Listen free for 30 days
-
I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
- Everything I Wish I Never Had to Learn About Money
- Narrated by: Madeline Pendleton
- Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
Buy Now for $23.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
"Madeline's life is unique yet wildly relatable...Readers will be thoroughly engaged, as every hardship comes with a lesson that Madeline skillfully shares with us. A thought-provoking, mind-tingling reading experience."—Mercury Stardust, the Trans Handy Ma’am and author of Safe and Sound
Imagine a job where you work four days a week and earn as much as the CEO. You also get full benefits, a gym membership, free lunch, and unlimited time off, no questions asked. Hard-won profits don’t just end up in the CEO’s pocket—they’re distributed equally among all employees. The company even buys you your very own car. It sounds too good to be true, but this is the reality at Tunnel Vision, the clothing company that Madeline Pendleton built from the ground up.
Like so many Americans, Madeline used to struggle to make ends meet. Raised by a punk dad and a goth mom in Fresno, California, she spent her teens intermittently homeless, relying on the kindness and spare couches of the local punk community to get by. By her twenties, she was drowning in student loans and credit card debt, working long hours and sick of her bosses treating her as disposable. Then her boyfriend, struggling with financial stress, died by suicide. Capitalism was literally killing her loved ones—she knew there must be a better way.
Madeline decided to study the rules of capitalism, the game everyone is forced to play. She used what she learned to build a new kind of business, one rooted in an ethos of community care.
Millennials and Gen Zers like Madeline are facing an unprecedented financial reality: Stagnant wages, skyrocketing housing costs, a student debt crisis. I Survived Capitalism is essential reading for anyone searching for hope and stability in an unjust world.
What the critics say
“With punk optimism, cinematic storytelling, and a moral center undeterred by what ‘everyone else does,’ Madeline Pendleton presents the life-and-death money scenarios real people face. She covers class, college recruiting, home ownership, and workplace rights with a brilliant sense of community and warmth.”—Gabe Dunn, author of Bad with Money: The Imperfect Art of Getting Your Financial Sh*t Together
“A vivid account of the many challenges millennials face while trying to make it in an unforgiving economy. . . Illuminating. . . Move on, Jim Cramer. Here’s the real deal—smart, undaunted, and eminently wise.” —Kirkus Reviews *starred review*
“A witty and profound commentary on navigating the harsh terrain of poverty, inequality, class, and an oftentimes unforgiving, unfair financial system that all of us are forced to participate in. Drawing on her rich personal experiences and hard-won financial lessons, Pendleton’s path to financial stability is inspiring. This book is a transformative call to action to build a better, more just, equitable world.”—Paco de Leon, host of the Weird Finance podcast and author of Finance for the People
What listeners say about I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Star
- 2024-03-15
A tale of hope
Well this was refreshing. In a world that feels hopeless, Madeline has given me a bit of hope.. a sliver of light in darkness.
Armed with great "tips" for life and the career world, I feel a bit more powerful going back into the work force after 5 years away raising my child.
Madeline's story though at times sad has left me feeling optimistic. This was a great book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sega
- 2024-04-24
Madeline is My Hero
public class BookReview{
/|/ Madeline is my hero
public static void ReadDescription(){
While (true){();
ReadTitle();
Give5StarRating();
}
}
}
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- John Paul Davis
- 2024-01-29
Advice and hope
One part memoir one part financial advice this is a fantastic title for anyone who’s struggled to make ends meet or is just interested in the story of a punky underdog finding her way though a system that failed her to help make the world she wants.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rem
- 2024-03-10
i gobbled it up
there were so many moments where i found myself emotional and relating so hard to the struggles and beauty of community. best, most humanizing book on finance ive ever read. Madeline is a great narrator, writer, and story teller. ive finished this book left with feeling more connected to my humanity and feeling optimistic for the future.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2024-01-19
Loved it.
It was a good read! It taught me to be more grateful for what I currently have, putting things into perspective.
It also provides a different way to run a business. I hope we all get to experience a workplace in which we're equally valued. That would be the dream.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hayley Ratcliffe
- 2024-04-05
I'm so glad I read this
I've followed Madeline on TikTok for years and have always felt a connection with her. this book made me realize how similar our lives are and is inspiring as someone about a decade younger
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 2024-02-11
An enlightening and hopeful read from this visionary entrepreneur
It is a pleasure getting to know the story behind that socialist, blue haired, punk chick from Tiktok. She puts to words many of the feelings that we are all having, but manages to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That in itself is reason enough to read this book, but as a human and small business owner, I appreciated the practical tips along the way. Thankyou so much for sharing, Madeline.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Robinson
- 2024-03-01
Neurodivergent affirming advice!
Loved how all of the Capitalism survival skills were as accommodative to neurodivergence as possible. Madeline is also a great storyteller, and she’s right— you can hear in their voice when someone is smiling
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jana M.
- 2024-01-18
Amazing
Insightful, inspiring, informative and interesting.
Can’t say enough good things about this book.
I really enjoyed it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Allison
- 2024-04-14
Great story and great values
I loved the personal stories . I loved the inspiring story of the business. I loved the Crass quote .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!