In the age of self-promotion and personal branding, emerging public speakers seek platforms to hone their skills, gain exposure, and connect with audiences. However, a disturbing trend has emerged in recent years, revealing a darker side to this industry. Some public speaking platforms have come under scrutiny for their unethical practices, exploiting the dreams of aspiring speakers and charging exorbitant fees for services that deliver little to no value.

**The Allure of Public Speaking Platforms**

Public speaking platforms have proliferated, promising to transform ordinary individuals into charismatic orators and influencers. These platforms often boast a range of services, including media placement, coaching, networking opportunities, and more. For many, these offerings appear to be a shortcut to success in an increasingly competitive field.

**The Shocking Reality**

Behind the glittering facade, some public speaking platforms operate more like cults of exploitation than legitimate businesses. They target vulnerable individuals seeking recognition and growth, then proceed to overcharge them for services that could be obtained at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. My recent experience with one such organization left me appalled.

**The Price of Dreams**

I encountered a platform that offered media placement for an astounding $10,000. Media placement is undoubtedly valuable, but what I discovered was nothing short of a scam. The promised media placement was on obscure websites masquerading as reputable media outlets, but in reality, these sites were nothing more than cheap imitations. They lacked recognition from genuine big media brands and had no credibility in the industry.

**The High Cost of Deception**

Charging aspiring speakers over $900 for media placement on these faux websites is a clear case of exploitation. It preys on the dreams and ambitions of individuals eager to make a name for themselves, effectively draining their hard-earned dollars for services that will never yield the desired recognition. 

**Fortune or Rotten Business Practice?**

The question arises: Is this fortunate entrepreneurship or simply another rotten business practice? The answer is clear. Exploiting innocent, hardworking individuals by overcharging for subpar services is not a legitimate business practice but a moral travesty. 

**Conclusion**

Emerging public speakers should be cautious when selecting a platform to enhance their skills and grow their careers. It is crucial to research any organization thoroughly, scrutinize the services they offer, and demand transparency in pricing and outcomes. Moreover, as a community, we must call out and expose such unethical practices to protect the aspirations and hard-earned dollars of those who seek genuine opportunities for growth and success in the world of public speaking. The line between mentorship and exploitation should never be blurred, and we must ensure that these platforms operate ethically and responsibly.

Unmasking Toxic Public Speaking Platforms: Exploiting Aspirations or Honest Business?

The scammers focused on the aging population has become overwhelming and on the rise. 

Americans over 60 are increasingly falling victim to crimes of fraud perpetrated online and over the phone at rates that add up to billions in losses each year, and federal investigators are warning that the scammers are becoming more sophisticated in the ploys they use to get their victims to hand over large sums of money.  

An estimated $28.3 billion is lost to elder fraud scams each year, according to a recent AARP Study. It found that 72% — or more than $20 billion — is taken by individuals who are known to the victims, like family members, friends or advisers. The study says many of the scams that account for the nearly $30 billion lost go unreported, and the FBI is now urging anyone who encounters suspicious activity online to disengage and report the conduct to law enforcement. 

Rich Brune — a 75-year-old retiree living in Virginia —  told CBS News he fell for an online scam last year that cost him nearly $800,000. Sophisticated criminals posing as Microsoft workers contacted him online and told Brune his computer had been hacked, his financial accounts were compromised, and he needed to take urgent remedial action. 

Over a five-month period, the Navy veteran said he was instructed to transfer much of his life savings into a cryptocurrency account that the scammers told him was safe from the purported hackers. Instead, they were robbing him of his nest egg.  

After his money vanished, according to Brune, the Internal Revenue Service informed him that he owed approximately $200,000 in taxes because the money stolen from him had been withdrawn from his retirement accounts.

Crimes Against the Aging Population in America

News Breaking Story 
How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home 
"Wake Your Ask Up!" 2 season "Kare Fact," addressing the crimes in probate court and the transfer of generational wealth. 

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20530

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my profound concern and urgency regarding a matter of utmost importance—the protection of our senior citizens from potential abuse and exploitation within the probate court system. It has come to my attention, through personal experience and mounting evidence, that there is a pressing need to address the alarming issue of abuse of power and financial exploitation targeting vulnerable seniors.

The abuse and exploitation that I speak of extend to various individuals and entities within the probate court system, including court-appointed attorneys, guardians, senior caregivers, and fiduciary representatives. These individuals and entities, under the guise of legal authority, have been infringing upon the rights of our seniors and unlawfully declaring them incompetent, all with the intent to defraud and swindle their estates. The consequences of this abuse of power have been devastating, with some seniors enduring great harm and, in tragic cases, even losing their lives.

The rapid growth in cases of abuse targeting our senior population is deeply troubling. As our senior population has tripled in this country, so too have those who seek to commit fraud, inflict harm, and abuse. I speak from personal experience as my mother was subjected to abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on multiple occasions. I sought the support of the government in Madison, Wisconsin in addressing my concerns, but each investigation yielded results claiming a lack of sustainable evidence in my mother's case.

Tragically, my mother passed away on April 18th, and shortly thereafter, our family experienced yet another traumatic incident. My uncle, who resided in the state of Illinois, passed away. He had been the caregiver for my grandmother, along with a state-run senior home-based agency. Shockingly, the agency swiftly took possession of my uncle's remains and cremated him within two days. The owner of the agency then appointed himself as the power of attorney, asserting that both my uncle and grandmother had no extended live relatives.

It was only through a reliable source that our family learned about these developments. My sister hired an investigator to locate my grandmother, who we discovered was in a local hospital in Chicago. In the discharge process, the owner of the caregiver agency claimed to be the appointed power of attorney, resulting in the courts ruling that my grandmother be placed in a nursing home. While in the nursing home, my grandmother sustained a black eye under suspicious circumstances. When we reported this incident to Cook County Probate Court Judge Aicha Marie MacCarthy, our concerns were summarily dismissed, and we were even removed from the Zoom session during a hearing.

Review & Sign the Petition 
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/protecting-our-seniors-from-court-guardianship-abuse
://
Join the Community "Kare Facts" https://www.karefacts.com

How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home

Introducing "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence," the thought-provoking podcast that dares to challenge the status quo and ignite change. Join your host, Tam Lawrence, as she fearlessly dives into the depths of societal issues, seeking to wake up the dormant questions that lie within us all. With a captivating blend of insight, passion, and a touch of humor, Tam Lawrence provides a refreshing perspective on a wide range of topics that matter most to us.

In this relaunch kick-off episode, Tam Lawrence fearlessly tackles the theme of failed leadership. With an unwavering commitment to truth and justice, she exposes the flaws and shortcomings of leaders across various domains, exploring the impact of their actions on individuals and communities alike. With compelling stories, engaging interviews, and thought-provoking analysis, this short episode serves as a powerful reminder of the dire consequences that result from a lack of effective leadership.

Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and your mind awakened as Tam Lawrence fearlessly confronts the issues that have long been swept under the rug. "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence" is not just a podcast; it's a rallying cry for change, urging listeners to embrace their own power and demand accountability from those in positions of authority. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and motivated to take action like never before.

Unmasking Toxic Public Speaking Platforms: Exploiting Aspirations or Honest Business?

Wake Your Ask Up

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