The series will follow a woman whose life unraveled when she was gripped by pseudocyesis, a rare psychosomatic disorder
Listen to episode one here
Los Angeles, CA – November 12, 2024 – Today, iHeartMedia and Audio Up is thrilled announced “The Unborn,” a groundbreaking true crime podcast hosted by actress Trisha LaFache (Amazon Prime’s Jury Duty). Set in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, this series delves into the bizarre and chilling story of Jared and Kristy Akron, a couple whose lives were upended by a mysterious and rare condition that turned love and hope into deception and darkness. “The Unborn” will be available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms beginning today, Tuesday, November 12.
At the heart of “The Unborn” is Kristy Akron, a woman whose life unraveled when she was gripped by a rare psychosomatic disorder called pseudocyesis (false pregnancy syndrome) —a condition so unusual that it’s only been recorded 44 times in history. Pseudocyesis causes those afflicted to believe they are pregnant, and in some cases, even physically manifest pregnancy symptoms such as a swollen belly, weight gain, and even lactation. For Kristy, this disorder went beyond belief, spiraling into a fantasy of twin babies that blurred the lines between reality and delusion.
“Pseudocyecis is the new Munchausens By Proxy” says Audio Up’s chief creative officer Jimmy Jellinek. “The idea that something like this can even exist much less drive someone to do incredibly evil things is why podcasts exist in the first place. 'The Unborn' will have you saying WTF from beginning to end.”
When doctors informed Kristy that she was not pregnant, she concocted an elaborate charade to sustain the illusion, crafting false ultrasound images, positive pregnancy tests, and even orchestrating a staged gender reveal party. Her husband, Jared, a kind-hearted and unsuspecting man from rural Pennsylvania, became entangled in the deception. Unaware of the depth of her illness, he went along with her narrative, genuinely believing he was about to become a father. But when the truth began to crack through Kristy’s facade, her obsession took a darker turn.
New episodes of “The Unborn” will be available every Tuesday on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard.
“The Unborn” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
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