Inside the Pyramid: Bridget Read on the History & Hype of MLMs (Part 2)
A Little Bit Culty
Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
4.6 • 2.7K Ratings
🗓️ 18 September 2025
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In Part 2 with Bridget Read, we explore the complexities and legal nuances that allow multi-level marketing (MLM) companies to operate as legitimate businesses, despite the similarities to illegal pyramid schemes. With historical context and references to key legal cases like Amway and the Koscot test, the script dives into how MLMs managed to skirt around laws and thrive.
The discussion also ties in political influences, such as the Amway founders' connections with influential conservative movements, and the insidious spread of MLMs globally, exploiting vulnerable populations. Additionally, it touches on the intersection of self-help movements and MLMs, revealing the deep-seated coercion and manipulation involved.
Don’t forget to read Bridget Read’s book, Little Bosses Everywhere and follow her on Instagram @little_bosses_book.
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Transcript
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| 0:29.8 | This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, |
| 0:34.3 | medical, or mental health advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily |
| 0:38.2 | reflect the official policy or position of the podcast and are not intended to malign any religion, |
| 0:43.1 | group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone, or anything. |
| 0:58.1 | I'm Sarah Edmondson. |
| 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. |
| 1:06.6 | Now, in this podcast, we break down the shame and secrets that make these experiences so destructive with honest conversations on how seemingly benign groups can cross into the cultaverse and how to spot and recover from trouble if it happens to you. |
| 1:18.9 | Each week, we bring an expert, survivors, and whistleblowers to explore red flags, resilience, and even share a few laughs because sometimes you got to laugh. |
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| 1:33.2 | Welcome to Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty. |
| 1:36.5 | Seeking down to the depths of the ocean. |
| 1:41.2 | Hanging on to win my love |
| 1:44.5 | If I let go |
| 1:46.8 | All I could leave |
| 1:49.0 | But I know |
... |
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