2025 didn't end the grifting….it exposed it. This was the year accountability was rebranded as "mean girl marketing," trust became a trendy talking point instead of a lived practice, and expertise became whatever played best with the algorithm. Today, we're unpacking what actually went down, what it signals for 2026, and why there's still something worth believing in beneath the noise. Topics discussed in this episode: Why 2025 wasn't the end of the grift. How "trust," AI, and urgency became cov...
Jan 05, 2026•51 min
There's a new kind of online business drama in town, and it's not girlbossing. It's "Mean Girl Marketing." Is "mean girl marketing" actually a problem? Where did it come from? And why is it suddenly everywhere? That's what we're exploring in this episode. Topics discussed in this episode: What Mean Girl Marketing really is (and what it isn't). How exclusivity, shame, and status get weaponized in sales. Why these tactics work and how they manipulate belonging. The biggest red flags to spot before...
Dec 15, 2025•36 min
AI "experts" are multiplying faster than the tech itself — but most of them are just three prompts ahead of you. And when AI touches your data, your clients, and your entire business infrastructure, bad advice isn't just annoying…it's risky. In this episode, we break down what's real, what's hype, and how to spot who actually knows their stuff. Topics discussed in this episode: The rise of fake "AI experts" who are only three prompts ahead. The real risks bad AI advice creates for your business....
Dec 01, 2025•38 min
Everywhere you look in online business, someone's promising the moon — a 6-figure month, a personality overhaul, maybe even a cellular glow-up. But here's the real question: are these programs actually delivering or just selling hype? In this episode, we break down how program promises went from helpful clarity to manipulative fantasy — and how to spot the difference before you buy (or sell). Topics discussed in this episode: How online programs went from "helpful promises" to hype machines. The...
Nov 17, 2025•39 min
Scroll your feed, watch the news, open your inbox — and you'll see why we're in the middle of a Trust Recession. Everyone's performing honesty, but few are actually telling the truth. In this episode, we're breaking down what you need to know about the current Trust Recession. Topics discussed in this episode: What is the Trust Recession (and why is everyone talking about it)? Why "authenticity" is the new sales tactic. How celebrity entrepreneurs weaponize trust. How do you identify the red fla...
Nov 03, 2025•48 min
Have you seen a "certainty in uncertain times" coach or a web celeb selling the "only strategy that still works in 2025"? That's not just cringe, it's a warning sign. The grift isn't dying. It's mutating. We're in the era of peak grift, and that doesn't mean scammers are going away. It means they're getting smarter, sneakier, and more desperate. Welcome to The Doubt Economy—where the audience stops buying the hype, and the grifters start to panic. In this episode, we're unpacking what happens ne...
Oct 20, 2025•45 min
Ever been captivated by a coach who seemed too good to be true—magnetic, inspiring, and totally authentic—only to find yourself questioning how you ended up spending thousands, still feeling like you're not enough? You're not the only one. In this episode, we're diving into the darker side of online business, exploring how some leaders use cult-like tactics to build trust, manipulate your decisions, and keep you hooked. Topics discussed in this episode: How web celebs earn your trust and devotio...
Aug 11, 2025•39 min
Ever felt weird reading someone's sales email—like you just got trauma-dumped by a stranger? You're not imagining it. Vulnerability has become a marketing currency, and now everyone is oversharing in the name of sales. If you've ever felt weird, guilty, or just plain uncomfortable reading a sales pitch wrapped in trauma, welcome to the cult of oversharing. In this episode, we're discussing how vulnerability has become THE marketing strategy—and how that creates ethical landmines for both the aud...
Jun 30, 2025•40 min
Online business may keep rebranding itself, but the tropes? They never die—they just get slicker. In this episode, we're walking down memory lane and revisiting The Very Tired Tropes of Online Business to see how the same old tactics have evolved in 2025. Spoiler: they're back, sneakier than ever. Topics discussed in this episode: Definition of tropes in online business Sales tropes that are still thriving in 2025 New sales tropes Relatability tropes Shift from flashy luxury to curated "realness...
Jun 16, 2025•48 min
Have you ever noticed how people online teach others to do the exact thing they have just learned? Coaches coaching coaches. Creators teaching creators. Influencers teaching influencing. It's not innovation—it's online business inception In this episode, we're exploring three tell-tale signs of Online Business inception, the online business inception pyramid scheme, and how to protect yourself. Topics discussed in this episode: What is Online Business Inception? How success is often based on tea...
Jun 02, 2025•38 min
What do MLMs, cults, and online coaches have in common? A whole lot of manipulation. In this episode of Duped, we sit down with author and marketing critic Dr. Mara Einstein to unpack how cult tactics are being repackaged as "business strategy" in the online world. From collapsed marketing funnels to parasocial influencers and toxic coaching circles, we dig into the psychology behind it all. If you've ever felt duped by an online guru or pressured by hustle culture, this one's for you. Topics di...
May 19, 2025•55 min
Remember when the internet felt fun, helpful—even inspiring? Yeah, us too. But lately? It's feeling more like a digital junk drawer. In this episode of Duped, we're talking about enshittification—what it is, how it shows up in your feed, and how AI is making it worse. From AI-generated garbage content to platforms prioritizing profits over people, we're breaking down how it all got so bad—and what we can do about it. Topics discussed in this episode: What is enshittification and some examples. H...
May 05, 2025•43 min
She cries on camera. Wears hoodies. Says she's just like you, right before pitching her five-figure course. She's the BFF Next Door. And in 2025, she's not just relatable; she's a finely-tuned marketing machine. In this episode, we're diving into one of the most deceptively dangerous archetypes in the online business world: the BFF Next Door. We discuss: Introduction to the BFF Next Door Archetype: Who she is and how she operates in the online business world. How vulnerability, relatability, and...
Apr 21, 2025•33 min
2024 was a wild ride and, for many, incredibly economically challenging. So, what exactly went down this year? In this episode of Duped, we're diving in for a 2024 year-end recap, breaking down the year that was and talking about what's headed our way for 2025. We discuss: Why 2024 was rough economically for many businesses. How some businesses went all in on creative rebranding. How the pyramid scheme of life coaching began to crumble. The rise and fall of digital MRR. Why consumers are becomin...
Dec 09, 2024•54 min
Passive income! Life-changing results! Freedom! And all for a limited time only. These are just a few typical tropes online businesses use to reel you in. Big promises that sound great on paper, and even though you're maybe a little hesitant, you decide to give it a go. Unfortunately, in many cases, the dream we're being sold quickly turns into a nightmare. So, how is an online business really legit and worth your investment? In this episode of Duped, we'll uncover the signs that an online busin...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min
Robert Cialdini's book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion has become ubiquitous in the online business community. But are the principles Cialdini set forth being used in good faith Spoiler alert: in many cases, nope, not at all. In this episode, we get into part two of exploring Robert Cialidini and his code of ethics for anyone who uses his work. We examine the final four weapons of influence along with tips to protect yourself. We discuss: Cialdini's ethics Authority, Social Proof, Consis...
Nov 11, 2024•44 min
Do you know what book is one of the most used—and abused—in online business? Many celebrity entrepreneurs and top marketers cite it as influential…which makes sense given its title. It's Robert Cialdini's Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. While we have referenced this book many times on the pod, we have never actually done a deep dive to get into the nitty-gritty of it all. In this episode, we explore Robert Cialidini and his code of ethics for anyone who uses his work. We then examine th...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Masterminds are often sold as life-changing experiences that will help boost your business, increase revenue, and connect with like-minded people. But how often have you seen masterminds that turn out to be expensive group coaching sessions run by unqualified "experts"? Or even worse—joined one yourself and found out too late that it's nothing like what you were promised? In this episode, we're peeling back the layers on something that's become almost a rite of passage in the online business wor...
Oct 07, 2024•53 min
Have you ever seen an offer on social media claiming you can make big bucks in no time at all if you sell something created by someone else? Welcome to the world of Master Resell Rights, where you allegedly can get rich from doing little to no work at all. But like everything else in online business, it's too good to be true and the house of cards is quickly tumbling. In this episode of Duped, we're peeling back the curtain to expose how it all went wrong—from faceless Instagram accounts selling...
Sep 23, 2024•46 min
If you've ever been duped and immediately blamed yourself for it, you're not the only one. Yes, we all have a level of personal responsibility, but that doesn't negate the fact that humans are primed to fall for get rich quick schemes. So why is that? In this episode of Duped, we're flipping the script. Instead of talking about how to prevent getting scammed, we're exploring why were are so damn susceptible to it. We discuss: A brief history of get rich quick schemes. Five telltale signs you're ...
May 27, 2024•58 min
Have you ever bought something on a payment plan and quickly realized you're unsatisfied, but there's no way out? The fact is, not all payment plans are created equal. While they can be an excellent way to pay for something over time, the flip side is that they can also be weaponized by celebrity entrepreneurs and used to handle sales objections. So, what risks should you, the consumer, know about before buying a course or program using a payment plan? In this episode, we're equipping you with t...
May 06, 2024•46 min
Sales pages are designed to make us buy. But if the way they're done is scammy or deceptive, should we really buy from them at all? In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we covered program promises, pain points, and the solution. But there's way more you need to watch for, so in this episode, we're digging into FAQs, bonus stacks and more. We discuss: Why long sales pages can leave you confused and worn out. How do you identify possible red flags when you read an about section? Key...
Apr 15, 2024•56 min
Business bundles seem to be everywhere these days, leaving everyone wondering if these are actually a good deal and they should jump on the bundle train. Sure, they often seem like a total steal, but if the bundle doesn't actually bring YOU any value, the fact that the price was "reasonable" is irrelevant. How can you tell if a business bundle is worth the price or if you should run away entirely? In this episode, we're breaking down everything you need to know about those business bundles from ...
Apr 01, 2024•50 min
If there's one place on the internet it's all too easy to get tripped up and make an impulsive decision, it's sales pages. Yes, sales pages are designed to draw you in and pique your interest, but in many cases, these pages are cross the line from persuasion to straight-up manipulation. So how do you spot the red flags? In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we're covering program promises, pain points, and the solution. We discuss: The psychology behind using long-form sales pages....
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Is the state of ethical business actually improving in 2024? Are we actually making some progress? Well, it's a good news/bad news kind of story. The good is that we're finally starting to see more and more people reject the status quo business practices, including manipulative marketing and scammy sales practices. The bad is that this industry is very fickle, and while it's good to hear more discussions about ethical business, certain topics have fallen off the radar. And whether these conversa...
Mar 04, 2024•56 min
In a world where we're connected to people across the globe, it's nearly impossible for us NOT to create parasocial relationships. If you publish content or have an audience filled with people you don't know personally, you create parasocial relationships. And that's totally fine The trouble starts with ensuring everyone understands that we're in these relationships and that they can make us more vulnerable to predatory tactics. In this episode, we're answering the questions of what parasocial r...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 3 min
You're excited about signing up for a new program, and you're just about to check out, then you decide to read the terms and conditions…but maybe they're super long and you're in a rush. Fast forward three weeks later and you realize this was a terrible choice and the program is hot garbage. So, what now? In this episode, we're looking at the fine print of T&Cs, guarantees and refunds so you can save yourself this exact headache and not waste your time or money with people who don't live up ...
Feb 05, 2024•40 min
This week we're giving you a little teaser of what's going on over the Duped Patreon. Our January episode offered a grab bag of topics as we dove into all the things happening in cults, documentaries, and online business. In this teaser, we discuss the current conversation about "degrowth" and our feelings on the matter. Want to hear the rest of the conversation? Join the Patreon and you can listen to the January episode in full where we also cover: More thoughts on the Netflix Twin Flame docuse...
Jan 29, 2024•9 min
Affiliates, JVs, and Summits…oh my! These collaborations can be spectacular for sales and growing an audience, but they also have a dark side that can take advantage of business owners and ultimately lead to getting Duped In this episode, we're diving into the HIGHLY nuanced topic of summits and JVs and decoding deceptive tactics that can leave you holding the bag. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including mont...
Jan 22, 2024•58 min
Have you heard of something called neurolinguistic programming or NLP? It's everywhere in online business, but no one seems to be able to explain what it is or why we use it. In this episode, we tackle everything from its controversial history to its widespread online influence to answer the question: are you being manipulated by NLP? And would you even know if you were? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, includin...
Jan 08, 2024•47 min
