Maya Lau on ‘Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story’

Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

The Ringer

Society & Culture

4.8 • 3.6K Ratings

🗓️ 19 July 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Larry is joined by journalist Maya Lau to discuss her latest podcast ‘Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story’ currently streaming on Apple podcasts. They begin their conversation by telling the story and subsequent legacy of Charles Ponzi, an Italian immigrant who, in 1920, defrauded the modern equivalent of a quarter of a billion dollars and unwittingly lent his name to one of the most infamous financial scams in history. They then shine a light on the cast of Maya’s narrative form podcast and breaking down the scheme that made Ponzi infamous (11:43). This leads to a conversation about Bernie Madoff and other modern grifters and how they're able to succeed using Ponzi's diagram (25:24). After the break, Larry and Maya talk about why money is valuable and society’s general misunderstanding of how currency works (31:06). Larry then shares the life lessons he acquired as a door-to-door salesman, and Maya ends the pod with tips on how to avoid scams (38:22). Host: Larry WilmoreGuest: Maya LauProducers: Chris Sutton and Brandy LaPlante Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hi everyone, it's Amy Polar, and I'm launching a new podcast called Good Hang.
0:05.1	In preparation for that, I asked some of my friends to send in some videos and give me some advice.
0:10.6	Just be yourself, and the guests will come.
0:13.1	Don't be the celebrity that this is their, like, sixth thing they're doing.
0:16.0	I love true crime and cooking podcasts. Is there any way you could combine the two?
0:21.6	Well, everyone has an opinion and a podcast. So, join me for good hang. It's rough out there.
0:27.6	We're just trying to lighten it up a little.
0:29.6	Oh, that's my prime delivery.
0:31.6	Huh, already. Only one thing can match the buzz of Primes fast delivery.
0:36.6	And that's the buzz of Prime's entertainment.
0:39.6	What are we watching?
0:40.3	Heads of state, that new action comedy with Idris Elba as the Prime Minister,
0:44.0	John Cena as the president, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, as their only hope.
0:47.6	It looks like a blast.
0:48.9	From fast delivery to explosive entertainment, it's on Prime.
0:53.2	For only 899 a month, join now.
0:55.8	Content includes limited ads, subscription, or to renews.
0:58.1	For more information, go to amazon.com.uk.uk slash Prime.
1:05.8	Welcome back, everybody.
1:07.3	You know, it's kind of nice to do something a little different on this pod.
1:10.5	Talk a little bit
1:11.2	about history who's doing some interesting creative things out there i'm really been into
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Ringer, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Ringer and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.