Podcast Summary: Carter’s Holiday Pick: Truthless

Podcast Information:

• Title: Conspiracy Theories
• Host/Author: Spotify Studios
• Description: The world’s most controversial events, and the complex beliefs behind them. From Bigfoot sightings to bitcoin takeovers, alien landings to assassinations, who’s shaping the narrative — and why? Conspiracy Theories is a Spotify Podcast. New episodes Wednesdays.
• Episode: Carter’s Holiday Pick: Truthless
• Release Date: November 27, 2024

Introduction: Host’s Holiday Pick

In the episode titled “Carter’s Holiday Pick: Truthless”, the host of Conspiracy Theories announces a special selection during the show's four-week hiatus. Instead of regular content, the host curates an episode from the podcast Truthless, highlighting its exploration of deceptive narratives and the intriguing stories behind them.

[00:02] Host: “Today I'm sharing an episode from one of my favorite podcasts, Truthless. On our show, sometimes we discover the official story isn't always the truth.”

Overview of Truthless:

Truthless, hosted by bestselling author Brian Phillips, delves into the intricate web of lies individuals have spun, uncovering the motives and outcomes behind these deceptions. In this particular episode, titled “Flying High”, Phillips interviews comedian and writer Mero Monroe, who shares his personal experience of lying his way into a prestigious position at Lehman Brothers.

Mero Monroe’s Journey: From Mailroom to IT

1. The Lie That Landed the Job

Mero Monroe recounts his audacious decision to falsify his resume to secure a position at Lehman Brothers, one of New York’s most prominent investment banks before its collapse in 2008.

[03:37] Mero Monroe: “I lied on my resume verbally, to get a promotion. I started working at Lehman Brothers pre 9/11.”

Despite lacking corporate experience, Mero leveraged personal connections and fabricated work history to enter the competitive environment of Lehman Brothers.

[07:17] Mero Monroe: “I told Jose I'd been working at FedEx for years. But I worked at FedEx for, like, five years, by the way. I was, like, 17, so how the fuck did I work at FedEx for five years?”

2. Navigating the Lehman Brothers Ecosystem

Upon securing the mailroom position, Mero finds himself in a high-stakes environment rife with dysfunction and excess. The culture at Lehman Brothers, as depicted by Mero, is one of entitlement, substance abuse, and reckless financial practices.

[05:07] Mero Monroe: “Lehman Brothers is a cautionary tale of greed and excess. Shit went left, and they got left.”

Mero describes the mailroom as chaotic, where mistakes could have far-reaching consequences, yet the true operations behind the scenes were often opaque and disconnected from everyday employees.

3. Transitioning to IT: A Risky Upgrade

Driven by ambition and a desire to move up, Mero decides to apply for a position in the IT department—despite having no technical skills. His strategy involves deceptive tactics to navigate the application process.

[14:23] Mero Monroe: “I lied and I said that. I was like, yo, I'm familiar with, like, logistics. I know how to do mail stuff, blah, blah, blah. All of it was cap.”

Mero employs a three-pronged approach:

• Gaining Endorsement: Securing support from his initial boss, Jose, by downplaying his workload and emphasizing his desire to avoid additional responsibilities.

  [14:49] Mero Monroe: “I was just like, yo, listen, motherfucker, I'm not trying to do no more work.”

• Winning Over the New Boss: Persuading Ralph, his new supervisor, by appealing to Ralph’s personal interests and vulnerabilities.

  [15:32] Mero Monroe: “I appealed to his machismo and shit. I was just like, yo, this broad is really hot, Ralph.”

• Feigning Technical Competence: Pretending to possess the necessary IT skills to secure the position.

  [16:47] Mero Monroe: “Yo, yo stepped the whole like, yo, you gotta fill out paperwork and show that you know what you're doing.”

Despite lacking expertise, Mero manages to secure the IT role, marking the beginning of a precarious tenure characterized by improvised solutions and evasive maneuvers to avoid actual work.

4. Life Inside Lehman Brothers

Mero’s role in IT primarily involves handling mundane tasks like replacing hard drives, often without understanding the broader implications of his actions. His lack of knowledge becomes increasingly problematic as he navigates the complexities of a major financial institution.

[19:00] Mero Monroe: “Did you see any sparks or any electricity or anything of that nature? I'm talking like, I'm a fucking fire safety expert.”

Attempting to mitigate his incompetence, Mero offloads responsibilities to colleagues while maintaining a facade of technical proficiency.

[20:34] Mero Monroe: “Maybe I'm gonna mess something up and, like, press the wrong button and, like, crash the economy of Taiwan or some, like, by accident.”

5. The Lehman Brothers Culture and Financial Excess

Through Mero’s eyes, Lehman Brothers epitomizes the reckless financial practices that led to the 2008 crash. The institution is portrayed as teetering on the brink of collapse, driven by speculative bets and a disconnect from reality.

[32:20] Mero Monroe: “I saw money, like, just flying out the window all over the place. I was like, nah, man. I was like, I don't know about finance like that, but I do know how to sell an eight ball, dog.”

Mero identifies himself as one of the few honest individuals within a sea of deceit and financial manipulation, highlighting the inherent instability within Lehman Brothers’ operations.

6. The Impact of 9/11 and Lehman Brothers’ Demise

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, serve as an unexpected turning point for Mero. Assigned to a building adjacent to the World Trade Center, he narrowly avoids being present during the attacks, which ultimately lead to Lehman Brothers' downfall.

[26:24] Mero Monroe: “And then 911 happened. So, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, silver lining. I don't have to lie anymore.”

Post-9/11, Mero is reassigned to Jersey City, returning to the mailroom with a raise and escaping the precarious position he held in IT. This transfer effectively shields him from the chaos that ensues during the financial collapse.

Conclusion: Reflections on Truth and Deception

Brian Phillips wraps up the interview by drawing parallels between Mero’s story and the myth of Icarus, emphasizing the broader themes of ambition, deception, and downfall within high-stakes environments.

[34:09] Mero Monroe: “I'm the guy with the gun and the coke, and I'm the most honest guy in the building. What the fuck is wrong with this picture?”

Phillips reflects on how ordinary individuals like Mero become entangled in larger historical and financial events, often through a series of questionable decisions and lies. He contemplates the notion of regular people navigating complex systems and the inherent risks of attempting to climb the corporate ladder through deceit.

[34:16] Brian Phillips: “Sometimes it's nice to hear a story where at least one of us walks away from the crash unscathed.”

Credits and Acknowledgments:

The Truthless episode concludes with credits, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the production.

[34:24] Brian Phillips: “Truthless was written and reported by me, Brian Phillips. The executive producers are Juliet Littman and Sean Fenne... ”

For listeners with similar stories of deception, an invitation is extended to share their experiences for potential future episodes.

Key Takeaways:

• Deception as a Double-Edged Sword: Mero’s story underscores the risks and consequences of deceit in professional settings, illustrating how lies can temporarily mask incompetence but ultimately lead to instability and potential downfall.

• Corporate Culture and Ethical Decay: The environment at Lehman Brothers, as portrayed by Mero, serves as a microcosm for broader ethical issues within high-stakes financial institutions, highlighting how unchecked excess and manipulation contribute to systemic failures.

• Impact of External Events: Major historical events, such as 9/11, can drastically alter personal and organizational trajectories, offering unexpected opportunities for escape or change amidst chaos.

• Humanizing Financial Narratives: By sharing personal anecdotes like Mero’s, Truthless provides a relatable perspective on complex financial crises, emphasizing the human elements behind abstract economic phenomena.

Notable Quotes:

• Mero Monroe on Lying for Promotion:

  [03:37] “I lied on my resume verbally, to get a promotion.”

• Mero’s Reflection on Lehman Brothers’ Culture:

  [32:20] “I saw money, like, just flying out the window all over the place.”

• Phillips on Regular People in Big Events:

  [34:16] “Sometimes it's nice to hear a story where at least one of us walks away from the crash unscathed.”

Final Thoughts:

Carter’s Holiday Pick: Truthless offers a compelling narrative that bridges personal anecdotes with broader conspiratorial themes. Mero Monroe’s experience at Lehman Brothers not only illustrates the perils of deceit in corporate environments but also provides insight into the systemic issues that can lead to significant economic disruptions. Through engaging storytelling and candid reflections, the episode invites listeners to ponder the intricate interplay between individual actions and large-scale events.