The Best New Business Podcast Right Now – March 2025
Dive into the world of business with this insightful podcast series, exploring everything from the rise and fall of Tupperware to the complexities of starting a bank in the modern era. Learn about the impact of government job cuts, the fascinating world of meme coins, and the intricacies of GDP calculations. Discover the potential of live social shopping, the influence of AI on creators, and the future of blockchain technology. Gain valuable insights from industry experts like Gary Vaynerchuk and explore the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in a rapidly changing world. Tune in to learn, be inspired, and gain a deeper understanding of the business landscape.
The 10 Best Business episodes
How Tupperware took over our homes, with Decoder Ring
This podcast explores the rise and fall of Tupperware, highlighting the innovative sales strategies of Brownie Wise and the company's lasting impact on consumer culture.
This episode delves into the fascinating history of Tupperware, tracing its journey from a revolutionary storage container to a cultural phenomenon and its eventual decline. The episode begins by exploring the origins of Tupperware and the role of Brownie Wise, a pioneering saleswoman who transformed the company's fortunes through her innovative home party strategy. Brownie Wise's charisma and ability to connect with consumers on a personal level made her a cultural icon and a symbol of female empowerment in the post-war era. The episode then examines the factors that contributed to Tupperware's success, including its innovative design, Brownie Wise's brilliant sales strategy, and the cultural context of the post-war era. The episode highlights how Tupperware's success was built on its ability to meet the needs of a growing consumer market, particularly women who were embracing new roles in the home and workplace. However, the episode also explores the factors that led to Tupperware's eventual decline, including changing consumer habits, increased competition from other storage container brands, and the rise of alternative storage solutions. The company's reliance on the home party model also became less effective as more women entered the workforce. The episode concludes by reflecting on Tupperware's lasting impact on consumer culture and the parallels between its story and contemporary trends in direct sales, influencer marketing, and the rise of ubiquitous products. The episode highlights how Brownie Wise's success was built on her ability to connect with consumers on a personal level and create a sense of community around her brand, a strategy that continues to be relevant in today's digital age.
The last time we shrank the federal workforce
This Planet Money episode explores the history of government job cuts, comparing the Clinton administration's National Performance Review (NPR) with the Trump administration's "doge" effort, highlighting the challenges and potential impact of reducing the federal workforce.
This episode of Planet Money from NPR delves into the complex world of government job cuts, drawing parallels between the Clinton administration's "reinventing government" initiative, known as the National Performance Review (NPR), and the Trump administration's "doge" effort. The episode begins by examining the historical context of federal workforce size, revealing that the number of federal employees has remained relatively stable over the past 50 years despite population growth. The episode then recounts the story of the "mythical $400 hammer," a symbol of government waste that fueled the Clinton administration's NPR. The NPR aimed to reduce government inefficiencies and shrink the federal workforce, but its investigation revealed that cutting jobs wasn't the most effective way to save money. Instead, outdated regulations and procurement processes were identified as major contributors to government waste. The episode contrasts the Trump administration's "doge" effort with the NPR, highlighting the differences in approach. The "doge" effort is characterized by a less structured approach, with a focus on job cuts and a lack of congressional involvement. It has been criticized for its chaotic implementation and potential for unintended consequences. The episode examines the potential savings from cutting federal jobs, concluding that while significant, it represents a small percentage of the overall federal budget. The majority of federal spending goes towards mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The episode explores the role of federal contractors, a significant but often overlooked component of the government workforce, and the challenges associated with managing and reducing their numbers. It also discusses the legal and practical hurdles associated with firing federal employees, highlighting the need for justification and the potential for lawsuits. Finally, the episode speculates on the future of government cuts, suggesting that the Trump administration may shift its focus from job cuts to regulatory reform, an area that was successfully addressed during the NPR. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making and a comprehensive approach to reform in future government efficiency efforts.
How to start a bank
This episode of Planet Money explores the challenges and rewards of starting a new bank in today's competitive landscape, focusing on the story of Fortuna, a community bank founded by Lisa Berger and Alaria Rollins in Columbus, Ohio.
This episode of Planet Money delves into the world of starting a bank in the modern era, using the story of Fortuna, a new bank in Columbus, Ohio, as a case study. The episode highlights the challenges and complexities of starting a bank, including the stringent regulatory process, the need to raise significant capital, and the changing landscape of the banking industry. The episode explores the motivations behind starting a bank, focusing on Lisa Berger's desire to create a legacy project and fill a gap in the market by providing financial services tailored to female entrepreneurs. The episode also discusses the importance of community banks, particularly for small businesses, and the challenges they face, including increased competition from FinTech companies and the need to invest in digital technology. The episode delves into the fundraising process for Fortuna, which involved raising $20 million from investors in a post-Silicon Valley Bank world, where investor confidence in the banking industry was shaken. The episode concludes with the grand opening of Fortuna Bank, highlighting the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by Lisa Berger, Alaria Rollins, and their team. The episode emphasizes the importance of community banks and their role in supporting small businesses.
The Parable of Peanut the Memecoin
This podcast tells the story of Peanut, a squirrel who became a social media influencer, a political martyr, and a cryptocurrency, exploring the attention economy and the rise of meme coins.
This podcast tells the story of Peanut, a squirrel who became a social media influencer, then a political martyr, and finally a cryptocurrency worth billions of dollars. The story begins with Mark Longo, Peanut's owner, finding him as a baby squirrel in Midtown Manhattan. Mark nursed Peanut back to health and began posting videos of him on social media, which quickly gained popularity. Peanut's fame exploded after a viral video of him jumping from a fridge, leading to brand deals and opportunities, including a Cameo account. Mark and his wife even created an OnlyFans account for Peanut, which became a lucrative source of income. Tragically, Peanut was euthanized by the DEC, sparking a right-wing political martyr narrative. An anonymous group created a meme coin based on Peanut, which quickly gained popularity in the crypto world. Mark, feeling cheated out of the profits, decided to create his own competing coin, "Justice." The episode explores the meme coin world through the perspective of Rumi, a crypto trader, who explains how meme coins are fueled by attention and can be highly profitable. Mark's attempts to create a successful peanut coin fail, and he decides to pursue legal action against the creators of the original peanut coin for using his intellectual property. The podcast concludes with Mark reflecting on the emotional toll of Peanut's death and the challenges of running his animal sanctuary. He discusses his plans to keep Peanut's story alive and his hopes for the future.
Can we just change how we measure GDP?
This podcast explores the importance of GDP, examines the Trump administration's proposed changes to its calculation, delves into the history of GDP manipulation, and briefly discusses the challenges facing working-class men.
This podcast delves into the multifaceted world of GDP, a crucial indicator of economic health. It begins by explaining the significance of GDP as a measure of a country's economic activity, outlining how it's calculated and why it's closely monitored by policymakers and businesses. The podcast then examines the Trump administration's controversial proposal to remove government spending from GDP, exploring the potential implications of this change and its historical context within attempts to manipulate GDP. The discussion further delves into the history of attempts to influence GDP calculations, highlighting instances where presidents and economists have sought to alter the methodology for political or economic gain. This exploration emphasizes the importance of maintaining the autonomy of statistical agencies and ensuring the integrity of economic data. Finally, the podcast briefly mentions a bonus episode that focuses on the economic and cultural struggles of working-class men, particularly those without college degrees.
Planet Money buys a mystery diamond
A Planet Money reporter's $137 diamond purchase from Alibaba leads to a journey exploring the authenticity, economics, and value of lab-grown diamonds.
This Planet Money episode follows reporter Jeff Guo's quest to determine the authenticity of a diamond he purchased online from Alibaba for $137. He sends the diamond to his colleague Sarah Gonzalez, who is skeptical about its authenticity. They conduct several tests, including a scratch test, a water test, and a heat test, but the results are inconclusive. Jeff then takes the diamond to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for expert analysis. Ulricha Denon's Yannonson, a senior manager of diamond research, examines the diamond under a microscope and using a spectrophotometer. The GIA confirms that the diamond is real but lab-grown, not natural. Ulricha identifies three imperfections that indicate its lab-grown origin, including the presence of silicon and a faint line through the middle of the diamond. The episode then delves into the economics of the diamond market, starting with the history of De Beers' monopoly and its influence on diamond prices. The rise of lab-grown diamonds and the subsequent market split are discussed. The episode explores the recent boom and bust in the lab-grown diamond market, with the increasing availability of diamond-making machines in China and India leading to a surge in supply and a significant drop in wholesale prices. The episode examines the significant markup on lab-grown diamonds in retail stores, despite the low wholesale prices. Theories about collusion, consumer ignorance, and the psychological value of diamonds are explored. Jeff takes the diamond to the Diamond District in New York City to try to sell it, but encounters a diamond buyer who is not interested in purchasing a lab-grown diamond. Ultimately, Jeff realizes that he doesn't want to sell the diamond, despite its low market value. He feels a connection to the diamond after their shared experiences, recognizing its sentimental value.
Escheat show (Update)
This podcast explores the escheat system, where states claim abandoned property, highlighting its potential benefits and drawbacks, including a case study of a man whose Amazon stock was escheated by Delaware.
This podcast delves into the world of unclaimed property and the escheat system, where states take control of forgotten assets like stocks, paychecks, and bank accounts. The episode begins with a personal story of Walter Schram, who lost his Amazon stock to escheat after it sat dormant in his E-Trade account for 20 years. The podcast then explores the concept of unclaimed property, explaining how states aim to protect consumers from corporations but can create perverse incentives for states to keep the money. The hosts demonstrate how to search for unclaimed property in your state using online databases and highlight the potential benefits of this system, as companies may not be motivated to return forgotten money to owners. However, the episode also explores potential problems with the escheat system, including states using unclaimed property as a revenue source and potentially becoming more aggressive in claiming assets. Walter's case highlights the potential downsides of escheat, as Delaware sold his Amazon stock in 2008, before it reached its full value, and offered him only the 2008 value when he tried to claim it. The episode features an interview with Brenda Mayrack, director of Delaware's Office of Unclaimed Property, discussing the state's escheat practices and the revenue generated from unclaimed property. The podcast concludes by discussing Walter's class action lawsuit against Delaware's unclaimed property office, alleging that he and others were not given proper notice before their property was seized and liquidated. The episode provides updates on Walter's case and shares success stories of listeners who have found unclaimed property through the state databases.
PM x Radiolab: Can the economy grow forever?
This podcast explores the question of perpetual economic growth and its potential consequences, examining historical patterns of innovation in response to resource scarcity and the need for a more sustainable approach to managing resources.
The episode begins with a discussion about the sustainability of perpetual economic growth, questioning whether it can continue indefinitely without negative impacts. Astrophysicist Sandra Faber raises concerns about the unsustainable nature of exponential growth, suggesting that current growth rates could deplete Earth's resources within a few thousand years. Economist Jeff Guo provides insights into the implications of these findings, focusing on specific resources like copper, sand, and lithium and their projected depletion rates. The episode introduces the concept of the "Malthusian Swerve," a historical pattern where societies facing resource scarcity find innovative solutions to avert catastrophe. Examples include the shift from charcoal to coal in iron production and the development of synthetic rubber. The fracking revolution is explored as a recent example of a Malthusian Swerve, highlighting both its potential to alleviate resource scarcity and its long-term sustainability concerns. The conversation delves into the role of economic incentives in driving innovation, using the example of lithium batteries to illustrate how perceived shortages can motivate technological breakthroughs. However, the episode also acknowledges the potential drawbacks of relying solely on economic incentives, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to managing resources and growth. The episode concludes with a conversation with Sandra Faber, who expresses concerns about the interconnected nature of global challenges, including energy scarcity and environmental degradation. She emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to managing resources and growth, considering both economic development and environmental protection.
AI, Social Shopping, and the Future of Media | GaryVee Q&A with New York Post
GaryVee discusses the rise of live social shopping, AI's impact on creators, the power of blockchain technology, and the importance of emotional intelligence in business, all while reflecting on his personal journey and the unique opportunities of New York City.
This podcast episode delves into various topics, starting with the emergence of live social shopping as a significant trend, particularly in China. GaryVee emphasizes the potential for this trend to explode and encourages listeners to capitalize on the opportunity. He then explores the impact of AI on creators, comparing it to previous technological shifts like the rise of television and the internet. While acknowledging the potential for AI to reshape the field, he emphasizes that it will not replace creators entirely but will create new opportunities and challenges. GaryVee advises creators to embrace AI as an opportunity rather than fearing its potential to replace them. He suggests using AI tools to increase efficiency and productivity, allowing creators to focus on other aspects of their work. He shares how he uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to enhance his consumer insight work, describing AI as a co-pilot for thinking. He then discusses the potential of blockchain technology, particularly NFTs, beyond their current use in collectibles and art. He believes blockchain's decentralized nature and immutability make it a profound technology with applications beyond cryptocurrency. Throughout the episode, GaryVee emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in business, arguing that it is a key driver of consumer behavior. He believes that understanding the emotional motivations behind consumer decisions is crucial for success in any industry. He also shares his personal experience growing up in New York City, emphasizing the importance of the city's energy, diversity, and opportunities. He reflects on his journey from immigrant to entrepreneur and the role that New York played in his success. The episode concludes with GaryVee reiterating his love for New York City, acknowledging that it is not for everyone but is a perfect fit for those who thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, and challenging environment. He believes that the city's unique energy and opportunities are unmatched.
Old-School Thinking is Killing Your Business – Here’s How to Fix It | GaryVee Q&A
Gary Vaynerchuk discusses the importance of embracing technology, building strong brands, and adapting to the evolving landscape of social media and AI in the roofing industry.
This episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience podcast features Gary Vaynerchuk speaking at the Roofing Process Conference. He shares his insights on the importance of technology in business, emphasizing that businesses must adapt to technological advancements to stay competitive. Gary discusses the challenges of managing people and getting teams on board with new technologies, highlighting the need for leadership, communication, and accountability. He provides specific advice on how to leverage social media for roofing businesses, emphasizing organic content creation and the power of video. Gary emphasizes the importance of building a strong brand in business, arguing that it leads to pricing power and customer loyalty. He discusses the transformative impact of AI on SEO, predicting that it will significantly change the way businesses acquire customers. Gary outlines his top three strategies for roofing businesses: organic social media marketing, content creation, and running targeted Facebook ads. He shares his thoughts on regret and the importance of adaptability in business, emphasizing the need to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and to prioritize personal growth and well-being. Gary reflects on the evolution of his content and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing world. He discusses the rise of AI and its impact on search engines, predicting that AI-powered chatbots will become increasingly prevalent. Gary shares his perspective on failure and the importance of embracing change, emphasizing the need to view failures as learning opportunities and to focus on personal growth and resilience.
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