What happens when the “American Dream” turns out to be more like the “Amway Nightmare”? On this episode of A Little Bit Culty, we sit down with Stefan Kolesar to dig into his 13 years inside the OG of all MLMs—the so-called “granddaddy” that’s even entangled with NXIVM history.

From coffee shop pitches and overpriced toothpaste to the hidden “tools” racket that keeps recruits hooked, Stefan breaks down how the system lures people in with promises of purpose, community, and certainty—while quietly bleeding them dry. This is Part 1 of his story: how he and his wife went all in, why it felt like serving something bigger, and how much it ultimately cost to realize it was all smoke and mirrors.

Follow Stefan and Jenna on Instagram @ex.ibo.

Also…let it be known that:

The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.

**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here

Check out our amazing sponsors

Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon

Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag

Support the pod and smash this link

Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources

Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Audio production: Will Retherford

Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore

Writer: Sandra Nomoto

Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane

Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty.

Use code CULTY at MonarchMoney.com in your browser for half off your first year.

Go to GetSoul.com and use the code CULTY for 30% off.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who's Your Granddaddy? Stefan Kolesar on Amway and World Wide Group (Part 1)