of experience in the civil-military sector and interactions with professionals from over 40 nationalities, Nadja has honed a profound expertise in crisis management and strategic stakeholder engagement. Celebrated as one of Europe’s influential women in cybersecurity, she features in the book Hacking Gender Barriers: Europe’s Top Cyber Women by Women4Cyber.
At Thrive with EQ, Nadja dedicates her efforts to empowering leaders in critical services infrastructure to adeptly navigate digital disruptions and manage change through emotional intelligence. Her work has earned her global recognition, making her a sought-after expert and speaker on leadership and resilience.
Each week, Nadja shares insights from her own life's challenges in her emotional resilience newsletter, which reaches over 1,700 subscribers. Through these stories, she helps others build their resilience, demonstrating how emotional intelligence can transform personal and professional adversities into strength and leadership.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Body Language and Spotting Deception with Traci Brown /E32

In this enlightening episode, Traci Brown, ranked the third-best body language expert globally, joins the Fraud Busting NeoFraus Podcast. As the only podcast dedicated to female fraud professionals, this episode puts a spotlight on spotting deception hidden in plain sight, truly valuable knowledge in the sector of fraud prevention.
Brown shares her expert insights into reading body language, tone, and words, highlighting the importance of paying attention and cultivating awareness. From learning to spot dissent in silence to knowing when someone is ready to make a decision, Tracy illuminates how body language plays a significant role in every interaction.
Besides sharing about her online programs and hiring for events, the discussion delves into the relevance of detecting lies for business survival, with the backdrop of an ever-changing economy.
Finally, Tracy offers advice on dealing with difficulties, emphasizing focusing on objectives, trusting your gut, and recognizing that trusting your innate knowing can protect you.
To book Traci for speaking engagements or purchase her books:
https://www.bodylanguagetrainer.com/body-language-books/
TIME Magazine has named her one of the country’s top deception detection experts. In her fast paced, interactive programs that are sure to entertain, Traci teaches lie, fraud and identity theft detection she’s used to get to the truth in billion dollar business deals, crimes and politics.
She has studied lie and deception detection alongside the Police, FBI, Army Green Berets and people who she believes could not tell her they were in the CIA.   Yes, she’s the only one who showed up to class without a gun.  She uses this information in her keynotes for banking, credit unions and finance groups to detect and prevent fraud.  And this is currently what she’s called most to do.
When she’s not speaking, she’s working on investigations.  When the victims or their families feel like the police haven’t done them justice, they call Traci.  Cases have included million dollar business fraud, sexual assault, child abuse, municipal fraud and murders.  .
Her TV career started when she was asked to interpret the body language of the Aurora Movie Theater Shooter in 2012. And she’s revealed the truth in many events since then:  including murders, cold cases and politics.  Some of her TV appearances are here: https://www.bodylanguagetrainer.com/body-language-demo-videos/
And she’s the executive producer of the new TV series, Truth, Lies and Coverups.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Manipulative Tactics in Relationships and Scams with Mindi "The Fenyx" / E31

Recognizing Red Flags: An Insightful Journey through Manipulative Relationships and the Road to Healing
In this inspiring episode of the NeoFraus podcast, we delve into the life of Mindi, known as "The Fenyx", a brave solo parent who navigates the tumultuous seas of her past toxic relationships, identity crises, depression, and her transformation into a self-aware, confident individual. Mindy shares her journey of resilience, self-discovery, and empowerment to inspire and offer valuable insights to those who may be struggling in their lives.
"The Fenyx" discusses her experiences with manipulative relationships, emotional threats from her ex-partners.
With her enlightening narrative, Mindi, known as "The Fenyx" emphasizes the importance of understanding dysfunctional relationships, not allowing the past to be a source of shame, but a source of immense growth. She describes her transformation, marked by failures, depression, and mistakes, viewing all these experiences as vital tools for personal growth and resilience.
Listen to her empowering story, as she shares her journey of transformation - from being the victim, and how the trauma she faced in her past allowed her to grow strong, championing the power of choice in determining our life trajectory. Despite stumbling upon the harsh realities of life, she emphasizes the importance of self-belief, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit.
Her vivid and touching narrative goes beyond her personal life and encompasses larger themes of resilience, empathy, and the transformation of struggles into stepping stones to success.
In this insightful episode, we explore the complex world of manipulative relationships and psychological red flags often overlooked amidst emotional confusion. Our distinguished guest shares vital lessons gleaned from her personal experiences, treating these as markers of learning for herself and for the benefit of the listeners.
Further, she explains the manipulator's mastery over prescriptions and the prime traits of easy targets for abusers, including insecurity, co-dependency, naivety, and significantly high trust in others. Throughout her narrative, she emphasizes the utmost importance of self-esteem, urging listeners not to succumb to fears and encourages victims to reach out for help despite the complexities of their situations.
Moving towards insights on self-growth, she emphasizes understanding and owning oneself, identifying one's worth, and recognizing a healthy relationship. The discussion delves deeper into self-work, focusing on healing, and growing as gifts to oneself. End the episode with an empowering message against settling for less than truly deserved, and experience the reassuring promise of life's bountiful beauty awaiting post the healing phase.
Tune in as this episode illuminates the journey to self-discovery, loving oneself, identifying toxic relationships, emancipation from abuse, and making room for beautifully enriching relationships.
Mindi's Bio:
Mindi, known as "The Fenyx", is the embodiment of resilience and badassery. With three children at her side and a lifetime of battles behind her, Mindi is a living testament to the unstoppable force of the human spirit. Battling through the grips of toxic marriages with traumatic endings, deep depression, financial ruin, homelessness and morbid obesity, she emerged stronger, fiercer, and more determined than ever, refusing to be defined by the struggles of her past. She never lost sight of her ultimate goal: to create a better life for herself and her children, and to show others what is possible when you refuse to give up on yourself and your dreams. Through her transparent sharing of her own journey and her practical strategies for success, she doesn't just inspire; she empowers. Mindi isn't just a leader; she's a visionary. A guiding light for those who dare to dream and a relentless champion for those who refuse to settle for anything less than extraordinary. Whether gracing the stage or captivating audiences through the digital realm, Mindi commands attention with her infectious energy and magnetic presence. But beneath the surface lies a woman of depth and nuance, whose laughter is as contagious as her determination to lift others up. Mindi isn't just a name; she's a revolution. A conversation with her isn't just words exchanged; it's a journey of self-discovery, a catalyst for transformation. In a world full of noise, Mindi is a beacon of hope and inspiration, a reminder that no matter how dark the night may seem, the dawn always brings new possibilities.
Social links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMindiShow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.fenyx/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themindishow
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2L4pQdXZ1RBL6tXWhy66Rd?si=19130e8dc9874337
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Justice For Fraud Victims Project with Marie Rice /E30

Welcome to an inspiring episode of the NeoFraus's podcast. We delve into the unique world of female fraud professionals, that is making significant strides in the realm of fraud awareness and prevention.
In this episode, Marie Rice, a certified fraud examiner (CFE) and the founding member of the Spokane chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), narrates her fascinating journey.
Since 2009, she has worked on the 'Justice For Fraud Victims Project,' which equips students in understanding the gravity of fraud cases and their investigation. Tune in to hear how this commendable project not only sparks intellectual curiosity but also helps bridge the gap in resources for legal authorities.
Marie emphasizes the importance of intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and respect in tackling cases. She views each case as not just about crunching numbers or tracing assets, but understanding the human element behind it. The students’ engagement in these real-life cases makes a significant difference, ensuring a victim who might not have the resources to afford professional services is granted justice.
Marie candidly shares her view on the power of collaboration, readiness in adapting to the fast-paced digital world, and her own personal experience dealing with life adversities. With profound advice and an empowering message, especially for women, this episode is a must-listen.
Marie's Bio:
Marie holds a PhD in accounting, with an emphasis in fraud and forensic accounting, and is an Assistant Professor at Siena College where she serves as Director of the Center for Anti-fraud Resources and Examination Services (CARES). Prior to entering academia, Marie was an anti-fraud, compliance, and audit professional with 20 years of experience. As a practitioner, she managed forensic accounting engagements up to and including expert testimony and advised audit committees and executive leadership teams of small to mid-sized U.S. listed companies on risk and compliance matters. Marie was a founding member and Past President of the Spokane Chapter of the ACFE and a founding member of the Justice for Fraud Victims Project at Gonzaga University, for which she was awarded the ACFE’s 2010 Outstanding Achievement in Outreach/Community Service Award and the Spokane Police Chief’s Citizen Award. She currently serves on the board of the Albany Chapter of the ACFE.
To connect with Marie:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariericeslaineps/
Email: mrice@siena.edu
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Personal Growth through Battling Internal Conflicts with Sonja Renee / E29

In this profoundly riveting episode 29 of Fraud Busting Neo-Fraus's podcast, we welcome a distinguished guest, Sonja Renee, who is a highly respected speaker, author, and renowned specialist in abandonment trauma. Sonja shares a profoundly riveting narrative about her life, and introduces her exceptionally pivotal book, focused on healing the unseen scars of abandonment trauma.
Link to Sonja's web site: http://linktr.ee/iamsonjarenee
Sonja Renee presents an introspective journey about her own experiences, including the emotional rollercoaster of discovering her adoption at the age of 49. She outlines the complex intricacies of her relationships, and how the revelation impacted her interaction with her birth parents and those around her. Manifesting her resilience and mental fortitude, Sonja embarked on a self-driven quest for emotional healing, manifesting destiny in her book. Link to purchase Sonja's book: https://www.amazon.com/Abandonment-Not-Your-Fault-Abundance/dp/B0B1K5LMS1
In her informative discourse, Sonja unveils the less-talked-about trauma wounds that are often linked with abandonment. These wounds, which could include overgiving, threatening to leave, being clingy, codependency, and trust issues, often lie dormant until triggered. Sonja emphasizes the significance of identifying and harnessing relationships that heal these wounds, thus empowering people to thrive and lead fulfilling lives. Her book, acted as a blueprint for this journey, has now become a lifeline for others battling similar internal conflicts.
With an extraordinary vulnerability, Sonja shares the process of penning her personal experiences into a book in a span of just 30 days. She describes the euphoric moment of holding her first published book, and transcending the private confines of her life to reveal her authentic self to the world. Drawing strength from her painful past, Sonja is turning her pain into purpose.
The latter part of the discussion also reveals Sonja's insights into her upcoming revision of her first book. This revised edition aims to delve deeper into the varied wounds under the umbrella of abandonment trauma, providing a more detailed analysis of the wound, the type of relationship that harbors the wound, and the steps to healing the wound. Sonja believes that healing the wound means strengthening the relationship or walking away from it – either way, it empowers people to disconnect with what's holding them back, enabling them to live their most amazing life.
The interview concludes with Sonja extending advice about resilience to the listeners. She underscores the importance of self-love, of nurturing oneself, of setting boundaries and maintaining peace. It was an uplifting dialogue on the importance of resilience and reaffirms that all of us have the power to heal and grow.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Data Analytics Career Advice for Women / E28

In support of the job-seeking community out there and especially women, who are looking for their next job opportunity, I am speaking with the Data Analytics Ninja, the amazing Masha, in this new episode of the NeoFraus podcast!!!
Masha Kubyshina (LinkedIn) is the Sr. Data Analyst at Enel X Way, where she spends most of her time working on EV charging data for utilities (she uses SQL & Python to write custom scripts and collaborates with engineering teams to build product features). 
What often stays behind the scene is that Masha didn't write a line of code before she was 38, she transitioned into the data field in the tech industry mid career having to learn everything from scratch. You can read about her journey into data world here: https://mashakubyshina.medium.com/i-didnt-know-what-i-didn-t-know-how-i-started-from-zero-in-data-analytics-1c3b853ccf14
Apart from her love for data and cleantech, she leads an athletic lifestyle (rock-climbing, jiu-jitsu, skiing) with her 2 children in Marin county. She also runs a FB group for those switching careers to data analytics and data science in the Bay Area and volunteers her time helping women get into the data field.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus
 

Beware Of Gaslighting And Manipulation! / E27

In support of the Fraud Awareness Week, Fraud Busting NeoFraus Podcast presents:
Special interview with the amazing Laura Richards. Link to her website and to connect with Laura: http://www.thatswhereimatpodcast.com/
Beware and be aware of risks associated with gaslighting and manipulation. This can happen during any kind of interaction, environment or relationship. It is very important to learn how to recognize the signs of manipulation.  
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus
About our special guest:
Laura is a mom of three grown children, a mother-in-law, and fur mom to her cat, Peaches.
Her life changed in the last few years with the deaths of her mother and sister-in-law during the pandemic. It then changed even more dramatically in 2022 with the end of her 32 year marriage. By this time her self-esteem was low and she was lacking confidence in her everyday life.
During her time of healing after her divorce she uncovered the lies that she had lived with being married to a narcissist who was emotionally abusing her. On her journey she has learned to read the warning signs of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and narcissism, and helps women to understand emotional abuse.
Through therapy and other therapeutic practices she has worked on improving her mental health, and helping those around her do the same by speaking about the things she had endured in her marriage.
She created her podcast to give women a platform to share their dark stories. She hopes to bring hope to others, so that they know they are not alone, and help them see healing is possible.
She believes in the power of journaling, and has created a line of journals to help others practice mindfulness and heal from the hard things in life. 
 

Beware and Be Aware Of Cult and Scams! / E26

In support of the Fraud Awareness Week, Fraud Busting NeoFraus Podcast presents:
Special interview with Gabriela Chang.
Dangers of cult and scams are real. Our special guest is providing her insights on the topic, to spread the awareness and to equip the listeners with information about how to not become victims of scams and cult.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee to support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus
In this episode, meet Gabriela, Feminine Embodiment Coach, Dating and Relationship Coach on a mission to redefine the essence of love and connection. Having navigated the illusions of twin flames, Gabriela blends intuitive wisdom with practical tools, creating a sacred space for women to embrace vulnerability and radiate their magnetic essence.
In this transformative journey, Gabriela guides women away from toxic patterns, offering a unique blend of sacred practices, dance, and the power of self-love. She's not just a coach; she's your ally in rewriting the narrative of love. Join Gabriela in a conscious dance where safety, self-discovery, and authentic connections take center stage.
To connect with Gabriela:
Socials handle @gabrielachang.me (IG and TikTok)
Download her free meditation at: http://lovegoddessactivation.com/

Beware And Be Aware Of Scams! / E25

In support of the Fraud Awareness Week, together with SCARS, Fraud Busting NeoFraus Podcast presents:
Special interview with Debby Montgomery Johnson, International Speaker, Best Selling Author, Victims Advocate, Founder – The Woman Behind The Smile, Inc.
Website: www.TheWomanBehindTheSmile.com
Book link: The Woman Behind the Smile: Triumph Over the Ultimate Online Dating Betrayal
Bio:
Her background is diverse, from working as a paralegal and bank branch manager to being a U.S. Air Force officer, serving as an Intelligence Officer at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Agency and in Wiesbaden, Germany. Debby is just like you. A woman on a mission to live an authentic, joyful life as the Woman WITH the Smile rather than behind it.
From Vermont and a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Debby is the President of Benfotiamine.Net, Inc, a vitamin supplement company that provides an alternative for the pain of neuropathy, a nerve disorder.  (Benfocomplete.com).  Benfotiamine makes an extraordinary difference especially for diabetics and their families.
In her book, “The Woman Behind the Smile” she shares her personal experience with a love that turned into betrayal and financial disaster, and she removes the mask of shame and shows others how to do the same. 
For access to very important resources, please refer to the following links:
For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.orgSubscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.orgSign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.orgFind competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.orgBecome a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.orgReport each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.orgLearn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.comSelf-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.orgDonate to SCARS to help the organization help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus

Through Times of Joy, Sadness - We Have The Dance /E24

In this new episode, the listeners will meet a beautiful and very talented author. Her books are so powerful and the audience will enjoy without doubt, learning about the main ideas in her publications.
Waterfall Adams is a creative professional who took her destiny into her own hands. Her real name is Veronica Elizabeth Adams. She was born in Paducah, Kentucky and was raised in Mobile, Alabama. She has an Associate of Science in General Education degree from Bishop State Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with a Dramatic Arts minor from the University of South Alabama.
Enjoy listening! Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/neofraus
 
To connect with Waterfall and find her books:
Twitter: @vavonni159
Instagram: @waterfalladams
TikTok: @waterfalladams86
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-adams-52488b27
Pinterest: @vavonni159
Tumblr: @vavonni159
Blogs: https://waterfallsonlinrartgallery.blogspot.com/
and https://waterfalladams.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Central Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Waterfall%20Adams/author/B08V72JJ5Y