Life After MLM
True stories and conversations with survivors, advocates and experts on the insidiousness of cults, frauds, scams and pyramid schemes. Through compassionate and educational informal chats, we work to end the stigma of "failure", in an machine systematically designed for you to fail. Hosted by Roberta Blevins, star of LuLaRich. Life After MLM is a part of True Native Media. Visit https://truenativemedia.com for more.
Episodes
Content Warning : This episode includes mention of self harm, sexual abuse, domestic violence, white supremacy and more. Please use discretion when listening.
In part 2 of Jennie's story, we discuss the intersections of religion and the results of childhood indoctrination on adult relationships, the impact of the LGBTQ+ community on her beliefs, and the role of therapy in her healing process. Jennie emphasizes the significa...
Content Warning : This episode includes mention of self harm, sexual abuse, domestic violence, white supremacy and more. Please use discretion when listening.
In part 1 of our conversation, Former Tradwife Jennie Gage shares her journey of a life entrenched in Mormonism; navigating the complexities of young marriage, motherhood and the increasingly dangerous domestic violence situation she could not escape. So when she was ...
It's the LAST episode of 2025 and we're going out with a bang! Join us as we reveal the results of our Instagram polls, share never before heard audio from the cutting room floor, enjoy behind-the-scenes ridiculousness, bloopers, and outtakes. Join us as we say goodbye to those MLMs we lost in 2025, and pour the hot tea on the newest Mary Kay scandal. Happy New Year Huns!
Show Notes
In our special Christmas episode, we explore the story and history of the candy cane, discussing its religious symbolism, true origins, and fun facts. With an interactive candy cane tasting and candy cane trivia, come join us as we reflect on the holiday season. Grab a candy cane to enjoy, and get ready to learn some religious myths and historical facts about Christmas's most iconic candy.
Show Notes
I think by now, most of us have seen the "D.A.R.E. was a cop pyramid scheme" video (if not, it's linked below). I got tagged so many times I felt like I needed to at least look into it; I remember going through the D.A.R.E. program in 5th grade myself, so curiosity got the best of me. What I learned by dipping my toe in, looking for MLM and Pyramid Scheme connections, was way more than I ever expected. Racism, Police propa...
Cathy reached out to me back in the summer to inquire about sharing a perspective that wasn't entirely "Anti-MLM". She had had an extensive and successful experience in the MLM industry, and had helped many people transition into entrepreneurship, while highlighting the lessons learned and the importance of recognizing red flags. In our chat we discuss the evolution of MLM from the pre-social media era to the current land...
Trigger Warnings - This episode contains topics such as misogyny, child abuse, and labor exploitation. Please use discretion when listening.
Emmet was just a baby when his family sold all of their possessions and moved in with the local Twelve Tribes. In our chat Emmet talks about living his formidable years in a cult, their surprising side hustles, the living conditions within the communities, the Yellow Deli and it's true...
Trigger Warnings - This episode contains topics such as racism, misogyny, child abuse, sexual abuse, violence and exploitation. Please use discretion when listening.
Mr. F and I traveled north to Vista, California to have lunch at the infamous Yellow Deli, this past October. When we returned home, I feverishly dove into the history of The Yellow Deli, the Twelve Tribes cult that runs it and what they believe. This episode b...
I have been saving this Chick Tract for a Thanksgiving Bonus Episode! Grab a drink, or prep your turkey with us as we dive into the most hilariously ridiculous Chick Tract we've read so far, as we learn the "true" story of Thanksgiving from an evangelical lens. Happy Thanksgiving from us to you!
Show Notes
Happy Thanksgiving! How about a bit of seasonal American history you probably didn't learn about in 2nd grade? Author of Cults Like Us, Jane Borden and I delve into the connections between cult dynamics and American culture, particularly through the lens of the Puritans and Pilgrims. Jane explains how these early groups set the stage for modern consumerism, the psychological impacts of cult-like thinking, and the prevalenc...
I've been wanting to talk about Asea for awhile and a recent comment on Instagram inspired me to take a closer look into the company. After a deep dive into the Asea Redox Cell Signaling Supplement rabbit hole, what I found was too good not to share and poke fun of in a bonus episode dedicated to maybe the stupidest MLM product of all time.
Show Notes
Michelle is here and we are diving into the factual history behind the events of the Salem Witch Trials, starting with the now out-of-print Chick Tract that's the most historically accurate one I've ever read. In today's Culty History lesson, we discuss "spectral evidence", the impact of accusations, and the underlying motives of land disputes, while drawing parallels between the trials and modern societal fears. Throughou...
In Part 2 of the High Priestess of Pink, Nic and I discuss the influence of figures like Dale Carnegie on the modern "MLM Mean Girl", the impact of the great wealth transfer on the corporate side of MLMs, the changing landscape of direct sales as more MLMs ditch the pyramid and go pancake and the implications of those changes for consultants. Plus the early history of BeautiControl, and what it looks like today.
But first, ...
Nic is back and we're here to deep dive into the life and legacy of Mary Kay Ash, the founder of one of the oldest MLM companies. The story that is told to consultants and regurgitated over and over at events about Mary Kay's life and the founding of the company? Turns out, it's not true. Nic has come with the records and receipts as we go through the fabrications surrounding her origin story, and the truth about her multi...
Happy Halloween Huns! Come join us as we explore the earliest spooky history and most haunted locations all over San Diego. In this special Halloween episode we go on location and experience San Diego, just after the Mexican-American War; the development of present day Downtown, the history of The Whaley House, San Diego's first cemetery El Campo Santo, Rancho Guajome Adobe and Pioneer Park. These are some of my absolute f...
In this episode, we delve into the tragic story of Alene Schrader, who suffered fatal medical neglect at the hands of her granddaughter, Kandise Sheahen, a registered nurse involved in the MLM Q Sciences. Our conversation with Alene's grandson, Jon Schrader and his wife Francesa, explores the dangers of MLM products as healthcare, the risks associated with trusting unqualified individuals in financially motivated medi...
Let's grab Mallory DeMille and dive into the wacky world of wellness influencers; the rise of grifters, the impact of the MAHA movement, and the absurd trends that have emerged in recent years. We discuss how wellness influencers exploit tragedies for profit, the gamification of the wellness space, and the challenges of helping change minds in a world filled with mis and disinformation. And what extreme wellness influencer...
After he listened to the last episode, Mr. F had a lot of questions and insight about Lillian's story. We literally talked about aspects of it everyday, so much so that I said we should just sit down and record our thoughts about this MLM that isn't quite and MLM, Magical Vacation Planners. If you had more thoughts or pending questions about the last episode, join us for this chat or send us a message!
Show Notes
Meet Lillian, a former travel agent with Magical Vacation Planner, an MLM adjacent travel agency with some allegedly shady practices. We chat about MVP's commission-based payment structure, and what that meant for the reps with the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic's lockdown. Our conversation delves into MVP's recruitment practices, intense contractual obligations, and the similarities between MVP and MLMs. Pl...
Happy October and welcome to the Spooky Era of our "Holiday Magic" episodes! Journey with us today on our recent trip to celebrate Abbey's birthday at Disneyland, just in time for Halloween! In this episode we share some of our favorite ghost stories, urban legends, Easter eggs and history from California's Disneyland, along with some audio recorded at the park! Plus, this holiday season we will be reading some "Chick Trac...
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