PODCAST · news
The Pope's Long Con
by Louisville Public Media
In 2016, Danny Ray Johnson was elected to state office. The fast talking biker-preacher known as "The Pope" paints himself as a 9/11 hero. He says he raised the dead! But our seven month investigation uncovered a much different picture: Attempted arson. Another mysterious fire. Alleged bootlegging and molestation in the church. For years, Johnson broke laws. Now he helps make them. What happens when the institutions we rely on look the other way? How does a liar slip through the cracks into a position of power? This six-part series attempts to find out. From Louisville Public Media.
Episodes
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Introducing Dig, Season 3: The Girls
From the Peabody Award-winning team behind "The Pope's Long Con," a new season of "Dig" is available now. This season, we meet Ronnie and Donnie Stoner. They were trusted educators and respected coaches. But in the summer of 2025, the twin brothers were indicted on more than 50 charges related to...
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Check Out Our New Investigative Podcast, Dig
From the newsroom that brought you the Pope’s Long Con, check out our newest podcast, Dig. In the first season, we bring you the results of a yearlong look at how rape cases are investigated in Louisville. What we’ve learned: here, the police defer to prosecutors on rape cases — and prosecutors...
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The Pope's Wife
We knew the story wasn't over at the end of the last chapter — but no one could've known what would happen next. +
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When Our Institutions Fail
Over and over, there were warning signs for law enforcement, political leaders and others. What happens when the institutions we rely on look the other way? How does a liar slip through the cracks into a position of power?
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An Accusation Of Molestation
A teenage girl thought of Johnson as a second dad. Her family trusted the pastor. But in 2013, he allegedly molested her. Hear her story. And listen to Johnson's extraordinary response.
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An Empire Built On Blind Faith
Go inside the Heart of Fire Church and meet the motorcycle-friendly congregation and gun choir. Check out the fellowship hall — or biker bar — and learn more about Johnson's dark past.
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From Bastrop To Bullitt
Like Forrest Gump, he just so happens to be in the front row, playing a pivotal role in America’s biggest moments. Time after time. Decade after decade. He's held some of the country's loftiest titles. Or not.
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Welcome To The Pope's House
Meet Danny Ray Johnson, Kentucky's fast-talking preacher-turned-politician who is known as the Pope. He paints himself as a 9/11 hero, healer of the sick and miracle maker. Behind this persona — cultivated, built up and fine-tuned over decades — is a web of lies and deception. A mysterious fire....
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Introducing The Pope's Long Con
What happens when the institutions we depend on fail at every level? What happens when lies go unchecked? From the pulpit to the statehouse, one man claims to serve his fellow man. But does he? Find out in this series from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Louisville Public Media.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
In 2016, Danny Ray Johnson was elected to state office. The fast talking biker-preacher known as "The Pope" paints himself as a 9/11 hero. He says he raised the dead! But our seven month investigation uncovered a much different picture: Attempted arson. Another mysterious fire. Alleged bootlegging and molestation in the church. For years, Johnson broke laws. Now he helps make them. What happens when the institutions we rely on look the other way? How does a liar slip through the cracks into a position of power? This six-part series attempts to find out. From Louisville Public Media.
HOSTED BY
Louisville Public Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Pope's Long Con have?
The Pope's Long Con currently has 9 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Pope's Long Con about?
In 2016, Danny Ray Johnson was elected to state office. The fast talking biker-preacher known as "The Pope" paints himself as a 9/11 hero. He says he raised the dead! But our seven month investigation uncovered a much different picture: Attempted arson. Another mysterious fire. Alleged bootlegging...
How often does The Pope's Long Con release new episodes?
The Pope's Long Con has 9 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Pope's Long Con?
You can listen to The Pope's Long Con on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Pope's Long Con?
The Pope's Long Con is created and hosted by Louisville Public Media.
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