Pyramid Schemes | I Don’t Know About That with Jim Jefferies #28

In this episode, the team discusses pyramid schemes with author of "Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing", Robert FitzPatrick.
**Robert FitzPatrick's new book "Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing" is now available for pre-order on Amazon!**
Follow Robert at PonzinomicsTheBook or visit his website at www.PyramidSchemeAlert.org
Follow Us:
Jim Jefferies Website: www.jimjefferies.com
Jim Jefferies Instagram: / jimjefferies
Jim Jefferies Facebook: / jimjefferies
Jim Jefferies Twitter: / jimjefferies
Forrest Shaw Website: www.forrestshaw.net
Forrest Shaw Instagram: / forrestshaw
Forrest Shaw Twitter: / forrestshaw
Kelly Blackheart Instagram: / kellyblackheart
Jack Hackett Instagram: / jack_hackett

[@reza2kn]

Greetings from Canada! I'm an Iranian grad student in Canada and your podcast has been the light in the dark, minimum-wage earning, toilet scrubbing tunnel that is my life during 2020.. (I listen to it during my shifts) and one of my only regrets in life is that I didn't come see you perform when you came down here to Victoria last year, because I couldn't afford it. Anyways, LOVE YOU ALL, KEEP BEING GREAT GUYS.

[@andybaldman]

*This podcast rules! So nice to see a podcast that isn't just a sellout stream of people promoting their latest book or movie. This one is just genuine fun, and you can learn something. Keep them coming, guys!*

[@charlesrichard7715]

I mean he is technically promoting his book, but it is good info that he's at least put out to the public domain via this podcast.

[@andybaldman]

@@charlesrichard7715 Yes, but he's not some hollywood A-lister who is only here as part of the machine, to promote his new project, solely to make more money.

[@amandadube156]

Said like a high-schooler whose never had bills to pay

[@andybaldman]

@@amandadube156 There are legitimate ways to pay your bills that don't require selling your soul like a cheap carnival barker.

[@amandadube156]

@@andybaldman really? wish I could find me one a those

[@RR-yr4sd]

I love this podcast because it has me laughing literally within 5 seconds. Those stupid ass intros are amazingly funny. I think the best one was "mdma, pcp, lsd, and all the other letters of the alphabet? what order do they come in? probably not" hahahahhaa.

[@EMdemo]

Which episode was that? Lol

[@RR-yr4sd]

@@EMdemo I think it's cheese?? Not totally sure. one of the earlier episodes.

[@rhibread11]

@@EMdemo alcohol!

[@OfficialFingazMC]

I think every housewife and divorcee I know does Avon lol. "The Avon lady" is a very common thing In England!

[@koilamaoh4238]

Yea its kinda sad really :( they even send these idiots into the jungle, and amazon to con them on "boats", now that is the long con lol. My work place is filled with them, considering most are christians, and you know thats another cult... religion itself is a "grand" MLM of things.. Guess whos the majority that signs up to these programs, the same people lol, as I see them constantly. Most places where capitilism and religion flourishes with poor people, these "MLM" scams exist.. Just as in poor religious places in mexico, they take advantage of here.. Just as africa.. just as religious parts of asia.

[@BobsYirUncle]

Yir Da sells Avon

[@OfficialFingazMC]

@@BobsYirUncle That's pure talent mate, if you can still sell Avon from the grave, I respect that!

[@ghettostuntabulious]

Funny story, I know it's pretty long but bare with me... I had a co-worker who was trying to get into business for herself. She told me about this presentation she was going to and wanted me to go with her, i had nothing to do so I said "Sure". When I got there, it was this BIG dramatic presentation going in, they had everything on the list, music playing, "excited" people, lights, the whole 9. As usual the guy gets on the mic ralkin' 'bout "How excited are you to be here". Turns out it was some insurance thing, and his slogan was "Who doesn't need insurance". Talkin' 'bout how you can get paid, and he was even calling people up to get their paycheck on the spot, I couldn't roll my eyes far bsck enough. After everything was said and done, you'd break into groups and a certain individual would ask qhat you thought and if you'd be interested, I of course said no and they'd hit you with the "Why not, is there anything we can help with?", I denied them again and it qas the end of that. Turns out the reason why ol' girl asked me and two others to come was so she could win a damn $25 gift card to Red Robin, because she brought the most people. I was like "So this the real reason why you brought me" and she was like "No no, not just 'cause of that", but she knew that I knew she was lyin'.

[@kateb.9020]

I'm a Hungarian listening from the Canary Islands. Also saw your show in Budapest.

[@angelopaolo]

I almost got into one of this MLM pyramid scheme. Its called Primerica. Lost my friend to one of this cult, he tried to recruit me. Haven't talked to him for years now.

[@Daneelro]

I lost my best friend in highschool to the MLM to cult pipeline. And before you think only stupid people fall for it, he was a literal math genius in a special math class. He first fell for Amway, and tried to get me into it with a typical trick invite, after which our friendship cooled. About a year later, he figured out that it doesn't work, but he fell for another some of his fellow Amwayers suggested, an investment scheme. For some reason, he did not try to sell that one to me. But another few months later, he figured that one out, too, and again at the suggestion of some fellow dupes, went for $cientology. This time he again tried to rope me into it, and got me to do the free personality test thing and told me to go to this and that place to get the result, which was of course the local $cientology office with an 'auditor' waiting to rope me in, which I turned into an intellectual cat-and-mouse game (he would ask me for my personal info about a dozen times, the first time I already smelled scam but was curious what type of scam). After that, I stopped contacting my friend and didn't give him any of my contact info (we started college then). I ran into him again once about a year later, when he was completely gone into $cientology nonsense and could not talk about anything else. In hindsight I can see why he was emotionally vulnerable to these jackals. But how someone with his intelligence and education could buy into anti-scientific nonsense like total memory recall or thetans, I still don't get.

[@angelopaolo]

@@Daneelro watch that scientology on Netflix. How some celebrities are part of the cult like Tom Cruise. They steal ur $$ and ask for more $$. And btw they are tax excempt, found a loope whole in the system and don't pay taxes at all, not a dime.

[@orezutic4685]

yeah.. thats not ,,your friend‚‚ anymore

[@frankdesbaux]

What a great friend you turned out to be.

[@misssummersalt]

@@frankdesbaux to save his friend from being guilty of conning a friend? Yeah, I'd say he's a good friend. You douche.

[@ChrisT6799]

You're all awesome. When Jim does promos he should always end with " And I DO know about that "

[@psymon1981]

My jingle got played! Go me! The voice is from Jim half heartedly singing from an early episode. Plus I resent the comments guys... I work in the attic, not the basement

[@amandadube156]

that's awesome!!!

[@lisabass7584]

I’m thankful for you Jim I enjoyed that one thanks

[@lukev55]

Great episode! Helped me realise that a job offer I got recently might have been a Pyramid Scheme...

[@AlexNitsu]

The first and only time when I was offered to participate in a ponzi scheme was when I matched with a girl on a dating app . We met and she led me into an apartment building saying that she wanted to show something to me... and it was presentation of a 'once in a life time opportunity that is definitely not a pyramid scheme'. One of the worst first dates in my life.

[@dryherbvoter]

Jim Jefferies and friends are geniuses. Personalities are how information is being given or received. We all have genuine genius. Humor and knowledge is why I am here. Thank you.

[@garettjames6349]

By the end, I was think this guy just explained religion to me... and immediately at the same time Jim says it too lol.

[@matttrafton2725]

Religion is the biggest scam in human history.

[@MrFreddyFartface]

If I had the time and money, I'd drive from NY to Arizona to see Jim perform, sounds like brilliant holiday plans

[@ShugPhD]

First ep of this I've listened to. What a fun format

[@bunklypeppz]

I've only watched this podcast on youtube so I knew what Kelly looked like from the start, but after hearing that comment my first thought was "I can imagine why someone would think she's black; she sounds kinda like Bull Burr's wife Nia, now that I think about it." Then moments later she said that people have told her she sounds like Nia. lol

[@wesleybush8646]

I now live about 15 minutes from Amway headquarters. Our local arena is named after one of the founders. One of the other founder's relatives is the current U.S. Secretary of Education. I always heard about Amway, but was never sure what exactly they did.

[@sjackman3]

I'm from Perth, did that same personality test around that time. Some spooky office on Murray st with no windows. Pretty sure it was Scientology

[@Crapweeds]

I love how the podcast about multilevel marketing has an interlude with Jim telling us to spend extra money on underwear so we can reach level 2. Keep it up. :-)

[@amandadube156]

my favorite part of this podcast are Jim's openers and his ad-reads. When he's just riffing by himself he's VERY funny

[@bramvanoost]

Holland is a region within The Netherlands, those terms are mostly interchanged by foreigners. The Old English form of the word Dutch, thiod or theod, meant “people or nation". The English used "Dutch" to describe people from The Netherlands and Germany. (this is also why Deutschland is called Deutschland, actually just land of people). Best from Ghent, Belgium, the Flemish part, part of the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg), where we speak Flemish, a dialect of Dutch. Just to spicen things up a bit! (let me know if I can do some examples, have a studio mic setup ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

[@Daneelro]

I was taught the difference between the Netherlands and Holland by a Dutch friend several years ago. The trouble is, while I don't make the mistake in English or German any more, in my mother tongue (Hungarian), there is no equivalent of "Netherlands", only of "Holland" and of "Low Countries" (which includes Belgium). BTW, the Czechs are in a similar situation to the Dutch: lots of English speakers want to call their country just "Czechia" instead of "Czech Republic", but Czechia is only part of the country.

[@kshinokevin]

"Hol/Hall Lesions..." a "Sand Grabber/Grubber ?"

[@patrickf4462]

@@kshinokevin sand groper

[@GLENC0C0]

Awesome guest! Keep em coming, Jim

[@vullnetdyla]

Guys this podcast is undiscovered. I don’t know if you guys know the level of quality improvised entertainment you provide, but please realize that this is extremely good and I am astonished that you don’t have millions of views per video yet. I am doing my part as a Jim MLM cult member, trying to spread the word, but it’s slow :(. Keep it up please!!! Hello from Malmö 🇸🇪 btw

[@bigChrisWithAtinyPeice]

Wow the 1st hint that has ever given Jim the answer!

[@luckytalons2945]

Had a cousin I never talk to reach out and try to involve me in one of these. Started with a message saying they were just wanting to catch up over coffee.. I didn't go

[@chillabrew_glycolinstall]

I have a product. I have a product that will one day store food in your refrigerator. A product that will not be judged by the color of its lid, but by the content of the food stored inside of it!

[@PrimeMatt]

Holland is within the Netherlands, so the correct name for the country is the Netherlands 👍🏼

[@definitelynotcrazyrei3890]

I used to think Holland was its own thing as well, don't be too hard on Jim, lol

[@Games_and_Music]

Yeah, we have the North-Holland and South-Holland provinces, plus another bunch of provinces, but the Holland named ones have the most important cities, like Amsterdam, The Hague. Being called Dutch is probably related to the other Amish/Dutch thing in America, where they think that Deutsch (German) is Dutch (Holland), we call ourselves Nederlanders, or, Netherlanders, people from Holland are Hollanders.

[@definitelynotcrazyrei3890]

@@Games_and_Music Ons noem dit "Nederland" in Afrikaans ook :D

[@ChrisAnderson42]

I think Holland is just part of the Netherlands. But it's such a prominent part that some call the whole place Holland.

[@jay0pee]

ohhhhh those yambos...goddamn, kel!

[@russianspy350]

They should of asked how do some of these pyramid schemes get away and is it the same as a ponzi scheme

[@Daniel9753]

Jim said " I dont know about that" on an old radio appearance of O And A like over 10 years ago.

[@chrishigh4113]

okay...and a millions other times, a few times at least in his standup and his cc show as well. Not to mention his personal off camera life. Shit, I say it a few times a week probably. tldr, what's your point?

[@nabiji]

10:05 basically how all Australians say hello to eachother.

[@Great.Britainy]

HOW did you guys not think of “HOLLANDAISE!” for a word to call Dutch people w/ “Holland” in it?!?? COME ONNNNN.

[@Piplodocus]

Amazing . How did I fail to notice there’s a new JJ podcast series til this far in! Well at least I’ve stopped being a fuckwit and subscribed. This is great.

[@mwikalim8547]

Hey Jim and and Team! I always keep up with the show from Nairobi, Kenya and yawl are super hilarious yet educational. Excellent balance. In Kenya, two MLM companies that have duped a lot of people are Forever Living and GNLD.

[@mistercath]

It's been 15 years since the Borf campaign!

[@niallgosman3417]

Jim, what's the largest animal you could cling film to a lamp post?

[@Megabob777]

at this point I'm convinced there is no story and we're just being cucked, love the podcast guys

[@jonahlex]

I felt that after the third time they mentioned the story. I was like, “All right. You’re fucking with us.” Now it’s just obvious lmao

[@BrentqTC]

They must be fucking with us. It really doesn't make any sense otherwise

[@camilaamorim9168]

Bing? LOL ... so funny and informative!!! The best comedian and podcast

[@jasonstokes6045]

My favorite pod cast by far

[@pekkapohjola2727]

One classic could be show about what Jim knows about Geoff James Nugent.

[@spazbobstinkpants]

Jim: says that he seldom uses his computer. Jim: pitches us Express VPN (sounding like a real authority) Me: I'm sold. ... wait, what?

[@rh01y2s7]

Lissioning from Newcastle NSW, Australia also people from here are known as Novacastrian just wondering if Jim had any stories from my home town? funny or not? I love this podcast/you tube show as soon as you all start laughing together I instantly feel better

[@michael6700]

I got sucked into selling (trying to sell) Cutco Knives. Great knives, still have the sample set, which I bought, lol.

[@mattintosh1990]

Jim I love you: but you need to let the professionals you invite have more talking time. You talked over Robert all the constantly. You had your say😅, I need the facts🙃

[@matttrafton2725]

The show is for entertainment. If you want knowledge....well use Google.

[@lonelyone]

This is one of those subjects, like with Bitcoin, where I’ve understood nothing by the end.

[@weirdunclebob]

Me and a mate did the same thing with the Scientology goons a long time ago. Separate rooms and the same genius thing and switching for the "more senior guy" for both of us. I always thought my mate was more savvy than me but they convinced him to buy a book before he left! Was suss from the start but knew it was a crock when I started reading the questions. lol

[@gorkmusic]

I can't find tickets for sale at standup live in Phoenix! Did it get cancelled?

[@thomasschwanda7054]

BORF! Best podcast ever. Love from Denmark 👌👌👌👌

[@ddabate]

Time to VLOG that trip to AZ!

[@v.k.levigne]

Looking great, Kelley 👌🏾

[@backupinit]

some set of cans on Kelly

[@marcbeebee6969]

You gotta Love how Jack sometimes bursts into laughter. Dont be shy Mate your funny when you comment

[@drgonzo1971]

A) Welsh isn't dead - 1/4 of the people in Wales still speak it - it was never repressed as much as other Celtic languages because the Tudors were Welsh. B) Holland is the name of two provinces in the Netherlands (the most populated ones with Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague)

[@sistermaryelephant6038]

You know they are going to bring out Borf license plates but they will always be sold out...

[@johnstobie1163]

lived in Perth my entire life and have never heard that lmfao

[@jennwarmerdam1581]

Best intro so far

[@briancattani5109]

I know most things about ponzi and MLM so I don't need to learn more but listening to Jim not knowing anything is funny as hell.

[@AuntyAwesome]

mlms are rampant in mum/parent groups. its actually so disgusting other mamas that know what its like to struggle just preying on mamas in a tough situation asking for advice! luckily im immune as; socially anxious and awkward, almost no friends, poor af, literally would rather be homeless, which ironically would be if i joined.

[@crossmyass]

"The 8-ball model is when you think, 'oh, is this a good investment? and then you shake it up and you look at it and go... oh, not at this time.'" Nope, definitely assumed you were still talking about blow.

[@diddy8706]

Robert, Good Dude, Good Times!

[@willd7757]

tell people being interviewed to turn off lamps

[@Mooza1]

And maybe test their mics first. Basic stuff

[@sdmoparmaninsd6713]

Hows that Arizona event going? Still on now? :P

[@calebhoneycutt271]

I live in Grand Rapids, MI and here's the best part... Amway is HUGE over here, there a massive hotel, and right by the hotel, the Gerald R. Ford museum... if that's not spit in your face irony I don't know what is.

[@sawyer4987]

I think Forrest would be a horrible backseat driver

[@davidmichaels3992]

So no story right after the ads... Will it pop up?!

[@joesikic6531]

Jim, you're my favourite comedian. There is or was a comedian who went by the name of Hung Low (not sure how he spelt his name, and I think he is / was an Australian taking the piss out of himself). If I'm incorrect, apologies. I hope you don't become too American. Truly glad you made it big time. Please don't become a sellout (even though I would for the right price) Still love your comedy, all the best from Joe from Sydney ✌

[@kathrynmcelroy5658]

love you Jim Jeffries!

[@axlrosegnr]

Why record these weeks in advance?

[@abysmalasabysmal]

I know a guy named Wai Hung Lo.

[@badgrand]

Dutch greetings from Holland, The Netherlands🇳🇱

[@bramvanoost]

Dag (met de zachte g) buren!

[@policis]

From Latvia here

[@benjaminsmith3151]

"Go Quakes!"

[@lanesumers5080]

Don't feed the trolls. Don't feed the trolls. Don't feed the trolls. Okay. I'm good.

[@deedaartyst]

Ayyyyyyyyyyyyye greaaaaaaat point JIM how it sounds like RELIGION. Eggxaaactlyyy

[@jakejake2577]

I have a mate that seems like a MLM scheme. It’s a life coaching type thing!!! He can make you successful bla bla bla unlock your inner beast!!

[@Boohbah602]

Jim you got to get some tamales when u come down to Phoenix

[@johnbeart]

I don't know about that either.

[@arik9824]

Listening from Israel

[@rajavardhanreddy6873]

He looks like a mix of James cordon and Liam Payne

[@jeremymoore7377]

We don't like or dislike being called sandgropers, no one really uses it, but we're aware of it.

[@Arthur_Pendragon2022]

The Nigerian king must have lot's of kids haha

[@sawyer4987]

I wish Jim would pick half of the comments for comment world.

[@drpancakes1622]

I have been watching from Beijing .

[@jeremykothe2847]

Does that AC/DC ticket on the wall actually have Metallica as a support act?

[@jeremykothe2847]

@@sg-yq8pm ty my man

[@denisbaribeau509]

Where is the LOVE IT button.

[@christianbaughman]

R.I.P. Matthew Perry aka chandler bing

[@g.davidoutten1031]

Dave here, i dont know about that! I like Kelley more than a friend.

[@aussieness]

Just like Scientology works, gets in with a small thing like bait then slowly goes up until you're in.

[@rocketscientist00]

Odd thing about this podcast is that when you guys look the least like you're in the mood to be funny is when you're funniest.

[@rebeccaburnett130]

G day from Cairns 🇦🇺

[@jeremykothe2847]

G'day

[@patrickmartin2372]

Ayo same here

[@johnbeart]

Ayo.. let me here U say AYO.

[@johnbeart]

AYO?

[@jeremykothe2847]

@@johnbeart Ayo

[@stevewisdom3447]

This guy’s ceiling joists will be there in 2120 if fire doesn’t get it. Nice Construction. Carpenter in Texas

[@livwilliamson3821]

Please do an episode about corals / coral reefs! Jim is from Australia, so maybe he knows some stuff regarding the Great Barrier Reef!

[@rectusabdominus8653]

Jim watching from from a teir two city in India

[@darkhero352]

It's more like trickle up than trickle down economics.

[@leanderbarreto6523]

Flood up economics

[@AdrickBruno]

To Brazilian portuguese they are called "Holandeses" and they come from "Holanda" or "Países Baixos" the first being the most used by far

[@bramvanoost]

While Holland is only a small part of The Netherlands. They are not synonyms, but even we (Belgians) make that mistake often.

[@TheChuckiefree]

Hi guys... love your podcast, but Holland is a region in the Netherlands, so Holland is in the Netherlands but not all of the Netherlands is Holland. Yet names in a language depend on how its talkers speak the language. In Italy and Malta for example we call the Netherlands as OLANDA (Holland). I don't know what we call Holland than. Also, people from the Netherlands are called Dutch because it is a form of a diminutive of Less of a German (Deutsche) cause they are very close to Germany and the Dutch language is close to German.

[@antonyevans9772]

Just saying that almost everything said about Welsh was incorrect, it's very much having a resurgence now, and everyone I know speaks it. Having said that, it was fucking funny!

[@Trav_Can]

Where addictive gambling and cults meet... you have Pyramid Schemes

[@BraniusBalki]

Do they mention the rats and the cats in this?

[@jamesoverholt878]

If you can't identify the sucker at the table, it's you