# Made in the USA is Bullsh*t | Business is Bullsh*t Ep 31

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-is-bullshit-7096260/made-in-the-usa-is-bullsh-t-business-is-bullsh-t-ep-31
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-is-bullshit-7096260/made-in-the-usa-is-bullsh-t-business-is-bullsh-t-ep-31.md
Podcast: [Business is Bullshit](https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-is-bullshit-7096260)
Published: 2026-03-22T19:40:00+00:00
Episode link: https://385b4acf-6355-4b46-a0c4-d76e364bf60a.libsyn.com/made-in-the-usa-is-bullsht-business-is-bullsht-ep-31
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/385b4acf-6355-4b46-a0c4-d76e364bf60a/ep_31.m4a?dest-id=4726657
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/business-is-bullshit-7096260/episodes/made-in-the-usa-is-bullsh-t-business-is-bullsh-t-ep-31
Duration seconds: 1919

## Resource

Most people think "Made in the USA" means something. It used to. It doesn't anymore... In this episode, we dig into one of the biggest marketing scams hiding in plain sight. Not the conspiracy theory version. The actual, boring, legal, everyday version where companies say just enough to make you feel good… without actually telling you anything. "Assembled in the USA." "Designed in the USA." "Crafted with American pride." Sounds great. Means almost nothing. We break down how brands play the game, why the FTC barely enforces any of it, and how companies can legally slap an American flag on something that's 95% made somewhere else. This is the stolen valor of consumerism. We also get into the part nobody wants to admit: Consumers say they care… but don't act like it. Everyone claims they'll pay more to buy American. Then checkout happens and price wins. Every time. That gap between what people say and what they actually do is exactly why these marketing games exist. We cover: * The language tricks companies use to fake "Made in USA" * Why ecommerce makes it almost impossible to know where anything is actually made * How even brands like Apple lean on "Designed in California" while manufacturing happens overseas * Real examples of companies getting caught… and still doing it again * Whether transparency actually hurts brands more than it helps * And the bigger question: even if we wanted everything made here… could we actually pull it off? There's also a reality check in here: Even if you care, it's really hard to buy American. Supply chains are global. Labels are vague. And most of the time, you're guessing. So this isn't about "America good vs bad." It's about calling out the bullshit. If you're buying based on labels, there's a good chance you're getting played. 🎧 Episo…

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## Transcript

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