Multi-Level Manipulation w/ Roberta Blevins

12/01/21 • 47 min

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Returning this week is Roberta Blevins, a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In her time in MLM, she was involved as a consultant for 3; It Works!, LuLaRoe and Modere, and a customer of many. Since leaving MLM, she has educated herself on the systemic structure of the business model, the psychological manipulation, the seedy underbelly, and governmental ties, the cult indoctrination, and the history of Multi-Level Marketing. She educates daily on TikTok, and podcasts in her "free time", talking to the survivors and victims of these commercial cults, disguised as the quickest route to the American Dream. In this second part of their two-part conversation, Rachel begins by sharing how she lost a friendship to an MLM, while Roberta goes on to describe the moment that prompted her to finally leave the MLM world. Roberta details a day in the life of a "hun" and how she ultimately extricated herself from the pyramid. She also discussed her transition into "hun" advocacy and anti-MLM activism through both education and humor. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the guilt that ex-members of high control groups often feel after leaving the group. She provides insight into the self-loathing that can accompany the admission of predatory behavior in ex-members. Listen to Roberta's podcast "Life After MLM" here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life...lm/id1553784236 Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=now+i+know+rachel+bernstein&qid=1638298566&sr=8-1 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters Robert Andre and "Teahaze" and to Hollie Hire and Katherine Matheson for increasing their support! We couldn't do it without you! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctriNATION You can help the show for free by leaving a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!

Previous Episode

Toxic Boss Babe Culture w/ Roberta Blevins

This week's guest, Roberta Blevins is a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In her time in MLM, she was involved as a consultant for 3; It Works!, LuLaRoe and Modere, and a customer of many. Since leaving MLM, she has educated herself on the systemic structure of the business model, the psychological manipulation, the seedy underbelly, and governmental ties, the cult indoctrination, and the history of Multi-Level Marketing. She educates daily on TikTok, and podcasts in her "free time", talking to the survivors and victims of these commercial cults, disguised as the quickest route to the American Dream. In this first part of their two-part conversation, Roberta explains to Rachel how she works to end the stigma of failure in the MLM industry, which she explains is designed for failure. Together they unpack the tactics of the now infamous MLM, LuLaRoe, that Roberta says signifies a commercial cult. Roberta shares her emotional journey as she transitions from "hun" to anti-MLM activist providing a detailed analysis of the schemes used in this deceptive and dangerous industry. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the concept of the sunk cost fallacy and points out some of the many examples where it can be found, offering insights for walking away from deceptive traps. Listen to Roberta's podcast "Life After MLM" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-mlm/id1553784236 Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=now+i+know+rachel+bernstein&qid=1637717066&sr=8-1 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter "to change"! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctriNATION You can help the show for free by leaving a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!

Next Episode

A Quiver Full of Trauma w/ Anna

CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of Sexual Assault Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 siblings were not allowed to attend school and were very isolated from the outside world. Everything about her childhood was strictly controlled, from the clothes she wore to the media she had access to. She was expected to teach herself from primarily religious texts as well as teaching and caring for the younger children. Her future was laid out for her as a submissive wife and mother to many children. She left at 19 with help from family. Starting life in a very unfamiliar world with little education was daunting but also thrilling. 7 years later she's still sifting through memories, she makes videos on TikTok (spookypatootie) recounting her experiences and has found that many other folks grew up in similar circumstances. Many kids are undoubtedly still in that situation and Anna hopes she can raise awareness and play a part in helping others. Anna provides some background on the Christian movement Quiverfull, a theological position held by some conservative Christian couples who belong to Evangelical denominations that see large families as blessings from God. She explains some of the neglectful practices her parents employed led by their extreme interpretation of biblical texts. Anna shares with Rachel some of her deepest vulnerabilities from childhood and how she struggled to deal with them as an adult. Throughout the conversation, Rachel points out some of the commonalities in adults who have experienced religious-based parental neglect as children. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the struggle that children who grow up isolated by religion experience trying to fit in with peers. She explains how simply extending a gesture of friendship can be revelatory to those children who are inherently ostracized because of their parent's religious beliefs. Find Anna's amazing work on TIK TOK here: https://www.tiktok.com/@spookypatootie Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter "BadBibleStiches"! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctriNATION You can help the show for free by leaving a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!