Japan has some of the strictest packaging and labeling laws in the world—and companies can face serious consequences for misleading consumers. In this episode of the FAKD Podcast, we break down when these laws started, real scandals that shaped them, and how they compare to the U.S. system.

If you’ve ever wondered whether food packaging is a scam, this episode will change how you see grocery stores forever.

Stay curious. Stay skeptical.

Most people think an oil change is routine… but what if it’s one of the most common everyday scams? In this episode, we uncover the hidden history of the quick-lube industry, the psychological tactics used to pressure customers, and the modern upsell traps happening right now. Learn how to spot red flags, avoid fear-based sales tactics, and become streetwise before your next visit.

In this episode, we trace the shocking evolution of AI — from a 1950s academic experiment to today’s powerful autonomous agents — and explore the platforms now allowing AI to hire real humans to complete tasks in the physical world.

How does software suddenly have the authority to manage people?

Who is funding these AI agents?

Are major companies already experimenting with this?

And what happens when algorithms become the middleman between work and workers?

We break down:

✅ The true origin story of artificial intelligence

✅ The rise of “agentic AI” and why it changes everything

✅ How AI can issue tasks and pay humans

✅ Real-world examples already emerging

✅ The risks, ethical questions, and power shifts nobody is talking about

This isn’t science fiction — it’s the early blueprint of a new labor economy.

So the real question is…

Would you take a job assigned by AI?

Or is this the moment the future quietly arrived?

In this episode we will be looking at FAKE companies! In light of whats going on in Minnesota with the day care scams, health insurance scams, etc. I figured we'd talk about this in an episode! Learn all about how companies create legal and illegal FAKE companies to hide things.

Cults don’t look like cults—until you’re already inside.

In this episode, we break down what actually makes a cult, how high-control groups manipulate belief, identity, and fear, and why these tactics still work today. From historical cults to modern groups operating in plain sight—including a real example based in New Knoxville, Ohio—we explore how cults recruit, control, and survive.

You’ll learn:

The real warning signs of cult behavior

How to tell if you or someone you love may be in a cult

Why direct confrontation usually backfires

What actually helps people break free

This isn’t about strange beliefs.

It’s about power, control, and awareness.

If you’ve ever thought, “That could never be me,”

this episode is worth hearing.

🎧 Listener discretion advised.

Every year, generosity spikes. And every year, scammers count on it.

In this episode, we uncover the true history of Christmas scams—from fake charity collectors roaming 19th-century streets, to counterfeit Sears catalogs that stole holiday money before the internet even existed, to mall Santas who vanished with family photo payments, and investment schemes that preyed on year-end bonuses.

These aren’t modern crimes. They’re timeless cons, repackaged for each generation.

We break down how scammers exploit holiday emotions, why December is the most profitable month for fraud, and how the same psychological tricks used a hundred years ago are still draining wallets today—just with better graphics and faster payment methods.

If you think Christmas scams are a “new problem,” this episode will change how you see the holidays forever.

🎄 Discover the surprising history of artificial Christmas trees — from 1800s German feather trees to space-age aluminum creations, bottlebrush designs, PVC classics, and today’s smart LED holiday trees. Learn how deforestation, mid-century trends, and modern tech shaped the artificial Christmas tree industry. This episode covers vintage feather trees, aluminum Evergleam trees, retro color wheels, PVC vs PE branches, eco-friendly tree debates, and why 80% of households now choose artificial Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday history lovers, Christmas traditions fans, and anyone obsessed with weird, unbelievable origins of modern holiday décor.

Black Friday isn’t just deals — it’s a minefield. In this FAKD episode, we break down the top 10 scams hitting shoppers every year: fake mega-deal sites, bogus delivery texts, sketchy marketplace listings, and more. Quick, sharp, and guaranteed to save you money… or at least your dignity.

From fake heart attacks to phony food critics, we’re exposing the most ridiculous ways people have tried to scam restaurants out of paying. Each story is a wild mix of greed, creativity, and chaos — and most end in total failure. It’s true crime meets table service, one absurd free-meal attempt at a time.

McDonald’s Monopoly is one of the most famous fast-food promotions in history—but did you know it was once at the center of a $24 million scam? In this episode, we dive into the full story: how the game began in the late 80s, the rules that made it so addictive, and how an insider rigged the system for over a decade. We’ll cover how the FBI finally shut it down, what happened to the game afterward, and the new safeguards McDonald’s has in place to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. Plus, we look at when the game is set to return and how it works today.