Few people on our side of the pond have heard of Candace Rivera, a Utah native currently serving a prison sentence for fraud and theft. To the large social-media following she had cultivated under the handle one_fierce_mama, Rivera was a blazing success: a devoted mother, a selfless nurse, a founder of the anti-trafficking non-profit Exitus. Yet the reality proves far more complex. Journalist Charlie Webster, in her newest podcast Unicorn Girl, aims to guide listeners through the twisted labyrinth of lies and half-truths that Rivera built around herself.

Unicorn Girl taps into the current vogue for stories of deception, ripping away the façade of success to reveal liars and manipulators. But what it lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in rigorous research. Webster’s narration is interspersed with readings of Rivera’s posts and interview clips with friends. Those who knew her, and suffered through her, describe Rivera as the life of the party. She was also controlling and scheming. The podcast indulges in a perverse thrill of hearing about the fall of someone so duplicitous.

Webster begins the first episode with a disclaimer: no matter how convoluted and confusing the facts may appear, she promises that all these disparate threads will be gathered together by the end. She seems to take particular pains to ensure everything is crystal clear. But rather than letting the testimonies of Rivera’s friends and enemies speak for themselves, Webster tends to repeat without enlightening. The clunkiness of the podcast’s delivery is further hindered by the addition of intrusive and distracting muzak which has an unintended effect of feeling like you’re stuck on hold to your banking provider. Unicorn Girl is an impulsive, addictive journey. Webster just needs to place more trust in the intelligence and interest of her listeners.

New episodes of Unicorn Girl are available every Monday.