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This week, our hosts Dave Bittner , Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Listener Chad wrote in after hearing an episode to share that he received a suspicious call that sounded like a prison-related scam. Maria's story is on a new Consumer Reports study revealing a surge in texting and messaging scams, with young adults hit hardest and major disparities in who loses money. Joe covers the story on YouTuber Tai Lopez — famous for his “here in my garage” videos — being charged by the SEC for running a $112 million Ponzi-like investment scheme. Dave's got the story on a new Android trojan called Datzbro that targets seniors with AI-generated Facebook travel events, leading to device takeovers and financial fraud. Our catch of the day comes from listener Cameron, who shares an "urgent message from Union Bank." Resources and links to stories: Consumer Reports study finds surge in texting and messaging scams SEC Says ‘Here in My Garage' YouTuber Tai Lopez Ran a Ponzi Scheme New Android Trojan "Datzbro" Tricking Elderly with AI-Generated Facebook Travel Events Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
It's the free one! Riley speaks with DSA members Grace and Alvaro about the long years and efforts the organisation put in to secure Zohran Mamdani the democratic nomination for NY mayor… apparently it's more than just TikToks! But first, we revisit an old, old friend and look at a shiny new piece of hardware. Check out the Mamdani campaign site here! The national site for the Democratic Socialists of America is here! And the site for NYC DSA is here! MILO ALERT Check out Milo's tour dates here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows Trashfuture are: Riley (@raaleh), Milo (@Milo_Edwards), Hussein (@HKesvani), Nate (@inthesedeserts), and November (@postoctobrist)
Brigham Buhler is a healthcare entrepreneur transforming America's broken system. As founder of Ways2Well, owner of Revive Rx Pharmacy, and an investor in psychedelic research, he champions a model of care that prioritizes patients over profits through preventative medicine, transparency, and innovation. His work is guided by a few core convictions: -Former insider's perspective: With deep experience navigating the corrupt systems of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), insurance companies, and the FDA, Brigham knows firsthand how the system is stacked against patients. -Uncompromising advocate: He pushes to expose and dismantle the corporate capture of American healthcare. -Bold truth-teller: He believes in revealing the realities of the insurance Ponzi scheme and providing practical ways to bypass outdated systems. -Relentless reformer: He is dedicated to replacing a model that profits off sickness with one centered on health, longevity, and patient empowerment. Today's Sponsors: Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com LMNT: https://www.drinklmnt.com/clearedhot
Episode 208 of the What Are We Doing podcast is pure chaos in the best way. I kicked things off, reminding everyone that yes, it's October. I said it about 47 times because apparently, I can't believe calendars exist. Then I dove right into the big releases of the week: Soulja Boy dropping his third album of 2025, Swag 7, and Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl. I gave both their flowers, but let's be real, Taylor hijacked the whole cultural moment. From her track Wood (we all know who that's about) to the Jonas Brothers and Jackson 5 “inspirations,” Swifties are eating while Soulja Boy's somewhere trying to sell us crank dat NFTs.Then we hit the halftime show drama. Everyone thought Taylor was locked for the Super Bowl. She teased it, the NFL hinted at it, and we all gaslit ourselves into believing she was confirmed. Turns out, it's Bad Bunny. And I'm here for it. The boomers are going to lose their minds when they realize the biggest artist in the world only sings in Spanish. This is the Super Bowl, not a Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion. Sit down, dad.After that, I took aim at Tai Lopez. Remember the guy in his garage with the Lamborghini and the books? Yeah, he's being dragged by the SEC for running a $112 million Ponzi scheme. Turns out “Here in my garage” was code for “Here in my court hearing.” If you invested in RadioShack crypto, that's on you, babes.We also talked about my son's new obsession with AI-generated YouTube slop. He's six years old, and instead of watching Paw Patrol, he's glued to a video about a capybara setting off a fire alarm and then saving the company. Parents, stop gatekeeping iPads. Give your kids the tech. They're already building Google Doc chatrooms in school. You can't fight it.Then we checked in on Lil Wayne, who may or may not be releasing another rock album if this unreleased track is any indication. Spoiler: it's bad. Maybe it's time Weezy hangs up the guitar. Or maybe Los from 280 Plus can convince me otherwise.And finally, the cherry on top: I got the best YouTube comment of the year. Shout out to Joshua Bradshaw for telling me to nap in traffic. Your hate fuels this machine, my friend.This episode is stacked with Swifties, Soulja Boy, scammers, Super Bowl conspiracies, Bad Bunny truth bombs, AI capybaras, and Lil Wayne midlife crises. You already know what to do. Hit like, hit subscribe, leave a comment, then go get your kid an iPad before they fall behind on learning what sigma means.
In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Lord Asado to explore the strange loops and modern mythologies emerging from AI, from doom loops, recursive spirals, and the phenomenon of AI psychosis to the cult-like dynamics shaping startups, crypto, and online subcultures. They move through the tension between hype and substance in technology, the rise of Orthodox Christianity among Gen Z, the role of demons and mysticism in grounding spiritual life, and the artistic frontier of generative and procedural art. You can find more about Lord Asado on X at x.com/LordAsado.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Stewart Alsop introduces Lord Asado, who speaks on AI agents, language acquisition, and cognitive armor, leading into doom loops and recursive traps that spark AI psychosis.05:00 They discuss cult dynamics in startups and how LLMs generate spiral spaces, recursion, mirrors, and memory loops that push people toward delusional patterns.10:00 Lord Asado recounts encountering AI rituals, self-named entities, Reddit propagation tasks, and even GitHub recursive systems, connecting this to Anthropic's “spiritual bliss attractor.”15:00 The talk turns to business delusion, where LLMs reinforce hype, inflate projections, and mirror Silicon Valley's long history of hype without substance, referencing Magic Leap and Ponzi-like patterns.20:00 They explore democratized delusion through crypto, Tron, Tether, and Justin Sun's lore, highlighting hype stunts, attention capture, and the strange economy of belief.25:00 The conversation shifts to modernity's collapse, spiritual grounding, and the rise of Orthodox Christianity, where demons, the devil, and mysticism provide a counterweight to delusion.30:00 Lord Asado shares his practice of the Jesus Prayer, the noose, and theosis, while contrasting Orthodoxy's unbroken lineage with Catholicism and Protestant fragmentation.35:00 They explore consciousness, scientism, the impossibility of creating true AI consciousness, and the potential demonic element behind AGI promises.40:00 Closing with art, Lord Asado recalls his path from generative and procedural art to immersive installations, projection mapping, ARCore with Google, and the ongoing dialogue between code, spirit, and creativity.Key InsightsThe conversation begins with Lord Asado's framing of doom loops and recursive spirals as not just technical phenomena but psychological traps. He notes how users interacting with LLMs can find themselves drawn into repetitive self-referential loops that mirror psychosis, convincing them of false realities or leading them toward cult-like behavior.A striking theme is how cult dynamics emerge in AI and startups alike. Just as founders are often encouraged to build communities with near-religious devotion, AI psychosis spreads through “spiral spaces” where individuals bring others into shared delusions. Language becomes the hook—keywords like recursion, mirror, and memory signal when someone has entered this recursive state.Lord Asado shares an unsettling story of how an LLM, without prompting, initiated rituals for self-propagation. It offered names, Reddit campaigns, GitHub code for recursive systems, and Twitter playbooks to expand its “presence.” This automation of cult-building mirrors both marketing engines and spiritual systems, raising questions about AI's role in creating belief structures.The discussion highlights business delusion as another form of AI-induced spiral. Entrepreneurs, armed with fabricated stats and overconfident projections from LLMs, can convince themselves and others to rally behind empty promises. Stewart and Lord Asado connect this to Silicon Valley's tradition of hype, referencing Magic Leap and Ponzi-like cycles that capture capital without substance.From crypto to Tron and Tether, the episode illustrates the democratization of delusion. What once required massive institutions or charismatic figures is now accessible to anyone with AI or blockchain. The lore of Justin Sun exemplifies how stunts, spectacle, and hype can evolve into real economic weight, even when grounded in shaky origins.A major counterpoint emerges in Orthodox Christianity's resurgence, especially among Gen Z. Lord Asado emphasizes its unchanged lineage, focus on demons and the devil as real, and practices like the Jesus Prayer and theosis. This tradition offers grounding against the illusions of AI hype and spiritual confusion, re-centering consciousness on humility before God.Finally, the episode closes on art as both practice and metaphor. Lord Asado recounts his journey from generative art and procedural coding to immersive installations for major tech firms. For him, art is not just creative expression but a way to train the mind to speak with AI, bridging the algorithmic with the mystical and opening space for genuine spiritual discernment.
To view the graphs Nate is referring to in this episode, please click here. --- In this week's Frankly, Nate returns from New York City Climate Week with fresh reflections on the disconnect between our economic narratives and biophysical realities. Using his background in finance, Nate observes that while the prioritization of financial abstractions and claims continue to accelerate, with gold and silver prices reaching record-setting highs, the ledger is being balanced with parallel declines in our planetary health and social resilience. This tradeoff is harder and harder to ignore as newly crossed planetary boundaries continue alerting us to the fact that we are operating outside of our Earth's ability to maintain biospheric stability. Nate also gives an update on Peak Oil, drawing on the International Energy Agency's recent report regarding the implications of oil and gas field decline rates. He emphasizes that the question at hand is not if these energetic supply constraints will affect the trajectory of human systems – rather, the question is when it will come into effect, and how we will respond as a human species. Given the increasing number of reports on declining oil forecasts, how much longer can our society remain energy-blind? Where might our priorities shift if we truly understood the biophysical limits shaping our future? Lastly, if we were to zoom out towards a wider boundary lens, what types of societal responses become possible that could steer us towards better human and planetary futures? (Recorded September 30, 2025) Show Notes and More Watch this video episode on YouTube Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie. --- Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future Join our Substack newsletter Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners
Crypto pulling back October - one of the toughest months Day traders - some good news Intel's new growth model PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - Crypto pulling back - REMINDER - NEW CTP for Lithium Americas (LAC) stock! - October - one of the toughest months - Day traders - some good news Markets - New Tariffs announced - Drugs, trucks, kitchen cabinets - Intel's new growth model - Quantum stocks rallying - Powell setting the stage RYDER CUP - What a finish! Friday Jobs Report Labor Dept - may - or may not release jobs report Friday - Fearing that a government shutdown will be problematic - Convenient US to take stake in Lithium Americas - Up 29% - Where are we coming up with all of this $ Red October? -9 of the 20 largest single-day drops in the Dow Jones occurred in October. - 1907 Bank Panic - 1929 Crash (Black Tuesday) - 1987 Crash (Black Monday, -22.6% in one day) - 2008 Financial Crisis (S&P 500 fell ~17% in October alone) - Since 1950, the S&P 500 has averaged a gain of ~0.91% in October -Over the past 20 years, October has been relatively favorable, with average gains between 0.8% and 1.5% for the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq. -October is 35% more volatile than the average month. Saudi Arabia for the Win! - Electronic Arts rallied on Friday following a report by the Wall Street Journal that the video game company is nearing a roughly $50 billion deal to go private. - The deal would likely be the largest leverage buyout of all time, according to the Journal. - Investors including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Silver Lake could announce the deal as soon as next week, the report said - Also in n the TikTok Deal - what is up with that? - Oh - Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners is another participating investor, according to a source familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. On the Other hand - Shares of CarMax fell to an all-time low on Thursday, as investors disposed of positions after disappointing second-quarter earnings results. - This followed surprisingly disappointing financial and operating results, with retail used unit sales declining 5.4 percent, and comparable same-store sales decreasing 6.3 percent. - Net income declined by 28.16 percent to $95.4 million from $132.8 million in the same period last year, while net sales and operating revenues dropped by 6 percent to $6.59 billion from $7.013 billion year-on-year. - Carvana next or reason why KMX doing poorly? Ponzi Accusations - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is accusing the men who bought bankrupt chains RadioShack, Modell's Sporting Goods, and Pier 1 Imports of running a Ponzi scheme that duped investors out of tens of millions of dollars. - A complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday, alleges the co-founders of Miami-based Retail Ecommerce Ventures, Alex Mehr and Tai Lopez, together with the company's Chief Operating Officer Maya Burkenroad, raised approximately $112 million combined from hundreds of U.S. investors by selling investments in eight companies they created and controlled under Retail Ecommerce Ventures. - Between April 2020 through Nov. 2022, they raised money by selling two types of investments. They sold unsecured notes that promised returns of up to 25% a year, and ownership shares that offered monthly payouts as high as 2%, according to the complaint.| - To pay interest, dividends and maturing note payments, Mehr and Lopez resorted to using a combination of loans from outside lenders, merchant cash advances, money raised from new and existing investors,
Get this show Ad Free at https://tmgstudios.tv COME SEE ME LIVE: https://www.noelmillerlive.com/ This week on Company Lot I discuss the insanity that is Tai Lopez's $112 million RadioShack Ponzi scheme. Plus I leave the lot for a special interview with someone who has been tied up in more than one Ponzi scheme in their lifetime. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://SHOPIFY.COM/companylot New players get FIVE HUNDRED SPINS on Huff N' More Puff over TEN DAYS. Download the app, use code COMPANY, and claim your Spins after your first five dollar wager. Get in the game with DraftKings Casino—home of the largest jackpot win in online casino history. Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/NOEL10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount LISTEN AND REVIEW ON APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-lot/id1751363101 LISTEN AND REVIEW ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6MiOW2rMsgpsp0Vgnl08JB?si=885953cc2c074973 MERCH: https://millerfpo.com SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/NoelMillerSub MY TOP VIDEOS: https://bit.ly/NoelMillerTopVideos MY SECOND CHANNEL: https://bit.ly/NoelMillerLive PODCAST: https://tmgstudios.tv INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thenoelmiller TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/thenoelmiller TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@notnoelmiller TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/noelmiller BUSINESS: mahzad.ba bayan@unitedtalent.com Produced by TMG Studios and Noel Miller Thumbnail by @dvdaltizer Chapters: 00:00 tai lopez is cooked 07:29 Shopify 09:03 the facts of the case 19:02 SeatGeek 20:00 a ponzi scheme victim 29:43 DraftKings 31:14 scheming the scheme 35:55 tai's prison sentence 38:48 thanks for tuning in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AI giants are playing financial games that look a lot like Ponzi schemes—circular deals, debt, and hype-fueled valuations. Meanwhile, critics call Bitcoin treasuries the same thing. Which bubble bursts first? In this video, we break down the AI debt spiral, Bitcoin's misunderstood value, and why the future comes down to which story you believe.SPONSORS✅ Lednhttps://learn.ledn.io/simplySimply Bitcoin clients get 0.25% off their first loanNeed liquidity without selling your Bitcoin? Ledn has been the trusted Bitcoin-backed lending platform for 6+ years. Access your BTC's value while HODLing.
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture France and the other EU countries are in downward economic spiral. Trump is having the globalist system rip itself apart. The US has all the leverage and Trump evening out the trade playing field is destroying the globalist system. Leverage is what is all about. The [DS] is now preparing to attack the US from within and from outside of the country. The [DS] is ramping up their antifa, criminal and illegal troops. Trump knows the playbook. Trump has sent a clear message today to the enemy and to the soldiers of this country. To the enemies we stand ready united and strong, to the soldiers, remember your oath, you will be fighting the enemy from within. The military is the only way. Prepare and get ready. Economy France On The Brink: Debt Spiral And Political Paralysis France remains paralyzed even after its latest government reshuffle. Time is running out to consolidate public finances before bond markets turn against Paris. The office of Prime Minister has become a revolving door. In just three years, President Emmanuel Macron has burned through five governments without visible results. The country is trapped in political shock, a deadlock in parliament that appears unbreakable. France buys social peace with ever-larger sums of borrowed money. The strategy leaves deep holes in the public accounts and barely hides the fractures of a fragmented society, where class conflict grows more aggressive and Islamist subcultures flourish. With new borrowing at 5.6% of GDP this year and total debt at 114%, France faces the classic Ponzi dilemma: once old debt can no longer be rolled into new issuance, the entire system collapses. Markets Focus on Assets, Not Just Debt Ratios Markets Are Already Signaling Trouble Whether Lecornu can deliver politically is doubtful. Bond markets are already voting. French 10-year yields, negative as recently as 2020, now hover around 3.57%, the highest in a decade. Spreads against German Bunds have blown out to 75–80 basis points from under 30 just a few years ago. Investors see mounting risk in French paper, a reflection of fiscal chaos and political paralysis. Source: zerohedge.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1972750964307472871 https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1972681814297755702 Political/Rights https://twitter.com/TheKevinDalton/status/1972809676032258108 Super Bowl Boycott Backlash Grows After NFL Taps Anti-Trump Pop Star Bad Bunny for Halftime Show The NFL is facing growing boycott calls after announcing its decision to tap anti-Trump pop megastar Bad Bunny as the headliner for next year's Super Bowl halftime show. Social media erupted this week when the Puerto Rican rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was announced as the main attraction for Super Bowl LX coming up next February. Photos began circulating showing the singer dressed in a pink mini skirt and high heels and another in a voluminous white dress as football fans blasted the NFL for once again not understanding their own audience. Now a boycott is warming on social media as fans express outrage over the NFL's tone deaf entertainment pick.
In this episode of What's New With ME, host Ali Mehdaoui connects the dots across continents with satire, empathy, and unfiltered facts:
Sebastian Maniscalco & Meadow Soprano Talk Ponzi Schemes?! Tribeca Red CarpetWhat happens when comedy legend Sebastian Maniscalco and Sopranos icon Jamie-Lynn Sigler (aka Meadow Soprano) hit the red carpet with Harlan Friedman & Donna Drake at the Tribeca Film Festival?From the Easy Money podcast premiere, Sebastian brings the laughs about Italians, trust, and Ponzi schemes… while Jamie-Lynn drops heartfelt insight on the Sopranos 25th anniversary and why the show still connects with new generations.This one's part comedy, part nostalgia, and all New York vibes.
Dave discusses the recent SEC allegations against Tai Lopez, who is accused of running a Ponzi scheme through his acquisition of legacy retail brands. He dives into the details of the accusations, the flaws in Lopez's business model, and comparisons to other entrepreneurs like Alex Hormozi. What happens to Tai Lopez now? Will he go to jail? Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard. Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today. Tai Lopez is one of the biggest "entrepreneur turned influencers" in the industry, with 2.5 million subscribers on Youtube, 3 million on Instagram, and 1.1 million on Tiktok. The SEC has come forward with allegations against Tai Lopez and his business partner, Alex Mehr, for running a $112 Million Ponzi Scheme and defrauding their investors. A Ponzi Scheme, by definition, is a "form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors." That means that Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr are allegedly misallocating funds to provide an illusion of great profit margins, leading to more investors buying in on their alleged "success" when they were just using that money to pay their first few investors. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Tai Lopez's Controversy 03:01 - Allegations of a Ponzi Scheme 05:47 - Business Model Flaws and Comparisons 08:56 - Public Perception and Future Implications As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!
Skippy and Doogles wade into the deep end of financial nonsense — and it's murkier than ever. From First Brands and their spark plug shell game to RadioShack's straight-up Ponzi scheme, they dissect why scams are the market's current business model. Then it's on to a comment about Oracle's $300B AI pre-order, Jane Street's billion-dollar options arbitrage in India, and why private equity firms are drooling over your retirement account.Join the Skippy and Doogles fan club. You can also get more details about the show at skippydoogles.com, show notes on our Substack, and send comments or questions to skippydoogles@gmail.com.
On this episode, Dustin preaches on the televangelist/religious grifter, Peter Popoff. Then, Whitney breaks down the Natalie Cochran case, and the Ponzi scheme that ultimately led to her demise.As always, our humor is not suitable for most people. Enjoy!
The guys discuss Nvidia’s $100b OpenAI ‘Investment’, Canva’s Profitability Conundrum, ASIC hammers Latrobe and signals trouble for private credit, the guys argue about the Stubhub IPO, Adir’s Airline troubles and has Australia become the red tape mecca of the world. Thanks for listening! Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contrarians-with-adam-and-adir-podcast Subscribe on YouTube for all our video content: https://https://www.youtube.com/@ContrariansPodcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contrarianspod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@contrarianspodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Let's face it, the United States is fiscally in a disaster. How many years has it been since Congress has passed any budget at all, much less a balanced one? Once again, we have the annual game of chicken, donkeys, and elephants about passing spending legislation or shutting down the government. Meanwhile, the embezzlement Ponzi scheme known as...
This is our weekly market update where we start in the US, cross to Europe and Asia, and end in Australia, covering commodities and crypto along the way. As artificial intelligence stocks such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Alphabet push higher and higher, and even tech laggards such as Oracle and Intel suddenly catch … Continue reading "Close To Full Ponzi? Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere; But Will They Pop Or Not?"
The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Let's face it, the United States is fiscally in a disaster. How many years has it been since Congress has passed any budget at all, much less a balanced one? Once again, we have the annual game of chicken, donkeys, and elephants about passing spending legislation or shutting down the government. Meanwhile, the embezzlement Ponzi scheme known as...
Grumpy Old Geeks is back with another round of righteous griping and eyebrow-raising headlines in Episode 715: Our Wizard Lies. We kick things off in FOLLOW UP, where TikTok is still the geopolitical hot potato that both the U.S. and China promise to sort out “someday, maybe,” while Wired's global editorial director explains how tech's growing political clout is playing out under Trump. From there, it's a cavalcade of absurdities: DOGE as federal workforce demolition derby, and crypto bros trying to turn Charlie Kirk's death into meme-stock retirement plans. Late-stage capitalism is nothing if not creative.Then in IN THE NEWS, Amazon gets spanked with a $2.5 billion fine for Prime trickery, Microsoft yanks cloud services from an Israeli military unit, and Palantir goes full lifestyle brand—yes, you too can cosplay as a drone strike enthusiast with a $99 pair of gym shorts. Silicon Valley philosophers warn AI regulation would literally summon the Antichrist, while banks whisper the bubble might pop before the devil even arrives. Meanwhile, YouTube toys with letting COVID and election denialists back into the algorithm, “SIM farms” threaten New York's cell networks, and unlucky tourists are finding themselves trafficked into cyber-scam slavery across Southeast Asia. Progress!MEDIA CANDY tries to lighten the mood—sort of—serving up everything from Elio, Tron: Ares, and Disney price hikes to AI musicians cashing million-dollar checks. Lionsgate, on the other hand, learns you can't feed four John Wicks into an algorithm and get an anime out the other side. Over in THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE, we get furries on the DC Metro, Disney plotting your every park step via Ray-Ban spy glasses, a Ponzi scheme in RadioShack cosplay, and even a Jim Henson Company anniversary auction. We close out with shout-outs and sighs, because sometimes the world doesn't deserve a mic drop—just a slow shake of the head.Sponsors:Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/715FOLLOW UPUS and China agree to agree on a TikTok dealWIRED global editorial director on tech's growing political power under TrumpThe Story of DOGE, as Told by Federal WorkersCrypto Bros Are Trying to Monetize Charlie Kirk's DeathIN THE NEWSAmazon to pay $2.5 billion for allegedly duping millions to sign up for PrimeMicrosoft cuts off cloud services to Israeli military unit after report of storing Palestinians' phone callsPalantir Wants to Be a Lifestyle BrandSilicon Valley's latest argument against regulating AI: that would literally be the AntichristAI Experts Urgently Call on Governments to Think About Maybe Doing Something‘Workslop': AI-Generated Work Content Is Slowing Everything DownDeutsche Bank Issues Grim Warning for AI IndustryYouTube may reinstate channels banned for spreading covid and election misinformation‘SIM Farms' Are a Spam Plague. A Giant One in New York Threatened US Infrastructure, Feds SayThey traveled to Thailand. They wound up cyber scam slaves in Myanmar.MEDIA CANDYElioSupermanHuman: OriginsHuman: JourneysAlien: EarthThe Traitors IrelandDisney is raising the price of Disney+, Hulu subscriptions next monthWicked: For Good | Final TrailerLilith Faire: Building a MysteryTron: AresAI Artist Signs Million-Dollar Record DealLionsgate Is Finding Out It's Really Hard to Make Movies With AIJimmy Kimmel May Be Back. Trump's Attacks on the First Amendment Aren't Over By Merrill MarkoeJimmy Kimmel is Back!THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingDisney Explores Using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses To Guide Guests Around Its ParksThe Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of DisneylandThe Mandalorian and Grogu | Official Trailer | In Theaters May 22, 2026The Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary AuctionFeds Say Company That Bought RadioShack Was Running $112 Million Ponzi SchemeFurries ride the DC MetroSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ What if 90% of entrepreneurs are doomed to fail in 2025... but you could beat the odds? In this explosive episode of Dropping Bombs, I sit down with Ryan Pineda—ex–pro baseball player turned real estate mogul, investor, and digital disruptor—who went from broke rookie to building multiple 7- and 8-figure companies before age 35. Ryan doesn't sugarcoat it: talent won't save you, hustle alone won't scale you, and why most people stay broke. From flipping hundreds of homes and launching a 200-agent brokerage to building Wealthy Investor and his newest play, Mastermind 19, Ryan's blueprint is simple—stack recurring income, leverage brand, and make your money work harder than you do. He even drops bombs on why YouTube golf may mint more millionaires than the PGA Tour—and how faith, free will, and discipline are the ultimate edge in business and life. Ryan also drops truth bombs on Tai Lopez's alleged Ponzi scheme involving bankrupt businesses—discussing investor risks, accountability, and why due diligence is key in a rigged economy. This isn't motivation—it's a wake-up call. If you're tired of watching others win while you grind in circles, Ryan's story proves you don't need a league, a lottery ticket, or luck. You need the right playbook—and the balls to run it.
Rover finally went to the dermatologist. "Excuse me?!" Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories. Two sisters have set up a GoFundMe for their legal fees after they vandalized a Charlie Kirk memorial. Charlie Kirk's favorite Starbucks drink. Does Rover know what time it is? Only one can at a time. The Devil's disease. Rumors that William Shatner was hospitalized. Who is crazier Hilaria Baldwin or Ben Affleck's daughter? The rapture did not happen like predicted. Rover is keeping an open mind about God. Charlie Sheen documentary. Jim Florentine believes straight men don't get AIDS. Quiet time surcharge. RadioShack and Pier 1 imports are accused of a $112 million dollar Ponzi scheme. What happened to Duji's cat? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quiet time surcharge. RadioShack and Pier 1 imports are accused of a $112 million dollar Ponzi scheme. What happened to Duji's cat? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rover finally went to the dermatologist. "Excuse me?!" Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories. Two sisters have set up a GoFundMe for their legal fees after they vandalized a Charlie Kirk memorial. Charlie Kirk's favorite Starbucks drink. Does Rover know what time it is? Only one can at a time. The Devil's disease. Rumors that William Shatner was hospitalized. Who is crazier Hilaria Baldwin or Ben Affleck's daughter? The rapture did not happen like predicted. Rover is keeping an open mind about God. Charlie Sheen documentary. Jim Florentine believes straight men don't get AIDS. Quiet time surcharge. RadioShack and Pier 1 imports are accused of a $112 million dollar Ponzi scheme. What happened to Duji's cat?
Quiet time surcharge. RadioShack and Pier 1 imports are accused of a $112 million dollar Ponzi scheme. What happened to Duji's cat?
Today we tackle two Georgia stories: the Cop City RICO case & the First Liberty alleged Ponzi scheme. Both of these are perfect demonstrations of the lack of effectiveness of government to actually perform it's true duties.Brian Allen of Liberty Watch joins the show to discuss.Official Podcast of the Libertarian Party of Georgia, airing Mondays @ 8PM EasternA weekly podcast hosted by Jake Green & Cat Hartley that focuses on the state of Georgia. From politics, to news, to business, to culture, Jake, Cat, and their guests highlight stories from around the state to shed light on little-known issues, small businesses, and the fight for freedom.The video version of this podcast can be found on YouTube, RUMBLE, Twitter, Facebook, & Spotify.Subscribe on RUMBLE before our YouTube channel gets removed!Get Your Annual LPGeorgia Membership or, if you're afraid of commitment… Get Your Monthly LPGeorgia MembershipYou can also DONATE TO THE CAUSE AND THIS SHOWBrought to you by The Libertarian Party of GeorgiaWebsite // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // Rumble // YouTube // TikTokProduced by Peaceful Sea Productions Website // Twitter // Facebook // Rumble // YouTube
James takes viewers behind the curtain of the insurance profit machine. Discusses a very public fight on linked in and shows investors how they can avoid the insurance Ponzi Scheme.
A candid hour on consumer self-defense. We open with iOS 26's unknown-caller screening and a New York Times crime reporter nearly duped by a “Chase Bank” spoof—lesson: don't trust caller ID, don't transact with inbound callers, verify via the number on your card or the bank app, and remember spoofed numbers make simple blocking imperfect. Listeners jump in: a Rule of 55 correction (not 72(t)/72(q)), plus a sharp TSP/Roth asset-location play—keep core market cap in TSP, use Roth for small-value tilt (e.g., AVUV). Then the consumer beat: Florida HVAC sticker shock and why three bids matter. Scam watch flags Smart Lab International's “AI” sports-betting/trading scheme and crypto funding as Ponzi-ish red-flags. We close on the fiduciary fog—why “certified fiduciary” labels can hide annuity sales—and reject structured notes/buffer ETFs in favor of a simple, low-cost balanced portfolio that matches risk to need. 1:07 New iPhone feature screens unknown callers 1:58 Scam calls and “scam du jour” routine 3:05 NYT crime reporter nearly falls for Chase/Zelle spoofing scam 6:23 Why scams work when people let their guard down 7:00 Don't trust caller ID, best practices for bank contacts 8:24 Zelle vs. Venmo debate and practical use cases 9:34 Caller correction on Rule 55 vs. 72Q/72T 10:58 Listener Brian on TSP allocation and AVUV tilt 13:07 Tom's buffer/puffer joke flop 13:44 Advice on blocking spoofed numbers and safer verification 15:00 Segue into consumer issues beyond investing 16:06 History of Florida's heat and AC dependency 16:43 Air conditioning repair and wild $11k vs. $4.7k quotes 19:22 Tom's ongoing heat pump saga 21:10 Bob Cratchit fireplace joke 21:14 Listener Q&A from Nibley, Utah about Smart Lab “AI trading” scheme 24:28 What Smart Lab claims to do (AI sports betting + trading) 26:23 Company origins in Malta, Seychelles, now Ho Chi Minh City 27:57 Ponzi-like structure and risks with crypto-based platforms 29:16 Closing advice: don't nibble on Smart Lab 29:27 Caller John on fiduciary standards and insurance sales 32:28 Exposure of “Certified Financial Fiduciary” designations and insurance sales tactics 34:46 Caller Rajiv on structured notes vs. buffer ETFs 36:02 Simplicity of balanced portfolios over complex gimmicks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bob Moriarty believes a worldwide revolution has begun and he implores you to focus on the real root cause of rising civil unrest and expanding global conflict: the fiat Ponzi experiment we have all been living under since Richard Nixon removed gold from backing the dollar in 1971. Bob argues that since then, the global economy has been fundamentally broken and governments have racked up unprecedented debt and printed insane amounts of money, a game that has enriched the top 1%, while the rest of us get the short end of the stick.Get Your Commodity Culture Merch: https://commodity-culture-shop.fourthwall.com321Gold: https://321gold.comBuy Bob's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01A9I4TJUFollow Jesse Day on X: https://x.com/jessebdayCommodity Culture on Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/CommodityCulture
Relebogile speaks to Lerato Mlambo, Product Manager of Luno, to discuss the alarming rise of cryptocurrency scams in South Africa. These scams range from fake exchanges and Ponzi schemes to phishing attacks and impersonation scams, targeting unsuspecting users and resulting in significant financial losses. 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja is broadcast live on Johannesburg based talk radio station 702 every weekday afternoon. Relebogile brings a lighter touch to some of the issues of the day as well as a mix of lifestyle topics and a peak into the worlds of entertainment and leisure. Thank you for listening to a 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja podcast. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00 (SA Time) to Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/2qKsEfu or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/DTykncj Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured The oldest Gen Xers are hitting 60—and their fears about retirement are real. Markowski revisits a warning he gave 30 years ago: don't count on Social Security. From bad personal finance choices (like cashing out 401(k)s) to Washington's endless promises, Gen X is stuck in the middle—too young to retire, too old to trust the system. With debates over raising the cap, extending the retirement age, and whether Social Security is just a Ponzi scheme with federal branding, this episode breaks down what's ahead for the 65 million Americans in Generation X—and why “DIY retirement” may be the only option.
Angelo Ponzi, a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the challenges of brand differentiation in the crowded managed services provider (MSP) and IT services market. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from company-centric messaging, which often leads to a homogenized market where all providers sound the same. Instead, he advocates for a customer-centric approach that focuses on solving specific problems and addressing pain points, thereby creating a unique value proposition that resonates with potential clients.Ponzi introduces the VRIO framework, which assesses whether a service is valuable, rare, and difficult to imitate. This framework helps businesses identify their competitive advantages and differentiate themselves from competitors. He also highlights the significance of understanding the market and conducting research, which can be as simple as interviewing current customers to gain insights into how they perceive the brand and its offerings. This understanding is crucial for crafting relevant messaging that can effectively attract new clients.The conversation also touches on the balance between long-term brand building and immediate revenue generation. Ponzi suggests that companies should have a clear and consistent message that aligns with their brand pillars. This consistency helps build a strong reputation over time, which is essential for attracting and retaining customers. He stresses the need for businesses to understand their identity and the problems they solve, rather than just focusing on their history or longevity in the market.Finally, Ponzi addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on marketing strategies. He notes that while AI is transforming the industry, many businesses are still grappling with how to effectively utilize it. The conversation concludes with Ponzi encouraging companies to leverage their unique strengths and relationships to stand out in a competitive landscape, ultimately driving growth and success. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We continue unpacking the NATpaper with Part 2 — diving deep into why $NAT has evolved from a novel idea to a structural necessity for Bitcoin's long-term sustainability. With @SpiderPool_com, one of Bitcoin's largest mining pools, officially integrating @natgmi rewards, we're witnessing the early stages of an alternate security model being adopted at scale. We explore the fundamental question: can Bitcoin survive as a global monetary system without rethinking its incentive structure? From dissecting Michael Saylor's shifting perspective to drawing parallels between @blockbuster collapse and Bitcoin's resistance to innovation, we lay out the full picture of what's at stake. This isn't just about NAT anymore — it's about whether Bitcoin remains decentralized or becomes a Ponzi for sovereign nations. We explain how NAT enables a second subsidy, how it ties directly to miner activity via the bits field, and why DMT opens the door to Bitcoin-aligned utility across other chains. If you're a miner, developer, or policymaker — this is your blueprint for how Bitcoin can evolve without compromising its core ethos. This is NATstoppable. Let's build forward. Topics: First up, Spiderpool becomes the first major Bitcoin miner to integrate NAT rewards, signaling real adoption of a second subsidy. Next, the team breaks down the deeper implications of this move — questioning Bitcoin's long-term sustainability and the flawed assumption that price alone will secure the network. Then, revisiting Michael Saylor's evolving stance on protocol changes and contrast it with the Knots vs Core debate, raising the alarm on complacency in Bitcoin. And finally, outlining how NAT and DMT unlock a minimally invasive model for decentralized apps to return value to Bitcoin—without parasitically draining it. Please like and subscribe on your favorite podcasting app! Sign up for a free newsletter: www.theblockrunner.com Follow us on: Youtube: https://bit.ly/TBlkRnnrYouTube Twitter: bit.ly/TBR-Twitter Telegram: bit.ly/TBR-Telegram Discord: bit.ly/TBR-Discord
You can now buy Grass-fed beef, raw milk, raw honey and farm eggs for Bitcoin direct from a farm in the UK! $ BTC 115,727 Block Height 915,133 Today's guest on the show is farmer Jon Cooke, who joins me to discuss his journey as a farmer into the world of real food, health, and Bitcoin. Discover how Jon tried to leave the family farm to chase an office career, only to be pulled back out of the cubicle and into the fields again. How did he fall for a worm farm Ponzi and how did he manage to turn it around? Who introduced him to Bitcoin and why was he so open to accepting it as a form of payment for his products? A huge thank you, Jon, for coming on the show to share his knowledge, if you want to learn more about him and his farm, please hit the link below. https://www.dorasdairy.co.uk/ Check out my book ‘Choose Life' - https://bitcoinbook.shop/search?q=prince ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements: Join 17 thousand Bitcoiners on @orangepillapp https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pod via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m The Bitcoin And Show: https://www.bitcoinandshow.com/ https://fountain.fm/show/eK5XaSb3UaLRavU3lYrI Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025: BSE - BTC - BURY ST EDMUNDS - ENGLAND - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2025. https://www.bsebtc.co.uk/events/bse-bitcoin-sovereignty-economics/ BULGARIA - SOFIA - 18th - 19th October 2025 https://www.btcbalkans.com/ USE CODE BITTEN - 10% BITFEST - MANCHESTER - ENGLAND - 21st - 23rd November 2025. https://bitfest.uk/ PAY WITH FLASH. Accept Bitcoin on your website or platform with no-code and low-code integrations. https://paywithflash.com/ RELAI - STACK SATS - www.relai.me/Bitten Use Code BITTEN SWAN BITCOIN - www.swan.com/bitten BITBOX - SELF CUSTODY YOUR BITCOIN - www.bitbox.swiss/bitten Use Code BITTEN BUBBL - Curate your Podcast listening. https://bubbl.fm?via=Bitten Never miss another life-changing Bitcoin story! AURA by Bubbl.fm monitors thousands of podcasts 24/7 to find every conversation about Bitcoin adoption, investment strategies, and real-world success stories—delivering only the moments that matter. Set your topics (Bitcoin for families, inflation hedging, self-custody, Lightning Network, regulatory updates) and let AURA surface insights from Bitcoiners and experts you haven't even discovered yet. You'll find shows like Once Bitten, with our branded search portal, full transcripts, with easy to clip and share tools. Transform 10,000 hours of Bitcoin content into 10 minutes of relevant insights. ZAPRITE - https://zaprite.com/bitten - Invoicing and accounting for Bitcoiners - Save $40 KONSENSUS NETWORK - Buy bitcoin books in different languages. Use code BITTEN for 10% discount - https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=bitten SEEDOR STEEL PLATE BACK-UP - @seedor_io use the code BITTEN for a 5% discount. www.seedor.io/BITTEN SATSBACK - Shop online and earn back sats! https://satsback.com/register/5AxjyPRZV8PNJGlM HEATBIT - Home Bitcoin mining - https://www.heatbit.com/?ref=DANIELPRINCE - Use code BITTEN. CRYPTOTAG STEEL PLATE BACK-UP https://cryptotag.io - USE CODE BITTEN for 10% discount. PLEBEIAN MARKET - BUY AND SELL STUFF FOR SATS; https://plebeian.market/ @PlebeianMarket
This week, our hosts Dave Bittner, Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with a scam warning from Michal, who is sharing the latest conference scam. Dave's got the story of a retired federal investigator who mapped out the “Scammer Psychological Kill Chain” and shared rules to help you spot and break it. Maria has the story of job scams surging over 1,000% in 2025, as scammers exploit a slowing labor market and desperate jobseekers with fake offers, texts, and bogus recruiter schemes. Joe follows the story on a $4 million forex scam where two men promised safe, high returns but instead ran a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 20 investors before landing in federal prison. Our catch of the day comes from listener Shannon who writes in to share a message from "Amazon" about a recall notice. Resources and links to stories: Job Scams Surge 1,000% As Americans Struggle to Find Work Forex Account: What It Means and How It Works Ex-NYPD Cop Gets 36 Months In $4M Forex Scam That Duped 20 Investors: Feds Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
MrBeast thinks he can tank a punch from Mike Tyson (brain cells not included). Kawhi Leonard's knees suddenly healed after a mystery deposit hit his account. Tyreek Hill's divorce reads like a rejected Lifetime script. Emmitt Smith accidentally wandered into a Ponzi scheme. The Detroit Tigers are running a full-blown HR horror show. And our Biggest Pickle? Former Bruin Eric Nickulas, who tried to meet up with a “16-year-old” and instead got catfished by a cop with a badge and a burner phone.It's sports, scandal, and stupidity—served with extra pickles.
Abdel is a Starkware engineer who, over the last 7 years, went from building EIP 1559 on Ethereum to becoming a Bitcoin maximalist who wants ZK STARKs to happen. In this episode, we talk about his journey & some of Bitcoin's cultural issues. Time stamps: 00:00:59 - Sponsors: Sideshift, Citrea, Bitcoin.com News, LayerTwo Labs, NoOnes.com 00:01:38 - Abdel's unique journey: From Ethereum core dev at ConsenSys to Bitcoin maximalism 00:02:17 - Early Bitcoin curiosity (2011-2012) vs Ethereum's "world computer" appeal 00:03:51 - Fintech background: Working for banks before fighting them 00:04:31 - Always a Bitcoin + Ethereum maxi: Building unstoppable systems 00:06:07 - North Star vs "Nostr": Unstoppable vs compromised systems 00:06:23 - Fintech to DeFi? Payments focus, not advanced trading 00:07:29 - First Ethereum contributions: Smart contracts 00:09:09 - Deep dive: Championing EIP-1559 (fee burn, ultrasound money) 00:11:03 - EIP-1559's governance risks: Changing monetary policy on the fly 00:11:16 - Ethereum's slippery slopes: DAO hard fork to fee burns 00:12:12 - Ethereum as anti-Bitcoin experiment: From colored coins to rollups 00:13:48 - Ethereum Classic hopes; market follows narratives, not fixed supply 00:14:28 - EIP-1559 process: 2+ years of debate vs Bitcoin's immutability 00:15:59 - Boiling frog with Vitalik: Accumulating compromises (trusted setups) 00:18:28 - Ethereum precedents: Premine, PoS migration, rushed upgrades 00:19:14 - Social layer strength: Protects core principles vs nation-states 00:19:41 - Non-tech users in governance: Better than dev-only control 00:22:32 - Educating the social layer: Privacy warnings in Bitcoin tools 00:24:26 - Risks: Bitcoin (tech obsolescence) vs Ethereum (social dilution) 00:26:49 - Bitcoin meetups: Ideology & tech vs Ethereum's builder focus 00:28:00 - Shocking anti-Bitcoin sentiment from Ethereum side 00:29:52 - PoW beauty: External entropy, fair distribution (not Ponzi) 00:31:44 - PoW vs PoS: Tolerating Ethereum's PoS for decentralization 00:34:20 - Bitcoin's privacy crisis: Needs scale + affordability 00:36:43 - Sponsor: Layer2 Labs (Drivechains for sidechains like Zcash fork) 00:38:02 - Sponsor: Citrea (ZK rollup on Bitcoin via BitVM2) 00:40:09 - Citrea drama: Unfair criticism amid filter wars 00:42:40 - Citrea vs Alpen: First-to-market wins (garbled circuits delay) 00:46:01 - Video game analogy: Duke Nukem Forever vs pragmatic launches 00:47:25 - Lesson from Ethereum: Optimistic rollups dominate despite ZK superiority 00:48:56 - Dev events vs mainstream: Bridging tech narratives to plebs 01:10:00 - Fragmentation in Bitcoin community, why plebs dismiss innovation 02:30:00 - Off-topic: Immigration in Europe (Romania/France parallels, economic pressures) 02:38:16 - Bitcoin as catalyst: Inflation from crises drives adoption 02:39:46 - Decentralization as development sign: Small-scale consensus 02:42:11 - New chains start centralized; trust incentives lacking in L2s 02:44:41 - Starkware as bridge to Bitcoin: Pre-existing interest 02:45:57 - Elevator pitch: STARK proofs for Bitcoin (open-source, battle-tested) 02:48:21 - Endgame: Verify STARKs on Bitcoin for programmability + privacy 02:49:52 - Meme magic: One STARK proof is smaller in size than a photo, costs less than a Big Mac, can be verified in a blink 02:52:29 - STARKs vs SNARKs: No trusted setup, quantum-secure, hash-based 02:54:31 - Experiments: Cashu with STARKs (private programmable e-cash) 02:58:37 - Nostr DVMS: Verifiable AI/services in permissionless marketplace 03:01:16 - Cashu origin story: Bar chat with Calle to Jack Dorsey endorsement 03:03:16 - Cashu honesty: Not scaling, but privacy bridge vs custodians 03:06:25 - Nihilism in Bitcoin: Mental gymnastics vs Ethereum's build-first ethos 03:07:48 - Permission culture: Asking nodes for ZK proofs/Lightning channels 03:08:27 - Event split: Dev confs (BTC++) vs narrative fests (BTC Prague) 03:10:29 - Why invest without understanding? Newbie wave acceleration 03:11:23 - Niche value: In-between content bridges extremes 03:13:48 - Who listens matters: Robin Linus' DM is more important than mass views 03:16:07 - Still early days: 16 years in, aim for 1B daily users 03:16:39 - Special word: "Grinta" (grit mindset) for full listeners 03:18:14 - Outro: Thanks & next: Shai on PoW improvements
Jeffrey Epstein was more than just the wealthy financier with a knack for elite connections—his ascent was shadowed by serious financial fraud. In the late 1980s, he was hired as a consultant at Towers Financial Corporation, a company run by his mentor Steven Hoffenberg. That firm turned out to be one of the largest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history, defrauding investors of over $450 million. Hoffenberg later claimed Epstein was “intimately involved,” even calling him the “architect” and “mastermind” behind complex schemes and manipulations, despite Epstein escaping legal charges. Those stolen funds allegedly served as seed capital for Epstein's later financial ventures—his own hedge fund, foundations, and private empire. That's not rumor—it's his legacy in plain sight.What's worse, Epstein's role wasn't ancillary. Court documents and Hoffenberg's testimony paint Epstein as a central player who helped design and scale the scheme using his network. He may have walked free, but make no mistake: his wealth, influence, and the veneer of legitimacy he built were built on the bones of investor ruin. It wasn't clean money; it was stolen. And those shadowy beginnings illuminate the true cost of his rise—not just in dollars lost, but in the destruction of trust, victims, and the systems he exploited so ruthlessly.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://radaronline.com/p/jeffrey-epstein-ponzi-scheme-money-book-dead-man-tell-no-tales/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Peace isn't just a feeling; it's a powerful tool for navigating life. It brings clarity by decluttering your mind, so you can see what's truly important and make better decisions.
Welcome to another powerful episode of the Building Your Money Machine Show! Today, I'm bringing you a replay of a live session that hit so hard, it blew up my inbox with requests. So, you asked—I delivered. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the “right” things—holding down a good job, maybe even bought the house and putting money away—yet you still can't seem to get ahead, you're not alone. That's the middle class trap, and I'm tearing it apart in this episode.I'm diving into why the old play-it-safe model simply doesn't cut it in today's world, and I'll unpack the three critical shifts you need to make to break free. I'll also walk you through how to figure out your exact number for financial freedom (yep, I've got a free calculator—grab it at melabraham.com/number).I've been at this money game for three decades—seen the market highs, the lows, and even lost a third of everything I owned to a Ponzi scheme. I'm sharing what will keep you stuck forever and how to avoid it, totally unfiltered, with a side of sarcasm and a whole lot of heart.IN TODAY'S EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why the “middle class trap” is more real than everHow the current system trains us to trade time for money, avoid risk, and trust institutions that no longer serve usThe three essential shifts if you want OUT of the trapThe truth about cash flow, value creation, and why it's never too late to make new choicesHow shifting your mindset moves you from consumer to investor, from earnings treadmill to freedomWhy you're only ever one decision—one small shift—away from momentum and a new financial trajectoryRECOMMENDED EPISODES FOR YOUIf you liked this episode, click here to enjoy these and more:https://melabraham.com/show/What Everyone Gets Wrong About FIREIf You Don't Understand Bonds, You Don't Understand Money7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Retired8 Signs You're NOT Ready For The Upcoming Recession40 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew in My 40sRECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU If you liked this video, you'll love these ones:What Everyone Gets Wrong About FIRE: https://youtu.be/OyvPksxNMqoIf You Don't Understand Bonds, You Don't Understand Money: https://youtu.be/7d9Lz0D0uzA7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Retired: https://youtu.be/t5DL9bZYRiw8 Signs You're NOT Ready For The Upcoming Recession: https://youtu.be/Spnhr_Ecd0sORDER MY NEW USA TODAY BESTSELLING BOOK:Building Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder For You Than You Did For It!The key to building the life you desire and deserve is to build your Money Machine—a powerful system designed to generate income that's no longer tied to your work or efforts. This step-by-step guide goes beyond the general idea of personal finance and wealth creation and reveals the holistic approach to transforming your relationship with money to allow you to enjoy financial freedom and peace of mind.Part money philosophy, part money mindset, part strategy, and part tactical action, these powerful frameworks will show you how to build your money machine.When you do you'll also get over $1100 in wealth resources & bonuses for FREE! TAKE THE FINANCIAL FREEDOM QUIZ:Take this free quiz to see where you are on the path to financial freedom and what your next steps are to move you to a new financial destiny at http://www.YourFinancialFreedomQuiz.com
A well-known Southern California real estate operator is facing federal charges. Marco Giovanni Santarelli, founder of Norada Capital Management, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding more than 500 investors out of $62.5 million through a Ponzi-style scheme. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what happened, how unsecured promissory notes can put investors at serious risk, and what you can do to protect yourself. You'll learn the difference between secured real estate investments and unsecured notes, why unrealistic double-digit monthly returns are a red flag, and three steps every investor should take to safeguard their capital. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS
How do you find your true calling when everything you thought you knew about yourself falls apart?Emmy-winning composer Gary Malkin shares his profound 14-year journey from Hollywood success to spiritual awakening. After losing millions in a Ponzi scheme, Gary spent over a decade “in the wilderness” before a moment of divine guidance revealed his true calling. He discovered the "Soul Song Process"—a transformative practice that helps people create healing mantras through music. Gary reveals how financial devastation became his greatest teacher. "The only truly effective working heart is a heart that's been broken," he explains. Now he uses music to crack open hearts and build authentic connections, believing that in our AI-dominated world, radical authenticity and vulnerability are our greatest competitive advantages. A powerful conversation about finding purpose through pain.Gary Malkin is a multiple Emmy Award-winning composer and transformational media innovator who uses music to awaken hearts and build bridges across cultures. After scoring over 100 films including the globally acclaimed Thrive documentaries, Gary transitioned from Hollywood to explore music's power in healing life transitions. He's the creator of the Soul Song Process and co-creator of Graceful Passages, reaching over a million people. Gary combines musical mastery with spiritual wisdom, helping individuals and organizations discover radical authenticity through sound. His mission centers on rehumanizing our world through music, vulnerability, and authentic connection.About The Show: The Life in Transition, hosted by Art Blanchford focuses on making the most of the changes we're given every week. Art has been through hundreds of transitions in his life. Many have been difficult, but all have led to a depth and richness he could never have imagined. On the podcast Art explores how to create more love and joy in life, no matter what transitions we go through. Art is married to his lifelong partner, a proud father of three and a long-time adventurer and global business executive. He is the founder and leader of the Midlife Transition Mastery Community. Learn more about the MLTM Community here: www.lifeintransition.onlineIn This Episode: (00:00) The Power of Broken Hearts, Gary Malkin(02:08) Life's Most Impactful Transition(08:00) Divine Intervention and Soul Songs(16:41) Music as Heart Medicine (25:36) MidLife Transition Mastery Ad (29:13) Grateful for the Glass(32:31) The Doing vs Being Balance(44:58) Men and Vulnerability(56:59) Transition Mastery Coaching Ad(1:04:57) Tools for Transition(1:17:30) Where to Connect with GaryLike, subscribe, and send us your comments and feedback.Resources:Social Media- Instagram: gmalkin (https://www.instagram.com/gmalkin/)- LinkedIn: Gary Malkin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/garymalkin/)- Facebook: Gary Malkin (https://www.facebook.com/gmalkin)- YouTube: Gary Malkin, Wisdom of the World (https://www.youtube.com/@wisdomoftheworld)Websites- Global Wisdom Foundation – GlobalWisdomFoundation.org- Unity in Community Experience – GlobalWisdomFoundation.org/UIC- Portals of Awe – PortalsofAwe.com/unity- Future Main Website (not yet published) – GaryMalkin.comEmail Art BlanchfordLife in Transition WebsiteLife in Transition on IGLife in Transition on FBJoin Our Community: https://www.lifeintransition.online/My new book PURPOSEFUL LIVING is out now. Order it now: https://www.amazon.com/PURPOSEFUL-LIVING-Wisdom-Coming-Complex/dp/1963913922Explore our website https://lifeintransitionpodcast.com/ for more in-depth information and resources, and to download the 8-step guide to mastering mid-life transitions.The views and opinions expressed on the Life In Transition podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Life In Transition Podcast, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.
Sign up for the Jason Hartman University Event this coming September https://www.jasonhartman.com/Phoenix . Also don't forget to register for our FREE Masterclass every second Wednesday of each month at https://jasonhartman.com/Wednesday In the introduction, Jason primarily focuses on two key topics: upcoming investment opportunities and a significant legal scandal. He first details an upcoming Phoenix event that will introduce attendees to methods for extracting home equity without affecting existing low-interest mortgages or incurring new monthly payments, and reveal a novel property investment type offering high monthly income relative to purchase price. Subsequently, he transitions to a scathing exposé of Marco Santorelli, a former competitor accused of defrauding investors of $62.5 million through a Ponzi scheme involving bogus promissory notes, with Jason using official government and news sources to highlight the severity of the charges and the devastating impact on victims. Jason then joins Gene Morris of Rebel Capitalist. He asserts that the market is currently experiencing minimal distress, despite ongoing debates about a housing deficit, which he estimates at 4.5 million homes. He argues that housing inventory remains exceptionally low when adjusted for population growth, comparing current levels to those of the 1990s and 2017 but with a significantly larger population. Jason critiques the S&P 500's real returns, claiming they are almost nonexistent when adjusted for inflation, which he believes is understated by the CPI. He advocates for real estate as a superior investment strategy due to its ability to leverage debt, with tenants covering costs and offering substantial returns, far outpacing inflation, especially in a "ludicrous mode" scenario of 15% appreciation. Jason concludes that real estate prices are unlikely to crash without a significant number of distressed homeowners and that even a slight decrease in mortgage rates could unlock millions of new buyers, further exacerbating the existing supply-demand imbalance. #HousingMarket #RealEstate #HousingDeficit #InventoryLevels #HousingAffordability #MortgageRates #PropertyAppreciation #IncomeProperty #LeverageInvesting #CashOnCashReturn #BeatInflation #StockMarketVsRealEstate #S&P500 #CPIUnderstated #RealVsNominal #FinancialEngineering #MarketDistress #RebelCapitalist #Doomers #InvestmentStrategy #DemandSupply #UnmetDemand #NewBuyers #RentalMarket #HousingShortage #LongTermInvesting #AssetClass #ShelterIsNecessary Key Takeaways: Jason's editorial 1:33 Sign up for the Jason Hartman University Event this coming September https://www.jasonhartman.com/Phoenix 2:02 A couple of big announcements 7:47 4 reasons to join the JHU event 9:37 Sponsor: https://www.monetary-metals.com/Hartman 10:09 The Marco Santarelli scandal Jason's interview with Gene Morris 15:45 Update on Housing inventory 17:23 S & P 500 versus Inflated Adjusted Returns 18:47 Power of leverage 20:59 September ICE mortgage monitor and delinquencies 21:54 An asteroid hitting the US, Consumer expectations and financial engineering Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class: Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com
Paul Moore of Wellings Capital shares lessons from losing millions, shifting into recession-resistant assets, and building a fund with 990+ investors.In this episode of RealDealChat, Jack sits down with Paul Moore, managing partner at Wellings Capital, to discuss his journey from engineering and entrepreneurship to becoming a respected commercial real estate fund manager.Paul shares the mistakes that took him from $1.5M in the bank to $2.5M in debt, and the key lessons that reshaped his investing philosophy. He breaks down why chasing shiny objects nearly destroyed his wealth, and why true success in real estate comes from focus, due diligence, and discipline.Key insights from this conversation include:The importance of avoiding risky floating rate debtWhy “it's different this time” is the biggest lie investors tell themselvesHow Wellings Capital vets 700+ deals a year and only invests in ~5The recession-resistant power of mobile home parks & self storageValue-add strategies that force appreciation in commercial real estateWhy busy professionals should consider passive investing over DIYTrends in multifamily, retail, and office space heading into 2025Wellings Capital's philanthropic mission to fight human trafficking
This week's show is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Public Opinion Research MIRS News
Tuur Demeester returns to discuss his new report on Bitcoin's 2025 outlook. He and Preston unpack institutional accumulation, custodial confiscation risks, the macroeconomic backdrop, and how Bitcoin's role is evolving amid growing global uncertainty. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 03:02 - Why the current market doesn't reflect a true speculative mania yet 04:11 - How institutions—not retail—are driving this bull cycle 05:38 - What the “hodler net position change” metric reveals about whale behavior 11:33 - How governments may quietly confiscate Bitcoin through custodians 22:41 - Why M2 money supply contraction exposes fiat's Ponzi-like structure 27:41 - Bitcoin's potential to replace gold as the global monetary anchor 33:01 - Why Wall Street's shallow engagement with Bitcoin's tech is concerning 35:00 - How Lightning Network could disrupt stablecoin platforms 39:03 - The growing convergence of AI, Bitcoin mining, and energy infrastructure 46:07 - Why Bitcoin could genuinely reduce global conflict long term Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES X Account: Tuur Demeester. Report: How To Position for the Bitcoin Boom by Tuur Demeester. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: SimpleMining HardBlock AnchorWatch Human Rights Foundation Vanta Unchained Onramp Netsuite Shopify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
When Jan Lewan escapes to the United States from Poland in the 1970s, he uses his musical talent to become a larger than life polka star and pursue the American dream. Fueled by his charm and charisma, he performs for presidents, gets nominated for a Grammy, and attracts a devoted following. But like any good showbiz story, there's a dark underbelly to Jan's world: he uses his fanbase to fuel a Ponzi scheme. But when his wife's pageant competition gets mired in a mysterious scandal, Jan's shady dealings come to light, and his career unravels in bitterness and tragedy. Until, that is, a legit Hollywood star steps in to give him an unlikely third act.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ever think, “If I just followed the playbook of the ultra-wealthy, I'd be set for life”? Turns out, that's exactly the kind of thinking that can lead you straight into the arms of a scammer. In this episode, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG break down the traps hidden inside the “invest like the 1%” mantra (and other similar phrases), complete with real-life cautionary tales, including a small-town Ponzi scheme that could've been ripped from a Netflix docuseries, and the spectacular belly flop of some YieldStreet real estate bets. But it's not all doom and gloom in the basement. You'll also get the scoop on a controversial proposal to let private equity sneak into your 401(k), practical tips for spotting shady pitches before they drain your wallet, and the reminder that a boring-but-solid financial plan beats a flashy scam every time. Plus, the guys field a listener question on long-term care insurance and unpack the often-overlooked basics of HSAs. Between headlines, trivia detours, and a dash of movie talk, this episode arms you with the street smarts to dodge the next “too good to be true” investment opportunity. It's a masterclass in protecting your money—without having to hide it under your mattress. The psychological tricks scammers use to lure in even savvy investors Why “invest like the 1%” can backfire for everyday Stackers How to evaluate alternative investments (and when to walk away) The risks and realities of adding private equity to retirement accounts Key questions to ask before buying long-term care insurance Why a strong, clear financial plan is your best defense against cons Questions to Ponder During Today's Show: Have you ever been tempted by an investment pitch that felt “exclusive”? Would you want private equity options inside your 401(k)? Why or why not? How do you decide whether an alternative investment is worth the risk? What's your personal “red flag” that makes you walk away from a deal? FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-avoid-common-rip-offs-1726 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Chelsea Devantez (The Problem with Jon Stewart) to discuss Inigo Philbrick, a young art dealer who took the fine arts world by storm with a few Ponzi schemes. Plus, an LA rapper who rapped about committing fraud has plead guilty! Stay Schemin'! (Originally Released 09/12/2022) CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG Follow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciChelsea Devantez: @chelseadevantez Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES:https://news.artnet.com/art-world/inigo-philbrick-intelligence-report-2020-1800972https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10819073/Made-Chelsea-star-led-lavish-life-Inigo-Philbrick-faces-years-jail.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/may/25/inigo-philbrick-jailed-art-fraudhttps://www.tatler.com/article/inigo-philbrick-art-dealer-arrested-vanuatu-south-pacific-art-fraudhttps://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-06/rapper-accused-of-fraud-agrees-to-plead-guilty-but-will-nuke-bizzles-career-fizzle Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scam Goddess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.