The Dream

Sam Israel had a problem. The investors in his hedge fund, Bayou Capital, were expecting spectacular returns. Sam himself had spent years proclaiming the fund's brilliant results. In reality, Sam had been marking his own homework, publishing fraudulent accounts and using these to lure in new investors. What to do? Well, the logical thing of course: wait around for an extraordinary profitable streak, and in the meantime keep up the ruse... We're bringing you an episode of Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. This episode was recorded live at the Bristol Festival of Economics and studies three incredible investment scams. How do pyramid and ponzi schemes snowball out of control, flattening victim and fraudster alike? For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2024

A chapter from Jane Marie’s forthcoming book. Preorder at jane-marie.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2024

The Dream listeners called in to share their own experiences with life coaches: the good, the bad and the absurd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2023

Sarah Edmonson publicly left NXIVM, a life coaching MLM made famous by the HBO documentary, The Vow, in 2017 shortly after being branded with the founder's initials. Jane and Sarah sit down to discuss the fine line between coaching and culting. Sarah and her husband, Nippy Ames, host the podcast A Little Bit Culty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2023

Days after the debut of this season, Jessie Lee Ward, who was featured in episodes one and nine, passed away after a short battle with cancer. Jane reconnects with Erin Bies to discuss her former friend’s legacy and talks with Death Coach, Megan Carmichael, about what to make of death when you had a complicated relationship with the person who has passed on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023

To our surprise, the OG coach Jessie Lee Ward agrees to an interview. She seems surprised to find out that Jane is not a fan of her work. It turns out that the feeling goes both ways. After ugly exchanges with Jessie Lee, Jane checks back in with her coach and with Dann. Has Jane actually improved as a person? Is she better or worse after six months of self-improvement?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023

Who does coaching work least well for? Turns out it’s the exact people who could benefit most from it, according to the industry. Dr. Sherman James and Dr. Arline Geronimus discuss the downsides of positive thinking, bootstrapping, and mindset culture. For some people, striving has negative impacts on health and happiness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2023

Who becomes a life coach? Jane talks to Patrick Sheehan, a researcher who has found a surprising answer: many coaches couldn’t find success elsewhere. Why do people who can’t do teach? We also learn more about Jane’s life coach, her bona fides, and what sets her apart from the scammers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2023

Neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, is the communication technique used by coaches and cult leaders alike. John James Santangelo—a fan of Napoleon Hill— is an NLP expert who gives Jane a crash course. Jane is mesmerized, and according to Santangelo, might've even been hypnotized.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2023

Now a life coach herself, Jennifer Rajala is lauded at Rankmakers; she’s a hustler who can inspire others to buy coaching packages better than just about anyone else. That is, until she realizes she’s selling empty promises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2023

Napoleon Hill, ever heard of him? He wrote "Think and Grow Rich," one of the favorite self-help handbooks of all time. His fans include Tony Robbins and life coaches of all stripes. But Napoleon Hill was not a genius of self-help. He was a scam artist who never practiced what he preached. Journalist Matt Novak tells Jane what he’s found (and what he hasn’t) about one of the biggest architects of modern coaching.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2023

Jennifer Rajala got sucked into the MLM-to-coaching pipeline. A social worker from northern Michigan, Jennifer rose quickly through the Arbonne ranks. She earned the right to lease an Arbonne branded Mercedes. But she still wasn’t making any real money. Then Jenn discovered Rankmakers, the life coaching program that promised to truly maximize her potential.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2023

Despite regular therapy, Jane is in a funk. She and Dann discuss what's happened to them, and what she hopes (and fears) life coaching might do for her — or teach her to do for herself. Jane embarks on a hunt for a professional life coach of her own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2023

What's it like to hand your life over to someone who claims they’ll make it better? Jessie Lee Ward, the self-proclaimed “#1 network marketer in the world,” charges her coaching clients thousands of dollars for a trip to Colombia that's described like a work retreat. The reality is more like a brutal 15 hour hike, with late night hypothermia. Is this what it takes to be successful in life and business?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2023

From Little Everywhere and Pushkin Industries, and hosted by Jane Marie, comes the third season of The Dream. Past seasons of this award-winning investigative podcast looked at pyramid schemes and the world of wellness. This season we're getting to know the gurus and life coaches who claim they know the secret to living our best lives. Is it all in our mindset? Or our privilege? Or are we all under a spell? Find out this September. If you want to binge the entire season early and ad-free starting September 13, sign up for Pushkin+ on our Apple Show page or at pushkin.fm/plus now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2023

Big news everybody! Season 3 of The Dream is coming your way this fall! In the meantime, we want to introduce a brand new show from Little Everywhere and Pushkin Industries….Other People's Pockets. Hosted by Maya Lau, a former investigative journalist for the LA Times, Other People’s Pockets gets uncomfortably specific about how each guest earns, values, saves and even loses money. Maya’s not afraid to ask the tough questions: How much do you make? What social class do you consider yourself a part of? What do you spend your money on that you know you shouldn't? And, what’s your net worth? You’ll be surprised at the reactions, ranging from uncomfortable hedging to radical financial transparency. In today’s episode, Jane Marie, host of The Dream, turns the table on Maya, asking her all of the same taboo questions normally reserved for OPP guests! You can hear more from Other People's Pockets at apple.co/pockets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2023

Comedians Tess Barker and Babs Gray, who you might know from Lady to Lady or the now legendary Britney’s Gram podcast, are here to bring you a brand new investigative series about Britney Spears' conservatorship and the court system that's allowed it to persist. After launching the #FreeBritney movement, they started to dig… And what they found out, you won’t want to miss! Join Tess and Babs as they talk to exclusive sources, examine new sides of the story, and uncover disturbing truths about our legal system that go way beyond Britney. Listen to Episodes 1 & 2 right now: link.chtbl.com/ToxicThePodcast

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2021

Who do you trust in a world with little information?

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2020

How a few bad seeds became a movement.

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2020

These Shills and Sugar Pills will make you feel better.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2020

Influencing a new generation of wellness.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2020

The road to wellness is paved with particles and protons.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2020

Welcome to one of the cutest cults of wellness.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2020

What happens when no one is looking out for you?

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2020

Can powders, pills and juices deliver on the promise to live longer and look younger?

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2020

Opportunity might still be knocking… we’ll be back with new episodes in January.

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2019

Take a walk and find a crystal. Who knows, it might just heal you.

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2019

Products and cures you can’t find at the doctor might just be the medicine you want.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2019

Oils, crystals, juices and more have been said to bring us eternal happiness and health- but how much of that is based in truth? Who benefits and loses from the wellness industry as a whole? We’ll be talking to some familiar voices and new ones about broader questions like these in Season 2 of the Dream- premiering December 9th.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2019

Leaving an MLM can be the hardest part of the business. This is 4 of 4 bonus episodes we’re releasing as additional reporting from season 1.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2019

There’s no better way to build a loyal downline than with a magnetic atmosphere and a magnetic leader. Creating devotion to the cause is one technique that keeps the recruits flowing and the pipeline growing. This is 3 of 4 bonus episodes we’re releasing as additional reporting from season 1.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2019

The unbelievable origin story of LulaRoe. This is 2 of 4 bonus episodes we’re releasing as additional reporting from season 1.

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2019

What happened when LulaRoe tried to save their business by operating less like an MLM? Exactly what you think if you’ve been listening long enough. Although this time, there are people in power that are mad, like file-a-lawsuit mad. This is 1 of 4 bonus episodes we’re releasing as additional reporting from season 1.

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2019

When a job becomes a hobby. This episode is sponsored by Robinhood (THEDREAM.robinhood.com) and Quip (www.getquip.com/THEDREAM).

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2018

The dream of our founders is alive. This episode is sponsored by Bombas (www.bombas.com/THEDREAM code: THEDREAM) and Article (www.article.com/THEDREAM).

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2018

A wise woman once said, “You need to go.” This episode is sponsored by Bombas (www.bombas.com/THEDREAM code: THEDREAM) and Policygenius (www.policygenius.com).

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2018

The road to success is paved with convention tickets. This episode is sponsored by Quip (www.getquip.com/THEDREAM) and Article (www.article.com/THEDREAM).

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2018

What’s holding you back from reaching your full potential? This episode is sponsored by Article (www.article.com/THEDREAM) and Policygenius (www.policygenius.com).

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2018

Be careful what you wish for, unless it's debt.

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2018

Friends are the family you choose to add to your downline.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2018

If you dream it, you can (probably?) achieve it. This episode is sponsored by Quip (www.getquip.com/THEDREAM).

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2018

The fortune you seek can be yours for just $169 down.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2018

When opportunity knocks, open the front door.

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2018

There’s nothing as intoxicating as piles of money, unless the Feds are watching you count it. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/THEDREAM).

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2018

We’ve all got that friend or cousin who steadily hawks some overpriced miracle drink, leggings, or shampoo on social media. They aren’t just trying to sell you something, but would like to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime to achieve riches while working from home on your own terms. You’ve probably been too afraid, or too loving, or too reasonable to confront them. Not us. This season on The Dream we go inside the world of multi-level marketing to expose this pyramid-shaped business model for what it is. Join us on this bizarre journey filled with snake oil salesmen, shifty millionaires, struggling single moms, and a few sweet grandmas.

Transcribed - Published: 6 September 2018