iilluminaughtii

Blair Zoń

Welcome to iilluminaughtii, the podcast that is all about debunking bad business. Whether it's a pyramid scheme or a charity stealing money, everything (and anything) business-related is on the table. Blair Zoń is ready to dig into the underbelly of the business world to find out where your money and time really goes. Subscribe now to make sure you don't miss any of episodes delivered fresh every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. read less

Our Editor's Take

Bad business practices have permeated many facets of everyday life. On the illuminaughtii podcast, Blair Zoń uncovers the nasty side of businesses. From unethical practices to outright theft, some of the best-known companies are guilty. Fans of Blair will be familiar with the video channel of the same name. The illuminaughtii podcast provides the same information in audio.

In around 30 minutes, every episode gives an overview of a problematic business. Fans of illuminaughtii enjoy Blair's witty and efficient delivery. Her calming voice creates an atmospheric and informative show. The podcast uses audio from the news and ambient music for a great listening experience.

Many podcast topics are controversial, such as the "No Child Left Behind" act of the early 2000s. Others are smaller but still fascinating, like the deceptive pricing on Airbnb. Many of Blair's topics are downright travesties. Iilluminaughtii examines MLMs, pyramid schemes, and bad business models. Dangerous products like Bang Energy and Four Loko are other interesting episode topics.

Listeners will discover some of the best-kept business secrets. The podcast is ideal for anyone interested in conspiracies, corruption, and crime. There are three types of episodes that Blair releases each week. On Multi-Level Mondays, Blair explores an exploitative MLM. Dark Dives presents a topic that will appeal to listeners with morbid curiosity. Corporate Casket unveils stories of the worst business practices.

Most podcast listeners will find something to love with illuminaughtii. Topics on the show range from political to social. The podcast can profile celebrities or entire governments. Blair's extensive research comes through in every episode. She brings an informed voice to every topic she covers. Podcast listeners will enjoy learning about the dismal side of business ethics. On iilluminaughtii, fans can listen to a new episode three times a week.

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Introducing iilluminaughtii

Introducing iilluminaughtii

Welcome to iilluminaughtii, the podcast that is all about debunking bad business. Whether it's a pyramid scheme or a charity stealing money, everything (and anything) business-related is on the table. Blair is ready to dig into the underbelly of the business world to find out where your money and time really goes. Subscribe now to make sure you don't miss any of episodes delivered fresh every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episodes

The Questionable Legalities of Sports Betting | Corporate Casket

The Questionable Legalities of Sports Betting | Corporate Casket

Get a 60-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/casket . Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Isn’t sports betting just illegal gambling? For a while, this was the case. But just a few years ago, sports betting was legalized and now, we’re starting to see the consequences of it. Today, we’ll look into the problems around the sports betting industry and see if this new form of entertainment and gambling is as safe as it claims. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/9fmj3 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lemongrass: A "Clean" Company With Dirty Secrets | Multi Level Mondays

Lemongrass: A "Clean" Company With Dirty Secrets | Multi Level Mondays

Go to http://shopify.com/multilevel to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Multi Level Mondays, a weekly series all about multi level marketing, pyramid schemes, and ponzi schemes. Lemongrass claims to be different, unique: they’re a clean, sustainable makeup line with an opportunity for women to make money. But we’ve heard these claims from MLMs before—many times. Typically, they’re too good to be true; Lemongrass may have ‘clean’ products, but are their tactics dirty? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/5qjkz Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Your Makeup Killing You? | Corporate Casket

Is Your Makeup Killing You? | Corporate Casket

Get a 30-day free trial at http://www.shipstation.com/casket . Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. It’s common knowledge at this point: makeup contains toxic chemicals. But how harmful are they really? Can the levels of harm do lasting, permanent damage, or are our beauty products as damaging as anything else we eat and consume? How do we know what to avoid and where to go from here? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/f7r32 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WakeUpNow was Put to Bed | Multi Level Mondays

WakeUpNow was Put to Bed | Multi Level Mondays

Go to http://mintmobile.com/mlm to cut your wireless bill to $15 a month. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Multi Level Mondays, a weekly series all about multi level marketing, pyramid schemes, and ponzi schemes. Wake Up Now seemed to sell everything, from energy drinks to finance aid. As an MLM, it may not be a surprise to learn that they were accused of being a pyramid scheme. However, the company itself has blamed their CEO for their failure—and their shut down. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/ds5rj Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Jenny Craig a Classic Scam? | Corporate Casket

Is Jenny Craig a Classic Scam? | Corporate Casket

Get a 30-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/casket. Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Jenny Craig, yet another dieting company has a long history of misleading advertising. Are their products effective at all? Have they really earned their place as a popular weight loss product? Or are they just shilling hope and even dangerous practices to people desperate to lose weight? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/awfpd Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monetizing Natural Disasters | Corporate Casket

Monetizing Natural Disasters | Corporate Casket

Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. When natural disasters strike, charitable people leap into action, giving what they can to those in need. But how do you know you’re giving to the right people? Not only are there scammers using natural disasters like Katrina and Hawaii’s wildfires as a cash cow, but there are those that effectively monetize tragedy to line their pockets. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/dfwl5 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cosmetic Surgery...for Dogs? | Corporate Casket

Cosmetic Surgery...for Dogs? | Corporate Casket

Go to http://mintmobile.com/casket to get 3 more months free when you buy any 3-month plan. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Plastic surgery for animals can be necessary; some dogs have been bred to genuinely need them. But what about cosmetic surgery? Is this ever appropriate? Why would a responsible pet owner put their animal at risk merely for looks? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/6rl8x Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Toxic Ozempic Trend | Corporate Casket

The Toxic Ozempic Trend | Corporate Casket

Go to http://mintmobile.com/casper to get 3 extra months free when you buy any 3-month Mint Mobile plan Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Ozempic, in recent years, has been touted as a miracle drug for weight loss. But not only is it far from a miracle, but it may lead to a lot of harm for those who use it. Today, we’re talking about the side effects of Ozempic, the shortage, and the pending litigation. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/20t3z Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nine Husbands and Nine Lives of Jill Coit | Dark Dives

The Nine Husbands and Nine Lives of Jill Coit | Dark Dives

Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Dark Dives, a new series where we explore the murky and devious depths of humanity. Jill Coit was married 11 times—her ninth husband was murdered. Despite no physical evidence connecting her to the crime, she was convicted of his death. How? Who is the woman behind the Black Widow Murders? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/5ogby Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Deal Dash Makes Money Off You | Corporate Casket

How Deal Dash Makes Money Off You | Corporate Casket

Get a 60-day free trial at https://www.shipstation.com/casket. Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. DealDash is the epitome of ‘if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.’ We all know that you can’t really get iPads and brand-new TVs for pennies, but then how is DealDash still around? And how do they make money? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/6pwp3 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Burgerim was overdone and oversold | Multi Level Mondays

Burgerim was overdone and oversold | Multi Level Mondays

Go to http://mintmobile.com/mlm to get 3 months free when you buy any 3-month Mint Mobile plan. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Multi Level Mondays, a weekly series all about multi level marketing, pyramid schemes, and ponzi schemes. Burgerim was supposed to be the latest, greatest, and healthiest in fast food chains. Unfortunately, not only did it fall short of expectations, but the franchisees that were eager for a new opportunity found themselves broke and in debt. Burgerim wasn't just difficult to operate, but destined to fail. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/ccp5s Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the Power of Persuasion? | Dark Dives

What is the Power of Persuasion? | Dark Dives

Go to http://uncommongoods.com/darkdives to get 15% off. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Dark Dives, a new series where we explore the murky and devious depths of humanity. Persuasion is a powerful tool; it monetizes our beliefs and effectively sells them to the highest bidder. But how does persuasion and brainwashing work across different industries? How is a cult different than politics or religion? How do the leaders in these fields persuade us to trust them? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/a1vc5 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell Brand: Comedian or Predator? | Corporate Casket

Go to http://mintmobile.com/casper to buy any 3-month Mint Mobile plan and get 3 more months free. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. From comedic genius to a figure embroiled in controversy, Russell Brand's story is anything but ordinary. We delve into his rise and fall, examining the allegations and his questionable political stances, revealing the man behind the public image. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/byh1j Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hospice Care Drains the Dying | Corporate Casket

Hospice Care Drains the Dying | Corporate Casket

Go to http://mintmobile.com/casket to get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, and get the plan shipped to your door for free. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Half of Americans, year on year, die in hospice care. When done right, this can be a way for patients to spend time with their loved ones and say goodbye on their own terms. When done wrong, this has become little more than end of life abuse. Whether you believe it’s a for-profit hustle or not, there’s no doubt that hospice as a system is broken. Is it too late to fix it? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/5k612 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Rednecks aren't boot lickers | Dark Dives

Real Rednecks aren't boot lickers | Dark Dives

Go to http://uncommongoods.com/darkdives to get 15% off. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Dark Dives, a new series where we explore the murky and devious depths of humanity. When you hear the term ‘redneck’, you probably think of a patriotic southerner. Maybe even a MAGA follower. But redneck used to mean something very different. In fact, you could even argue that it used to mean the complete opposite of what it means today. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/4jmdp Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Destroyed Florida, is the Country Next? | Corporate Casket

Ron Destroyed Florida, is the Country Next? | Corporate Casket

Go to http://shipstation.com and use code CASKET today and sign up for your free 60-day trial.Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring the show! Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Ron DeSantis has been seen as a younger Trump, but without the personal controversies. Is that true, or could he possibly be even worse? Ron’s actions have already had disturbing consequences in Florida, let’s discuss what may happen if he were in charge of the entire country. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/8gbee Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How MLMs Monetize Motivation | Multi Level Mondays

How MLMs Monetize Motivation | Multi Level Mondays

Go to http://mintmobile.com/mlm to get a phone plan starting as just $15 a month. Go to http://shopify.com/multilevel to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Multi Level Mondays, a weekly series all about multi level marketing, pyramid schemes, and ponzi schemes. You’ve definitely heard it before: those flowery ‘you can do it’ sentiments from MLMs that encourage distributors to keep trying. They may be hollow and meaningless, but people believe in them all too often. But why? As it turns out, those motivational tapes, books, and speakers are part of the scam itself. They keep MLMs alive more than you might realize. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/d45y9 Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sears Didn't Die, It was Murdered | Corporate Casket

Sears Didn't Die, It was Murdered | Corporate Casket

Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Sears was once one of the biggest names in retail, but they started to flounder until—a few years ago—they’re all but dead. What happened to them? Is this the result of all retail succumbing to online shopping, or is it deeper than that? In this story, the killer’s in the house. Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/4inur Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The OG Dracula: No Sparkles, Just Blood | Dark Dives

The OG Dracula: No Sparkles, Just Blood | Dark Dives

Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to Dark Dives, a new series where we explore the murky and devious depths of humanity. Vlad Dracula is seen as one of the most evil, sadistic men ever to walk the earth. If you think about it, he was only a teenager when he started his reign, which later consisted of putting people on pikes. But is he really the most evil man? Or has that been exaggerated as history wears on? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/c1mhb Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Last to Fall- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Sacred and Profane- Nicholas Rowe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why GameStop Won't Stop Failing | Corporate Casket

Why GameStop Won't Stop Failing | Corporate Casket

Sign up for our Patreon to support what we do! https://www.patreon.com/iilluminaughtii Welcome to the Corporate Casket, a weekly series where bad businesses go to die. Gamestop was an icon in the 90s, it was seen as the place to shop for the latest and greatest consoles and games. But what keeps them around today? It certainly doesn’t seem to be good business practices if you look at their history of trade-ins and overpriced bundles. Are they worth keeping alive? Connect With Me: https://linktr.ee/iilluminaughtii’ Sources: https://justpaste.it/5o6ea Writers/Researchers/Helpers: Ali Z-B This episode was edited and mixed by: G. Thomas Craig Album cover art created by: Betsy Primes Intro Song Credits: Trauma- Will Van De Crommert Outro Song Credits: Electronica Punch- Oleksandr Koltsov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices