Big Take

It’s Not Just Oil. War in Iran Will Hike the Price of Nearly Everything You Buy

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:32:30 +0000

A core US demand heading into peace talks with Iran this weekend will be reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where a near-total shipping shutdown has led to rising global oil prices and threatened supplies of food, plastics, packaging and semiconductors.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder speaks with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal, hosts of Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast, about how the Hormuz shutdown is reverberating around commodities markets — and the lasting mark it could leave on the global supply chain even after ships start moving again.

For more Odd Lots episodes on Iran and commodities, check out:

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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One Small Step for NASA, One Giant Leap for the Lunar Economy

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:36:56 +0000

Need a little ‘moon joy’? Over the past eight days, four astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission have been flying through the cosmos, breaking records for human spaceflight and sharing never-before-seen images from the dark side of the moon.

On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Stacey Vanek Smith and Bloomberg global space reporter Loren Grush talk about what the mission means for the future of galactic exploration and the burgeoning “lunar economy.”

If you're interested in reading more but aren't yet a Bloomberg subscriber, we have a subscription offer for listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Loren Grush; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Meet Tether: The Most Powerful Crypto Firm You’ve Never Heard Of

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:38:59 +0000

In just over a decade, Tether has grown from an idea into a global crypto juggernaut, poised to become one of the world’s most highly valued private companies. But where did its dollar-linked stablecoin come from and where is it headed?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Gillespie and guest host Stacey Vanek Smith unpack one of the most powerful companies you’ve (maybe) never heard of.

As Lutnick Sold Cantor to His Children, Tether Gave Them a Loan

Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Todd Gillespie, Ryan Weeks, Annie Massa; Edited by Aaron Edwards, Janet Paskin.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Taxes Are Due Soon. Should the Rich Pay More?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:27:10 +0000

From London to California, calls to “tax the rich” are growing. But what are they calling for in practice, and how are governments responding?

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Charlie Wells and Laura Nahmias about the fight over taxes for the world’s wealthiest, and what a political tussle between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul reveals about the hurdles some measures are facing.

We’re also closely watching US President Donald Trump’s threats to Iran today, after he posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” Trump’s deadline for a deal with Iran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, is 8 p.m. ET.

This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen to the latest at Bloomberg News Now.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Charlie Wells, Laura Nahmias; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Trump Escalates Threats to Iran

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:31:31 +0000

President Trump intensified his threats on Iran Tuesday morning posting on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."

This escalation follows a post on Monday saying the US would attack its bridges and power facilities if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic by 8pm ET Tuesday night.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with White House correspondent Courtney Subramanian to unpack the state of negotiations between the US and Iran, Tehran’s rejection of a temporary ceasefire and the mounting pressure from voters and international leaders.

This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg News Now.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

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Trump Made His Case for War With Iran. It Backfired

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:09:04 +0000

After a month of fighting, President Trump took his case for war with Iran to the American people Wednesday night. In a prime-time address that sent energy markets surging, he promised both an imminent end to the conflict and two to three weeks of further intense military strikes.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason unpack the president’s brief, often contradictory speech. They discuss how it put investors and key allies on the back foot, what it could mean for the president’s agenda heading into the midterms and where the conflict goes from here.

We are live blogging our coverage of the war with Iran at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe.

Here’s what else we’re watching today:

Trump Ousts Bondi After Chaotic Tenure at Justice Department

Blue Owl Limits Redemptions on Private Credit Funds After Massive Exit Requests

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Special Report: President Trump's Prime Time Address

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:36:42 +0000

US President Donald Trump spoke for nearly 20 minutes from the White House, saying the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” in the next two to three weeks, and that he’d strike key infrastructure like electric plants if no deal is reached.

Stocks fell and oil jumped on his comments, with Brent rising 5% as Trump talked about possible escalation and reiterated his call for other nations to step in to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg Daybreak or Bloomberg News Now.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

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Meet OpenClaw: The AI Craze Sweeping China

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Fueled by a powerful mix of FOMO and a government drive to accelerate AI adoption, OpenClaw has exploded in popularity across China. But as these agentic systems gain sweeping access to personal data, reports of them “going rogue” are beginning to surface.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Luz Ding and Bloomberg Opinion’s Catherine Thorbecke to dig into the rapid rise of agentic AI in China, why it has taken hold so quickly and the mounting security concerns pushing users and regulators to reassess the risks.

China’s OpenClaw Obsession Is a Risky Gamble on Experimental AI

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang Edited by Paddy Hirsch Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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Trump Threatens Iran's Water

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:23:44 +0000

A month into the Iran War, the Trump administration continues to send mixed messages about when and how it will end. In addition to threats on electricity plants and oil wells if a deal isn’t reached, the president said he would consider destroying another piece of critical infrastructure: Iran’s water desalination plants.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg defense policy and intelligence reporter Peter Martin about the Middle East’s reliance on desalination, the potential humanitarian crisis that targeting the plants could spark and how that action could fly in the face of international law.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Peter Martin; Edited by Paddy Hirsch.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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With SpaceX IPO, Elon Musk Shoots for The Stars, Trillionaire Status

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:11:50 +0000

SpaceX is preparing for liftoff. After months of speculation, the company could file for a historic IPO as early as this week — seeking $75 billion in funding that would push the company’s value to $1.75 trillion.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech’s Ed Ludlow joins David Gura to break down the timing of the mega-offering. They discuss the challenges SpaceX could face taking its Mars-focused mission public, how the move could push Elon Musk’s net worth past the $1 trillion mark and what this all means for everyday investors looking to get in on the action.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ed Ludlow; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Weekend Listen: BTS Leads Netflix’s Push for Growth in Asia

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

BTS is back. After a near four-year hiatus, the K-pop icons returned with a historic Netflix event – the platform’s first concert live streamed from Asia.

On today's Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha joins Bloomberg’s Sohee Kim and Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix’s power move and how global streamers are fighting for dominance in the competitive Asian market.

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How US Troops Could Go About Taking Hormuz

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:11:43 +0000

Leaders in Washington and Tehran are on the clock, with about a month to wrap up the Iran war before it does greater damage to the global economy and their own political fates, according to retired Admiral James Stavridis.

On today’s Big Take podcast with David Gura, Adm. Stavridis, the former head of US Southern Command and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, outlines how the US troops heading to the region could help bring about a diplomatic resolution – or raise the risk of a longer conflict.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Tracey Samuelson and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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What Really Happened in the Battle for Warner Bros.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:26:53 +0000

Just when it seemed that Netflix had clinched the deal to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance Corp. swooped in with a $110 billion counter-offer that was ultimately too good for the studio to pass up.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and Chris Palmeri take host Sarah Holder inside the behind-the-scenes negotiations that secured the deal for Paramount, how Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained his company’s decision to walk away – and the twists and turns that could still be coming in this story as two mega-studios become one.

David Ellison Used Political Ties, Deep Pockets to Buy Warner Bros.Netflix’s Co-CEO Explains Why He Quit the Warner Bros. Fight

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The Prosecutor Who Tried to Stop Epstein, in Her Own Words

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:46:23 +0000

Two decades ago, a federal prosecutor in Florida spent two years investigating Jeffrey Epstein and urged her superiors to charge him. Her frustrations mounted as her boss, US Attorney Alex Acosta, pursued a now-infamous plea deal that allowed Epstein to serve just 13 months, much of it on work release.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg legal reporter David Voreacos joins host Sarah Holder to examine emails and evidence recently released by the Justice Department. They reveal Marie Villafaña’s exhaustive efforts to hold Epstein accountable — and how, despite years of credible evidence, he managed to slip through the cracks.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by David Voreacos; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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What Trump Wants in Cuba

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:05:04 +0000

President Donald Trump says he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba.” As the island nation suffers from major blackouts and a US squeeze on its oil supply, its regime’s survival — and the country’s future broadly — is in question.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Eric Martin and Jim Wyss about the dire situation on the ground in Cuba, ongoing talks between the country’s leadership and the US and what could come next.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Eric Martin, Jim Wyss; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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$100 to Fill Up Your Tank? Some Drivers Look Elsewhere

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:56:56 +0000

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether — and how — prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond.

Listen more:

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Sixth Bureau Episode 6: Nothing Is Holy

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:08:54 +0000

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery.

The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 here.

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Reopening the Strait of Hormuz Is Going to Take Awhile

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:01:32 +0000

Has Iran laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz? With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. However, even the possibility that the area has been mined suggests that a recovery could be slow.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global defense editor, Gerry Doyle, tells David Gura about the challenges of clearing mines — especially before the shooting stops.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Gerry Doyle; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Iran War Is the Fed's Worst Nightmare

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:58:48 +0000

The Federal Open Market Committee announced this afternoon that it would hold interest rates steady. The decision comes in spite of spiking oil prices and new market uncertainty driven by the Iran War.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Federal Reserve reporter Amara Omeokwe and Wharton professor and historian Peter Conti-Brown to discuss how the Fed is thinking about the Iran War and its impacts on the US economy — and what could shift its calculus in the months ahead.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Amara Omeokwe; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Asia Is Bearing the Brunt of the Iran War Energy Crisis

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:29:42 +0000

From soaring fuel prices in Pakistan to a shortage of cooking gas in India, Asia is bearing the brunt of the energy crunch sparked by the Iran War.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast we look at how war in the Middle East has pushed Asia to the forefront of a global crisis. Host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Faseeh Mangi about the impact of soaring fuel prices in Pakistan and Clara Ferreira Marques about how the least economically resilient countries are feeling the most pain.

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Faseeh Mangi, Clara Ferreira Marques; Edited by Paddy Hirsch.

Fact-checking by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Will Russia Be the Biggest Winner of the Iran War?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:49:08 +0000

As the war in Iran draws in more countries, it’s had unlikely benefits for one of Iran’s key allies: Russia.

President Trump has eased some sanctions on Russian oil in his efforts to alleviate the oil squeeze created by the conflict. Meanwhile, the allyship between Russia and Iran has deepened as both countries have shared battlefield intelligence.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks with US defense and intelligence reporter Natalia Drozdiak about how Russia could benefit from the Iran War — and what it could ultimately mean for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Natalia Drozdiak; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Weekend Listen: The Rise and Fall of an Alleged Scam Boss

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

By any account, Chen Zhi's ascent was meteoric. At a young age he founded a real estate company in Cambodia, which quickly became the sprawling Prince Group conglomerate. But beneath this legitimate facade, Chen allegedly ran a vast criminal network, building an empire on scams, human trafficking and high-level political protection.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s David Ramli look into the rapid rise and sudden downfall of an alleged criminal mastermind.

Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today

Further listening: Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime Hub

This episode was produced by: Yang Yang; Editors: Patrick Hirsch, Serena Ng, Matthew Thomas; Reporting by: David Ramli; Additional Reporting: Low De Wei; Sound Design/Engineer: Taka Yasuzawa; Fact-checker: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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Your Streaming Subscription Could Be the Next Trade Battlefield

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:35:42 +0000

From online banking and social media to digital ads and AI subscriptions, digital services are the fastest-growing segment of global trade. Unlike physical exports, they’ve been subject to little regulation, taxation or tariffs. Until now.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg global trade editor Brendan Murray and David Gura dig into the rising tensions over the almost $5 trillion in digital services sold across borders each year, why a consequential WTO meeting could change everything and what it means for the global tariff war.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Brendan Murray; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Iran War Spotlights the Pentagon’s AI Strategy

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:31:16 +0000

In the first 24 hours of US attacks on Iran, the scale of firepower more than doubled that of the US’ initial assault on Iraq in 2003 — an expansion made possible by the Pentagon’s embrace of AI. Just hours before the attack, the US parted ways with AI company Anthropic, after the company raised concerns over how the Defense Department might use its tools. The Pentagon says it wants the ability to use the tools for “all lawful purposes.”

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg national security and tech reporter Katrina Manson — author of the upcoming book Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare — and Bloomberg senior editor Mike Shepard to discuss how the US is integrating AI into its warfighting machine and the guardrails in place for the military as it utilizes AI technology to make life-and-death decisions.

Katrina Manson’s book is Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Katrina Manson and Michael Shepard; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Why So Many Private Credit Investors Want Out

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 22:39:14 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Brian Chappatta and Olivia Fishlow unpack the recent tumult in the world of private credit. How cracks formed in this $1.8 trillion market, how companies are trying to tamp down investor anxiety and what it all could mean for the private credit industry’s efforts to get into 401(k)s.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Brian Chappatta and Olivia Fishlow; Edited by Naomi Shavin and Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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What a $100-Per-Barrel Oil Spike Does to the Global Economy

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:27:34 +0000

After oil soared to nearly $120 per barrel on Sunday, President Donald Trump began to signal that the US had already achieved victory in Iran and could wind down the conflict soon. There was an immediate drop in oil prices — and the entire global economy seemed to sigh in relief.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Stacey Vanek Smith and Bloomberg Opinion’s Javier Blas discuss why the global economy is so sensitive to oil price spikes and how oil prices are ratcheting up both domestic and international pressure on Trump.

Higher Gas Prices Hit Americans Already Hurting From Inflation

This Isn’t an Energy Crisis — at Least Not Yet

Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stacey Vanek Smith; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Aaron Edwards and Jeff Grocott; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Iran War Could Hinge on Who Runs Low on Munitions First

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:44:49 +0000

A major factor that could limit hostilities in Iran and the Middle East is munitions — what weapons each side is using, and how quickly they might run out.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg global defense editor Gerry Doyle and Bloomberg Economics defense lead Becca Wasser about how long the US and Iran can carry on missile and drone strikes, what happens next in the region and what opportunity cost the US could pay for picking this battle now.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Gerry Doyle and Becca Wasser (Bloomberg Economics); Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The $240 Million Ad Campaign That Helped Get Kristi Noem Fired

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:08:46 +0000

President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem from her role as head of the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday. One of the reasons for Noem’s removal involved her oversight of a $240 million DHS ad campaign, starring herself.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporters Irene Casado Sanchez and Eric Fan join host Sarah Holder to reveal the inside story of that ad blitz — and the ties between people in Trump’s orbit and the companies that were given millions to spend on it.

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The Sixth Bureau Episode 5: One Way In, One Way Out

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:43:31 +0000

In Episode 5 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security travels to an overseas meeting with a valuable source. He has no idea he is walking into a trap that the FBI has been setting up for months.

The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 4 here.

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War in Iran Is Exposing Oil Risks Across Asia

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:16:35 +0000

The war in the Middle East is rattling global oil markets, raising the risk of supply disruptions and price shocks for energy‑hungry Asian economies.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate and Fereidun Fesharaki, founder and chairman of FGE, about how tensions involving Iran are being watched by energy markets — and which Asian economies are most exposed if the crisis escalates.

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Former Secretary of State on the Two Keys to Ending War in Iran

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:15:39 +0000

How long will hostilities in Iran last? Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken says it will likely depend on “markets and munitions.”

In an interview with the Big Take podcast, Blinken and host David Gura discuss the Obama and Biden administrations’ efforts to avoid conflict with Iran, the unanticipated ways this war puts the US at risk and how the strikes could reshape the region.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The White House’s Shifting Explanations for the Iran War

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:47:07 +0000

As the war with Iran widens in the Middle East, legislators on both sides of the aisle have expressed frustration with a lack of advance notice of the strikes and the inconsistencies in the administration’s justifications and goals for the military action.

On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg national political correspondent Nancy Cook and national security reporter Jamie Tarabay join the show to discuss what Trump is trying to accomplish in Iran, what powers Congress has to shape US involvement and whether legislators will support what Trump tries to do next.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Nancy Cook and Jamie Tarabay; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by David Fox, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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After Months of Succession Planning, Who’s Leading Iran?

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:44:00 +0000

The US and Israel’s attacks on Iran have entered their third day — and President Donald Trump said Monday that the US military operation could continue for weeks, or more.

On today’s Big Take podcast, reporter Golnar Motevalli talks to host Sarah Holder about the widening regional conflict, Iran’s succession plans and what we know about the end game for the US as President Trump vows to do “whatever it takes.”

Follow Bloomberg’s live coverage here.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Golnar Motevalli; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Escalating Conflict With Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:16:03 +0000

Targets in Iran, Israel and in the Middle East are under attack in an unprecedented escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran. The combat operations come after weeks of negotiations between the US and Iran over what remains of its nuclear program.

On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg’s Jeff Mason and Joumanna Bercetche join host David Gura to discuss the timing and goals of this weekend’s strikes — and the risk of a widening, regional conflict.

This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jeff Mason and Joumanna Bercetche; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein Says the Market Is Due For a Reckoning

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:10:36 +0000

After steering one of Wall Street’s iconic investment banks through the financial crisis, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein is investing his own money and, with the publication of a new memoir, reflecting on his time at the firm.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Blankfein tells host David Gura how he uses AI, what he sees as a worrying expansion of opaque investment products and what happens when public companies respond to political pressures. And David asks him about the resignation of Goldman’s top lawyer following the release of the latest Epstein files.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Special Report: US and Israel Strike Iran

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:58:28 +0000

President Donald Trump says the US has begun major combat operations against Iran. Airstrikes have been carried out by Israel and the US, with multiple provinces hit. Iran in turn has fired back at Israel and targeted US bases and assets in the region, including Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq.

This comes after weeks of talks failed to produce a fresh agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. OPEC+ will consider the option of a larger supply increase when key members meet on Sunday.

This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg News Now.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

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The Sixth Bureau Episode 4: The Duck Analogy

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:15:01 +0000

In Episode 4 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security as he tries to plan a delicate overseas meeting with a valuable source. But the person he’s talking to isn’t working alone.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 3 here.

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How the ‘Power Game’ Is Reshaping Venezuela

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:01:37 +0000

After US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, President Donald Trump said the US would “run” the South American country. What’s actually happened since?

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura has a sweeping conversation with International Crisis Group senior analyst Phil Gunson, who’s based in Caracas and has tracked Latin American politics for decades.

Further listening:

Hosted by David Gura and Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Is Apple Winning the ‘AI Scare Trade’?

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:30:23 +0000

As the “AI scare trade” jolts companies large and small, Apple shares keep doing their own thing. The company has “decoupled” to the greatest degree in 20 years from forces moving the rest of the Nasdaq 100.

Why — and how? On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg’s equities reporter Ryan Vlastelica and Chief Apple Correspondent Mark Gurman about how the company became a hedge against fears of AI disruption — and why that may not be a good thing.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Ryan Vlastelica and Mark Gurman; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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A Guide to the State of Trump and the Union

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:15:25 +0000

President Trump heads into Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address with sagging poll numbers just days after his signature tariff strategy was struck down by the Supreme Court. As a speaker with a history of diverging from script, Trump is expected to defend everything from his record on affordability to his approach to Iran in order to rally his base ahead of midterm elections.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, White House reporter Josh Wingrove joins host David Gura to discuss what this year-one milestone means for Trump amid tensions in the US and around the world.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Josh Wingrove; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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After Trump's Major Tariff Setback, The World Asks: What Now?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:49:32 +0000

From Brussels to Beijing, the United States’ largest trading partners are digesting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Trump’s signature tariffs — along with his threats to impose new, potentially stickier levies by other means.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Big Take Asia host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg China economy and government editor Jenni Marsh and Bloomberg’s top trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss the global reaction to Trump’s tariff setback: how countries like China are pushing for more favorable terms, the additional levers Trump is using to build a “tariff wall” around the US and what this could mean for the future of global trade.

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha and Sarah Holder; Produced by Naomi Ng and Julia Press; Reported by Jenni Marsh and Brendan Murray; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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SCOTUS Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:20:46 +0000

The US Supreme Court on Friday handed President Donald Trump one of the biggest losses of his second term, striking down his signature tariff plan. On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks to one of the people at the heart of the drama: Rick Woldenberg, the CEO of Learning Resources, a toy company that was a lead plaintiff in the case. And she unpacks the decision and its implications with Supreme Court reporter Greg Stohr and global trade editor Brendan Murray.

The Big Take Asia followed Learning Resources throughout 2025 as it formulated its legal response to the new US tariffs and grappled with the challenges of shifting its supply chain from China to some lower-tariff neighbors.

To hear more, listen to these Big Take Asia episodes:

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Reported by Greg Stohr and Brendan Murray; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Sixth Bureau Episode 3: Suck, Squeeze, Burn, Blow

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:16:45 +0000

In Episode 3 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security to the Paris Air Show, and then watch him develop a valuable source, despite his bosses constantly getting in his way.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episode 1 and 2 here.

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Trump’s Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:20:29 +0000

The Department of Education has been a target of critics for decades. Republicans in the Oval Office have repeatedly tried to shrink the agency, and in his second term, President Trump has vowed to eliminate it altogether.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg education reporter Liam Knox and host David Gura talk through what it takes to gut a congressionally approved federal agency: what’s behind the Trump administration’s ‘creative’ efforts to scale back or move some of the Education Department’s trademark programs and what the shift could mean for students, lawmakers and other federal agencies in the administration’s crosshairs.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Liam Knox; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Editorial team; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Race to Buy Real Estate in Mecca

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:21:28 +0000

For the first time in history, Saudi Arabia is allowing international buyers to purchase property in Mecca. This regulatory shift has ignited a building boom, raising concerns over affordability and overdevelopment.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Zainab Fattah joins Sarah Holder to discuss what this property gold rush means for the city’s future and Saudi Arabia’s move away from oil.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Zainab Fattah; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Where’s the Beef? Inside the Fragile Cattle Market

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:01:55 +0000

Inflation in the US has cooled from pandemic peaks, but there’s a grocery product telling a different story: beef. The price of uncooked ground beef soared by the most since June 2020 in government data released Friday. The broad beef and veal category is up 15% over the past year as of January.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Enda Curran takes a peek into the American consumer’s grocery basket with host David Gura to understand the perfect storm of factors that’s setting beef apart. And a fifth-generation Oklahoma rancher reflects on the impact that a fragile market has had on her family business.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and David Fox; Reported by Enda Curran, Ilena Peng; Edited by Aaron Edwards;

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Alex Sugiura;

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Sixth Bureau, Episode 2: The Spy’s Diary

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:05:00 +0000

In Episode 2 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take, we learn how China’s Ministry of State Security recruits experts in the West — and why intelligence officers shouldn’t keep their secrets backed up to the cloud.

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The Sixth Bureau, Episode 1: Your Friend From Nanjing

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:05:00 +0000

It’s an open secret that the Chinese government has engaged in a global campaign to acquire intellectual property from foreign rivals. At the center of that campaign is the Ministry of State Security, China’s elusive intelligence agency. The US has apprehended hundreds of people accused of giving information to the MSS, but the agency’s inner workings have been a mystery — until now.

Today, we’re bringing you Episode 1 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take. The series follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. The limited-run series will publish on Fridays in The Big Take.

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Trump Accounts Promise Free Money. What's the Catch?

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:33:25 +0000

In July, American parents will be eligible to open Trump Accounts on behalf of their children. The administration touts these investment accounts as a way to help the next generation achieve the American dream. But are they the best way to save for college, home-ownership or retirement? And who stands to benefit most?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Ben Steverman walks host Sarah Holder through the advantages — and criticisms — of this new program. Plus, economist Darrick Hamilton, whose federal “baby bonds” proposal inspired the Trump Accounts, weighs in on the immediate and long-term impacts the accounts could have on families and on the US economy.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ben Steverman; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Finally, Some Good News on US Jobs

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:35:18 +0000

The latest jobs report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is a mixed bag. January’s numbers came in much stronger than expected — but revisions on 2025 data showed a weaker year than previously realized.

The report comes on the heels of a number of high-profile job cut announcements, including at Amazon, the Washington Post and Nike.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg US economy editor Molly Smith sift through the numbers and discuss the state of the labor market.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox and Julia Press; Reported by Molly Smith Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Denate, Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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What Takaichi’s Landslide Election Win Means for Japan

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:20:00 +0000

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic election win, positioning her as the nation’s strongest leader in the postwar era.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sakura Murakami to discuss the reaction to Takaichi’s election gamble, her vision for a more assertive Japan and the uphill battle she faces to deliver her ambitious agenda.

Further listening: All Eyes on Japan and China Tensions After Taiwan

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Yang Yang; Reported by Sakura Murakami; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa and Alex Sugiura.Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Can the US and Iran Make a Deal?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:38:40 +0000

The prospect of US military action in Iran and the possibility of regional war continue to loom over indirect talks between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, Iran reporter Golnar Motevalli joins host David Gura to lay out what the US and Iran each hope to achieve and what’s at stake if these negotiations fall apart.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Golnar Motevalli; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Weekend Listen: George Saunders Imagines an Oil Exec’s Deathbed

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

What is the best way to tell a climate story? This week on Zero, Akshat Rathi speaks with Booker Prize-winning novelist George Saunders. His new novel Vigil is an exploration of guilt, told on the deathbed of an oil executive haunted by ghosts. Rathi asks Saunders what he learned about climate change, his thoughts on whether AI complements or compromises human creativity, and why literature still matters in the era of TikTok.

Listen now, and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or YouTube to get new episodes of Zero every Thursday.

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Pro Betters Flock to Prediction Markets

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:30:06 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, professional sports gambler Rufus Peabody discusses why he has shifted more of his betting to prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarke. And markets reporter Justina Lee and sports business reporter Ira Boudway sit down with host David Gura to discuss why these markets are drawing pros like Peabody — and the concerns the platforms raise for regulators and traditional sportsbooks.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Justina Lee and Ira Boudway; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Generic Versions of Weight Loss Drugs Will Upend the Market

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:26:35 +0000

Shares of Novo Nordisk were down Thursday morning after Hims & Hers introduced a compounded version of its Wegovy pill. The dip came two days after Novo predicted its sales could drop as much as 13% this year as the company factors in competition from generic drugs that could crop up as its patents expire around the world.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Naomi Kresge and Amber Tong talk to host David Gura about the year ahead for weight-loss drugs, from compounded products cutting into leading companies’ market share to generics that could upend the market globally.

Further listening:

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amber Tong and Naomi Kresge; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Has the AI Reckoning Arrived?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:39:44 +0000

AI anxiety is coursing through the stock market right now. From Tuesday’s global selloff in software and technology stocks to last week’s $381 billion Microsoft rout, investors are skittish over any sign of an AI bubble.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Big Tech editor Sarah Frier joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the coming AI reckoning and why pressure is building on tech companies to prove all their AI investments will pay off big — and soon.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Sarah Frier; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran and Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Behind Thailand’s Push to Recriminalize Cannabis

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:20:10 +0000

Four years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, its booming market is at a crossroads. Initial high hopes for a tourism surge and a billion-dollar industry have been replaced by an oversupply of shops and a fierce public backlash.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Patpicha Tanakasempipat about what went wrong and whether the industry can weather a political firestorm.

Read more: Weed Backlash Grows in Thailand as Kids Turn to Cannabis

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa

Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole Beemsterboer

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What Is (And Isn’t) in the Latest Epstein Files Release

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:51:27 +0000

The Department of Justice released another batch of documents from the so-called Epstein Files on Friday. It brings the total number of pages the DOJ has made public since December to nearly 3.5 million.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura is joined by Bloomberg investigative reporter and podcast host Jason Leopold to discuss what was and wasn’t in the latest document release — and what we’ve learned about Epstein and his business connections.

Further listening:

Jason’s Disclosure podcast
What to Expect in the DOJ Epstein Files Release

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Jason Leopold; Edited by Jeff Grocott.

Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Weekend Listen: Why the Tech World Is Going Crazy for Claude Code

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

In the AI industry, there's always a hot new thing. First it was ChatGPT. Then it was the image generators. There was the DeepSeek moment. In the latter half of last year, everyone was excited about how good Google's Gemini was. In January 2026, the new hot thing everyone is talking about is Claude Code. But of course, the AI models have been able to generate lines of code for a long time now. So what is it about Claude Code that has people so excited? Why is it that people are asking: "Is this AGI?" On this episode of Bloomberg's Odd Lots, hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway speak with Noah Brier, the co-founder of Alpehic, a consultancy firm that helps large organizations implement AI technology. Noah has been using the Large Language Models for longer than just about anyone, since even before ChatGPT existed. He explains the evolution of AI-assisted coding, what Claude Code actually is, and why it is that traditional software firms have been getting destroyed in the stock market lately.

Only http://Bloomberg.com subscribers can get the Odd Lots newsletter in their inbox each week, plus unlimited access to the site and app. Subscribe at bloomberg.com/subscriptions/oddlots

Subscribe to the Odd Lots Newsletter
Join the conversation: discord.gg/oddlots

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How Kevin Warsh Could Shape the Fed

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:43:46 +0000

After months of speculation and a publicized selection process befitting The Apprentice, President Trump has announced his pick to lead the Federal Reserve: former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh.

Historically a monetary policy hawk, the now dovish Warsh is expected to align more closely with President Trump’s views on inflation and rate decisions.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg Fed reporters Amara Omeokwe and Saleha Mohsin to discuss Warsh’s nomination, the early reactions we’ve seen from Wall Street and Washington, and what his past record and recent evolution signal about how he may handle interest rates and an ongoing battle over Fed independence.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Amara Omeokwe, Saleha Mohsin; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Fight Over ICE Funding

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:12:33 +0000

The US Senate failed to advance a government spending package on Thursday, setting up for a partial government shutdown.

At the center of the debate is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. In the wake of federal agents killing two US citizens in Minnesota, the spending package has become the latest flashpoint in the fight over ICE’s deployment in American cities.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg reporters Steven Dennis and Alicia Diaz track the fight playing out in Washington as tensions continue to flare in Minnesota.

Further listening:

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Steven Dennis and Alicia Diaz; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura; Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Trump Keeps TACOing. What If Markets Stop Caring?

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:10:19 +0000

Not long ago, markets would have lurched if a president threatened to impose tariffs, attack a foreign nation or compromise Federal Reserve independence. Since Donald Trump’s return to office, though, traders have been buying on these threats and cashing in when they don’t come to pass.

On today’s episode of the Big Take, Bloomberg Opinion’s John Authers and columnist Robert Armstrong of the Financial Times – who coined ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’ – join host David Gura to discuss the latest TACO trading statistics and what happens when financial markets have muted reactions to White House headlines.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by John Authers and Robert Armstrong; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Japan’s Bond Crash Sent Shockwaves Through Global Markets

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:02:42 +0000

From sinking Treasuries to global selloffs, the turmoil in Japan’s bond market is being felt far beyond its borders.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Ruth Carson to unpack what’s rattled international investors and why markets are still on tenterhooks.

Further listening: The Dollar’s Dominance Is Unwinding in Asia

Carry Trades, Explained

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by: Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Ruth Carson; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver;

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa;

Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole Beemsterboer

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Can Europe Break Up With the US?

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:50:26 +0000

From his ambitions to acquire Greenland to his retracted (for now) threats of tariffs on European countries that oppose him, President Donald Trump continues to alienate the EU’s member states. But they’re aligned on one thing: The continent needs to be ready to stand on its own, and fast.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg Brussels bureau chief Suzanne Lynch recap the outcomes of an emergency summit of EU leaders last Thursday, the toolkit at their disposal to push back and the routes ahead for Europe in a shifting world order.

Further listening: Trump Takes Europe to the Brink on Greenland

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Suzanne Lynch; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Weekend Listen: Japan’s $2 Trillion ‘Dementia Money’ Cliff

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Japan is home to the world’s oldest population and a growing share of the country’s financial assets – about $2 trillion – are controlled by seniors who are showing signs of cognitive decline.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s Alice French about the staggering “dementia money” at risk, the toll of frozen accounts and the haphazard solutions that serve as a stark warning to the rest of the world.

Further listening:
The Rise of Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and Its Political Shift to the Right

Hosted by Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Alice French, Kentaro Tsutsumi; Edited by Patrich Hirsch, Emma O’Brien; Fact-checking by Yang Yang, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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Banks Really Hate Trump’s Credit Card Proposal

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:34:19 +0000

President Trump has revived a campaign pledge to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. It’s an effort to address affordability concerns among American consumers and help borrowers. But the banking industry is not thrilled about the idea – and says the proposal could block some people from accessing credit at all.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg finance reporter Claire Ballentine joins host Sarah Holder to break down the arguments and talk through what it would take to make the proposal a reality.

Further listening: How World Leaders – and Markets – Are Reacting to Trump’s Davos Speech

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Claire Ballentine; Edited by Tracey Samuelson; Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Katie McMurran; Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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SCOTUS Weighs Fed Independence

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:59:35 +0000

Across the ideological spectrum, Supreme Court justices appeared wary of President Trump’s attempts to fire Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook in a hearing on Wednesday. Their ruling, which is set to come by July, could set a crucial precedent for the executive branch’s influence over the central bank.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Amara Omeokwe and Greg Stohr break down arguments from both sides of the case, analyze key reactions from justices on the bench and make sense of how the outcome could impact the economy and public confidence in the Fed.

Further listening: Why Trump Is Trying to Fire Lisa Cook

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Amara Omeokwe and Greg Stohr; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura; Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Trump Takes Europe to the Brink on Greenland

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:12:27 +0000

In an unprecedented speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump ruled out taking Greenland by military force, but made his case for the US purchasing what he described as a “large piece of ice” — and vowed to “remember” if he didn’t get his way.

On today’s Big Take podcast, executive editor Flavia Krause-Jackson joins host David Gura to recap Trump’s stunning speech, the swift reaction from his peers and NATO allies and what, ultimately, could come next.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Flavia Krause-Jackson; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sigura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Inside ICE’s Plan to Build Detention ‘Mega Centers’

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:27:25 +0000

ICE has been open about its aggressive detention and deportation targets. And now, the agency has its sights set on a new kind of facility to house the people it arrests: converted warehouses that could detain 5,000 or more people.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Fola Akinnibi and Sophie Alexander take host Sarah Holder inside their team’s reporting on the agency’s latest push to expand its detention capacity, the lucrative government contracts that companies are vying for and mounting concerns around safety for detainees.

Further listening: Why Small Towns Are Hooked on ICE Detention

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Sophie Alexander and Fola Akinnibi; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran; Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Trump’s Economy, One (Second) Year In

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:03:12 +0000

This week marks the end of President Trump’s first year back in office. His busy economic agenda included global tariffs, deregulation, tax cuts and so much more.

The deep and dramatic changes the Trump administration proposed and imposed have fundamentally changed the way the US does business. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Nancy Cook and Mark Niquette discuss which initiatives have had the biggest impact so far and which are likely to last.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Nancy Cook and Mark Niquette; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and Patrick Hirsch; Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran; Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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The Domino Effect of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:22:56 +0000

For Beijing, the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was a mixed bag -- an embarrassing surprise, a wake-up call over its alliances in Latin America and an opening to step up on the world stage, according to Nicholas Burns, the former US ambassador to China.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura and Ambassador Burns discuss how President Donald Trump’s military actions and threats are reshaping China’s relationships across the Pacific and the Taiwan Strait—and how the so-called “Donroe Doctrine” could ultimately hand China a global edge.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Yang Yang and Naomi Ng; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Trump’s Latest Target: Corporate Landlords

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:25:26 +0000

Since the 2008 financial crisis, private equity firms and other large investors have bought hundreds of thousands of homes across the US, expanding their footprint in the American real estate market. But President Trump blindsided the industry with a Truth Social post last week, announcing he would push for a ban on Wall Street investors scooping up single-family homes.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg real estate reporter Patrick Clark and Bloomberg CityLab reporter Kriston Capps join host Sarah Holder to explain how big investors got a slice of the US housing market and whether pushing them out would actually put a dent in the country’s affordability crisis.

Editor's Note: Updated to remove reference to Pretium comment.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Patrick Clark and Kriston Capps; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Fact-checking by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura; Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole Beemsterboer

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Pressure Is Mounting on Iran's Regime

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 23:46:44 +0000

Weeks of protests in Iran started over the high price of food and essential goods. They quickly engulfed the nation and, before long, were met with deadly force by the Iranian regime’s security forces.

The violent crackdown has drawn international condemnation and President Trump has offered protestors his support.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and International Crisis Group’s Iran Project Director Ali Vaez discuss how we got here, the existential threats facing the Iranian regime and what could come next if it falls.

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Minnesota v. ICE

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:37:20 +0000

This week, following the deadly shooting of Renée Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota sued the federal government in a bid to kick out thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg immigration reporter Alicia Caldwell and the National Immigration Law Center’s Efrén Olivares to discuss how a rapid evolution under President Trump has reshaped ICE — and how states are responding to unprecedented waves of federal enforcers.

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Powell Makes His Case to The American People

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:22:01 +0000

On Sunday night, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that the US Department of Justice had served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas threatening a criminal indictment over a costly renovation of the central bank’s building.

It was a watershed moment in the escalating tension between the Trump administration and the US central bank.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Fed reporters Amara Omeokwe and Enda Curran to discuss what this means for one of the most important financial institutions in the world, for Powell, for the White House — and where things could go from here.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amara Omeokwe and Enda Curran; Edited by Naomi Shavin.

Fact-checking by David Fox and Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Why Trump Wants Venezuela’s Oil

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 22:21:53 +0000

After the Trump Administration’s strike on Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, there’s one word on everyone’s mind: oil. President Trump has big plans for the country’s vast reserves, which today account for just 1% percent of global production.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg Opinion’s Javier Blas talk through the Trump Administration’s gamble on Venezuela’s oil, how the president plans to convince the energy industry to invest in the country’s aging infrastructure, and why its resources are key to the administration’s plans at home and abroad.

Listen more: Oil Prices Could Get Cheaper Despite Venezuela Blockade

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Javier Blas; Edited by Paddy Hirsch and Simon Casey.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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After Venezuela, Is Greenland Next?

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:58:57 +0000

Within days of the US raid on Venezuela, President Donald Trump and his administration turned their attention to Greenland, renewing European fears that the US would try to take territory belonging to its longtime NATO ally, Denmark.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Sanne Wass in Denmark and Joe Deaux, who covers Greenland, join host Sarah Holder to discuss what days of escalating rhetoric around the strategically located Arctic island could mean for Denmark, Russia and the future of NATO.

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The ACA Subsidies Fight Hits the House Floor

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The US House of Representatives will vote today on whether to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act that bring down health care costs for millions of Americans.

The subsidies expired at the end of December, and lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after their winter break just as divided over the issue as they were before the holidays.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Congress reporter Caitlin Reilly joins host David Gura to discuss the sticking points between Republicans and Democrats and where that stalemate leaves Americans who rely on ACA subsidies in the final weeks of open enrollment.

Hosted by David Gura Produced by Julia Press Reported by Caitlin Reilly Edited by Tracey Samuelson Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Engineering by Alex SugiuraSenior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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How Venezuela Shifts China’s Calculus

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:27:30 +0000

The US strike on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro sent shockwaves across the globe — particularly in China, Venezuela’s top crude buyer and creditor.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Jenni Marsh and host K. Oanh Ha talk through what the intervention means for China’s strategic ties and oil supplies and how the military strike could change Beijing’s stance toward Taiwan.

Further listening: How the Fall of Maduro Could Echo Around the World

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jenni Marsh; Edited by Jeff Grocott, Emma O’Brien, Daniel Ten Kate, John Liu.

Fact-checking by editorial team; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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What Maduro’s Ouster Means for the Global Economy

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:40:06 +0000

President Trump announced early Saturday morning that the United States had carried out a strike against Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife. The pair was taken to the US where they face terrorism- and drug trafficking-related charges.

A few hours later, Trump announced that the US would be administering the country of Venezuela until there could be a “safe, proper, and judicious transition.”

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Nathan Hager sits down with Latin America regional editor Crayton Harrison to talk about the situation on the ground following the strike and what’s at stake for the people of Venezuela, its neighbors in the region and the global economy.

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Wall Street’s Predictions for 2026

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Every year, Wall Street’s top minds — strategists, economists and portfolio managers — pack their best ideas into dense market outlooks, often running a hundred or more pages apiece. And every year, Bloomberg senior markets editor Sam Potter distills those outlooks to capture the consensus and identify who’s breaking from the pack.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sam joins host David Gura to discuss Wall Street’s year ahead: from AI’s continued dominance and the prospects for gold and bonds to Wall Street’s evolving appetite for risk and what analysts say to watch for in 2026.

Hosted by: David Gura Produced by: David Fox Reported By: Sam Potter Edited by: Jeff Grocott; Fact-checking by: Naomi Ng; Engineering by: Katie McMurran

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Senior Editor: Elisabeth Ponsot Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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How Much Would You Pay to Buy Back Your Time?

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:40:39 +0000

Tired Americans are increasingly willing to pay a premium for items or services that save time or ease their fatigue: a laundry machine that both washes and dries, a grocery delivery service that puts the groceries away for them, a high-tech closet that steams their clothes.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg retail reporter Jaewon Kang and Wharton professor Gal Smitizsky discuss why a growing number of American consumers are willing to spend more to save time, even in today’s uncertain economy – and how companies are taking notice.

Hosted by: Sarah Holder; Produced by: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate with assistance from Dina Katgara and Julia Press; Reported by: Jaewon Kang; Edited by: Jeff Grocott and Tracey Samuelson; Fact-checking by: David Fox; Engineering by: Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin. Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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How China Defied the Odds in 2025

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:16:57 +0000

China started 2025 with deflation, a property crisis and fears of a “lost decade” damping sentiment. By year’s end, it had stunned the world with an AI breakthrough, a trillion-dollar trade surplus and rare earth dominance.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg Executive Editor John Liu and Bloomberg Opinion’s Shuli Ren about how China navigated Trump’s tariff war, revived investor confidence and what risks could derail its momentum in 2026.

Hosted by: K. Oanh Ha; Produced by: Naomi Ng and Yang Yang; Reported by: Shuli Ren and John Liu; Edited by: Paddy Hirsch; Fact-checking by: Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by: Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin. Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Why African Startups Are Embracing DeepSeek

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Chinese tech companies Huawei and DeepSeek are teaming up to offer cloud computing and AI services. And they’re pitching African startups on using their offerings over Western competitors like OpenAI in a bid to get an early foothold in the African tech scene.

In a special episode from Bloomberg’s Big Take and Next Africa podcasts, reporters Loni Prinsloo and Helen Nyambura join hosts Sarah Holder and Jennifer Zabasajja to describe the pitch, how it’s landing and what it could mean for the global AI race.

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Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part Three

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:34:47 +0000

Since the start of his second term, US President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs – especially on China, where most toys are made.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of fourth‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company’s battle against tariffs in stores and in court – and what it reveals about the true cost of America’s trade war.

Tariffs Unravel India’s Dream of Challenging China in Toymaking

Further listening: An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China

India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened

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Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part Two

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000

The US-China trade war has upended global manufacturing, forcing companies like Chicago-based Learning Resources to fundamentally change how and where its products are made, even as it challenges the tariffs in court.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha heads to India, where the toymaker has begun shifting production of its popular children’s toys. We examine how the company is managing the complex shift from China – where its toys have been made for decades, what the factory boom means for communities on the ground in India and how all of this will impact toy prices.

Further listening: The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs

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Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part One

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 21:30:00 +0000

President Trump’s trade threw American businesses, which source everything from aircraft parts to baby strollers from China, into chaos. Over this year, some companies challenged the president’s tariffs in court — including Illinois-based toymaker Learning Resources, whose case is now before the Supreme Court.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources, and Bloomberg’s Lucille Liu, to talk about the impact of the trade war on US importers and Chinese manufacturers – and what it ultimately means for American consumers.

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Why Instacart Backtracked on an AI-Pricing Experiment

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 23:53:17 +0000

This month, the think-tank the Groundwork Collaborative, Consumer Reports and the news nonprofit More Perfect Union released a report finding that Instacart had been using an AI tool to run algorithmic price experiments on shoppers around the country. As a result, shoppers were being charged different prices for the exact same items from the exact same stores.

At a time when inflation has driven grocery costs higher, the revelation that Instacart was charging some consumers more for the same goods struck a chord.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg’s antitrust reporter Leah Nylen and the Groundwork Collaborative executive director Lindsay Owens about the report’s findings and impact — and Instacart’s decision to end their experiment.

Hosted by: Sarah Holder; Produced by: Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by: Leah Nylen; Edited by: Naomi Shavin and Aaron Edwards; Fact-checking by: Julia Press; Engineering by: Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin. Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Even a US Blockade of Venezuela Isn’t Spiking Oil Prices

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:54:07 +0000

From OPEC powerhouses and US shale producers to countries like Guyana, global producers are drilling more oil and driving down prices. And with the potential for a ceasefire in Russia and pressure on Maduro in Venezuela, even more oil could flood the market in 2026.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg oil trading reporter Alex Longley and Opinion columnist Javier Blas to discuss the forces driving the oil market right now, how they’re impacting different countries and why even lower prices could be on the way.

Hosted by: David Gura Produced by: Julia Press Reported by: Alex Longley and Javier Blas Edited by: Jeff Grocott Fact-checking by: Rachael Lewis-Krisky and David Fox Engineering by: Katie McMurran

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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Weekend Listen: Lynsey Addario Keeps Going Back to Photograph War

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Lynsey Addario’s life work means taking great risks to tell other people’s stories. She is a Pulitzer Prize winning war photographer who has been abducted twice while documenting conflicts from Afghanistan to Ukraine and Sudan.

There aren’t many women in her field. In a new National Geographic documentary called “Love+War,” currently streaming on Disney+, she lets us into that world, one she’s made her profession for three decades. Addario shows how she adjusts from a work environment of grave danger and high-adrenaline to being a mother making the school run and spending time with her sons.

In this conversation, she tells Mishal Husain, why she believes her job is to “bear witness” and how she came to it. She remembers the first time she used a camera and shares how her childhood prepared her to walk into any situation and connect with anyone, from soldiers to refugees and civilians living through extreme times.

This interview contains descriptions of abduction, violence and sexual assault which some listeners/viewers may find distressing.

02:27 - Love+War
03:34 - The turning point
06:00 - Learning about the risks
07:00 “I don’t want to do this for a living”
09:19 - Being held in Fallujah
11:20 - On embed in Afghanistan
14:31 - Operation Rock Avalanche
15:43 - Dealing with the emotion
16:50 - The daughter of hairdressers in Connecticut
17:44 - Getting her first camera
19:30 - Planning a “shoot-list”
21:51 - Russian strike on Ukraine
17:30 - Being held hostage in Libya
31:02 - Survivor’s guilt
33:30 Life at home
36:30 - Social media and fake images
40:18 - Switching off

Watch this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0Ns_wjGlmjlPz0cded0nTYS

You can find the written version of this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview

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Inside Disney and OpenAI’s Billion Dollar Deal

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:52:03 +0000

As AI-generated images ping pong around the internet, the Walt Disney Company has been mostly playing defense, using litigation to protect its intellectual property. But last week, Disney announced a $1 billion deal with OpenAI, licensing more than 200 of its iconic Disney characters for use on OpenAI’s video platform, Sora.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks with Bloomberg tech reporter Shirin Ghaffary and entertainment reporter Thomas Buckley about the terms of the deal, the opportunities and risks for each side and whether it might spur other similar partnerships.

Hosted by: Sarah Holder; Produced by: Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by: Shirin Ghaffary and Thomas Buckley; Edited by: Tracey Samuelson; Fact-checking by: Naomi Ng and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate. Engineering by: Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin. Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

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Truckers Are Aging Out. Who Will Replace Them?

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:07:39 +0000

The trucking industry has long been dominated by older white men. But as those truckers steer toward retirement, who will replace them?

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder hits the road with Bloomberg’s Jaewon Kang, who’s been exploring how one company is trying to transform its trucking workforce. And we hear from MIT’s Chris Caplice, DAT Freight and Analytics’ Dean Croke and two Walmart truckers about what’s working for the industry and the challenges it faces on the road ahead.

Hosted by Sarah Holder Produced by Julia Press Reported by Jaewon Kang Edited by Tracey Samuelson Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky Engineering by Katie McMurran

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

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Many Cancer Drugs Don’t Extend Life

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:44:36 +0000

Treating cancer is a massive business. In 2024 alone, cancer treatments generated at least $200 billion in worldwide sales for the pharmaceutical industry, more than the obesity drug rush. But a Bloomberg News analysis showed that fewer than half of treatments reviewed — some of which have painful side effects — have been shown to extend patients’ lives.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior healthcare reporter Robert Langreth takes host David Gura inside what some doctors call the “cancer-industrial complex” — from the regulatory landscape that ushered in a wave of lucrative new drugs to the damaging financial and health impacts some treatments can have on patients.

Cancer Drugs Cost More Than Ever. They Often Don’t Extend Lives.

The Implants Were Supposed to Dissolve. They Didn’t.

Pharma Is Pushing $200,000 Cancer Drugs When Cheaper Doses May Work

Cancer Doctors Are Making a Fortune Off Drug-Trial Participants

One Generic Cancer Drug Costs $35. Or $134. Or $13,000.

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The $2 Billion Flood Control Scandal Rocking the Philippines

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:43:08 +0000

The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, but this year’s storms exposed something far uglier: a vast corruption scandal.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Andreo Calonzo and Rosalind Mathieson about how billions of dollars earmarked for flood control vanished and what the crisis means for the country’s political and economic stability.

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Wait, Weren’t We Supposed to Have a Recession in 2025?

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:27:44 +0000

All year, the jobs market, consumer sentiment, AI and inflation flashed warning signs about the economy — but 2025 managed to avoid a recession.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks with Bloomberg’s Stacey Vanek Smith and Moody’s Analytics Mark Zandi to understand what this year’s wonky economy can tell us as we head into 2026 and what to watch for in the new year.

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How to Invest in AI Right Now

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:37:27 +0000

Depending on who you talk to, AI is the key to remaking industries and jobs – or a bubble ripe to pop. And if you’re an investor, you’re already exposed.

So what’s the best strategy for investing in AI now? On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg personal finance reporter Suzanne Woolley talk to experts – ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood, Fidelity International’s Taosha Wang, Allspring Global Investments’ Michael Smith and Janus Henderson Investors’ Denny Fish – about coming AI investment waves and potential warning signs.

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A Fifth-Generation Farmer on Trump’s $12B Bailout

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 22:40:49 +0000

From rising costs to shifting markets, American farmers are struggling to make ends meet. Now, the White House is stepping in.

On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura sits down with Bloomberg agriculture Reporter Erin Ailworth and a fifth-generation farmer to discuss President Trump’s $12 billion farm aid plan. What prompted the move, which sectors will be eligible and how ongoing tensions between the US and China have upended the market for certain crops and shifted how the US exerts its influence overseas.

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The Fed Just Cut Rates Again. Here’s What’s Ahead for 2026

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:25:55 +0000

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee cut rates by 25-basis points. It was the scenario a lot of close watchers of the Federal Reserve expected — but what comes after this Fed Meeting is an open question.

With President Trump poised to name Chair Jerome Powell’s replacement by early 2026, both markets and the Federal Reserve itself could start to look to Trump’s nominee for guidance. Kevin Hassett has emerged as the front-runner for the role, who currently serves as director on Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers.

On Today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Economics’ Chief US Economist Anna Wong joins host Sarah Holder to break down the economic impact of the latest rate cut and what the Federal Reserve could look like next year if Hassett is nominated to succeed Powell.

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Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part Two

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:02:41 +0000

The US tariff war with China sent American companies scrambling to find alternative manufacturing hubs. India looked promising until the White House upended everything.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha heads to India, where she goes inside two toy factories scrambling to adapt to Washington’s shifting trade policies. How sky-high tariffs are undercutting India’s ambitions to take China’s crown as the world’s factory floor and forcing American manufacturers to make a tough choice.

Further listening: An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China
The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs

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What to Expect in the DOJ Epstein Files Release

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:00:00 +0000

After last month’s passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the US Department of Justice is on the clock to release an enormous cache of documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

So what could be in the files? And what might the government hold back?

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura is joined by Bloomberg investigative reporter Jason Leopold, who specializes in making government documents public and co-hosts Bloomberg’s Disclosure podcast. They talk through how the release could play out and how to parse the files once they’re available.

Subscribe to Jason’s FOIA Files newsletter and Disclosure podcast

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Netflix’s $82 Billion Power Play for Warner Bros.

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:03:52 +0000

News broke overnight that Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $82.7 billion.

It’s a deal raising eyebrows in the entertainment industry, from Netflix competitors including Paramount — and reportedly even the White House.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura sits down with Screentime writer and entertainment reporter Lucas Shaw to discuss the ins and outs of the deal, what we know about how it would impact viewers at home, and the regulatory challenges moving forward.

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Why We Can’t Quit Microsoft Excel

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:25:46 +0000

Excel. If you work in corporate America, that word either inspires laser-focused productivity or pure dread. Over the last 40 years, the spreadsheet software has become synonymous with the best — and worst — of late-stage capitalism. It’s seeped into popular culture and, along the way, made Microsoft one of the world’s most valuable companies.

But in a world of AI and new competition where Excel=Sum(39+1), can it stay on top? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Dina Bass and Businessweek’s Max Chafkin join host Sarah Holder to track the rise and challenges ahead for one of the most ubiquitous programs around.

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Are We Headed For Another ‘Crypto Winter’?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:43:46 +0000

Back in October, Bitcoin reached a record high. Just a few weeks later, its price had plunged, taking out over $1 trillion dollars in assets along with it. On Tuesday, it rallied. But dips across the crypto market have left investors and analysts wondering what to make of the swings.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg executive editor stacy-marie ishmael and host David Gura take the temperature of crypto’s dramatic ebbs and flows over the past few months, from President Trump’s second-term moves to bolster the market to fears of another “crypto winter.”

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Hong Kong's Catastrophic Fire Provokes Questions and Fury

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:11:35 +0000

Hong Kong’s worst fire disaster in decades has stirred up public anger over negligence, safety standards and official accountability.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Shawna Kwan and Jenni Marsh about the devastation, the political fallout and how the public outcry is causing unease in Beijing.

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Where US-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 23:27:35 +0000

On Monday, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff flew to Moscow, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited France.

Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try and sell him on the latest version of a peace deal, which has Ukrainian input. But after a phone call between Witkoff and a Russian counterpart, Zelenskiy is trying to shore up support among European allies — both to increase pressure on Trump to align with Ukraine and to garner more military support.

On today’s Big Take podcast, national security team leader Nick Wadhams unpacks the state of play between Russia and Ukraine, the developments of the last few days and whether an end to the war could be in sight.

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The Big Business of the Doodle Boom

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Goldendoodles, bernedoodles, labradoodles, cockapoos, everywhere you look, it seems like doodles — those fluffy, adorable poodle mixes — are taking over sidewalks, cafes and TikTok feeds. But the ubiquity of the muppet-like canines has also come with some doggy drama.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and producer David Fox head to New Jersey to meet a breeder who’s been navigating the doodle’s rise to fame. And writer Allie Conti examines the discourse around the industry: from its loudest critics to its devoted diehards.

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Wanted: Fed Chair. Must Run World’s Largest Economy, Manage Up

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Weeks before the Trump administration is expected to name its pick for the next US Federal Reserve chair, current White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett leads a group of five finalists. Whoever prevails will have the significant job of guiding the US through challenging economic times, while balancing the Fed’s long-standing independence against a hands-on president.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Fed reporters Amara Omeokwe and Enda Curran join David Gura to discuss what the leading candidates bring to the job.

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All Eyes on Japan and China Tensions After Taiwan Remark

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 22:15:35 +0000

After a rare public comment on Taiwan from Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, relations between the two nations are at a historic low — and Beijing is ramping up its economic retaliation.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s James Mayger and Isabel Reynolds about the political calculation behind Takaichi’s move, the historical grievances fueling the dispute and the real economic risks facing Tokyo.

Further listening: How APEC Become a Battleground for US-China Influence

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Inside Trump’s Retribution Campaign

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:33:50 +0000

On Monday, a federal judge threw out the criminal cases filed by the Department of Justice against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

When President Trump took office in January, he made it clear that retribution against his perceived political enemies was a key part of his second-term agenda. The cases against Comey and James were a high profile part of that strategy, and the White House does not seem inclined to accept this outcome.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg senior national political reporter Nancy Cook and Department of Justice reporter Chris Strohm to discuss the stakes of the Comey and James cases, the role the DOJ has played in carrying out Trump’s second-term agenda — and what to expect next.

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Checking the Math on Trump’s $2,000 Checks

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:52:57 +0000

Under new pressures over inflation and affordability, President Donald Trump has been talking up a plan to share tariff revenues with Americans, in the form of $2,000 checks. But there are several major problems with this plan — and he’s lacking support among some of his most ardent allies.

On today’s Big Take episode, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg senior national political reporter Nancy Cook and US Treasury reporter Dan Flatley to discuss how Trump’s latest proposal fits into the economic debate that could define midterm elections – and how the Supreme Court, the Republican party and Trump’s own cabinet could throw a wrench in his plans.

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Harassment Concerns at Oxford Went Unaddressed for Years

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:24:46 +0000

Oxford University has repeatedly been slow to act when confronted with allegations of harassment, assault and inappropriate behavior by male academics, a new Bloomberg investigation has found.

Katherine Griffiths, the city editor of Bloomberg’s London bureau, spoke to dozens of academics, staffers and women who have studied at Oxford to understand how the storied institution has handled misconduct concerns — and why it lags behind its peers. On this episode of the Big Take podcast, she shares her findings about the barriers to addressing misconduct at Oxford, and the lasting consequences for women.

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Nvidia Silences AI Skeptics (For Now)

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:46:35 +0000

Nvidia released its third quarter earnings Wednesday, crushing estimates and easing Wall Street’s concerns about an AI bubble.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech’s Ed Ludlow sits down with David Gura to discuss his post-earnings interview with Jensen Huang – what the Nvidia CEO had to say about the company’s breakneck growth, so-called circular deals, and potential expansion into China.

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The Hot Market for Jobs No One Wants

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:47:27 +0000

After a period characterized as “low-hire, low-fire,” the American labor market is seeing a surge of layoffs from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, UPS and Target. And that’s pushing more job applicants towards traditionally less-desirable occupations, like substitute teaching, traffic flagging and waste management.

Today on the Big Take, Sarah Holder is joined by economic reporter Mike Sasso to discuss what’s happening in this often-overlooked corner of the labor market and what it means for the economy overall.

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China Tests the Limits in the Race for Biotech Power

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 21:32:27 +0000

China is investing heavily in cutting-edge genetic experiments. It’s part of their quest to become a biotech superpower.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha, Bloomberg’s Karoline Kan and Oxford University geneticist Andy Greenfield discuss China’s pharmaceutical ambitions and the loose regulatory environment that allows the animal testing industry to thrive.

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How Private Equity Got Its Hands on Billions in Americans’ Retirement Money

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:42:17 +0000

Apollo Global Management reinvented how pensions could be managed and paid out — by taking them over and moving the risks offshore. Other firms have followed suit and ushered hundreds of billions of dollars in American retirement savings into accounts that retirees and economists say are exposed to higher risk.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg reporters Alex Rajbhandari and Tom Schoenberg, who investigated this phenomenon and explain what it means for the people whose nest eggs ended up on private equity’s opaque balance sheets.

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They Voted for Trump. His Tariffs Took Down Their Family-Owned Sawmill

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:07:21 +0000

For years, Mackeys Ferry Sawmill in North Carolina relied on exporting its goods to China and Vietnam after a dip in domestic demand for high-quality hardwood. But President Donald Trump’s trade war with China dealt a blow that the mill’s owners say they couldn’t come back from. In July, just months after the president announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs, they decided to shut it down.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg economics reporter Shawn Donnan goes to the “Old North State” to understand the ripple effect of tariffs on one of the oldest industries in America and how the mill’s owner feels about Trump and his policies, one year after voting for him in the ballot booth.

Listen more: The Most Worrying — and Reassuring — Signals in the US Economy

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The Most Worrying — and Reassuring — Signals in the US Economy

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:55:03 +0000

In recent weeks, a number of economic warning signs have put investors on edge, from growing skepticism over the possibility of an AI bubble to bankruptcies that have rocked the private credit market.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Opinion columnist and senior markets editor John Authers and host David Gura tackle the question: How worried should we be about the US economy?

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Trump Promised Revenge. He’s Using the DOJ to Make It Happen

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:27:42 +0000

When President Trump took office in January, he made it clear that retribution against his perceived political enemies was a key part of his second-term agenda.

He’s used a variety of tools at his disposal — and with his encouragement, the Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and former National Security Advisor John Bolton.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg senior national political reporter Nancy Cook and Department of Justice reporter Chris Strohm to talk about how these cases are playing out and the new precedent they could set for future administrations.

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Wall Street Speeds Up India Expansion

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:30:21 +0000

Wall Street banks are on a hiring spree across India, recruiting workers for everything from software engineering to risk management as part of a decades-long shift away from support roles toward high-skill positions.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg’s Siddhi Nayak to look at India’s changing job landscape. What to expect as Wall Street continues to expand into its tech hubs – and how Donald Trump’s H1-B visa crackdown could accelerate that push.

Further listening: Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Dashes Indian Workers’ American Dreams

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Why a K-Shaped US Economy Is Raising Red Flags

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 22:43:34 +0000

The US economy appears remarkably resilient right now, but if you look closer, you’ll see a different picture emerge: a growing divide between America’s wealthiest consumers and everyone else. Economists call this kind of bifurcated economy “K-shaped.” And as the top and bottom of the K have diverged, the overall economy has also become more top-heavy and more fragile.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Peter Atwater – the economist who popularized the idea of a “K-shaped economy” during the pandemic – and Bloomberg reporter Catarina Saraiva, who covers the federal reserve and labor market. They examine why this gap is widening, how it’s showing up in company earnings reports and what it means for the country’s overall financial health.

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What’s Trump’s Venezuela Endgame?

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:50:05 +0000

The United States has struck more than a dozen boats off the coast of Venezuela over the last two months, killing more than 60 people.

The Trump administration says it’s targeting narco-traffickers. But critics at home and abroad have decried the attacks and challenged their legal basis. Meanwhile, President Trump has overseen a buildup of force in the region.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg National Security Reporter Nick Wadhams, Bloomberg Economics Defense Lead Becca Wasser and host David Gura take stock of the concentration of American military force in the Caribbean. They break down why President Trump is taking aim at Venezuela right now — and discuss what could happen next.

Read more: Nobel Peace Prize Winner: US Escalation Is ‘Only Way’ to Free Venezuela

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How the Longest Government Shutdown Is Impacting the Economy

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:32:48 +0000

The ongoing US government shutdown has broken historic records — and its economic consequences could prove even longer-lasting.

Today on the Big Take, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg’s Gregory Korte and Megan Scully, who cover the White House and Congress, to talk about the shutdown’s impacts across sectors — and what it could take to break the logjam.

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Mamdani Won on Affordability. Can He Win Over NYC’s 1 Percent?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:01:26 +0000

Zohran Mamdani clinched New York City’s mayoral race by campaigning against wealth inequality and promoting affordability. Now, he faces the challenge of delivering on the promises that got him elected while coming to the table with the city’s wealthiest residents, who have an outsized influence on the city’s politics, economy and revenue.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg reporters Emily Flitter and Fola Akinnibi and speaks with Kathryn Wylde, the CEO of the Partnership for New York City, which represents the interests of the city’s business community. They discuss what Mamdani’s victory means for Wall Street and how he plans to win over the 1 percent.

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How APEC Become a Battleground for US-China Influence

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:51:31 +0000

Asian nations are walking a tightrope between Washington and Beijing – juggling trade, tech and security pressures as the heavyweights vie for influence.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Adam Farrar, Bloomberg’s senior geoeconomics analyst for Asia Pacific, to unpack what may have been overlooked at the APEC summit as the Xi-Trump show came to town.

Further listening: Trump Got an ‘Amazing’ Meeting. China Got Much-Needed Time

Listen and follow The Big Take Asia on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts

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It’s Not Just You. There Are a Lot of Layoffs Happening

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:43:24 +0000

The last time the United States saw layoff numbers this high was during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg US Economy reporter Julia Fanzeres and host David Gura tackle the layoff wave of 2025: what it reveals about the state of the US economy — and what it means for the workers swept up in it.

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WNBA Players Want More of the League’s Revenue. Can They Get It?

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:27:17 +0000

The WNBA is bigger than ever. From soaring ticket sales and to record TV viewership, the W is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world. But since last year, the WNBA and its players’ union have been in tense negotiations over the cut that players get from that success. A deadline to reach a deal has been extended another 30 days, but the sticking points remain.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, Bloomberg reporter Jennah Haque, Good Game host Sarah Spain and Seattle Storm Guard Lexie Brown break down the state of play, from proposals on the table for revenue sharing to questions about the league’s financial picture.

As Billions of Dollars Pour Into Women’s Sports, Players Seek a Bigger Cut

Further listening:

Good Game with Sarah Spain
Full Circle with Lexie Brown & Mariah Rose—Power to the Players

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Trump Got an ‘Amazing’ Meeting. China Got Much-Needed Time

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:57:03 +0000

On Thursday, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping of China announced a one-year truce in their trade war, capping six contentious months of negotiations and retaliatory tariffs between the world’s two largest economies.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Global Trade Editor Brendan Murray and Executive China Editor John Liu join host David Gura to parse the details of the new US-China trade agreement — and why both countries are moving forward without a permanent deal.

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Is the Fed Flying Blind?

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:12:48 +0000

On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, following its 25-basis-point cut in September. But amid a government shutdown limiting key data and questions about who will succeed Chair Jerome Powell, what comes next is anyone’s guess.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Amara Omeokwe and Enda Curran join host David Gura to break down the path forward for the central bank: from the shutdown’s impact on its decision-making to the leading contenders for Powell’s position when his term ends in May.

Powell Says December Rate Cut ‘Far From’ Forgone Conclusion

Here Are the Five Contenders to Replace Powell as Fed Chair

The Economic Data Lost in a Shutdown

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Tariffed: The Toymaker That Took on Trump Part One

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:45:35 +0000

The US-China tariff war has upended global manufacturing, forcing companies like Chicago-based Learning Resources to fundamentally change how and where its products are made.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha heads to Vietnam, where the toymaker has begun shifting the production of its popular children’s toys. We examine how the company is managing its complex shift from China – where its toys have been made for decades – what the factory boom means for communities on the ground in Vietnam and how all of this will impact consumers.

Further listening: The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs
Xi’s Top Bargaining Chip Is a Trade War Game Changer

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New York’s MTA Chief on Trump’s Funding Threats

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:10:11 +0000

Running North America’s largest transportation network is no easy task. Janno Lieber, the CEO and Chair of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is in charge of everything from upgrading ancient train infrastructure to advancing long-delayed expansion plans. He’s now also dealing with potential federal funding cuts for two of his agency’s signature projects – expanding the Second Avenue Subway into East Harlem and building a new commuter rail tunnel to connect New York and New Jersey.

Today on the show, Lieber sits down with host Sarah Holder to discuss his approach to running the agency in the face of these threats, his thoughts on NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s free bus proposal, and his advice for other cities who want to up their public transit ambitions.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Shutdown Day 23

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000

On day 23 of the second-longest government shutdown in American history, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sits down with Big Take Host David Gura to talk about the shutdown, the NYC mayoral race and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

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How Did an Alaska Native Corporation Become an ICE Detention Giant?

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Over the last decade, Nana Regional Corp. — an Alaska Native corporation based in a small community roughly 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle — has won contracts worth more than $1 billion to run and support ICE detention facilities around the US.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Polly Mosendz and KOTZ news director Desiree Hagen look into how a company that once focused on local Alaskan industries, like mining and hospitality, became an ICE detention giant — and why some shareholders are starting to push back.

This story was reported in collaboration with KOTZ and Alaska Public Media. KOTZ, a partner station of Alaska Public Media, has received donations from local businesses, including Nana, in the past.

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Xi’s Rare Earths Bargaining Chip Is a Trade War Game Changer

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:06:02 +0000

China’s dominance of rare earths has given Xi Jinping powerful leverage over Donald Trump ahead of their expected meeting next week.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate dig into how China is weaponizing rare earths and what the economic standoff means for a trade deal and the future of US-China relations.

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The Race to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 21:22:39 +0000

Some of the biggest names in tech and Hollywood are training their sights on Warner Bros. Discovery, the media and entertainment conglomerate that owns HBO Max, CNN and TNT.

The first party to make an offer was Paramount Skydance, the newly-merged company helmed by David Ellison.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw joins host David Gura to share his reporting on why Ellison wants to buy Warner Bros. Discovery — and what more consolidation would mean for Hollywood, the news business and consumers.

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A Brazen, 7-Minute Jewelry Heist at the Louvre

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:24:23 +0000

In just seven minutes, thieves in France made off with a cache of royal necklaces, tiaras and earrings in a robbery at Paris’s famous Louvre — shutting down the world’s busiest museum and setting off an international manhunt.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Paris Bureau Chief Alan Katz on the brazen theft that evokes a Hollywood caper, the latest in the investigation and what might happen to the priceless jewels.

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Amex v. Chase: Who Will Win the Battle for America’s Top Shoppers?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:40:30 +0000

The competition for America’s wealthiest shoppers is heating up, with credit card companies like American Express and Chase using every perk in the book to enroll new cardholders.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Amanda Mull tracks how the leading credit card companies are using perks, promotions and points to win the business of the 10 percent of Americans responsible for nearly 50 percent of the country’s discretionary spending. Who will win this high-stakes game – and what’s the cost to the rest of us?

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Why Global Economic Leaders Are Predicting a Slowdown

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:57:32 +0000

This week, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are holding their annual meetings in Washington, DC and so is the Institute of International Finance. It’s brought a who’s who of central bankers and finance ministers to the US capital — in the midst of a government shutdown — to discuss the most pressing issues facing the global economy.

Bloomberg reporters and editors from all over the world have also made the pilgrimage to Washington, including Brendan Murray, who oversees global trade coverage, along with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, the hosts of Odd Lots.

On today’s Big Take podcast, they join host David Gura to share what they’re hearing at official events and on the sidelines of these meetings and what it reveals about the health of the economy and global markets.

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What’s Driving The Rush to Invest in Gold

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:45:36 +0000

Gold always shines during uncertain times, but escalating tensions between the US and China and signals from the Federal Reserve that we could see at least one more rate cut this year have propelled gold – and silver – to record highs.

Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg precious metals reporter Jack Ryan and host Sarah Holder talk about what’s pushing up gold’s value — and what history can teach us about how this gold rush could end.

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Having a Baby? This Company Will Give You $72,000

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:29:18 +0000

South Korean companies are offering workers tens of thousands of dollars (tax free) to have babies. But are cash incentives enough to address the country’s record-low fertility rates? K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Hyonhee Shin explore on today’s Big Take Asia podcast.

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The Front Lines of Trump's Trade War? Look at Kentucky

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:36:33 +0000

There’s an unexpected place starting to feel the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade war: Kentucky.

Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove visited Governor Andy Beshear, the Democrat leading the red state, to understand the economic consequences tariffs have had on Kentucky’s manufacturing industry – and its iconic bourbon. Wingrove sits down with host Sarah Holder to talk about their conversation and his time in the bluegrass state.

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The Rebel Army Behind One of the World’s Major Rare-Earth Supplies

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Myanmar is the world’s third-largest producer of rare earths and a critical supplier for neighboring China. But rebels have recently taken control of most of the country’s mines — creating a complicated situation for Beijing and for global supply chains.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and reporter Timothy McLaughlin discuss the Kachin Independence Organization’s control of a majority of Myanmar’s rare-earth mines, how the change is shifting Myanmar's political dynamics and what the group’s growing influence could mean for the future of rare earths.

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The International Pressure That Led to the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 22:59:33 +0000

Escalating international and economic pressure led to a new peace deal in Gaza. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg’s Joumanna Bercetche, Fares Alghoul and Galit Altstein to discuss the factors that brought Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table, what they’ve agreed to so far and the outlook for the region after more than two years of war.

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The AI Deals Raising Fears of a New Tech Bubble

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 21:12:30 +0000

OpenAI and AMD. OpenAI and Nvidia. Oracle and OpenAI. Nvidia and Oracle. There is so much AI-on-AI dealmaking happening in the industry right now, it can be hard to keep track of who has a deal with who — and increasingly, it seems everyone has a deal with everyone else.

Today on the Big Take, host Sarah Holder speaks with technology reporter Emily Forgash about the AI giants making circular deals — and why some analysts and experts are concerned about the trend.

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The Rise of Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and Its Political Shift to the Right

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:05:29 +0000

For the first time in history, Japan’s ruling party has elected a woman as its leader. Sanae Takaichi, 64, is an unconventional figure — and now she’s on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Paul Jackson about Takaichi’s path to power, why her politics aren’t resonating with some Japanese women and what her leadership could mean for Japan’s economy and its relationship with the United States.

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Pay Up Or Move Out: The Americans Losing Their Homes to ‘Zombie’ Mortgages

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 21:22:17 +0000

They’re called “zombie” mortgages: old second loans from the subprime era that many homeowners had good reason to believe were canceled or forgotten. Now, years later, debt collectors are coming after the money. And they’re ready to foreclose if people can’t pay. It sounds like a horror story, but a new Bloomberg investigation has found that it’s a terrifying reality — and hundreds of thousands of homeowners could be at risk.

On today’s Big Take podcast host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg data journalist Noah Buhayar look at what a trove of records from one debt collection company tells us about how the industry operates as a whole and why cashing in on dormant mortgages has become big business.

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Will the Shutdown Lead to DOGE 2.0?

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Today on the Big Take, we hear from our colleagues over at Everybody's Business, Stacey Vanek Smith and Max Chafkin. This week’s topics include a possible return of DOGE-like cuts due to the shutdown, the wild ride of crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun and a very surprising economic indicator.

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Welcome to Undergrad. Meet Your 81-Year-Old Classmate

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:25:05 +0000

A growing number of colleges and universities across the US are trying to address dwindling student enrollment and tight finances by opening their doors to an unusual source of revenue: contracts with retirement communities, on or near campus.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Elizabeth Rembert heads back to school to learn what happens when baby boomers and Gen Z students share quads and classrooms: from intergenerational friendships to growing pains.

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Even Six Figures Can’t Save You From NYC’s Rent Crisis

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:56:19 +0000

The rent is too high…even for high-earning New Yorkers. In the wake of unprecedented rent hikes, residents across America's largest city are finding that not even a six-figure salary can protect them from the squeeze.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg Real Estate Reporter Paulina Cachero and Fiscal Policy Institute Chief Economist Emily Eisner about New York City’s stressed rental market, the domino effect it has on everyone and the proposals on the table to fix it.

Listen more: Odd Lots - Zohran Mamdani, the Socialist Who Could Be NYC's New Mayor

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The Shutdown Will Make the Fed’s Decisions Harder

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 20:08:55 +0000

The US government shutdown will have serious implications for the collection and distribution of federal economic data used to gauge the health of the US economy — including the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs reports and Consumer Price Index.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg White House reporter Gregory Korte and economics editor Molly Smith join host David Gura to talk about what the government shutdown means for economic data and how it could impact policymakers, investors and everyday Americans.

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AI Data Centers Use a Lot of Energy. You May Be Paying for It

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0000

AI needs a lot of energy — and a new Bloomberg investigation has found that those soaring costs are being passed on to consumers who live near data centers.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg reporters Josh Saul and Leonardo Nicoletti about the AI boom’s impact on power bills, how utility companies are handling surging demand and the implications for communities with centers in their backyards.

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What a Looming Shutdown Means for Markets

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:43:14 +0000

The US government is facing its first potential shutdown in nearly seven years, and the clock is ticking.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Congress editor Megan Scully and host David Gura break down the political incentives for President Trump, the Republican Party and for Democrats — and discuss what’s at stake for the economy if a shutdown comes to pass.

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The Kindbody Story: E5, The Baby Project

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:15:00 +0000

A Kindbody employee discovers the company is helping an imprisoned billionaire father multiple children through surrogates and egg donors. In this episode, reporter Jackie Davalos investigates Greg Lindberg's "baby project" and what it illustrates about America's unregulated fertility industry.

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The Kindbody Story: E4, Fertility Care, Meet Sales Targets

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:15:00 +0000

Kindbody implements quotas requiring doctors to perform more lucrative procedures, internal company documents show. In Episode 4 of IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story, patients report being pushed toward expensive IVF cycles and questionable add-ons.

Bloomberg’s Jackie Davalos investigates how financial pressure drove medical decisions at the struggling fertility chain—including one woman's painful and seemingly unnecessary procedure that would leave her questioning everything.

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Argentina’s Economy Is Struggling. Why Is the White House Stepping In?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:18:11 +0000

This week, President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent surprised markets when they signaled broad economic support — including a potential $20 billion swap line — for Argentinian President Javier Milei amid deep financial and political uncertainty in South America’s second-largest economy.

So, what’s behind this gesture and how would it work? On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Patrick Gillespie joins Big Take host David Gura from Buenos Aires to unpack what US support could mean for Milei as he faces a referendum on his economic agenda.

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Trump vs. the UN

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 19:54:00 +0000

The United States is responsible for about 20% of the UN’s annual budget. But it hasn’t paid its dues in months. And the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the international body is now facing hard choices.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Guterres and Bloomberg’s Magdalena Del Valle to discuss whether the institution can survive funding cuts and prove its relevancy in a time of rising global tensions. Without the full backing of the US, how much can the UN do to promote peace and security around the world — and what will that mean for the people they support?

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Breaking Down the Proposed US-China TikTok Deal

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:21:10 +0000

After months of negotiation, the US and China have reached a tentative agreement to secure TikTok’s future in the US.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove and Mark Anderson to unpack TikTok’s “America-First” era. They discuss what you need to know about potential changes to the platform, how a majority American-controlled board could impact the app’s future and what the deal tells us about China-US negotiations moving forward.

What We Do and Don’t Know About US TikTok Deal With China

Further listening:
Americans Flocked to RedNote as the TikTok Ban Loomed. Will the Party Last?

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How Private Equity Lost Its Mojo

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:42:03 +0000

Fewer deals. Long wait times for returns on investments. Struggles with fundraising. Even with an interest rate cut, private equity, which thrives on flipping and selling companies for a profit, is in a slump. What would it take for the industry to bounce back?

On today’s Big Take podcast, private equity reporter Allison McNeely on what’s contributing to an existential slowdown that has private equity firms scrambling to find a path forward.

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The Kindbody Story: E3, Rocketship to Nowhere

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:15:00 +0000

Kindbody doubles its size overnight through a major acquisition, with executives telling employees they'll be rich enough to buy private jets. In Episode 3 of IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story, Bloomberg reporter Jackie Davalos reports on internal documents revealing that the company is hemorrhaging cash. As layoffs reduce the number of patient-facing employees, one clinic's staffing crunch sets the stage for an error that led one woman to give up on her dream of motherhood.

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The Kindbody Story: E2, The Embryo Mixup

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:15:00 +0000

Dina and B arrive at Kindbody for the embryo transfer they've dreamed about for years. But their doctor delivers news that will make them question whether coming to Kindbody was a mistake. In Episode 2 of IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story, Bloomberg reporter Jackie Davalos investigates what went wrong and discovers that this error wasn't an isolated incident.

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The Kindbody Story: E1, The Fertility Spa

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:32:43 +0000

In 2018 a startup emerged, aiming to revolutionize fertility care with spa-like clinics and Silicon Valley swagger. Kindbody attracted millions from investors eager to disrupt a booming industry. But former employees describe a company that at times cut too many corners as it raced to expand.

In Episode 1 of IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story, reporter Jackie Davalos investigates what can happen when startup culture collides with the delicate science of creating life.

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Structured Products Are Back. Why the Boom and What’s the Catch?

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:52:44 +0000

When he announced the Fed’s decision to lower interest rates by 25 basis points, Fed Chair Jerome Powell made clear there’s still a bumpy road ahead for the US economy. Inflation is elevated and the labor market is showing signs of weakness. No wonder investors remain on edge.

All this market uncertainty has helped fuel the rise of a particular type of investment offering: structured products. They’re supposed to lower investors’ downside risks. But they’re not risk-free. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg equities reporter Yiqin Shen and markets editor Sam Potter break down how these complex investment vehicles work — and what their resurgence reveals about the US economy.

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Introducing IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:58:31 +0000

Kindbody, one of the largest fertility companies in the US, sought to disrupt egg freezing and IVF by combining spa vibes with Silicon Valley efficiency. The startup raised millions, opened dozens of clinics, and became a billion-dollar unicorn. But its ambition came with consequences. In IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story, reporter Jackie Davalos takes listeners beyond Kindbody’s millennial-friendly waiting rooms and into the clinics themselves, showing the sometimes-heartbreaking consequences of bringing the “move fast and break things” mentality to the business of creating life.

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With Inflation Still Sticky, Fed Shifts Focus to the Jobs Market

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:42:50 +0000

On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, a move intended to address concerns about cracks in the labor market. It was a highly anticipated, modest decision from an agency that has been under increasing political pressure from President Trump to do a bigger rate cut.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Fed and US economy reporter Amara Omeokwe and host David Gura discuss what the rate cut says about the state of the US job market, the broader economy and the central bank’s independence.

Further listening: Why Trump Is Trying to Fire Lisa Cook

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The Gen Z Protestors Challenging Asia’s Ruling Elite

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:32:46 +0000

Across South Asia, Gen Z protestors are flooding the streets, demanding change. These protests have resulted in some of the worst violence Nepal and Indonesia have seen in years, presenting a challenge to the ruling elites.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg Opinion’s Karishma Vaswani about what’s driving this wave of youth-led uprisings and what it would take for lasting political change.

Further listening: After a Deadly Student Uprising, Bangladesh Starts Over, Again

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Tesla’s $1 Trillion Bet on Elon Musk’s Leadership

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:55:41 +0000

On Monday, news broke that Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently bought about $1 billion worth of Tesla stock causing the company’s share price to jump. It was the latest headline to stoke investor optimism, following the news earlier this month that the Tesla board awarded Musk a $1 trillion pay package, to secure his focus on the car company for the next several years.

On today’s Big Take podcast, global autos editor Craig Trudell joins host David Gura to discuss why Tesla investors are, once again, all in on Musk — and why even Musk’s renewed focus may not be enough to turn the company’s fortunes around this time.

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What We Know About the Man Arrested for Charlie Kirk’s Death

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:41:48 +0000

The FBI has identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg national security reporter Myles Miller and host Sarah Holder discuss the latest from the investigation into the shooting.

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Trump Ally and Political Strategist Charlie Kirk Killed at 31

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 22:26:45 +0000

Turning Point USA co-founder and close ally of President Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The FBI has released images of a person-of-interest in the killing, but the suspect remains at large.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s White House reporter Josh Wingrove joins host Sarah Holder to discuss Kirk’s death, the political legacy he leaves behind and how the political world is reacting to his death.

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We Got 18,000 of Jeffrey Epstein’s Emails

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:35:19 +0000

Bloomberg News has obtained 18,000 emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s personal email account. The emails cover two decades and a wide range of topics, from the chilling to the mundane: Details of his Amazon purchases, his reaction to photos of young women, how he considered different potential plea deals.

Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Jason Leopold and Ava Benny-Morrison with host David Gura on the massive trove of emails — and what they tell us about Epstein, his powerful network, and his former girlfriend and associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

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John Malone Laid the Groundwork for Cable TV. Then Streaming Arrived

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:01:11 +0000

Billionaire John Malone earned the nickname “Cable Cowboy” for revolutionizing television and laying the groundwork for the modern internet.

On today’s Big Take podcast, he joins host David Gura to reflect on his career and discuss his approach to investing in the digital age, why he believes cable companies lost their way in the streaming era, what he’s learned from his years in the media business and what’s ahead.

Watch, from Bloomberg Television: John Malone on Warner Bros. Spinoff, Streaming, Dealmaking, Future of Sirius

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Xi’s Bromance Diplomacy Is Challenging Trump’s World Order

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:20:31 +0000

The leaders of China, Russia and India shared smiles and handshakes, putting on a surprising show of unity in a striking moment that went viral earlier this month.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate about what’s driving their alignment and what the shift means for Trump and the US-led world order.

Further listening: India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price.
What Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Means for China and the World

Watch, from Originals: How Xi Unleashed China’s Biggest Military Purge Since Mao

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Trump Is Unwinding Climate Science at a Dangerous Pace

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:24:48 +0000

By slashing budgets, cutting staff and revoking funding for grants and permits, the Trump administration has effectively gutted key U.S. climate policies in a matter of months. The administration says the moves are intended to save money and spur investment.

But Bloomberg reporting found that these actions could have negative consequences for the US economy, for GDP growth in disaster-prone areas, and for US competitiveness on the world stage.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder is joined by reporters Zahra Hirji and Eric Roston to calculate the economic toll of rolling back US climate science.

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A Judge Ruled Google Monopolized Search. Then Came AI

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:11:52 +0000

On Tuesday, a federal judge reached a decision in a landmark antitrust case against Google and its monopoly over online search. But the company avoided the most severe outcomes after the judge decided that its business was already facing a growing threat: AI.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg big tech editor Sarah Frier to discuss why Google’s business wasn’t forced to break up–and how the ruling could impact Big Tech moving forward.

Google Saved From Breakup in Antitrust Case by AI Threat

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Can a Smaller HUD Fix the Housing Crisis?

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:24:13 +0000

America is in the midst of a historic housing crisis, with record homelessness levels and a nationwide shortage of affordable housing. Addressing this crisis is the purview of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency tasked with making sure Americans have a safe, affordable place to live.

Today on the show, The Big Take’s Sarah Holder on her recent trip to meet with HUD Secretary Scott Turner, a former NFL cornerback and Texas state representative. Turner came into office pledging to help America build millions of new homes. But he's also supported other changes at HUD that critics say threaten that mission, like unprecedented staffing reductions and proposed cuts to rental aid. What will this new age for HUD mean for America's housing goals?

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Why Long-Term Bond Yields Are Up in the US, UK and Japan

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 21:30:40 +0000

A global selloff in long-dated bonds — including 30-year UK gilts, US Treasuries and Japanese government bonds — has deepened.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura, Bloomberg Economics’ Jamie Rush and FX reporter Mia Glass in Japan discuss what happened this week in UK and Japan bond auctions — and what it all means for the global economy.

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What Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Means for China and the World

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:26:52 +0000

Beijing is holding its first military parade since 2019, showcasing the strength of China’s armed forces. Underneath the show of power, a Bloomberg investigation has found President Xi Jinping is orchestrating the biggest purge of military leadership since Mao Zedong.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg's John Liu about the dramatic restructuring of China’s military and what this sweeping shakeup could mean for the rest of the world.

Further listening:

The Shadowy Fleet of Tankers Moving Iranian Oil to China
Tensions Are Growing in the South China Sea

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The Crises Vying for Dwindling Foreign Aid

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:18:59 +0000

The dismantling of USAID is contributing to a 17% drop in foreign aid this year. That’s put some of the world’s worst conflicts in competition with each other for attention and resources.

On today’s episode of the Big Take, Crisis Group CEO Comfort Ero joins host David Gura to discuss what this drop-off in funding has meant on the ground in the places that need it most — and why it’s so hard to sell developed countries on increasing their foreign aid budgets right now.

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The Latest Science on Extreme Heat: How Hot Is Too Hot?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:32:34 +0000

Nearly half a million people die every year as a result of extreme heat. That’s more than the total from hurricanes, earthquakes and floods combined. And as the planet warms the risk of deadly heat is only increasing.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Zahra Hirji brings Sarah Holder a dispatch from a lab at the forefront of understanding how heat affects the human body. They break down the latest science on deadly heat, why everyone is at more risk than they realize — and what actually works to mitigate those risks.

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Taylor Swift Wedding Predictions Are the Hottest New Trade

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:55:40 +0000

Gamblers on prediction sites like Polymarket and Kalshi are already trying to cash in on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement — betting on everything from their wedding timeline to her next single.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg personal finance reporter Francesca Maglione and wealth reporter Annie Massa to dig into what a high-profile engagement can teach us about the rapidly growing predictions industry, the challenges with regulating it and who’s investing in its future.

An earlier version of this episode included an incorrect reference to an investor in prediction markets.

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Trump Has a Shipbuilding Dream. Can South Korea Make It a Reality?

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:30:00 +0000

South Korean shipyards are busier than they’ve been in years. Seoul and Washington are working to finalize a new trade deal that will include a $150 billion commitment to help stimulate the US shipbuilding industry.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Weilun Soon about whether the US-South Korea shipbuilding alliance could help President Trump achieve his US shipbuilding dreams, what South Korea stands to gain from the investment – and if it will be enough to disrupt China’s maritime dominance.

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Why Trump Is Trying to Fire Lisa Cook

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:29:08 +0000

President Donald Trump shared a letter on social media Monday night, addressed to Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook stating he had made the decision to remove her from her position.

It immediately launched a legal fight over the validity of Trump’s move and raised concerns about the future of Fed independence.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg international economics and policy correspondent Michael McKee joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the immediate fallout — and the potential long term ramifications.

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What the End of the De Minimus Trade Loophole Means for Your Shopping

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:54:17 +0000

This Friday, a big change is coming for the more than 4 million inexpensive packages that enter the US daily from abroad: President Donald Trump is ending the de minimis exemption, a loophole that has allowed cheap goods to pass through customs tariff-free for nearly 90 years.

It’s a blow to millions of online shoppers, small businesses on platforms like Etsy and postal services worldwide — many of which have already paused small-package shipments to the US.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Laura Curtis joins host Sarah Holder to break down the demise of de minimis: Why ending the carve-out for goods deemed too small to matter is actually a big deal for consumers — and what happens next.

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What Powell Said About the Possibility of a September Rate Cut

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 21:43:03 +0000

In a speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, Fed Chair Jerome Powell left the door open for a possible interest rate cut in September, sending a positive signal to Wall Street that pushed markets higher.

This comes at a unique moment for the US Central Bank, which is under fire for how its handled rate decisions, threats to fire a sitting governor and a public inquiry into its building renovations.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Amara Omeokwe joins host Saleha Mohsin from Jackson Hole to discuss how central bankers and economic policy leaders are navigating the tensions between the White House and the Federal Reserve — and what we learned from Jay Powell’s last speech at Jackson Hole as chairman.

Listen more: Odd Lots: Lots More on What Just Happened With the Fed at Jackson Hole (Podcast)

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Welch’s Fruit Snacks Get a MAHA-Friendly Makeover

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:03:12 +0000

The Trump Administration wants to “make America healthy again” and one of its top priorities is removing artificial dyes from food. The company behind Welch’s Fruit Snacks has spent the past ten years doing just that.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Will Kubzansky takes us inside the Welch’s Fruit Snacks factory and explores the challenges America’s other food and drink companies could face as they try to meet the MAHA moment and make a similar change under a much faster timeline.

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What Does It Cost to Replace a CEO?

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:24:11 +0000

From Starbucks and Intel to Petco and Astronomer: top CEOs are getting replaced at record rates. And the costs of these ousters can spiral quickly, dinging a company’s stock price and costing us all in surprising ways in the process.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s management and work reporter Matthew Boyle joins host Sarah Holder to dig into the often murky, always steep cost of a CEO ouster.

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What Could Happen Next in the Russia-Ukraine Peace Process

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:03:37 +0000

After meeting with President Trump separately, Presidents Putin and Zelenskiy could be headed toward a pivotal face-to-face meeting to begin peace talks. But what each side is willing to give up to end the Russia-Ukraine war remains to be seen.

On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura sits down with Bloomberg’s White House correspondent Justin Sink and Europe government editor Piotr Skolimowski to discuss Russia and Ukraine’s red lines and the role the US and Europe could play in guaranteeing a ceasefire.

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How The Hunger Crisis in Gaza Unfolded Despite Months of Warnings

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 22:56:15 +0000

At this point in the war between Israel and Hamas, it’s difficult to get more than anecdotal evidence out of Gaza. Almost every organization that once provided aid and monitored civilian welfare is no longer allowed in — or has ceased operations. Very few journalists are left there.

But reports of a civilian population facing a hunger crisis are widespread.

To understand the reality on the ground, host David Gura talked to Bloomberg’s Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner, UN reporter Magdalena Del Valle and Gaza reporter Fares Alghoul to understand how a hunger crisis unfolded there despite months of warnings.

How Gaza Descended Into a Hunger Crisis, Explained

Israel Intends to Fully Take Over Gaza Despite Global Isolation

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Hims Wants to Keep Mailing You Copycat GLP-1s. It’s Getting Trickier.

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:44:44 +0000

When a shortage of brand-name weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy cleared the way for companies like Hims to fill the gap with cheaper, compounded versions, customers came flocking. But in February, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the shortage was over, leaving the company's strategy in flux and some investors worried.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg healthcare reporter Madison Muller track how Hims became the king of copycat weight-loss drugs and what’s next for the company as it fights to hold onto the crown.

Cheap Ozempic Knockoffs Are Suddenly Everywhere. Are They Safe?

The Weight-Loss Drug Boom’s Prescription Problem

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Why Trump Is Letting Nvidia Sell (Some) AI Chips to China

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 21:29:22 +0000

In an unusual deal, Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices have agreed to pay the US government 15% of their revenue from AI chips they sell to China. The US has blocked the sale of other, more powerful chips to China on the basis of national security, but the exception underscores the Trump administration’s openness to make exceptions… if the price is right.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg economic statecraft reporter Joe Deaux joins host Sarah Holder to explain the unprecedented nature of the deal, concerns about its legality and how it fits into Trump’s approach to trade with global competitors.

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What’s at Stake Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:39:17 +0000

President Donald Trump is heading to Alaska to host a face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin to talk about finally, maybe, putting an end to Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Notably not invited? Ukraine — or any other European leaders.

Today on the show, Bloomberg editor Flavia Krause-Jackson joins host David Gura to talk about why Russia has finally agreed to talk, what’s likely to be on the table in Anchorage and how significant this summit might be.

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How China Is Bringing Hong Kong’s IPO Market Back to Life

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:07:53 +0000

After a years-long slump, Hong Kong’s IPO market is roaring back to life, thanks to a growing number of Chinese companies that are raising billions of dollars in the city.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Dave Sebastian explore how China is transforming the financial hub into a key funding engine for mainland firms— and the risks this poses for banks on Wall Street and beyond.

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Who’s Really Paying for Tariffs? Hint: It’s Not Foreign Companies

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:19:09 +0000

President Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have pushed the average US tariff rate to 15%, up from just over 2% last year. But who’s actually footing the bill so far?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Businessweek’s “Everybody’s Business” host Stacey Vanek Smith takes Sarah Holder through Tariff 101: How is that money being collected and where is it going?

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Who Will Win the Race for Greenland’s Rare Earths?

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:42:10 +0000

For years, President Donald Trump has voiced his ambitions to expand the US presence in Greenland. But making that happen is easier said than done.

Bloomberg’s Joe Deaux traveled to the remote island this spring, alongside a former Trump administration official who’s hoping to build a rare-earths mine there — with the federal government’s investment.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Joe walks host David Gura through what he saw on the ground, what Greenlanders have to say about Trump’s rhetoric and what it would really take to establish a mines-to-magnets pipeline in Greenland.

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Private Equity Is Coming for Your 401(k)

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:37:00 +0000

US President Donald Trump just signed an executive order that aims to allow private equity into a $12 trillion piece of America’s retirement market — 401(k)s.

On today’s Big Take podcast, private equity reporter Allison McNeely joins host Sarah Holder to explain what this could mean for the average American’s retirement savings.

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Inside the Trump Family’s Money-Making Machine

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:18:00 +0000

Since President Trump kicked off his reelection campaign in November 2022, his net worth has more than doubled — to roughly $6.4 billion. No modern American president has positioned his family to make so much money while in the White House.

Today on the show, Bloomberg reporters Max Abelson and Annie Massa join host David Gura to discuss the sources of the Trump family’s wealth — from cryptocurrencies and sneakers to Trump-branded towers in the Middle East.

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India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price.

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:56:51 +0000

President Trump has been cranking up the pressure on India, a country the US has courted as a strategic counterweight against China. Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on the country, a higher rate than many other major economies in Asia. But he didn’t stop there. This week, he’s threatened to raise the levy even higher. His message to India is clear: Stop buying Russian oil.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins K. Oanh Ha to unpack the historical and economic ties that have kept Russia and India close and discuss why that relationship is now being tested on the world stage.

Further listening: Is Trump’s Trade War Strategy Working?

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The World Trusts US Economic Data. Trump’s BLS Firing Could Change That.

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:19:45 +0000

For decades, the data collected by the apolitical Bureau of Labor Statistics was seen as a gold standard — informing decisions made by the Federal Reserve, global business leaders and even presidents.

But now, after President Trump’s firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following a disappointing July jobs report — that could change.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Molly Smith joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the potentially sweeping policy ramifications of a shake-up at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Is Trump’s Trade War Strategy Working?

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:57:41 +0000

As President Donald Trump’s goalposts for his trade war continue to shift, Big Take host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg’s global trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss where things stand and how Trump has dramatically shifted America’s approach to international trade deals.

Read more: How Trump Let $1 Trillion Worth of Imports Escape His Tariff Hammer

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Why It’s So Hard to Buy or Sell a House Right Now

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 20:12:05 +0000

The US housing market just posted its slowest spring season in more than a dozen years. Experts are pointing to a combination of factors: high prices, elevated mortgage rates and economic uncertainty in America.

So what would it take to turn things around? Big Take host Sarah Holder spoke with Bloomberg housing reporter Prashant Gopal and real estate agents in major markets about the challenges for buyers and sellers.

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The Promise of Stablecoin: A Cryptocurrency Meant to Be Boring

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:42:20 +0000

President Trump signed the Genius Act, the US’s first major federal cryptocurrency legislation, earlier this month. The law focuses on one type of cryptocurrency: stablecoins. So, what exactly is a stablecoin?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Emily Mason joins host Sarah Holder to break down what stablecoins are, how they work and what their wider adoption could mean for the crypto industry, banks and consumers.

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China Bets Big on a $167 Billion Tibetan Dam

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:37:25 +0000

China is building the largest power plant the world has ever seen, in a very remote corner of Tibet. But the $167 billion hydropower dam has environmentalists and neighboring countries concerned.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Menaka Doshi speaks to Bloomberg’s Dan Murtaugh about the engineering and geopolitical challenges, and the impact construction will have on the country’s economy.

Read more: Xi Ties His Legacy and China’s Economy to $167 Billion Dam

Further listening: China's Plans to Make AI a Utility

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Crunching the Numbers on President Trump’s Trade War

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:17:02 +0000

For months, the impact of President Trump’s aggressive trade policy has largely felt theoretical. But with an Aug. 1 tariff extension on the horizon and a consequential week ahead for the president’s broader economic agenda, the cracks are beginning to show.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior economic writer Shawn Donnan joins David Gura to break down the tariff fallout hiding in plain sight, and which sectors and countries are being hit the hardest.

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What Keeps Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Up at Night

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:02:44 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss Sullivan’s tenure in the Biden White House, the consequences of President Trump’s cuts to foreign assistance and government staff, and what Sullivan sees as the most pressing foreign policy challenges facing the current administration.

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Oil and Gas Made the University of Texas Rich. Can Green Energy Make It Richer?

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:00:00 +0000

With more than $50 billion under management, Harvard has the largest college endowment in the United States. But the University of Texas is not far behind.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Janet Lorin joins host David Gura to discuss how the University of Texas harnessed land and oil to build the second-largest endowment in higher education and why it’s now adding new kinds of energy — and new ventures — to its portfolio.

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After US-Japan Trade Deal, What’s Next in Trump’s Trade War

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:42:47 +0000

Bob Zoellick and Mike Froman spent years crisscrossing the globe as US Trade Representatives for George W. Bush and Barack Obama, respectively. They hammered out deals that accelerated an era of free trade.

As President Donald Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline approaches and Japan strikes a major deal with his trade team, David Gura brings the two former trade officials together to get their take on the president’s efforts to reshape the global economy.

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Trump’s Tariffs Force Europe to Rethink Ties With China

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:13:58 +0000

This week, top European Union leaders are traveling to Beijing for a high-level summit which could set the tone for the relationship between the EU and China for years to come.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Alan Crawford examine the shifting ties between Brussels and Beijing and the effect Trump is having on the relationship.

Further listening: The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs

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What Worries Former Pentagon Chief Robert Gates

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:35:31 +0000

Over many decades of public service, Robert Gates has served as secretary of defense for two presidents and the director of the CIA.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Gates sits down with host David Gura and shares his perspective on what makes this moment one of “the most perilous” in history.

It’s the first of several interviews David did with some of the biggest names in foreign policy and national security at the Aspen Security Forum. We’ll publish those conversations on The Big Take over the next couple of weeks.

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Mayor Eric Adams on the Future of New York City

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Incumbent NYC Mayor Eric Adams didn't run in the Democratic primary. But he'll be on the ballot in November, running as an independent against Zohran Mamdani and probably a couple of other candidates as well. So what is his vision for addressing affordability? What can the Mayor do about crime, trash, and other quality of life issues? On this episode of Bloomberg's Odd Lots, we're joined by Eric Adams to talk about the city's future and his plan for securing re-election.

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How Locked Shelves Broke Shopping

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:47:36 +0000

If you’ve been to a store like CVS, Walgreens or Target in the last few years, you may have noticed a trend: more and more essentials are locked up behind plexiglass walls. The strategy started as an anti-theft measure. But there’s little evidence that it’s worked.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Amanda Mull takes host Sarah Holder through the causes and consequences of the retail lock-up era — and how it’s changed the way we shop.

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What Is Jane Street? And Why Are Regulators Watching It?

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:53:12 +0000

Jane Street is one of Wall Street’s most profitable and secretive firms. And when Indian regulators accused it of market manipulation earlier this month, it rocked the finance world.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg finance reporter Katherine Doherty joins host Sarah Holder to go inside Jane Street’s unique trading strategy, and what new regulatory scrutiny could mean for the high frequency trading industry.

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Murder on Rainbow Mountain

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:54:17 +0000

At over 16,000 feet, Peru’s Rainbow Mountain is hard to reach — and its bright colors are hard to miss on social media.

After a community effort to build an access road and usher in tourists succeeded, fame has proven to be a blessing and a curse for the Indigenous community that sits beneath it.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Marcelo Rochabrun and Sarah Holder trace how the community turned Rainbow Mountain into a global tourism destination — and the money, violence and tragedy that followed.

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The Leaked Phone Call that Plunged Thailand Into Crisis

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:40:28 +0000

A leaked phone call between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen has ignited a significant political crisis in Thailand, leading to large-scale protests and her suspension from office.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Patpicha Tanakasempipat about the political fallout and its impact on the powerful Shinawatra clan, which has dominated Thai politics for almost three decades.

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How Copper Tariffs Affect Everything You Touch

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:47:46 +0000

Last week, President Trump sent markets into a tizzy, when he proposed tariffs on one of the world’s most valuable commodities: Copper.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s economic statecraft reporter Joe Deaux joins host David Gura to discuss the president’s ongoing push to bring copper manufacturing back to the US. Why 50% levies on copper could affect everything from your car and iPhone to the nation’s electrical grid, and what the copper industry is doing to get ahead.

Trump’s 50% Copper Import Tariff Said to Include Refined Metal

Once-in-a-Generation Copper Trade Upends a $250 Billion Market

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America’s Flood Mitigation Math Problem

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:45:18 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, we examine what the disaster in Kerr County, Texas reveals about the growing risk of flooding across the country as the climate changes — and the difficult economic choices facing communities grappling with these new risks.

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Wall Street Banks Are Battling for Japan’s Top Young Talent

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Japan’s hottest banking talent is in high demand as Wall Street goes all out to woo new hires with fancy dinners, strong-arm tactics and higher salaries.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Lisa Du talks to host K. Oanh Ha about why firms are resorting to extreme measures and the problems they face in hiring top talent.

Further listening:
Can’t Get Enough of Matcha? Too Bad – Japan Is Running Low
South Korea Has Plenty of Botox But Not Enough Doctors

Why China’s Investment Bankers Are Breaking Up With Capitalism

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OPEC+ Makes a Big Bet on Oil Demand

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:46:57 +0000

OPEC+, a coalition of some of the world’s top oil producers, surprised markets over the weekend with plans to boost production by more than half a million barrels a day. The increase comes at a time when investors are worried about oversupply.

So what was behind the decision? Bloomberg’s Joumanna Bercetche breaks it all down with Big Take host David Gura from Vienna, where members of the oil cartel and executives from around the world are gathered for the Ninth OPEC International Seminar.

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China's Plans to Make AI a Utility

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:21:09 +0000

In a remote part of China's northwestern Xinjiang region, dozens of data centers rise from the desert. A Bloomberg analysis of investor and tax documents and company filings found Chinese companies plan to buy more than 115,000 high-tech Nvidia chips — chips the US has banned from being exported to China – to power these centers, which could then be used for training AI models.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Andy Lin and James Mayger about the story, and what it means for China’s AI master plan.

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The White House Wanted ‘90 Deals in 90 Days.’ There’s One Day Left

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:56:05 +0000

In late April, shortly after President Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs sent markets reeling, the White House announced a 90-day pause on when those tariffs would go into effect.

That pause is about to end and while the Trump administration has announced a few tentative trade agreements — including one with the UK and another with Vietnam — they’re nowhere near 90.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray and host David Gura discuss what the White House has accomplished, what it hasn’t and where the trade war goes from here.

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A Farewell to an American Icon: The Penny

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:30:00 +0000

For decades, the penny has cost more to produce than it’s worth. Now, the US government is finally stopping production of the one-cent coin for good.

So, how did we get here? And what does it mean for those little Abraham Lincolns stuck behind your couch cushions? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Steven Dennis takes us through the life and death of the penny, and explores what it reveals about the way the US government works.

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With Tax Bill, Trump Ushers in New Era of Executive Power

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:43:51 +0000

After weeks of legislative wrangling, the House passed President Trump’s signature tax bill, sending it to his desk just before his July 4 deadline. It's the latest in a sweep of major victories on legislative, military and legal fronts, all of which could impact how Trump enacts his agenda going forward.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s White House and government editor Mario Parker joins Sarah Holder to discuss what the events of the last two weeks could mean for the rest of Trump’s term — and for the future of executive power.

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The Great Car Buying Bonanza Is (Probably) Over

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:57:44 +0000

The auto sector saw buyers race to dealerships after President Trump announced 25% tariffs on car imports and parts from outside the US. And according to new data this week, sales from major automakers appear to be losing steam ahead of Trump’s July 9 tariff deadline.

Today on the Big Take, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg’s Detroit bureau chief David Welch to break down how Trump’s trade war could impact car companies including Tesla, GM and Ford, and what that means for car buyers heading into the summer shopping season.

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The American Toymaker Suing Trump Over Destructive Tariffs

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 20:28:32 +0000

Trump’s trade war has thrown American businesses, which source everything from aircraft parts to baby strollers from China, into chaos. Now some companies are challenging the president’s tariff rulings in the courts.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Rick Woldenberg, CEO of the toy company Learning Resources, and Bloomberg’s Lucille Liu, to talk about the impact of the trade war on US importers and Chinese manufacturers and what it ultimately means for American consumers.

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Cruises Are So Back — And Straining Port Cities

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:09:36 +0000

The cruise industry is an outlier right now. Even as US summer travel is down, cruise companies are setting sail with record numbers of passengers this year. But as the industry tries to keep up with this demand, it’s facing growing pains in the port cities it relies on most.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Redd Brown travels to Galveston, Texas — a port city that’s at the center of the industry’s ambitious expansion plans, and that is wrestling with the challenges that opportunity brings.

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For $10 Billion Dollars, the Lakers' Buss Family Steps Off the Court

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:57:46 +0000

Late last week, the Buss family, longtime owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, announced that they would sell the franchise for a record-breaking $10 billion valuation.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s sports business reporter Randall Williams break down what we know about the deal so far and discuss why America’s wealthiest families seem to be getting out of the game.

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Gap's Quest to Stay Cool Just Hit Its Latest Roadblock: Tariffs

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:46:08 +0000

At the start of 2025, Gap was cool again. The legacy American brand had started to turn around sales and rebuild its image. It was in the middle of a splashy ad campaign with the actress Parker Posey. Influencers were posting its clothes online.

But then President Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Amanda Mull and Lily Meier walk host Sarah Holder through Gap’s history, its recent re-invention and the challenges it faces now. Plus, we hear from Richard Dickson himself.

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Where the China-Iran Relationship Goes From Here

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:39:42 +0000

China is Iran’s biggest trading partner, and sources about 14% of its oil from the country. Between China’s economic relationship with Iran and its ongoing trade negotiations with the US, the conflict between Israel and Iran, and especially US involvement, has put China in a difficult position.

Today on Big Take Asia, host Oanh Ha is joined by John Liu, who oversees Bloomberg’s China coverage from Beijing, to discuss what’s at stake for China in Iran and how the conflict could change China’s game plan – not just in the Middle East, but on the global stage.

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Lead Negotiator of Previous Iran Deal on the Odds of Another

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:31:42 +0000

President Trump lashed out at Iran and Israel today over concerns that a ceasefire between the two was already breaking down. But going from a fragile truce to lasting peace is complicated, particularly as Iran tries to advance its nuclear ambitions.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who helped negotiate an Iran deal reached in 2015, and with Bloomberg’s Nick Wadhams. They discuss the current state of Iran’s nuclear program, what’s succeeded at the negotiating table in the past and President Trump’s objectives as he tries to broker a deal.

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There’s War in the Middle East. Why Are Oil Prices Falling?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:45:51 +0000

The conventional wisdom used to be that war in the Middle East would send oil prices soaring. Not anymore.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Opinion’s Javier Blas and host Sarah Holder talk about the emergence of the US as the world’s largest oil producer — and how that new power dynamic is playing out in the war in Iran.

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What’s Next for Iran, Israel and the US

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:31:25 +0000

The United States conducted airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend, marking a dramatic escalation of the US’s involvement in Israel’s deepening war with Tehran.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, Bloomberg national security and intelligence reporter Natalia Drozdiak and Israel Bureau Chief Ethan Bronner join host Sarah Holder to talk through what led to President Trump’s decision to strike, how the surprise attack happened and what comes next.

Read more: A Weakened Iran Can Still Inflict Pain on the US — and the World

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President Trump’s 12 Billion Dollar Tourism Wipeout

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:04:48 +0000

Global tariff wars, multi-country travel bans, detentions and phone-seizures at the border. President Trump’s “America first” policies create a grim picture for one group in particular: international tourists.

Foreign visitors to the US have been on the rise since the pandemic, with analysts previously expecting 2025 to be a bumper year for tourism. That is, until President Trump’s second term began. This drop in tourism is forecasted to cost the American economy $12.5 billion this year.

On Today’s episode of the Big Take, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg reporter and Big Take Asia host K. Oanh Ha to look at the state of the tourism industry in the US, and where in the world tourists are going instead.

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How China Is Building a Powerful Army of Hackers

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:57:10 +0000

Teams from China used to dominate international hacking competitions, until Beijing ordered them to stop attending and take part only in domestic tournaments.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Jamie Tarabay about how tournaments are helping boost China’s cyber-espionage capabilities and what that means for the world.

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Why Trump Ditched the G-7 Summit

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 21:01:17 +0000

President Trump was in Canada this week for the Group of Seven summit. But after dinner on Monday night, Trump left early, citing the conflict in the Middle East.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura speaks with Bloomberg’s Nick Wadhams in Calgary to unpack what Trump’s move could mean for Ukraine, the Middle East, trade — and for G-7 summits going forward.

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Where Does the Israel-Iran Conflict Go From Here?

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:22:12 +0000

Conflict between Iran and Israel has been simmering for decades — but escalated rapidly in the last few days after Israel bombed key nuclear facilities in Iran.

As world leaders convene for the G-7 in Canada this week — many are concerned about the prospect of continued fighting and a broader regional conflict.

Today on the Big Take podcast, Golnar Motevalli, who covers Iran for Bloomberg, joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the on-the-ground reality in both countries, the choices facing their heads of state and what other world leaders might do to encourage a deescalation.

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Live from Hong Kong: Why China Can Afford to Wait for a Deal, and the US Can’t

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Today on the Big Take, we bring you a new episode of Trumponomics, straight from the live stage at Bloomberg’s Hong Kong Invest conference.

Stephanie Flanders leads a panel from the Hong Kong Invest conference to unpack the latest round of high-stakes trade talks between the US and China, exploring why Beijing may still have the upper hand and how far any decoupling of the two economies will go.

She's joined by Robin Xing, Chief China Economist at Morgan Stanley, Lotus Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Hao Hong, and Bloomberg reporter Rebecca Choong Wilkins.

Further reading: Why China Can Afford to Wait for a Deal, and the US Can’t

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Bloomberg’s Interview With UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:18:20 +0000

Ahead of next week’s G-7 Summit in Calgary, Canada, Bloomberg Weekend Editor-at-Large Mishal Husain sat down for an exclusive interview with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The wide-ranging conversation touched on Israel’s ongoing strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the US-UK trade agreement, defense spending and more.

Starmer Signals Support for 3.5% NATO Aim With Talks on Date

Update on June 16: Corrects spelling of Keir Starmer in episode description

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Everything We Know About the Air India Crash

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:15:14 +0000

Moments after taking off, an Air India flight bound for London from an airport in Western India crashed with over 200 passengers on board. Hundreds have died and a search for survivors is ongoing.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Benedikt Kammel joins host Sarah Holder on what the crash of Boeing’s marquee 787 Dreamliner means for the company and the commercial aviation industry at large.

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Fed Chair Scott Bessent? The Race to Replace Jay Powell

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:25:01 +0000

President Trump says his decision on who will succeed Fed Chair Jerome Powell “is coming out very soon.” And according to new reporting from Bloomberg’s Nancy Cook and Saleha Mohsin, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a contender for the job.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Nancy and Saleha join host David Gura to discuss the president’s Apprentice-style approach to selecting a Fed Chair, what he wants in Powell’s replacement and how that might impact Fed independence.

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The US and China’s High-Stakes Diplomacy

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:18:09 +0000

Representatives for the US and China are in London this week trying to hammer out a potential trade deal. But with US access to China’s rare-earth minerals and China’s access to US semiconductor chips on the table, common ground has been hard to come by.

On today’s episode, Big Take host Sarah Holder speaks to Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray, who’s on the ground in London. And Big Take Asia host K Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s John Liu about China’s thinking and what a deal could mean for both countries.

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The New Economics of Broadway

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:21:17 +0000

Broadway has always been a high-risk, high-reward kind of business — but with costs to mount a production higher than ever, producers are leaning into new strategies to try to recoup investments. Now, as Broadway wraps its highest-grossing season on record, the hottest tickets to celebrity-studded shows are going for upwards of $800.

On today’s Big Take podcast, we speak with two Tony Award-winning producers, Daryl Roth and Lucas Katler, about what it takes to succeed these days in show business, and we hear from Bloomberg Pursuits’ Chris Rovzar about what Broadway’s new economic reality means for tourism, for art and for what audiences pay at the box office.

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Looking for a Job? The World Desperately Needs Engineers

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:29:50 +0000

There's a vital puzzle piece missing as rich nations aim to transform their electricity grids for the AI age: millions of skilled engineers.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Akshat Rathi joins host Sarah Holder to break down how labor shortages in the electrification industry are slowing down the green energy transition and what it would take to turn things around. Plus, the one country bucking the trend.

Read more: The Missing Engineers

Listen more: A skilled worker shortage is becoming an ‘existential’ problem for the energy transition: Bottleneck Series

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What’s Driving Europe’s Political Shift to the Right?

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:26:59 +0000

Poland’s election of a Trump-backed conservative nationalist president early this week is part of a larger shift to the right across the European continent: Much like in the US, conservative, nationalist and right-wing parties are gaining traction.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Rodney Jefferson and David Gura discuss the growing cultural divide behind Europe’s rising conservative movements and what their growth could mean for migration, climate policy and the future of the EU.

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Nintendo's Big Bet on Switch 2

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:29:26 +0000

The Nintendo Switch has generated some $100 billion in sales for the Japanese gaming giant since its launch in 2017, propelling the company’s shares to record highs.

Now the game-maker is under pressure to do even better with the new Switch 2, out this week. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg Opinion’s Gearoid Reidy joins host K. Oanh Ha to talk about why the Switch 2 is so important to Nintendo’s business and whether it can live up to the hype.

Read more: If the Switch 2 Stumbles, Nintendo Has No Plan B

Watch, from Originals: Nintendo’s High-Stakes Bet on the Switch 2

Further listening: A Turning Point in Trump’s Trade War

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A Turning Point in Trump’s Trade War

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:25:24 +0000

We’re more than halfway through the 90-day pause on President Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs. That three-month delay was supposed to give the US time to negotiate trade deals with countries around the world. And while talks are ongoing, many deals still seem out of reach. Now, legal challenges to Trump’s tariff strategy have thrown another wrench in the administration’s plans.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray to hear a status report on the latest steel tariff hikes and trade negotiations, and with legal reporter Erik Larson to explore how the courts could upend Trump’s agenda.

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The Dollar’s Dominance is Unwinding in Asia

Fri, 30 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000

As Donald Trump tries to remake global trade, the dollar’s historic dominance in Asia is under pressure. After Taiwan’s currency saw the biggest surge against the dollar in almost 40 years in early May, some money managers are saying the spike signals the acceleration of a bigger trend of moving investments back home.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg’s Ruth Carson about what’s driving Asia’s shift away from the greenback and what a rewiring of global financial ties means for the region’s biggest economies.

Further listening: Carry Trades, Explained
Could the Chinese Yuan Ever Replace the US Dollar?

Watch, from Originals: Why the US Is Getting Downgraded

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Where to Go If You Need a CEO

Thu, 29 May 2025 20:36:07 +0000

For decades, General Electric — the conglomerate known for making everything from trains to microwaves — was also known for churning out executives. Time spent at the company’s Crotonville campus was seen as the gold standard for leadership training in Corporate America. But as GE has lost its luster, a new CEO pipeline has emerged.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg work and management reporter Matt Boyle joins host David Gura to share what he’s discovered about where tomorrow's CEOs are learning to lead — and what it means for global business.

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The Financial Stakes of Trump’s Attacks on Harvard

Wed, 28 May 2025 20:05:54 +0000

The Trump administration has ramped up its attacks on Harvard University — threatening its tax-exempt status, federal funding and its ability to enroll international students.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Brooke Sutherland and Francesca Maglione join host David Gura to unpack the latest developments and how they could ripple beyond the bounds of Harvard’s campus.

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The MAGA-ification of Mark Zuckerberg

Tue, 27 May 2025 20:21:49 +0000

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been going through a bit of a MAGA rebrand, complete with a new look — gold chains, grown-out hair, custom boxy, black T-shirts — and appearances on so-called manosphere podcasts hosted by MAGA-friendly comedians like Theo Von and Joe Rogan.

Those changes have translated to his company, too. Since January, Meta has rolled back diversity efforts, weakened hate speech policies, disbanded its civil-rights team, eliminated its outside fact-checking system and added a prominent Trump ally to its board of directors.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Riley Griffin joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the political evolution of Mark Zuckerberg: What he hopes to gain from getting closer to Trump and what he has to show for it.

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They Bought Dream Homes in Tulum. Then Came the Nightmare

Mon, 26 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Tulum, Mexico has exploded in popularity since the early years of the pandemic. The area’s few Covid restrictions, picturesque beaches and laidback vibes attracted lockdown-weary travelers and helped trigger a real estate boom.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Andrea Navarro and Tanaz Meghjani join host Sarah Holder to discuss the dark side of a pandemic-era development spree in Tulum that has left a trail of ripped off investors, millions of dollars in missing cash and even two bodies in its wake.

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Are Current Beauty Trends Recession Indicators? It’s Complicated.

Fri, 23 May 2025 16:36:47 +0000

In 2001, it was lipstick. After the 2008 financial crisis, it was DIY haircuts. In times of economic turmoil, consumers tend to change the way they spend on makeup and beauty. So what is the beauty industry telling us now about the state of the US economy?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Ben Steverman visits a beauty convention and talks to masseuses and hair stylists about the trends they’re seeing in their salons, and cosmetics reporter Jeannette Neumann crunches the numbers on how these consumer behaviors are hitting companies’ bottom lines.

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Who Is the Mysterious Founder of China’s DeepSeek?

Thu, 22 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Despite the global hype around China’s DeepSeek, very little is known about the man behind it – Liang Wenfeng.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's Saritha Rai about the tech founder who led DeepSeek to the frontline of AI advances and what the company’s rise tells us about the battle for AI dominance.

Further listening: Why DeepSeek Sent Nvidia, Other Tech Stocks Tumbling

Watch, from Originals: How China’s DeepSeek Came for Big AI

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At 83, Media Mogul Barry Diller Is Ready to Tell His Story

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:31:05 +0000

After decades in the public eye, 83-year-old media mogul and Fox co-founder Barry Diller is finally ready to tell his story.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Diller joins host David Gura to talk about his new memoir, Who Knew, his storied career as an entertainment executive and his decision to speak publicly about his sexuality for the first time. Plus, how he’s navigating President Trump’s shifting trade and regulatory policies.

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Bloomberg’s Elon Musk Interview

Tue, 20 May 2025 18:51:03 +0000

On stage at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, editor at large for Bloomberg Weekend Mishal Husain conducted a nearly 40-minute, wide-ranging interview with billionaire Elon Musk.

Husain asked Musk about his future at Tesla, his ongoing feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the possibility of Starlink going public and more. At times, the conversation grew heated, particularly when Mishal asked about reports of his communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Did Apple Sleep Through the AI Revolution?

Sun, 18 May 2025 21:23:11 +0000

Over the past year, Apple has pulled out all the stops to tout shiny new AI tools: from big presentations at its Worldwide Developers Conference to ads featuring The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey. Now, the company is facing questions about what it’s promised versus what it’s delivered.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman takes host Sarah Holder inside the company’s efforts to keep up on AI and what it needs to do next to stay in the game.

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What It Takes to Negotiate With China

Fri, 16 May 2025 17:00:00 +0000

As of this week, the trade war between the US and China is on pause, with both sides hoping to agree on a new trade deal by early August. But questions remain about how realistic that timetable could be, given the challenges facing the world’s two largest economies, who both collaborate and compete with one another.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns joins host David Gura to discuss the trade war, the challenges facing his successor and what he’s telling foreign policy students who are worried about the future of diplomacy. “We’ve gotta steel ourselves for the next decade or two to a historic competition with China. And China right now is stronger.”

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Small Towns Are Getting Hooked on ICE Detention

Wed, 14 May 2025 20:13:22 +0000

Like a growing number of US communities, Torrance County, New Mexico, is convinced its financial survival depends on locking immigrants up. A lucrative ICE contract keeps a private detention facility open that local politicians say the area needs.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Rachel Adams-Heard and Fola Akinnibi examine how these private facilities are becoming key to the US government’s immigration crackdown – and the financial incentives making it harder for small communities to quit them.

How India and Pakistan Averted War

Tue, 13 May 2025 20:28:01 +0000

Last week, India and Pakistan saw the worst fighting in half a century — and came close to an all-out war. But the conflict came to an uneasy and sudden halt after Donald Trump declared the two countries reached a ceasefire.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg’s Dan Strumpf about how the deadly clashes and ceasefire unfolded and the implications of US mediation in the decades-old conflict.

The Rise of Modi, Part 2: How India’s Leader Came Back From the Brink

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Is the US-China Trade War Over?

Mon, 12 May 2025 22:19:32 +0000

In a stunning turn of events, the US and China announced a dramatic reduction in tariffs, which President Trump portrayed as a “total reset” with China. Stocks rose following the news, but what lies ahead once the 90-day reprieve expires remains uncertain.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Treasury reporter Dan Flatley joins host David Gura to discuss the major takeaways from these latest negotiations and what they could mean for the world’s two largest economies.

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What's Behind the World's Matcha Shortage

Fri, 09 May 2025 16:18:55 +0000

Japan has a matcha shortage despite record levels of production. Shops are selling out of the green tea powder as soon as they hit the shelves.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's Mia Glass about the world’s obsession with matcha – and why producers can’t keep up with the rising demand.

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Big Tech Is on Trial. What That Means for the Future of the Internet

Thu, 08 May 2025 20:08:56 +0000

Google has lost two antitrust cases in the past year; Meta is currently in court over alleged anti-competitive behavior. Big Tech is in a moment of reckoning that could reshape the industry – and your internet use – for decades to come.

Today on the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Sarah Frier and Sara Forden join host Sarah Holder to unpack the trials seeking to rein in Silicon Valley. Will the antitrust cases against Google and Meta help innovation flourish, or kill America’s chances at AI dominance?

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Telemarketers’ New Trick to Sell Bare-Bones Health Plans

Wed, 07 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

A few years ago, a former sitcom writer came up with a weird way to sell Americans cheap health plans, using a loophole in the Affordable Care Act. More than 100,000 households have signed up, but many say the coverage isn’t what they were promised.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Zach Mider shares what he learned while investigating the plans and what it could mean for the American health-care system if more people turn to them.

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How a CEO’s Faked Results Led to a $300 Million Wipeout

Tue, 06 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In late 2018, five years after launching fish-feeding company eFishery, Gibran Huzaifah found himself all out of cash. To save his business, the CEO started plugging fake numbers into financial reports. The brighter picture drew hundreds of millions of investor dollars. But his house of cards was doomed to collapse.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's David Ramli about the fall of eFishery and what it says about the risks of venture capital investing.

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Warren Buffett Passes the Baton

Mon, 05 May 2025 21:58:07 +0000

Warren Buffett shocked shareholders when he announced he’d be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The 94-year-old business giant had been running the behemoth company for more than 50 years, and his investment decisions have earned him the nickname the “Oracle of Omaha.”

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior markets editor and Opinion columnist John Authers unpacks how Warren Buffett changed investing, what it would take for successors to fill his shoes and whether Berkshire Hathaway is headed for a break-up.

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Your Morning Commute Could Get Way Worse

Fri, 02 May 2025 17:37:46 +0000

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the US government stepped in with aid to keep mass transit agencies afloat. But that money is running out and ridership hasn’t rebounded.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Sri Taylor and Aaron Gordon join host David Gura to discuss why advocates now fear many transit systems are on the verge of a so-called “death spiral” — a vicious cycle of less funding, low ridership and cuts to services that could impact everyone’s commute.

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Earnings Are In. Companies Can’t Hide From Tariffs Anymore

Thu, 01 May 2025 21:11:40 +0000

One month after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, Q1 earnings reports for a range of US companies are in.

On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Shelly Banjo joins host Sarah Holder to talk through what those reports are revealing about companies’ reactions to Trump’s trade war. Are they pausing, pivoting or panicking?

How Goldman Sachs Is Thinking About Tariffs

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:46:35 +0000

The uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff policies has been spooking business leaders and roiling the markets. And according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, there could be more economic pain ahead — at least in the short term.

Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg editor-at-large Francine Lacqua sits down with Solomon at the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund’s annual investment conference in Oslo. He shares his thoughts on the fate of the US dollar as a reserve currency, opportunities for new investment in European markets and his predictions for global growth in the coming year.

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What a Liberal Victory Means for Canada and the Trade War

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:37:04 +0000

In electing Mark Carney as prime minister, Canadians have given him and the Liberal Party a mandate. But it was a narrow victory — one that will require Carney to work with another party to achieve his priorities. His most urgent: trade talks with US President Donald Trump.

On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura sits down with Canadian government reporter Brian Platt in Ottawa to discuss the results of the election, what a fourth consecutive Liberal term means for the country’s future and how Carney might try to position Canada in trade negotiations.

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Top Colleges Are Too Costly — Even for Parents Making $300K

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 21:53:03 +0000

Tuition at US colleges and universities is higher than ever. But an exclusive new Bloomberg analysis reveals that the cost of a four-year degree is particularly burdensome for middle class students and their families.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Francesca Maglione and Paulina Cachero join David Gura to break down the real cost of attending the most selective colleges and universities in the US — and how that cost changes depending on how much a family makes.

Read more: Top Colleges Are Too Costly Even for Parents Making $300,000

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The Americans With Disabilities Making Under Minimum Wage

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:00:49 +0000

For decades, workers, disability advocates and employers have debated a program called 14(c), a section of employment law that lets companies pay certain employees with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Proponents say the program provides opportunities for people who might not find them elsewhere. Critics say it’s exploitative and stigmatizing.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior reporter Josh Eidelson joins host Sarah Holder to dig into the debate over subminimum wage and the future of the program under President Trump.

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The Chinese Toy Company Defying the Trade War

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Chinese toy company Pop Mart is one of the hottest stocks this year thanks to the wild popularity of its Labubu dolls and other blind box toys.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg Opinion’s Shuli Ren about how the company’s business model could help it ride out the trade-war storm.

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The Vibes Are Off. But Is It a Recession?

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Amid tariff whiplash, renewed inflation concerns and turbulence in financial markets, Americans are left wondering: Do the economic vibes match our economic reality? And are we headed for a recession?

Today on the show, Bloomberg senior markets editor and columnist John Authers joins host David Gura to discuss official and unofficial recession indicators and what the state of the economy tells us about what could be ahead.

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A Rubber Company Supplying Top Tiremakers Faces Troubling Accusations

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:56:15 +0000

For years, a rubber and palm oil company that supplies some of the world’s top tiremakers has been dogged by allegations of sexual coercion at its plantations. Socfin — short for Société Financière des Caoutchoucs — says it has taken steps to improve matters, but an exclusive Bloomberg report shows those claims remain widespread.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg’s Sheridan Prasso to discuss her investigation into why the abuse has been so hard to stop — and a new EU law that could give corporations like Socfin a big incentive to reform.

Read more: Sex-for-Work Allegations Hang Over Tycoons' Rubber Plantations

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Inside the Explosive Feud That Rocked Singapore’s Richest Family

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:49:49 +0000

For decades, Singapore’s Kwek family, owners of one of the city’s biggest developers, looked to be the model of a successful family-run business. But that image was shattered when the family patriarch filed a lawsuit against his son.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sheryl Lee and Dexter Low to examine what happened behind the boardroom doors of City Developments and how investors are navigating its fallout.

Further listening: A New Breed of Scammer Is Targeting Asia's Ultra-Rich

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America Is Pumping The Brakes On EVs. GM Is Doubling Down.

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:19:50 +0000

It’s been a tough year for electric vehicles: Since President Trump took office for a second term, the US has started a complete 180 on its investment in EVs. And as Trump’s trade war continues, the industry is bracing for additional tariffs and disruption to supply chains.

But one company is pushing forward: General Motors. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Detroit Bureau Chief David Welch and host David Gura examine the road ahead for GM’s big bet on electric, and what it means for future EV buyers.

Read more: GM’s Mary Barra Has to Make a $35 Billion EV Bet Work in Trump’s America

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Forget the S&P or CPI. Meet the Bacon Egg and Cheese Index

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:18:25 +0000

When it comes to measuring economic pain, the cost of a humble breakfast sandwich might not be top of mind. But Bloomberg has an index that tracks the rising cost of a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, plus a cup of coffee. And this year, it’s reached record highs.

On today’s Big Take podcast, we hear from people up and down the BEC supply chain — from a wheat farmer to a coffee roaster to a guy who turned his life-long love of eggs into a career. What does the most important meal of the day tell us about inflation, supply and demand, and the complexities of financial markets? More importantly: how did this sandwich get so expensive?

Follow the BEC Index on the Bloomberg Terminal: {ECAN US BEC}

Further listening: Why Eggs Are So Expensive Right Now

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What a Trade War Means for Your Money

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:34:32 +0000

It’s been a bewildering time for retail investors trying to make sense of global markets. In the week since President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, markets have plunged, rebounded — and now, they’re sliding again. Meanwhile, the trade war between the US and China continues. Both announced severe new tariffs this week.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Charlie Wells and host Sarah Holder try to make sense of what all this uncertainty means for your money and dig into what experts recommend doing to protect yourself right now and in the weeks and months ahead.

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Why Asia Was Hit Hardest by Trump’s Tariff Onslaught

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:50:19 +0000

US President Donald Trump shocked the world -- and global markets -- with tariffs that exceeded expectations last week. But there was one region that was hit harder than most: Asia. Exporting powerhouses like China and Vietnam were slapped with some of the highest levies of any country, with China now facing an additional 50% tariff, bringing the total rate of its levies to more than 100%.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg's John Liu in Beijing and John Boudreau in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss the reactions from Asian economies and how the tariff onslaught may upend the trading world order.

Tariffs Rip Through Southeast Asia Stocks, Sink Vietnam’s Market

Further listening:

The Trump Trade War’s First Casualty? The Bull Market

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs. What’s Next

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The Trump Trade War’s First Casualty? The Bull Market

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:12:59 +0000

It's been a volatile few days across global markets.

As the equity sell-off has deepened, a growing number of market strategists have revised down their targets for where the S&P 500 will be at the end of the year, and economists at several big banks have updated their forecasts. Today on the Big Take podcast, unpacking the seismic effect US President Trump’s tariffs announcement is having on markets. Bloomberg Opinion’s John Authers joins host David Gura to contextualize the market moves — and explain what’s likely to happen next.

DNA and Bankruptcy Collide With 23andMe

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:20:04 +0000

The genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March, after years of slowing sales, legal trouble, and a declining stock price. And now, the valuable trove of genetic data the company owns is for sale, sparking privacy concerns.

On today’s Big Take, Bloomberg biotech reporter Gerry Smith traces the rise and fall of 23andMe, and bankruptcy reporter Jonathan Randles outlines what a possible sale could mean for millions of users’ genetic data.

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As India’s Stock Market Surged, So Did Investment Scams

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:14:48 +0000

India’s historic stock market surge sparked a retail-investing frenzy that minted millionaires. But the boom also became a breeding ground for financial scams.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Alex Gabriel Simon about the retail investors that have been cheated out of their life savings, and how this influx of scams could undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote his nation’s stock market to global money managers.

Watch, from Originals: Is India's Stock Market a Bubble About to Burst?

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What We Know About Trump’s Planned Tariffs

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 22:15:57 +0000

President Donald Trump is calling April 2nd “Liberation Day” — that’s when the president says the world can expect the biggest salvo in his widening trade war. While the specifics are not yet clear, the symbolism is: Trump wants to usher in an era of American protectionist policy that could re-order global trade.

Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan joins host David Gura to discuss what we know about these new tariffs and the lessons from similarly broad tariffs in 1930. Plus, a new Bloomberg analysis of the economic impact the tariffs could have on the US economy.

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Levittown Episode 6: Warp Speed

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In the series finale, our reporters try to crack the secretive companies behind nudify apps that let users create deepfakes in minutes. And a new case rocks another small town high school.

Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the Internet. Where tech moves faster than the law, and it’s up to everyday people to hold back a rising tide of explicit deepfakes.

For official transcripts and additional information on this series, go to bloomberg.com/levittown

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Levittown Episode 5: The Vigilantes

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Kayla faces down her harasser in court. In New Zealand, an investigator summons a global army of hackers.

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Levittown Episode 4: 'How Is That Not Illegal'

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

An arrest in Levittown kicks off the next phase of an investigation. The central question for the prosecutors is: Is any of this a crime? And they’re on the clock.

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They Bought Dream Homes in Tulum. Then Came the Nightmare

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 20:53:11 +0000

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Private Equity’s New Pitch: Investing Your 401(k)

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Private equity is looking for new ways to raise capital. The industry has its eye on a $12 trillion piece of America’s retirement market.

On today’s Big Take podcast, private equity reporter Allison McNeely joins host Sarah Holder to explain why PE firms are targeting 401(k)s now and what this could mean for the average American’s retirement savings.

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Googling in the ChatGPT Era

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Search is the most lucrative part of Google’s business. So when ChatGPT launched in 2022 and offered to answer users’ every question, it posed an existential threat to the company, forcing Google to respond. Google had to figure out how to compete. But integrating generative AI into Google search would fundamentally change the company’s core product, and it introduced big risks.

Bloomberg reporters Davey Alba and Julia Love spoke to Google executives and former employees to get a look inside Google's plans to transform search with AI.

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Levittown Episode 3: The Hunter

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

It’s not just Levittown. The website hosting the doctored photos is the nexus of campaigns to harass women across the world. A victim in New Zealand helps to spark a global battle against the site and its elusive owner.

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Levittown Episode 2: ‘I’m Also on the Website’

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Months after Kayla’s discovery, dozens of women in Levittown, a New York suburb on Long Island, learn they, too, are subjects of faked porn. Most are recent graduates of the local high school, and they zero in on a culprit. One of them sets out to prove it.

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Levittown Episode 1: Me... But Not Me

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:49:05 +0000

SHOW DESCRIPTION

New Year’s Eve. Levittown, New York. Word travels swiftly as one young woman tells the next: “You’re on the website.” Dozens of recent high-school graduates are finding out that their photos have been scraped from their social media accounts, manipulated and posted to a porn website.

Who would have done this? And can the women get the images taken down? Told there isn’t much the police or anyone else can do, they set out to catch whoever did this.

Along the way, they get some help from a global band of investigators and hackers who could take risks that police and prosecutors sometimes couldn't.

Levittown is a real-life horror story for the AI generation. In this six-part series from Bloomberg, Kaleidoscope and iHeart Podcasts, reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy take listeners from quiet suburbs of New York to as far as New Zealand and into the darkest corners of the Internet. Where tech moves faster than the law, and it’s up to everyday people to hold back a rising tide of explicit deepfakes.

EPISODE 1: Me… But Not Me

Stuck in her childhood home during the pandemic, Kayla is shocked to learn that photos of her, altered to make her look naked, are posted to a website where men swap violent fantasies about women. A conversation with police leaves Kayla discouraged.

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Another Space-Obsessed Billionaire Has Entered the Chat

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 21:22:17 +0000

The International Space Station’s time in the stars will soon come to an end. NASA has said that the ISS is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2030 and replaced with a new station made by a private company. Now, the race is on to win the contract.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Kiel Porter and Loren Grush tell host Sarah Holder why a former crypto tycoon has made a billion-dollar bet that his startup, Vast, will build the next international space station — and what this space race tells us about the future of the commercial space industry.

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The World Is Paying for Trump’s China Tariffs

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Trump's tariffs on China are causing a lot of pain around the world. Products that would've gone to the US are now pouring into other countries, leading to factory closures and layoffs. And this is likely to increase after April 2, when President Trump has promised to put in place a new set of tariffs.

On today’s episode of the Big Take, Katia Dmitrieva joins host David Gura to talk about the collateral damage from Trump’s trade war with China.

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How Wall Street Thinks About Crypto’s Future

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 21:37:19 +0000

Crypto optimism soared after President Trump’s re-election and Bitcoin hit an all-time high the day of his inauguration. But it's been on something of a roller coaster since then. And the broader finance industry is watching all of this very closely.

Bloomberg’s Katherine Doherty hit the road for a conference in South Florida, where members of the financial old guard are embracing digital assets anew, and are considering giving their core products a crypto update. She joins host David Gura to share a vibe check on all things crypto.

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Can Nvidia Stay on Top?

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:24:37 +0000

CEO Jensen Huang has always said Nvidia is “thirty days from going out of business.” Even though Nvidia is now worth trillions, Huang is focused on future-proofing the business to outlast the current AI boom — and possibly even create the next one.

Businessweek tech editor Joshua Brustein joins host David Gura to discuss the innovations the company is pursuing, its constant search for new markets and the threats to its dominance.

Read more: Nvidia Looks Past DeepSeek and Tariffs for AI’s Next Chapter

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Investors Eye a Return to Russia

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:10:07 +0000

As Trump signals a warmer relationship with Putin and a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine comes into focus, optimistic investors and businesses are eyeing potential opportunities in a re-opened Russian economy. But investing in Russia is still a risky bet.

On today’s episode of the Big Take, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg’s Anthony Halpin about why some investors are enthusiastic about Russia’s possible return to global financial markets.

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China’s Power Play In the Indian Ocean

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:08:47 +0000

Mauritius and neighboring islands in the Indian Ocean are at the center of a great-power chess match involving the US, China and India. All want to use them as bases to protect shipping lanes and project military might in the region.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Bloomberg correspondent Peter Martin to discuss the power struggle, and the implications of China’s growing clout in the region.

Further listening: The Shadowy Fleet of Tankers Moving Iranian Oil to China

Watch, from Originals: China’s Power Play In the Indian Ocean

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A Trump Slump? How to Navigate Choppy Markets

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:55:53 +0000

It has been a wild few weeks in markets.

By last week, the S&P 500 had wiped out all its gains since Election Day – $3.4 trillion in value. When Trump was asked about the possibility of a recession over the weekend, he said the US was in a “period of transition.”

Then on Monday, the Nasdaq 100 saw its worst day since 2022, tumbling 3.8% and extending a selloff that has put it into correction territory.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Charlie Wells and host Sarah Holder discuss whether the Trump bump has become the Trump slump — and what this moment of market volatility means for your money.

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Xi’s Big Challenge Is Getting People to Spend, Spend, Spend

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:00:00 +0000

A crippling property crisis, mounting debt, weak consumer spending… and now a trade war. Despite the headwinds, China has set an ambitious economic growth goal of about 5% this year.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s John Liu about how Xi Jinping intends to meet the target, and how Trump’s tariff war might sabotage his plans.

Further listening:

China’s New Game Plan For Dealing With Trump Tariffs
Xi Has Embraced China’s Tech Titans Once Again. Will It Last?

Watch, from Originals: Can China Avoid Japan’s Lost Decades?

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A Warming Planet vs. Trump

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:53:53 +0000

Since taking office in January, President Trump has set in motion a series of sweeping rollbacks on US climate policy. This comes at a time when governments around the world have lagged behind their stated environmental goals.

On today’s episode of the Big Take, host Sarah Holder is joined by Akshat Rathi, host of the Zero podcast, to talk through the Trump administration’s key climate actions, how they could impact investment in green energy, and what it all means for the global fight to stop the warming of the planet.

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Why Harvard Law Is Losing Black Students

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:53:01 +0000

The data is in: The number of Black first-year students at Harvard Law fell dramatically after the Supreme Court’s decision to ban the consideration of race in admissions.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg higher education reporter Janet Lorin shares what she’s learned about how Harvard has changed its application process and what the institution has historically meant for generations of Black leaders. Plus, we hear from a Harvard Law student who’s involved in efforts to recruit more Black students.

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How Facebook, Tinder and Airbnb Are Being Used for Sex Trafficking in Colombia

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:06:37 +0000

In January 2024, the US Embassy issued a warning to all American travelers: Be careful using dating apps in Colombia. Eight men had been killed in two months — several of them after traveling to Medellin and using apps to connect with women online.

Bloomberg’s Natalie Lung and Antonia Mufarech investigated and found an even darker situation. On today’s Big Take podcast, they join host Sarah Holder to explain how apps from US-based tech companies are being used for sex trafficking and child exploitation in Colombia — and why it’s so hard for the companies to keep criminals off their platforms.

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What’s Behind All of the US Air Travel Accidents?

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:03:32 +0000

Over the last few months, a spate of high-profile air travel incidents in North America have captured public attention. And it’s raised concerns about whether air travel is as safe as it used to be.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global aviation editor Benedikt Kammel joins host David Gura to discuss how recent accidents — especially the fatal collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter and, weeks later, the crash landing of Delta Flight 4819 — have undermined public trust in flying. And they examine what’s going on inside the FAA in the midst of mass government lay-offs.

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When a Small Town Gets a Big Data Center

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:04:45 +0000

The Hopeful Primitive Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia, has been standing for two hundred years. Now, with a huge, private equity-backed data center coming to town, it will soon be surrounded by towering power poles — and power lines will run through the yards of more than a hundred homes and private properties.

Today on the show, energy reporter Josh Saul reports on the AI boom, the demand it’s creating for data centers, and what it looks like on the ground in the communities where those are being built. Plus, the pastor from Hopeful Primitive Baptist talks about the community’s response.

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Xi Has Embraced China’s Tech Titans Once Again. Will It Last?

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Four years after launching a regulatory crackdown that plunged the tech sector into turmoil, China’s President Xi Jinping sat down publicly with Alibaba Group’s co-founder Jack Ma, whose firm bore the brunt of that campaign, and a number of other tech titans.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Lucille Liu and Opinion columnist Catherine Thorbecke about Xi’s shifting stance and where the tech industry goes from here.

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Inside Walmart’s Next Chapter With CEO Doug McMillon

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 21:13:54 +0000

Doug McMillon has been running Walmart since 2014. He’s credited with pushing the company into the digital age and successfully steering it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he’s turning his attention to the company's next chapter and new challenges ahead.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Jaewon Kang and Devin Leonard travel to Bentonville, Arkansas, to interview McMillon about navigating a second Trump presidency, appealing to higher-end shoppers and the company’s ambition to go after Amazon’s e-commerce crown.

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Why Eggs Are So Expensive Right Now

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:23:24 +0000

The price of eggs was up 15% in January, driving overall inflation higher. The cause? Bird flu.

We’re joined by farmer Jim Hayes, as well as the hosts of Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast, Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, to talk about how bird flu threatens the chicken supply chain and public health — and what, if anything, can be done to lower egg prices.

Listen to Beak Capitalism from Odd Lots.

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Undocumented Workers Helped Build Elon Musk’s Tesla Gigafactory

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:11:00 +0000

Over the last four-and-a-half years, the footprint of Elon Musk’s Texas business empire has undergone rapid expansion. It now includes SpaceX facilities and a sprawling Tesla gigafactory outside the state capital.

New Bloomberg reporting shows that undocumented workers helped to build some facilities — even as Musk ratcheted up his anti-immigration rhetoric and advocated for a border crackdown.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Julia Love investigated how undocumented workers ended up at these sites — and the conditions they encountered — and joined host Sarah Holder to share what she found.

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How Amazon Rival Temu Got Sucked Into Trump’s Trade War

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 22:18:17 +0000

Since its US launch in 2022, Chinese marketplace Temu has rapidly risen to become America’s biggest e-commerce platform after Amazon, thanks to ultra-low prices on almost every product imaginable.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Spencer Soper and Rachel Chang about Donald Trump’s order to close a tariff loophole and what it means for American shoppers and the giants supplying them with goods direct from China.

Further listening: The Tariff Wars Are Here — And They’re Messy

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How a Libertarian Island Experiment Became an $11 Billion Nightmare

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Prospera is a city-state operated by a private company on the Honduran island of Roatan. It offers businesses single-digit tax rates and the ability to choose their own regulations. Its proponents have touted it as a poverty relief initiative for the country and as the most ambitious experiment in self-governance ever undertaken.

But that dream is now facing an existential crisis. A little more than a decade after Honduras changed its constitution to allow for places like Prospera, a new political party is in charge — and they’re looking to shut the whole thing down.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Industry Group’s Umar Farooq and Bloomberg’s Michael McDonald join host Sarah Holder to break down the $11 billion battle over the fate of a special economic zone in the Caribbean.

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It’s Not You. There’s a Dating Recession Happening Right Now

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 18:09:05 +0000

This Valentine’s Day, as many as 13 million more Americans are single than before the pandemic.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Ben Steverman shares what he’s learned about the cause of this love slump and how it’s taking a toll on Americans’ hearts and on the US economy. And host Sarah Holder meets a group of singles taking matters into their own hands.

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How Intel Lost Its Edge

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:29:50 +0000

Intel invented computer processors and was a dominant supplier of chips for decades. Now AI is fuelling record demand for next-generation chips. But Bloomberg’s Ian King says Intel is no longer the go-to partner for the global tech industry, and the company is at risk of disappearing. What went wrong?

Today on the show: The rise and fall of Intel, and where it could go from here.

Read Ian King’s coverage of Intel.

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China’s New Game Plan for Dealing With Trump Tariffs

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:13:10 +0000

As US President Donald Trump imposes new tariffs on China, Xi Jinping's government has had a far more muted response than it did during the trade war in Trump’s first term.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Bloomberg editor Jenni Marsh and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Shuli Ren to unpack China’s response to Trump’s barrage of tariffs and discuss what’s at risk for both countries if they find themselves in another trade war.

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For European Start-Ups, Valuation Depends On Location, Location, Location

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:57:49 +0000

Financial markets in Europe have long been fragmented and constrained, driving home-grown startups to list and raise capital in the US. Now, Europe is trying to reverse the trend. Can it hold onto innovative firms — and talent?

Today on the show, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg’s Sagarika Jaisinghani about why location matters so much for startups and what Europe’s challenges mean for the region’s economic outlook.

Read more: Broken Markets Hold Back Europe as Trump Amps Up the Pressure

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How Much Is a Wall Street Bonus Really Worth?

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

It’s bonus season on Wall Street. But if you work for a bank, you know that the number you’re quoted is almost never the number you get when it comes time for that bonus to pay out.

On today’s Big Take podcast, global finance reporter Laura Noonan shares what she learned by crunching the numbers on which banks deliver more or less than they promised.

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What Economists Talk About When They Talk About AI

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:38:36 +0000

Silicon Valley tech leaders have been brimming with optimism in recent years about the future of artificial intelligence — and investors have bet big on the transformational power of the technology.

Then last week, China’s DeepSeek emerged as a disruptive force and the value of Nvidia Corp. fell by half a trillion dollars. More than ever, investors are wondering about whether big bets on AI will pay off in the long run.

Bloomberg Economics Chief Economist Tom Orlik sees three cases for how AI could reshape the global economy, ranging from the rosy to the dystopian. On today’s Big Take podcast, he and host David Gura break them down and explore what that future may hold not just for companies and investors — but for us all.

Read more: AI Has Rocked the Stock Market, But What Will It Do for the Economy?

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What's Behind Gold's Record Rally

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Shuibei, in southern China, is home to one of the world's biggest retail markets for gold. Over the past year, it's seen a boom in demand for the jewelry, sold by thousands of stallholders, as the Chinese property crisis and slowing economy spurred a flight into gold. So much so that Chinese consumers helped propel the global gold price to record highs in 2024.

On today's Big Take Asia podcast, K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's Chongjing Li about the enduring appeal of the precious metal in China, and what lies ahead.

Read more: The Epicenter of China’s Gold Craze Is a Former Fishing Village

Watch, from Bloomberg Originals: What Gold’s Crazy Run Says About China

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A Uranium Mine, the Navajo Nation and a Six-Month Standoff

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:12:24 +0000

On Wednesday, the Navajo Nation and the mining company, Energy Fuels Inc., announced a new agreement detailing how uranium could be transported through tribal lands.

The agreement ends a stalemate between the two parties. And it comes at a time when interest in nuclear energy — and the cost of the uranium that fuels it — is surging.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Jacob Lorinc joins host Sarah Holder to break down the painful history of uranium mining in the Navajo Nation and what the dispute reveals about the human costs of “clean power.”

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How Trump and Musk Are Testing Boeing’s Path to Recovery

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 21:03:41 +0000

It’s been a tough stretch for Boeing. Its new CEO Kelly Ortberg is trying to rebuild public trust and turn the company’s finances around, all while navigating pressure from President Trump to deliver new Air Force One jets and working with the founder of one of Boeing’s chief rivals, Elon Musk.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior aerospace reporter Julie Johnsson joins host David Gura to explain the turbulent road ahead for the US planemaker.

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Tariffs Could Hit Canada Soon. Its Ex-Finance Minister Wants to Hit Back

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 23:03:51 +0000

Chrystia Freeland sent shockwaves through Canada when she resigned as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Finance Minister in December. Her public resignation letter blasted Trudeau for not doing enough to prepare for the second Trump administration. Now, she’s running to replace him.

Freeland sat down with Big Take host David Gura in Toronto on Tuesday to discuss her views on US-Canada trade, and how she says she would negotiate with Trump if she becomes Canada’s next leader.

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The DeepSeek Freak Out

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:26:05 +0000

The AI chatbot from DeepSeek, a Chinese company, rocketed to the top of US app stores over the weekend — and sent US tech shares plummeting Monday morning. The US has been trying to choke off China’s access to cutting-edge AI chips, but DeepSeek claims it’s still managed to develop tech that rivals ChatGPT and its competitors at a fraction of the cost.

Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Jackie Davalos on what DeepSeek’s models can do, why they’ve sent tech stocks tumbling — and what kind of pressure they could put on the US AI industry.

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Influencers Fueled Zyn’s Rise. Could the Attention Backfire?

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:22:53 +0000

Zyn nicotine pouches hit the market as a run-of-the-mill tobacco-replacement product, but over the past few years, they’ve gone viral thanks to so-called “Zynfluencers”: content creators who post about Zyn. They’re not paid by Zyn’s parent company Philip Morris, and while the online hype has likely helped sales, it also presents risks for the tobacco giant.

Today on the show, Bloomberg Businessweek writer Ellen Huet joins host Sarah Holder to discuss what could become an existential question: Can the company ride the Zynfluencer wave without getting in trouble if kids get hooked?

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Is Work From Home Officially Over?

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:00:00 +0000

As President Trump and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon require workers to come back to the office full-time, the costs and benefits of remote versus in-office work are still up for debate. Bloomberg’s work and management editor Heather Landy says many CEOs are at odds with their employees and what they want.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Landy joins host David Gura to explain what’s behind the return-to-office trend and how US workers feel about it.

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Americans Flocked to RedNote as the TikTok Ban Loomed. Will the Party Last?

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:30:18 +0000

The US ban on TikTok saw millions of users – predominantly Americans – flock to another Chinese social media platform: Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote. So far, the vibe between Chinese and American users has been convivial.

But can the good times last? On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha is joined by a TikTok user from Mississippi who recently joined RedNote and by Bloomberg reporter Gao Yuan to discuss what this sudden influx means for the app, its users and China’s censorship machine.

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The Second Trump Era Begins

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 02:36:35 +0000

On Monday at the US Capitol, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th American President. He then took to the podium to make his inaugural address and, shortly after, gave a rally-style speech for his supporters.

Today on the show, Washington, DC bureau chief Peggy Collins joins host Sarah Holder to discuss what Trump’s first remarks say about his priorities for the next four years.

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Antony Blinken: The Exit Interview

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:10:00 +0000

In his final month as the United States’ chief diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken raced around the globe, responding to conflicts in the Middle East and the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

During a stop in New York, he sat down with host David Gura to talk about how he is preparing to hand over the country’s sprawling foreign policy portfolio to the incoming Trump administration.

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Janet Yellen: The Exit Interview

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been a fixture in the economic policy world for decades. She was President Clinton’s chief economic adviser, a Federal Reserve governor and served as Fed Chair under President Obama.

As her tenure at Treasury comes to an end, Yellen sits down with host David Gura to discuss the possibility of additional sanctions on Russian oil and communication between the US and China, and she reflects on her long career as a pioneering economic policymaker.

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Gary Gensler: The Exit Interview

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Gary Gensler’s tenure as Wall Street’s top regulator is coming to an end, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission chair is reflecting on his time at the agency.

In an interview with host David Gura, Gensler responds to his critics, discusses his concerns about AI, China and crypto — and shares the advice he gave President-elect Trump’s pick to replace him.

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What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets and Everyday Borrowers

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:12:06 +0000

The relentless rise in government bond yields has Wall Street worried. Higher treasury yields can impact borrowing costs on everything from mortgage rates to auto loans.

Today on the show, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg’s Liz McCormick about why bond yields have been climbing, and what the consequences could be for consumers, markets and the economy.

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The Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal and What Comes Next

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 01:21:03 +0000

After 15 months of a grueling war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, Israel and Hamas agreed to phase one of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday. The agreement will create a pause in fighting that will allow critical aid to reach Gaza, and begin an exchange of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

But the next phases of negotiations are expected to be more complicated — and it’s unclear if this pause in fighting will hold.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner and Fares Alghoul, who covers Gaza, join host Sarah Holder to discuss the details of the ceasefire deal, how it finally came together, and what lies ahead for Israel, Gaza and the region.

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South Korea Has Plenty of Botox But Not Enough Doctors

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 21:02:09 +0000

A record 600,000 people traveled to South Korea for medical procedures in 2023, with roughly half of those visiting dermatology and plastic surgery clinics.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg's Oanh Ha about the rise of the medical tourism industry, and how it’s colliding with a shrinking supply of doctors and a struggling medical system.

Further listening: Netflix’s Big Bet On ‘Squid Game’

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Time Runs Short on TikTok in the US

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:44:28 +0000

The US Supreme Court is set to rule on TikTok’s fate this week.

The social media platform is in court challenging a law that would force its Chinese parent company ByteDance into a sale or face a US TikTok ban. After hearing oral arguments for and against the ban, the Supreme Court appears poised to uphold it. It would go into effect on Sunday.

But incoming President Donald Trump will be sworn in the following day, and could scramble whatever decision is reached this week.

Legal editor Sara Forden joins Big Take host Sarah Holder to discuss the case and what a ban would mean for TikTok users, competitor tech platforms and US-China relations.

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Gary Gensler: The Exit Interview

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Gary Gensler’s tenure as Wall Street’s top regulator is coming to an end, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission chair is reflecting on his time at the agency.

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A Wildfire Disaster and an Insurance Crisis Collide in Los Angeles

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 23:25:28 +0000

Deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area have forced nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate their homes. As they wait to learn the extent of the damage, another crisis is on the horizon: whether private and state-funded insurance can handle a disaster on track to be one the worst in the region’s history.

Today on the show, Bloomberg Green reporter Leslie Kaufman discusses why this fire has been so destructive and the state of wildfire insurance in California.

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Inflation Claims Another Incumbent, This Time in Canada

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:51:02 +0000

On Monday, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was resigning — the latest in a series of incumbents around the world who’ve been ousted or stepped aside as their countries grapple with the effects of inflation.

Today on the show, Bloomberg reporter Brian Platt joins host Sarah Holder to track Trudeau’s rise and fall. Platt explains how housing costs, a surge in immigration and the loss of a key party ally pushed Trudeau to step down — and where Canada goes from here.

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OpenAI’s Sam Altman Sits Down With Bloomberg Businessweek

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 22:26:48 +0000

After CEO Sam Altman was dramatically fired and rehired in November 2023, he got right back to work building up OpenAI, best known for ChatGPT.

Now, about a year after that leadership upheaval, and two years after the seismic launch of that chat bot, Altman sat down with Josh Tyrangiel for a wide-ranging interview. Josh joined David Gura to talk about Altman’s evolution from Silicon Valley venture capitalist to a leader of the AI revolution, and how Altman is approaching the future of OpenAI — and planning to navigate the next four years under the Trump administration.

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The Human Egg Trade: Episode 3 - The Journey

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 00:05:56 +0000

A new series from the Big Take podcast investigates the booming market for human eggs.

In this episode, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg’s Jessica Brice focus on the Kemptons, an Australian couple who needed donor eggs to get pregnant. They wanted access to a market they felt offered transparency. They especially wanted information about potential donors. What followed was an around-the-world quest to create a family — filled with promise, gutting losses and extreme cost.

We Read Hundreds of 2025 Market Predictions So You Don’t Have To

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:16:43 +0000

Every year, senior markets editor Sam Potter reads predictions for the year ahead from leading financial institutions around the world. The theme of this year’s predictions: uncertainty.

One event on the horizon has contributed to both their predictions for 2025 and the uncertainty in a unique way: Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Potter joins host David Gura to unpack what financial institutions are expecting for this year, given what they know and what they don’t.

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The Year AI Broke Into Music

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:58:59 +0000

2024 was the year AI broke into the music industry. Record labels that had fought AI-generated songs at every turn started to consider how they might want to use AI tools. But as the technology creeps into more parts of the music production process, not everyone agrees on where to draw ethical and legal lines.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Grammy Award-winning producer Timbaland, Universal Music Group executive Michael Nash, Bloomberg audio reporter Ashley Carman and host Sarah Holder examine who stands to benefit from the AI-music boom — and who has the most to lose.

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Indonesia Is Building a New Capital. It’s Not Going Well

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Indonesia has embarked on an ambitious project to build a new capital city from scratch because Jakarta is overcrowded, polluted and sinking, fast.

But the multibillion dollar new city, Nusantara, was plagued with problems from the very start. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Faris Mokhtar about what went wrong, and what’s at stake for Southeast Asia’s largest economy if it fails.

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Why Are Airline Rewards So Complicated?

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 20:19:35 +0000

Frequent flyer programs began as a way for airlines to build loyalty and fill empty seats. They’ve since morphed into a complex financial ecosystem that’s drawn the ire of even the most savvy consumers and the scrutiny of the US Department of Transportation.

Bloomberg’s global aviation editor Benedikt Kammel joins David Gura to talk about points, miles, qualifying trips — and how we got here in the first place.

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Market-Moving US Economic Data Is Under Threat

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

From inflation data to unemployment rates, the US government releases numbers every month that move markets and shape policies. But the agencies responsible for gathering that data are struggling — and President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to find cuts across agencies could further strain their resources.

On today’s Big Take DC podcast, Bloomberg economics editor Molly Smith joins host Saleha Mohsin to dig into what’s at stake if the federal government scales back on its investment in economic data.

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Netflix’s Big Bet On ‘Squid Game’

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:00:00 +0000

The gory, dystopian South Korean thriller Squid Game is the most popular series Netflix has ever released. This week, it drops season two — in the midst of the company’s efforts to grow the show beyond the screen.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg’s Sohee Kim and Lucas Shaw about the new season, the story of how the show was nearly never made and all the ways Netflix is trying to expand Squid Game into a global franchise — from reality TV and video games to in-person fan experiences.

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The Weight-Loss Drug Boom’s Prescription Problem

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. To capitalize on that demand, telehealth companies started offering compounded versions of those drugs. That’s made them easier to access, but it’s also introduced new potential risks for people recovering from eating disorders like anorexia.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Madison Muller joins host Sarah Holder to share what she’s learned about the ways telehealth can make it easier for people to get prescriptions that could harm them.

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The Human Egg Trade: Episode 2 - The Theft

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:06:46 +0000

In this episode, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg’s Vernon Silver focus on one fertility clinic in Greece that police say stole the eggs of as many as 75 women. It’s a story that shows how the actions of one clinic can have ripple effects around the world and reveals the unique ways that the fertility industry runs not only on capital, but on trust.

Read more from Bloomberg Businessweek: The Egg

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The Race for Asylum Before Trump Takes Office

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:47:09 +0000

Tens of thousands of migrants in Mexico are currently in limbo after new policies put in place there and in the US changed the process for how people seek asylum. Now, with President-elect Trump promising an immigration crackdown as soon as he takes office, some asylum-seekers are anxious to make it into the US before Inauguration Day.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Alex Vasquez joins host Sarah Holder to explain the complex intersection of these policies and to share the story of one family navigating that system.

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China Had a Plan to Rescue Its Housing Market. It’s Not Working

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

China’s property crisis has become a massive headache for the world’s second-largest economy. Tens of millions of newly built apartments lie vacant, home prices have tumbled and cash-strapped developers are struggling to finish construction.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Lulu Chen about what China is doing to try and solve its housing crisis. We go to Zhengzhou, home to the world’s biggest iPhone factory and the city where the housing market first imploded. It's now become a testing ground for government efforts to revive the ailing property sector. We look at whether they’re working, and what it will mean for China’s economy if the big push fails.

Further listening: What Comes Next in China’s Property Crisis

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Germany’s Economy Is Facing a Slow-Moving Disaster

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:57:49 +0000

Germany’s economy is stagnating; households have less disposable income, and businesses report having less faith in the future. Once the growth engine of Europe, the country has gradually been losing its competitive edge. Now, economic anxieties have fuelled a political crisis that led to Monday’s no confidence vote in the German government.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Chris Reiter talks to host Sarah Holder about the consequences of Germany’s economic troubles — for the country and for Europe — and what it could take to turn things around.

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The Human Egg Trade: Episode 1 - The Lie

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 22:04:47 +0000

A new series from the Big Take podcast investigates the booming market for human eggs. It’s a global and opaque market where demand is so great, that even where regulations are in place, there are powerful incentives to evade them.

In this episode, host Sarah Holder is joined by Bloomberg’s Natalie Obiko Pearson to unpack an investigation in India that revealed how far some people will go to get a cut of this trade, even if it means exploiting a child.

Read more from Bloomberg Businessweek: The Egg

Plus, watch the documentary from Bloomberg Originals: Inside India's Fertility Underworld

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Janet Yellen: The Exit Interview

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 22:51:37 +0000

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The Most Powerful Families in South Korea Brace for the Next Revolt

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 22:15:40 +0000

South Korea’s family-run conglomerates – or chaebols – have been big drivers of economic growth, and because of that they’ve largely been seen as untouchable. Until now. The chaebols are being challenged, at a time when the stakes have potentially never been higher, with the country mired in political turmoil.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg reporter Youkyung Lee about how a surprise takeover bid for one of the world’s biggest refined metal producers, Korea Zinc, is sending a chill through the chaebol world.

Read more: Powerful Families Who Dominate South Korea Face an Investor Revolt

Further listening: The Six Hours of Martial Law That Stunned South Korea

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Inside UnitedHealthcare in the Days After CEO Shooting

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:28:00 +0000

Since UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed last week, there’s been a deluge of posts on social media expressing rage at the insurance industry and solidarity with the shooter.

Bloomberg reporter Riley Griffin joins Big Take host David Gura to discuss what the shooting revealed about public sentiment toward American health care, and how United and its peers are responding to the attack and its aftermath.

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The Middle East After Assad

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 22:53:01 +0000

After rebels took Syria’s capital, President Bashar Al-Assad fled Damascus for Russia, ending his brutal 24-year reign. His ouster marks the beginning of a new, uncertain phase for a country that’s been ravaged by 13 years of civil war.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Paul Wallace joins host Sarah Holder to discuss how Assad’s toppling has opened up a power vacuum in Syria — and what it means for the Middle East, the Syrian people and the world.

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The Six Hours of Martial Law That Stunned South Korea

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:27:47 +0000

In an address broadcast live on Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a move that shocked the nation – and the world. But within hours, after lawmakers unanimously rejected the move and protesters converged on parliament, Yoon went on live television again and backed down, promising to lift the emergency measure.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sam Kim in Seoul to break down the stunning turn of events. They talk about what happened on the ground during the brief period of martial law, and what the political chaos means for an emerging democracy that remains a key military ally and trading partner of the US.

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After No-Confidence Vote, France Faces Tumult and Uncertainty

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 01:08:52 +0000

The government of French President Emmanuel Macron collapsed Wednesday after losing a no-confidence vote. The outcome brings the country one step closer to a far-right government — the one thing President Macron has sought to avoid at all costs.

Bloomberg’s Stephen Carroll and Big Take co-host David Gura break down the current pressures on France’s government, what led to the vote and what we know about what comes next.

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A Holiday Splurge for Companies? Their Own Shares

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 22:43:55 +0000

For companies with extra cash, it's a popular season for buying back their own shares. In the past few years alone, publicly traded companies in the US executed hundreds of billions worth of stock buybacks. And 2024 is on track to be the biggest year in buybacks ever.

So how do they work? And what’s behind their rise in popularity? Bloomberg reporter Lu Wang joins Big Take co-hosts David Gura and Sarah Holder to explain the logic behind buybacks, and unpack who wins and who loses when companies turn to them.

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Airlines Are Cashing in on ‘Premiumization’

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

If you’ve bought an airplane ticket recently, you may have noticed that there are a lot more options to choose from — and a lot more line items to pay for. It’s all part of airlines’ strategy of “premiumization.” And it’s why the front of the plane is getting cushier, while coach can feel like a low-cost shakedown.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Businessweek senior reporter Amanda Mull joins host Sarah Holder to discuss how airlines are rethinking their pricing — and what it means for airline revenue and your flight experience.

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Beak Capitalism: What Chicken Tells Us About Inflation

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

What can the humble chicken reveal about the economic conditions shaping our lives? Turns out, a lot.

Understanding the chicken industry can help explain some of the thorniest issues facing the US economy. In “Beak Capitalism,” a new three-part series, Odd Lots hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway trace chicken from the farm to the factory to the table.

In the first episode, they examine the consumer side of the industry – including the chicken sandwiches war back in 2019 and the rising cost of eggs.

Further listening: Beak Capitalism, Part 2: The Chickenization of Everything

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How Sports Betting Is Changing the NFL for Fans and Players

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:39:29 +0000

Gambling on sports is now legal in almost 40 states in the US, and pro-football is at the center of the rapidly growing, multibillion dollar industry that’s cropped up since the Supreme Court paved the way for it in 2018.

Big Take host David Gura joins Bloomberg’s Jason Kelly, who co-hosts The Deal podcast with Alex Rodriguez, to discuss the ways that the normalization of betting culture is impacting the NFL, its athletes and its fans.

Read more: ‘I’m So Scared’: NFL Players on How Betting Changes the Sport

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The $250 Million Bribery Charges Rocking the Adani Empire – and India

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:34:18 +0000

India’s Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men, was charged last week by US prosecutors over his alleged involvement in a $250 million bribery scheme. The indictment sent the stocks and bonds of Adani’s vast conglomerate tumbling and is the second governance crisis to hit the group in two years.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Menaka Doshi discuss what the charges mean for Adani’s empire and corporate India, and the implications for US-India relations.

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New York City’s Big Battle Over Broker Fees

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:54:04 +0000

New York City has some of the highest housing costs in the US. In addition to sky-high rents, tenants often have to pay a fee to a real estate broker when they sign a new lease — whether they hire them or not. But that’s about to change.

Today on the show, host Sarah Holder speaks with City Councilmember Chi Ossé about the passage of his bill that will eliminate upfront broker fees for most renters, and hears from supporters and opponents of the legislation. And Bloomberg reporter Paulina Cachero unpacks what the effort could mean for New York’s renters.

Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. You’ll get episodes of this podcast ad-free and unlock access to deep reporting, data and analysis from reporters around the world.

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Pakistan Is Getting Too Expensive For Its Middle Class – So They’re Leaving

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:47:27 +0000

A record number of Pakistanis are leaving at a rapid speed. Among them are some of the country’s top talent including doctors, engineers, accountants and managers. Over the last three years, one million skilled workers like them have left Pakistan.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg’s Pakistan Bureau Chief Faseeh Mangi about what’s behind the severe brain drain in one of the world’s most populous nations, where the immigrants are going, and what it means for the country’s already fragile economy that depends on loans from the International Monetary Fund.

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As the US Turns Inward, the World Order Realigns

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:53:30 +0000

This year’s G-20 summit in Brazil revealed a new reality: The world order is shifting as President Joe Biden wraps up his final months in office and President-elect Donald Trump returns to power.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Flavia Krause-Jackson and host David Gura join the show from Rio de Janeiro to talk through the gathering of the world’s largest economies and how they’re preparing for a new geopolitical era.

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The Shadowy Fleet of Tankers Moving Iranian Oil to China

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:51:00 +0000

Every year, billions of dollars of sanctioned Iranian oil finds its way to China, even though on paper the country hasn’t imported a single drop in more than two years. How? On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Serene Cheong on her team’s investigation into a clandestine shipping hub off the coast of Malaysia that funnels Iranian crude to China.

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Inflation’s Latest Victim: Brand Loyalty

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:40:39 +0000

Bloomberg reporter Leslie Patton has noticed a pattern looking at the earnings of mid-priced, brand name companies like Kraft and Luvs. Their sales are down, while the sales of similar products on either end of the price spectrum — cheaper generics and high-end premium goods — are up.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Leslie joins host Sarah Holder to discuss how this “middle brand squeeze” is playing out on grocery store shelves.

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COP29 Confronts Tensions Over Funding Clean Energy Transition

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:38:00 +0000

Climate leaders from around the world have convened in Baku, Azerbaijan for the UN’s biggest annual climate conference, COP29. And this year, it’s all about money.

Member nations are negotiating over how much responsibility rich countries have to finance the energy transitions of smaller economies. But larger global tensions loom over the proceedings — including the reelection of Donald Trump.

In today’s episode, Bloomberg’s senior climate reporter and host of Zero Akshat Rathi calls in from COP29 to update host Sarah Holder on the unfolding negotiations and how America’s new president-elect changes the conversation.

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Another Trump Term Is Coming. Is Asia Ready?

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Higher tariffs. Geopolitical flare-ups. Inflammatory comments. All across Asia, countries are bracing for the return of Donald Trump.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, we unpack what a second Trump term means for China, India and other Asian economies – who are the potential winners and losers and what’s ahead. Host K. Oanh Ha is joined by Daniel Ten Kate, Bloomberg’s executive editor for Asia economy and government, Chan Heng Chee, the ambassador-at-large with the Singapore Foreign Ministry, and Erin Murphy, deputy director of Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Read more: Trump Is Set to Elevate China Hawks, Deepening Beijing Rift

Further listening: The Economic Impact of Trump’s Promises

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Why Bitcoin Is Surging to All-Time Highs

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:11:07 +0000

Since Donald Trump’s reelection, Bitcoin has surged to its highest value ever, surpassing $89k per coin on Tuesday. It’s a trend playing out across cryptocurrency, an industry that could benefit from deregulation under President Trump.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s stacy-marie ishmael and David Gura break down whether the recent “melt up” in crypto prices is part another of boom-bust cycle or if the US’s first crypto-friendly president is likely to usher in a new era in digital assets.

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The Economic Impact of Trump’s Promises

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 21:17:50 +0000

President-elect Trump ran on a promise to help American consumers. As he prepares to take office, the question becomes whether his policies will play out the way he sold them — and how they could evolve as he tries to put them into practice.

Bloomberg Economics has done the math on Trump’s plans, and chief economist Tom Orlik joined host Sarah Holder to look at what Trump’s agenda could mean for inflation, GDP and US taxpayers.

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A Big Winner From Trump’s Election Victory? His Businesses

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:35:59 +0000

President-elect Donald Trump’s business ventures, from Truth Social to crypto, stand to benefit from his return to power. But just how much?

Today on the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Tom Maloney joins host David Gura to break down Trump’s business interests and assets, and explore how he could cash in on his second term in office.

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Trump Wins, Trump Trade Surges

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:55:42 +0000

In a stunning political comeback, Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. Just before 2:30 on Wednesday morning, he took the stage at his campaign headquarters in Mar-a-Lago, heralding the “greatest political movement of all time” after Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to the Oval Office had all but evaporated.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Wendy Benjaminson joins host Sarah Holder to break down how Election Day played out, the surge of the so-called Trump Trade, and what we can expect from a second Trump term.

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Listen Now: US Election Coverage on Bloomberg Podcasts

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Be in the know this election with Bloomberg Podcasts. Follow Bloomberg News Now for up-to-the minute election results, all night long. And go deeper with The Big Take podcast, featuring in-depth global analysis of the US election every day this week.

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How the World Is Bracing for a Trump or Harris Win

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

From conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, to global issues like trade and migration, whoever becomes the next president of the United States will have a huge impact on the rest of the world.

Bloomberg’s Flavia Krause-Jackson and a team of reporters around the world asked government officials one question: How are you preparing for what happens next? Today on the Big Take podcast, she joins host David Gura to share what they found.

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Why Elon Musk Is Opening His Wallet for Donald Trump

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 21:49:38 +0000

Elon Musk has become one of Donald Trump’s most formidable — and vocal — allies. He’s spoken at Trump rallies, formed a pro-Trump PAC, and funneled more than $100 million into Trump and his allies’ campaigns. This political pivot stunned people who long thought of Musk as a hero of the green energy transition. So how did this happen?

In the first episode of Citizen Elon, host Max Chafkin explains the grievances, grudges and online influences that have shaped Elon Musk’s political ideology — and the ways his money and megaphone are shaping the race.

Read More: When Elon Musk Got Political

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Silicon Valley Elites Want to Block the Sun. Not Everyone’s On Board

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 19:01:10 +0000

It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real: Venture capitalists, startup founders, and Silicon Valley elites are pouring money into a controversial technology called solar radiation modification that could cool the planet by blocking the sun.

Today on the show, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporter Sophie Alexander about the international coordination needed for something like this to work, and why funding for it is ramping up even as researchers express concerns about the possible consequences.

Read more: Silicon Valley’s Elite Pour Money Into Blotting Out the Sun

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The US Pledged to Contain China’s Tech Ambitions. It’s Not Working

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 21:01:18 +0000

China is making steady progress in its quest to dominate key industries of the future, despite years of US tariffs, export controls and sanctions.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins about how the US is struggling to curb Beijing’s technological advances, and whether the upcoming election could change the dynamic.

Further listening:

How China’s BYD Became King of the Affordable EV
On Thursday, Odd Lots will dig into Bloomberg’s research on the Made in China plan, and why it largely succeeded in spite of US efforts. Subscribe here.

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Wall Street Is Betting Big on a Trump Win

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:57:03 +0000

With the US presidential election just over a week away, most major polls, including the latest Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll, show Vice President Harris and former President Trump in a dead heat. But Wall Street seems increasingly convinced Trump is going to win. And that is manifesting in what's come to be called “The Trump Trade.”

Today on the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Opinion’s John Authers sits down with host David Gura to break down what the trade is, and what it reveals about how Wall Street sees this election and the future of the economy.

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So Your Business Went Viral. Now What?

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:34:38 +0000

For a small business, going viral might sound like a good thing. But when a TikTok video turns a shop into an overnight success, that attention can come with major challenges.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder visits small business owners riding the wave of overnight success, and explores the economics of virality with Amanda Mull.

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To Save the Amazon, Brazil Is Betting You Can’t Just Save the Trees

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 20:30:50 +0000

Decades-long efforts to save Brazil’s Amazon have hit a brutal reality. Impoverished local communities often turn to agribusiness and other industries that drive deforestation.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Brazil bureau chief Vanessa Dezem joins host Sarah Holder to talk through the link between poverty and deforestation and the country’s new efforts to save its rainforest by building up local economies.

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How China’s BYD Became King of the Affordable EV

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 20:19:35 +0000

Started as a battery company in the 1990s in Shenzhen, BYD is now one of the best-selling EV brands in the world. Once mocked by Elon Musk, the company’s startling growth made it a global player and has sparked tariffs in the US and EU.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Gabrielle Coppola and Danny Lee about the company’s aggressive expansion and what it means for the global auto market.

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The Big (Climate) Short

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:43:11 +0000

In recent years, investors of all kinds bet big on the future of the so-called Green Economy. But now, some hedge funds are shorting green stocks — a sign that investor enthusiasm may be waning.

A new Bloomberg analysis examines the positions that more than 500 hedge funds have taken on the green economy. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg ESG reporter Sheryl Lee joins host David Gura to discuss the findings, and why some investors who had bet on a sustainable future are now betting against it.

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What Happens When Your School Thinks AI Helped You Cheat

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:57:10 +0000

The education system has an AI problem. As students have started using tools like ChatGPT to do their homework, educators have deployed their own AI tools to determine if students are using AI to cheat.

But the detection tools, which are largely effective, do flag false positives roughly 2% of the time. For students who are falsely accused, the consequences can be devastating.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks to Bloomberg’s tech reporter Jackie Davalos about how students and educators are responding to the emergence of generative AI and what happens when efforts to crack down on its use backfire.

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Bloomberg’s Trump Interview: Inside His Economic Vision for a Second Term

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 18:50:48 +0000

With the US presidential election less than a month away, and the economy top of mind for many voters, former President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait at the Economic Club of Chicago on Tuesday.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura highlights the key takeaways from the interview. From Trump’s defense of tariffs, to his plans for the Federal Reserve and immigration, the interview offers a view of what a second Trump term could mean for the global economy.

Read more: Trump Says Growth to Outpace Feared Debt, Inflation From Agenda

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How an Infamous Vietnamese Businesswoman Engineered a $12 Billion Fraud

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 21:42:57 +0000

Vietnamese real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was convicted in April of orchestrating a $12.3 billion fraud. She was sentenced to death by lethal injection, which she is appealing. And this week, the court is expected to hand down another verdict on additional charges.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s John Boudreau about how Lan was able to embezzle so much money for so long, how she went from riches to death row and what her multibillion fraud case means for one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

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Insurers Are Struggling to Keep Up With Disasters Like Helene and Milton

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 21:27:03 +0000

In recent weeks, two monster storms have pummeled the US. Hurricanes Helene and Milton left more than 200 dead — and early estimates suggest the recovery could cost more than $100 billion. It’s a huge strain on affected homeowners and the insurance industry that’s meant to shoulder some of that burden.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Leslie Kaufman joins host David Gura to talk about the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events, and how the new normal is changing the calculus for insurers.

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How Uber and Lyft Used ‘Lockouts’ to Deny NYC Drivers Millions

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:40:41 +0000

Uber and Lyft promised to give drivers independence and the flexibility to work whenever they wanted. But this summer in New York City, these ride share companies started restricting when their drivers could go online. A new Bloomberg investigation found that driver lockouts were designed to save the companies millions in minimum wage payments — and ultimately cost drivers in the process.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg tech reporter Natalie Lung joins host Sarah Holder to talk about the strategy behind the lockouts, and how she and her team crowd-sourced stories from hundreds of drivers to understand the impact.

Read more: How Uber and Lyft Used a Loophole to Deny NYC Drivers Millions in Pay

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Could Contaminated Water Dull Perrier’s Sparkle?

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:26:07 +0000

Perrier, the popular French bottled water brand, has long been a symbol of luxury. But it’s now under scrutiny after regulators found trace amounts of fecal matter and pesticides where its water is sourced.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg consumer goods reporter Dasha Afanasieva joins host David Gura to talk about how Perrier and its parent company, Nestlé, have responded — and ask bigger questions about sustainability in the global water business.

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Inside the Succession Drama at a Hong Kong Property Dynasty

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 20:17:29 +0000

Adrian Cheng, the third-generation scion of property dynasty New World Development, seemed poised to take over his family’s $20 billion empire. But last month, in a surprising twist, he was replaced as CEO by someone outside of his family.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Shawna Kwan about the succession drama at New World, the possible ripple effects on other family dynasties in the region, and what it all could mean for the future of one of Hong Kong’s major property developers.

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One Year Later, a Region in Conflict

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 19:10:23 +0000

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel and Israel responded by declaring war. One year later, that war rages on, conflict has spread through the region, and activists around the world are calling for peace.

Today on the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner joins host David Gura to reflect on how the October 7 attacks have transformed the region and what comes next.

Further listening: The Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

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Inside the Deal That Held Off the Dock Workers Strike

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 00:20:51 +0000

Shipping ports all along the East Coast and Gulf Coast shut down earlier this week, as the 47,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike. Their demands: A pay raise of nearly 80% over 6 years and strict limits on the use of automation in the nation’s ports. Shipping companies refused and worries mounted that the strike could drag on for weeks, creating gridlock at the ports, and recreating some of the pandemic-era supply chain snarls.

But dockworkers and shipping companies struck a temporary deal late Thursday. Today on the Big Take, Sarah Holder and reporter Laura Curtis talk through the details of the deal, why the White House got involved and who the winners and losers are.

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US Tech Is Helping Guide Russian Missiles Into Ukraine

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0000

After a Russian missile hit the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, Ukrainian investigators found the navigation system had components made by four Western companies, including two in the US.

Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg reporter Stephanie Baker talks to host David Gura about how these components are making their way to the battlefield and what steps the US government is taking to try to prevent that from happening.

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The Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 23:17:00 +0000

Iran attacked Israel for the second time in five months Tuesday, with a volley of missiles coming hours after Israel launched a ground incursion into Lebanon.

Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg’s Dan Williams, a reporter in Bloomberg’s Jerusalem bureau, and Joumanna Bercetche in Dubai join host David Gura to talk about the latest on the Middle East and what that means for the region – and the US.

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The Investment Strategy Behind Harvard’s Record Endowment — and How It Fell Apart

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 16:05:46 +0000

Harvard University’s endowment fund is larger than the endowment of any other university on the planet. That’s, in part, because of a pioneering investment strategy. But in recent years, the returns haven’t measured up to rival universities like Yale or Brown.

Bloomberg’s Janet Lorin joins host David Gura to talk about how Harvard University’s early edge seems to have waned in the midst of changing leadership and strategies.

Read more: Harvard’s Not-So-Smart Money: Two Decades of Poor Returns and Rich Pay

Further Listening:

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China’s Economic Crackdowns Are Crushing the Dreams of a Generation

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:57:33 +0000

This week, China’s central bank announced a stimulus package designed to revive the economy, cutting an interest rate and reducing the amount of money banks need to hold in reserve.

But the country’s ongoing drive to upgrade its struggling economy has left millions of people facing job losses or pay cuts, fueling an existential crisis among some of its best and brightest workers.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg's Lulu Chen about the impact Xi Jinping’s push is having on professionals, from banking to tech, and what this anxiety could mean for the outlook of the world’s second-largest economy.

China Unleashes Stimulus Package to Revive Economy, Markets

Further listening:

Why China’s Investment Bankers Are Breaking Up With Capitalism

What Does China’s Economic Slowdown Mean For the Communist Party?

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Private Equity, But for Dying Universities

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:47:00 +0000

Skyrocketing tuition costs, COVID and fewer high school graduates have been straining the survival of smaller American colleges, leading many to shut down. Now, some are joining a surprising new path: mergers and acquisitions.

Bloomberg reporter Francesca Maglione sits down with Big Take host David Gura to discuss why some colleges are eager to merge with others, and what this new dynamic might mean for the future of higher education.

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Could the Chinese Yuan Ever Replace the US Dollar?

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:55:46 +0000

Talk of de-dollarization has been gaining momentum among China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa in the wake of significant US led sanctions on Russia. Former US President and candidate Donald Trump has said the currency is under attack — and that any country that shuns it would face new tariffs on imports if he is elected.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Saleha Mohsin about the unique role the dollar plays in the world economy — and what, if anything, could replace it.

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The Pager Attack Was a Deadly Warning About Supply Chains

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 20:50:11 +0000

Fighting has escalated in the Middle East after thousands of pagers and walkie talkies held by Hezbollah operatives exploded across Lebanon last week. That attack is the most recent example of supply chain interference — a global problem that national security officials say is now “rampant.”

Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Katrina Manson and defense and intelligence reporter Peter Martin sit down with Big Take host Sarah Holder to break down what we know about how and when the Hezbollah pagers were turned into bombs — and what countries like the US and China are doing to protect their supply chains from foreign infiltration.

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The Genius Minds Behind the World’s Best Poker Bots

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 17:08:44 +0000

Computers have outplayed humans in chess and Go for decades. But poker was long considered unhackable. The game requires not just crunching numbers, but creativity and complex strategy. That only started to change about 10 years ago, when a new generation of unbeatable poker bots began to appear online.

The makers of the technology remained in the shadows, so Bloomberg’s Kit Chellel set out to find them. On today’s Big Take podcast, he joins David Gura to share the story of how a group of Russian students invented the world’s best online poker bots and what that means for the multi-billion-dollar industry.

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California’s Controversial AI Bill Could Upend the Industry

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 20:00:00 +0000

A controversial AI safety bill was just passed by California’s legislature. It’s been spurned by OpenAI and Nancy Pelosi, championed by Elon Musk – and could radically reshape the future of the technology’s development not just in the state, but globally.

On today’s podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with California State Senator Scott Wiener, the author of SB 1047, about why he thinks California needs to take a lead in regulating AI. And Bloomberg tech reporter Shirin Ghaffary explains why even if the bill is vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the questions it has raised about AI regulation could be long-lasting.

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Apple’s Strategy to Rule the World

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:02:06 +0000

Apple is at a turning point. It ascended from a scrappy tech underdog to the most valuable company in the world through selling devices like iPhones, Macs and Apple watches. But now, a significant portion of its revenue comes from digital services.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Austin Carr tells host Janet Paskin what this shift means for Apple’s appetite for risk, its battles with regulators in the US and Europe, and what that means for all of us.

Read more: How Apple Rules the World

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Janet Yellen’s Predictions for the US Economy

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 20:52:39 +0000

On today’s podcast, host David Gura speaks to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about everything from the health of the economy to negotiating with China. He also accompanies her on a trip to an IRS processing facility in Texas to talk about tax cheats and what to do about them.

Read more: Yellen Says Jobs Report Confirms Labor Market ‘Quite Healthy’

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Everything Is Content Now. Even Your Layoff

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:01:55 +0000

Eleven million people have been let go in the US so far this year. And the job market they’re entering isn’t easy: the latest jobs report showed the economy added just 142,000 jobs in August. But ever since the pandemic, the way we experience — and process — getting laid off has fundamentally changed. It’s no longer just a source of shame. It’s become social media content.

Today on the show, host Sarah Holder speaks with a tech worker who’s at the forefront of the hottest new job market trend: posting publicly about your layoff. And Bloomberg reporter Jo Constantz explains what the shift in how we approach layoffs means for employees and employers everywhere.

Further listening:

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The Billionaire Brothers Capitalizing on the NFL, Soccer, and Taylor Swift

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:06:54 +0000

Billionaire brothers Clark and Dan Hunt, co-owners of the Kansas City Chiefs, aren’t resting on their laurels after back-to-back Super Bowl victories. They’re hoping for another title, and they’re growing their family’s sports portfolio.

The Hunts want to boost the NFL’s popularity overseas, and as co-owners of FC Dallas, they’re also trying to capitalize on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bloomberg reporter Randall Williams shares highlights from a recent conversation he had with the Hunt brothers about their latest deals and their hopes for the future.

Further Listening: Big Take: The Last Great American (Football) Dynasty - Bloomberg

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Seeking Asylum in the US? Good Luck.

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 21:03:39 +0000

The US asylum process is meant to offer a fair shot at safe haven. But new reporting from Bloomberg uncovers how the difference between those who are granted asylum and those who are denied often boils down to chance.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Monte Reel joins host David Gura to trace the arc of one man’s journey and discuss new data analysis that reveals the flaws at the core of the US asylum system.

Read more: Justice Is Beside the Point in America’s Immigration Courts

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Elon, Inc.: Grok-Generated Chaos, Cybertruck In Strange Places

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000

X users might have noticed a new kind of artificial intelligence-generated image proliferating: strange visions of Elon Musk next to Disney characters carrying guns, or Donald Trump in all kinds of, well, weird situations. This was what followed a new release of Musk’s Grok AI tool, which can now make images—unsurprisingly with fewer guardrails than other image-creating machines out there.

On this episode we’ll talk about Grok’s new skillset and also get into the semiotics of the Cybertruck. Initially conceived of as a mass-market truck, it’s slid into another category: marker of a certain kind of right-wing flex, the kind Musk himself has engaged in on his struggling social network. Joining David to discuss is Davey Alba, a Bloomberg technology reporter, along with Max Chafkin and Dana Hull.

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A Flying Taxi Ride Into the Future of Transportation

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:14:00 +0000

The taxis of the future are already here. And they’re airborne. After years of research and development and billions in investment, autonomous flying taxis are finally poised to take off. Companies working on these pilotless vehicles have been quietly working on prototypes — and recently, Bloomberg reporter Colum Murphy took a test flight in one of the first models operating in China.

But once the technology is proven, new challenges begin: the industry will have to navigate regulatory hurdles, which can vary country to country, and find a customer base that will trust this new form of air-travel. On today’s episode, Murphy takes the Big Take on his flying taxi ride, and his colleague Angus Whitley explains why it’s a make or break moment for the industry.

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The Latest Mpox Emergency Was Entirely Avoidable

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 20:48:00 +0000

The World Health Organization declared the last mpox global emergency over in May 2023. And just over a year later, here we are again.

Since the start of 2024, a deadlier, more transmissible strain of the virus has killed about 575 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo and infected 30 times more. New cases have recently appeared in Europe and Asia. In August, the WHO declared a new mpox global health emergency.

Bloomberg’s Ashleigh Furlong joins host Sarah Holder to explain why the latest outbreak could have been avoided — and what it will cost to beat it.

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Humans and AI Bots Blur in the World's Call Center Capital

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:19:46 +0000

Call centers in the Philippines, the world’s second-biggest outsourcing center after India, are embracing artificial intelligence - and it’s radically changing what it looks and sounds like to work there.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins demos the Sanas AI app and talks to Bloomberg's Saritha Rai about the industry's rapid transition and what it might mean for workers around the world.

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Powell Says Rates Are Coming Down: How Low Will They Go?

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 22:42:19 +0000

The time has finally come for a rate cut. That was the takeaway of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks in Jackson Hole on Friday when he let the world know to expect a cut at the next Fed meeting in September.

Bloomberg’s Mike McKee joins host Sarah Holder from Jackson Hole to discuss what that cut could look like — and what it would mean for the economy, the US election and the American consumer.Read more: Powell’s Pivot Leaves Traders Debating Size, Path of Rate Cuts

Listen more: The Federal Reserve's Tricky Economic and Political Terrain

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Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime Hub

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 20:30:00 +0000

A Chinese businessman persuaded officials to establish a special economic zone in a remote part of Laos. The gamblers arrived first. Then came the drug runners, human traffickers and scammers.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell about his investigation into the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and how it became a criminal’s paradise.

Has Burning Man Burned Out?

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:47:25 +0000

For the first time in more than a decade, Burning Man has not sold out.

The gathering prides itself on its counter-cultural roots, and draws tens of thousands of people to the Nevada desert every year for a week of art, music and adventure. But it’s also gradually moved further into the mainstream, becoming a rite of passage for a certain set of Silicon Valley elites. Whether it’s because of last year’s rain, economic strains, or something deeper, one thing is clear: this year, demand for Burning Man tickets is down.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg technology reporter Ellen Huet joins host Sarah Holder to grapple with a burning question: has Burning Man peaked?

Read more: Has Burning Man Peaked?

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80% of What We Buy Goes Through Ports. They’re Changing, Fast

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 21:33:00 +0000

Ports often make the news when they break: like the bridge collapse that shut down Baltimore's port earlier this year. But every day, ports in cities around the world keep supply chains humming and feed local economies; every year, they help move 80% of the things we buy.

As conflicts between world powers intensify, ports are also the latest battlefields where geopolitical power is won and lost. On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray tells host Sarah Holder how ports, from Belgium to Peru, are becoming strategic sites for countries to defend their interests. And why trillions of dollars are on the line in order to make these ambitions happen on time.

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What Would It Take to Rebuild Gaza?

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 21:18:55 +0000

After ten months of fighting in the Gaza Strip, Israel and Hamas could be close to a cease-fire deal. As of Monday afternoon, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Israel had agreed to a cease-fire proposal. Hamas had yet to officially respond.

If an eventual deal is achieved… the question becomes: How could the Gaza Strip rebuild?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Fares Alghoul, Fadwa Hodali, and Dan Williams take stock of the international cooperation — and money — it would take to reconstruct Gaza and how the future leadership of the Strip could complicate this already monumental task.

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ETFs, Explained

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:09:22 +0000

There is nearly $13 trillion invested in exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. ETFs that mirror the S&P 500. ETFs for gold. ETFs for bitcoin. There’s even a Vegan ETF. How did this market get so big and varied? And just what goes into one?

On today’s podcast, our Bloomberg Explains series continues with Bloomberg Intelligence senior ETF analyst and co-host of the Trillions podcast Eric Balchunas. He tells host David Gura about the unlikely duo who created the first-ever ETF in a last-ditch bid to save a struggling exchange. And Bloomberg ETF IQ and Money Stuff co-host Katie Greifeld breaks down the current booming market, and outlines which ETFs are safe investments – and which are better left alone.

Further listening: Trillions Podcast - Bloomberg, Money Stuff - Bloomberg

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Goodbye Sicily, Hello Sarasota. The Post-Pandemic Travel Boom Is Over

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 20:00:00 +0000

That White Lotus-inspired trip to Sicily. The Instagram-perfect Joshua Tree glamping holiday. A party weekend in Miami. Ever since the first lockdown restrictions were lifted in 2021, Americans have been spending big on travel. But a recent slew of weak earnings from companies like Delta and Expedia suggest that the post-pandemic travel boom is finally over.

In today’s episode, Bloomberg tech reporter Natalie Lung tells host Sarah Holder that from airlines to Airbnb, companies are reporting weaker-than-expected demand for summer travel. So does that mean now is the perfect time to book a last-minute vacation? Depends on where you’re game to go.

Read more: Flights, Hotels and Parks Are All Flashing Travel Warning Signs

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After a Deadly Student Uprising, Bangladesh Starts Over, Again

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:37:04 +0000

After weeks of protests and a brutal crackdown that led to several hundred deaths, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down and flee the country, putting an abrupt end to her more than 15 years in power. Stepping into the leadership vacuum is Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, who we spoke to last month -- when he was facing charges that his supporters said were trumped up by Hasina.

Today on The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Kai Schultz about what drove the student-led uprising and Hasina’s downfall, Yunus’s surprising turn to politics, and what’s at stake for one of Asia’s most promising economies.

Yunus Cleared in Graft Case After Becoming Bangladesh Leader

Further listening:

Why This Nobel Prize Winner Faces Life Imprisonment in Bangladesh

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Want Money From the Middle East? There Are New Strings Attached

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 20:04:15 +0000

The sovereign wealth funds of the Persian Gulf used to be relatively easy places for US firms like Blackstone and Goldman Sachs to raise money. But recently, the power dynamics between Wall Street and Middle Eastern wealth fund managers have been shifting.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Heather Perlberg breaks down for host David Gura why Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are asking for more in return for access to their trillions — and what that means not only for investors but also the future of the region.

Read more: Middle East Trillions Force New Concessions From Wall Street

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Why Is Everybody Still Getting Sick All The Time?

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Have you had the flu recently? Or RSV? Or just... some bug that you can’t quite shake? If so, you’re not alone. Bloomberg’s data team recently decided to investigate whether or not the perception that we’re all getting sick all the time is actually backed up by numbers. And what they found was truly surprising: in countries around the world, people are getting much sicker, much more often in the wake of the pandemic.

We’re re-upping this episode, which originally aired on June 14, because – surprise – everyone’s still getting sick. Listen as host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg data reporter Jinshan Hong try to solve the global health mystery – including the potential culprits behind the surge in sickness and what we can do to avoid getting ill so often.

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Are We in a Recession? The Sahm Rule Says Yes. Its Creator Says Not So Fast

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 22:34:00 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, economist Claudia Sahm explains the Sahm rule: how she came up with the idea, whether or not we’re in a recession, and why she wishes it was called something else.

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Welcome to Ozempictown, USA (No, It’s Not Hollywood)

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 20:00:00 +0000

What happens when new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic transform a community? Bloomberg healthcare reporter Madison Muller went to Bowling Green, Kentucky to find out. That area has one of the highest concentrations of weight-loss drug prescriptions in the US.

On today’s Big Take podcast, we explore what that means for people who live there, how these drugs are reshaping the local economy, and what it could look like in other places when Ozempic comes to town.

Listen more: Are Cheaper Ozempic Knockoffs Safe?

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$200 Billion, Four Heirs And One Mighty Empire

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 21:30:00 +0000

Gautam Adani, the controversial Indian billionaire, gathered his two sons and two nephews for a family lunch one day and asked them a bombshell question: Did they want to carve up the Adani Group’s sprawling businesses between themselves or stick together? He gave them three months to decide.

Today on The Big Take, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg editor Anto Antony about the Adanis’ ambitious succession plan, in the wake of regulatory probes and a daring short-seller attack. We also hear from the Adanis themselves on their vision of an Adani Group without Gautam at the helm, how they’ll make decisions to manage an empire – which spans everything from airports to solar farms – and what's at stake for India’s $3.5 trillion economy.

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What’s Behind the Global Market Meltdown

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 22:16:54 +0000

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 had its worst day in nearly two years and the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed over 1,000 points. Shares on Japan’s Nikkei Index fell by over 12% — their worst showing since Black Monday in 1987. Cryptocurrencies dropped, bond yields rose and the VIX, known as the fear index, saw its biggest one-day spike in more than 30 years. Is the Fed to blame? AI over-exuberance? Warren Buffett?

On today’s episode, Bloomberg columnist John Authers walks host David Gura through the global market meltdown: what triggered it, how long it could last, and when to panic.

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The Threat of AI-Made Bioweapons

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:38:57 +0000

In April of 2023, a man carrying a small, black box walked into one of the nation’s most secure buildings, right next to the White House. In the box were ingredients that could be used to create a bioweapon. What the man revealed about how he got his hands on these ingredients was even scarier: an AI chatbot had given him the recipe.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura speaks to Bloomberg healthcare reporter Riley Griffin about why that stunt alarmed White House officials and woke them up to the potential dangers of AI-made bioweapons.

Further listening:

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Ghost Jobs Are Haunting the Labor Market

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:22:05 +0000

If you’ve applied to a job and never heard back, you may have fallen prey to a ghost job — an online listing for a role that never actually existed.

Ghost jobs aren’t just leaving job seekers frustrated. They’re also muddying the waters of the labor market when it comes to assessing the strength of the economy.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder digs into the ghost job phenomenon with Molly Smith, an editor on Bloomberg’s US economy team.

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How Companies Gamed the H-1B Visa Lottery

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 21:26:20 +0000

Each year in April, the US conducts a lottery that shapes the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. And each year, only around 85,000 are granted an H-1B visa for highly-skilled workers. With skyrocketing application numbers, the odds of winning have only gotten slimmer. But new data obtained by Bloomberg News has revealed how certain companies have manipulated the system, gaining an advantage over people who play it fair. In other words, the game was rigged.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks to investigative journalists Eric Fan and Zachary Mider who explain how outsourcing companies and staffing firms exploited loopholes in the H-1B system to get extra shots at the lottery.

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Japan’s Small Businesses Have a Problem. They Don’t Know How to Raise Prices

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:10:28 +0000

Costs are rising in Japan and small businesses risk being squeezed into oblivion if they don’t figure out how to raise their prices. After decades of deflation, many small Japanese companies are out of practice on exactly how to do it.

Today on The Big Take Asia, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks to Bloomberg senior editor Reed Stevenson about a class he visited where people are relearning the long-lost skill of negotiation, and what a failure to raise prices at these small businesses – which make up 90% of the economy – could mean for Japan’s future.

Read more: BOJ to Cut Bond Buying as Fate of Rate Policy Stirs Jitters

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Behind Trump's Pledge to Make America the "Crypto Capital"

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:47:10 +0000

This past weekend, Donald Trump became the first American president to address a crypto conference, telling an audience in Nashville that “if Bitcoin is going to the moon, I want America to be the nation that leads the way.” It’s a stark contrast from five years ago, when Trump said Bitcoin’s value was based on “thin air.” Is his conversion from crypto skeptic to crypto cheerleader real – or just a canny attempt to get donations?

On today’s podcast, host David Gura speaks to Bloomberg investigative reporter Zeke Faux about the surprising opinions he heard on-the-ground at the world’s biggest Bitcoin conference – and what that could mean for the future of the 2024 presidential election.

Read more: Trump Became Crypto Believer After Falling in Love With NFTs of Himself

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Wall Street’s Great Rotation

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 21:01:03 +0000

For most of this year, US markets were hitting fresh highs and investors were giddy about the potential of AI to make the world’s biggest tech companies even more profitable. Then, the picture changed. Welcome to the Great Rotation.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks to Bloomberg cross-asset reporter Isabelle Lee about what’s behind the investor move from the Magnificent Seven tech firms into smaller companies — and what role, if any, recent US political turmoil is playing in investors’ expectations about the rest of the year.

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Why You’ll Want to Know How Your Nurse Practitioner Was Trained

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 21:23:46 +0000

Americans are more and more likely to get health care not from doctors, but from nurse practitioners. It’s one of the fastest-growing professions in the US — and the number of nurse practitioners in the country is expected to climb 45% by 2032. But training for the booming profession has never been standardized, and some students worry they’re not being set up for success.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to investigative reporters Caleb Melby and Polly Mosendz about what the rapid rise of nurse practitioners has meant for their education — and their patients.

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Are Cheaper Ozempic Knockoffs Safe?

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 20:26:00 +0000

Cheaper, knockoff versions of Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound are flooding the market, often promoted by telehealth companies in online ads and by influencers on TikTok and Instagram. These versions of the drugs are made by so-called compounding pharmacies, an obscure corner of America’s pharmaceutical market which makes drugs that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Ike Swetlitz and Madison Muller tell host Sarah Holder about their investigation into a $1 billion shadow industry that could be putting Americans’ health in danger.

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Roblox: The Gaming Platform With a Predator Problem

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 21:19:34 +0000

With tens of millions of users under the age of 13, Roblox has become the biggest online gaming playground for kids. The company says its combination of AI chat filters and human moderators makes the platform safe for users of all ages. But a Bloomberg Businessweek investigation suggests that Roblox may have striking vulnerabilities.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura speaks with reporters Olivia Carville and Cecilia D’Anastasio about the way predators have used the platform to groom children — and what Roblox is doing to keep young users safe.

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K-Pop’s Plan for Global Dominance? Remove the K

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 20:01:49 +0000

Is K-pop even K-pop without the K? A Bloomberg analysis of song lyrics shows that for the first time, almost half of K-pop songs released this year have English lyrics.

On today’s podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg reporter Sohee Kim about the genre’s identity shift and why industry efforts to grow its global audience might mean fewer Korean band members.

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Silicon Valley’s Shift to the Right

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 22:48:00 +0000

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s pick of Senator JD Vance as his running mate has many in Silicon Valley rejoicing — they see the former venture capitalist as one of their own. With Elon Musk’s commitment of $45 million a month to a super-PAC supporting the Trump campaign, it's the latest sign of Silicon Valley elites embracing the MAGA movement.

But the tech world hasn’t always embraced Trump. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Businessweek columnist Max Chafkin joins host David Gura to talk about how we got here and what their support could mean for another Trump term.

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Why This Nobel Winner Faces Life In Prison In Bangladesh

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 19:39:58 +0000

Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus pioneered micro loans as a tool to fight poverty. Now prosecutors in Bangladesh have linked him and his colleagues to a dizzying number of crimes, including embezzlement and laundering millions of dollars.

Today on The Big Take, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Kai Schultz about the complicated saga and what implications Yunus’s case has for Bangladesh, one of the fastest growing economies. We also hear from Yunus himself, who talks about the rift between him and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the personal impact of the legal drama.

Big Money Backs Tiny Loans That Lead to Debt, Despair and Even Suicide

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Pulling Off a Rare Olympic Feat in Paris: Turning a Profit

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 16:07:26 +0000

Ever since the first Olympics were held over a century ago, the Games have been known for dazzling sporting feats…and dazzlingly expensive opening ceremonies. Recently, the ballooning cost of hosting the Games has led residents in Boston, Rome, and Oslo to reject efforts to bring the Olympics to their cities. As a result, the International Olympic Committee is hoping to rein in costs – starting with Paris.

On today’s podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg reporter Hugo Miller about the lessons Paris 2024 is trying to take from the first and only profitable Olympics held in Los Angeles in 1984 – and why no less than the future of the Games is at stake.

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Scrappy Drone Startups Are Transforming Ukraine’s Frontlines

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 20:59:38 +0000

A growing number of Ukrainian entrepreneurs, engineers and tech workers are joining the war effort against Russia, making and delivering a key tool: drones. They’re low-cost, high-impact and can do everything from transporting supplies to dropping bombs across enemy lines.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Technology editor Jake Rudnitsky talks with host Sarah Holder about the burgeoning cottage industry that’s transforming the battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine war – and what the shift to drone warfare could mean for conflicts around the world.

Further listening:

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The Chinese Coffee Chain Beating Starbucks

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:34:27 +0000

China’s Luckin Coffee is the nation’s top coffee retailer, overtaking even Starbucks. That would be notable itself, but less than 4 years ago the company filed for bankruptcy, making its comeback even more unlikely. The turnaround is in part thanks to the chain’s automated stores, cut-price deals and innovative drinks that appeal to local tastes.

Today on The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Rachel Chang on how Luckin managed to turn around its failing business to overtake Starbucks, and asks whether it can hold on to its success as coffee takes off in China, and more rivals emerge.

Further listening: What Does China’s Economic Slowdown Mean For the Communist Party?

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The Lesson From French and British Elections: Incumbents Beware

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:53:43 +0000

French voters shocked the world on Sunday by rejecting Marine Le Pen’s efforts to see her far-right National Rally party take control of France’s legislature. And across the channel in Britain, a new government is set to enter parliament on Tuesday after voters last week gave the country’s left-leaning Labour Party a majority.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura discusses the reaction to the surprise result in France with Bloomberg Opinion columnist Lionel Laurent, and Bloomberg’s Head of Economics and Government Stephanie Flanders breaks down why the landslide victory for Keir Starmer and Britain’s Labour Party isn’t necessarily as clear-cut as it might seem.

For more, listen to Bloomberg’s “Voternomics” podcast.

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A Conversation With Zelenskiy: Trump, Biden and What’s at Stake for Ukraine

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 20:50:46 +0000

With the US presidential election on the horizon and no end in sight to the Russia-Ukraine war, Bloomberg’s Annmarie Hordern sits down with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for an exclusive interview. They discuss where the conflict stands now, what it would take to secure a peace deal and a possible end to the war – and Zelenskiy’s thoughts after watching the US presidential debate.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s lead on national security coverage Nick Wadhams sits down with host Sarah Holder to analyze the most important moments from the Zelenskiy interview and game out what the outcome of the US election could mean for the future of Ukraine.

Watch the full interview: Zelenskiy on Putin, Russia Cease-Fire Prospects, Trump and US Election

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How Hackers Held the Car Industry Hostage

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 19:46:51 +0000

The car sales industry in North America ground to a halt in mid-June after sophisticated cybercriminals took down CDK Global, the software provider with a near-monopoly on the industry. It caused chaos in the middle of one of the biggest seasons for car-buying. Dealers couldn’t access their inventory. Buyers couldn’t get cars off the lot. And customers feared for their personal data.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior technology editor Dana Wollman and host Sarah Holder discuss what getting back to normal for dealerships might look like, how the group of hackers behind the shutdown operate, and why industries that rely on centralized software systems — from education to healthcare — are vulnerable.

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Why China’s Investment Bankers Are Breaking Up With Capitalism

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:00:00 +0000

One after another, bankers at China International Capital Corporation — China’s premier investment bank – are pledging loyalty to the Communist Party, underscoring a new reality for Wall Street-style capitalists in the era of Xi Jinping.

Today on the Big Take Asia, host David Gura speaks with Bloomberg’s Cathy Chan about the tug-of-war between communism and capitalism at the “Morgan Stanley of China,” and how politics are redefining Chinese finance.

Read More: China’s Investment Bankers Join the Communist Party as Morale (and Paychecks) Shrink

Further listening: What Does China’s Economic Slowdown Mean For the Communist Party?

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Forget Sleep. Who’s Ready to Trade All Night?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:10:07 +0000

There is a growing push from retail traders, international investors, and a few big hedge funds to do something once unthinkable: keep stock markets open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But when do traders sleep if Wall Street never shuts?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg finance reporter Katherine Doherty joins host Sarah Holder to break down what’s behind the growing demand for after-hours trading on platforms like Robinhood, whether regulators will ever approve such a move, and what happens to the opening bell if the New York Stock Exchange never closes.

Read more: 24-Hour Stock Trading Is Booming – and Wall Street Is Rattled

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The ‘Upflation’ Formula: Halve the Ingredients, Double the Price

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:08:39 +0000

You’ve probably felt the pain of inflation. And you’ve also probably heard about shrinkflation — when companies respond to inflation by keeping their prices steady and making their products smaller. But have you heard of ‘upflation’?

It’s a new tactic consumer goods brands are using to get people shopping again. From whole-body deodorant to more genres of razor, companies are tweaking everyday essentials and jacking up the price. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg consumer goods reporter Leslie Patton tells host Sarah Holder where to spot upflation in the wild – and how to avoid paying extra for everyday products.

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Hong Kong: Five Years After Anti-China Protests

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Four years after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city, Hong Kong continues to serve as an important financial hub connecting mainland China with the rest of the world. But beneath the surface, the consequences of the crackdown are far-reaching.

Today on the Big Take Asia, ahead of the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s China editor Alan Wong about how Beijing is reshaping Hong Kong, its impact on the city’s residents and what that means for Hong Kong’s future.

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Inside Billionaire Bernard Arnault’s Business Playbook

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 22:27:19 +0000

LVMH has a sprawling portfolio of brands synonymous with luxury: Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Bulgari, Celine, Tiffany & Co., Hennessy and Veuve Clicquot. Its CEO, Bernard Arnault, almost never speaks to journalists and doesn’t have the name recognition of the likes of Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, but regularly vies with them for the title of richest person in the world and has an almost impossible-to-measure influence over the business world.

Bloomberg Businessweek’s Brad Stone and reporter Angelina Rascouët recently landed a rare interview with Arnault, where they learned how he built his empire from the ground up. And they consider a burning question: At 75 years old with five grown children in the business, what are his plans for succession?

AI’s Insatiable Needs Wreak Havoc on Power Systems

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 18:09:00 +0000

AI data centers are huge energy black holes, consuming as much energy as 30,000 homes – and their rapid growth is straining global grids. The numbers are astonishing: Sweden could see power demand from data centers roughly double over the course of this decade. In the UK, AI is expected to suck up 500% more energy over the next decade. And in the US, data centers are projected to use 8% of total power by 2030, up from 3% in 2022.

On today’s podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg reporter Josh Saul discuss just what these insatiable AI data center power needs mean for local communities, energy prices, and efforts to switch to renewables to combat climate change.

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Wall Street by Day, Waterdog by Night: The Double Life of a Professional Lacrosse Player

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:27:24 +0000

What do Robert Kraft, Kevin Durant and Joe Tsai – owner of the Brooklyn Nets – all have in common? They’ve decided to go big on a new professional sport: lacrosse. Historically popular in East Coast colleges and prep schools – with a strong Canadian presence – these days, the Premier Lacrosse League is hoping to broaden its appeal to anyone looking for something other than baseball to watch during the summer.

On today’s episode, Philadelphia Waterdogs players Jake Carraway and Ryan Conrad on what it's like to juggle working on Wall Street during the week and playing lacrosse on the weekends and PLL founder Paul Rabil on his ambitious plans to emulate the success of the UFC. And host David Gura and Bloomberg reporter Bailey Lipschultz discuss what PLL’s story can tell us about other efforts to turn sports like cornhole and pickleball into big-money professional leagues.

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Inside the Hedge Fund Boot Camps Creating Star Traders

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 20:05:00 +0000

As the $4.3 trillion hedge fund industry has boomed and competition for talent has intensified, firms are turning to a new strategy to get ahead: in-house boot camps. The goal is to mold promising new hires into future superstar traders.

Today on the show, Bloomberg’s Nishant Kumar joins host Sarah Holder to discuss what goes on inside these training programs — and what their rise means for the future of the industry.

Read more: Hedge Fund Talent Schools Are Looking for the Perfect Trader

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The Big Takeaways From Europe’s Far-Right Shift

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:38:00 +0000

France’s President Emmanuel Macron shocked the world and sent tremors through global stock markets last week with his decision to call a snap election. The move was prompted by a stronger-than-expected showing by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party in European Union elections. Now, EU politicians are worried about the potential of another Brexit-style crisis that could plunge the continent’s second-largest economy into gridlock.

On today’s podcast, host David Gura speaks to Bloomberg Opinion columnist Lionel Laurent about what’s behind the strength of the far-right not just in France, but across the EU – and what this rightward shift means for relations between Europe and the US in a pivotal election year.

Further Listening: To find out what the rise of the far-right means for the left in Europe, check out the latest episode of the Bloomberg series Voternomics, “How the Left Lost Its Way in Europe” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Dirty, Deadly Price We Pay for Clean Cars

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 20:40:00 +0000

Indonesia’s nickel business is booming. The metal is a key component in electric car batteries, but its success has a dark side: the country’s nickel mines and processing plants have a history of fatal accidents, with workers being run over by forklifts and burnt to death in smelter fires.

Today on The Big Take Asia, host Janet Paskin speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell about his investigation into the mines. He found that nickel sourced from these plants are present in the supply chain that feeds virtually every major seller of EVs, and is an indispensable part of the car industry’s green revolution.

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Why Is Everybody Getting Sick All The Time?

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 19:33:00 +0000

Have you had the flu recently? Or RSV? Or just … some bug that you can’t quite shake? If so – you’re not alone. Bloomberg’s data team recently decided to investigate whether or not the perception that we’re all getting sick all the time is actually backed up by numbers. And what they found was truly surprising: in countries around the world, people are getting much sicker, much more often in the wake of the pandemic.

On today’s episode, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg data reporter Jinshan Hong try to solve this global health mystery – including the potential culprits behind the surge in sickness and what we can do to avoid getting ill so often.

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Is the Fed Thinking About Inflation All Wrong?

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:57:33 +0000

For over a decade, America’s central bank has had an inflation target of 2%. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced that it would keep its main interest rate unchanged in order to try and get inflation to that magic number. But what if the Fed is thinking about inflation all wrong?

On today’s episode, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg’s Managing Editor for US economic policy Kate Davidson about the reasons the Fed introduced an inflation target in the first place, and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Mohamed El-Erian about the risks if the Fed is wrong about this – and who could be hurt the most.

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A New Breed of Scammer Is Targeting Asia's Ultra-Rich

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 21:04:00 +0000

Reports of alleged imposters are cropping up more and more in the family office frenzy in Singapore and Hong Kong. The ultra wealthy use family offices to manage their finances and affairs.

Today on The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg investing reporter David Ramli about the secretive nature of the family office industry and why scammers are so hard to spot. Plus, she hears from Medway Investment board director Eric SayWei Neo about how people like him are becoming amateur detectives to try to weed out suspected imposters.

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Dirty, Moldy Factories Tied to Recalled CVS-Brand Drugs

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 21:14:44 +0000

One factory making pain and fever medications for children used contaminated water. Another made drugs for kids that were too potent. A third made nasal sprays for babies on the same machines it used to produce pesticides. A new Bloomberg investigation reveals that big pharmacy chains have used cheaper, independent factories with a history of manufacturing violations to make store-brand drugs that compete with the likes of Motrin and Tums.

Today on the podcast, host David Gura speaks with national health care reporter Anna Edney about her new research into the factories making tainted drugs. She reveals that one pharmacy chain has had nearly double the recalls of its closest competitor – and the loophole that shielded all of these pharmacy chains from liability.

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Low-Tech US Explosives Are Now Crucial to Ukraine’s Defense

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:57:57 +0000

As Ukraine’s war against Russia drags on, the country has found itself engaged in the kind of trench warfare that once seemed unthinkable in the modern age. This kind of warfare requires very old battlefield technology — and its tearing through the US’s stockpile.

Today on the show, host David Gura speaks with Bloomberg reporters Billy House and Roxana Tiron about the World War II-era factories in America ramping up production to meet Ukraine’s ammunition needs. And he hears from Ukrainian Sergeant Andrii Shadrin about how this shortage is playing out on the frontlines.

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New Details About Sam Altman’s Past and What They Mean for OpenAI

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 21:20:05 +0000

The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, has become one of the most prominent leaders in the development of artificial intelligence. But some people – including current and former OpenAI employees – have questioned how trustworthy Altman is, and whether he is doing enough to inform the public about the technology.

On today’s show, Host David Gura is joined by Ellen Huet, host of Bloomberg Technology’s podcast Foundering: The OpenAI Story. Huet spent months talking to people who know Altman, including some of the world’s biggest investors, his mentors and even his sister.

Bloomberg.com subscribers can listen to the entire series of Foundering right now. Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts for early access.

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A Stunning Election Result in India as Modi and BJP Fall Short

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:05:00 +0000

Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party lost its majority in India’s parliament. The stunning blow is forcing Modi to rely on allies to form a government for the first time since he stormed to power a decade ago.

On today’s episode of The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha digs into India’s 2024 general election results with Bloomberg reporter Sudhi Ranjan Sen on the ground in New Delhi. And Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, delves into what the results mean for both India and the world.

Read more: India Election Results

To hear more from Milan Vaishnav listen to his podcast, Grand Tamasha.

To hear more about our coverage of Narendra Modi, listen to our series, The Rise of Modi.

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The GameStop Squeeze and the Demise of the Short Seller

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 21:03:47 +0000

People go to Miami for a lot of reasons including winter sun, Cuban food, retirement. But Bloomberg’s Denitsa Tsekova recently traveled to South Florida for something a little different: Hedge Fund Week. There, she discovered something truly shocking: some of the biggest, boldest short-sellers are abandoning their strategy.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura speaks to Denitsa about why the rise of meme stocks, a bull market, and increasing regulatory scrutiny are leading some leading investors like Jim Chanos to abandon the strategy that made them famous. And she explains why the demise of these often-reviled investors isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Read more: Short Sellers in Danger of Extinction After Crushing Stock Gains

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The Little-Known Green Rule That Could Increase Prices on Everything From Lipstick to Coffee

Fri, 31 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

A race is on to map millions of farms around the globe – all in the hopes of saving the world’s forests. A new EU deforestation regulation requires companies to prove their goods don’t contain products grown on deforested land. But that’s no easy task. And billions of dollars in global trade are at stake.

On today’s Big Take podcast: Bloomberg Global Food Tsar Agnieszka de Sousa breaks down just what’s in these new rules – and why the price of everything from cocoa to coffee and lipstick to tires could rise.

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What OpenAI’s Scarlett Johansson Dustup Reveals About AI

Wed, 29 May 2024 20:47:45 +0000

Generative AI is back in the news – and not for a good reason. First, OpenAI made headlines after the voice it introduced as part of its latest GPT update sounded eerily like Scarlett Johansson. Then, Google’s newly-introduced “AI Overview” feature started returning some questionable results – like that eating rocks might be good for you, or that cheese can help prevent cavities.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura speaks to Bloomberg AI reporter Rachel Metz and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Dave Lee to get to the bottom of just what’s been happening in the world of generative AI – and what these latest headlines mean for the way we’re all getting our information now and in the future.

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Will the World’s Biggest Nuclear Power Plant Get a Restart?

Tue, 28 May 2024 21:05:38 +0000

All of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors were shut down after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. As the country's energy needs soar, debate is heating up over whether to bring the world’s largest nuclear plant back online.

On today’s episode of The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg reporter Shoko Oda about her visit to the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant and the challenges to rebooting it.

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Google’s Moonshot Factory Falls Back to Earth

Mon, 27 May 2024 15:59:00 +0000

Google’s “moonshot” factory, dubbed “X,” encouraged researchers, engineers and developers to dream big for years – no project was too ambitious or too expensive. But recently there’s been a shift. With the tech boom in the rearview mirror, tightening budgets and the rising popularity of ChatGPT, Google has turned its focus away from chasing longshot inventions to expanding its search engine business and AI operations.

In today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Julia Love tells host Sarah Holder what this means for Google and tech innovation at large.

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Apartheid’s Long Shadow Hangs Over South Africa’s Election

Fri, 24 May 2024 21:16:58 +0000

South Africa is at a turning point. Thirty years after Nelson Mandela rose to power on a platform of equality, peace, and prosperity, the party he headed is facing serious challengers.

In the country’s May 29th election, the African National Congress Party, or ANC, looks poised to lose its outright majority. In today’s episode, host Sarah Holder is joined by Johannesburg-based economic and government affairs reporter Ntando Thukwana to discuss why voters are souring on the ANC – something once unthinkable for the party that lifted the country out of apartheid.

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The Man Who Ended Password Sharing at Netflix

Wed, 22 May 2024 19:55:08 +0000

Netflix is the biggest paid subscription streaming service in the world. But two years ago, its dominance was in question after it reported its first subscriber decline in over a decade. So the company did something radical: it cracked down on password sharing. The man behind the move? Well, he’s now one of the most powerful people in Hollywood.

Meet Greg Peters, the co-CEO of Netflix. Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw recently sat down with Peters for his first major print profile. He tells host David Gura about Peters’ bold plan to transform Netflix and the way all of us watch everything from TV shows to sports.

Listen to the Big Take podcast every week day and subscribe to our daily newsletter

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What Does China’s Economic Slowdown Mean For the Communist Party?

Tue, 21 May 2024 21:58:40 +0000

After four decades of unparalleled gains in income and wealth, China’s 1.4 billion have been hit by a series of blows: a real estate collapse, a trade war with the US, and a crackdown on entrepreneurs have stalled the country’s prosperity engine.

On today’s episode of The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha dives into how China’s slowing economy is affecting people on the ground, and how Beijing is responding to that shift. Ha talks to Bloomberg correspondent Rebecca Choong Wilkins in Hong Kong and Bloomberg’s Chief Economist Tom Orlik.

Read more: ‘Are You Better Off?’ Asking Reagan’s Question in Xi’s China

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What the Death of Iran’s President Means for Global Relationships

Mon, 20 May 2024 22:26:10 +0000

The deaths of Iran’s president and foreign minister in a helicopter crash were followed by a declaration of an official mourning period ahead of a new election.

It also has led to new speculation about who is poised to succeed Iran’s supreme leader, which could have regional and global ramifications.

On today’s episode, hosts David Gura and Sarah Holder discuss the fallout of the president’s death with Bloomberg’s Middle East, Europe and Africa news director Rosalind Mathieson and national security editor Nick Wadhams.

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The Stock Market After GameStop (Again)

Fri, 17 May 2024 21:26:04 +0000

The meme stock era, led by Keith Gill, aka “Roaring Kitty,” seemed to have come and gone — until this week, when he reemerged on social media. It was enough to send shares in GameStop and AMC on a wild ride again, conjuring memories of 2021’s meme stock mania.

So what’s really going on? On today’s episode, Bloomberg’s Money Stuff columnist Matt Levine schools us in Meme Financial Markets — and breaks down for host David Gura what these wild moves mean for anyone interested in putting money in the stock market.

Read more: GameStop Is Back!?

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The Restaurants That Don’t Want to Break Up With Gas Stoves

Wed, 15 May 2024 20:59:00 +0000

After Berkeley, California, became the first city in the US to ban natural gas in new buildings in 2019, it gained an unlikely opponent: the California Restaurant Association. The industry group sued the city, and kicked off a four-year-plus legal battle that ended with the city backing down. But when Bloomberg’s Ben Elgin started following the money, he found evidence that raised questions about where the association got its support.

In today’s episode, host Sarah Holder speaks with Elgin about the fight against California gas bans and how gas companies are planning to leverage that victory nationally.

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The Rise of Modi, Part 2: How India’s Leader Came Back From the Brink

Tue, 14 May 2024 21:31:08 +0000

In 2002, Narendra Modi was facing the biggest political crisis of his career. But in the aftermath of riots that left more than 1,000 people dead – most of them Muslims – he saw an opportunity to turn his fortunes around. He would go on to become one of the most powerful leaders India has seen in decades.

Host K. Oanh Ha, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen and author Nilanjan Mukhophadyay trace how Modi and his government have been able to transform India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

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The Rise of Modi, Part 1: Why India’s Leader Is So Popular – and Polarizing

Tue, 14 May 2024 20:09:33 +0000

Narendra Modi is arguably the world’s most popular politician. With nearly 1 billion Indians eligible to vote in a six-week election that concludes on June 4, Modi and his party are expected to win a majority for the third time in a row and extend their decade in power.

But there are also concerns over human rights and religious and press freedoms that many political leaders, CEOs and bankers in the West appear willing to overlook. On our first episode of The Big Take Asia, host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen chart how Modi built up so much power over the last several decades – and why he is both a beloved and divisive figure.

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Emmanuel Macron’s Plan to Transform Europe

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:28:23 +0000

When he was first elected to lead France in 2017, President Emmanuel Macron promised nothing less than a revolution. Since then, he’s pushed through controversial pension reforms, slashed taxes, and made it easier for French companies to fire employees. Now, he’s setting his sights beyond France.

On the sidelines of the Choose France summit in Versailles, Macron speaks to Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait about his bold plan to transform Europe. And he issues a stark warning about what could happen if Europe’s economic growth fails to keep up – not just for the continent, but for global security.

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The Startups Trying to Save Us From Space Junk

Fri, 10 May 2024 22:10:00 +0000

There are more than 100 million pieces of space trash — defunct satellites, rocket parts, dead batteries — all floating around in Earth’s orbit.

That can pose a problem in space, of course, but it’s an even bigger one when these objects re-enter the atmosphere and crash down to Earth.

On today’s episode, host David Gura speaks with Bloomberg’s space reporter Bruce Einhorn about the startups racing to clean up space, and with a Florida homeowner who found out the hard way that this problem isn’t as far away as it seems.

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Tim Cook Won’t Be Apple CEO Forever. Who’s Next?

Wed, 08 May 2024 21:14:00 +0000

Tim Cook picked up the mantle from Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple over a decade ago and grew it into a multi-trillion dollar company. Now, as Cook nears traditional retirement age, speculation abounds about who will succeed him.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins host David Gura to discuss the challenges of replacing Cook, his potential successors and how that decision will impact one of the best-known brands in the world.

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Americans Are Spending Billions With ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’

Tue, 07 May 2024 22:55:51 +0000

“Buy Now, Pay Later” options have exploded in popularity and availability, and in the midst of stubborn inflation, Americans are even using them to buy essentials like groceries.

But not all of the BNPL providers report data like credit card companies — and no one knows exactly how much debt consumers owe.

On today’s episode, host Sarah Holder talks to reporters Paulina Cachero and Paige Smith, who tried to find out more about the size and scope of the debt.

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The Man Who Lost $36 Billion in a Week

Mon, 06 May 2024 19:53:47 +0000

Bill Hwang amassed a fortune of $36 billion on Wall Street through his family office, Archegos Capital Management. But over the course of one week in 2021, the firm imploded. Federal prosecutors have since charged Hwang with 11 criminal counts, including securities fraud, wire fraud and racketeering.

Today, Bloomberg’s Sridhar Natarajan and Kathy Burton join host David Gura to discuss Hwang’s rise and fall and why his trial promises to be one of the biggest, and most interesting, in the history of Wall Street.

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A Billionaire’s Quest to Save a Trillion Trees Is Falling Short

Fri, 03 May 2024 18:29:49 +0000

Since 2020, Salesforce CEO and co-founder Marc Benioff has been on a mission to plant and preserve one trillion trees. The idea behind his initiative, 1t.org, is simple: A tree is good at taking carbon dioxide out of the environment. And more trees mean more greenhouse gas removal.

Four years, millions of dollars, and dozens of pledges from non-profits, NGOs, national governments, and private companies later – how close is Benioff to one trillion trees? Today, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg wealth reporter Sophie Alexander about why a billionaire decided to go all in on reforestation, why the private sector followed, and why the initiative is lagging behind.

Read more: A Billionaire Wanted to Save 1 Trillion Trees by 2030. It’s Not Going Great.

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Warren Buffett’s Hometown Could Decide the US Election

Thu, 02 May 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Omaha, Nebraska, is billionaire Warren Buffett’s hometown. A quirk in the state’s election law also means it could wind up deciding the 2024 presidential election.

On this episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin talks to Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and Bloomberg White House reporter Josh Wingrove, who traveled to Nebraska, to understand the fight to secure Omaha’s vote and the possibility of Warren Buffett entering the fray.

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Immigration Is Up. Housing Supply Isn’t.

Wed, 01 May 2024 21:25:00 +0000

Canada has seen rapid immigration-fueled population growth in recent years. That’s boosted its economy, but housing production hasn’t kept up. The limited supply and growing demand has exacerbated an existing affordable housing crisis and inspired calls not only to build more, but to impose stricter limits on immigration. A similar dynamic is playing out across advanced economies like Australia and the UK.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder speaks with Bloomberg’s Randy Thanthong-Knight about the relationship between housing and immigration – and how governments are trying to manage it.

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All the Eyes, Ears and Algorithms Focused On the Fed

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:24:04 +0000

At the end of last year, the Chair of the US Federal Reserve hinted at cutting interest rates – staving off an expected recession. It was a welcome surprise for many people watching the markets. Five months into 2024, he’s poised to pivot again.

On today’s Big Take, host David Gura talks with Fed editor Kate Davidson and Bloomberg Economics’ Anna Wong about the Fed’s latest moves and what to expect from this week’s Federal Open Market Committee Meeting.

Further Listening: The Federal Reserve's Tricky Economic and Political Terrain, Explained

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The ‘Silver Tsunami’ Will Test Australia’s Famed Retirement Program

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 20:53:05 +0000

Experts have long held up Australia’s 32-year-old “superannuation” system as the retirement model to follow. But as countries all around the world are bracing for a “silver tsunami” of aging baby boomers, even Australians worry they don’t have enough saved.

Today, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg’s Amy Bainbridge discuss what makes this system so super — and why it’s still falling short.

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Endowment Funds Are Complicated. Here’s What That Means for Student Protesters.

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:56:29 +0000

Protestors at universities across the country have been demanding that their institutions divest from companies that are tied to Israel or the war in Gaza, a demand universities have long rejected as antisemitic.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg higher education reporter Janet Lorin and California reporter Eliyahu Kamisher about what’s really inside endowment funds and why universities are unlikely to yield to the calls of disclose and divest.

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This Episode is [Redacted]

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:30:00 +0000

The US public’s trust in the media, and the government, is markedly low. A recent Gallup poll found only about 30 percent of Americans trust the media — and Pew Research found only 16 percent trust their government.

Bloomberg’s Jason Leopold is using records to try to change that. He’s filed over 9,000 requests through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA — a Cold War era law meant to ensure the right to transparency from the US government.

On today’s episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin and Jason dissect the FOIA process, the challenges of sifting through redacted documents from secretive government entities and the stories FOIA records have brought to light.

Subscribe to the FOIA Files newsletter: https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/foia-files

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What Went Wrong at the House of Gucci

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:26:21 +0000

Gucci was once a symbol of red-carpet luxury, but its brand, along with its sales numbers, is faltering. This Tuesday, Gucci’s parent company Kering reported its latest earnings: Gucci’s comparable revenue dropped by 18% in the first quarter this year. Kering also warned that recurring operating income will continue to plummet in the first six months of this year.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Angelina Rascouet and Sara Forden talk about what went wrong at the house of Gucci, and how its billionaire owner family, the Pinaults, plan to rescue it.

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What Makes Resource-Rich Qatar Such a Powerful Mediator

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:34:00 +0000

The discovery of natural gas in Qatar back in the 1970s was a transformative economic windfall for the country and its long-time rulers, the Al Thani royal family. Since then, the Al Thanis have been spending that money to build Qatar’s global brand – while strengthening diplomatic ties with powerful, and sometimes unlikely, allies.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg wealth reporter Devon Pendleton joins host Sarah Holder to trace the meteoric rise of Qatar and its royal family, and discuss how the war in Gaza and escalating conflict in the Middle East has made the country’s mediator role as critical as ever.

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Tensions Are Growing in the South China Sea

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:52:52 +0000

The US and the Philippines kicked off one of the largest military exercises in waters near the South China Sea on Monday. These joint military drills take place annually but this year’s come amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines. The countries are sparring over control of the waterway, which is rich in energy reserves.

On today’s Big Take, host Oanh Ha and Bloomberg Senior Editor Bill Faries break down why who controls this vast body of water matters for South East Asia and the rest of the world.

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India Offers A Glimpse Into the Rise of Campaign Deep Fakes

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:49:44 +0000

Divyendra Jadoun, known as “The Indian Deepfaker,” is having a pretty busy year. The 31-year-old has built a business around making deep fakes for politicians in India — campaign-style videos where candidates appear to address voters by name.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Bangalore-based AI reporter Saritha Rai and EU policy reporter Jillian Deutsch join host David Gura to explore the growing demand for these campaign deep fakes, concerns about disinformation, and the challenges of regulating the technology as India goes to the polls in the world’s biggest election.

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Boeing’s Rise, Fall and Painful Public Reckoning

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:36:17 +0000

Tires and doors falling off mid-flight. A top US official stranded because of a 737 jet maintenance issue. Boeing is facing the ire of US lawmakers, scrutiny from its key regulator, and pressure from Wall Street ahead of an earnings report — all as it struggles to rebuild trust with passengers after a string of crises.

On today’s episode, Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin digs into Boeing’s rise and fall with reporter Julie Johnsson, global aviation editor Benedikt Kammel, and long-time pilot and accident investigator Captain John Cox.

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The Cocoa Shortage Rocking the Chocolate World

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:18:06 +0000

Cocoa has never been so expensive. That’s bad news for players all along the chocolate supply chain: from farmers, to chocolatiers, to chocolate lovers.

In today’s episode, we travel from a farm in Ghana to Jacques Torres’ chocolate factory in Brooklyn, on a journey to understand the origins of a cocoa crisis – and what it means for the future of chocolate.

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The Disturbing Extortion Scheme Targeting Teen Boys

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:35:21 +0000

In a frightening trend, scammers are catfishing teen boys and trying to extort them — and there have been tragic outcomes. The FBI says this type of crime, which it calls “sextortion,” is one of the fastest growing crimes targeting children in the US.

Today, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg investigative reporter Olivia Carville about how teen boys are targeted online — and how these crimes impact the victims and their families.

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including suicide. If you or someone you know needs help with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a global list of help lines is available here.

Read More: Scammers are targeting teenage boys on social media—and driving some to suicide

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Iran’s Attack on Israel and What Comes Next

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:37:49 +0000

Over the weekend, Iran deployed hundreds of drones and missiles in an attack on Israel. Now, Israel weighs its response as US officials and their allies try to prevent further escalation.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner and national security editor Nick Wadhams join host David Gura to discuss what happened over the weekend, and where this conflict could go from here.

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‘Bluey’: A Blue Heeler Worth $2 Billion With an Uncertain Future

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 21:40:23 +0000

Bluey, the Australian animated TV show about a family of Blue Heeler dogs, is worth $2 billion. But is Bluey worth that without the show’s auteur Joe Brumm in the picture? The release of a special extended episode coming this weekend is sparking rumors about the smash-hit sensation.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Devin Leonard and Reyhan Harmanci join host David Gura to talk about the beloved program, the secret to its broad appeal, and the challenge of managing Bluey’s commercial success. Featuring some of our youngest listeners.

Further reading: How Bluey Became a $2 Billion Smash Hit—With an Uncertain Future

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The Cost of Keeping US Steel US-Owned

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000

A Japanese company’s bid to buy US Steel has sparked a fight with the United Steelworkers union — and put the company at the center of the 2024 presidential contest.

Today on the Big Take, Bloomberg reporters Joe Deaux and Josh Wingrove join host David Gura to trace why the deal came to a halt, how the company fits into Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s brands of political nostalgia, and why the fate of this deal could have an outsized impact on the election.

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Why Pricey Private Colleges Don’t Always Pay Off

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 21:56:53 +0000

It’s college acceptance season and many students are facing a decision: prestigious private universities versus cheaper public options. But if they’re looking at college as an investment in their future, there are some metrics worth considering.

Today on the Big Take podcast, personal finance reporters Paulina Cachero and Francesca Maglione join host Sarah Holder to dig into data on the return on investment at colleges and universities in the US. And given the ballooning price of higher education, they found that, based on financial ROI, prestige doesn’t always pay off.

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How India Could Overtake China As the Fastest Growing Economy

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:34:10 +0000

India is posting some of the most robust economic growth rates right now in the world. And with China slowing, India could become the new engine of global economic growth.

But it will take strategic investments, increased labor participation and more for India to achieve its economic ambitions. Today on the show, Bloomberg’s New Delhi-based economics and politics reporter Dan Strumpf joins host Sarah Holder to discuss India’s roadmap, and what its success could mean for the rest of the world.

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On the Ground With Yellen in China

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 22:27:41 +0000

The US-China relationship saw several years of instability — including a trade war, China’s Covid-Zero policy and the discovery of a Chinese spy balloon above the United States.

And now, with both sides keen to resume cooperation, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is wrapping up a trip to China with strong words about the country’s manufacturing strategy and its alleged support of Russia’s war effort.

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Argentina’s President Who Promised Radical Change Confronts Reality

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 01:10:32 +0000

Argentina’s president Javier Milei has made waves since taking office in December. From his plans to abolish his country’s central bank and replace its peso with the dollar, to his efforts to reverse previous administrations’ moves to build closer ties with China, Milei is charting a perilous – and untested – new course for a country long-rankled by inflation and economic instability.

Today on the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait sits down with host David Gura to discuss his exclusive interview with the Argentine leader.

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Filing Your Taxes Could Get Easier (If This Program Works)

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000

After years of letting the private tax e-filing industry run the show, the IRS is finally piloting an online tool that’s supposed to make tax season easier – and free – for thousands of taxpayers in a dozen states.

On this episode of The Big Take podcast, we explore how the idea got off the ground, who can use it, and whether the program could ever compete with the powerful private tax-filing industry.

Corrects date the Free File Alliance was launched in podcast published April 4.

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Why Hertz’s Big Bet on Teslas Didn’t Work

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:30:28 +0000

When Wall Street investors Tom Wagner and Greg O’Hara took over Hertz, they had ambitious plans. They aimed to revolutionize the car rental business by bringing a record number of electric vehicles into Hertz’s fleet, including 100,000 Teslas. And when Hertz’s IPO launched in 2021, it seemed Wagner and O’Hara had just made a visionary deal.

EVs were hot when Hertz started buying them. But as Bloomberg reporters Erik Schatzker and David Welch tell host Sarah Holder, the company would soon discover that making them work in the rental market was another challenge entirely.

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Traders Ready for Market Turbulence As S&P Hits Highs

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:11:17 +0000

With the stock market hitting record highs, many are wondering if it will continue to soar or come crashing down. One way to tell what’s on the mind of investors is to look at the options market. Bloomberg’s Carly Wanna tells host David Gura that average daily call volume on the VIX, often called the “fear gauge,” was up in the first quarter.

So, should we be worried that traders are preparing for the possibility of a big downturn? Today on the show, what's driving markets to all-time highs, and what the VIX tells us about what investors think will come next.

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Big Banks are “Quiet Quitting” Their Climate Promises

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:09:00 +0000

Big banks made big promises to help fight climate change. But as the world warms, those institutions are quietly cooling on their plans.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Alastair Marsh joins host Sarah Holder to break down why banks are rethinking their commitments, and what that could mean for the climate crisis.

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Jerry Seinfeld: The Last TV Billionaire?

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Jerry Seinfeld is a billionaire, thanks in part to earnings from his iconic 1990s sitcom, Seinfeld. After co-creating and starring in the TV show, Seinfeld parlayed his comedy into big money – but changes to the entertainment industry could make it a challenge for others to follow suit.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg wealth reporter Annie Massa talks to host Sarah Holder about how the Bloomberg Billionaires Index valued Seinfeld’s net worth for the first time, and what made his eponymous show such an enduring – and lucrative – classic.

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The Texas Border Town at the Center of the Immigration Debate

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:34:25 +0000

Immigration has become a top issue for voters in the 2024 election cycle, but people on the border want action now — not after November.

On the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg's Washington Bureau Chief Peggy Collins visits Eagle Pass, Texas, to explore why the US-Mexico border is shaping up to be a dominant campaign issue and what the needs on the ground really are.

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The Sentencing of Sam Bankman-Fried

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:10:49 +0000

In the nearly five months since a jury found Sam Bankman-Fried guilty, a narrative has started to take shape in crypto circles that the business model behind FTX was sound and that SBF would have been successful had he not dipped into customer funds.

But on the eve of his sentencing, Bloomberg’s Max Chafkin and Zeke Faux join The Big Take Podcast to discuss how they found — after interviewing insiders and carefully examining trial testimony and thousands of pages of documents — that fraud was at the very core of FTX’s meteoric rise.

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Elon Musk’s Starlink Terminals Have a Black Market Problem

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:45:00 +0000

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite program touts itself as a source of reliable internet in hard-to-reach places. But there are some countries where Starlink’s services aren’t licensed, or where the company can’t do business because of US sanctions. And a Bloomberg investigation has found that Starlink kits are appearing in many of those markets anyway – with geopolitical consequences.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior editor Alan Crawford traces the burgeoning black market for Starlink terminals, from Sudan to Venezuela. And national security reporter Dan Flatley breaks down why US government officials are taking notice – and the hurdles to shutting the black market down.

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Employees Describe Pattern of Harassment and Drug Use in Citigroup Unit

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 21:27:21 +0000

Citigroup was the first major Wall Street bank with a female CEO. But interviews with 22 people who worked in or closely with the bank’s equities division suggest a pattern of harassment and discrimination.

Bloomberg’s Paige Smith and Max Abelson join The Big Take podcast to share what their reporting uncovered, and what it says about the rest of Wall Street’s overdue #MeToo reckoning.

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What TikTok Tells Us About China’s Soft Power

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:38:59 +0000

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill with an ultimatum for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance: sell the app, or be banned in the US.

Today on The Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Dan Flatley and Alex Barinka cover the national security concerns behind this bill and the potential geopolitical and tech industry consequences.

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Japan Has a New Interest Rate: Zero.

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:06:56 +0000

For the first time in almost two decades, Japan has raised interest rates out of negative territory. The reason? Inflation has finally arrived in the country’s economy.

Today on The Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Paul Jackson and host Sarah Holder tackle what the change means for banks, business, and Japan’s economy.

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The MLB Wants to Make It Big in Asia. Shohei Ohtani Can Help

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:51:02 +0000

Major League Baseball has a big problem: it’s tapped out on new fans in the US. So it's looking abroad to Asia to bring in new ones. Japanese baseball prodigy Shohei Ohtani is crucial to that plan.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Janet Paskin discusses Ohtani’s meteoric rise, his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his pivotal role in the league’s global ambitions.

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Crypto Is Back. Bubble or Blastoff?

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:03:53 +0000

Cryptocurrencies have been on a tear. Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin has been hitting all-time highs. And many say this is just the beginning.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Stacy-Marie Ishmael joins us to discuss crypto’s latest record-setting run: is it going to the moon or are we on the brink of another bubble?

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The Plumber Shortage Clogging Up the US Economy

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:30:00 +0000

The US has a plumber shortage. And as more and more baby boomer plumbers reach retirement, there aren’t enough young people coming in to fill the gap.

On today’s Big Take podcast, we talk to Bloomberg’s US Economy reporter Enda Curran about why there’s a shortage and what it means for America’s infrastructure and economy. Plus – we hear from Chris Biondi, a plumber struggling to clear the way for future generations in the industry.

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The Federal Reserve's Tricky Economic and Political Terrain, Explained

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:51:16 +0000

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is trying to navigate a tricky economy – stubborn inflation and persistent fears of a recession. Now, two men hoping for a second term in the White House are drawing the central bank into the political fray.

“We can expect that things are going to get a little spicy,” Bloomberg’s Kate Davidson, who covers the Fed, joins the Big Take DC podcast to talk about the battle to maintain the central bank’s independence in the glare of 2024.

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The Vicuñas and the $9,000 Sweater

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 21:14:06 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, we trace the origin of Loro Piana’s $9,000 vicuña sweaters to the Andes mountains. Bloomberg’s Marcelo Rochabrun joins host Sarah Holder to unspool what it all means for the Indigenous communities that harvest the wool.

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The Big Business of Catastrophe-Betting

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:15:00 +0000

Today on the Big Take podcast, we visit the hedge fund with one of the world’s largest collections of catastrophe bonds, Fermat Capital Management, to see how they place their bets to get record returns. And we hear how the growing industry is helping fill a need in the global insurance market.

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What a Cease-Fire in Gaza Would Look Like

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 22:35:56 +0000

Israeli and Hamas officials failed to come to a cease-fire agreement before the start of Ramadan this past weekend. That’s adding to the difficulty of getting aid into war-torn Gaza and the dire situation on the ground.

Today on The Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Fares Alghoul and Ethan Bronner report on what a cease-fire would mean and why reaching an agreement has been so challenging.

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How Much Does it Cost to Buy an Oscar?

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 22:48:30 +0000

When the 96th Academy Awards airs this Sunday, the year’s biggest films will face off to compete for the highest honor in the movie industry.

For a movie studio, winning an Oscar is a big deal — and it’s become big business. Studios spend millions on marketing, screeners and advertising in the lead-up to the Academy’s votes for a race not unlike a political campaign. It wasn’t always this way. On today’s Big Take podcast, author Michael Schulman and Bloomberg entertainment industry reporter Chris Palmeri take us to the sweet, Shakespearean rom-com that started it all and map how it led to the overheated, multimillion dollar ad blitzes we see today.

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91 Felony Counts and a Campaign to Run

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 20:49:49 +0000

Donald Trump faces four criminal trials amounting to 91 felony counts, and three civil cases. None of this has fazed his base as he runs for election. “If he was in jail, I sure would vote for him,” said Ralph Hunter, a South Carolina resident. He told the Big Take DC podcast that while he doesn’t like Trump “as a person,” he was impressed with his presidency.

Trump’s electability is intact – but his finances are another story. Today on the Big Take DC: How Trump’s legal woes are hitting his wallet and his re-election bid.

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Inside Microsoft’s Censorship of Bing in China

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:07:00 +0000

Microsoft’s Bing is the second most popular search engine in China, a market that Google exited years ago. Today, Bing remains as the only Western search engine accessible there. But success has meant having to make significant compromises on issues such as censorship.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Ryan Gallagher gives us one of the first comprehensive, inside accounts of Bing’s sophisticated censorship system in China, and how it’s centered on an expanding blacklist of websites, words and phrases.

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The Biden-Trump Race is On

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:22:48 +0000

Fifteen states voted in the presidential primary contest on Super Tuesday, marking a decisive point in the election cycle. Former President Donald Trump’s campaign notched a clear victory as he marches down the path to clinching the Republican nomination. For President Joe Biden, between Super Tuesday and his State of the Union on Thursday, it’s officially the beginning of campaign season.

Is Trump’s grip on the GOP’s future solidified? Will Biden be able to rekindle Trump angst to compete with Trump nostalgia?

Host Saleha Mohsin and Bloomberg politics editor Mario Parker talk about the vulnerabilities each candidate faces, and what lies ahead in 2024.

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A New Housing Crisis Is Brewing In Places Prone to Climate Disasters

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 23:18:00 +0000

As climate risks grow, some private home insurance providers are retreating from US regions most vulnerable to catastrophe. And homeowners who can’t get coverage through the private market are increasingly turning to insurance “plans of last resort,” created by states.

The amount of liability taken on by these types of insurance plans is staggering, and growing: by some estimates, they’re holding more than $1 trillion of risk.

On today’s Big Take podcast, climate reporter Leslie Kaufman and California reporter Nadia Lopez share an investigation into how skyrocketing enrollment in state-created plans could create the conditions for a financial crisis.

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Where Does Inflation Go From Here?

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 23:16:52 +0000

The core personal consumption expenditures price index came in hot last week. After months of evidence that inflation was decelerating, the PCE — the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation — rose at its fastest pace in nearly a year.

On today’s Big Take podcast, we sort through the numbers with Matthew Boesler, who covers the US economy for Bloomberg, to understand whether the latest PCE report is a one-off aberration, or if it signals a true resurgence of inflation.

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Introducing: The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

The Deal, hosted by Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, features intimate conversations with business titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs who reveal their investment philosophies, pivotal career moves and the ones that got away. From Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals, The Deal is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Bloomberg Carplay, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch The Deal on Bloomberg Television, and Bloomberg Originals on YouTube.

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Chinese Emigrants Are Choosing New Destinations - and Transforming Them

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 20:30:56 +0000

A new wave of Chinese people are leaving China after the Covid-19 pandemic and they’re headed to places that aren’t the typical destinations for Chinese immigrants in the past.

Bloomberg’s Lulu Chen tells us how China’s slowing economy, fears over new policies to redistribute wealth and Beijing’s handling of the pandemic created the perfect storm for this exodus. In today’s Big Take podcast, we look at the impact Chinese immigrants who move into these communities in far-flung places have, and what a rising outflow means for China’s future.

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The Royal Nephews at the Center of Monaco’s Latest Financial Scandal

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:44:46 +0000

On today’s Big Take podcast, an investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek reveals how Prince Albert II’s government regularly favored his nephews in business deals. Members of the royal family deny any wrongdoing, but Monaco finds itself in the midst of a political crisis.

Bloomberg reporters Gaspard Sebag and Anthony Cormier detail why two of the Prince’s nephews are now facing allegations of using state contracts to line their own pockets at a time when the country’s government is already under scrutiny for failing to curb financial crime.

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Inside Project Maven, the US Military’s Mysterious AI Project

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:38:41 +0000

On today’s episode, the US military’s mysterious project to bring modern artificial intelligence to the battlefield — told by the defense official behind it, whose job was so secretive he couldn’t even tell his wife about it. Bloomberg’s Katrina Manson takes host Saleha Mohsin behind the scenes for an unclassified look at Project Maven.

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Private Credit Is Attracting Attention. Not All of It Is Good

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 01:24:00 +0000

Private credit funds are having a moment. Once under-the-radar lenders that did deals with riskier clients, the firms have gotten a lot more popular as interest rates have climbed. But private credit funds are also under a lot less oversight than traditional lenders, allowing little transparency into the way they value their loans. And all this new-found attention is starting to come with heightened scrutiny.

On today’s Big Take podcast, reporter Silas Brown shares what we know – and what we don’t – about how the world of private credit operates, and what new regulatory interest could mean for the $1.7 trillion dollars of assets these funds are managing.

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Have US Sanctions on Russia Worked?

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, US-led sanctions have incalculably changed its economy – but haven’t ended the war. Treasury’s chief sanctions economist says US efforts are working.

But one analyst, who was at Russia’s central bank until he fled in 2022, says Russia’s economy is very much alive. In this episode of the Big Take DC, we find out about Russia’s “brain drain,” how its economy went from shrinking to a projection that it will beat expectations in 2024, and whether it will ever regain its prestige as part of the global community.

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Russia’s Hunt for Arms Meets North Korea’s Need for Cash

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:34:29 +0000

The US and other countries say a deeper connection has been forged over a new arms trade between Russia and North Korea. They accuse North Korea of providing Russia with ballistic missiles and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition – supplies Russia desperately needs to continue its war in Ukraine.

Both North Korea and Russia deny that an arms trade is underway. But as Bloomberg’s Jon Herskovitz tells us, it’s clear that an isolated economy like North Korea could stand to gain a lot from this arrangement. Jon takes us inside the evidence that an arms deal is happening and tells us why this could be one of the most lucrative moves North Korea has ever made.

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The Other MH370 Mystery: Why a Key Safety Measure Keeps Stalling

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:45:00 +0000

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur just after midnight on March 8, 2014. Aviation officials lost contact with the flight less than an hour later. MH370 never made it to its destination, and the 239 people on board were never found. Ten years later, what happened to the plane is still aviation’s biggest mystery.

In the wake of the accident, regulators proposed a key safety change that could prevent a plane from disappearing again. But after a decade, most planes are still not outfitted with the proposed tracking tools. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Angus Whitley shares why the airline industry has been slow to learn from the lessons of MH370 — and what that means for the odds of another disaster like it happening again.

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How One Business Decision Set Back the Fight Against Malaria

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

For years, it seemed like Papua New Guinea was on a course to stamp out malaria. In 2010, the total number of suspected malaria cases in Papua New Guinea was 1.7 million. By 2015, the number had been cut nearly in half. Experts believed the country could see a malaria-free future as soon as 2030. But then, something changed—and cases started climbing again, as quickly as they had fallen.

In today’s episode of the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg health care reporters Anna Edney and Michelle Fay Cortez unpack how a single business decision made by the world’s biggest manufacturer of bed nets reversed years of work to eradicate malaria in a country that—at least for a while—was on track to beat it.

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Inside Top Hedge Fund Earners for 2023

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:31:00 +0000

Bill Ackman has had a big year. His constant posting and vocal condemnation of antisemitism on college campuses has won him over a million followers on X (and more than a few critics). Meanwhile, his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, has netted him $610 million in earnings.

Where Ackman’s online strategy is loud, Bloomberg wealth reporter Tom Maloney says the hedge fund manager’s financial strategy is more hands-off. And it’s working.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Maloney reveals the paydays of last year’s top hedge fund managers, and why the same big players keep appearing on the list despite the economy's ups and downs.

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The Little Sanctions Office That Could

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:00:00 +0000

America’s use of sanctions has grown by almost 1,000% since 9/11. So why isn’t Congress giving the office in charge of them more resources?

Today on the Big Take DC podcast, host Saleha Mohsin talks to John Smith, a former director of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Bloomberg National Security editor Nick Wadhams about OFAC’s scrappy operation and why lawmakers aren’t giving it more to work with.

Get this episode and Big Take DC episodes a day earlier by subscribing to Big Take DC.

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Commercial Real Estate Can’t Ignore Its Empty-Office Problem Anymore

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:02:00 +0000

The commercial real estate market has been upended by changing office habits and rising interest rates. For years, lenders and global investors did not have to confront these plunging building values. But with deals picking up again, the reality can no longer be ignored.

On today's Big Take podcast, Bloomberg real estate reporters Natalie Wong and Patrick Clark share how these losses may ripple across the global financial system.

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Third Party Candidates May Cause Trouble for Biden or Trump

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:40:16 +0000

American voters are so disillusioned by their options in the presidential election that pollsters have come up with a term for it: “Double-hater.” These are people who don’t like President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump, who leads the race for the GOP nomination. And yet, when asked by the Big Take DC podcast if an outsider candidate could break through in 2024, Ralph Nader, who ran for president outside the two major parties four times, gave a simple, “No.” Still, there are some indications that third-party candidates could cause trouble for the frontrunners.

In this episode of Big Take DC, we examine the impact an outsider candidate could have on the general election and efforts from groups like No Labels to offer a viable alternative.

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Unexpected Power Surges Are Putting US Homes At Risk

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 23:30:47 +0000

The US power grid has long been under pressure. But now, aging infrastructure is facing more extreme weather, more electricity usage and more renewable energy coming online.

These strains on the grid mean dangerous power surges could potentially flow directly into people's homes. In today's episode, Bloomberg's Naureen Malik takes us inside the realities of electrification.

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Why Driving A Few Miles Can Save You Thousands on Health Care

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

For years, the true price of health care in the US has been the result of negotiations between providers, insurance companies and government agencies. But for the patients, companies and taxpayers who pick up the tab, it's often been a mystery. That's led to hospital pricing that’s all over the map.

In today’s episode of the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter John Tozzi explains how patients at almost half of US hospitals can find significantly less expensive competitors within 30 miles. And we hear from Jen Villa, a special education teacher from Salinas, California, who has felt the impact of those pricing disparities firsthand.

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What the 2024 US Election Could Mean for China

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:07:04 +0000

China’s economy has been in rough shape, and the government is trying to address it. But there’s another threat on the horizon: the US election.

During their presidencies, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump backed policies that drove the US and China further apart. Now, they're both campaigning for re-election on continuing on that trajectory.

In this episode, Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway from the Odd Lots podcast speak with Tom Orlik, chief economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Mackenzie Hawkins, US industrial policy reporter for Bloomberg News. They’ve measured what a Trump or Biden victory in 2024 could mean for China’s economy, and beyond. Subscribe to Odd Lots to get all of their episodes.

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The Last Great American (Football) Dynasty

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 22:57:00 +0000

This Sunday in Nevada, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Both teams, like lots of others in the league, have been owned by the same family for decades. But with soaring valuations for NFL franchises, and owners getting older, the NFL's long standing family ownership model is facing new threats.

As the football league debates potential rule changes that would allow private equity investors to buy into teams, Bloomberg sports business reporter Randall Williams joins today’s Big Take podcast to answer our pressing question: Could this be the end of the last great American dynasty?

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How Crypto Is (Finally, Actually) Winning Over Wall Street

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 22:55:53 +0000

The meltdown at FTX scared a lot of retail investors away from crypto. But many big banks have doubled down, and are pushing cryptocurrency more into the mainstream.

In today’s episode of the Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior crypto reporter Olga Kharif explains how traditional financial institutions have gotten behind the technology underpinning crypto and what it means for the rest of the industry.

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Libya’s $5 Billion Fuel-Smuggling Trade Has a Russia Problem

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 23:40:00 +0000

In September 2022, a tanker called the Queen Majeda was stopped by authorities in Albanian waters, stuffed to the gills with $2 million worth of marine gas oil. The ship was coming from Libya’s port of Benghazi. And according to the Albanian authorities, the oil they were carrying was being smuggled out of the country illegally.

The Queen Majeda was just the tip of the iceberg of Libya’s $5 billion fuel-smuggling problem, Bloomberg’s senior global business reporter K. Oanh Ha discovered. She learned from the head of Libya's audit bureau that as much as 40% of the fuel imported to Libya under a subsidy program in 2022 was smuggled out. And by tracking shipping data, Ha found that a lot of the fuel exiting through illicit trade originally came from Russia. The fuel then made its way from Libya into European countries that have banned Russian fuel imports.

In today’s episode, Ha unravels the mystery of the Queen Majeda – and reveals how Russian fuel flows through Libya to dodge European sanctions.

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Investors Have Sky-High Hopes for AI. Can the Tech Deliver?

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 23:27:00 +0000

The seemingly vast profit potential of artificial intelligence has helped buoy the stock prices of tech behemoths like Alphabet, Apple and the rest of the Magnificent Seven. But last week’s earnings showed that for many of these companies going all-in on AI, lofty investor expectations are hard to meet. As advanced as AI applications like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot may seem, it’s an open question as to whether tech companies can monetize them.

In today’s episode of The Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Businessweek technology reporter Max Chafkin explains the gap between investors' AI expectations and reality, and what it would take for these technologies to live up to their promise.

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America’s ‘Debt Spiral’ Is Nearing a Critical Threshold

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 20:21:57 +0000

When the US borrows money, just like any borrower, it needs to pay its loans back with interest.

The national debt right now is $34 trillion and rising. Soon, America will need to spend more each year paying interest on the debt than it spends on national defense.

Today on Bloomberg’s Big Take DC, host Saleha Mosin talks to Bloomberg reporter Liz McCormick and Phillip Swagel, director of the Congressional Budget Office, on what it would take to rein in the US's government's debt spiral.

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The Brutal Crime Crackdown Taking Hold Across Latin America

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:29:00 +0000

Nayib Bukele has brought violent criminal gangs to a heel in El Salvador, transforming the country into one of the safest in Latin America. That’s made him extremely popular, even as human rights groups have condemned mass arrests and what they say are other abuses of civil liberties.

Marcelo Rochabrun, one of Bloomberg's bureau chiefs in Latin America, tells us how Bukele’s success in fighting crime has come at the expense of civil rights. And now, other leaders in the region are starting to follow suit.

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Why Wind Farms Are Paid Millions to Turn Off

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:18:01 +0000

The UK is in the midst of a green energy transformation, with more than 40% of its electricity coming from wind power as of December. But wind can be unpredictable and the grid can’t always handle the power wind turbines generate on blustery days — and so to protect the grid, operators sometimes pay wind farms to power off.

After Bloomberg’s investigations team received a tip about troubling inaccuracies in the data used to calculate these payments, our reporters went looking for answers. And they found a big problem lurking in the UK’s renewable energy market: some wind farm operators were routinely overestimating their production forecasts, and traders and market experts say that, in effect, they’re getting paid to stop producing power that they wouldn’t have produced anyway.

According to Gavin Finch and Todd Gillespie, the reporters who led this investigation, the price tag for consumers is in the millions of pounds. And with the UK aiming to triple the number of wind turbines in the country by the end of the decade, those costs could increase.

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A New Era for Microsoft, Activision — And for Gaming

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:48:00 +0000

Microsoft recently cut 1,900 jobs from its gaming division and among the layoffs were many at the recently acquired video game developer Activision Blizzard. Blizzard Entertainment’s President Mike Ybarra and co-founder Allen Adham are both departing. The tech giant also announced the cancellation of a Blizzard game, called “Odyssey,” that was already six years in development. Today, Microsoft reported its quarterly earnings. Revenue is up.

Jason Schreier, the creator of Bloomberg’s Game On newsletter, joins the Big Take to give us the latest on Microsoft’s moves and makes some predictions about larger trends for the gaming industry to watch for in 2024.

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Shawn Fain Takes On the EV Industry and the Election

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:43:34 +0000

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain has been in the news almost nonstop for successfully negotiating a new contract for union members and, most recently, endorsing President Joe Biden for re-election.

But that endorsement is at odds with many rank-and-file union members who support Donald Trump. And Fain's next industry battle could be much harder.

In setting his sights on electric vehicle makers like Tesla and rallying his union members (many in swing states) around Biden, Fain is trying to propel the UAW back to its former industry might and political sway.

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Economists May Be Using Bad Data to Make Big Decisions

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Big Take DC podcast looks into how the US managed to avoid a recession — and whether the Federal Reserve’s decisions were based on reliable data.

Bloomberg’s Saleha Mohsin talked with Claudia Sahm, an ex-Fed economist, and with Odd Lots podcast hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway.

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The Pharmaceutical Rivalry Behind the Weight-Loss Drug Boom

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:45:00 +0000

The multi-billion dollar weight-loss drug market has ballooned in the past few years. And the two pharmaceutical companies currently duking it out for market dominance, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, have a century-long rivalry.

Bloomberg News health reporter Madison Muller breaks down how Eli Lilly developed Zepbound, a new drug that can help patients cut more than 20% of their body weight — and why some investors and analysts think it will turn Eli Lilly into the first ever trillion-dollar drug company.

(Corrects characterization of the current size of the weight-loss drug market)

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The Stock Market’s Historic Rally, Explained

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:36:00 +0000

The S&P 500 closed at a record high on Jan. 19, for the first time in two years. It was the start of a winning streak. In today’s Big Take episode, Bloomberg markets editor Chris Nagi joins the show to discuss why Wall Street’s somewhat pessimistic expectations for this year’s stock market were blown out of the water.

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Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Hit the Global Supply Chain

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:42:30 +0000

For two months, Houthi militants have been launching surprise attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea. Repeated rounds of retaliatory strikes by the US and its allies haven't stopped the assaults. Now, these tensions are threatening not only trade routes, but the broader global supply chain.

The Big Take spoke with Bloomberg News reporters Enda Curran in Washington, DC and Mohammed Hatem, who reports on economics and politics in Yemen, about what brought us to this point and how companies are trying to strengthen their supply chains in the face of uncertainty.

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How Israel’s War in Gaza Is Hurting Its Own Economy

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:23:43 +0000

Over the last few decades, Israel has transformed itself from a relatively poor agrarian economy to a global startup haven. Its per capita GDP now exceeds that of France, the UK and Japan. But with Hamas’ attack on Israel – which killed 1,200 people and claimed more than 200 hostages – and Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza, that economic trajectory could be at risk.

Some 360,000 Israeli reservists were called to serve in the military in the days that followed October 7th, destabilizing Israel’s workforce, while economic growth is forecast to have plummeted in the last quarter of 2023. And as Israel continues its invasion of Gaza – a war that has already claimed the lives of more than 25,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas officials – Israel’s military spending is expected to balloon. The country’s just-released 2024 budget calls for $19 billion in war-related expenditures.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Israelis involved in building the country’s vibrant start-up ecosystem share their stories of how the aftermath of October 7th has impacted their employees and the community’s operations – and Bloomberg’s Galit Altstein walks us through what it could all mean for Israel’s economic future.

This episode was produced by: David Fox
Senior Producers: Naomi Shavin and Gilda Di Carli
Editors: Caitlin Kenney and Jordan Fabian
Executive Producer: Sage Bauman
Sound Design/Engineer: Blake Maples and Alex Sugiura
Fact-checker: Adriana Tapia
Special thanks to Galit Altstein and Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner for the reporting that inspired this episode.

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

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Big Take DC: Wall Street Is Running Out of Time to Influence the GOP Nomination

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 21:51:03 +0000

Today, we’re sharing the newest episode from our collaborators over at the Big Take DC. They look at why Wall Street donors are waiting to weigh in on the GOP primary. Make sure you subscribe to the Big Take DC feed so you can get episodes like these every Thursday. Just look up Big Take DC, available wherever you listen to podcasts — And while you’re there, check out their reporting from the Iowa caucuses earlier this week.

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The biggest individual donors have been notably absent in the GOP primaries: Wall Street investors.

So far, big investors haven’t opened their wallets for Republican frontrunner and former President Donald Trump. But they haven’t rallied around any of his challengers, either. In fact, they’re just as fatigued by the options as everyday American voters, many of whom grimace at the thought of a rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden.

Bloomberg’s Saleha Mohsin talks with Kyle Bass, who is plugged into the world of political money and is close with major donors, and Bloomberg politics editor Laura Davison about what investors want out of the 2024 election, the impact of their donations and what their hesitancy means for this consequential election.

Corrects to remove reference to billionaire in podcast and third paragraph.

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Odd Lots: US Oil Is Booming and It's Upending Global Markets

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:29:06 +0000

We here at The Big Take are big fans of our colleagues and friends over at the Odd Lots podcast, hosted by Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway. Please enjoy this episode, and hop on over to subscribe to their feed if you like what you hear!

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In the early 2010s, US shale players were producing oil like crazy, with no concerns about profitability. Then the legs were kicked out from the industry, causing a massive bust and massive oversupply. In 2021 and 2022, it looked like a very different story. Oil prices were surging and it seemed as though US players had found religion, learning how to maintain production discipline and improve profitability. But now we're in a new era that nobody saw coming: US oil production is booming. In in fact, it's at a record high. What's more, industry participants are actually making money at the same time. So how did they do it? And how did the prognosticators get things wrong? On this episode of the podcast, we speak with Bloomberg Opinion columnist and commodity specialist Javier Blas. We discuss the state of US supply and what it means for OPEC. We also talk about the rising tension in the Red Sea, as well as his reporting on the rise of electronic electricity trading in the European market.

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TikTok Made Me Buy It: Inside TikTok Shop

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:50:00 +0000

Last year, TikTok Shop officially launched in the US. It’s the latest commercial venture from ByteDance Ltd., the parent company that owns the social media app. By creating its own marketplace — where users can find and buy products without leaving the app — TikTok hopes to compete with giants like Amazon. And TikTok is not being shy about its ambitions: according to Bloomberg’s reporting, it aims to grow the size of its US e-commerce business to $17.5 billion this year.

Small vendors like Scott McIntosh have been invited to TikTok Shop and encouraged to start live streaming their products, a tactic that has proven wildly popular in Southeast Asian TikTok Shop markets. Although skeptical of TikTok as a sales platform at first, McIntosh is now a believer. Will TikTok be able to win over the rest of the American e-commerce market?

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How Victor Wembanyama Could Become a Billionaire by Age 33

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:09:00 +0000

At over seven feet tall with an eight-foot wingspan, 20-year-old Victor Wembanyama is not your average NBA rookie. As a center on the San Antonio Spurs, Wembanyama’s fluidity and defensive prowess are already on full display. But his game isn’t the only thing that sets Wemby, as his fans call him, apart. Bloomberg’s sports business reporter Randall Williams crunched the numbers, and found that Wembanyama is on track to earn $1 billion from basketball contracts by the time he’s 33. It would make him the first professional basketball player to reach billionaire status just from playing the game.

As Wembanyama considers new brand partnerships and the NBA negotiates new media deals, he could make his billion even sooner – unless an injury sets him back. With rare skills and this rare opportunity, Wemby just might make basketball history.

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In Taiwan, Flight Plans for China Conflict

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:07:14 +0000

Taiwan’s politics have long been defined by tensions with China, which claims the island as its own. Over the past several years, China has stepped up military exercises and Taiwanese leaders have responded by asserting the island’s self-rule — a tension that shows little sign of easing with the weekend’s election of current vice president Lai Ching-te to the presidency.

Across Taiwan, individuals are formulating their own responses to the specter of conflict. Our previous Big Take episode showed one young military veteran’s determination to defend Taiwan set him on a tragic course to Ukraine. In this episode, Bloomberg reporters Wan Chien-Hua and Yang Yang explore those who are plotting flights to safety. Some attend civil defense fairs, which teach where to shelter and drill kids on five ways to protect from missile strikes (plug ears; open mouth). Others accumulate passports to foreign countries that may promise more peaceful lives.

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The World Faces a $270 Billion Traffic Jam in Panama

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 23:23:00 +0000

The Panama Canal moves roughly $270 billion dollars worth of cargo annually – it’s the trade route taken by 40% of all US container traffic alone. But the crucial waterway is contending with a crippling drought, worsened by climate change and infrastructure constraints. Water levels are so low that the Panama Canal Authority is restricting the number of ships that can pass through each day. As the line gets longer, shippers are paying to jump the line, or resorting to workarounds.

Bloomberg reporter Peter Millard traveled to Panama to understand how the drought is snarling global shipping and impacting locals. Millard joined the Big Take podcast to share what could solve the canal’s water level issues: from the experimental ideas, to the politically fraught choice to build a new reservoir and flood neighboring lands. There are no easy fixes. But with a traffic jam this big, getting the canal flowing again is becoming more urgent.

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Introducing Big Take DC: Iowa Governor Says DeSantis Can Still Pull Off Caucus Win

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds gives an exclusive interview to Big Take DC just days before her state kicks off the 2024 presidential cycle. After months of debates and polling, the Iowa caucuses will be the nation's first state-level contest for the next Republican presidential nominee.

Bloomberg’s Saleha Mohsin talks with Reynolds about why Ron DeSantis has her vote, and what she’ll do if Donald Trump becomes the party’s nominee.

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

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The Taiwanese Soldier Who Lost His Life to Defend Ukraine

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:52:11 +0000

Watching footage of Russian attacks on Ukraine, Jonathan Tseng thought: That could happen here, too.

So from his home in Taiwan, Jonathan — Tseng Sheng-Guang in Chinese — resolved to take up arms against Russia. He left his wife, son and his beseeching mother in June 2022 to join the ranks of foreign fighters in Ukraine. His decision mirrored his own fears about unwelcome aggression on Taiwan, should China move beyond decades of warnings and threats, and into open conflict, against the island it claims as its own.

Bloomberg reporter Yang Yang spent several months looking for and talking to Jonathan’s family, friends and fellow soldiers in Ukraine, in order to understand more about what drove a young Taiwanese man to battle a neighboring aggressor, and what happened to him there.

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The 2024 Elections That Will Shape the Global Economy

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:33:53 +0000

Elections this year will determine the leadership of 40% of the world’s population, spanning the United States, to Taiwan, to Mexico, to Senegal. On today’s Big Take podcast: What democracy’s big test means for the economy.

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Elon, Inc: Elon's Bad Trip

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:33:00 +0000

We here at Big Take are big fans of our colleagues and friends over at the Elon, Inc podcast from Businessweek, hosted by David Papadopoulos. Please enjoy this episode, and hop on over to subscribe to their feed if you like what you hear!
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Were we talking about almost any other executive, the report by the Wall Street Journal over the weekend about Elon Musk’s alleged drug use would have qualified as a bombshell. The article contends the chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla has used a collection of substances. This, according to the Journal’s unidentified sources, has caused consternation within Musk’s companies, with Tesla board members and SpaceX executives privately expressing concerns that the alleged drug use may be making Musk unreliable and erratic.

But it’s not clear that many people, either inside or outside Musk’s companies, are genuinely worried. Musk mostly laughed off the report, offering a jokey response suggesting that any drugs he was taking should be seen as performance enhancers and noting that he’d passed government-mandated drug tests “after that one puff on Rogan”—a reference to a 2018 interview with Joe Rogan during which he smoked marijuana. Investors have been largely unmoved by all of this, partly because during the period that Musk is alleged to have indulged in illicit substances, he also made them a great deal of money. And Musk has mostly gone back to his regular schedule of boosting conspiracy theories proffered by election deniers, white nationalists and other assorted right wing influencers.

On this episode, we are joined by Loren Grush, a Bloomberg aerospace reporter and author of the NASA history, The Six, to discuss why these drug allegations haven’t hurt Musk and why a labor dispute involving SpaceX employees might be a bigger threat in the long run.

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What the World's Top Financial Minds Are Predicting for 2024

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:55:00 +0000

At the end of every year, Wall Street’s best and brightest release their predictions about where the economy is heading next. Markets reporter Sam Potter has pored through this year’s financial tea leaves – thousands of pages of them – and joined the show to share the most significant takeaways. Overall, there’s optimism about a “soft-ish” landing, disinflation, and continued consumer strength.

But the consensus view has missed the mark before, and 2024 will bring new unknowns, from interest rate changes to technological advances to global elections. We walk through the possibilities, and the stakes: What can we expect if Wall Street is right? And what happens if they’re wrong?

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://www.bloomberg.com/bigtake

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Team Favorite: Taylor Swift Is A Pop Icon. And A Billionaire

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, here's an episode you might have missed.

Taylor Swift’s monumental success is due to her talent as a performer — as well as her business acumen. Bloomberg’s Devon Pendleton and Claire Ballentine join this episode to talk about how the pop star has taken ownership of her music, built a fiercely loyal fan base–and become a billionaire in the process.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Michael Falero and Mo Barrow. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Team Favorite: You Never Think About Your Car’s Catalytic Converter—Until Thieves Saw It Off

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, here's an episode you might have missed.

Catalytic converters are a vital part of emissions reduction in gas-powered vehicles. But that’s not why they’ve been making headlines. Thieves across the US have been sawing them off cars because they contain precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium. Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Evan Ratliff is here to tell the tale of a $500 million catalytic converter theft ring—and how local police departments and federal law enforcement brought it down.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers Michael Falero and Mo Barrow. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: The K-Pop Mogul Behind BTS Brings His Winning Formula To The US

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, here's an episode you might have missed.

Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and Sohee Kim join this episode to talk about Bang Si-Hyuk, South Korea’s enormously successful music mogul. The billionaire has built a K-pop empire with bands like BTS and New Jeans, and he’s now looking to expand on that model with a new, global act based in the US.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: Avoiding War With China Is The Top Issue In Taiwan's Election

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, here's an episode you might have missed.

Taiwan’s current Vice President, Lai Ching-te, leads the polls in the upcoming January presidential election. The winner will have a lot to contend with–and at the top of the list is how to keep the peace with China amid rising tensions. Bloomberg Businessweek editor Joel Weber sat down with Vice President Lai for several wide-ranging interviews in Taiwan.

Joel and Taipei deputy bureau chief Cindy Wang join this episode to talk about the challenges the next president will face in preserving a democratic Taiwan, and public concerns about the possibility of military conflict with China.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Michael Falero and Mo Barrow Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite : The Junk Food Industry Finds Its Next Sweet Spot: India

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, here's an episode you might have missed.

Bloomberg’s Pratik Parija and Kai Schultz join this episode to discuss why the packaged food and beverage industry has its sights set on India—and what that means for the health and wellbeing of the 1.4 billion people who live there.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

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Team Favorite: Mattel Bets Big On Barbie's Pink Carpet Debut

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

She’s been an astronaut, a scientist and the president of the United States. Now Barbie is a movie star. Bloomberg’s Kelly Gilblom joins this episode to talk about Mattel’s bet that the $100 million Barbie movie debuting July 21 — and the launch of the company’s entertainment division — will revive its biggest brand, reel in new fans and help it reclaim the No. 1 spot of global toymaker.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: The Not So Easy Trick To Getting Rid of Rats (In Big Cities)

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

The number of rat-related complaints in American cities has spiked in recent years. In the most overrun cities – Chicago, Washington, DC and New York – officials are stepping up efforts to find and kill them. New York is going so far as to hire a rat czar in charge of stamping them out.

Good luck with that. Cities have tried and failed for decades to control rats. So what can be done to contain the population of these rapidly reproducing rodents?

To answer that question, Big Take podcast producers Kathryn Fink, Rebecca Chaisson and Sam Gebauer hit the streets with a rat control squad in Washington and rodentologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan in New York. We also speak with New York Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The good news: we can bring rats under control. The bad news: human nature means we probably won’t.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Rebecca Chaisson, Associate Producer: Sam Gebauer. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: Why Is The US Dependent On Russian Uranium?

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

About half of the enriched uranium that nations around the world use for nuclear power comes from Russia. It supplies almost a quarter of America’s 92 nuclear reactors and dozens of other plants across Europe and Asia. The US is now trying to change that with a big push to build up its own capabilities. Bloomberg’s Jonathan Tirone and Will Wade join this episode to talk about what it will take for the US and its allies to free themselves from Russian uranium.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: Police Are Tracking Down Suspects With Google User Data

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

Google is able to collect a lot of information about the people who use its products on their phones, including where they are at any given time. A growing number of police departments across the US are seeking to obtain this data from Google to help solve crimes. Bloomberg’s Davey Alba and Julia Love join this episode to weigh the pros and cons of using location data in law enforcement, and the privacy concerns it raises. And Travis Staab, a police detective in Arizona, shares how he and his colleagues have used the information to track down suspects.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Sam Gebauer, Christine Driscoll, Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: Women's Pro Tackle Football Takes The Field

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Mary Pilon joins this episode to talk about the promise–and challenges–of building a fanbase for the Women’s Football Alliance, an all-female, full-contact league that has 60 teams in four divisions across 32 states.

And we head to a nighttime practice of the DC Divas, to hear from the players and coaches about why they love the game and what it means for women to play tackle football.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Favorite: Your Pet Is Costing You A Fortune and You Don’t Care

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the holidays, so here's an episode you might have missed.

The global pet economy is expected to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2030. After a pandemic surge in pet adoptions, more people are buying ever more expensive food and toys for their furry friends. But beyond these routine costs, a growing number of owners are also shelling out thousands for veterinary care to treat complex illnesses and keep their pets alive for longer.

Bloomberg reporters Brendan Case and Nacha Cattan join this episode to give an expansive view of the industry, including how new diagnostic tools and medications are extending pet lifespans—and wearing down owners’ wallets.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Rebecca Chaisson, Associate Producer: Sam Gebauer. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Five Countries Acting as Economic ‘Connectors’ in a Fragmented World

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Tensions continue to grow between China and the big economic powers in Europe and the United States. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas are adding global uncertainty. As new geopolitical fault lines form, some nations are emerging as winners, according to an analysis of trade and investment data by Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Bloomberg’s Maeva Cousin and Shawn Donnan join Scarlet Fu to walk through the findings, discussing the five winners and what’s happening there.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Federica Romaniello and Sam Gebauer. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Transit in the US Is About to Get Worse

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

If you’ve suffered the slights of US public transportation in recent years, brace yourself for more grief. Transit agencies across the country have been grappling with reduced ridership and revenues since the pandemic. By next year, billions of dollars in emergency aid is slated to dry up, making matters that much worse. Budget shortfalls are likely to affect millions of Americans who rely on public transportation every day.

Bloomberg reporter Skylar Woodhouse joins host Scarlet Fu to discuss overburdened and underfunded public transportation agencies—including some of the country’s largest—and the financial squeeze pushing them even closer to collapse.

Read More: America’s Subways and Buses Face Deep Service Cuts as Federal Money Ends

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

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Elon, Inc: Grok Is Good, Actually, and a Tesla Recall

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 22:36:49 +0000

We here at The Big Take are big fans of our colleagues and friends over at the Elon, Inc podcast from Businessweek, hosted by David Papadopoulos. Please enjoy this episode, and hop on over to subscribe to their feed if you like what you hear!
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When Elon Musk announced his new AI chatbot “Grok” last month, almost everything about it looked like a publicity stunt or a vanity project or both. The product was seemingly built over a matter of months, it was only available to a small group of X users and its chief selling point was Musk’s promise it wouldn’t be constrained by the “woke mind virus.” He boasted that Grok’s chatbot was “based”—a slang term meaning unapologetically right wing—and posted fratty memes meant to emphasize Grok’s dominance over market-leading competitor ChatGPT.

None of this inspired confidence. But with Grok now available to paying users of Musk’s social media platform, the reviews are coming in. And they’re surprisingly positive. This week we are joined by Bloomberg reporter Shirin Ghaffary, who has been testing out the new chatbot and comparing it ChatGPT and Google’s Bard chatbot.

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The Big Equality Stories of 2023 – and What’s Next

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The past year has been relentless for news, with indictments of a former US president, wars in Europe and the Middle East, and Earth’s hottest year on record. It was a big year, too, for equality news in the US — including headlines that corporations made good on their 2020 vows to hire more people of color.

But 2023 also saw challenges to affirmative action and access to abortion medication, and there are more questions for the year ahead. Will a diverse pool of workers hired in 2021, largely to entry-level jobs, be retained and promoted? How will working parents and especially mothers, who benefited from pandemic-era flexible work, weather shrinking childcare options? Bloomberg Equality reporter Kelsey Butler and Businessweek senior writer Claire Suddath join Nancy Cook to discuss these and other stories they’re watching.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

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Introducing: Bloomberg News Now

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg News Now is a comprehensive audio report on today's top stories. Listen for the latest news, whenever you want it, covering global business stories around the world.

on Apple: trib.al/Mx9TCh1
on Spotify: trib.al/T4BG8s4
Anywhere: trib.al/O4EX6BA

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The Supreme Court Is About to Have a Very Big Year

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

During its last two terms, the US Supreme Court and its six-member Republican-appointed supermajority showed its power to shape important policy issues that affect all Americans, bringing down significant and highly controversial rulings on abortion, student loan forgiveness and affirmative action. So what’s next?

Bloomberg Supreme Court reporter Greg Stohr looks ahead at which cases are likely to be of greatest consequence this term—spanning gun rights, reproductive rights, speech on social media and how much power federal agencies should have. And later, we look at Donald Trump’s federal prosecutions, one of which is already before the court thanks to an extraordinary request from Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

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‘Union Joe’ Falls Behind Trump in Michigan Among Autoworkers

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Michigan is a key swing state for next year’s presidential election – and despite Democrats controlling the state’s legislature and holding the governor’s seat, former President Donald Trump is ahead in polls.

The latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll revealed that 46% of voters in the state said they would vote for Trump, and 42% backed President Joe Biden.

The Big Take podcast sits down with Bloomberg’s Wendy Benjaminson and Jeff Green to dig into the data and understand what’s happening on the ground in this key swing state.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’s Ready for a Trump-Biden Rematch? Anyone?

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Most American voters are dissatisfied with both President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump. Barring any health surprises (Biden is 81 and Trump is 77) or other major twists (Trump is a defendant in four felony prosecutions), one of them is almost certainly going to win when voters go to the polls on Nov. 5, 2024. How are these two, currently unpopular candidates poised to become their parties’ presidential nominees without so much as a serious challenge?

Bloomberg Businessweek national correspondent Joshua Green talks with Nancy Cook about how voters and donors are feeling about another Trump-Biden matchup.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

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Why China's Richest Gen-Zs Are Flocking Home

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

China is facing the world's biggest exodus of millionaires and growing capital outflows. Yet at least one group is bucking the trend -- the growing number of ultrawealthy Chinese youth who are returning to the mainland.

Rising geopolitical tensions, and the perception of increasing hostility abroad toward Chinese nationals, have led children of some of China's richest people to eschew what used to be coveted overseas jobs and foreign citizenship, and recalibrate to a life at home where the mantra is “stay humble, stay quiet." Bloomberg's K. Oanh Ha and Selina Xu explain how we got here, and how it will affect US-China relations.

Read more: China’s Ultra-Rich Gen Zs Flock Home as Global Tensions Rise

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From Food to Mortgages, Being American Is Very Expensive

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The cost of living in America has increased significantly since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a sudden deceleration of the world’s largest economy. Three years later, the spike in inflation that followed is finally easing as the US Federal Reserve aims optimistically for a soft landing.

But that doesn’t mean the price of goods and services is falling back to Earth—at least not right away. Bloomberg reporters Reade Pickert and Jennah Haque crunched the numbers to see just how much more Americans are shouldering in their everyday expenses compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

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Bonus Episode: Hate Crimes Surge in Wake of Gaza War

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Reports of crimes targeting Jews, Muslims and Arabs have risen around the world in since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and the Israeli military’s retaliatory operation in Gaza. While previous conflicts in the Middle East also sparked a backlash outside the region, this time it is more intense and the wave of hate may be far from cresting, according to advocacy groups, former law enforcement officials and analysts. In this special edition of The Big Take, Stephen Carroll examines how these communities are confronting a global surge in hate speech and hate crimes.

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

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Ukraine Struggles for Weapons as Winter Nears

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

With winter falling in Ukraine and Russia’s war there poised to enter its third year, supporters of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy are nervous about whether they will have enough arms and military aid to support their defense. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has captured world attention. In the US, Senate Republicans have blocked $66 million in emergency Ukraine aid. And further out, Kyiv is closely watching the 2024 presidential prospects of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, who has praised Russia’s Vladimir Putin and threatened to pull the US out of NATO.

To discuss the prospects for Kyiv, Bloomberg’s Kyiv Bureau Chief Daryna Krasnolutska and Alberto Nardelli, Correspondent-at-large for Europe, join Rosalind Mathieson.

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The US Has a Defense Supply Chain Problem

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The US is selling, lending and donating weapons to its allies all over the world, but its supply chain can't keep up.

Increased demand from America's allies, along with a three-decade trend of consolidation in the defense sector, has strained the stockpile of bullets, artillery shells and other weaponry that the country itself might need in the event of a war.

The Big Take podcast sits down with Retired Army Major General John Ferrari and Bloomberg News reporter Courtney McBride to understand how the country got here and what it would take to boost production now.

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It Is Not A Good Time to Be A New Homebuyer. Anywhere

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Across the globe, the housing boom is ending. In the US, a freeze is approaching, creating a barrier to entry for new homebuyers. In countries like New Zealand, Canada, Germany and France, a shortage of homes is colliding with a slowdown of new construction due to higher borrowing rates. And in the UK, landlords are bracing for pain as floating rate mortgages reset and the cost of living hits the highest level in a generation.

Bloomberg’s Kara Wetzel and Ari Altstedter join this episode for a look at how the housing market is adjusting to higher interest rates, leaving homeowners trying to keep pace and buyers struggling to enter the market.

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Introducing: Elon, Inc.: Deciphering Elon Musk's Politics

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:54:15 +0000

We here at The Big Take wanted to introduce you to our colleagues and friends over at the Elon, Inc podcast from Businessweek, hosted by David Papadopoulos. Please enjoy this episode, and hop on over to subscribe to their feed if you like what you hear!
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This time we assess the aftermath of an especially gonzo week in the life of Elon Musk—one in which the billionaire CEO delivered the first production units of his company’s latest vehicle (the Cybertruck), weighed in on his preferred candidates for the 2024 election (neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden) and offered a message to the chief executive of one of America’s most beloved brands (“Go f— yourself”).

Such trash talk and worse has left Musk somewhat isolated, with advertisers like Disney still avoiding his social media platform over his endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory.

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How These Victims of Deepfake Pornography Found Their Harasser

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This episode includes some disturbing descriptions of sexual acts and assault. If you have kids around, you might want to use headphones. And please take care when listening.

Artificial intelligence and “generative AI” tools – think ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion – have become ingrained in our daily lives as a way to make aspects of work and life easier when used for its intended purpose. But many of them are open-source and widely available, giving users free rein to alter publicly available photos of people – including images taken from social media – to depict events that never happened in real life.

These images are called “deepfakes” and increasingly, they’re being altered in sexually explicit ways and posted online without consent. While the photos are fake, the harm inflicted is real.

Bloomberg’s Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy join this episode to describe the fallout when deepfake creators use AI to alter images and videos. Despite the harm to victims, there is little legal recourse under US law.

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While The World Watches Gaza and Ukraine, The Pentagon Eyes China

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The world's attention has been on the pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. But US military planners and strategists are laser focused on China’s military capability and the possibility of a Taiwan invasion.

Bloomberg’s Peter Martin joins this episode to talk about what Pentagon officials are watching for and whether China’s warfighting capabilities can match its substantial buildup of military hardware.

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How HOA Fees and Fines Add to the US Housing Affordability Crisis

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Nearly 80% of new homes built for sale in the US are in homeowners’ associations, or HOAs, or similar communities, which are governed by a board charged with keeping up shared spaces.

HOAs maintain an often strict code to create an idyllic landscape across a neighborhood intended to protect property values. And for that, they charge monthly dues ranging from hundreds to more than $1,000. On top of that, seemingly small violations can draw big fines. About 20 states allow HOAs to claim the property, even over the bank, if an owner is behind on fees or fines.

The Big Take podcast shares the story of a family that bought a new home in an idyllic HOA community, only to face foreclosure after falling behind on HOA fines and fees.

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A Pause Holds In the Israel-Hamas War

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Israel Bureau Chief Ethan Bronner and contributor Fadwa Hodali join host Rosalind Matheison for the latest on the truce between Israel and Hamas as negotiations continue over the release of hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

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What Comes Next in China's Property Crisis

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

China's real estate market was once valued at more than $50 trillion. It made up a full quarter of the country's entire economy and made millions of people really rich. Now, it's in tatters, and upending hundreds of thousands of lives.

In this episode, Bloomberg's Lulu Chen and Janet Paskin zoom in on the story of Huailan - a 35-year-old mother of two in North East China - and how her life took a sharp turn when Country Garden, China's biggest developer, defaulted.

Read more:
China Drafts List of 50 Property Firms Eligible for Funding
China’s Property Crisis Is Upending Tens of Thousands of Lives

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The Economy Is Up But The Middle Class Is Down

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg reporters Shawn Donnan and Claire Ballentine join this episode to discuss the results of a new Harris Poll for Bloomberg News, which found that the US Federal Reserve’s rapid increase in interest rates—aimed at fighting inflation—have more middle-class Americans worried about the economy than a year ago, even amid near-record employment.

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Team Favorite: Massive Wind Turbines Are Rising From The Atlantic Ocean

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We’re taking a break today for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s a favorite episode from August that you might have missed. We’ll be back on Monday with a new episode. Have a great weekend. And thanks for listening!

America’s first major offshore wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean is now under construction 15 miles south of Nantucket, off the coast of Massachusetts. Once complete, the 800-megawatt project is expected to generate enough electricity to power 400,000 homes. But with inflation and rising interest rates stifling progress on some other wind projects, will the Biden administration reach its 2030 goal of generating 30 gigawatts of power from offshore turbines?

Bloomberg’s Will Wade went out to see the Massachusetts project, and he joins this episode to explain the promise–and the problems–of erecting wind power on such a large scale. And Nick Schulz, a commercial diver working on the project, describes what it's like to build a massive turbine installation in deep water.

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Team Favorite: The K-Pop Mogul Behind BTS Brings His Winning Formula To The US

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We’re taking a break today for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s a favorite episode from October that you might have missed. We’ll be back on Monday. Thanks for listening!

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Team Favorite: There’s A Lot You Don’t Know About The US Space Force

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, so here's an episode you might have missed. We'll be back on Monday with a new episode.

The US Space Force, established in 2019, is the first new branch of the military to be created since 1947, and its mission is vast: defend US interests in space. But what exactly is the Space Force? And what does defending US interests in space mean or look like practically?

As the nearly $900 billion defense spending bill winds its way through Congress, Wes went to the Pentagon to sit down with General David Thompson, the Vice Chief of Space Operations to learn what US interests in space are, and how the branch is developing.

Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Katrina Manson joins later to describe her visit to Space Command in Colorado and the importance of the US keeping a watch on its adversaries in zero gravity.

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This episode originally aired on 7/26/23.

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Team Favorite: NYC Tries Supervised Release Instead Of Jail. Other Cities Are Watching

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, so here's an episode you might have missed. We'll be back on Monday with a new episode.

Hundreds of thousands of people charged with crimes in the US each year are incarcerated while they await trial. Often it’s because they can’t afford to pay bail. New York City’s pretrial supervised release program aims to change that. A judge can opt to release some defendants under the supervision of a caseworker, who monitors their progress as they await their day in court. Bloomberg’s Fola Akinnibi and Sarah Holder join this episode to talk about how the program works, the fraught politics around it–and why it may become a blueprint for other cities and states.

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This episode originally aired 9/25/23.

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Team Favorite: Despite Recession Fears, Small Businesses Keep Opening. Can They Survive?

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, so here's an episode you might have missed. We'll be back on Monday with a new episode.

Even with a looming recession, high interest rates and a tight labor market, small businesses have been opening at record rates over the last few years, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. They’ve also been the primary driver of job creation in the US. Bloomberg reporter Enda Curran dug into why small businesses are having a moment—and the challenges owners are facing in this uncertain economy. Plus, meet the owners of a bakery and a microbrewery who discuss how they’ve been keeping their businesses afloat.

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This episode originally aired on 10/2/23.

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Big Take News Wrap: Shutdown Averted. Trump Legal Battles. 2024 Race

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Catch up on some of the week’s biggest US stories. Bloomberg’s Mario Parker, Megan Scully and Zoe Tillman join this episode to talk about the Congressional stopgap bill that has temporarily averted a government shutdown; the latest on Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the narrowing Republican presidential field.

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How Two-Party Politics Drives Out Moderates

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Congress averted a government shutdown with days to spare. The way lawmakers did it — by leaving out deep spending cuts and relying on a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill — has already put House Speaker Mike Johnson on thin ice with some hardliners in his party. 

That disdain for compromise among members of the right flank of the GOP is one of the factors that cost the previous speaker his job.

None of the infighting came as a surprise to former Representative Denver Riggleman, who served one term in Congress as a Republican for Virginia’s fifth congressional district before losing a primary challenge from a more conservative candidate.  

Like many in his party, Riggleman supported small government, the Second Amendment, and border security — but he also supported legalizing marijuana and providing some exceptions for abortion. 

“I was told I was a new type of Republican,” Riggleman said on the Big Take podcast. 

On this episode, Riggleman shares the story of his brief and explosive tenure in congress.

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The EV Era Is Here. And China Is In The Lead

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles is well under way. It's a critical part of a historic transformation that will soon affect all consumers and businesses alike. In the race to dominate the market for EVs, China has been the standout as US companies struggle to become competitive.

Bloomberg’s Colin McKerracher and Malcolm Scott join host Rosalind Mathieson to dig into how the EV revolution is shaking up the global economy.

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Why Wall Street Sells So Many Car Loans That Buyers Can’t Pay Off

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Paige Smith and Scott Carpenter join this episode to talk about why the subprime auto loan market is thriving—and what that means for lower-income car owners who face high interest rates and the possibility of losing their vehicles.

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Elon Musk’s Neuralink Wants To Get Inside Your Head

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Ashlee Vance joins this episode to talk about his exclusive reporting on Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant startup that’s gearing up for its first human clinical trial.

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Introducing: Elon, Inc.

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000

At Bloomberg, we’re always talking about the biggest business stories, and no one is bigger than Elon Musk.

In this new chat weekly show, host David Papadopoulos and a panel of guests including Businessweek’s Max Chafkin, Tesla reporter Dana Hull, Big Tech editor Sarah Frier, and more, will break down the most important stories on Musk and his empire. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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Consumer Brands Keep Getting Pulled Into Politics

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

What do Nike, Bud Light, Target and Disney have in common? They’re all brands that have been caught up in America’s political and culture wars. Corporations once tried to stay out of politics. Now they often find themselves under pressure from customers to take a stand on issues including racial discrimination, police violence and LGBTQ rights. And that’s sometimes led to protests and calls for boycotts.

Bloomberg Businessweek’s national correspondent Joshua Green reports that many CEOs must now weigh which poses a bigger risk to their brands—speaking up or staying quiet.

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US Veterans Are Losing Their Homes As Covid Mortgage Relief Ends

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

During the pandemic, the US government granted millions of homeowners a temporary pause in their mortgage payments. Hundreds of thousands of military veterans were among those who participated in the program. After the pause lifted, they thought they would pick up their payments where they’d left off. For many of them, that wasn’t the case.

Bloomberg's Caleb Melby and Polly Mosendz join this episode to explain why veterans across the country have found themselves battling lenders that are threatening to foreclose on their homes—and what if anything is being done to help them.

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Previewing the Republican Primary Debate With Governor Chris Sununu

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is still playing the Republican presidential primary field. With a little more than two months until the first caucus, the four-term Republican governor still hasn't made a pick. And he’s a major voice in his party — someone who some Republicans and independents wish had run for president himself. He instead chose to advise other candidates in the race.

“Republicans could be in real trouble in ’24,” Sununu told Senior Washington Correspondent Saleha Mohsin. “We lost in ’22.”

Mohsin spoke with Sununu over Zoom about the third Republican presidential primary debate and what the 2024 election means for the future of the party.

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The Junk Food Industry Finds Its Next Sweet Spot: India

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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The Company That Made Your Phone Wants To Make Your EV, Too

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The Taiwan-based company Foxconn builds roughly two out of every three iPhones, along with the Google Pixel, Amazon Kindle, Nintendo Switch and a slew of other popular products. Bloomberg’s Reed Stevenson joins this episode to talk about Foxconn’s ambitious new goal: to become a major manufacturer of electric vehicles.

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Growing Pressure On Israel Over The Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 02:25:02 +0000

Bloomberg’s Henry Meyer and Galit Altstein join this episode with an update on the Israel-Hamas war, including the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza; calls from the US and other nations for a pause in the fighting; and the latest on negotiations to free the hundreds of hostages Hamas is holding in Gaza.

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The Man With $1.2 Trillion to Spend and an Infrastructure Plan to Sell

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 22:48:58 +0000

In November 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Act into law. That hasn’t translated into a clear political win for a president seeking reelection, though.

According to a recent Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll, only 38% of voters in seven swing states say they trust President Joe Biden to handle infrastructure, compared to 42% who trust former President Donald Trump. That’s not just bad news for Biden, it’s bad news for White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, the president’s “infrastructure coordinator.”

Senior Washington Correspondent Saleha Mohsin sat down with Landrieu for The Big Take. Landrieu discussed the challenges facing an administration that wants credit for uniting Congress on this historic investment, and how his experience in local and state government rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina informs his approach.

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Three Guilty Pleas. Two Gag Orders. One Former President’s Legal Troubles

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Zoe Tillman and Sara Forden join this episode for an update on former president Donald Trump’s ongoing legal troubles—including gag orders that restrict what he can say about cases in DC and New York, plea deals in the Georgia case by some of his former lawyers, and attempts to invoke the Constitution to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot in at least two states.

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From Poland To India, Food Security Is A Key Election Issue

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Agnieszka de Sousa joins this episode to discuss why concerns about food security have become a top issue in elections around the world—including in Argentina, Poland, New Zealand and India. And food security expert Tim Benton of Chatham House talks about what can be done to relieve growing global tensions over food.

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How Washington Plays Matchmaker For The US Gun Industry

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Jessica Brice and Michael Smith join this episode to talk about how and why the US Commerce Department is helping the firearms industry find overseas buyers for American-made guns.

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Taylor Swift Is A Pop Icon. And A Billionaire

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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House Republicans Finally Pick A Speaker. Who Is Mike Johnson?

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

On Wednesday, after a three-week battle in the US House of Representatives, Republicans voted in a new House speaker to replace ousted speaker Kevin McCarthy. Bloomberg congressional editor Megan Scully joins this episode to answer the question people inside Washington and around the US are now asking: Who is Mike Johnson?

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How Bogus Jet Engine Parts Were Sold To Airlines Around The World

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Julie Johnsson and Siddharth Vikram Philip join this episode to discuss Bloomberg’s investigation into sales of airplane components with falsified documentation.

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Israel Debates When—And How—To Invade Gaza

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Israel Bureau Chief Ethan Bronner joins this episode to talk about the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war.

Read more: Hostages and Hezbollah Force Israel to Rethink Gaza Ground War

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18 Wheelers. Big Open Highways. And No Driver

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Thomas Black joins this episode to talk about the progress being made in developing autonomous trucks—including the 18-wheelers that deliver goods across the US. Three companies are now testing them in Texas, and trucks without drivers could be rolling down US highways as early as next year. Plus, Chris Urmson, CEO of Aurora, one of the companies testing in Texas, discusses the road to developing driverless truck technology.

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Putin And Xi Find The Limits Of Their ‘No Limits’ Friendship

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins joins this episode to talk about this week’s meeting of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Beijing, and what it says about the complicated relationship between the two men and the nations they lead.

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A Fertility Startup Is Having Some Growing Pains

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg's Jackie Davalos joins this episode to talk about Kindbody, a startup that operates fertility clinics around the US—and the challenges the company has faced as it expands.

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The K-Pop Mogul Behind BTS Brings His Winning Formula To The US

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Israel Braces For A High Risk, High Cost Fight In Gaza

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Israel bureau chief Ethan Bronner joins this episode from Tel Aviv to talk about Israel’s expected ground invasion of Gaza, and the intense diplomatic efforts by the US and other nations to avert a broader conflict in the Middle East.

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That Pink Medicine Your Kid Loves Is In Short Supply

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 22:27:50 +0000

Bloomberg’s Ike Swetlitz and Riley Griffin join this episode to discuss what’s driving the shortage of generic drugs in the US, including amoxicillin, and what can be done to restore supplies.

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Poland’s Divisive Election Has Europe’s Full Attention

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:12:50 +0000

Bloomberg’s Piotr Skolimowski and Andrea Dudik join this episode to discuss why Poland’s parliamentary elections will determine the nation’s social and political standing in Western Europe.

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Can Bob Iger Save Disney, Again?

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 22:42:57 +0000

Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company’s hugely successful CEO, came out of retirement last November and once again took the helm of the entertainment giant. But the company, and the industry, are facing tough new challenges. Bloomberg’s Thomas Buckley joins this episode to talk about Iger’s efforts to put Disney on solid footing for the future.

The US Government vs. Google and Amazon

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 20:26:35 +0000

The US Justice Department’s case against Google and the case against Amazon brought by the Federal Trade Commission are considered two of the most consequential antitrust actions of the modern online era. What’s at stake for the companies–and consumers–when it comes to how we search online and what we buy?

Bloomberg’s Leah Nylen is covering these cases. She joins this episode to explain the government’s argument that the companies are stifling competition–and what Google and Amazon have to say about it.

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The Devastating Hamas Attack Unites A Divided Israel

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:44:43 +0000

Bloomberg’s Rosalind Mathieson joins this episode to discuss the attack on Israel by Hamas, Israel’s swift military response—and concerns about the possibility of an escalating conflict across the region.

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Public Schools Brace For The End Of Pandemic Aid

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:24:47 +0000

Public schools across the US are getting ready for a financial blow next year, when $190 billion in federal pandemic aid runs out. Bloomberg’s Shruti Singh and Nic Querolo join this episode to discuss the challenges facing school districts, including teacher burnout. And Charles Ebea, a school counselor in the Bronx, New York, shares his perspective.

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Everyone's Hoping For A Soft Landing. A Recession Is More Likely

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 19:55:59 +0000

Bloomberg’s Chief U.S. Economist Anna Wong joins this episode to make the case for why a recession is still more likely than not.

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Can AI Beat The Market? Do We Want It To?

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 22:17:45 +0000

Today on The Big Take, Bloomberg’s Justina Lee and Sam Potter take us inside how artificial intelligence is changing the way financial firms and other market players make decisions about what to buy and sell. Can AI beat the market? Do we want it to?

We also hear from Renee Yao, the founder of an investment firm that’s all in on AI.

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One Reason Buying A House Can Be So Hard

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US established Federal Home Loan Banks almost a century ago to make it easier for people to buy a home. Although these institutions have billions of dollars to lend, many people are still struggling to get approved for a mortgage. Bloomberg’s Heather Perlberg and Noah Buhayar join this episode to talk about why that is—and what’s being done to fix it.

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A New Smartphone From China Has Washington On Edge

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Peter Elstrom and Mackenzie Hawkins join this episode to explain why the microchip inside Huawei’s new Mate 60 Pro phone is alarming the US government.

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Despite Recession Fears, Small Businesses Keep Opening. Can They Survive?

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Shutdown Averted, McCarthy In The Hot Seat

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:02:49 +0000

The US narrowly averted a disruptive and costly shutdown of federal agencies as Congress passed compromise legislation to keep the government running until November 17th. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s embrace of the bipartisan deal has triggered a mutiny by far-right Republicans to depose him from his role.

Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu is joined by Bloomberg's Jack Fitzpatrick and Laura Davison to discuss the road ahead.

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Police Are Tracking Down Suspects With Google User Data

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Megapaca Is Making Millions Off The Clothes You Toss Away

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Guatemala-based Megapaca is the number one importer of used clothing from the United States. The company has seen massive success in secondhand retail in Latin America, and now they have their sights set on expanding to the US.

Bloomberg’s Adam Minter walks us through this complex, data-driven operation. And Megapaca's back-office manager Jose Rivera talks about the company’s ethos and its goal to become the leading seller of used clothing in the world.

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This Cryptocurrency Wants To Scan Your Eyeball

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Hannah Miller is back today to explain why Sam Altman’s Worldcoin is collecting iris scans in exchange for crypto tokens.

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US Companies Pledged To Improve Workplace Diversity. And They Have

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 23:10:00 +0000

After the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests in 2020, corporate America made bold promises to address racial disparities in the workplace. And they delivered. Bloomberg’s Jeff Green and Rebecca Greenfield join this episode to dig into the data about US companies’ DEI efforts.

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NYC Tries Supervised Release Instead Of Jail. Other Cities Are Watching

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Big Take News Wrap: UN General Assembly. US-Iran Prisoner Swap. UAW Strike

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Catch up on some of the week’s biggest stories from the US and across the globe. Bloomberg’s Rosalind Mathieson, Mario Parker and Ben Sills join this episode to talk about the major issues on the table at the United Nations meeting in New York; the Biden administration’s push for a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia; and the ongoing US auto workers strike.

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Geopolitics Is Shaking Up Economic Alliances

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan and Maeva Cousin join this episode to explain how rising political tensions around the world are leading to a re-ordering of trade and commerce into rival economic blocs.

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Here's How Workers Describe Dollar General. Brace Yourself

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Dollar General retail chain has 19,000-plus locations, more than Walmart and Wendy’s combined. Its business model is to open in towns too small to support bigger retailers, sell necessities at low prices and keep staff to a minimum, sometimes as few as one or two people per shift. This bare bones approach has led to profits but also numerous OSHA citations and millions of dollars in proposed fines against the company since 2017.

Bloomberg reporters Josh Eidelson and Brendan Case join this episode to talk about their reporting on Dollar General, what current and former employees say about what it’s like to work there–and how the company has responded.

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It’s Tough Being A Blue City In A Red State

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg Businessweek national political correspondent Joshua Green joins this episode to describe a political phenomenon that’s emerging in parts of the US: red states encroaching on blue cities. In Nashville, Austin and elsewhere, Republican legislatures have successfully used supermajorities to block liberal reforms and enact conservative policies.

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What Do Striking US Auto Workers Want?

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

On Friday, US auto workers started an unprecedented strike against all three of the legacy Detroit carmakers. If the standoff isn’t resolved quickly, it could ripple through the US economy.

Bloomberg’s Detroit Bureau Chief David Welch joins this episode to talk about what the union is demanding–and whether the companies will give them what they want.

Read more: How Auto Executives Misread the UAW and Ignited a Historic Strike

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India Flexes Its Growing Global Power

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

There were many global issues on the table at the G-20 summit in New Delhi. But arguably the real center of attention at the India meeting was India itself–and the ambitious agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Daniel Ten Kate join this episode to discuss what came out of the gathering of leaders—and how India is asserting itself on the world stage.

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Low Pay, Long Hours, Rude Customers. Retail Workers Have Had It

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Retail work has always been hard – long hours and weekend shifts on your feet, a lower pay scale and dealing with disgruntled customers. But in our post-pandemic economy, those issues have only been amplified with shoppers behaving badly and wages not keeping up with inflation, while employees take on ever-expanding roles. As a result, many workers are deciding the job just isn’t worth it.

Bloomberg’s Devin Leonard and Rebecca Greenfield explain the decline of retail workers’ sense of value and respect that is leading them to quit in droves. And retail reporter Olivia Rockeman talks about the broader challenges facing brick and mortar stores as they try to compete with growing online sales.

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Carbon Capture’s Make Or Break Moment

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Since the 1970s, carbon capture and storage (CSS) has been held up as one potential tool to help combat global warming. The idea is to capture carbon dioxide released in the production of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, and store it deep underground–instead of letting it escape into the atmosphere. But despite billions of dollars spent, the technology hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Bloomberg’s Stephen Stapczynski and David Stringer report that now is the make or break time for carbon capture to prove its worth, and they join this episode to talk about whether it’s up to the challenge of slowing climate change.

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‘Made In Mexico’ Is The New ‘Made In China’

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, companies looking to lower costs have resorted to offshoring—moving their manufacturing to China and other nations in Asia. But US-China tensions and a desire to simplify long, complex supply chains are now leading a growing number of businesses that serve US customers to do the reverse—“nearshoring.” They’re relocating some or all of their operations to Mexico.

Bloomberg’s Maya Averbuch and Leda Alvim join this episode to talk about Mexico’s manufacturing boom in everything from electric vehicles to baked goods—and why it’s a critical moment for the country’s economy.

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Companies Are Pressing Return-To-Office. Workers Want To Stay Remote.

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

By now, most people across the globe have returned to pre-pandemic routines like traveling and going to the movies. But when it comes to where they work, many remote employees want to leave their offices in the past. Bloomberg’s Matthew Boyle joins this episode to discuss companies’ ongoing battle to lure employees back to in-person work, and where the return-to-office movement has gained the most traction around the world.

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A Street Drug From Syria Is Alarming The US And Europe

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

A cheap, illegal amphetamine called captagon is raising alarm around the globe after circulating for years in the Middle East. The US and its allies say much of the world’s supply of captagon is made in Syria–and that the government of President Bashar Al-Assad is using captagon sales abroad to cushion the financial blow of Western sanctions on Syria.

Bloomberg’s Sam Dagher and Samy Adghirni join this episode to describe captagon’s rise from 1960s German pharmaceutical to pervasive street drug, and why European officials are so concerned about a possible influx within their borders.

Caroline Rose, Director of the Captagon Trade Project at the New Lines Institute explains how the US is responding to the spread of captagon.

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Abandoned Electric Cars ‘As Far As The Eye Can See’

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Growing sales of electric vehicles around the world have also come with growing pains. In China, outdated models no one wants pile up in vast EV graveyards. In Norway, tax breaks for electric car buyers have been so successful that the government faces a revenue shortfall.

Bloomberg’s Linda Lew and Businessweek contributor Willem Marx join this episode to talk about the upsides—and downsides—of the EV boom. And Oslo city councilman Eivind Trædal explains why electric cars can sometimes make the problem of traffic-clogged streets even worse.

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Want To Leave Apple For Android? Good Luck

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Apple “ecosystem” has tremendous appeal – sleek design, genius marketing and a myriad of products and services that are seamlessly compatible. This makes users feel at ease within its closed circuit.

Unless they want to try something else.

Bloomberg reporter Austin Carr decided to scale Apple’s walled garden to see if the grass was greener in the Android and Windows world. But his attempts to transfer his photos, messages and contacts to his new devices turned into a maddening, months-long saga. In this episode Austin details his experience– and explains why Apple put up those walls in the first place.

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The Women Astronauts Who Shattered The Highest Glass Ceiling

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In 1978, NASA opened its astronaut training program to women. Bloomberg space reporter Loren Grush recounts their challenges and achievements in her new book The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts. She joins this episode to talk about the extraordinary careers of Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid and Rhea Seddon—and the mark each astronaut left on the history and future of space exploration.

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TEAM FAVORITE: Dust Off Your Dice–Dungeons & Dragons Is Back

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break for the Labor Day Holiday in the US, so here's a favorite you might have missed. We'll be back at it tomorrow with a new episode.

The tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons is approaching its 50th anniversary and it has never been more popular, attracting players of all ages to its analog charms. Now Hasbro, the toy company that owns it, is betting D&D can be brought into the digital age and become a big moneymaker.

Bloomberg correspondent Felix Gillette joins this episode to talk about why Dungeons & Dragons is having a cultural — and economic — moment, and why it might not be so easy to persuade diehard fans to pay for a digital experience. Also, gaming retail store owner Lauren Bilanko shares what it’s like to run a business that caters to the D&D crowd.

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This episode originally aired in April 2023.

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TEAM FAVORITE: India Weighs An Historic Expansion of Marriage Rights

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a pause this week to recharge our batteries. Here's one we love that you might have missed. We'll be back with fresh episodes next week.

Earlier this year, India’s Supreme Court heard arguments on whether to legalize same-sex marriage. A verdict is expected in the fall.

Bloomberg reporters Muneeza Naqvi and Kai Schultz join this episode from New Delhi to explain India’s rapid march toward affirming rights for LGBTQ people, and how a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage would be felt not just within the country but across Asia and beyond.

Then, Gurchaten Sandhu, program director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association in Geneva takes a step back to talk about which countries have advanced marriage equality and where it is still outlawed.

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This episode originally aired in March 2023.

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TEAM FAVORITE: A Gun That Knows Who’s Pulling The Trigger

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a pause this week, so here's a favorite episode you might have missed. We'll be back next week with some fresh episodes.

For decades, inventors have tried and failed to make a smart gun. A company called Biofire now appears to have pulled it off. It uses both fingerprint scans and facial recognition so that only a registered user can fire it.

But will anyone buy it? Will this technology become yet another point of contention between pro and anti-gun groups? Firearms advocates have long been skeptical of biometric weapons but they’ve also never run across one that actually worked.

Bloomberg reporter Ashlee Vance joins this episode to talk about Biofire’s new smart gun, how it works, and what it’s like to use. We also hear from Biofire’s 26-year-old CEO Kai Kloepfer, who started working on the gun after the mass shooting in his home state of Colorado, when he was 15-years-old.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/43DMVBH

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This episode originally aired in April 2023.

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TEAM FAVORITE: Summer Heat Is Straining The US Power Grid. Winter Cold Could Be Worse.

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, so here's a favorite you might have missed. We'll be back with fresh episodes next week.

Record temperatures in Texas and across the southern US this summer put immense strain on the electric grid, as residents battled the heat by cranking up the AC. But experts say grid pressure could get even worse this winter. Bloomberg’s Naureen Malik joins this episode to discuss whether America’s infrastructure can support an increasingly electrified economy—and what can be done to avoid mass blackouts in the coming months.

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This episode originally aired in June 2023.

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TEAM FAVORITE: Chatbots And Deepfakes Are Coming For Your Election Cycle

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a pause this week, so here's a favorite episode you might have missed. Thanks for listening. We'll be back with new episodes next week.

As the saying goes: a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on. As AI is increasing productivity across industries, it’s also raising concern about how to regulate its output and keep it from putting many of us out of work. And as the next campaign season approaches, another question comes into focus: What about its potential to quickly create and spread misinformation about political rivals?

Bloomberg’s Laura Davison and Emily Birnbaum raise the curtain on the little regulated and largely vexing ability to disseminate political hay and deepfakes via a chatbot.

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This episode originally aired in July 2023.

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TEAM FAVORITE: How A Satellite Hack Became a Cybersecurity Wakeup Call

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We're taking a break this week, so here's a favorite episode you might have missed. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back with new episodes next week.

People around the world rely on satellites for their internet connections, credit card transactions–and even to keep track of time. Last year, a suspected Russian-led satellite hack exposed how vulnerable they are to security breaches, from individual hackers seeking to pilfer information for profit and governments looking to weaken their adversaries.

Bloomberg reporter Katrina Manson joins this episode to discuss the fallout of the hack, and what companies and governments are doing to harden their systems against future attacks. Plus, James Pavur, a hacker and Pentagon cybersecurity expert, walks us through how satellites are compromised, and what we can do to keep our own data from being stolen.

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This episode originally aired in March 2023.

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Xi Jinping’s Economic Plan: Let China Struggle

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

China’s economic slowdown is catching the attention of countries around the world as they brace for a possible hit to their own economies. Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins and Tom Hancock discuss why President Xi Jinping is avoiding a big stimulus package and instead allowing China’s economy to run “cold”—and how long it may take to turn things around.

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Why Is The US Dependent On Russian Uranium?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Chris Christie's Anti-Trump Strategy: Act Like Trump

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Donald Trump says he’ll be a no-show tonight at the first Republican debate of the 2024 US presidential campaign. Still, at least one of his rivals for the party nomination is expected to take square aim at the former president: Chris Christie. The former New Jersey governor who once supported Trump is now his loudest Republican critic. So far, his low ranking in the polls suggests that attacking the most popular man in the party is not the way to win over Republican voters. But does Christie really have his eye on the White House, or does he just hope to stop Trump from moving back in?

Bloomberg Businessweek national correspondent Joshua Green has been following Christie on the campaign trail, and he joins this episode to answer the question on the minds of Republicans across the country: What does Chris Christie really want?

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK

Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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The Latest AI Scams Look And Sound Just Like You

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

By now we’re familiar with the many ways hackers and scammers try to fool us into handing over our personal data–and our money. But the thieves keep getting more sophisticated. And now they have a powerful new tool at their disposal: artificial intelligence, which can mimic websites, financial documents and even our faces and voices. In this episode, Bloomberg’s Nabila Ahmed and Adam Haigh talk about the new wave of financial fraud that’s taking shape–and how banks and governments are racing to keep up.

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Massive Wind Turbines Are Rising From The Atlantic Ocean

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Are Tensions Easing Between The US And Iran?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US and Iran recently announced a surprise agreement: Both nations will release prisoners, and the US will unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenue. Bloomberg’s Courtney McBride joins this episode to discuss what we know about the terms of the deal, and what it suggests about the possibility of renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Plus, Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, weighs in on what’s ahead for the Iran-US relationship.

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What’s Behind Washington’s Sudden Fascination With UAPs?

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The recent congressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomenon–also known as UAPs– gave a high-profile platform to what we used to call UFOs. But why now–and was this a substantive government inquiry or a summertime Washington diversion?

Bloomberg’s Roxana Tiron and Megan Scully join this episode to make sense of the hearing and claims that UAPs may pose a threat to national security. And astronomer Seth Shostak gives his view of theories that some UAPs may be alien spacecraft.

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Trump Faces A Powerful Anti-Corruption Law In Georgia

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Donald Trump was indicted on Monday for the fourth time since he left office. But this sweeping case, which zeroes in on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, is different from the other criminal cases brought against him in New York, Florida and Washington, DC. Most notably: the former president has been charged under racketeering laws often associated with efforts to prosecute mobsters. And some of Trump’s closest aides are also charged in the 41-count indictment, including his former lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, along with 16 other people.

Bloomberg’s Zoe Tillman and Erik Larson join this episode to talk about how the case will unfold from here–and why Trump will have a harder time securing a pardon–or avoiding prison–if he’s convicted.

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Avoiding War With China Is The Top Issue In Taiwan's Election

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 22:26:57 +0000

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Worrying About Money Is A Great Equalizer In America

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

You might think America’s top 10 percent would consider themselves rich – but a new Bloomberg survey finds that many of them don’t feel that way. Bloomberg’s Craig Giammona and Claire Ballentine join this episode to share what they learned when they asked people across the country a simple but not-so-simple question: How rich or poor do you feel today? Plus, Yale social psychologist Michael Kraus discusses how perceptions of wealth shape our well-being, sense of self and relationship to others.

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Big Take News Wrap: 2024. Drones In The Black Sea. A Bumpy Global Economy

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Catch up on some of the week’s biggest stories from the US and across the globe. Bloomberg’s Marc Champion, Courtney McBride and Jordan Fabian join this episode to discuss the latest on the US presidential race and the coming Republican debates; rising tensions in the Black Sea; and the uneven global economic recovery. Plus, the stories they’ll be keeping a close eye on in the weeks ahead.

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A New Housing Development With A Firm Rule: No Cars Allowed

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Real estate planners often think about how to reduce a project’s carbon footprint. A new apartment complex under construction in Arizona is taking that idea one step further. Culdesac Tempe is designed to be entirely car-free. And not just for the good of the climate but as a lifestyle choice for people who want to get rid of the hassle and expense of a car-centric existence. But will large numbers of people really choose to ditch their cars altogether? Bloomberg’s Ira Boudway went to Arizona to find out.

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Tesla Owners Love Their Cars. They're Not That Into Elon Musk

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

When Tesla built the Model 3 — the first electric car for the masses — it was a breakthrough for the company and the start of a new chapter for the auto industry. A lot has changed since then, so Bloomberg rebooted a survey of 5,000 owners to ask how things held up. This time, their answers had a lot to do with the man behind the cars. Bloomberg’s Tom Randall shares some key takeaways from this new survey.

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The US Lures Top Companies From Allies With 'Made In The USA' Push

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Inflation Reduction Act has given the US an edge in future manufacturing, with billions of dollars in incentives to lure battery plants and chip makers to the US. But it’s also led to tension with close allies that can’t match the amounts the US is offering companies. Bloomberg’s Brian Platt, Gabrielle Coppola and Enda Curran join this episode to talk about how this competition—and the race to keep up with China—is reshaping the global green economy.

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In Hollywood, Fears of AI Scripts Performed By AI Actors

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Three months into the writers’ and actors’ strike, the role of artificial intelligence in Hollywood has emerged as a central issue in the dispute between studios and creatives. Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw joins this episode to discuss how studios are already using AI—and why writers and actors are so concerned about what it means for their livelihoods.

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New Technology Is Here To Fight Climate Change. Will We Use It?

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Despite global efforts to slow the effects of climate change, July was the hottest month on record in over 125,000 years. The good news is, powerful new technology not available just a few years ago can help turn things around, if we get serious about taking action. Bloomberg’s Eric Roston, Zahra Hirji and John Ainger join this episode to discuss what it will take—and how much it will cost—to stop the warming of the world.

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Trump’s Back In Court On New Criminal Charges. Now What?

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Donald Trump is expected to appear today in federal court in Washington, DC, where he faces criminal conspiracy charges that allege he interfered with the 2020 presidential election. It’s the third criminal case against the former president. Bloomberg’s Sara Forden and Zoe Tillman discuss what they’ll be watching for in the courtroom, as well as how Trump’s legal peril will shape his campaign in the weeks and months ahead.

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Kevin McCarthy Gave Right Wing Members More Power. They're Using It

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In early January, after a grueling 15 rounds of voting, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated some concessions with members of the far-right Freedom Caucus – more congressional power in exchange for their votes – to secure his speakership. McCarthy is now feeling the squeeze of their influence in several battles consuming the House. Bloomberg’s Megan Scully and Billy House join guest host Craig Gordon for a play-by-play of how the Freedom Caucus is exerting their brawn.Read more: McCarthy Ramps Up Talk of Potential Biden Impeachment

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A ‘Great Reset’ Is Shifting How The World Trades

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In what’s being hailed as a ‘Great Reset,' how the world does business looks very different now than it did before Covid. Bloomberg Markets magazine sent reporters all around the globe to see what the new order of global trade looks like on the ground. Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray, Malcolm Scott and Jenny Leonard join guest host Rosalind Mathieson to discuss what they found.

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The EU Is Leading The Charge On AI Regulation

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The European Union became one of the first in the world to take wide-reaching action to regulate artificial intelligence when it passed a draft law in June. The proposal would put new guardrails around the use and development of artificial intelligence, including curbing the use of facial recognition software and increasing ChatGPT’s transparency. Bloomberg’s Jillian Deutsch joins guest host Rosalind Mathieson to talk about how the EU pulled ahead in the race to regulate AI, and why concerns are growing about AI being overregulated. Columbia Law School Professor Anu Bradford discusses what the global effect will be if this far-reaching regulatory framework is enacted into law.

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Biden Still Wants To Tackle Student Debt After The Supreme Court's Ruling

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Biden administration is preparing a new plan to cancel debt for some student loan borrowers, after the Supreme Court struck down its original attempt last month. Guest host Nancy Cook sits down with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren to ask how she’s advocating for the Biden administration’s plan B for student loan debt and why the issue has become such a hot button topic in Washington. Bloomberg’s Akayla Gardner forecasts what’s next as the political fight over student debt rages on.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

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Giorgia Meloni Faces Big Tests On China, Russia And The EU Economy

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni came to power with a string of superlatives. She’s the country’s first female prime minister, and she’s brought in the most right-wing government in decades. Now, nine months into her term, she faces a series of tests: on China, the war in Ukraine and a looming EU recession. Bloomberg’s Chiara Albanese and Alessandra Migliaccio join guest host Rosalind Mathieson to talk about Meloni’s rise to power and where she plans to take Italy next.

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There’s A Lot You Don’t Know About The US Space Force

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

As the nearly $900 billion defense spending bill winds its way through Congress, Wes went to the Pentagon to sit down with General David Thompson, the Vice Chief of Space Operations to learn what US interests in space are, and how the branch is developing. Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Katrina Manson joins later to describe her visit to Space Command in Colorado and the importance of the US keeping a watch on its adversaries in zero gravity.

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US-Made Guns Are Fueling Global Shootings

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

American-made guns are pouring into countries all over the globe, even more so after the US made it easier to export guns in 2020. Even as America’s mass shootings horrify the world and gun-crime rates rise in many of the importing countries, the US government is playing a key role as the firearm industry’s booster and concierge.

Bloomberg’s Michael Riley, David Kocieniewski and Patpicha Tanakasempipat join this episode to talk about one gunmaker, Sig Sauer. It has benefited the most from the push for more gun exports and has found a large customer base in Thailand.

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Everytown for Gun Safety, which advocates gun-safety measures, is backed by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

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Rhino Horn Poachers Are Forcing Rangers To Innovate

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For years, park rangers in South Africa have tried to stop poachers who kill rhinos for their valuable horns. But it’s impossible to keep up–and rhinoceros populations have continued to fall. Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Jonathan Franklin reports that now, the rangers are taking a creative new approach to outmaneuver the poachers—and protect the animals.

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Big Take News Wrap: Biden. Trump. Ukraine. China

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We’re trying something new today. Instead of bringing you just one important story, we’re rounding up some of the week’s biggest news from the US and across the globe. Bloomberg’s Nancy Cook, Craig Gordon and Rosalind Mathieson join this episode to discuss the latest from the 2024 campaign trail, the war in Ukraine and the high stakes talks between the US and China. Plus, they tell us what stories they’ll be keeping a close eye on in the weeks ahead.

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Have We Hit Peak Social Media?

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Meta’s new Twitter-like social media platform called Threads is signing up users at a record pace. But will it last–and will it be a “Twitter killer”? Bloomberg Businessweek writer Max Chafkin is…skeptical. He says that after years of explosive growth, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are facing big challenges. Many longtime users are spending less time each day scrolling through their feeds. Max joins this episode to talk about why people are putting down their phones and choosing to spend more time IRL.

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Millions Of Americans Still Don’t Have Broadband. That’s About To Change

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Seven percent of US households and businesses lack basic broadband internet. The Biden administration plans to remedy that with $42 billion in federal broadband infrastructure grants that will be split up among the fifty states and US territories. Bloomberg telecommunications reporter Todd Shields joins this episode to discuss how local governments will spend this money, and what it will take to bridge the so-called digital divide. And Christine Hallquist, executive director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board, describes the challenges of bringing broadband to rural America.

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‘Battery Belt’ Factories Promise A Bright Future. Workers Need Convincing

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US Battery Belt, which stretches from Michigan to Georgia, has emerged as a regional hub for building electric vehicle batteries and other components critical to emerging technologies. But the push to bolster US manufacturing—soon to be flush with billions of dollars from Washington—is rubbing up against a shortage of skilled workers. Bloomberg reporters Mackenzie Hawkins and Reade Pickert join this episode to talk about Tennessee, a key Battery Belt state, where an education-focused plan is underway to recruit and train tomorrow’s workforce.

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You Never Think About Your Car’s Catalytic Converter—Until Thieves Saw It Off

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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Everyone’s Making Money On The Women’s World Cup—Except The Women

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The world can’t wait for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which starts later this month. Ticket sales are on track to smash records, and viewership has grown significantly since its 1991 inception. But when it comes to equity between the men’s and women’s tournaments, there’s still a long way to go. Bloomberg’s Jennah Haque joins this episode to talk about why the Women’s World Cup still lags behind the men’s tournament in pay, prize money and all-important media rights–and what’s being done to close the gap.

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Washington Is Knocking On Crypto’s Door

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The epic crash and burn of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX crypto empire in November was huge global news. Eight months later, the crypto world is still feeling the after-shocks—with embarrassed celebrity endorsers, a scrubbed stadium logo and billions of dollars drained from the accounts of ordinary people.

Bloomberg’s Hannah Miller and Allyson Versprille join this episode to talk about the next big challenge for crypto exchanges: Washington. Federal agencies are taking a hard look at new regulations to police cryptocurrencies and protect investors–and taking legal action against some of the industry’s biggest players.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Chatbots And Deepfakes Are Coming For Your Election Cycle

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

As the saying goes: a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on. As AI is increasing productivity across industries, it’s also raising concern about how to regulate its output and keep it from putting many of us out of work. And as the next campaign season approaches, another question comes into focus: what about its potential to quickly create and spread misinformation about political rivals?

Bloomberg’s Laura Davison and Emily Birnbaum raise the curtain on the little regulated and largely vexing ability to disseminate political hay and deepfakes via a chatbot.

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Kids Were Given Cough Syrup From India. Dozens Of Them Died

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, India has been a top player in global pharmaceuticals. But its drug regulatory system came under scrutiny after toxic chemicals were found in Indian-produced medicine that led to the deaths of scores of children in Gambia. Bloomberg reporter Zachary Mider and contributor Swati Gupta discuss their investigation into a pharmaceutical company and the ripple effects of its supply chain across the globe.

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The Bumpy Road From Reagan-Thatcher To Johnson-Trump

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

What it means to be a conservative has changed dramatically in the decades since Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Bloomberg Opinion’s Global Business Columnist Adrian Wooldridge argues not all of that change has been for the better. He joins this episode to talk about why he believes conservatism in the US and UK has lost sight of its roots—and what conservatives can do to find their way back.

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Mattel Bets Big On Barbie's Pink Carpet Debut

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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An Expanding NATO Reinforces Itself Against Russia

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This year’s NATO summit begins next week in Vilnius, Lithuania—and once again, the alliance’s response to the war in Ukraine is top of mind. Bloomberg’s Natalia Drozdiak and Niclas Rolander discuss this year’s agenda, including the implications of expanding NATO as Sweden’s membership bid hangs in the balance.

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A Frustrated Middle Class Wants More Than Promises In 2024

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The American middle class is feeling the squeeze: inflation, wages that haven’t kept up, higher interest rates and fluctuating markets are all adding up to a loss of collective wealth. Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan and a team of journalists are following the economic lives of two dozen middle class families across the country as we head into the 2024 election. In this first installment we hear from four of them. What does it mean to be middle class in America today–and how will their shifting fortunes influence the way they vote?

Read more: The US Middle Class's Economic Anxiety Will Decide the 2024 Election

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TEAM FAVORITE: Women's Pro Tackle Football Takes The Field

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Big Take team is taking a break for the Fourth of July holiday in the US, so we wanted to share this episode you might have missed. Back tomorrow!
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Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Mary Pilon joins this episode to talk about the promise–and challenges–of building a fanbase for the Women’s Football Alliance, an all-female, full-contact league that has 60 teams in four divisions across 32 states.

And we head to a nighttime practice of the DC Divas, to hear from the players and coaches about why they love the game and what it means for women to play tackle football.

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This episode was originally released May 15, 2023, and was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Summer Heat Is Straining The US Power Grid. Winter Cold Could Be Worse

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Record temperatures in Texas and across the southern US are putting immense strain on the electric grid, as residents battle the heat by cranking up the AC. But experts say grid pressure could get even worse this winter. Bloomberg’s Naureen Malik joins this episode to discuss whether America’s infrastructure can support an increasingly electrified economy—and what can be done to avoid mass blackouts in the coming months.

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The Supreme Court’s Power Is Growing. The Public’s Confidence Is Shrinking

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US Supreme Court is wrapping up yet another eventful term, with decisions in major cases that will have a lasting impact on Americans’ lives. Bloomberg’s Greg Stohr and Zoe Tillman join this episode to talk about how in recent years, the high court has become more willing to assert its power and enhance its role among the three branches of government. At the same time, ethics controversies and rising public perception that the justices are sometimes overtly political have lowered confidence in the court.

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* This episode introduction was updated on Friday, 6/30 to reflect the two Supreme Court rulings out Friday morning.

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It Started As A Huawei 5G Bid. It Became A Mole Hunt

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In 2019, telecommunications companies were vying for a lucrative contract to upgrade Denmark’s cellular network to 5G. The competition came down to two finalists: The Swedish telecom Ericsson, and the Chinese technology giant Huawei.

Then things got weird.

Bloomberg Businessweek writers Jordan Robertson and Drake Bennett are back again with another captivating investigation–this one featuring eavesdropping, a drone and the frantic hunt for a suspected leaker.

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Germany Is Europe’s Economic Engine. It’s Starting To Sputter

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, Germany has been the driving force of Europe’s economy. But now, as it emerges from a winter recession, the nation’s resilience is showing signs of breaking down–and that could mean trouble for the rest of the continent. Bloomberg’s William Wilkes and Jana Randow join from Frankfurt to talk about why Germany has lost its economic edge–and what it will take to get it back.

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Bringing Government Services Into The 21st Century. One Text At A Time

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Millions of Americans depend on public assistance programs to help pay for food and make ends meet. But it’s not always easy for them to manage the red tape required to keep those benefits coming. Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Bryce Covert joins this episode with the story of a nonprofit called Code For America. It works with states to make navigating government bureaucracies less of a hassle. And we also hear from Code For America’s Genevieve Miller.

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An Armed Uprising Punctures Putin’s Aura of Invincibility

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Moscow is quiet again after an armed insurrection in Russia over the weekend ended as quickly as it began. But the uprising has left President Vladimir Putin weakened in the eyes of many Kremlin watchers, including US and European officials. Bloomberg’s Flavia Krause-Jackson joins this episode to talk about what this unprecedented threat to Putin’s authority means for his hold on power. And how turmoil inside the Kremlin and at the top of the military could further complicate Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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America Is Divided Over Everything...Except Chicken

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Americans love beef, and always have. But when it comes to the meat they actually choose to eat, chicken takes the crown. Bloomberg’s Matt Townsend and Leslie Patton join this episode to explain how poultry came to dominate the American diet. And historian Emelyn Rude shares what the past can tell us about where the industry goes from here.

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Microsoft's Big Investment In AI Is Paying Off

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Microsoft is a household name when it comes to Word docs, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations, but it’s not the first name many people think of when it comes to cool new tech. At least until recently. The company’s big investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has now launched it to the forefront of tech innovation.

Bloomberg Businessweek writer Max Chafkin joins this episode to tell the story of how the company that once brought us Clippy the interactive paperclip became a power player in the new frontier of artificial intelligence.

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Aging Boomers Will Need Lots Of Care. We're Not Ready

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

By 2030, people over the age of 65 in the US will outnumber those under 18. That’s in part because people are living longer—a testament to modern medicine. But are our health systems and social programs equipped to support so many seniors at the same time?

Bloomberg reporter Priya Anand brings us the details on a tech startup that’s trying to fill part of the void in senior care—and the challenges it’s facing. And health economist Jonathan Skinner talks about how the US can actually meet the needs of aging Baby Boomers.

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Canada's Ambitious Immigration Experiment, Explained

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Anti-immigration sentiment has been rising on the right in many countries around the world, including the US, UK, France and Italy–even as these nations are grappling with declining birth rates and aging work forces. Canada has decided to try an entirely different approach: welcoming in large numbers of immigrants to fill key jobs and boost the economy. So, how’s it working?

Bloomberg reporter Randy Thanthong-Knight walks us through the ups and downs of this ambitious experiment.

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Team Favorite: Banks Vowed To Help Black Homebuyers. What Happened?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

NOTE: This episode originally aired in December 2022.
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In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, some of the biggest mortgage lenders in the US promised to extend billions in new loans to Black homebuyers. That hasn’t happened. Instead, the numbers are going in the opposite direction.

Bloomberg senior economics writer Shawn Donnan joins this episode to talk about why banks have fallen short of the goal–and what it means for families across the country. Dedrick Asante-Muhammad of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition also joins to spell out what needs to be done to fix the problem.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero, Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Here Comes El Nino Again, And It's Packing A Punch

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We’re on the cusp of a natural – but significant – shift from a cooling weather phase known as La Niña to its considerable opposite–El Niño. This change will bring warming trends globally, and many unwelcome consequences. In some parts of the world, past El Niño events brought drought that destroyed crops and added to fire risks. In other regions, it led to flooding that destroyed homes. El Niños have caused inflation spikes, sapped economic productivity, strained power grids, and driven up food prices. And the extreme heat can also create public health emergencies.

Bloomberg’s Ben Sharples and Brian K Sullivan tell us what to expect from this El Niño, and how it will impact our lives.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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States Tell Cities: Yes, You’ve Got to Build Housing

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

America’s affordable housing shortage has been getting worse for decades. Now, some states are trying to ease this crisis by enacting what's been called a “builder's remedy.” These are rules that override local zoning laws and allow developers to build housing in cities that fail to meet state targets. It’s one of several carrots and sticks governors are wielding to pressure cities into freeing up land for development.

What will it take to build enough affordable places to live across the US? Bloomberg CityLab writers Kriston Capps and Sarah Holder highlight the pitfalls of the current housing shortage, and how states are getting creative to force change.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Yet Another AI Blind Spot: Biased Images

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

As pressure mounts on lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence, another problem area of the technology is emerging: AI-generated images. Early research shows these images can be biased and perpetuate stereotypes. Bloomberg reporters Dina Bass and Leonardo Nicoletti dug deep into the data that powers this technology, and they join this episode to talk about how AI image generation works—and whether it’s possible to train the models to produce better results.

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Donald Trump Faces His First Federal Charges

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Donald Trump enters a Miami courtroom today to hear federal criminal charges related to his handling of classified documents that he took with him when he left the White House. The former president also faces investigations into his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and whether he bears some responsibility for the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Bloomberg’s Sara Forden and Zoe Tillman dive into the details of the charges against Trump—and what happens next.

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South Korea Is Over Being Called An 'Emerging Market'

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

South Korea’s stock market is one of the largest in Asia. The nation is home to huge conglomerates including Samsung and Hyundai. And yet Korea is still listed as an emerging market — not a developed one — by MSCI, the investment research firm that provides influential market indexes. Korea argues it should be elevated to MSCI’s World Index, where it would sit alongside the US, UK, Germany and other developed economic powers. The company is expected to decide this month.

Bloomberg’s Youkyung Lee and Henry Ren join this episode to talk about why this move matters so much to South Korea — and why some companies and market watchers are having second thoughts about whether such a move is a good idea — or even worth it.

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BONUS: Another Cost Of Wildfires: Breathing Toxic Smoke

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Cities up and down the eastern coast of the US are experiencing record levels of air pollution from the recent Canadian wildfire smoke. The worsening air quality and associated health risks recall another major set of wildfires in recent years: the Black Summer bushfires that devastated many parts of Australia in 2019 and 2020.

We're bringing you this recent episode about the bushfires, as wildfires and their health consequences become more frequent in the US, Europe, and around the globe.

Bloomberg reporters Amy Bainbridge and Angus Whitley join this episode to discuss what doctors have learned from Australia’s fires about the long-term health hazards of breathing wildfire smoke–especially for children.

Read more: Wildfire’s Toxic Legacy Leaves Children Gasping for Air Years Later

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California Creates A Reparations Blueprint For African Americans

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, African American activists, scholars, and elected officials have called for reparations to address the long legacy of slavery and racism in the US. Now, California is beginning to take action. The state has put together a reparations task force to make recommendations to lawmakers in this first attempt of its kind, which also hopes to serve as a template for other states.

Who would be compensated, and how much would they receive? Bloomberg’s California Bureau Chief Karen Breslau joins this episode to share her reporting on the draft details of the plan. And Kamilah Moore, who chairs California’s Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, talks about their efforts to put numbers on injustice.

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Why Are Foreign Investors Buying Up Europe's Football Clubs?

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

European football is one of the world’s most popular sports, and billionaires, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds want a piece of it. They’re purchasing clubs, or stakes in them. But whether it’s for money, the love of the game, or positive PR—that depends on the owner. Bloomberg’s Giles Turner and Irene Garcia Perez join this episode to talk about the patchwork of club owners, and whether football is actually a winning investment.

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Early Registration, Applications, Waitlists. College? Nope. Summer Camp.

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Since the 1940s, summer camp has offered adventure, lifelong friendships, and…much-needed childcare for families. But these days, it’s fraught with high prices and limited openings. Bloomberg reporter Claire Suddath and Businessweek contributor Lydia Kiesling join this episode to talk about why getting kids into summer camp has become such a pain point for many working parents.

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Arab Nations Bring Isolated Syria Back Into The Fold

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Syria is back in the 22-nation Arab League bloc after more than a decade of isolation. So what does this mean for countries outside the region, like the US? Bloomberg managing editor Sylvia Westall and reporter Daniel Flatley join guest host Rosalind Mathieson to talk about the impact of Syria’s reinstatement

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Crisis Averted On The Debt Ceiling. For Now

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The months-long fight over raising the debt ceiling is finally over. That means the threat of the US defaulting on its debts, and the resulting economic crisis, is off the table – at least for the next two years. So what happened? And how will it shape the economy, the political climate, and future debt negotiations?

Bloomberg Congressional reporter Steven Dennis and White House reporter Jordan Fabian join guest host Nancy Cook to break down what the final agreement says and the impact it will have.

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Why Are Those AI Whistleblowers So Worried?

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In two recent open letters, leaders and developers of artificial intelligence called for a pause of large AI projects to take stock of their impact. In tandem, Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, went to Congress to ask lawmakers to regulate his own industry. What can be done to keep developers in check while allowing innovation to flourish?

Bloomberg AI reporters Dina Bass and Rachel Metz join guest host Craig Gordon to talk about these longtime AI whistleblowers and why the latest calls from industry leaders may be a sincere attempt to establish some rules of the road.

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolin\a, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Rebecca Chaisson, Associate Producer: Sam Gebauer. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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A Debt That Could Stunt China's Economy

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Hegang, a remote coal town in northern China that faced a mountain of debt, was forced to undergo an unprecedented financial restructuring. And it’s not alone. A local debt problem in some of China’s cities threatens to be a drag on the world’s second-largest economy for years to come.

Bloomberg’s Colum Murphy and James Mayger join this episode from Beijing to talk about what’s happening in Hegang and other cities, and why China’s local debt challenges may be felt well beyond its borders.

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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What Is Adidas Without Yeezy?

Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

What is Adidas without Yeezy? It’s making a lot less money for starters. Last year, longtime collaborator Ye — previously known as Kanye West — finally pushed executives too far with his outbursts and a series of anti-Semitic rants. Adidas cut ties on a collaboration worth billions.

It left a gaping hole in Adidas’s profits and exposed the challenges that one of Germany’s biggest companies now faces. Bloomberg reporters Kim Bhasin and Tim Loh join this episode to walk through how it all unfolded, and where Adidas goes from here.

This Robot Wants to Make Your Lunch

Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Automation has crept into the way all kinds of products are manufactured, but machines have also been making inroads into a different type of industry: food services. Beyond touch screens and self checkouts taking over jobs once done by humans, restaurants and fast food chains are experimenting with robots to make your pizza and assemble your salad.

Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Elizabeth Dunn joins this episode to talk about her reporting on Sweetgreen, a salad chain that’s taking its first leap into a largely automated experience in a Chicago-area location. And restaurant reporter Daniela Sirtori-Cortina looks at the public-facing side of restaurant automation.

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Team Favorite: Your Pet Is Costing You A Fortune And You Don't Care

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Big Take team is taking a knee for the holiday, so we wanted to share one of our favorite episodes. Enjoy, we'll be back tomorrow!
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The global pet economy is expected to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2030. After a pandemic surge in pet adoptions, more people are buying ever more expensive food and toys for their furry friends. But beyond these routine costs, a growing number of owners are also shelling out thousands for veterinary care to treat complex illnesses and keep their pets alive for longer.

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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The Beginning Of The End Of The US Oil Boom

Fri, 26 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The shale revolution has powered the US economy, shaken up oil markets, and shaped America’s foreign policy. That may soon begin to change as the growth in shale oil productions slows. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Javier Blas joins this episode to talk about how important the shale bonanza has been for the US, and what–if anything–can ultimately replace it.

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VPNs Promise Online Privacy. Do They Deliver?

Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, first emerged in the 1990s as a way for employees to securely log in to their office computer from home. Now, VPN providers market them to people looking to protect their web searches, location, and personal data from advertisers and other prying eyes. They’re used for everything from streaming television shows to accessing websites blocked by authoritarian regimes. Bloomberg reporter Austin Carr joins this episode to talk about whether VPNs can live up to their promise to keep your online data safe and private.

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China Wants The Yuan To Rival The Almighty Dollar

Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US dollar is the world’s most-used currency for global transactions. Now China aims to elevate its currency as an alternative. Over the past year, President Xi Jinping's government has struck deals linked to the yuan stretching from Russia and Saudi Arabia to Brazil and even France.

Bloomberg reporter George Lei joins this episode to talk about how China’s efforts to create a rival to the dollar are going so far–and its goals for the future. And reporter Rebecca Choong Wilkins walks us through the geopolitics contributing to this currency competition.

Read more: China Takes the Yuan Global in Bid to Repel a Weaponized Dollar

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A Loud Shakeup in the Quiet World of Golf

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The PGA Tour has long been the dominant force in US professional golf. But LIV Golf, an upstart backed with billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, has lured away some top names. Can players compete in both organizations’ events? That’s the question at the heart of a court case between the two rivals. Bloomberg reporters Malathi Nayak, Erik Larson, and Ira Boudway join this episode to talk about why golfers and fans are so animated by this rivalry—and where the dispute goes from here.

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The Details Of Your Online Life Are Up For Auction

Mon, 22 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

By now we’re all aware advertisers and apps collect data about our online lives. But the kind of information they compile about us–and the sheer amount of it–might surprise you. Dr. Johnny Ryan, an online tracking expert and senior fellow at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, joins this episode to explain how details about where you are, where you go, and what you look at are widely distributed. And it’s not just advertisers who want to get to know you. Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Ryan Gallagher tells us about a company in Israel that sells this data to law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the globe.

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BONUS: The Reality Of Student Loan Debt

Sun, 21 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a little Sunday extra?

Our team here at The Big Take wants to introduce you to the 1A Podcast, hosted by Jenn White, from WAMU and NPR. This show looks beyond the headlines to get to the heart of the story, and it's one of our favorites.

Bloomberg News collaborated with 1A this week for a series called Life and Debt. This bonus episode of 1A we are sharing is from that series, and it's all about student loan debt. As the Supreme Court is considering the fate of President Biden’s student relief plan, the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments is about to end — so where does this leave the 40+ million Americans who carry this debt?

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Another Cost Of Wildfires: Breathing Toxic Smoke

Fri, 19 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Black Summer bushfires devastated Australia in 2019 and 2020. As wildfires become more frequent in the US, Europe, and around the globe, Bloomberg reporters Amy Bainbridge and Angus Whitley join this episode to discuss what doctors have learned from Australia’s fires about the long-term health hazards of breathing wildfire smoke–especially for children.

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A Multibillion Dollar Bet to Make Chips In The US

Thu, 18 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Since the CHIPS and Science Act passed in 2022, the US Commerce Department has been working to create a network of research and development sites around the country, as part of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. The goal: to rebuild America’s domestic semiconductor capacity and competitiveness.

Bloomberg reporter Eric Martin breaks down the CHIPS Act and what this tech center aims to accomplish. And Dr. Sarah Kreps, a government professor and Director of the Cornell University Tech Policy Institute, looks at the geopolitics and national security interests involved in moving US chip innovation forward.

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The G-7 Still Matters. Here's Why

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This week, world leaders will convene in Hiroshima, Japan for the annual Group of Seven summit. Bloomberg executive editor Flavia Krause-Jackson and news director Rosalind Mathieson join this episode to share what they’ll be watching for—both in the public eye and behind the scenes.

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How Concerned Should We Be About Bird Flu?

Tue, 16 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Cases of avian flu in birds have hit record levels globally—but so far, there’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Bloomberg reporters Suzi Ring and Michelle Fay Cortez discuss how scientists are tracking the virus after lessons learned from Covid-19. Then, Dr. Richard Webby of the World Health Organization talks about how communities can respond to and prevent bird flu outbreaks.

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Women's Pro Tackle Football Takes The Field

Mon, 15 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

And we head to a nighttime practice of the DC Divas, to hear from the players and coaches about why they love the game and what it means for women to play tackle football.

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Introducing - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried

Fri, 12 May 2023 13:40:45 +0000

Coming soon: When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But then his crypto exchange FTX collapsed Billions of dollars were missing, and Sam was in handcuffs. Those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculating con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal and what happens when “doing good” goes really really bad. Learn more here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spellcaster-the-fall-of-sam-bankman-fried/id1685258534

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A Coke Can. A Chemist. And The Chinese Government.

Fri, 12 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg reporters Drake Bennett and Jordan Robertson join this episode to tell the wild, winding tale of Shannon You, a chemist once employed by Coca-Cola who was also in the business of stealing trade secrets–and attempting to take them to China.

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The US Braces For a Post-Covid Immigration Surge

Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The emergency restrictions on immigration that the Trump administration invoked during the COVID-19 pandemic expire tonight. The White House is now preparing for a surge of migrants crossing the Southern border seeking asylum. Bloomberg reporters Akayla Gardner and Justin Sink join this episode to talk about what the Biden administration is doing to avert turmoil. And immigration policy expert Doris Meissner makes the case for an overhaul of America’s immigration system.

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Should The Supreme Court Be Allowed to Police Itself?

Wed, 10 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to disclose lavish vacations paid for by a Texas billionaire have cast a harsh light on the High Court’s ethics rules—or lack of them. Bloomberg Supreme Court correspondent Greg Stohr joins this episode to talk about the fallout and why the justices are pushing back against greater disclosure rules. And Northwestern University law professor Steven Lubet explains what if anything can be done to require more transparency from the most powerful judges in the nation.

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Washington Is Watching Turkey’s Election—So Is Moscow

Tue, 09 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power for two decades. But he now faces a challenge in the country’s May 14 elections from a candidate representing a coalition of opposition parties. Bloomberg journalists Beril Akman, Marc Champion and Sylvia Westall join this episode to talk about why this election matters not just for Turkey’s domestic future–but for the important role the nation plays on the world stage.

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Can Joe Biden Beat Donald Trump Again?

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

President Joe Biden surprised exactly no one when he announced he’s running for re-election. But with high inflation, an uncertain economy, turmoil on the Southern border, and roiling culture wars–along with persistent questions about his age–can Biden persuade voters he deserves a second term? Bloomberg’s Nancy Cook, Jordan Fabian and Joshua Green join this episode to size up the early stages of the presidential race, and the top-of-mind issues that will decide who’ll win the White House in 2024.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Rebecca Chaisson, Associate Producer: Sam Gebauer. Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.

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Does Returning to the Moon Need To Be This…Complicated?

Fri, 05 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

On April 20, the SpaceX Starship Super Heavy rocket made its first test flight. And even though it exploded after just a few minutes in flight, that doesn’t necessarily mean it was a failure. Bloomberg’s intrepid space reporter Loren Grush joins this episode to explain what’s ahead for SpaceX–and for NASA’s ambitious goal of getting people back to the moon this decade.

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This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineer: Raphael Amsili.

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No, Really. Are We Finally Heading Toward a Recession?

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

First Republic Bank is the latest financial institution to fail amid turmoil across the industry. Meanwhile, inflation is still high. Layoffs are rocking some industries. And labor shortages are throttling others. So… are we about to face the recession that economists have been predicting for months now? Today, Bloomberg reporter Reade Pickert and senior executive editor Chris Nagi read the tea leaves on where the economy is headed.

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Why Some States Are Loosening Child Labor Laws

Wed, 03 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The tight US labor market has prompted several Republican-led states to roll back child labor laws, which are aimed at protecting teenagers by restricting where and how long they can work. Bloomberg Industry Group reporters Rebecca Rainey and Chris Marr join this episode to talk about where this is happening and who’s pressing for these changes. And labor historian Betsy Wood explains how today’s arguments about whether kids should be put to work mirror the same fights going back decades.

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People Are Using Buy Now, Pay Later Just To Make Ends Meet

Tue, 02 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

With the economy in flux and prices continuing to rise, more consumers are saying yes to buy now, pay later offers. And not just for instant gratification on big-ticket items like a couch or a laptop. Struggling families are using it to spread out payments for essentials like food.

Bloomberg reporters Augusta Saraiva and Paulina Cachero join this episode to talk about the popularity of buy now, pay later services–and the fees for those who fall behind on payments. And we hear from a single mother who reluctantly uses the services to help make ends meet.

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We've Got Electric Cars. Why Not Electric Airplanes?

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Europe’s ambitious climate targets are putting pressure on airlines and airplane makers to come up with sustainable alternatives to dirty jet fuel. Bloomberg reporters Siddharth Philip in London and William Wilkes in Frankfurt join this episode to talk about some ideas on the drawing table for cleaner jet engines–from battery powered concepts to aircraft that run on hydrogen.

Read the story here: Why Europe Is Emerging as a Green Aviation Test Bed

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Those New Obesity Drugs Really Work–If You Can Afford Them

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Pharmaceutical companies and insurance providers are at odds over a new class of drugs that have proven quite effective at helping people living with obesity lose weight. Bloomberg’s Robert Langreth and Emma Court join this episode to share their reporting on recent advancements in weight loss treatments–and the fight over who should pay for them. And Dr. Angela Fitch, a physician and president of the Obesity Medical Association, talks about the challenges of treating obesity.

Read their reporting here: Good Luck Paying for Those $10,000 Obesity Drugs Everyone’s Talking About

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“Deeper Pockets, Deeper Wells”

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Despite the rain-soaked year California has had, the ongoing issues of drought and limited water remain. Bloomberg reporters Peter Waldman, Mark Chediak, and Sinduja Rangarajan join this episode to talk about how farms that grow lucrative cash crops like almonds and pistachios are digging deeper and deeper wells to tap the state’s dwindling groundwater supply–leaving people in some communities with less to drink.

Read the investigation here: Groundwater Gold Rush

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“Swatting” Threats Disrupt Schools Across The US

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Teachers and students in the US are always on alert for the possibility of an active shooter entering their classrooms. Now hundreds of schools around the country are dealing with a new, anxiety inducing disruption: swatting. It’s when police rush to schools in response to fake threats intended to cause chaos.

Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Jeff Stone joins this episode to talk about the sharp rise of these events in recent months. And New York school district superintendent Matt Landahl shares what it’s like to receive these calls and manage the response in real time.

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Europe’s Best Healthcare Systems Are Starting To Crack

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Europe’s universal healthcare systems have long been held up as models for other parts of the world. But in many countries they are now under extreme strain. Chronic underfunding, an aging population and labor force, and continuing fallout from the pandemic mean these systems are sometimes failing their patients.

Bloomberg reporters Naomi Kresge and Jonas Ekblom join this episode to explain how this happened and what governments are trying to do about it. And Dr. Tomas Zapata of the World Health Organization talks about how European nations can rebuild the healthcare workforce before it deteriorates.

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How Are the Billions in Biden’s Climate Law Being Spent?

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

It’s been eight months since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. And already the hundreds of billions of dollars it contains for clean energy and slowing climate change—alongside private venture capital investments—are funding a wide array of climate technology projects, from decarbonization infrastructure to rust-based battery storage.

Bloomberg climate reporter Eric Roston joins this episode with Akshat Rathi, a senior reporter and host of our sister podcast Zero. It’s a weekly show that explores the tactics and technologies taking us to a world of zero emissions. They talk with Wes about how climate tech is no longer a corner of the economy–it’s fast becoming the economy.

And reporter Zahra Hirji joins to talk about some of the ways the IRA’s spending is starting to show up in our everyday lives.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3LpNSpZ

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The Dark Side of TikTok’s Algorithm

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg senior investigative reporter Olivia Carville is back with her latest reporting on TikTok. She explains how the superpopular app’s algorithm can serve up a stream of anxiety and despair to teens, including videos about eating disorders and suicide. And Jennifer Harriger, a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, joins to talk about the effect these messages can have on teens and young adults.

Read the story: TikTok’s Algorithm Keeps Pushing Suicide to Vulnerable Kids

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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The US-Saudi Relationship Is In Danger of Falling Apart

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, the United States and Saudi Arabia maintained an important strategic alliance, which gave the US access to Saudi oil in exchange for guaranteeing the kingdom’s security. But growing tensions between the two nations now threaten to rupture this relationship.

Bloomberg’s Ziad Daoud, Tom Orlik, and Nick Wadhams join this episode to explain what’s behind the US-Saudi rift, and why it could have far-reaching consequences for the US economy and potentially the 2024 presidential election.

Read the story: US-Saudi Oil Pact Breaking Down as Russia Grabs Upper Hand

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A Gun That Knows Who’s Pulling The Trigger

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/43DMVBH

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America’s Allies Are Not Pleased About the Intel Leaks

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US intelligence community was relieved when a suspect was arrested last week in the leak of highly sensitive classified documents about America’s friends and adversaries. But the fallout is far from over. The leaks are a huge embarrassment for the Biden administration, which is moving quickly to reassure the UK, Israel, and other allies.

Bloomberg national security correspondent Courtney McBride joins this episode to talk about US efforts to repair the damage and shore up its credibility with leading partners around the world–and what the government is doing to prevent leaks like this from happening in the future.

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Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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A Flu Shot That Might Work Better–Thanks to Covid-19

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

It’s estimated that half a million or more people around the world die of influenza each year. And many of these deaths could be prevented with a highly effective, widely used flu shot.

Now, the mRNA technology we became familiar with during the development of the Covid vaccine is being used to create a new flu shot that promises to work better than the current hit-or-miss version. It also offers the potential to bundle covid, flu, and other common viruses into a single shot.

But with vaccine skepticism running high, will people actually take it?

Bloomberg biotech reporter Angelica Peebles joins this episode to explain how the new flu shot is made, how it works, and whether it can shift how we receive and think about vaccinations.

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Dust Off Your Dice–Dungeons & Dragons Is Back

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons is approaching its 50th anniversary and it has never been more popular, attracting players of all ages to its analog charms. Now Hasbro, the toy company that owns it, is betting D&D can be brought into the digital age and become a big moneymaker.

Bloomberg correspondent Felix Gillette joins this episode to talk about why Dungeons & Dragons is having a cultural — and economic — moment, and why it might not be so easy to persuade diehard fans to pay for a digital experience. Gaming retail store owner Lauren Bilanko shares what it’s like to run a business that caters to the D&D crowd.

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What’s Next In the Fight Over the Abortion Pill?

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This episode was recorded before a federal appeals court ruling partly granted the Biden administration’s request to put on hold a Texas court decision overturning FDA approval of the abortion pill. The appeals court allowed restrictions that were lifted since 2016 to be reinstated.

For details on the ruling read more here.

The appeals court decision leaves mifepristone on the market while a Justice Department appeal works its way through the courts. It overrules a lower court decision in Texas that sought to stop the sale of the drug completely.

But it did agree with one part of the ruling. It left in place a lower court order that blocked changes that the FDA has made since 2016 that made mifepristone more easily available.

The ruling means that unless the US Supreme Court intervenes by Friday, mifepristone will no longer be approved for use after the seventh week and cannot be dispensed by mail.

Bloomberg journalists Kelsey Butler, Cynthia Koons, and Madlin Mekelburg join this episode to explain what’s at stake if mifepristone becomes unavailable. And Supreme Court correspondent Greg Stohr talks about what’s ahead for these cases, which may well end up in the Justices’ hands.

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Germany Cautiously Rebuilds Its Military Might

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, Germany has downplayed military spending. But after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the government reversed its longstanding ban on sending weapons into war zones, and announced a plan to spend an additional 100 billion euros to upgrade its armed forces.

Bloomberg senior editor Alan Crawford joins this episode to explain why the country’s defense industry is booming—and why that’s dividing a public wary of a German military resurgence. And military analyst Dr. Bastian Giegerich makes the case for why Germany should be spending even more to prepare for current and future threats.

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How To Protect Your Money In a Rocky Economy

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

There’s a whole lot happening in the economy that’s impacting your wallet. Inflation is slowing down, but it’s still high. Layoffs have rocked every industry. And rent prices keep surging. Is it a good time to quit your job–or ask for a raise? Should you buy a house (if you can find one)? And which investments are safe when markets are all over the place?

Bloomberg personal finance journalists Claire Ballentine and Craig Giammona join this episode to share advice about what to do with your money in volatile times.

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Ron DeSantis Is a Little Bit Woke on Climate Change

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Florida’s governor–and likely presidential candidate–Ron DeSantis has pledged billions to restore Florida’s Everglades. Among other good things, that will help lower Florida’s carbon footprint and potentially combat some of the effects of climate change.

But you won’t hear him boasting about those benefits.

As a Republican trying to lure away Donald Trump’s voters with promises to attack “woke” policies, he says he’s “not a global warming person”, opposes restrictions on fossil fuels, and often downplays the environmental upsides of his own policies.

Bloomberg national reporter Michael Smith joins this episode to talk about the Florida Governor's mixed environmental record–and how he’s walking a very fine line between shoring up Florida’s natural resources and alienating Republican primary voters he hopes will carry him to the White House.

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Team Favorite: Revolt Of The Dairy Farmers

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We’re taking a break today for the holiday. Here’s a favorite episode from December that you might have missed–and one that’s still very much in the news. We’ll be back on Monday with a new episode. Have a great weekend. And thanks for listening!

Our insatiable appetite for meat, eggs and cheese means there are billions of chickens, pigs and cows the world over. One consequence: animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants like ammonia and nitrogen.

In Europe, governments are starting to crack down—demanding farms dramatically cut the size of their herds to meet environmental goals. Farmers are, to put it mildly, furious.

Bloomberg reporter Diederik Baazil joins this episode from Amsterdam to talk about how farmer’s protests against the new rules are boiling over in the Netherlands. And Wes also catches up with reporter Agnieszka de Sousa, Bloomberg’s “food czar” based in London, for a look at how this problem has spread across Europe–and possible ways to fix it.

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Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Iran and Saudi Arabia Agree To Talk…With China’s Help

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Iran and Saudi Arabia surprised many governments in March when they announced an agreement to restore diplomatic relations–ending a seven-year freeze.

Just as surprising: The deal was brokered by China.

Bloomberg correspondents Golnar Motevalli and Sam Dagher join this episode to explain how this landmark agreement came together and what each side hopes to gain from it.

And Jonathan Fulton, a nonresident senior fellow for Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, talks about China’s critical role in this deal and the nation’s growing ambitions as a global power broker.

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A Record Number of Anti-LGBTQ Bills Across the US

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

More than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in U.S. state legislatures this year, and more than twenty have been signed into law. That’s greater than the last five years–combined. Some of these pieces of legislation seek to outlaw access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. Others would make it easier to ban books from school libraries.

Bloomberg reporter Ella Ceron joins this episode to talk about the momentum behind this push and which states are pressing ahead with these bills. We also hear from Democratic state senator Shevrin Jones of Florida—where ten anti-LGBTQ bills are on the table—about the political battle in his state.

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What If The IRS Did Your Taxes For You–For Free?

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Tucked into President Biden’s massive Inflation Reduction Act is a pot of money–$15 million–for the Internal Revenue Service to study a long-talked-about idea: Building an online IRS platform that would enable taxpayers to file their taxes easily and for free. If it moves ahead, it could mean an end to frustratingly complex forms and fees to accountants and tax prep companies.

There are plenty of obstacles in the way. Some politicians and industry groups in Washington are already lining up against it. And it’s not clear Americans would trust the IRS to calculate their refund–or how much they owe.

Bloomberg reporters Laura Davison, Brody Ford, and Ben Steverman join this episode to talk about the promise—and potential pitfalls—of a public filing option for all.

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What Comes Next For Donald Trump

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

There’s been a ton of news coverage and commentary around Donald Trump’s indictment in New York on Thursday. But the Manhattan case is only one of several criminal investigations and civil cases swirling around the former president—from the US Justice Department’s inquiry into the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol and the investigation of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, to probes of Trump’s business practices.

Bloomberg legal reporters Zoe Tillman and Erik Larson join this episode to look beyond the Manhattan indictment and assess Trump’s other legal entanglements, and where things go from here.

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What Would You Do With The Fastest Computer In The World?

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Last May, the Oak Ridge National Lab, run by the US Department of Energy, unveiled Frontier–the world's fastest supercomputer. It’s capable of performing a quintillion calculations per second, breaking what's called the exascale barrier.

The system requires its own power plant, 6,000 gallons of water to keep it cool, and a highly trained staff to operate. So what can it do? And who gets to use it?

We set out for Knoxville, Tennessee to try to wrap our brains around Frontier’s limitless potential.

See more about Frontier here: It Takes 6,000 Gallons of Water to Cool the World’s Fastest Supercomputer

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Paying For Childcare So You Can Work...To Pay For Childcare

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re a working parent, finding childcare is almost certainly a source of stress in your life. It’s often a struggle to find an opening and when you do, it can be crazy expensive. This presents a tough choice: pay for childcare to be able to work, or become a caregiver and forgo a second income. And for single parents, there is no choice at all.

Bloomberg reporter Olivia Konotey-Ahulu has been covering the growing discontent of parents in the UK. And Simon Workman is co-founder of Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies, which consults with US states to find ways to support the needs of young children and their families. They both join this episode to look at how the US and UK can fix their broken childcare systems–and highlight countries that are doing it right.

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What’s a Guardianship?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Guardianships in the US are supposed to help vulnerable people who can’t help themselves. But a Bloomberg Law investigation reveals a loosely regulated system in which those placed under guardianships can find themselves trapped, and sometimes exploited, by the people entrusted with their care.

Bloomberg Law correspondents Ronnie Greene and Holly Barker join this episode to discuss their five-part series on how the system works—and doesn’t work—and what can be done to fix it.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3zgHQBk

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Can The US Really Ban TikTok? It’s Complicated

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

There’s at least one thing Democrats and Republicans in Washington have in common: suspicions about TikTok’s ties to China. The Biden administration and members of congress from both parties are urging the social media platform’s Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd., to sell its stake in TikTok or risk being banned in the US.

Sound familiar? That’s because two and a half years ago, former President Trump sent a very similar warning that ultimately went nowhere.

Bloomberg reporters Alex Barinka and Anna Edgerton join this episode to talk about this latest chapter in the standoff between the US government and TikTok. Plus, what a congressional hearing with TikTok’s CEO revealed about national security concerns surrounding the app.

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The Banking Crisis Is Opening a New Chapter of Capitalism

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

A lot has been said about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse. But one important thing revealed by those closely scrutinized failures has largely gone unnoticed: the changing relationship between governments and banks.

Bloomberg Editor-In-Chief John Micklethwait joins this episode to talk about how the idea that finance is an arm of the state is back–and why that will have far-reaching consequences for the way the world works.

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Your Pet Is Costing You A Fortune and You Don’t Care

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Will ChatGPT Steal Your Job?

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

As the technology powering artificial intelligence keeps improving, it’s getting harder to tell the difference between human and machine. And that means companies are looking to capitalize on its uses.

ChatGPT’s maker OpenAI is quickly rolling out new iterations, like the more powerful version of the product called GPT-4. Google has introduced its own version, albeit with some early stumbles. And Elon Musk also has his eye on the AI space.

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Parmy Olson and technology reporters Dina Bass and Rachel Metz have reported extensively on the rise of ChatGPT and other forms of AI. They join this episode to talk through the upsides–and significant downsides–of a bot that can appear to write and sort of think for you, and what it looks like when humanlike machines become a bigger part of our daily work and lives.

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Apple Looks To Grow Some New Roots

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The story of Apple’s rise to become the world’s most valuable company is also the story of its relationship with China. Apple’s vast manufacturing and supply chain operation there has been one of the keys to its success.

So why is Apple looking to expand its operations to India and other countries?

Bloomberg’s chief technology correspondent Mark Gurman joins this episode to look at how shifts in the global economy, and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, have led Apple to diversify where it makes its products. And Taipei-based senior reporter Debby Wu talks about the challenges the company faces in trying to recreate its success in other countries.

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Washington Takes Aim At Those Hated Non-Compete Agreements

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The US Federal Trade Commission is weighing restrictions on many non-compete agreements in employment contracts. These clauses dissuade workers from switching jobs and impact roughly one in five Americans—including physicians, hair stylists, even fast food workers.

Bloomberg reporter Leah Nylen joins this episode to explain the FTC’s efforts to dial them back. And reporters Jo Constantz and Josh Eidelson, and White House editor Mario Parker, talk about how non-competes became a way for companies to freeze employees in place—and how the move to restrict them is part of a larger push by the Biden administration to bolster workers’ rights.

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How Are US Chips Ending Up In Russian Weapons?

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

US sanctions against Russia are supposed to cut off Moscow’s access to all kinds of goods, including semiconductors, which are used in missiles and drones. But US officials allege a secret supply chain has illegally funneled these chips, some of them American-made, to Russia, where they’ve been used in weapons deployed against Ukraine.

Bloomberg reporter Ben Bartenstein joins this episode to talk about one alleged chip smuggling scheme. And US national security editor Nick Wadhams explains why sanctions can slow—but not always stop—Russia and other sanctioned nations from getting what they want.

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Israel’s Leader Wants To Weaken The Courts. People Are Furious

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For months, Israeli citizens—including CEOs, doctors, hedge fund executives, lawyers, and soldiers—have protested in the streets against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to diminish the authority of the nation’s Supreme Court. The government aims to give Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, the power to overrule the court’s decisions with a simple majority vote. It could have far-reaching consequences within Israel—and for its standing as a strong democracy in a volatile region of the world.

Bloomberg’s Israel Bureau Chief Ethan Bronner joins this episode from Tel Aviv to talk about what’s at stake—and why so many Israelis from all walks of life are demanding Netanyahu withdraw the plan.

Congress Won’t Let The US Default on Its Debt. Right?

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The White House and Congress are battling over raising the nation’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. If they don’t act and the US defaults on its debt this summer, the economic shockwaves will be felt across the nation and around the world.

Even so, the conventional wisdom in many parts of Washington and Wall Street seems to be: don’t worry, in the end of course they’ll reach a deal.

But relying on conventional wisdom is often…unreliable. Though congressional leaders managed to overcome their differences and raise the debt ceiling in the past–often at the 11th hour, after all the brinkmanship had played out–what if this time is different?

Bloomberg journalists Liz McCormick and Erik Wasson join this episode to game out the scenarios and gauge how concerned we should be about the possibility that the rancor and acrimony in Washington will lead to a debt default for the first time in US history.

Will Self-Driving Cars Be ‘Just Five Years Away’... Forever?

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

For years now, we’ve been hearing that autonomous vehicles are just around the corner. Google, Uber, General Motors, Tesla, and other companies invested huge sums in hopes of realizing the dream of a car that drives itself on the open road.

And yet, after more than a decade of effort and prototypes, driverless cars still appear to be a long way off. Why is that?

Bloomberg reporter Max Chafkin joins this episode to talk about the industry’s persistent roadblocks — and what’s ahead. And Anthony Levandowski, a pioneer and early champion of driverless car technology, explains why it continues to be such a difficult puzzle to solve.

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What Does The Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank Mean For Your Money?

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The biggest bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis is stoking fears of a larger financial meltdown across regional US banks. Silicon Valley Bank, a key lender for startups and the tech industry, collapsed last week. As regulators take over, many people around the country are left wondering if their own money is safe.

Bloomberg personal finance reporter Suzanne Woolley joins this episode to talk about what the collapse of SVB means for everyday savers and investors. And Ben Bain, who leads Bloomberg’s coverage of how Washington regulates Wall Street, explains how the government has responded and the plan to stem the bleeding now — and prevent future failures.

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How A Satellite Hack Became a Cybersecurity Wakeup Call

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 16:08:49 +0000

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India Weighs An Historic Expansion of Marriage Rights

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This month, India’s Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

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Why Employers Will Soon Be Fighting Each Other To Hire You

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The future of US competitiveness is taking shape in a field in Licking County, Ohio. It’s the site of a new Intel semiconductor plant, part of the Biden administration’s effort to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, with a focus on high tech products like semiconductors.

But those ambitious plans have exposed a looming problem: The number of skilled workers needed to build factories and fill those jobs is shrinking. It’s a demographic reality that will only become more acute in the decades to come.

Bloomberg senior economics writer Shawn Donnan joins this episode to explain why America’s workforce is shrinking, and what a labor shortage now means for the nation’s manufacturing future. And Gabriela Cruz Thompson of Intel Labs talks about how a big company like hers plans to recruit workers in an increasingly competitive job market.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3J0Z9KV

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Two Space Missions Shake Up Our View Of The Past–And Future

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Two significant advances in science and technology are helping us examine our own planet, as well as galaxies near and far. The first is the James Webb Space Telescope—an instrument that’s already transmitting game-changing data from a million miles away. The second is NASA’s SWOT mission, named for its exploration of Earth’s surface water and ocean topography. Using remote sensing technology, it aims to be the first-ever global survey of its kind.

Bloomberg space reporter Loren Grush joins this episode to share why these endeavors are important not just for science but also to help us make decisions about our everyday lives. Plus, we meet some of the people behind these projects—and those whose work will be shaped by the wealth of information beaming back to Earth.

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Cities Test A New Way To Reduce Police Violence

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Traffic stops are the most common way people come into contact with the police. After the January death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten following a police stop in Memphis, some cities are trying to limit how often these stops occur. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and the state of Virginia have taken measures to curb stops for minor violations, which disproportionately affect people of color–and sometimes turn violent.

Bloomberg reporters Sarah Holder and Fola Akinnibi join this episode to talk about why traffic stops have become such a widespread problem, and how police departments are responding to limits to their authority. And Philadelphia councilman Isaiah Thomas explains how his legislation aims to increase public safety.

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Is the Pentagon Losing Its Edge?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In his 1961 farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower famously warned about the dangers of the business of war–what he called the “military industrial complex.” Now, more than six decades later, that warning still rings true. The US military is the most powerful – and expensive – in the world, but the Pentagon bureaucracy is vast, inefficient, and often slow to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Bloomberg reporters Peter Martin, Courtney McBride, and Roxana Tiron join this episode to talk about their deep reporting about concerns inside and outside the Pentagon that the US military is in danger of falling behind rivals including China, and what the Defense Department is doing to change.

Michèle Flournoy, a former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, also joins to give perspective on how the Pentagon works, what it does right, and what it needs to do better.

The World’s Food Security is In The Hands of China and Russia

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

One unexpected consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: It highlighted how just a handful of countries–notably Russia and China–supply much of the fertilizer needed to feed the world. Amid geopolitical tensions and humanitarian concerns, the race for fertilizer has become a priority for the U.S. and its allies.

Bloomberg reporter Elizabeth Elkin joins this episode to talk about how concerns about fertilizer shortages have nations looking for alternatives.

A ‘90s Rapper. A Fugitive. And the FBI

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Pras Michel, the famed rapper and founding member of The Fugees, goes on federal trial later this month. The US government has charged him with numerous crimes related to his dealings with the fugitive Malaysian businessman allegedly at the center of one of the largest financial scandals in history. Michel maintains he’s innocent.

This real-life international tale of intrigue involves a long cast of characters, including A-list Hollywood celebrities, the Chinese government, and both the Obama and Trump White Houses.

Bloomberg reporters Anthony Cormier, Jason Leopold and Matthew Campbell have captured the whole saga in a story for Businessweek and they join this episode to tell us what they found.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3ZiFi0W

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A Brain Implant To Use An iPhone With Your Thoughts

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Startups pioneering invasive and noninvasive devices that interact with the brain seek to alleviate everything from ALS symptoms to epilepsy to treatment-resistant depression. In this episode, a look at the science behind this rapidly advancing technology.

Dr. Thomas Oxley, a neurointerventionist and CEO of Synchron, gives us a tour of his lab in Brooklyn, New York, where his company is developing an implant that allows paralyzed people to control devices.

Then Bloomberg reporter Sarah McBride joins Wes for a look at other startups making these brain-computer interfaces–and where the industry goes from here.

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Countries Cautiously Weigh A Return to Nuclear Power

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Twelve years after the 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster, Japan is now considering restarting its shuttered nuclear reactors to combat rising energy prices. It’s a slow process, and one where the government and the public are conflicted about the advantages and risks of nuclear power.

Around the world, countries that turned off their reactors in the wake of Fukushima, or have closed old or expensive reactors, are doing a similar about-face, with rising energy prices and clean energy commitments changing their calculus. That’s inevitably raised questions about the safety of potentially running these aging behemoths to more than double their expected lifespan.

Bloomberg’s Japan energy reporter Shoko Oda joins this episode to talk about the country’s decision to restart its nuclear reactors and lingering anti-nuclear sentiment in the country.

Power and renewable energy editor Will Wade also joins to describe how governments around the world are rethinking their nuclear stances, squeezed by rising energy prices and climate targets.

And Dr. Jessica Lovering of Good Energy Collective, a pro-nuclear think tank, makes an advocate’s case for how nuclear power fits into the mix for clean energy over the next 30+ years.

Read more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3m9HTvi

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The Not So Shiny Aluminum in Ford’s New Electric Truck

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It takes hundreds of pounds of aluminum to build Ford’s “Truck of the Future,” the electric F-150. A lot of that aluminum comes from a long, complicated supply chain that it would be difficult to describe as environmentally friendly.

The chain begins in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, at a mine with a legacy of pollution. It leads next to a refinery down the Amazon River where thousands of people are suing, claiming the industry harmed the fragile ecosystem, contaminated their water, and made them sick. Bloomberg senior reporters Sheridan Prasso and Jessica Brice join this episode to talk about their investigation–and how Ford responded to what they found.

Read the investigation: https://bloom.bg/3xRXC4V

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Will The Supreme Court Kill Student Loan Relief?

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

President Biden’s plan to forgive federal student loan debt for millions of Americans has been frozen since a handful of Republican-led states sued to stop it. They argue the president doesn’t have the power to wipe away billions of dollars of debt on his own. It’s now up to the US Supreme Court to decide if they’re right.

Bloomberg Supreme Court correspondent Greg Stohr joins this episode to talk about the arguments on both sides, and where the 6-3 conservative majority might come down. And personal finance reporter Claire Ballentine explains what happens next for Americans with student debt if the court upholds Biden’s plan–or knocks it down.

Nigeria Is In Turmoil. Can A New President Fix It?

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

As Nigerians decide on a new president, the country’s economy is reeling. Nigeria’s public debt is growing, inflation is soaring, and half of adults can’t find steady work. People wait in line for hours at gas stations to fill their cars and light their homes with generators because the shaky power grid can’t keep up. Kidnapping for ransom is a growing problem.

What can be done to turn things around? Bloomberg journalists Neil Munshi in Lagos, Nigeria and Ruth Olurounbi in Abuja, the capital, join this episode to talk about what’s at stake in this election–and how the candidates vying for the job say they’ll address these problems. Then, Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at SBM Intelligence, explains why it’s so difficult to attract companies, and money, to Africa’s largest economy.

How Does Ukraine Continue to Beat Back Russia?

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

February 24 marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin believed the country’s military would be defeated quickly and Kyiv, the capital, would fall. Instead, Ukraine’s clever, nimble — and motivated — military has fought back Russia’s forces despite being vastly outgunned.

But the war has taken a terrible toll. Thousands of people have died. Cites have been devastated and millions of displaced Ukrainians are now living as refugees in other countries.

Bloomberg journalists Daryna Krasnolutska and Marc Champion in Kyiv, and Rosalind Mathieson in London join this episode to take stock of all that has happened in the past year, and what lies ahead for Ukraine.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3IL2hMf

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How Long Will You Have To Wait To Retire?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Around the world, a looming problem is making workers nervous–and angry. People in many countries are living longer, and at some point governments will run out of money to pay their retirement benefits.

One solution some politicians are pushing: raising the retirement age for workers. Which…is about as popular as it sounds.

So what is the answer? Ben Sills, who leads Bloomberg’s government and economics coverage in Europe, and White House and politics reporter Nancy Cook join this episode to sort through the tough economics and fraught politics of retirement. And pensions reporter Amy Bainbridge, personal finance reporter Ainsley Thomson, and senior editor Emily Cadman talk about how governments all over are trying to get hold of the problem before it becomes a crisis.

Team Favorite: The Copper You Need Is Stuck In A 30-Mile Traffic Jam

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We’re taking a break for President’s Day here in the US. So here’s one of our favorite stories you might have missed. We’ll be back tomorrow with a new episode. Thanks for listening!

Here’s a random yet important fact: Copper is one of the very best conductors of electricity of all metals. And that matters, because as we move toward a world in which more and more things in our lives plug in or charge up–not just your phone, but electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines that will power the future–copper is in increasingly high demand.

Some of the richest reserves of copper are found in Southern Africa. But getting it from deep underground and trucking it thousands of miles to buyers can be a harrowing journey. Without more production or new mines, the world could be looking at shortages, and soaring prices for copper and the products that use it.

Reporters James Attwood and Yvonne Yue Li join this episode to explain what a coming copper shortage could mean for us all. And reporter Matthew Hill describes his trip to a huge mine in Zambia, where he descended thousands of feet to see copper being blasted from the rock.

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Doubts About Biden, Fears About Trump

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It’s hard to believe, but the 2024 presidential election is already off and running, and there’s grumbling in both parties. Some Republicans want to put Donald Trump behind them, and some Democrats worry 80-year-old Joe Biden might not be up to the long slog of a presidential campaign.

Bloomberg’s managing editor for US government Flavia Krause-Jackson, national political correspondent Joshua Green, and White House correspondent Jordan Fabian join this episode to tell us what to pay attention to–and what’s just noise.

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It’s Really Hard To Help Syria’s Earthquake Victims

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The recent earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria have left millions of people in desperate need of help. But those seeking to bring food, medicine, and supplies into the country face daunting obstacles.

Syria’s government wants to control aid shipments and who gets them. Strict economic sanctions imposed on Syria’s government by the US and Europe make it difficult to conduct any transactions there. Governments, banks and humanitarian aid groups are sometimes wary of triggering penalties if their work is seen as violating the sanctions, even despite a temporary easing of the restrictions for earthquake relief.

Sylvia Westall in Dubai, who leads Bloomberg’s government coverage in the Middle East, and Nick Wadhams in Washington, DC, who oversees reporting on US national security and foreign policy, join this episode to talk about how sanctions and the Syrian government are complicating efforts to assist earthquake victims. And Jennifer Higgins of the International Rescue Committee describes how her organization is clearing these hurdles to bring help where it’s needed most.

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Thousands Claim A Blockbuster Drug Gave Them Cancer

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In 2020, the enormously popular heartburn medication Zantac was pulled from store shelves after samples were found to contain the probable carcinogen NDMA.

The drug has since been re-introduced with a new formula that is considered safe to use as directed.

But tens of thousands of people who took the old version of the drug, made with the active ingredient ranitidine, are now suing Zantac’s maker, then called Glaxo and now known as GSK. They claim the medication gave them cancer and are seeking compensation. The company is pushing back, saying there is no conclusive evidence or scientific consensus that ranitidine can degrade and form NDMA in harmful amounts under normal conditions.

Reporters Anna Edney, Susan Berfield, and Jef Feeley dug into the claims and counterclaims for Bloomberg Businessweek, and they join this episode to talk about Zantac’s rise and fall and where these lawsuits are headed.

And Dr. Jaap Venema, chief science officer at US Pharmacopeia, explains how potential carcinogens get into drugs–and what pharmaceutical companies and government agencies are–and should be–doing to ensure the safety of the medications we take.

Read the story: https://bloom.bg/3Yxzno2

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Why Car Prices Are Still Crazy High

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Buying a new car today is more painful than ever. Auto prices have risen a shocking 30% in just the past few years. Many used cars aren’t much cheaper. The pandemic crunch is partly to blame – high demand and scarce supply caused prices to spike along with everything else. But car prices remain astronomical even though those shortages have largely eased. For a lot of middle class Americans, a new car is now out of reach.

And that’s just fine with some major automakers. Bloomberg reporters David Welch and Keith Naughton join this episode to explain why General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., among other companies, are embracing scarcity and high prices as the new normal.

At the same time, China is ramping up production and rising as a leading carmaker. Reporter Tom Hancock describes how the country is churning out millions of electric and gasoline-powered vehicles for customers around the world, with one notable exception: the US.

https://bloom.bg/3E48mQY

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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The Real Price of Work From Home

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

New York and other cities have struggled to fully bounce back from the pandemic, in part because many people who can work from home either part or full time are choosing to do so. That means a lot less money is being spent in shops and restaurants. Expensive office buildings are standing partially empty and fewer passengers are paying subway and bus fares.

Reporters Emma Court and Donna Borak join this episode to talk about how work from home is transforming city life and costing downtowns billions. Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow at Brookings Metro, explains how, as she puts it, cities can reinvent themselves to be go-to places not just between the hours of 9-5, but 5-9.

China’s 'Covid Tsunami'

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

At the same time China’s government is working to manage the fallout overseas from the surveillance balloon shot down by the US, it’s also struggling to contain another problem at home—a wave of covid cases that’s overwhelmed the country.

Late last year, people in cities across China protested in the streets against the government’s Covid Zero lockdowns. In response to the unrest, President Xi Jinping eased the restrictions, and China is opening back up.

As anticipated, millions of people once again out and about has led to a massive surge in Covid cases and deaths. As the virus has rapidly spread throughout China, the government has struggled to keep up. Hospitals are overwhelmed and even basic medicines like ibuprofen are sometimes impossible to find.

Bloomberg journalists John Liu in Beijing and Xiao Zibang in Singapore join this episode to talk about how China is coping with the health crisis, how citizens in some cities and rural areas are stepping in where the government has fallen short, and where things go from here.

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Introducing: Foundering - The John McAfee Story

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The new season of Bloomberg's Foundering podcast retraces the life and gruesome death of John McAfee. In the 1980s and ’90s, the McAfee name was synonymous with computer antivirus software, and he helped establish the modern cybersecurity industry. But afterward, his life took a strange and dark turn. He was accused of murder, an allegation he denied, and then went on the lam. He sought to reinvent himself as a cryptocurrency guru and as a candidate for US president. Reporter Jamie Tarabay interviews McAfee’s colleagues, acquaintances, investigators and family members to demystify lies he told throughout his life, reveal the secrets he kept and resolve questions surrounding his public and decades-long self-destruction.

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Pressure Mounts On Iran–From Inside And Out

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

As Iran approaches the 44th anniversary of the revolution it finds itself at a junction. US and European Union sanctions have crippled Iran’s economy. Thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest the Islamic government’s strict religious laws, and the brutality of its security forces in crushing dissent. Thousands of protesters have been arrested, and some have been put to death.

Yet despite international economic pressure and rising internal discontent, there are few signs that Iran’s government is weakening.

Bloomberg senior international affairs correspondent Marc Champion joins the episode to discuss the turmoil happening now. Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, joins to weigh in on tensions between Iran and the West that could boil over and how governments might prevent that from happening.

Mining Asteroids For Science – and Lucrative Metals

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

If you’re a comic book or sci-fi fan, you’ve likely read about the far-off idea of hitching a ride on an asteroid and mining it for precious metals and ice. But it’s not science fiction anymore. In this episode, we’ll take a look at two real-life asteroid-mining missions in the works.

Dr. Dante Lauretta, who leads NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, talks about what they’ve gathered from the Bennu near Earth asteroid, which will arrive back home later this year.

We also speak with Matt Gailich, co-founder and CEO of AstroForge–a company sending up two missions this year with the ultimate goal of mining asteroids for platinum and other valuable metals needed for electric cars and other technology.

Bloomberg’s space reporter Loren Grush then joins to give a bigger-picture view of other breakthroughs on the horizon in the fast-growing race to space.

Learn more: https://bloom.bg/3YaZK32

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Amazon’s Big Bet on Football Is (Sort Of) Paying Off

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Last fall, Amazon agreed to pay the NFL a whopping $1 billion a year for 11 years to air Thursday Night Football exclusively on its Prime streaming service. The high price tag made headlines–and executives at broadcast television networks, cable companies and other streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV+ are watching closely to see if Amazon’s risk is rewarded.

As Super Bowl LVII approaches, Bloomberg reporters Gerry Smith and Felix Gillette join this episode to explain why this deal has drawn so much scrutiny: If Amazon is successful in luring viewers, and dollars, away from the networks, it could shake up the way we watch not just football but other sports–and eventually TV of all kinds. And maybe not in ways we like.

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What Was That Chinese Balloon Really Up To?

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

What started as a curiosity—a Chinese balloon Washington says was equipped with surveillance equipment floating high above the US—now threatens to worsen the already tense rivalry between two world powers.

China insists it was a civilian research balloon that had drifted off course. Its government responded with anger after President Joe Biden ordered the vessel shot down Saturday once it was safely off the coast of South Carolina.

What information can a balloon like that collect? And what does this incident mean for US-China relations? Rosalind Mathieson, who oversees Bloomberg’s government and political coverage around the world, joins this episode to sort out what this was all about—and where things go from here.

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The Not So Easy Trick To Getting Rid of Rats (In Big Cities)

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Good luck with that. Cities have tried and failed for decades to control rats. So what can be done to contain the population of these rapidly reproducing rodents?

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AI Is Here to Save The Whales. And Sharks. And Bees

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Endangered whales getting hit by container ships. Sharks dying on hooks intended for other fish. Pesticides wiping out bees by the millions. Scientists and entrepreneurs are testing new ways to use artificial intelligence and other technologies to try to protect threatened creatures from harm.

Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody joins this episode to talk about a project that uses computers to listen across oceans for whales--and automatically warn ship captains when they’re on a collision course with a giant underwater mammal. We visit a company in the UK working on a device that sends a signal to repel sharks from fishing lines. And reporter Coco Liu describes a new food supplement for bees that turbo-charges their energy levels and replaces nutrients lost to habitat destruction.

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How Racist Groups Use Online Video Games To Spread Hate

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In December, an Anti-Defamation League study found a sharp rise in the number of people who say they’ve encountered white supremacist ideology while playing online video games. The persistent presence of individual gamers and groups spreading hate in gaming communities has led to calls for the industry to do more to stop it.

The question is, how?

Bloomberg video game reporter Cecilia D’Anastasio joins this episode to explain why it’s so difficult to police virtual worlds, and what companies are and aren’t doing to confront the problem. Alex Newhouse, deputy director of the Middlebury Institute’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism, talks about his work trying to help the gaming industry stamp out toxic culture on its platforms.

For More on Cecilia’s story: https://bloom.bg/3Dx2yzo

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China’s Back Open, Great! And…Maybe Not So Great.

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Now that China has relaxed its Covid Zero policy, the world’s second largest economy is rumbling back to life. As China once again starts to buy and consume goods and services of all kinds, it’s expected to give the global economy a boost right when it’s needed most.

But there’s a potential downside. China’s enormous appetite for oil, soybeans, wheat and everything else could also boost inflation at the same time central banks are trying to contain rising prices.

Bloomberg chief economist Tom Orlik and senior Asia economics correspondent Enda Curran join this episode to discuss what China’s reopening means for the global economy and anyone trying to make ends meet.

Read more on this story here: https://bloom.bg/40cPY1U

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India’s Plan To Become The World’s New Economic Powerhouse

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is investing billions of dollars to boost manufacturing and attract foreign investment in his rapidly growing country. Modi’s ambitious goal: To propel India to the top ranks of global economic powers, alongside the US and China.

Bloomberg journalists Kai Schultz and Vrishti Beniwal join this episode to explain how he intends to do that–and the tall challenges he’ll face along the way. And Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, talks about Modi’s successes, and stumbles, as he navigates India’s complex political and religious cross-currents.

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The US Citizens Recruited to Smuggle Migrants

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Migrants looking to enter the US from Mexico illegally often pay thousands of dollars to “coyotes,” or smugglers who transport them across the border. Once inside the US, they’re hidden in trailers or the trunks of cars to get past highway checkpoints where law enforcement is on the lookout.

That’s where a largely hidden workforce comes in — people in the US, many of them citizens, who are recruited by smuggling operations to drive the vehicles through the checkpoints, hoping to avoid detection. Often these drivers are themselves barely getting by, and they risk time in federal prison if they’re caught.

Reporter Julia Love, who wrote about this shadow economy for Bloomberg Businessweek, joins this episode to tell the story of one of those drivers–a Texan named Dennis Wilson. Wilson also comes on the podcast to describe his experience–and to tell what happened when he was pulled over early one morning.

Read Julia Love’s story: https://bloom.bg/3kNxlRI

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Why's It So Hard To Predict A Recession?

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Economists have more information at their fingertips than ever before. And yet, in many ways it’s become more difficult for them to predict if–and when–a recession is coming.

Why is that? US economy reporter Katia Dmitrieva joins this episode to talk about how economists peering into the future are turning to all kinds of tools–some expected (employment data), and others….not so expected (men’s underwear?).

And Simon Kennedy, who leads Bloomberg’s economic coverage, gives his answer to the question on everyone’s mind these days: will there be a recession this year, or not?

Read more here: https://bloom.bg/400cafw

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Companies Are Doing More to Keep Workers From Walking

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Despite headlines about tech giants firing thousands of employees, many companies in the US are struggling to attract and keep workers. There are more jobs available across the country than people willing to fill them.

Workers have choices and they’re demanding better pay and work-life balance. Businesses of all kinds are starting to listen–changing old ways and getting creative to keep their employees happy enough to stay put. Nicole Bullock and Matthew Boyle of Bloomberg’s Work/Shift team join this episode to talk about how employers are rapidly adjusting to a changing workplace.

Check out more from Work/Shift here: https://www.bloomberg.com/work-shift

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What Will Republicans Do With Their House Majority?

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Republicans are back in charge of the US House of Representatives after winning a narrow majority in November’s midterm elections. They’ve got a long list of things they want to accomplish: spending cuts are near the top, as well as investigating Joe Biden and his administration.

The hitch? The Senate is still in Democratic hands, which means they can block just about any legislation the House passes. And Republican leaders often have a difficult time keeping their own fractious members in line (just look at how hard some Republicans fought to keep Kevin McCarthy from becoming House speaker).

Bloomberg congressional reporter Steven Dennis joins this episode to talk about what’s ahead this year in congress–and how to sort out what to pay attention to, and what’s just noise.

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This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Gasoline Starts Its Long, Slow Ride Down

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Even though Americans are driving more than ever before, they’re using less fuel to do it. Gasoline demand in the US hasn’t bounced back to pre-Covid levels, and for all kinds of reasons, it likely never will.

In the long run, that will mean relief from high gas prices. But the decline of fossil fuels won’t be quick — or painless. As the oil industry recalibrates to meet the new reality and seeks to maximize profits, we could see price spikes and periodic supply crunches.

Bloomberg journalists Lynn Doan, Chunzi Xu and Millie Munshi join this episode to talk about why gasoline use is trending lower, even as Americans pile on more miles in their cars. And energy analyst Mark Finley of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy explains how diminishing gasoline use could impact not just consumers and companies, but US national security, and America’s relationship with China and the rest of the world.

Learn more about this story: https://bloom.bg/3J8TBQt

Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Why Is Your Rent So High?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The price of everything is going up, but few things have risen as fast as rent. The rule of thumb used to be that housing shouldn’t eat up more than a third of your paycheck. But these days, a lot of people are handing over half or more of their income to the landlord. Why has rent climbed so high so fast–and is there any end in sight?

Real estate reporter Prashant Gopal joins this episode to explain how we got here–and offers a dose of cautious optimism for renters. And Neil Callanan, who covers corporate finance, gives a broader view of the consequences of turmoil in commercial and housing markets around the world.

Learn more about the story here: https://bloom.bg/3whXo66

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Get Ready For Lab-Grown Meat

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Companies around the world are competing to produce what’s often called lab-grown meat. It begins with the cells of cows, chickens, fish, or whatever protein you’re trying to recreate–and like the name says, it’s grown in a lab into food-sized portions.

How is it made, how long until it appears in your local supermarket, and how…does it taste? Bloomberg reporters Deena Shanker and Priya Anand join this episode with answers.

Learn more here: https://bloom.bg/3WgTl4I

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How Cocaine Hitches A Ride on The Global Fruit Supply Chain

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In December, we told the wild story of drug smugglers who hide tons of cocaine aboard huge container ships bound for Europe from South America. Today, we pick up the saga from there. What happens to all that cocaine once it reaches port?

Bloomberg investigative reporters Lauren Etter and Vernon Silver join this episode to talk about how a sophisticated network of drug cartels and traffickers recruit young people to sneak the cocaine off the ships and coerce dockworkers to look the other way. And how law enforcement is trying to stop cheap cocaine from flooding the streets of Europe–without grinding global trade to a halt.

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Russia and Iran Team Up Against The West

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Tough economic sanctions the US and European Union imposed on Russia and Iran have succeeded in cutting off those nations from much of the world economy. But they’ve also had an unintended effect: Moscow and Tehran are now joining forces to evade some of the crippling trade restrictions.

They’re investing billions of dollars on an 1,800-mile trade route that enables them to move products of all kinds over land and water that’s beyond the reach of the West–to buyers in the fast-growing economies of Asia.

Bloomberg journalists Golnar Motevalli in London and Jonathan Tirone in Vienna join this episode to describe how this new trade route operates. And Dr. Maria Shagina, an expert in sanctions, explains how sanctions work–and whether Iran and Russia can ultimately succeed in outmaneuvering the West.

Learn more about the story HERE.

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Team Favorite: Clash of the Streaming Titans

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Remember when everyone loved to complain how there were 150 channels on TV and nothing good to watch? It’s pretty hard to say that now. There are so many good shows being made.

Our new complaint: how hard it is to watch all those great shows, especially when they’re spread across so many streaming services—and most of them you have to pay for.

How did we get here? Bloomberg media reporter Felix Gillette has answers. He’s the co-author of the book It's Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO.

Felix joins this episode to break down why TV has never been better–and yet has never been more frustrating to watch. Bloomberg’s entertainment reporter Lucas Shaw also stops in to explain how this shift has changed the way Hollywood decides which shows get made--and which ones don't.

This episode originally aired in October of 2022.

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How We’re (Not) Preparing For the Next Pandemic

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Covid-19 isn’t quite done with us yet, but virologists are urging governments around the world to start preparing for the next pandemic. They warn it’s just a matter of time before it happens, and with good planning lessons learned from the current response can keep us from getting caught flat-footed again. So far, though, such calls haven’t been met with much enthusiasm by politicians who have more immediate concerns in front of them.

Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan, joins this episode to explain where the next virus is likely to come from, and how to get in front of it. And Bloomberg reporters Riley Griffin and Josh Wingrove talk about what governments learned from covid pandemic–and what if anything they’re doing to brace for what’s to come.

Read more about this story HERE.

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Clean Up Your Water And We’ll Lower Your Debt

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

There’s a new way for some countries struggling under piles of debt to get relief: by agreeing to spend part of the difference on the environment. The Nature Conservancy, the US-based environmental group, is teaming up with big financial institutions to offer what’s called Blue Bonds, or debt-for-nature swaps. The bank alleviates some of the country’s debt burden, and the government puts the savings toward restoring coral reefs and other environmental projects. Belize and the Seychelles are among a handful of nations that have taken the offer so far, and many more are in the works.

Bloomberg journalists Sydney Maki and Natasha White join this episode to explain how these complex deals work–and who’s profiting from the bargain.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3ZwzcdC

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What The Heck Is Elon Musk Thinking?

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It’s been nothing but mayhem at Twitter since Elon Musk took the helm of the social media company late last year and began shaking things up in ways that don’t always seem to make much sense, especially from the outside. Many users are furious and advertisers are fleeing. Musk’s preoccupation with Twitter is also fueling concerns that he’s not paying enough attention to Tesla, his once-invincible electric car company that’s lost hundreds of billions of dollars in value. Bloomberg journalists Brad Stone, Sarah Frier and Kurt Wagner join this episode to explain Musk’s chaotic moves and where he goes from here.

Read more about this story here:
https://bloom.bg/3ivqHig

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How Safe Is All That Money In Your Pension?

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Millions of Americans–union workers, school teachers, firefighters, office employees at major corporations–are counting on a pension to support them when they retire. Pensions have always been seen as secure and reliable. But in recent years, some of the nation’s biggest pensions have run into trouble. Underfunded or underperforming, they don’t have enough to pay out. Increasingly, that means taxpayers are being asked to step in so retirees aren’t left with nothing. Which means the shaky pension pension system is very well costing you money–even if you don’t have one yourself.

Bloomberg reporters Neil Weinberg, Suzanne Woolley and Akayla Gardner join this episode to explain why the nation’s $4 trillion pension system is having such a rough time–and how much it will cost the rest of us to pick up the slack.

Read more about this story HERE.

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Wall Street's Trillion-Dollar Decade

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In just the past ten years, the biggest US banks made an eye-popping trillion dollars in profit. To help get our heads around that staggering number, we asked Bloomberg reporters Max Abelson and Hannah Levitt–who cover the world of Wall Street–to explain how banks were able to dramatically increase their profits in such a short time–and how it impacts the rest of us.

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London Strong-Arms Drivers To Go Electric

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Some big, crowded cities like New York and London have tried to reduce traffic jams and air pollution with congestion fees that make it expensive to bring your car downtown.

Now London is taking things a step further. Air pollution has fallen there. So the government is trying not just to cut down on the number of cars in the city, but using carrots–and sticks–to get people to abandon their gasoline cars altogether.

Eric Roston, Bloomberg’s sustainability editor, joins this episode to explain why electric cars are such a big deal in tackling air pollution–and what a tall challenge it will be to make the switch on a large scale. And Feargus O’Sullivan, a contributing writer at Bloomberg CityLab, talks about what London is doing, and why other cities are watching.

For more on this story: https://bloom.bg/3CsLf1Q

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Ron DeSantis Is Coming For MAGA Voters

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

One big obstacle for any Republican dreaming of becoming president in 2024: figuring out how to get past Donald Trump–without angering his legions of loyal supporters. One person who just may crack that code is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He won re-election in November by a huge margin, one of few bright spots for Republicans in a disappointing year. And he did it by doing something no other Republican has been able to do–appealing to Trump voters (along with independents and even some Democrats) while removing Trump himself from the conversation.

Bloomberg’s national political correspondent Joshua Greene joins this episode to talk about how DeSantis has so far managed to out-Trump Trump, and whether his strategy will work outside Florida–and possibly take him all the way to the White House.

Red more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3IoNUx7

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Crypto Explained, In Plain English

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

If all the news lately about cryptocurrencies–and the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and his FTX exchange–have left you wishing you had a better handle on the maddeningly complex world of crypto, we’re with you. So we asked Bloomberg Opinion columnist Matt Levine to join Wes this episode to answer: What exactly is crypto, both in theory and reality?

(In case you missed it, Matt wrote a cover-to-cover story for Bloomberg Businessweek on the subject. So he seemed like a good person to ask.)

Matt explains how crypto works and what gives it value. He looks at why once-soaring cryptocurrencies have now plummeted into an extended “crypto winter.” And he assesses the FTX fallout — and what it means for the fate of crypto when billions of dollars of customer money go missing.

Learn more here: https://bloom.bg/3GjHFs6

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The Men Who Helped Carlos Ghosn Flee Japan In A Box

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It was huge news when Carlos Ghosn, the once-celebrated auto executive, vanished from Japan in 2019 after being charged with financial crimes. He later emerged in Beirut, where he’s lived ever since, beyond the reach of Japanese authorities. Now the American father and son team who helped carry out his spy-novel escape are coming forward. They served time in a Japanese prison and are hoping Ghosn will help them pay off millions of dollars in legal bills.

Bloomberg journalists Reed Stevenson and Brian Bremner join this episode to tell the story of what Ghosn’s escape cost the men—and the very different lives they, and Ghosn, live today.

Learn more about the episode here: https://bloom.bg/3IjYZj2

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Declining ALS Patients Are Waiting On The FDA's Next Move

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

For many years, pharmaceutical companies have tried and failed to find a treatment to slow symptoms of ALS–the debilitating, fatal illness also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A potentially promising new drug from Biogen may offer some relief to those afflicted with an uncommon and especially insidious form of ALS that runs in families. Patients are urging the US Food and Drug Administration to speed access to the drug, which hasn’t yet been approved because clinical trials didn’t conclusively show it works.

As pharmaceutical companies use new technologies to seek cures of all kinds, this tension between making sure drugs are effective and safe, and offering not-quite-ready but possibly life-saving treatment to people for whom it’s now or never, is becoming more acute.

Bloomberg’s chief medical writer Robert Langreth joins this episode to talk about the race to find a treatment for ALS–and the back and forth between patients, companies and government regulators. We also hear the story of a Pennsylvania family that has passed on a gene for ALS from generation to generation–and their demands for access to the new treatment.

Learn more about the episode here: https://bloom.bg/3WIkvCm

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We All Eat The Same Stuff

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

From Beijing to Boston, the food on our dinner plates is starting to look more and more alike. It used to be, we ate the local fruits, vegetables and grains native to where we live. Now, with the rise of industrial agriculture and cheap exports, the Western diet is taking over the globe.

Turns out that’s a big problem – and not just for health reasons. As the world grows dependent on an ever-narrower selection of nutrients, we’re at greater risk of a widespread food crisis from an unexpected shortfall of wheat or other key crops.

Bloomberg journalists Jasmine Ng and Jin Wu join this episode from Singapore to talk about how and why the world’s diets converged. And Stefan Schmitz of Crop Trust–which promotes global food diversity–comes on the show to give a preview of what our dinner plates will look like in the future.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3BRQWWN

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A Favorite Loophole of the Rich Is Leaving Charities High and Dry

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Billionaires are increasingly taking advantage of a provision in the US tax laws that lets them park money designated for charity in something called a donor advised fund. They get a tax break up front…and can let the money sit in the fund for as long as they like. It’s eventually got to be given to a charitable cause, but they don’t have to say when, or where it’ll go.

Bloomberg reporters Noah Buhayar, Ben Steverman and Sophie Alexander join Wes for a look at their analysis and reporting on donor advised funds–and why they’ve become so popular among the super wealthy. Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits, also stops in to talk about what it means for charities that depend on those delayed dollars.

Learn more about the episode: https://bloom.bg/3GxT3ll

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Banks Vowed To Help Black Homebuyers. What Happened?

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, some of the biggest mortgage lenders in the US promised to extend billions in new loans to Black homebuyers. That hasn’t happened. Instead, the numbers are going in the opposite direction.

Bloomberg senior economics writer Shawn Donnan joins Wes this episode to talk about why banks have fallen short of the goal–and what it means for families across the country. Dedrick Asante-Muhammad of the National Community reinvestment Coalition also joins to spell out what needs to be done to fix the problem.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3YyRgDA

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When A Coal Mine Shuts Down, Locals Get The Shaft

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

As the US coal industry dwindles, big mining companies that once made a fortune are packing up–and leaving behind a staggering mess of destroyed land and poisoned water. So who’ll pay to clean it up? Bloomberg reporters Josh Saul and Zachary Mider spent time in coal country and join this episode to talk about the multi-billion-dollar game of pass the buck now playing out in Appalachia.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3HKh2yQ

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20 Extra Tons of — Ahem — Cargo

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In 2019, US officials seized a massive cargo ship called the MSC Gayane in the Port of Philadelphia. On board, they found containers filled with products of all kinds that the ship had picked up along its global route. They also discovered cargo that didn’t appear on the ship’s manifest—40,000 pounds of cocaine.

Bloomberg investigative reporters Lauren Etter and Michael Riley join this episode to tell the wild story of how one of the world’s biggest cargo ships became an unofficial courier for a notorious European drug cartel.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3Gaa7h4

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An Important Step Forward For #MeToo

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This year saw some important advances for #MeToo. The US Congress passed two bills, now signed into law, that protect the rights of women who come forward to report sexual abuse in the workplace–and make it harder for companies to try to silence them.

Two members of Congress who pushed that legislation through the House, Rep. Cheri Bustos and Rep. Lois Frankel, join this episode to explain the far-reaching consequences of the new laws.

Then Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, and Bloomberg’s Equality editor Rebecca Greenfield give a broader view of how much has changed in the five years since #MeToo went viral–and how much more needs to be done.

Learn more about how companies in other countries are handling claims of sexism and racism: https://bloom.bg/3uRiW8Z

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Meet The Most Fascinating People In The World

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:25:00 +0000

Well, some of them anyway. Each year, Businessweek’s Bloomberg 50 list introduces you to people in business, entertainment, finance, politics, science and technology whose work helped define the year. The 2022 list includes familiar names doing new things (Tom Cruise) and new names doing historic things (Tom Oxley, whose company invented an implant that lets users communicate with brain waves).

Bloomberg 50 editor Bret Begun and a host of reporters join today's episode to share highlights from the list and talk about how the team made their picks.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3YkHh4A

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Fentanyl Deaths Are Overwhelming Cities

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

While everyone was focused on Covid over the past few years, America’s decades-old opioid crisis entered a new deadly phase – largely because of one drug in particular: fentanyl. Potent, cheap and ubiquitous, it’s sometimes mixed by street dealers with other drugs including marijuana, cocaine and even adderall, creating a ‘cocktail’ that kills people who unwittingly buy it.

Bloomberg reporters Emma Court, Linly Lin and Leonardo Nicoletti join this episode to talk about the consequences of fentanyl’s rise in cities around the country. And Helena Girouard, a health official in hard-hit Volusia County, Florida, gives an up-close look at the crisis there and how the local government is trying to bring it under control.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3FM4llG

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Teen TikTok is More Complicated Than You Think

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Bloomberg Investigative reporter Olivia Carville has spent months delving into TikTok, the hugely popular video social network. In November, she joined the podcast to talk about children who have died copying dangerous video challenges of the kind that can be seen on the app. Today, Olivia is back to talk about her latest story about TikTok for Bloomberg Businessweek.

It follows the life of a 16-year-old girl from Florida whose provocative videos have won her millions of followers–and many detractors who say TikTok shouldn’t allow this kind of content from minors on the platform.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3Ph6mJz

Listen to the first conversation with Olivia about TikTok’s problem moderating the dangerous challenges HERE.

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Revolt of The Dairy Farmers

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In Europe, governments are starting to crack down—demanding farms dramatically cut the size of their herds to meet environmental goals. Farmers are, to put it mildly, furious.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3FgxSSL

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Ticketmaster v. Swifties

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A group of Taylor Swift fans is suing Ticketmaster, the big live event ticket provider, after sales for her upcoming concert tour went haywire. It’s also drawn the attention of the US Justice Department. The government is investigating whether Ticketmaster is using its dominance in ticket sales to drive out competitors and drive up prices.

And Ticketmaster isn’t the only big company in the government’s sights. The Biden administration has taken an activist stand against the consolidation of corporate power in tech and other industries..

Sara Forden, who leads Bloomberg’s coverage of corporate influence in Washington, and Leah Nylen, a reporter who writes about antitrust, join this episode to talk about Ticketmaster’s troubles– and a renewed push in Washington to rein in big companies.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3P7Jtbm

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The Richest Family In the World

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The secretive Al Nahyan family of Abu Dhabi has amassed a fortune of $300 billion–and they’re investing it around the globe, in everything from green energy and healthcare to Manchester City Football Club, SpaceX and Rihanna’s lingerie line. Bloomberg reporters Devon Pendleton, Ben Bartenstein and Nicolas Parasie join this episode to talk about the family’s global reach.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3P3ChNz

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Heavy Sedation Saved People From Covid–At a High Price

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In the early, scary days of the coronavirus pandemic, before vaccines, patients hospitalized with severe cases were often put on ventilators to keep them alive. That invasive treatment saved a lot of people. But the heavy sedation that sometimes went along with it has left many of them with debilitating side-effects. Doctors are now taking a hard look at how they’ve used sedation–and rewriting the rules for treating patients who require it.

Dr. Wes Ely, a critical care physician with Vanderbilt University and a sedation expert, joins this episode to talk about the lessons he and his colleagues have learned from Covid.

Jason Gale, a senior editor and biosecurity correspondent at Bloomberg who has reported extensively on the pandemic, also joins to tell the story of one woman whose life was saved, but may never be the same.

Learn more about this story: https://bloom.bg/3VCOH1h

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Why A Plus One Matters in the US Senate

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Democrats kept control of the US Senate in November’s midterm elections. So why is the political world so obsessed with who’ll win Tuesday’s Senate runoff election in Georgia between Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker?

Bloomberg’s US politics editor Mario Parker, White House correspondent Nancy Cook and National editor Craig Gordon join Wes to answer that question–and explain how this single seat will determine the outcome of political battles heading into the 2024 presidential election.

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Why China’s Citizens Have Had Enough of Covid Zero

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Senior executive editor John Liu joins Wes from Beijing to talk about the protests happening across China, as anger at the government’s Covid Zero policy boils over. John walks through why and how the demonstrations began, what the government is doing to tamp them down and what he saw and heard on the streets.

Learn more about this story: https://bloom.bg/3H5cVNt

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The UK’s Gambling Nightmare Is Heading to the US

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Online gambling is enormously popular in the UK. Millions of people spend hours a day playing catchy games on their phones that keep them spinning–even when they’re losing big. No surprise that online gambling addiction is a serious issue.

Now, some US states are loosening their gambling laws. And with it comes concerns that the problems gamblers in the UK are experiencing will soon play out on an even larger scale in America.

Bloomberg reporters Gavin Finch and Harry Wilson join this episode to talk about the UK gambling boom, and what’s in store for the US. We also hear from Stewart Kenny, a co-founder of the gambling company Paddy Power, who walked away from the industry and is now one of its most vocal critics.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3iq35LM

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Young Kids Love TikTok–and That’s a Serious Problem

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A heads up: This episode is on a difficult subject and some of it isn’t easy to listen to. You might want to listen with headphones if children are nearby.

In just a few short years, TikTok has become as ubiquitous as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The brief videos and fun dance challenges that TikTok’s one billion users post on its app often become viral sensations.

But there’s a darker side to the platform, and one TikTok is having a hard time fixing. Young children who aren’t supposed to have full access to the app are finding ways around the company’s safeguards and logging on. When they do, they're exposed to some content that's not suitable for kids, including viral videos that challenge users to do dangerous things– sometimes, with tragic results.

Bloomberg senior reporter Olivia Carville joins this episode to discuss her investigation of how kids are using TikTok–and what the company is doing about it.

You can read Olivia’s full investigation here: https://bloom.bg/3isBcmo

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China Sets Up Shop Right Next Door to the US

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

As China seeks to grow its economy and increase its global influence, it’s lending billions of dollars to help governments around the world fund big, expensive projects that otherwise would be out of reach. In Asia, Africa–and, notably, in Latin America, next door to the US.

That money could pay off politically, too, in the ongoing rivalry between Washington and Beijing. For a look at China’s global projects–and what its leaders hope to accomplish with them–Rebecca Choong Wilkins joins this episode. She’s a Bloomberg government reporter based in Hong Kong.

We then talk with Jonathan Gilbert, a reporter based in Buenos Aires, who describes what happens when China comes calling with lots of cash. And Dan Ten Kate, who oversees Bloomberg’s government coverage in Asia, stops by to explain why the US has been so slow to respond to China’s advances in the region.

Read more about this story: https://bloom.bg/3ijEYOS

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Be Honest– Do You Like Your Boss?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A good boss can make the difference between a job you love and one you can’t stand. Workers are more willing to suffer bad bosses when the job market is tight. But when they have choices–like now in the US–they’re quicker to demand better working conditions, or up and quit.

One place taking notice of employee discontent: America’s business schools. Senior reporter Matthew Boyle joins this episode to talk about why top MBA programs are now teaching classes on how to be a better boss. Wes also talks to two recent MBA grads about how their experience changed the way they think about running a business–and treating employees.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3Vv2mHk

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Just How ‘Green’ Are Green Bonds?

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Green bonds are surging in popularity across the globe, as companies and governments want to show they’re investing in environmentally friendly projects–and people want to feel good about where they’re putting their money. The thing is, it’s not always easy to tell if a green bond is actually going toward a cleaner future–or if it’s mostly a marketing ploy.

Aaron Rutkoff, Executive Editor at Bloomberg Green, joins this episode to spell out what green bonds are, how they work and how to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s hype.

Wes also speaks to Hong-Kong based Bloomberg reporter Rebecca Choong Wilkins, who worked on a big story about the explosion of green bond spending in China. And producer Federica Romaniello takes us to a construction site in London to look at how green bonds are being used to fund a project to clean up the River Thames.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3i6bRye

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Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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Inside A Culture Clash At Apple

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A growing number of workers at Apple Stores across the US believe the company they once loved to work for is changing–and they’re not happy about it. They say the famously low-key, no-pressure showcases for Apple’s products have turned into just another retail floor, where associates at some stores and technicians at the Genius Bar are expected to upsell customers–or encourage them to buy new devices instead of fixing their current ones. Apple retail workers at two stores have already voted to unionize, and others may follow.

Josh Eidelson, Bloomberg’s senior labor reporter, joins this episode to look at the state of play for Apple workers who are frustrated with “Big Apple” and why some see the union drive as a way to persuade the company to return to its roots.

Wes and Josh also zoom out to look at how Apple’s retail challenges are similar to those of other big-name US companies where workers have unionized, and how the bosses are pushing back.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3V8usIs

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Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.

This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.

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You Might Think Twice Before Buying Those New Jeans

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Shein is one of the biggest fast-fashion brands in the world. Young women and girls film their “Shein hauls” for TikTok — showing off piles of trendy, cheap clothes they bought from the Chinese company. It’s on track this year for sales around $8 billion in the US alone.

But a new investigation traces the origin of the cotton in some Shein clothing to the Xinjiang region of China, where the US and other Western nations say the Chinese government has imprisoned Uyghur Muslims and carried out a campaign of forced labor.

Bloomberg senior writer Sheridan Prasso joins this episode to talk about her investigation–and about the downsides of the world’s demand for more and more cheap clothes. Ayesha Barenblat of Remake, a group that advocates for stronger ethics in the fashion industry, also comes on the podcast. She explains how to find out if your favorite clothing brands are acting responsibly–or cutting corners.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3XjC24E

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The Tiny Nation Suddenly Swimming In Oil

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

What happens when a small country all of a sudden strikes it fantastically rich? The South American country of Guyana, is finding out in a big way. A nation of just 800,000 people, its economy centered on agriculture and mining–until 2015, when Exxon discovered a massive oil field beneath Guyana’s territorial waters.

Now, Guyana is flush with oil riches. Monte Reel, a Bloomberg investigative reporter, joins this episode to tell the story of the unusual way the government plans to spend some of it– future-proofing the country from rising water that threatens its shores. But in 2015, Guyana — more specifically Exxon — struck oil. Billions and billions of barrels worth of oil. Now the country is going all in on its oil discovery — even as it navigates a warming planet.

Monte Reel is an investigative reporter for Bloomberg and recently spent time in Guyana. He joins this episode to share how this small country is navigating this massive influx of oil money.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3UMLv2P

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Virtually Reviving Ukraine’s Bombed Buildings

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Russia’s military has targeted libraries and museums across Ukraine that housed irreplaceable books and documents and works of art.

Now, with the help of advanced digital modeling and other technology, Ukrainians are documenting what’s been destroyed — and preserving what can be salvaged for future generations.

This episode features Marc Champion, senior reporter for International Affairs at Bloomberg, who gives an up-close view of what’s happening in Ukraine now and where the war is headed. We also hear from Sergey Revenko, an architect in Kiev who constructs 3D digital models of destroyed cultural sites. And Bloomberg graphics reporters Marie Patino and Rachael Dottle tell us about an immersive interactive story they created that allows you to virtually walk through these buildings and see the war’s terrible toll.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3OaQYOg

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How Inflation Ends: Painfully

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

High prices for just about everything are making us all suffer–and there’s no end in sight. Why is inflation hanging on for so long, and when will it finally let go? The answer is…complicated. Fortunately Tom Orlik, Bloomberg’s chief economist, is here to cut through the confusion. He joins Wes to explain what’s happening to the economy in the US and around the world, and where things are headed.

Plus, Wes heads to the Rose Avenue Bakery in Washington DC to see firsthand how a small business is getting creative to stay afloat–and even thrive–during these chaotic times.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3Uw5PW4

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We Name Hurricanes, Why Not Heat Waves?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

We’re talking about heat in this episode. That might strike you as a bit odd, especially if you live in the northern hemisphere where summer’s long gone by now. But it’s easy to put out of your mind that the Earth is getting hotter in the winter, too.

Extreme heat from climate change is now a major health threat that is sickening and killing more and more people.

This has led some cities — just a handful of them so far — to do something pretty interesting. They’ve hired “heat officers,” and two of them join Wes to talk through what it means to make a living battling rising temperatures–and why it’s a year round job.

Linda Poon with Bloomberg’s CityLab also joins Wes to explain why extreme heat has become top of mind, regardless of the season.

Read more here: https://bloom.bg/3TGrKZk

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Small Gun Makers Are Testing The Limits Of Gun Control Laws

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The US Supreme Court has ruled that Americans have a Second Amendment right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense and to carry them in public. But the Court has also been clear that the federal government and states can require background checks and place certain restrictions on who can buy guns and where they can be carried. States can also limit or outlaw certain firearms for public safety.

In this episode, we look at how a rapidly growing number of small gunmakers are testing some of these restrictions–and finding a lucrative new market.

Jason Grotto, an investigative reporter for Bloomberg, joins to talk about the popularity of guns by niche manufacturers.

We also head to Denver to hear from Rob Pincus, a firearms safety instructor, former law enforcement officer and vocal gun rights advocate, who’s getting ready to bring his first gun to market.

Learn more about this story here: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-gun-manufacturing/

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Where Does All Your Recycling Really Go?

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder what actually happens to all the plastic you dutifully toss in the recycling bin? Kit Chellel, an investigative reporter for Bloomberg, set out to answer that very question. And what he found out is…well we’re not gonna give it away. Then, Wes picks up with reporter Matthew Campbell, who went to see for himself where a lot of that plastic piles (and piles and piles) up.

This episode also features Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics, who explains why it’s so hard to recycle this stuff.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3tqqP4p

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The Mighty Mississippi Is Backed Up

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The mighty Mississippi River cuts the United States essentially in half from Northern Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. It has a lot of history and romance around its waters, and is also one of America’s most important routes for commerce. More than 1 trillion pounds of goods travel down the river each year.

But, as water levels have dropped significantly in key parts of the river, it’s stopped some ships cold. The river is now backed up with billions of dollars of corn, wheat, fertilizer and steel, waiting for water levels to rise again. What happens when one of the most important rivers in the world’s largest economy can’t keep a boat afloat?

Michael Hirtzer, an agriculture reporter for Bloomberg in Chicago, joins this episode to answer that question. Wes also checks in with Captain E. Michael Bopp, a Mississippi River pilot and President of the Crescent River Port Pilot Association, and Clint Willson, Director of the LSU Center for River Studies,. for more on what it’s like to work on and study this critical river.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3ToEljC

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The Tiny Lab Finding Poison In Your Pills

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The US Food and Drug Administration is supposed to make sure the medications we take are effective–and safe. But when a small independent lab in Connecticut called Valisure started testing popular drugs and health products, it turned up some alarming results–including carcinogens and other dangerous substances. You might think the FDA would welcome this information. Not so fast.

Bloomberg reporter Anna Edney joins this episode to talk about how Valisure’s findings have shined a light on serious flaws in the way medications are tested and approved. Valisure CEO David Light talks with Wes about how his lab identifies harmful substances in products, and how the FDA responded when he came forward with his lab’s findings. Then Dr. Diana Zuckerman, President of the National Center for Health Research, stops by to answer the question: Is the FDA too close to the companies it oversees?

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3EdVico

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Choose One: Heat Your Home or Feed Your Family?

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Here's a thought experiment. It's the middle of winter and you can't afford to pay for both heat and electricity. Which do you stop using first? The lights? The stove? The furnace?

This is the real life choice people in the UK and parts of Europe will have to make this winter, and in the years ahead. Fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other economic pressures have driven up the price of fuel for homes and businesses alike. Earlier this year, the UK braced for shortages and planned for possible rolling power outages. Governments across Europe have rolled out fuel price supports to try to keep millions of households from falling into what’s called “fuel poverty.” And the problem won’t stop there. People everywhere, including the US, will face rising prices and uncertainty as nations compete for affordable, reliable energy.

To sort out what’s happening, Rachel Morison joins this episode. She leads Bloomberg’s energy coverage in the UK and across Europe.

And Rosalind Mathieson, who oversees Bloomberg’s government coverage, stops in to look at the broader impact across the globe.

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US, EU Seized Russian Billionaires' Yachts. Then Came the Bill

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the US and other Western nations have imposed economic sanctions on scores of Russian billionaires close to President Vladimir Putin. They’ve also gone after their assets–including the enormous yachts prized by billionaires the world over.

But now comes the question: What will happen to them? Investigative Reporter Stephanie Baker joins this episode from London to share her reporting on big boats in legal limbo.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3TbFfzQ

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The Copper You Need Is Stuck In A 30-Mile Traffic Jam

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Here’s a random yet important fact: Copper is one of the very best conductors of electricity of all metals. And that matters, because as we move toward a world in which more and more things in our lives plug in or charge up–not just your phone, but electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines that will power the future–copper is in increasingly high demand. Worldwide, about 21 million metric tons of it are hauled up from the ground each year. And demand will soon double.

Some of the richest reserves of copper are found in Southern Africa. But getting it from deep underground and trucking it thousands of miles to buyers can be a harrowing journey.

Without more production or new mines, the world could be looking at shortages, and soaring prices for copper and the products that use it. Joining this episode are Santiago-based commodities reporter James Attwood, and Yvonne Yue Li, a metals and mining reporter in New York. They’ll explain what a coming copper shortage could mean for us all.

Reporter Matthew Hill also stops by to describe his visit to a huge mine in Zambia, where he descended thousands of feet underground to see copper being blasted from the rock–and talked to the truckers who risk their safety bringing it to port.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3fxYXrQ

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The Covid Vaccine Is Fueling A Race For All Kinds Of Cures

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Messenger RNA technology made it possible for scientists and drugmakers to quickly develop a Covid-19 vaccine.

Now, pharmaceutical companies are racing to use mRNA for other illnesses, including flu, cancer and rare genetic diseases.

Dr. Drew Weissman, one of the researchers who pioneered the mRNA technology that led to the Covid vaccine, joins this episode to talk about his discovery, and the impact it will continue to have on the way patients are treated. Bloomberg’s biosecurity reporter Riley Griffin stops in to discuss Pfizer’s next phase of developing mRNA vaccines. And Bloomberg’s chief medical writer Robert Langreth forecasts how this technology could transform treatment for a variety of illnesses.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3fm3Bt8

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Climate Change Is Already Wreaking Havoc On The COP27 Host

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

On November 6, leaders around the world will gather for the annual UN Climate Change conference, known this year as COP27. The aim: finding ways to slow the warming of the planet, before it’s too late.

Take Egypt—it’s getting hotter at twice the pace of some other nations, and also happens to be the host of this year’s conference. If it continues to warm at its current rate, the country's crops will wither and the capital, Cairo, will become unlivable. What’s happening in Egypt right now is a glimpse into the future for the rest of us if governments don’t get serious about the climate.

Bloomberg climate reporter Laura Millan Lombraña joins this episode from Madrid to walk us through what’s at stake as COP27 is set to begin–and give us the good and bad news about where the Earth’s climate is heading. And energy reporter Salma El Wardany joins from Cairo with perspective from the ground after talking with Egyptian farmers who fear for their futures.

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The US Midterms Will Decide If the 2024 Election Can Be Stolen

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

The US is just a week away from the midterm elections, which will decide governors’ races in 36 states--and whether Democrats will keep their majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Some Republicans up for election, though, are still disputing the results of the last election. Taking their cue from former President Donald Trump, hundreds of GOP candidates falsely claim that Trump was the real winner in 2020 and that Joe Biden stole the election from him.

In five key states where Trump tried and failed to overturn the results in 2020, Republican nominees for governor and other roles overseeing elections are pushing changes to election laws. If they succeed, it could be easier to dispute the outcome if Trump or another candidate tried to do that again in 2024, when the White House is next at stake.

To measure how sound the US election system is, Bloomberg created an “Election Risk Index” that assesses how vulnerable states are to political election interference not just in 2022, but in the years ahead.

Ryan Teague Beckwith, one of the reporters on the project, joins this episode to talk through the potential risk these candidates pose, especially for the 2024 presidential election. And US politics editor Mario Parker gives the latest on key races.

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What Happens if the Supreme Court Kicks Affirmative Action Off Campus?

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

For decades, colleges and universities across the US have promoted the value of having a diverse student body on campus.

The Supreme Court could soon change that. On Oct. 31, the justices will consider two challenges to affirmative action in college admissions, and if they choose to strike it down, there will be enormous repercussions for who gets into the nation’s top schools — and who doesn’t.

So what will college campuses look like in an America without affirmative action? And are there other ways for admissions officers to work around a potential ban on the practice?

Bloomberg Senior Reporter Greg Stohr joins with insights on what we can expect from the Supreme Court, and Equality Reporter Kelsey Butler explains how colleges around the country are bracing for massive disruption.

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Clash of the Streaming Titans

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Remember when everyone loved to complain how there were 150 channels on TV and nothing good to watch? It’s pretty hard to say that now. There are so many good shows being made.

Our new complaint: how hard it is to watch all those great shows, especially when they’re spread across so many streaming services—and most of them you have to pay for.

How did we get here? Bloomberg media reporter Felix Gillette has answers. He’s the co-author of the upcoming book It's Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO.

Felix joins this episode to break down why TV has never been better–and yet has never been more frustrating to watch. Bloomberg’s entertainment reporter Lucas Shaw also stops in to explain how this shift has changed the way Hollywood decides which shows get made--and which ones don't.

Read the Book excerpt here: https://bloom.bg/3SI08CA

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The US Middle Class Is Doing Fine. Why Are They So Worried?

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to The Big Take Podcast!

Today: The good news, and not so good news, about the US middle class. With inflation rising, the stock market ping-ponging and housing prices softening, that broad swath of Americans who form the backbone of the US economy are getting hit on all sides. Bloomberg reporters Shawn Donnan, Alex Tanzi, Claire Ballentine and Airielle Lowe teamed up to take a look at how middle-income Americans are doing. The answer: Not so badly, actually–at least on paper.

Even so, they’re worried about what’s next for them. And they have good reason to be.

Shawn sits down with Wes to share the results from their exclusive polling and what these precarious economic times mean for the fortunes of working Americans.

Learn more about this story here: https://bloom.bg/3faCxwM

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Introducing: The Big Take

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Each weekday, The Big Take brings you one story—one big, important story that impacts your life. Host Wes Kosova talks to Bloomberg journalists around the world, experts in their fields and the people at the center of the news to help you understand what’s happening, what it means and why it matters. Money, politics, the economy and business, energy, the environment, technology—we cover it all on The Big Take. And we do it in plain English.
The Big Take features the best of Bloomberg's in-depth, original reporting from around the globe. Listen each weekday starting on Oct. 27.

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