Inside the Pyramid: Bridget Read on the History & Hype of MLMs (Part 1)
A Little Bit Culty
Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
4.6 • 2.7K Ratings
🗓️ 15 September 2025
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In Part 1 of this much-anticipated interview, journalist and New York Magazine reporter Bridget Read discusses the pervasive and nuanced issues surrounding multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. Read explains her journey from writing a short article to diving into the complex history, politics, and ideology of MLMs, culminating in a comprehensive book on the subject.
Her research uncovered alarming contradictions and historical roots in fraud and pseudoscience, particularly connected to early 20th-century new thought movements and eugenics. The conversation also touches on the evolution of MLMs, their psychological tactics, and their exploitative nature, especially targeting women. With a deep historical context and contemporary analysis, Read's insights challenge listeners to rethink the seemingly benign world of MLMs.
Read Bridget Read’s book, Little Bosses Everywhere and follow her on Instagram @little_bosses_book.
Also check out Robert Fitzpatrick’s Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing and The Dream podcast, hosted by Jane Marie.
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Transcript
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| 1:01.2 | And I'm Anthony Nippy Ames, and this is a little bit culty. We woke up from a cult, and that journey was captured in The Vow on HBO and in my memoir, Scard. |
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