
Paxton, a PI and CFE known in the investigative industry as a “pink-collar” crime expert, has launched a podcast that highlights her fellow female fraud fighters.
Kelly Paxton has been a great woman in fraud for decades now. She’s a private investigator and Certified Fraud Examiner with many years of experience in due diligence, workplace and fraud investigations, and open-source intelligence in the private and public sectors. She launched her career as Special Agent for the US Customs Office of Investigations, investigating white-collar crime and money laundering, and has also worked as contract special investigator for the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security.
You may know Paxton best as a “pink-collar crime” expert and frequent public speaker about female fraudsters. Her Pink Collar Crime website and LinkedIn feed are both troves of information on this topic. And most recently, Paxton has launched “Great Women in Fraud,” a new interview podcast featuring her female colleagues in the fraud investigations industry.
We asked Paxton to share the hows and whys of producing a podcast.
KIM GREEN: Why did you create the “Great Women in Fraud” podcast?
KELLY PAXTON: I have seen the need for a place/community where fraud fighters and people wanting to be in the anti-fraud space can gather and learn. This is due to many, many people reaching out to me via LinkedIn and Twitter wanting to “pick my brain” about how to get into the field.
GREEN: Why a podcast specifically? Are you a big podcast fan?
PAXTON: I am a HUGE podcast fan. Podcasts are so easy to consume. I listen while I run, walk the dog and do yard work. You don’t have to be sitting in front of a computer.
GREEN: I suspect a secret motive: an excuse to talk to people you admire. Any truth to that?
PAXTON: Ah, you caught me. I am honored to interview such amazing guests.
GREEN: Tell us about some of the fascinating people you’ve featured.
PAXTON: Cynthia Hetherington of course. Jackie Garrick, a whistleblower. A victim of an elder financial abuse. I am just getting started but lots of amazing people in the queue.
GREEN: What have you learned so far from doing the podcast?
PAXTON: It is even more work than I imagined, but it is so much fun. Since I listen to so many podcasts I have found that the podcasts that are authentic hit me most. Meaning it’s a conversation and not just information. I love getting to know the guests and am hoping the listeners like that.
GREEN: What advice would you give people who want to start a podcast?
PAXTON: It’s not too difficult, but it does take time. There are lots of resources out there such as professional podcasting companies to do the editing and other professionals to assist with graphics, social media etc. It takes a village!
If you want to start one, definitely reach out to other podcasters whose work you like. I have a colleague who has been doing hers for a few years. She has been very helpful. Also, listen to different types of podcasts and find the one that resonates with you.
GREEN: What can we look forward to in the podcast in 2021?
PAXTON: Continuing to have lots of amazing guests in the anti-fraud community. But I also want it to be educational for the listener’s career progression. I have an episode on personal branding coming up. The guest is fantastic. I am open to any suggestions for guests-male or female.
GREEN: What do you hope to achieve with this podcast?
PAXTON: For the anti-fraud community to be able to learn in a fun way. Connecting guests to their audience. Providing resources for the listeners to know about. It’s all about sharing within this community.
About the guest:
Kelly Paxton has been doing investigations for over 25 years, from Special Agent in U.S. Customs to fraud analyst at a local sheriff’s office to independent private investigator/fraud examiner. Paxton was recruited to work at Nike and now she teaches about #pinkcollarcrime, fraud, and ethics. She is the founder of the “Great Women in Fraud” podcast. You can subscribe to her podcast at this site.