The history of Multi-Level Marketing. Answering the questions of "What is an MLM?"
The ultimate amazon review.
Just when I think they couldn't embarrass themselves more...
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Today’s episode is all about The Flat Earth Society, and trying to take a look at some of the most entertaining, but misguided, individuals. Let's find out how.
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Today’s episode is all about different tech support scams, what they do, and how they cross the line into illegal activity.
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die.
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. We will discuss any and everything from bad charities, terrible CEOs, and businesses that have a lot to hide.
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a semiweekly series where bad businesses go to die. We will discuss any and everything from bad charities, terrible CEOs, and businesses that have a lot to hide.
Welcome to Prism of the Past, a weekly series about historical events, people, and situations, from the fascinating to the forgotten.
A mud bath sourced from someone's backyard? Claimed to be rich in antioxidants? This weeks Multi level Monday features an MLM known as Black Oxygen Organics who has just the most "convenient" stroke of luck. Sit down, grab your detox mud, and lets uncover the ???????????????? on Boo.
Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a semiweekly series where bad businesses go to die. We will discuss any and everything from bad charities, terrible CEOs, and businesses that have a lot to hide..
Today's episode will be covering the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse that happened in 1981. We will be diving into what went wrong and how so many could have lost their lives.
Welcome to Prism of the Past, a weekly series about historical events, people, and situations, from the fascinating to the forgotten. Today we will be talking about old Hollywood actor Rita Hayworth and how her past shaped both her life and career.
Today we’re diving into part two of the Sackler family. In episode one we discussed how Purdue was founded and some of their early litigation. Now it’s finally time to address where that leaves them in modern day.
Natura tries not to present itself as an MLM, considering the bad reputation these legal pyramid schemes have among the general public. (Deservedly so.) It’s funny though, because even though my sources say they try to distance themselves from that label, Natura & co owns Avon, one of the most well known, notorious MLMs out there. (And one that we’ve already discussed on this channel.) At the same time, they also own The Body Shop, which I know many of you didn’t know was an MLM, judging from some of the comments I received on that video.
Goop is now promoting therapy created by Nazi sympathizers and telling us that we’re not allowed to give negative feedback during sexual experiences. It’s been a year, so maybe I forgot how terrible they are—or maybe they’re getting a hell of a lot worse.
This time of year, many families in the United States gather for a Thanksgiving feast to celebrate the colonization of America. However, most people don’t know about the darker side of Jamestown and the grim feasts that are said to have occurred there.
Today, we’re talking about Arise Virtual Solutions, the customer service agents paid by Disney, Airbnb, Comcast, and many more. Although we’re aware of the issues with some of these Fortune 500 companies, let’s take a look and see if the company handling their phone calls is just as shady.
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the channel! Today we’re talking about the John’s Committee, a team whose mission it was to out and terrorize gay people in the 50’s. This video will talk extensively about homophobia as well as racism.
Today, we’re talking about Jeunesse, yet another health and skin care MLM. What makes Jeunesse different though is the sheer amount of pyramid scheme lawsuits they’ve had.
Ashley Madison was the premier dating site intended for use by partnered people who wanted to stray (or recruit for an open relationship). Unfortunately, they attracted a fair bit of negative attention, both from the straight press (which they welcomed) and from the less licit corners of the internet, resulting in their customer database and internal email servers being hacked in 2015. Hundreds of thousands of cheating spouses around the world found their infidelities exposed and their financial security put at risk. Amid the outcry and the subsequent governmental scrutiny, however, a deeper concern came to light, one that had haunted the company since its inception: had Ashley Madison been cheating its own customers this whole time?
Nintendo: a company that holds a lot of control within the gaming industry. From its humble origins as a Japanese playing card company to its domination of early gaming technology, to its current captivation of young and old minds alike, Nintendo has been making waves in the gaming industry since its inception...making waves and making massive profits, which sometimes come at the expense of those who support them the most.
Today, we’re going to talk about MonaVie. For those of you who saw my Jeunesse episode, you might remember me mentioning that MonaVie is a defunct MLM, and Jeunesse took over their assets. That should already tell you a bit about MonaVie, considering the many, many, many issues we have with their now parent company, but today, we’ll talk about MonaVie as a separate MLM, before they became defunct, what led to them going out of business, and what they’re like now that they’ve been bought up.
Otto Warmbier tragically lost his life after being imprisoned in North Korea for allegedly taking a poster. What many of us would consider a high school prank, North Korea considered a malicious act. But did Otto even do this in the first place? Or was he used as a pawn by one of the most dangerous countries in the world?
Do any of you have a grandmother that collects woven baskets? Well, there’s an MLM for everything- even those. This MLM is actually one of my favorites, probably because I’m low-key obsessed with the massive basket-shaped building headquarters. But how harmful could a basket MLM be? Well, let’s find out.
The WWE has had widespread success since the early 1990’s and has introduced wrestling to millions of people. The McMahon’s have had a virtual monopoly on wrestling entertainment since the 1960’s and the WWE is now one of the most monetarily entertainment corporations on TV. This success hasn’t been without controversy though, as the WWE has face multiple allegations of steroid/drug abuse, sexual assault coverups, and widespread instances of the debilitating brain condition CTE.
Info Wars is a “news outlet” (use that term very loosely) founded by Alex Jones. The focus on the episode will primarily be Info Wars, their lack of evidence for their conspiracies, the ‘experts’ they feature, and the violence they’ve incited.
Tyco is a security company that operates in security solutions and fire protection. In early 2002 they faced a massive scandal when the chairman/CEO and the CFO (Kozlowski and Swartz) were accused of stealing more than 150 million from the company. They recovered but were largely seen as a mini ‘Enron’ at the time. This was driven by individual greed as opposed to shady accounting practices.
We’ve taken a look at this Doctor who has been corrupted by his own publicity. Mehmet Oz is currently running for Senate. We won’t tell you how to vote, but we will supply you with information to make an informed decision.
Reed Slatkin was connected to the successful website ‘earthlink’, which boomed during the .com era. However, Slatkin’s credentials and background were murky, if not downright scammy. His connections to Scientology made-up figures, and ‘money management’ style were all brought into scrutiny until it was unveiled that after over a decade, he used his trust within the Scientology community to scam those closest to him.
Aum Shinrikyo, the terrorist cult you may not know about has been active in Japan for 30 years. Led by their psychotic leader, Shoko Asahara, the yoga studio turned Doomsday Cult launched a series of vicious attacks against the Tokyo community. Their attacks from the early to mid 90s changed their perception of terrorism forever. How did they rise to prominence, and what can their emergence teach us? Come in and check it out.
Tobacco has been present in society since the first century BC. But, as it began to grow and spread through European countries and the United States, tobacco became one of the most “successful” industries in the world. Federal governments were so invested in tobacco that they offered bail-out programs and issued cigarettes in rations to soldiers. But, in the 1950s, as smoking began to become linked to various diseases and health risks the tobacco industry began to face massive lawsuits that would change how the industry was run from then on.
Frank Abagnale is a notorious scammer that now works for the government. He’s been associated with the FBI for 45 years, and has been referred to as one of the greatest fraudsters out there. His book and the movie ‘Catch Me If You Can’ have become extremely well-known, and his story of forgery, deceit, and lies, is one of the most convoluted stories out there.
Corporate Casket - NCAA Payment
Cruise ships: whether you love or hate them, the industry does have quite a few issues. During covid, they were referred to as ‘floating petri dishes’, as it’s extremely difficult to remain safe and sanitary with a disease on board. Now, as the Cruise industry is making a comeback after shutting down for covid, more questionable topics have arisen, such as their impact on the environment.
Different types of incentive programs for MLMs seem like a great gesture for those who work hard in the MLM. But there’s a problem. This program doesn’t truly incentivize being a rep. In more ways than one, distributors and representatives are exploited by these celebratory measures. Come find out the dirty secret behind this business practice and why it’s just another reason you should avoid MLMs overall.
Machine Gun Kelly first started his career as a rapper with massive success. But, over the years, his career has been rife with scandal. He has faced multiple lawsuits for assault and made headlines countless times for inappropriate comments about underage girls. One of those comments led to one of the most intense rap battles with none other than the “Rap God” himself, Eminem. While this is obviously deeply upsetting, it is also a reoccurring theme in the music industry.
OneTaste is a ‘sexuality focused wellness education company’ turned cult. Perhaps this company started off with good intentions, trying to spread more awareness about women’s bodies, but it didn’t take long for this to become a kind of NXIVM in how they operate.
Vorwerk, the parent company of Thermomix, has been around since the late 1800s. This German MLM created expensive products that are meant to be ‘futuristic blenders’ that also cooks eggs, knead bread, ferment yogurt, and a whole host of other things. It’s not just the claims about the product that have caused controversy for this company though, but their business model.
The Satanic Temple has been called the ‘scientology for mall goths’. While they claim to be different, helpful, and progressive, the reality is far darker and potentially even more sinister. They use church money for personal funds, allow sexual assault to occur under their watch, and mislead people about how much they’re willing to help those in need of an abortion. Are they really a church, or another scam?
Corporate Casket - Chanel Nazi Accusations
Herbalife started in the 1980s with Mark Hughes simply selling protein shakes out of the trunk of his car. But, the questionable business model had caused an array of lawsuits, controversy, and news stories for the company throughout the year. Accusations against them range from shotty science, pyramid schemes, and targeting Latino communities. Their predatory business model has cost the company millions of dollars over the years, and yet, it is still considered a massive success. Why?
The K-Pop Industry absolutely exploded in the music world in the early 2000s. But, no one seemed to know where it came from or how exactly it became so popular. While K-Pop seemed to be taking over the world, the dark side of the industry remained relatively out of view. Slowly, the abuse, manipulative contracts, and horrific working conditions all started to come to light.
The BBB is one of the most well-known review sites. However, when even they seem to partake in a pay-to-play mentality, can you trust what you’re reading? Can you trust that the reviews are genuine? And how do you know which reviews are real, and which ones are lying?
Today we’re exploring the world of jewelry direct marketing and why it has such an impact on women. Many times, the value of the product is laughable, and the company tries to sell you an intrinsic product. How are these companies manipulating millions, and what is the cost for those who fall for it?
Corporate Casket - JK Rowling TERF Accusations
Corporate Casket - "Rainbow Capitalism"
Multi Level Monday - Rodan & Fields
Corporate Casket - Diploma Mills
Love Hotels, once a prominent realm of eroticism and intimacy for the Japanese Community, fell into massive decline the past few years. We take a look at how this interesting industry was formed and how its change impacted the Japanese community. When I make it out to Japan, these are one of the types of places I want to visit!
Many celebrities and business leaders claim to be ‘self-made’. This implies that they had no real help working their way to the top— but this simply isn’t true. The idea of being self-made is largely a myth. Inherited wealth, generational wealth, ‘small loans of a million dollars’ all contribute to these massive businesses. Few people are actually self-made, and today we’re going to explore why this myth is so dangerous.
PETA claims they care about the ethical treatment of animals, yet their radical campaigns have diminished their message for decades. They’re considered the world's largest kill shelter, yet they’re also known for being one of the largest animal advocates. Which one are they? We’ve talked about PETA multiple times before, and this all-encompassing episode will take a look at PETA in full to answer that question.
North Korea is known for being isolated—so then how do they make money? In today’s episode, we’ll explore how North Korea works as a corporation. We’ll discuss everything from their forced labor to secret rooms, and what fuels their dictator’s wealth.
The Kardashian church seems like a way for them, along with other celebrities to worship. However, those that have looked closer into this organization say it’s nothing more than a tax haven, or a way for the Kardashians to potentially hide their money. Today we’re looking at this celebrity church to see what its purpose really is.
Psychics can scam people in many different forms: phone scams, letters, emails, and more. Today we’re going to look at some of the most common psychic scams, and the notorious psychics themselves. Do they actually believe what they’re saying, or are they lying for malicious intent alone?
TLC, also known as ‘The Learning Channel’ is notorious for exploiting its guests. It features minors on its programs but doesn’t seem to treat them with any kind of care or concern, instead, creating infamous figures like HoneyBooBoo. Does TLC condone forms of child abuse?
Seaworld is now known for their mistreatment of animals and the numerous orca attacks they tried to conceal. Now that it’s all out there, the theme park is back, trying to exploit their killer whales once again. As the company tries to convince the public that they’ve changed, we look at why we should be wary of that claim.
Floyd Mayweather is one of the wealthiest, most decorated boxers of all time. His brash personality has brought in billions, and any time he steps in the ring, he grabs attention. He’s brought that persona into the crypto world where he has repeatedly scammed the very people who loved him. We go multiple rounds with the champ and hit him with the evidence.
The funeral industry is expensive, exploitative, and refuses to change. Those within the industry want to make a difference, but red tape and old laws keep them from doing so. Why is this? Why can’t the funeral industry adapt?
Carvana makes their money through financing. Not from the sale of the vehicle. Carvana itself says that 80% of their buyers use Carvana as a financer. Here's the problem with that. They offer securitized subprime autoloans, subprime meaning high risk (no or little credit). Then they sell these debts to investors, offloading them. (Carvana was hanging onto loans in covid times, when people were less likely to default, to make that money/profit.)
Sunrider is yet another health and wellness MLM that seems to scam those who fall for this predatory business model. However, the founder’s hilariously ridiculous story, the cases of poisoning, and the settlements make this MLM especially concerning.
At first, Juul was supposed to be a healthier alternative for smokers to migrate away from cigarettes. But the company quickly started to ruffle some feathers with their advertising strategies toward kids, and their flavored cartridges. Then, as people began to get sick, and die after being exposed to e-cigarettes everything went up in smoke. They were met with bans, and lawsuits, and forced to pay millions of dollars. Now, the FDA has announced that the company is banned from selling its product.
Airbnb seems like a perfect, cozy alternative to hotels. They’re supposedly less expensive and more friendly, but they’re being banned in cities across the globe. Over the years, it’s become clear that Airbnbs are contributing to gentrification and the company itself has ignored real harm done to hosts and guests.
Stampin Up! is a popular stamping MLM that has recently had controversy. They are plaintiff and defendant in 2 different lawsuits, but that’s not why the sellers are running from this MLM. This company stops sellers from doing the one thing that all MLMs promise to do. Come check it out!
Backpage, the ‘red light district’ of the internet, ended in dramatic illegalities. Initially, it was believed that founders couldn’t really be liable for what their users posted, and backpage was safe. However, the tide turned against them, as accusations of abuse, trafficking, and things of that nature began to pile up. Soon, someone had to be accountable, and the nature of the website itself came into question.
Ellen Degeneres has been a beloved figure, the “happy” lady for about two decades. But her show has been embroiled in controversy and, recently, Ellen has announced it's coming to an end. Is Ellen who she claims to be—happy, helpful, and loving? Or is there more to her kindness underneath the surface?
NXIVM started out as a self-help/wellness organization where people paid thousands of dollars to learn how to unlock their inner greatness. But as time went on it began to become much more sinister and evolved into a cult that ruined countless lives. Women were recruited with the impression that they would soon discover and unlock their own power but it wasn’t long before they were forced into horrific rituals, abuse, and mental anguish. As it all came crashing down countless lives were changed forever and the ring leaders faced massive sentences to pay for their crimes.
D.A.R.E was started around the same time that irrational fears began to sweep across the United States. Created and run by police officers across the country, D.A.R.E’s goal was to educate. There was everything! The catchy jingle, the mascot, and even a children’s choir. But, it was also missing a few things, like any research-based methods and practices. Turns out, that’s an important ingredient and as the years have gone by studies have found that despite the cute mascot, D.A.R.E failed in its mission to protect future generations.
Prager U Kids claims to be an educational resource for children; it discusses historical and political topics in an easy-to-digest manner. However, many argue that their ‘education’ is just misinformation and it’s dangerous to teach kids these messages.
Weight Watchers is one of the most well-known weight loss companies out there. However, once you’ve lost the weight, you’re no longer a customer! Do they really want satisfied customers in the first place? Is the weight loss they promote healthy? People have speculated that Weight Watchers, now WW, just keeps people bouncing between weights to keep them trapped in a cycle. Today, we’re going to see how true that is.
Kirbyjon Caldwell was a megachurch pastor that had some incredibly powerful friends—including that of former presidents. However, he abused his reputation to hurt others and used bogus Chinese bonds to take millions for himself. Did he intend on harming those that trusted him from the very beginning, or was he corrupted?
Cerebral, the rapid-rising telehealth company, revolutionized mental health care by making prescriptions available and affordable. Recently, they’ve encountered significant problems and questions regarding their ethics and legitimacy. Join us as we uncover whether Cerebral has your best interest in mind.
Its the unification church, buckle up buckaroos.
Shein took the world by storm starting in 2012. As the newest hit in fast fashion, the company appealed to every demographic, offering trendy styles at incredibly affordable prices. Every day, someone posts a tiktok or youtube video, showing off treasure chests full of clothes. But the bright colors that represent the company hide a dark corporate empire that exploits everyone from the creators to the consumers.
Andrew Tate is well known as a right-leaning and sexist former kickboxer. Dubbed the ‘King of Toxic Masculinity’ himself, it’s no wonder that he’s a controversial figure. But it gets worse, as Tate owns an MLM and his actions have begun entering criminal territory. Is anything about him redeemable?
When Marjorie Taylor Greene was first introduced to the United States people as a new political candidate, there was certainly some cause for concern. The young “businesswoman” had been active in the world of conspiracy theories and people spoke out against her election. As she began her run as a United States Congressperson, that concern seems to grow by the day as she continues to spew atrocious, insulting, and misinformed rhetoric to the public.
Robinhood, as its namesake implies, was seen as a tool that allowed the everyday individual to be able to invest in the stock market and have access to investing. However, after a massive controversy involving Gamestop, it soon became clear that the ‘everyday consumer’ was not Robinhood’s customer—but the product itself.
PartyLite is a party candle MLM that has a long history in the candle industry. From fascinating beginnings to how the product burst into flames, literally, we examine a company passed around over the decades. Do they live up to the hype of over a century?
Gucci is known as one of the most illustrious, elegant, and exclusive fashion brands in the world. With their expensive trendy belts and infamous namesake, they never seem to leave the eyes of fashion insiders. But, they haven’t been without their scandal. From cultural appropriation to stealing from designers, they have a laundry list of mistakes that they just can’t seem to stop making.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, there seemed to be no brighter star than R Kelly. He seemed to release hit after hit and his bizarre music videos and beautiful r&b sound garnered mass attention, rewards, and fans throughout his career. But, there was a darker side to the singer hidden in the background. His horrific actions remained in the shadows, thanks —-in part—- to the music industry seemingly refusing to lose one of their brightest stars. But after a groundbreaking documentary, it all came crashing down and this once admired star has now become one of the most hated people in the music industry.
When MoviePass was introduced in 2011 it started off slow, with 30-dollar subscription fees for unlimited movies, the price was just a little too steep to grow subscribers. But when they put that down to only 10 dollars, their company absolutely exploded. The only problem was, that this low subscription price wasn’t sustainable and as the company started hemorrhaging money, they turned to some shady business practices to try to save themselves. But, it would actually wind up being their death sentence.
The clothing company Brandy Melville is supposedly revolutionizing the fashion industry with their marketing. However, one glance at their instagram raises some red flags, and a brief look into their history is especially concerning. Their founder doesn’t just want their models to be thin, but completely under his control.
When Vivint first popped onto the scene people were excited to learn about the new high-tech security system. The door-to-door salespeople were charismatic and persuasive and before anyone knew it the company had grown to insurmountable heights. But, as they continued to grow their wild success suddenly came into question. Soon, people would learn the truth, it wasn’t that door-to-door salespeople weren’t persuasive, it was that they were lying.
Horse racing is a beloved sport around the world, but the questions around animal abuse that arise in this industry taint it for many. Is this sport salvageable, and are the horses treated well by their owners? Or are they simply being used for profit, with little regard for the horses’ lives?
Joel Osteen is one of the most popular and recognizable televangelists out there. Today we’re going to talk about him, the Lakewood Church where he preaches, his message, and his controversies.
Chipotle is a fast-casual restaurant that’s exploded in popularity since it was founded. While some food poisoning is to be expected anywhere you go, Chipotle takes this to new heights. Their utter lack of food safety has resulted in numerous outbreaks, hundreds of people sick, and tens of millions issued in fines. Is this just a bit of food poisoning, or something far more negligent and sinister?
Earning money quickly and easily is the dream for many Americans, and with HGTV stars’ classes on how to get into house flipping, it doesn’t seem completely unattainable! But is house flipping as legitimate as they claim?
When cars were first introduced to the American public they were portrayed as the new, exciting, invention of the future. Quickly, the world seemed to be built around them with roads popping up everywhere and sidewalks being dismantled to make more room. But, what seemed like it would be a futuristic utopia has turned into a nightmare. No one walks anymore, we are more isolated from each other than ever before, and driving has become a dangerous and tedious task
Chiropractors are considered doctors by some, scammers by others. The actual evidence for their practices just isn’t there, and while Chiropractors may chase after that ‘crack’ or their patient’s wallet, it can cause real harm for patients that are relying on said cracks for pain relief.
Between banned products, concerns surrounding hacking critics, and the shady nature of their sellers, Valentus is an especially controversial MLM. It’s not at all clear if their coffee-dieting products work, and concerns continue to circulate if they do more harm than good.
Family vlogging is so much more than a cute, home video—it’s become extremely profitable and can mean a camera in a child’s face on a daily basis. The ethics of this have been questioned for a while, especially after some massive controversies. Between refusing to adopt due to social media requirements or even rehoming children after a lack of proper research and education, these family vloggers have profited off some pretty gross and disturbing stuff.
Girls Gone Wild is an infamous cultural phenomenon. If you were alive in the 1990s and early 2000s you probably remember waking up to their wild infomercials. But, while they made it seem like all fun and parties on their videos, there was a lot more going on in the background. The founder, Joe Francis seemed to be in the news every other week, and never for anything good. He is the dirt bag of all dirtbags and the inherent creepiness of girls gone wild is just the beginning.
PPP Loan Fraud or Covid Relief fraud has been called the largest fraud in a generation. Billions were set aside during the pandemic to help keep workers employees. However, these fraudsters didn’t just use it for personal gain, but took this money out of the pockets of those who really needed it. Those that took part in this fraud are still being caught and punished now, and business owners are still feeling the effects.
Wells Fargo is one of the most well-known Banks in the United States. But while their names are well-known, their scandals have made them infamous. Their history of blatant racism has been raising eyebrows and ruining lives almost since their inception. But their decade-long scam of opening fake accounts for customers without their permission catapulted them into the limelight in the worst of ways. To this day, the company is still reeling from its decade-long mistake, but it still can’t seem to keep itself out of trouble.
Lance Armstrong’s charity, the Livestrong Foundation, has become well-known for funding cancer research. However, when Lance’s scandal about using illicit substances to win his titles made it to the spotlight, the foundation crumbled. Did Lance’s good deeds cancel out his previous cheating, and was Livestrong truly just caught in the crosshairs?
At first, TrimSpa was just your run-of-the-mill diet pill fad. But, when mega star social starlet Anna Nicole Smith decided to join in on their campaigns and lost her own weight, it absolutely exploded. Suddenly TrimSpa was everywhere and they had their celebrity star to thank for it. But, after her death, it all came spiraling down. They lost a massive amount of their customers, found themselves in fights with the FTC and FDA, and had to change the entire makeup of their products. Now, they’re back, charging an exorbitant amount of money for diet pills that likely, don’t work.
The first Crisis Pregnancy Center was opened in 1967 in response to the ever-growing rise of pro-choice feminism and the future of an abortion-friendly America. As time has gone on, Crisis Pregnancy Centers have become a backbone feature of the pro-life movement. Tricking people into attending by offering “medical advice”, they have become synonymous with spreading misinformation about abortion and working to dismantle it from the inside out.
Joe Rogan was once beloved by all or at least most comic and television host. But, at some point, everything began to change. As his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience” was catapulted into popular culture, Joe Rogan started spewing out his opinions and having everyone and I mean everyone on his show. This all would have been fine if his guests didn’t include some of the most controversial people in the United States.
Four Loko has been described as a blackout in a can which, honestly, isn’t that far from the truth. But when caffeine and alcohol mix, the combination can literally be deadly. Is Four Loko to blame, or the irresponsibility of its consumers?
Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of the ‘balloon boy’ hoax, this is definitely true. The world watched, terrified, as a homemade UFO with a child inside floated over seven thousand feet in the air—but was it all a publicity stunt?
The tequila industry has a long, rich history in Mexican families. For generations, people have handed down the pastime to their kids and some have become massively successful. But, as tequila begins to grow in popularity internationally, this long-time tradition is coming into question. The agave shortage may be detrimental to the workers and the companies of the product, and the appropriation of an age-old tradition may be changing the industry for the worst.
Elon Musk is considered to be the wealthiest man in the world. But, what does the ultra-wealthy business mogul do with his inherent fame and fortune? Seemingly nothing good. In just a few years he has found himself in the headlines more times than even I can count, and it never seems to be for anything good. From racial discrimination to sexual misconduct, to just downright fraud, there seems to be nothing he won’t do.
The Manson Family Murders and the family itself have been the topic of discussion for decades. Manson himself was seen as the epitome of evil, the angel of death, and the undying support from his family drew the world in. Their gruesome string of murders shocked everyone and left Los Angeles terrified and the trials that followed were a circus of dramatic outbursts and unprecedented pageantry. But who was the Manson family really?
Every October, we hear the words “Think Pink” and are reminded about Breast Cancer Awareness month. However, these positive intentions can lead to a lot of scams; charities that have little regard for cancer cures at all. Avoiding them is difficult this time of year, and there are a lot of people that rather not be ‘thinking pink’ at all.
Haunted or Dark tourism is on the rise. More and more people are visiting spooky locations, especially around this time of year. But when does this cross a line? What’s the difference between trying to communicate with a murderous ghost and taking selfies at a concentration camp, and why on earth would anyone be doing the latter?
Craigslist is the old newspaper column of the internet; anything and everything is available, all of the time. But this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, that can spell disaster, danger, and even death.
The Love Has Won cult brings you in with the simplicity of their name. At first glance, you would never assume the violence or sheer terror that went on behind closed doors. Recruiting its members through social media, Love Has Won garnered massive attention as its leader “Mother God” spread outlandish conspiracy theories and beliefs and sold makeshift “wellness products” to the world under the guise of empathy and compassion. But the story took a wild turn when she was suddenly found dead… in the most unconventional of ways.
Peter Popoff was just your typical tv minister in the 1980s. Telling people he could heal them with some sort of magic powers, claiming to be linked to the divine, and oh yeah, raking in millions of dollars in the process. But when he was unceremoniously ousted for being a cheat in 1986 all hope seemed lost. That is, until the 2000s when he staged a comeback and returned bigger and worse than ever. Now, he’s devised a special scheme: selling “miracle water” to save you from debt. Because that doesn’t sound fake at all.
In 2007, CBS thought they were about to have a huge hit on their hands. How exactly? Well they were going to grab 40 kids and have them “fend for themselves” in a fake desert town in New Mexico. The truest recipe for disaster for sure! I hear tales of kids drinking bleach, being burned and only being paid $5,000 for the privilege of working 24/7 for 40 straight days. This here is the story of what would become CBS’s most controversial show from the early 2000’s and maybe ever. Time to dive in!
Once upon a time, Jordan Peterson was a highly respected psychologist focusing primarily on studying and understanding personalities. His research was studied across the world, and no one seemed to bat an eye at his lectures. That is until he decided to make the jump from well-respected professor to youtube star. Out of nowhere, Jordan Peterson was releasing video after video of insane world-takes that got him in a continuous stream of trouble. So, what happened? Who is Jordan Peterson?
Angel’s landing had been suspicious to detectives for years. How did the families there live in extravagant wealth for years with seemingly no source of income? And, even more importantly, why was everyone there surrounded by accidental deaths?
Judge Judy has become a legendary figure on daytime television. She’s seen as the queen of common sense, but does she really deserve that title when, behind the scenes, Judy herself has been unusually cruel and hypocritical? Today we’ll discuss her rise to fame, her questionable values, and what happens behind the scenes of that tv set courtroom.
Provo Canyon School claims to be a youth residential treatment center that helps struggling young people work through their issues and grow with support and specially designed interventions. But in reality, that’s not what it is at all. Instead, Provo Canyon School has become a breeding ground for abuse and downright neglect that has scarred hundreds of kids for the rest of their lives. The horrific stories of the survivors have touched the United States and now, people work diligently to try to get the school shut down, so they can no longer continue to torture the students they claim to be helping.
For years now, we’ve seen individuals and documentaries romanticize serial killers. Wanting to get inside the head of these notorious figures is one thing, but wanting to be with them, being obsessed with them, and ‘standing’ them, is another. Not only is it greatly disrespectful to the victims of these monsters, but it’s dangerous, too.
In 2020, MLMs made headlines by catapulting in popularity as people remained trapped in their homes, desperate for a little extra cash, and hopeful for a miracle cure-all that could save them from Covid-19. One of the most prominent MLMs out there was, BOO, a company claiming that their magic dirt could heal every disease or disorder known to mankind. But, while their customers and sellers pushed the product desperately on social media, others were paying attention to their rise, less than thrilled by their “cure-all” advertising.
In the early 2000s, something seemed abundantly clear in the United States; the country was falling behind the rest of the world in education. With the academics dropping and, coincidentally, the military enrollment, the government decided it was time to come up with a plan. So, the No Child Left Behind Act was brought into existence. At first, everyone seemed hopeful that the new plan in American education would make a difference—and it did. But, not the kind the United States was searching for.
Bang Energy, for a short period of time, was synonymous with the picture-perfect healthy lifestyle. Its outlandish health claims had everyone jumping at the opportunity to try a can, hoping it could improve their exercise capabilities and brain function. Sold by one of the most eccentric owners the world has ever seen, Bang quickly became a cultural phenomenon. But, their overwhelming success would prove short-lived when they ran headfirst into an insurmountable amount of lawsuits. By the end, it was just too much for them to handle, now, the company is holding on by a string.
When you hear the words ‘donating your body to science’, maybe you picture a bunch of people in lab coats around a cadaver, studying a brain and how the human body works. But the reality may be far more gruesome, thanks to unregulated members of the body trade. This industry can operate in the dark, and you may not even be aware it existed.
The Slenderman is arguably the most famous and successful Creepypasta of all time. But in recent years, Slenderman has been blamed for several violent incidents, including multiple attempted murders. The most famous of these murder attempts occured in Wakausha, Wisconson, when two 12-year-old girls stabbed their best friend 19 times and left her for dead. What caused this horrifying attack? Is there something insidious about Slenderman that inspires murder? Does dark or graphic media cause violence? Is anyone to blame for all of this?
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has been controversial for a while now. His hateful comments have garnered justified outrage, and yet companies working with him drag their feet and some still praise him as a genius we just don’t understand. So, is Ye actually a genius, or nothing more than a bitter, pathetic, angry, washed-up man?
We’ve seen cancer scams before: charities and non-profits that take advantage of people’s goodwill to line their pockets. However, few take it to quite the extent that the Reynolds family does. Some estimates claim that less than 2% of the money donated to their organizations went to cancer patients, and the patriarch of the family has had his children create cancer non-profit spin-offs—each just as bad as the last.
This fraud may be greater than Theranos, greater than any Ponzi scheme, greater than any MLM: it’s the fraud around Alzheimer's research. So much we thought we knew about this disease is a lie. Now, before we can even begin to unravel the truth to Alzheimer's, we have to unravel the lies.
Comcast is one of the most hated companies in America: but why? They’re slowing America down, throttling your internet, and even employees loathe them. Between pricing, monopolies, and every other issue under the sun, it’s no wonder Comcast is so hated. How did they get so bad, though? Was it always this way?
The student loan crisis in the United States seems like a near-constant conversation. But, as the whole country seems to constantly have the same discussion—one thing always seems to be missed: Private Student Loans. It’s been described as the “wild west” a “lawless” industry that takes advantage of the most disenfranchised and runs scams almost as much as any MLM I’ve ever seen. From Navient, Sallie May, and even Discover, everyone seems to have a new scam. So, what’s going on with Private Loans?
Publisher’s Clearing House is known for giving their winners a thousand dollars a week for life. Is this too good to be true? PCH isn’t necessarily a scam, but people use their name like one constantly, calling up consumers and claiming they’ve won exorbitant amounts of money.
Dolce and Gabanna is one of the biggest fashion houses in the world. With dresses that cost more than a lot of people’s rent for an entire year, they claim their clothes, bags, and accessories are more than just fashion; their art. But, the company, and subsequently the owners of the brand seem to be skilled at more than just designing clothes. They’re pretty good at stirring up some controversy and creating massive scandals. They don’t seem to care though, as it seems they are pretty much uncancelable. Still, can’t blame a pyramid for trying. Don’t feed the monsters.
Since at least the 1940’s there has been a movement in the United States to get food from sources that don’t rely on artificial means of growth. From pesticides to genetic modification, there has been a following of said movement for nearly 100 years. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to us that, just like most foods, milk has also become the star of its own show of misinformation. Let’s dive in and see how deep the story goes regarding raw milk.
It’s time for a fast takedown on another fast fashion company. Boohoo has become a competitive and notorious rival to Shein in the world of fast fashion and in scandals. They claim to be making a push for sustainability, but their 100% sale, and over 400,000 styles a year seem to beg a differ. As for the people that make all of their inventory, well, let's just say the company’s labor practice leaves something to be desired. But hey, Kourtney Kardashian says she is here to save the day! That always works out great, doesn’t it?
Brittany Dawn’s name has almost certainly been marked forever as something that will register the word “scam” in many people’s minds. Her fitness scam has become so big it made national headlines and caused an entire state to sue her. But, Brittany isn’t the only one. The world of online social influencers has become littered with scam artists who boast about products they don’t have the means or the experience to sell. As social media gets bigger, so do the scams.
Drake is a household name in the music industry but, like many celebrities, he does have some skeletons in his closet. Between violent occurrences surrounding his name and the newfound infamy he has earned from gambling on twitch streams, is Drake as wholesome as he appears?
The Dodo has become the warmest, ‘cuddliest’ corner of the internet. They’re a never-ending stream of adorable, clickable, animal content. But do they really have the animals’ best interests at heart? They’ve promoted unsafe animal interactions and inappropriate pets, and they source themselves consistently. The Dodo should remain extinct: they aren’t the news site they claim to be, but a clickable brand to earn money.
On the surface, Shaklee seems like any other supplement MLM. However, if you look a little further, you’ll find a lengthy history, worshiped founder, and—naturally—problematic sellers. Shaklee isn’t just similar to other frustrating pseudo-science MLMs, they’ve [sic]
Every holiday season most of us are met at our favorite shopping locations, churches, or public parks with the sound of ringing bells. The tradition of the “red buckets” has been one that has been continued throughout decades, but most people don’t have a second thought when they throw some spare change into the smiling volunteer. But, what is the organization you’re donating to? The history of lgbtq+ discrimination, child abuse, and employment mistreatment runs deep. Maybe those red buckets are as jolly as they seem.
The Red Cross is a household name among charities. It’s become synonymous with disaster relief, but does it really deserve that title? The Red Cross has roots in wartime aid, but its growth and experience in donations are questionable at best. Not only have they not earned their respect, but they haven’t earned your dollars either.
Established Titles has become a commonly known youtube sponsor; they’re a cute gift idea that’s supposed to allow you to become a ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’, should you choose. Recently, they’ve taken heavy fire, and allegations of them being a complete and total scam have cast them, and their advocates, under the spotlight. Is Established Titles a legitimate company with a few skeletons in their closet? A complete and total scam? Or should we really be casting that spotlight on the ones making the allegations in the first place?
Older generations have been complaining about younger generations since the dawn of civilization. For thousands of years, younger generations have been accused of being lazy, arrogant, disrespectful, and foolish. Sometimes older generations see these qualities in the youth of their day and thereby blame younger generations for the societal decline. But in the case of “millennials,” they’ve been accused of “killing” nearly every socio-economic thing. Why have older generations and the media chosen to paint millennials in such a murderous light?
DNA tests are a fun way to find out your genetic history, but they create far more problems than dragging family secrets and skeletons out of the closet. The lack of privacy, security, and questionable people being permitted to buy your most personal information all make DNA testing a shady industry. You might want to think twice before spitting into those tubes.
The fertility industry can be a wonderful thing, allowing people that are unable to have children the chance of building a family. However, how we talk about freezing eggs and IVF can be concerning and far from empowering. More than ever, it’s been seen as a way to ‘level the business playing field’, or promoted as a way to ‘stop time’ when these procedures are far from a guarantee. So who’s regulating the fertility industry—if anyone?
For nearly 50 years, the burden of the climate crisis has been placed on individuals. Recycle your plastic. Reduce your carbon footprint. We have heard it time and time again. But, in the last few years, people have begun to scratch their heads. Why, is climate change placed solely on individuals? With studies popping up showing the massive impact on the environment from companies and billionaires alike, it seems the burden should be primarily placed on them. But, it’s not. How did pollution become an individualized problem, rather than a collective one?
Tax season in the United States of America is a time of year filled with dread, confusion, and an avalanche of stress. But, when products like Turbo Tax came along we all thought life was going to get a little easier. Now, the American people didn’t have to go to an expensive accountant to get their taxes done, they could do it themselves! For Free! There was a tiny issue though; these services weren’t actually what was promised and they certainly weren’t free. Oh yeah, and those very same companies that claimed they were coming to save the day were actually lobbying against the people they were claiming to help.
Ghost hunting may be fun, goofy, and entertaining. But when does it cross a line into misleading and dangerous? Between broken technology and using real-life people’s tragedies for profits, there are a lot of aspects to ghost hunting that simply aren’t discussed enough.
Organo Gold is a coffee MLM made with mushrooms. While it sounds harmless (and gross) enough, these mushrooms do have hidden dangers—as does their business model. Not only are higher-ups chronically leaving mushroom coffee companies to start their own, but each one of them seems to make the same misleading claims.
We all know Jerry Springer as the television show where anything goes: guests attack one another and the drama is ramped up to a thousand. But this isn’t what Jerry Springer always used to be. So how did controversial and thoughtful debates turn into screaming matches? Is this what Jerry Springer wanted, and is it as bad as it looks?
Kids Wish Network is known as the worst charity in the US. They’re largely considered the ‘evil twin’ of Make a Wish. They spend less than 3 cents to the dollar on their program and most of their money goes towards solicitors. Dishonest and scummy, Kids Wish Network only deserves one thing: their title of the worst charity.
Princess House is a crystal MLM turned kitchenware MLM. It sounds harmless enough, unlike the supplement companies we’ve covered, but this MLM has some questionable things cooking behind the scenes: a slew of shady lawsuits, a murky history, and a CEO that misleads consumers, to start with.
Years ago, the home exercise giant Peloton seemed to be the toast of the town. Everyone was enamored with the rapid rise to success of the company that sold luxury bicycles and treadmills and their skyrocketing profits seemed to reflect consumers' undying love. But, as their orders grew they found themselves enthralled with a whole new host of issues. They scaled way too fast, had one PR blunder after another, and soon lawsuits came flooding in. What’s that saying? What goes up must come down. Yeah, it seems like we might be in the “down” part of Peloton’s story.
The biggest loser is known for turning weight loss into the ultimate competition. Is it important to be healthy? Yes. But there’s so much more to health than a number. When you watch the show with a critical eye, it’s obvious why critics say it’s a miracle no one’s died during filming. Unfortunately, there has been damage done, to contestants, and to how we see health.
From 2004 to 2008, Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan executed a scam that ruined thousands of young people’s lives. In return for money, the two judges sentenced kids to juvenile detention facilities for incredibly minor infractions. Eventually, they were caught in the act when the Juvenile Law Center sprang into action after learning what had been going on. What followed was years of litigation and a scandal that rocked the country. Now, the saga seems to finally be over.
Dave Ramsey. The financial guru has been spreading his advice across the United States for as long as many of us can remember. His key focus: paying off debt, which he says you should do at any cost. Don’t buy that coffee! Pay off your student loans! He has been upheld as one of the utmost experts on all things money, but how good is his advice, really? With people starting to question the validity of his preaching, there are other things going on that are raising a few eyebrows. His reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic was, well, concerning, and the “religious” values he places on all who work for him have brought up a few concerns. What’s really going on with Dave Ramsey?
Dark Dives - Harvey Weinstein
Corporate Casket - Southwest Airlines
Ambit Energy and Steam Energy are two MLMs that are taking advantage of the desire for alternative energy and sustainability. Are their help and environmental aid worth the negative consequences of their direct-selling business model? Are they actually helping anyone at all, or just using sustainability as a new way to target direct sellers?
When Betsy DeVos was appointed as the United States Secretary of Education, most people were shocked. Who was this person and what were her qualifications to hold such an important position? Well, it might just be that she had the money for it. Yes, Betsy DeVos and her family have been important figures in the business world for decades. They’re involved in a massive MLM, invest in shady businesses, and have put their money toward politics for as long as anyone can remember. The story of the DeVos family is a long one and it’s full of twists and turns.
When Live Nation and Ticketmaster joined forces over a decade ago, they promised that the new partnership would benefit consumers. The new powerful relationship has, unfortunately, proven to be anything but beneficial to the public; soaring ticket prices, alleged monopolies, and widespread controversies over beloved artists have become commonplace. Can the two be separated? And if so, can anything return to normal again?
Nowadays, it seems virtually impossible to drive anywhere or go anywhere without seeing something that is associated with Donald Trump. Whether it’s a Bumper Sticker, a Flag, or a sign, Donald Trump’s name seems to be everywhere and his followers don’t seem to be going away. It is a following we have never seen before in American Politics and the overwhelming devotion of Trump’s followers has shocked many. For some, it has become almost cult-like. But, how true is that? Has Trumpism truly turned into a cult, or is that an overwhelming misnomer?
Many watch true crime to try and understand the depravity behind it; why do people do what they do? However, sometimes, we need to turn that question back onto ourselves; why do we watch what we watch, and is it healthy to see crime in this light? Are victims and their families treated like vehicles for profit? The debate around true crime has come to a head in recent months and one thing is for certain: we need to change.
When George Santos came crashing onto the scene he advertised himself as a “walking, living, breathing, contradiction” to Republicans. He didn’t mention that he was also a con man. But, with the swipe of a keyboard and the release of one groundbreaking New York Times article the truth finally came out. Almost everything the politician had said about his life had been a lie, and we have no clue who he really is. Now, new stories seem to come out by the day and the situation just keeps getting worse.
AI has been writing and creating art more and more recently; while these programs can be fun to use, it’d led to an uptick of people in these industries fearing for their jobs. Will book covers become AI generated? What about the books themselves? What about the articles reporting on these books?
In the beginning, Tila Tequila was famous for her bubbly personality, outlandish pride in her sexuality, and ability to make reality tv as entertaining as physically possible. Her rise to fame on the internet back in the myspace era has led many people to call her the first of the social media influencers. However, over the years her personality has changed, drastically. Now, she spends her days spreading outrageous conspiracy theories and writing disgusting and antisemitic blogs for the world to see. So, what happened?
Starbucks is one of the most popular chains in the entire world; they were the most popular until recently closing hundreds of stores, too. However, their long history of racism, gentrification and their recent actions against unions have led some to wonder if that popularity is deserved.
The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev spent years scamming women on one of the most popular dating sites around the world. The fake heir to a diamond throne tricked women by love-bombing them and displaying a lavish lifestyle. But, it wasn’t their affections it was after, it was their money. Over the years he stole millions of dollars through a massive dating Ponzi Scheme and the world was none the wiser until one day a Netflix documentary emerged that blew up his plan and his scheme. Now, what has changed? Is the romance scammer still at it?
Focus on the Family seems to have the recipe for hated turned political. They get a boatload of money from their media appearances, twist research to support their crusade against lgbtq+ people, and have their own political organization that teaches people how to vote. The new leader says it will get less harmful as their speech continues to spread across the world. But, with the founder, James Dobson’s horrific viewpoints steeped deeply into the organization, and their continued use of conversion therapy, this doesn’t seem very likely.
The History Channel and the Discovery Channel are supposed to be educational; what happened to them? Since when did they become about aliens, UFOs, and sharks and complete and total pseudo-science? Not only are they no longer educational, but their so-called logic may be more harmful than anything else.
The Children of God were a cult that seemingly had one target in mind: children. The stories of abuse told by those that endured the horrors David Berg incited still spark outrage to this day. Worse yet, the Children of God aren’t gone, but operate under a new name: ‘Family International’. Though their name sounds innocent, their history and legacy is anything but.
BetterHelp is well known for being a popular platform for online therapy—but do they have their client's best interests at heart? A lack of professionalism, questionable partnerships, and advice that’s more harmful than helpful have led many to believe otherwise. Online therapy is already controversial, but recent issues confirm it can be downright dangerous.
The BeachBody mlm has been, unfortunately, in our lives for decades. Over the years, they have faced an array of controversies spanning from lying about their science to false dieting scams, and the general structure of their company. Now, their rebranding to Bodi and many are wondering, why? While they claim the rebrand is meant to alter their narrative to be more inclusive, the truth might be a little more sinister. Is Beach Body trying to resurrect itself?
In the summer of 2022, the viral Tik Tok food craze known as “Pink Sauce” turned everyone’s heads before it eventually, allegedly, turned everyone’s stomachs. Soon after the sauce’s prototype rolled out, it was mired by controversy involving shoddy packaging and shipping, exploded bottles, and allegations that it made people sick (and possibly even killed someone). Was all of this just a Intent scam turned deadly, or was something else going on here?
Welcome to Dark Dives, a new series where we explore the murky and devious depths of humanity. This goes beyond corporate greed and get rich quick schemes, beyond shady products and questionable CEOs. Here, we take a look at the very worst of humanity, to see what evil people are truly capable of.
In 2012 the Kony 2012 video and hashtag, meant to pressure the United States to intervene in the search for war criminal Joseph Kony, went absolutely viral. Out of seemingly nowhere, everyone seemed to be buying souvenirs to stop a war criminal they had likely never heard of before the video emerged. But, while some patted themselves on the back for their newfound activist spirit, others criticized the movement and the creators of the viral moment in history. Soon, concepts like aid to Africa, the white savior complex, and more were under fire. Were these types of campaigns helping, or just doing more harm?
Since the early 2000s, Crunchyroll has been a go-to source for streaming anime content online. The service has greatly expanded access to anime and other East Asian content to those outside of Japan, and has contributed to anime’s massive popularity and profitability. Recently, however, the company has come under fire for its recent merger with Sony and for greatly underpaying its voice talent.
Emo music was all the rage in the early-to-mid 2000s. The genre hosted many different sub-genres and ranged from sad, campfire-like tunes to raging, heavy rock riffs, so it’s no surprise it resonated with millions of people worldwide. But recently the platinum-selling band “Flyleaf” has been accused of homophobia, and their lead singer has been accused of promoting conversion therapy.
When pyramid-scheme recruitment styles and churches combine, you can get a very cult-ish combination. The two are more than toxic together, but they can result in abuse, downplaying the harm of children and members, and fierce manipulation and control tactics. The International Church of Christ is a prime example of this.
If you are a person who needs to use menstrual products in your day-to-day life it is likely that you have run into the same frustrations over and over again. Certain products can literally kill you if you keep them in too long, others are a mess, and all of them seem to be important. But, when Thinx came along we thought we had the answer to our period woes. Unfortunately, after news about dangerous chemicals and a toxic workplace, it seems like we’re back where we started. Why can’t we get a menstrual product that doesn’t harm us?
Project Veritas claims to employ journalists and report on issues that matter, but they’ve become notorious for using unsavory methods to discredit mainstream media. Infamous for secret recordings, financial malfeasance, and even entering federal buildings under false pretenses, Project Veritas and its founder may be the most pathetic—and desperate—right-wing activist group we’ve seen in quite a while.
It’s safe to say that Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous celebrities to ever walk the earth. While alive, she was bombarded by the constant pressure of fans, producers, and virtually everyone else to constantly “perform”. To make their money, or make them happy. Even in death, she is under insurmountable pressure to constantly sell. Over the years her image has been twisted and turned to represent whatever version of her will make the most money. She gets no rest even in death.
Netflix is a streaming giant, and they were once seen as the place to go for shows, movies, and more. But now, after canceling multiple beloved programs and making it even more difficult to access their content, the king of streaming may have fallen. Will anyone rise to take its place? Or is streaming not what it used to be?
The publishing industry has brought us our favorite books and stories and escapes, but it’s also brought us some horrific distortions of reality, too. Though you may have grown up with some of these books, they continue to get released today, warping enemies-to-lovers tropes from Trump supporters and liberals. Why publish these stories at all?
Claire’s: it used to be the go-to place to get your ears pierced and buy cute accessories for teenagers. In the late 90s and early 2000s, it may have even been one of the most popular stores in your local mall. However, Gen Z hasn’t embraced the famous jewelry shop, and for good reason. Their makeup recalls for asbestos, policies on ear piercings, and junk jewelry is the stuff of the past. Is there a comeback for Claire’s in the future, or are they doomed for good?
Dot Dot Smile is a children’s clothing company that prides itself on offering business opportunities to women around the world to make their own money, be their own boss, and stay with their kids. If all that sounds familiar, that's because it is. They are an mlm brought to you by the same family that brought us LulaRoe and their structure is remarkably similar. Almost as if it was by design. But, their success seems to be relatively short-lived and while the rest of the family is running around making their wildest mlm dreams come true, Dot Dot smile has fallen flat—right into bankruptcy.
Temu is one of the fastest-growing apps in the United States and its easy to see why. Their promise that you can “shop like a billionaire” seems true when you first open the app. You can buy virtually anything for mere dollars. But, it’s not as wonderful as it seems. Temu has been accused of never shipping products, shipping fake products, and lying to its customers. Their sister company in China isn’t much better. In fact, they are much much worse.
Zoos: who didn’t love going to one as a kid? Seeing polar bears, penguins, monkeys, and other exotic animals at the Zoo might’ve been one of your favorite field trips of all time. While we know that some Zoos probably aren’t able to give animals proper care, how bad is it? Are all Zoos this way, and if not, how can you know the difference?
In the 1980s, as the United States struggled financially, one man came forward claiming that he could fix everything: Ronald Reagan. Poised and Persuasive, he introduced a plan that would allegedly help everyone recover financially. He cut social spending, upped the military budget, and reduced the taxes on the wealthy. All of this was meant to lead to prosperity for all, but now, the outcome seems much darker. As the richer get richer and the middle class quickly disappears, we grapple with this aspect of our history. What was the real impact of Reganomics?
Mr. Beast is one of the most well-known, philanthropic youtubers out there. However, while he’s helped so many people with his generous deeds, he’s also been the subject of more and more criticism the larger he gets. Is it warranted? Is the criticism unfounded, petty, and ridiculous, negated by the good he’s done? Or is Mr. Beast’s brand of philanthropy more harmful than you might think?
Tyson meat says they are committed to attracting and rewarding the best people in the food industry. But, actions speak louder than words and Tyson’s actions scream that they are lying. Over the years they have been accused of running factories ripe with danger and even employing child labor. Their response to Covid-19 was abysmal and their commitment to the environment. Well, let’s just say that’s going about as well as everything else.
If it exists, there’s an MLM for it. In this case, we’re talking about Usborne Books, now known as Paper Pie, and Southwestern Advantage. Both of these book MLMs have made questionable income claims, but it’s their worrying messages, whether in their books or in their businesses, that has people wary. While Usborne books may be steered toward children, Southwestern Advantage targets college students to sell their products—and they don’t seem to care about the safety of their distributors, eithe
Every day when we open our eyes we seem to be surrounded by one word: woke. According to some people, “woke” policies that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion are the absolute downfall of society and they are everywhere. Wokeness is in our schools, our places of employment, and even our media. There is no escape! But, what does “woke” really mean and is it really what people think it is—or is it just another dog whistle?
Almost three years ago, people were met with shock when the news that Pornhub had been profiting off of horrifying videos released without consent for years emerged. Almost immediately, it seemed like the end. Credit card companies were pulling out, they erased a massive amount of content, and nearly 2 million people had signed a petition to get the company to shut down. But, after taking a closer look, people had some questions. The whole campaign was led by some notorious Christian cult-like groups like IHOP and Exodus Cry. Was the Pornhub scandal really what it seemed?
Jillian Epperly, also known as the Jilly Juice lady, is notorious for promoting strange, bad science to her followers. But this time, she’s been using it on her dog—potentially with dire consequences. Her senior dog, Sugar, recently passed away, and after channel viewers have seen her giving the dog breastmilk and Jilly Juice, it’s left them wondering if she’s the reason for her dog’s passing.
For a while, Twitch seemed untouchable. They were the king of streaming and without real competition. However, as time has worn on, creators have become exhausted with their policies and hypocrisy. More streamers have left the platform and joined alternatives, like Youtube, leaving Twitch to catch up or die. Is Twitch falling apart, or are they on the verge of a breakthrough?
Cops weren’t always portrayed as the good guys in movies, tv, and the news. Back before 1910, they were usually shown as “incompetent fools”. But, that’s when police organizations stepped in and shaped how the media could portray law enforcement with threats, blackmail, and bribes. By 1950, the LAPD had control of the scripts for one infamous cop show, and thus: Copaganda was born. Today, it’s everywhere you look and it's impacting more than you would ever guess.
Fashion Nova is the king of influencer fashion. Everyone seems to love their constant stream of clothes and their size-inclusiveness is just the icing on the cake. However, their company as whole leaves a lot to be desired. They have been accused of deleting negative reviews, underpaying their employees, and stealing from Black fashion designers. Despite all the pretty things, Fashion Nova is just another typical fast fashion company; full of disappointment and exploitation.
Over the years we have seen an abundance of food apps attempt to turn away from the diet culture and move more towards “intuitive” eating for their clients. Noom has been at the head of this new revolution. But despite their effort to move away from the “diet” app fad, many claim they haven’t done enough.
today i would like to take a few moments to explain the recent drama surrounding my channel. there will be apologies and explanations. i hope you will hear me out, and give me the opportunity to do better with time.
Who hasn’t wanted their tummy a bit flatter, their lips a bit bigger, and an entirely different butt? Cosmetic surgeries certainly aren’t uncommon, but the way that they’re advertised to us can be concerning, especially when the shady world around influencer surgeries isn’t well-regulated whatsoever.
Right-wingers love to have a marginalized ally to prove their discriminatory points: they aren’t racist because Candace Owens is on their side, for example. Recently, they’ve gained that person in Oli London. Oli once claimed to be a Korean woman and now, he claims to be a British man. What happened? Is this all for attention?
In the early 2000s, there was a reality TV show for everything. Dating, cars, modeling, singing—it didn’t matter. But some of these shows might be more ridiculous than you remember. Others, while they may have been funny at the time, in hindsight, there were plenty of times these shows went too far. Way too far.
There has always seemed to be something a little funny about those crunchy moms we have seen all over social media. Over the years, we have watched them turn their backs on virtually every type of food, western medicine, and of course vaccines. But it turns out that the bizarre qualities of a “crunchy mom” go a little bit further than we might think. While they hate vaccines they sure do love conspiracy theories.
While I love a good triangle, the food pyramid is not one of those. In fact, this dietary model has done a great disservice to the US over the years, and may contribute to health issues more than you know. After being influenced by food lobbyists, the food pyramid is virtually unrecognizable from what it was originally intended to be. Today, we’ll talk about that—the original pyramid.
The 700 Club is the flagship program of the CBN, or Christian Broadcasting Network. While it’s what you’d expect from just about any religious network, the 700 Club has had a lasting and devastating impact on the world around it. The founder has been involved in harmful conspiracy theories, influenced politics, and been responsible for the rise of other dangerous figures.