NXIUM, Theranos, Crypto, And Housewives: A Deep Dive Into Scams

[@meaghanorlinski8464]

KZbin is also the worst for allowing these scam businesses to continue. Maybe my algorithms think poorly of me, but I get so many ads for investing in crypto or get rich quick pyramid scams. I like to report the scam adds to KZbin as scams. You should encourage others to do the same.

[@Supadoops42]

I have had loads of those ads since watching the Dan Olsen video and Münecat's web 3.0 video which is extremely nefarious to me

[@jonathanpritchard6464]

Facebook is little better. I've reported hundreds of NFT scam ads over the past several months.

[@asadb1990]

also so many terrible advice financial gurus. for example there was this one guy who suggested you take a line of credit to pay towards mortgage but no solution for how to pay off the line of credit. most people don't have money collecting dirt.

[@gannibalof21st]

Same VCs invested in alphabet corporation invested in those scams. There's a reason they all get away with it all. The system is doing exactly what it suppose to do.

[@alecoloxa]

I do it, also on instagram, mlms pseudoscience, etc.

[@genghisphilip]

One of the things I took away from reading /The Big Con/ (which is great and feels pretty quaint in the way that early-20th-century scams do) is that Ryan is precisely right-- Even if you think you're being a con, you might be a mark. The adage of 'you can't con an honest man' doesn't mean that there's some magical protective blanket over an honest person, it's that cons necessitate taking advantage of someone who thinks they're taking advantage of someone else.

[@chrisd725]

I love that book. Yes the idea of not conning an honest man is that 'he' would honestly regret not taking advantage of your deal, but he would not dip into the church funds for even a sure thing. Because it's wrong.

[@rimaoulhaj9910]

I have enjoyed this episode by watching it over three days while on my lunch break. And let me tell you, we are ready for more of this awsome guest!!!!

[@lukesmith1818]

I have a fiery hatred of psychics and mediums due to losing a friend at a heartbreakingly young age. When he passed I had massive survivors guilt. To think that someone would ever stoop to capitalizing on that pain. Yet they do and I'm a killjoy for pointing out the obvious impossibility of their claim. If I had my way they'd all be in jail

[@JoelChenFa]

If someone promises they can speak to my dad who died from cancer. They better be able to.

[@nicoleworkman3142]

America has always been The Land of Opportunists.

[@geneticcuckoo]

Can you do an episode on Climate Change and investing/money? As it's recently come out that many of the large banks like Barclays and investment companies like Vanguard actually fund fossil fuel companies, and so for people wanting to not support fossil fuels what are the best banking and investment options available? You could also talk about carbon offsets, as many have been shown to be greenwashing scams with little impact.

[@sarahwatts7152]

I second this!

[@treykorte6984]

3rd this!

[@IAmLisetteMusic]

third this! Climate Town recently did a video on exposing banks and I'm curious to learn more.

[@Pepperz543]

I fourth this! Desperately wanting to find a sustainable alternative banking option because these banks are sickening!

[@olivinhaolivetti]

I'd love such an episode

[@solevazquezmaria]

I have never watched real housewives and was watching this so entertained until you said “married to her grandfather” and now I have lost my will to live…but I need to know more

[@mgee7837]

It’s actually her step-grandfather she is married to - still disturbing.

[@stxrstrxckmxteo515]

im pretty sure the worst part is that her marrying that man was actually in another family members will…..

[@ad2094]

@@stxrstrxckmxteo515 which is highly problematic on one hand, but then she talks about it like she had no choice but ultimately she thought marrying her grandfather was worth it to maintain control of that church! So sickening especially on the grandfather's end.

[@sergioreal7810]

There is a chemistry in conversation between these two and I love it

[@NyleGames]

If conspiracy theories, MLMs, crypto etc. appeal to our emotions over everything else, I think it’s pretty clear the solution must be social. Which comes down to free health care, free education and guaranteed housing.

[@user-el4su7tl6f]

How will corruption be less present in this socialist society?

[@NyleGames]

@@user-el4su7tl6f Why are you asking this question?

[@KO-vb4tg]

@@user-el4su7tl6f desperate people are easy to fool. If you build a society where you don’t have to be rich to thrive, people are much less vulnerable.

[@Anna_Stetik]

@@KO-vb4tg Absolutely wrong. How many millions have died under Socialism which led to Communism. You people are ridiculous.

[@mariayo4284]

so well said

[@OOool]

I love all the scam stuff because I find it so cathartic when they are revealed/when the gig is up, even if there aren't adequate consequences. I think I'm just so fed up with the false prophets, the latest "thing" that will change your life, etc..., that it's nice to see that at least at some level there is accountability left in this world? This whole video was amazing!

[@AyaaAcademia]

This is the best thing I've watched in a while. The interactions and the sophistication of this production. Excellent!

[@Mackenziea2342]

20 minutes in and loving it! I have a guest suggestion : Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes from Maintenance Phase podcast! I would love to hear about the financial implications of the shady wellness industry

[@wordstowordlessthings]

Oh please please please do this!

[@LinnySays]

Yeeeesssssss!!!!!

[@Lydia-hi6mx]

One of my favorite podcasts!!!

[@305nt]

BEST IDEA EVER - So much to talk about, cover, so many topics.....

[@khazermashkes2316]

Yes please!

[@thegazetteyt]

People like to be lied to and when they figure the scam/cult/lie out, people hate to admit they are wrong so they stick with it.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes it is how humans function

[@RK-re1wm]

47:06 I fear that this hyper specialization is why it's getting so difficult for scientists to reach the broader public. Sometimes I'm at a conference on the topic I'm researching and even I don't understand half of what is being talked about...

[@shawnjavery]

Its a very much just a bunch of bubbles. I'm a geology major and honestly it feels like they live in their own world. I constantly feel like I'm the dumbest person in the class because I haven't devoted as much of my life to studying rocks as the professors and the students that are probably going to go on to grad school and maybe get PhDs. I bet every field is like that to an extent, but its not very productive in the long term. I'm just ready to graduate and see where my 2.7 gets me in life.

[@gusmueller4413]

i love this golden age of scamumentaries we're living through!

[@fearless6288]

this episode was CAPTIVATING!!!! doing the lords work highlighting these issues. absolutely hit the nail on the head and loving this dynamic

[@Goddybag4Lee]

Sarah and Nippy is making a podcast called A Little Bit Culty and I truly appreciate it. They are working their way up to becoming true Mike Rinder and Leah Remini type people.

[@ds7307]

The explanation of why people stay in and defend cults no matter how awful they become is based on the investment people have made already. The more you invest the more you will defend something and stick with it. Investment can be time, money, emotional work, and even loses of friends and family. More you you've lost, the more you need it to have meant something. You see this in marriages that are clearly dead, MLM huns defending millionaires while struggling to pay the rent, and people defending shows that should have been canceled five years ago.

[@nataliekmaguire]

My face LIT UP when I realised the guest you were describing was Ryan. That episode you recorded together in early 2020 really captured the bleak "what the fuck is happening???" internal chaos I was going through in those dark dark days (I was fresh from losing my job, my wedding being cancelled, and feeling incredibly trapped and lost in the moment) and your very candid and honest conversation gave me a lot of comfort.

[@dancingdewdrop1132]

Hey folks! All due respect but taking down cults has become Sarah's life's work. She and her husband host the podcast "A Little Bit Culty". I've been listening for a while and it's really good. I imagine they'd be open to talking with you both. I honestly think you are all on the same team.

[@akshats.9377]

Feedback appreciated. Want to learn more ? WatsApp number above⬆️. Endeavor to reach out.

[@tiffprendergast]

Yeah

[@affabletoaster]

Came to the comments hoping someone had said this! I agree. They’ve also been pretty transparent that they feel culpable for certain things and that people are rightfully angry with them. I also think that their message that “people don’t join a cult, they join a good thing” is really important for those who are working on deconstructing or disentangling from a cult/MLM, and provides important perspective to those on the outside.

[@Sophie3647s]

I don’t watch House Wives, or realty television shows in general, yet I found this segment sooo entertaining. Both did phenomenal! Hope to see guest again

[@hamishfyfe403]

LOVED this episode and love Ryan! Can't wait for his channel to start up!

[@stacyglez6099]

Okay but I actually need a TFD book club to happen

[@jamesstewart2803]

Never been this early! I love the content that you post my dear and I am wishing you a happy Monday.

[@ChrisRampersad]

Great conversation. You hit it for sure, some people just want to believe in these so much.

[@Bingobango295]

What a doll! I love what he said about the “wall of no” around people who get into these scams, that’s great advice. Also I’ve never watched the house wives… “married to her grandfather” ?! 🤢

[@LindsayStraw]

Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames have a fantastic podcast called A Little Bit Culty where they go further into depth about their own experiences in NXIVM as well as give a platform for folks who have been in other cults, MLMs, and high control groups. Like Mike Rinder with Scientology, Sarah in particular has done a TON of work to take down NXIVM, help other folks get out of similar groups, and grapple with her own role in duping people into that program.

[@anna17miklo]

Thank you for pointing to that. I thought what he had to say about her specifically was pretty ignorant.

[@LindsayStraw]

@@anna17miklo Yeah, I was pretty taken aback by the harsh judgement they were passing. Not only was it ignorant of the details and nuance, but judging her for having...an apartment?

[@MrsDaedalus_]

@@LindsayStraw It shows that the research they did about specific people is not exactly nuanced. They also sound very opinionated. Everyone can fall into a scam or cult, even smart people.

[@LindsayStraw]

@@MrsDaedalus_ Precisely!

[@salviyinca]

Loving that Ryan is back! Such good content and I’m loving Ryan’s makeup and nails 💅

[@OneLegFlamingo1]

If you are tying to help someone who is being scammed, it is key not to make them feel stupid. They will shut down and stop listening, because you have created a situation where accepting that they are being scammed means accepting that they are stupid. Tell them that scammers are really sophisticated and manipulative, and anyone can fall for a scam. It's true! It's definitely not just elderly and uneducated people. That stereotype gives people a false sense of security because they think they are too smart for scammers. It also makes it harder for them to admit that they are being victimized and cut the scammer off.

[@sunnyfawn13]

Thank you for all of this video. I appreciate y’all!

[@shelleynichols9626]

"...for whom the scruples are UN..." hilariously perfect

[@cscreative5460]

This was so good! Turned it on for a background parasocial vibe but I learned. I especially loved the last word from Ryan about creating that fortress around your people.

[@lanceparrish6453]

To add to the Jordan Peterson dogpile, its really important to pay attention to who purported experts are sharing their work with. He isn't publishing his ideas in peer reviewed academic journals, instead he's ranting to undergraduate students and going on podcasts where no one can challenge him. That's because his very real expertise is so narrow and dated that actual academics would laugh him out of the room for his wanna be Joseph Campbell literary analysis and dime store psychology. It's the same with family doctors who haven't published a paper since they graduated 40 years ago ranting about vaccines and Covid. They're trading on an expired expertise that isn't even applicable to the subject matter, but it's close enough that they look official to those who don't understand how expertise works. If someone isn't actively publishing in a specific field, and they want you to think they're the end all be all, they're likely also trying to sell you something.

[@krystiesolfyre5340]

This right here is why I got so confused about whether the vaccine was right for me. So many so called experts and many with degrees, but like in any profession, a degree doesn’t make the expert. Maybe they passed the tests, but it doesn’t make them knowledgeable. I’m a massage therapist and I can tell you plenty of people pass our accreditation who are terrible massage therapists if they don’t pursue greater knowledge. I would imagine the same can hold true for doctors.

[@mariayo4284]

They are playing the "system is lying" card.

[@theviceinvirtue]

Omg!! I'm so excited, thank you TFD for introducing me to another phenomenal resource and helllooo - having my two favourite worlds intersect - drag and "bad ideas" lol

[@fairytori]

Literally have no idea what y'all r talking about for half the episode but I'm still watching bc I love this duo sm

[@starlantzer]

Great show! I am working and listening and reminds me of so many people I have spoken too...which is scary.

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

always such interesting conversations on this channel!

[@meg39818]

Ryan, thank you for your work on exposing psychics!! Grrr. Such a terrible, emotional scam!

[@muiawat]

Yes I love the idea of economics and non consumerism through drag ... I loved kimblery Clark but she’s not doing so many videos anymore

[@LeticiaCuenca]

Looking forward to Ryan’s new KZbin channel! Wishing you much success Ryan!

[@deliawallace4426]

Belief and knowledge are very different things. Knowledge will rarely outweigh belief in someone's mind. It can be depressing.

[@cydelegs]

Thanks for that great conversation

[@ugabrew]

This guy is great. You should have him on more often.

[@camoteez]

This conversation is what I live for.

[@lindawithguy01]

Thank you for such an informative and intelligent conversation. Knowledge is so sexy!

[@dandylandpuffplaysminecraf8744]

Love my girl. As someone raised by first generation Canadians raised on scarcity I can surmise the only thing worthwhile money can buy is time. That said. Time is a waste if your kids can’t thrive as citizens and family in every way best they can.

[@Rainbowssugar]

Good episode, the first FC episode I’ve made it through in a while!

[@welpppppppppppppp]

for a second i thought u said “hey demons it’s me ya boy” 🤣

[@mafsharimehrify]

Great video. Ryan was great. I had never heard of Theranos until it was all said and done and they were shut down as I was working internationally. I am in Healthcare and for the life of me I can not figure out why a few really smart experts in the field did not put an end to it as it stated. Off course, there is the fascination with Tech, and the drop out that changed the world.

[@jamkwasowski5207]

My favourite TFC in a while!! Looking forward to the new stuff 😍

[@electricgecko8997]

The thing I hate about watching videos like this is the fact that during the video about crypto scams, you get served ads for crypto scams.

[@whitneyschmitney]

This was so good. As a compliment to this talk about scams, could you talk to Andrew (Babish Culinary Universe) about what it means to run an ethical business?

[@rosemarinetextiles]

this entire conversation was pure gold

[@ntrier]

Let's be real. The reason people (people who knew better!!) listened to E. Holmes is because she's a cute, blonde, white girl. Straight up.

[@ranniazorya]

Could you please ask Ryan to share a reading list critically examining the intersection of Silicon Valley and wellness?

[@justinez6857]

The allure is watching the people who fell for the scam, it exercises the basic concept of catharsis.

[@veronca3467]

Does Ryan has a podcast? Cause I would watch every single episode!

[@kiterafrey]

the water filter one, it is also insane because they also sell ones for your showers. And so many people in that group are also part of another MLM that has no product but is just a movement. CC Suarez and Cruel World Happy Mind both did great deep dives on it.

[@aaronmathias6739]

What an amazing discussion between these guys! The watch from 35:40 is absolute Gold! Keep up the good work guys! It's folks like you who give me hope that the world is not devolving into abject stupidity.

[@ChloeTheePayne]

oh yay HI i remember ryan! that episode in may 2020 was so good for my brain, you guys said a lot of the things i was thinking and made me feel less crazy. can't wait for the new podcast and ryan's channel!

[@SoliRhymesWithJulie]

oh I love a good real housewives conversation. I think Mary Cosby also skipped reunion because right when it was filmed, her mother got interviewed by a YT gossip channel.

[@martamagolon]

Lol I’m dying you brought up JP. Have always wondered what your perspective is on him (you recently interviewed someone who’s a Mikhaila Peterson fan). I use this as a barometer of sanity and phew.

[@TrappedQue]

Awesome interview! Please have him come on more often.

[@ToquzOghuzKhaganatekhan]

Thx a lot ! All of these are scammers , no contacts

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

We're surely in the golden age of scams

[@SirinxDumplings]

I have been thinking about it a lot.... Thank you.

[@princessdyn]

Great interview

[@LottaDonetta]

What a great episode! I've watched all those documentaries except the Beanie Baby one

[@KathrynHenny]

Unrelated but I just really love Ryan's accessories and pink shirt in this video. He looks so good!

[@emilydana5021]

I don’t think you’re being fair to Sarah and you should look at her podcast that helps to expose other cults and gives survivors and advocates a rather large platform. She owns that she recruited people and says that she tries to get people out because of it. She at least claims that little of the money she currently has came from nexium in the first place. She may not be in the mainstream news but she and Mark have only been at list for like three years when Leah left Scientology many years ago and Mike before that(he’s South African not Australian by the way)

[@sinestesianestesia9079]

Hey is the podcast out? If so, does anyone have a link?? I cant seem to find it and I NEED to listen to it nos 😅😂😂

[@MaikasCooking]

Love this episode

[@anitagray5962]

Could you share the link to Teddy Melloncamp diet breakdown? Thanks!

[@tyeteames7192]

I appreciate and enjoy your program.

[@jessicadavis2449]

Loving this so far! Side note, I *think* a nutritionist can be certified but a dietician is licensed aka has boards and goes to school and has to do an internship etc. nutritionist can prob pay fee to take course for a certification.

[@ohtam5598]

Can you do an episode with Abbey Sharp on Food spending in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s etc? Like diet and clean eating and its effect on the mind/body (Abbey) and the wallet (TFD), how parenthood affects it and maybe dressing up a map of it all like Nutrition/Spending/Consumption??? Eating and Nutrition defined by money and spending habits feels so central in my life

[@lauram8554]

We all want a huge amount of money for doing very little. Sadly for most of us this will only work if we win the lottery or are blessed with a huge inheritance 🤔

[@achromatic03]

Yall shoud collab with Maintenance Phase, their whole thing is exposing grifty fraudsters in the health space

[@welpppppppppppppp]

chelsea and ryan + michael and aubrey would be So Powerful 😻

[@joyceszejie]

What’s the title of the 2-hour video that they were talking about?

[@jesyra]

The characterization of Jordan Peterson in this video speaks to my heart about my discomfort with him. This expanding expertise beyond one’s credentials is rampant everywhere.

[@mrwest73]

Still looking for Ryan's KZbin link! Please post when available

[@dinapawlow1622]

Loved Ryan! Love all your guests! More please, more please!

[@silverlining7112]

Completely irrelevant but can't stop looking at that upside down straw. What a fantastic episode I can't believe an hour went by!

[@molecularbandit]

I wish I had a friend like Ryan ❤️

[@ViolentOrchid]

The entire point of being a mark is that you don't know you are a mark until it's too late.

[@chelscara]

The last time scams had this good a run, Snake Oil was a “real” thing being sold

[@brucebanksshow]

I appreciate Chelsea and TFD. That's the comment.

[@tammystockley-loughlin7680]

Comment on your comment for the same reason. Positive vibes from New Hampshire, remember to be kind to each other and yourself during these trying times.

[@aliciacubells3211]

Amazing video ❣️ thank you for sharing such useful information❣️ Gracias 🙏 Ps. I have a guest suggestion: June, from Delish. Her series on “budget eats” has help so much 😊

[@KMR1776]

My husband was out of the country indefinitely. New York was... 😅

[@nata3467]

Honestly...we had a scam artist president...

[@theushistorian]

Speaking of scams, I conducted in-depth research regarding fraud and fabrications in non-fiction publishing. My research was used for a Newsweek cover story. I'm not a Hilton fan but House of Hilton was written by a disreputable author with highly questionable sourcing and writing methods.

[@jackie7061]

Bad Vegan sent me down a rabbit hole of coercive control that included the vow and there's some things you went over that aren't correct. The narrators of the vow didn't brand people. Sarah was branded and that was her "this is messed up" point. I may also be biased and haven't spent a lot of time going through a lot, but she also talks about she didn't make very much and went into the hole giving up the Vancouver Center. Olympic village is very expensive like all of Vancouver at this point (yes, i live here - since 1998 - and it is a whole novel to talk about how insane housing is here), but she also is a voice actor, has a book and has a podcast so money may be more from there. But, yeah, this topic is overwhelming as to who is culpable and who is a victim. The truth is most things are grey but the way we tend to categorize things is good/ bad. Humaning is a lot.

[@Lost_in_Anatolia]

When Prophecy Fails Book by Henry Riecken - for those who’s interested 14:37

[@musicIistener]

Re: the Dan Olson NFT video I think the problem with it is that while it is gratifying for people like us who hate NFTs and see them for what they are and definitely persuasive to people on the fence who wanted to get informed, it’s hard to reach the NFT fanboys who really need things to work out but also because the tone is biased and quirked with attitude and dry humor/sarcasm that will make people dismiss it as haterism 😕

[@musicIistener]

Scams can get away with their blatant fraudulence because of their auto-trigger defense mechanism that completely rebuffs what should be obvious and true criticism as dramatized and biased and done in bad taste that further strengthens the “girlboss, everyone’s just jealous of you” mindset victims are brainwashed into believing

[@snooksmcdermott]

OMG. My cousin was involved in that water filtration scam, and he was so pissed when my brother refused to let him give his spiel at his son's baptism. o_O

[@saschamayer4050]

Who does that? I would consider never talking to that cousin again. 🙄😅

[@percilenis8464]

Why do you have a film grain filter on?

[@Emanuel_carey]

I’m just waiting on an Apple TV series on elon musks two decades of fraud

[@Kalarandir]

That is going to be a long wait. So many people convinced of his genius.

[@pri.sci.lla.]

I hate how many shorts of Jordan Peterson there are… and his daughter too. Such frauds.

[@noldo3837]

Hello, there is an interesting connection between scams and your sponsor Avast, who was illegally collecting and selling its clients data.

[@Sophiesmakeupbag]

Really excited to watch this! (Also, FWIW you both look great here!)

[@brianbrady139]

just wanted to let you guys know that advertisement for a crypto currency are on this video.