A Pyramid Scheme by Any Other Name...is Still a Pyramid Scheme

Ponzinomics 101

#Podcasting Education #Melissa Milner and Robert FitzPatrick #Melissa Milner #Robert FitzPatrick #Mlm Education #Teaching About Mlms #Pyramid Schemes #Direct Selling #About Multilevel Marketing

24:35

It’s the very first episode of The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr and our first guest is Phil Wang! And Phil’s subgenre is…This Place is Evil. We’re talking psychological torture, we’re talking gory death scenes, we’re talking Lorraine Kelly?! The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr is a brand new comedy podcast where each week a different celebrity guest pitches an idea for a film based on one of the SUPER niche sub-genres on Netflix. From ‘Steamy Crime Movies from the 1970s’ to ‘Australian Dysfunctional Family Comedies Starring A Strong Female Lead’, our celebrity guests will pitch their wacky plot, their dream cast, the marketing stunts, and everything in between. By the end of every episode, Jimmy Carr, Comedian by night / “Netflix Executive” by day, will decide whether the pitch is greenlit or condemned to development hell! Listen on all podcast platforms and watch on the Netflix Is A Joke YouTube Channel . The Big Pitch is a co-production by Netflix and BBC Studios Audio. Jimmy Carr is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer, touring his brand-new show JIMMY CARR: LAUGHS FUNNY throughout the USA from May to November this year, as well as across the UK and Europe, before hitting Australia and New Zealand in early 2026. All info and tickets for the tour are available at JIMMYCARR.COM Production Coordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries Production Manager: Mabel Finnegan-Wright Editor: Stuart Reid Producer: Pete Strauss Executive Producer: Richard Morris Executive Producers for Netflix: Kathryn Huyghue, Erica Brady, and David Markowitz Set Design: Helen Coyston Studios: Tower Bridge Studios Make Up: Samantha Coughlan Cameras: Daniel Spencer Sound: Charlie Emery Branding: Tim Lane Photography: James Hole…

2 years ago 36:16

MP3•Episode home

In episode 9 of Ponzinomics 101, Robert shares his experience with a pyramid scheme in the 80s called the Airplane Game. The similarities to MLM become clear quickly.

10 episodes

A Pyramid Scheme by Any Other Name...is Still a Pyramid Scheme

Ponzinomics 101

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

In episode 9 of Ponzinomics 101, Robert shares his experience with a pyramid scheme in the 80s called the Airplane Game. The similarities to MLM become clear quickly.

10 episodes

#Podcasting Education #Melissa Milner and Robert FitzPatrick #Melissa Milner #Robert FitzPatrick #Mlm Education #Teaching About Mlms #Pyramid Schemes #Direct Selling #About Multilevel Marketing

All episodes

Ponzinomics 101

1
Next Steps for the Anti-MLM Movement 58:20

2 years ago58:20

58:20

There are amazing anti-MLM content creators trying to make a difference. In this episode, Robert shares what he believes should unite all anti-MLM work. What actually is our message and goal in this fight?

Ponzinomics 101

1
A Pyramid Scheme by Any Other Name...is Still a Pyramid Scheme 36:16

2 years ago36:16

36:16

In episode 9 of Ponzinomics 101, Robert shares his experience with a pyramid scheme in the 80s called the Airplane Game. The similarities to MLM become clear quickly.

Ponzinomics 101

1
How MLM Infiltrates Schools: A Story of One Teacher's Betrayal with Robert FitzPatrick and Megan Rowton 54:53

2 years ago54:53

54:53

In this episode, Robert and Melissa speak to Megan Rowton who at 18 was recruited into an MLM by her special education teacher. You read that right! Megan shares her story of getting in and getting out of an essential oil MLM.

Ponzinomics 101

1
Talking to Your Child about MLM with Doug Brooks 43:03

2 years ago43:03

43:03

Our chat with lawyer and advocate, Doug Brooks, continues in episode 7, as we explore why people abandon critical thinking and join MLM companies. How can we teach youth to do their due diligence and not believe the lies?

Ponzinomics 101

1
Why Law is Failing with Doug Brooks 38:40

3 years ago38:40

38:40

Episode 6 is a discussion for parents, teachers, and anyone hoping to protect youth from MLM. Lawyer and advocate Doug Brooks joins Robert and Melissa to talk about court cases, legislation, and what is going wrong in the fight against MLM.

Ponzinomics 101

1
Legal Schmegal 16:04

3 years ago16:04

16:04

Know anyone who failed trying to sell MLM products or an MLM "opportunity?" It wasn't their fault. How could something “legal” engage in such deception and cause so much harm?

Ponzinomics 101

1
So, What's a Pyramid Scheme? 22:47

3 years ago22:47

22:47

Ever had a person try to recruit you into a multi-level marketing (aka MLM) company? One of the first things they say is, "It's not a pyramid scheme." What is a pyramid scheme? How are they disguised? Are MLM companies pyramid schemes?

Ponzinomics 101

1
The First Truth: What is Multi-Level Marketing? 23:00

3 years ago23:00

23:00

"Business opportunity." "Full time pay for part time work." We have clarified in our first two episodes that MLMs are not direct selling. So what are they?

Ponzinomics 101

1
Reality Check: Is Multi-Level Marketing Direct Selling? 17:15

3 years ago17:15

17:15

"This is a direct selling business opportunity." Is it really? In this episode we continue to investigate direct selling and whether multi-level marketing (MLM) really is direct selling.

Ponzinomics 101

1
The First Lie: What is Direct Selling? 21:30

3 years ago21:30