Beware of the self-help industry's circular pyramid scheme

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The self-help industry often operates in a circular manner where individuals sell online courses on how to sell courses, creating a cycle that questions the credibility of the content. This circularity extends to life coaching, where some businesses profit by selling certifications to become life coaches, rather than providing genuine coaching services. These 'certifications' are not nationally recognized or accredited, leading to a situation akin to a pyramid scheme, focused more on recruiting new coaches than actually coaching individuals in need.

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Why does it seem that many people read self-help books with no intention of actually doing what the books prescribe? Why are self-help books often less clear than it seems they ought to be? What are self-help books actually designed to do? Why do self-help authors continue to write as though their ideas will help everyone when it seems fairly obvious that no single self-help book has ever been a global panacea? Should self-help advice differ based on the gender of the receiver? How does life coaching differ from self-help? How does therapy differ both from life coaching and from self-help? Should therapists fire their clients once the clients' problems have been solved? Should therapists give homework? What are the best and worst ideas commonly found in self-help books?

Kristen Meinzer is a culture critic, podcaster, and author. She cohosts the podcast How To Be Fine (Apple Podcasts, Instagram), formerly called By The Book, which looks at the good and the bad of the wellness industry. She also cohosts the podcast The Daily Fail, which does comedic close readings of the tabloids. Additionally, Kristen is a frequent contributor on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.

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