Ten Thousand Posts

Little Bosses Everywhere: An Interview with Bridget Read

Added 2025-05-27 11:09:12 +0000 UTC

We’re joined by journalist and author Bridget Read, to talk about her new book, “Little Bosses Everywhere : How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America”.

Bridget talks to us about the long history of Multi Level Marketing (MLM), its place in American mythmaking and how the Direct Selling industry was able to acquire political power and influence, which continues to help them evade regulation, as well as shape social and economic policy. We also talk about why MLMs aren’t simply alternative business models, but rather, structures that rely on coercion and at times, manipulation, in order to function. We also talk about how MLMs have been exported out of the US, targeting communities around the world, including in countries like the UK.

Get a copy of Bridget’s book : https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/715421/little-bosses-everywhere-by-bridget-read/

Follow Bridget on social media: https://x.com/bridgetgillard

Read Bridget’s reporting, here: https://nymag.com/author/bridget-read/

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You can donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians and other charities using the links below. Please also donate to the gofundmes of people trying to survive, or purchase ESIMs. These links are for if you need a well-respected name attached to a fund to feel comfortable sending money.
https://www.map.org.uk/donate/donate

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PHOEBE ALERT

Phoebe!
Okay, now that we have your attention; check out her Substack Here!
Check out Masters of our Domain with Milo and Patrick, here!

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Ten Thousand Posts is a show about how everything is posting. It's hosted by Hussein (@HKesvani), Phoebe (@PRHRoy) and produced by Devon (@Devon_onEarth).