Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger boomed in the 2010s, but changing tastes have turned their sizzle into a fizzle. And as they continue to slide deeper into debt, these companies have struggled to get back on top of the plant-based food chain. . What’s next for these meatless giants? Jason Kartalian and Mike Keller, co-hosts of the podcast Vegan Hacks , join David to discuss the future of Beyond Meat, Impossible Burger, and the meatless meat market as a whole. Listen to Business Wars on th...
Nov 13, 2024•36 min•Season 100Ep. 5
It’s 2022 and Kim Kardashian is chowing down on a Beyond Burger. But the Internet buzzes over whether she actually ate it. Meanwhile, after a boom in business during the pandemic, Americans are now cutting back on plant-based meats. And concerns are growing over their nutritional value. That creates a financial pinch for both Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, and both companies will have to consider cutting the fat in their operations. Just as the industry looks like it's overcooked, one company...
Nov 06, 2024•35 min•Season 100Ep. 4
It’s 2019 and plant-based meats are on fire. But they’re also under fire. Supporters of the beef industry start a food fight with the plant-based meat industry. It kicks off on Super Bowl Sunday, with an aggressive TV ad. But Pat Brown’s Impossible Foods fights back with an ad of its own. Meanwhile, Ethan Brown pushes Beyond Meat to grow at all costs. As debts mount, Ethan tries to get the king of burgers, McDonald’s, to bite on a new plant-based patty. And, as the heat turns up at both companie...
Oct 30, 2024•32 min•Season 100Ep. 3
It’s 2016 and both Pat Brown’s Impossible Foods and Ethan Brown’s Beyond Meat are cooking up plant-based burgers for mass consumption. Ethan tries to woo Whole Foods executives to carry his Beyond Burger in their stores from coast-to-coast. Pat’s taking a different route. He’s asking celebrity chefs to put his Impossible Burger — a plant-based meat that bleeds — on their menus. Soon enough, fake meat gets truly famous. But as Beyond Meat tries to cash in on Wall Street and as Impossible Foods ge...
Oct 23, 2024•31 min•Season 100Ep. 2
It's 2008 and two men, both vegans, ponder what they can do to improve the climate. Though they’re on separate sides of the country and in different professions (but they coincidentally share a last name)— Ethan Brown is in the fuel cell business and Pat Brown is a lauded Stanford biochemist — they land on the same solution. They’re going to try and lessen the climate impact of animal agriculture by making meat from plants. Ethan calls his company Beyond Meat and notches the first commercial bre...
Oct 16, 2024•38 min•Season 100Ep. 1
From smash burgers to plant patties, this episode is serving up some of the biggest trends in the burger world, and examining whether they're here to stay. Later, David puts some of Southern California's most iconic burgers to the test with Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati, co-hosts of Mythical Kitchen , and Eater LA Reporter Mona Holmes . Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlo...
Oct 10, 2024•39 min•Season 99Ep. 5
Once upon a time, it was Anna Wintour’s world and we were all just living in it. Now, social media creators are starting to drive the conversation around fashion trends – while legacy magazines like Vogue figure out how to stay relevant, and avoid losing touch with their readers. Washington Post Style Writer Rachel Tashjian joins David to unpack the next wave of fashion journalism, and what the future of Vogue might look like. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get ...
Oct 09, 2024•41 min•Season 99Ep. 4
It’s the 1990s and new media is changing the game for all the glossies. InStyle leads the way in featuring celebrities as fashion and lifestyle icons. Meanwhile, Vogue struggles to establish its first website and television vertical, and is laid low by 9-11, along with Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and most of the media industry. Then Wintour has a series of missteps. But by the 2010s, Vogue’s entertainment offerings boost the brand’s digital game. And Harper’s Bazaar raids InStyle’s talent to u...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min•Season 99Ep. 3
It’s the 1930’s and Harper’s Bazaar publisher William Randolph Hearst steals away Vogue’s star editor, Carmel Snow. Harper Bazaar is within striking distance of its rival. But under the direction of the Newhouse family, Vogue reaches a new peak. They snatch the outrageous Diana Vreeland from Harper’s Bazaar and install her as Editor-in-Chief. Vreeland’s magical mixture of fantasy, outlandishness and poetry returns Vogue to its front row seat in the Swinging Sixties. But a new challenger enters t...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Season 99Ep. 2
It’s the 1970s, and Cosmopolitan’s circulation is exploding. But just as Cosmo establishes itself, Elle magazine debuts in the U.S. and blows everyone out of the water with its vibrant take on streetwear and youth. Alarmed, Runway Queen Vogue hires a young Anna Wintour to give the mag a refresh. Meanwhile, Harper’s Bazaar imports an editor whose mission is to return the glossy to its post WWII heyday, when it ran neck and neck with its arch rival, Vogue. In this episode, we discuss suicide...
Sep 18, 2024•39 min•Season 99Ep. 1
IKEA has been in the game for about 80 years, earning a spot as the largest furniture retailer in the world. From the meatballs, to the maze, to the DIY furniture, IKEA is a force in our culture and our homes. David is exploring how the company became so ubiquitous worldwide, and what it's doing to keep up with the next generation of shoppers. Featured guests: Reporter Katie Deighton of the Wall Street Journal and Holly J. Morris , NPR Training Editor. Listen to Business Wars on the Wonder...
Sep 12, 2024•35 min•Season 98Ep. 6
In 2023, CNN ousted CEO Chris Licht after just a year on the job. His goal was to restore CNN’s bipartisan credibility as the most trusted voice in news. But the plan backfired, leaving CNN scrambling to keep up with rivals Fox News and MSNBC. Dylan Byers, senior correspondent and founding partner at Puck , shares more on what happened that year, and what the future of CNN (and cable news as a whole) may look like. Later, Elaine Low of The Ankler shares an update on the television industry...
Sep 11, 2024•42 min•Season 98Ep. 5
It's February 2017 and CNN is mounting a comeback through its clashes with President Donald Trump. And Fox News is on a mission to own election coverage. But its emphasis on making election night calls early puts it in hot water with its core audience. Soon, Fox News faces an existential threat. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery...
Sep 04, 2024•38 min•Season 98Ep. 4
It's September 11, 2001 and CNN and Fox News race to keep the nation up to date as the tragedy unfolds. Then, when the nation is plunged into war, the organizations diverge in their coverage. And their rival approaches to the War on Terror will deliver a major upset. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Ap...
Aug 28, 2024•36 min•Season 98Ep. 3
It's 1996 and Fox News is getting ready to launch, but when CNN owner Time Warner tries to block it, Rupert Murdoch seeks help from New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Then, a scandal rocks the White House and proves to be a ratings magnet for both channels. And CNN takes a major hit when its reporting comes into question. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive ear...
Aug 21, 2024•40 min•Season 98Ep. 2
It’s 1978 and Ted Turner’s out to reinvent the news with CNN, the first 24-hour news network. The challenge nearly breaks its first staffers, but then a major national story proves to viewers that journalism that's rough and raw makes for exciting television. Soon though, Turner's new venture will put him on a collision course with Rupert Murdoch. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest sea...
Aug 14, 2024•40 min•Season 98Ep. 1
It’s 1978 in Miami, Florida. The hottest spot in town is a club located inside the world famous Mutiny Hotel. And it’s also the epicenter of Miami’s infamous drug wars. The new MGM+ Hotel Cocaine takes you deep into this world, where every pleasure has a price. David sat down with creator and showrunner Chris Brancato and series stars Danny Pino and Mark Feuerstein to learn more about the glamorous Mutiny Club and the darker reality that surrounded it.Check out the new TV series 'Hot...
Aug 07, 2024•39 min•Season 97Ep. 4
In the 1970s, a pair of brothers and their longtime friend begin smuggling cocaine from their home city of Cali, Colombia into the United States. They quickly establish a complex but highly efficient system for importing and distributing vast quantities of the drug, creating what becomes known as the Cali Cartel. Laundering their money through legitimate businesses in Colombia, the men from Cali become extremely wealthy. Soon, other budding entrepreneurs in Colombia take notice. T...
Aug 07, 2024•21 min•Season 97Ep. 1
Crocs are the comfy foam clogs people love to hate. Yet today, they're seen everywhere from memes to the red carpet. So how did they get so popular? David's exploring the rise and fall — and rise again — of the “ugly” yet beloved clog that continues to endure. Featured Guests: Doogie Sandtiger, the “Croc King,” who owns more than 3,000 pairs, and Jordyn Holman, retail reporter for the New York Times. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience a...
Aug 01, 2024•43 min•Season 96Ep. 6
The seas were especially rough for the cruise line industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a time when people thought cruising might never come back… but not Dan Kline. He’s the founder of the publication Come Cruise With Me , and was one of the first people to set sail when cruises reopened. Dan joins David to talk about how the industry stayed afloat and adapted during the pandemic, and its miraculous comeback in the years since. He also shares what’s next in the world of cruising, an...
Jul 31, 2024•36 min•Season 96Ep. 5
As the cruise industry enters the 21st century, Carnival and Royal Caribbean square off again as they battle to acquire British company Princess Cruises. Whoever wins Princess will be virtually uncatchable as the largest cruise company in the world. But when the Covid-19 pandemic breaks out, the cruise industry struggles to keep passengers safe, and the entire existence of the industry is in jeopardy. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experie...
Jul 24, 2024•45 min•Season 96Ep. 4
As Carnival cements its success by going public, founder Ted Arison and his son and CEO Micky set their sights on growing the company through acquisition. They make long-time rival Royal Caribbean their target. But with a new ambitious executive at the helm, Royal Caribbean isn’t going down without a fight. Norwegian Cruise Line struggles to keep up with the competition. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free a...
Jul 17, 2024•43 min•Season 96Ep. 3
After his bitter exit from Norwegian Cruise Line, Ted Arison has limited time to make his new company Carnival a success. With little funds and one run-down ship, the odds are stacked against him. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean compete to be the most luxurious cruise ship company on the market. And all three get an unexpected boost from Hollywood. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and...
Jul 10, 2024•45 min•Season 96Ep. 2
In 1950, an enterprising Miami businessman has the idea to use a passenger liner to ferry retired Floridians to the Caribbean. He makes their time on board the ship as much a part of the appeal as the destination. Modern cruising is born, but it’s still just a small niche activity. But in the 1960s, a group of ambitious men in both the United States and Europe sees huge potential in this form of vacation travel. Within six years Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival...
Jul 03, 2024•41 min•Season 96Ep. 1
The Pac-12 was one of the most prestigious college football conferences in the nation, until its leading schools left for greener pastures with heftier media deals. Now, with only two teams left, the stakes are higher than ever for the Pac-12 to draw viewers. John Canzano, host of college sports podcasts The Bald Faced Truth and Canzano & Wilner , joins David to talk about what’s next for the teams and the sport as a whole. Later, we’re tapping in Chris Vannini of The Athletic to talk about ...
Jun 26, 2024•39 min•Season 95Ep. 5
It’s George Kliavkoff’s third week in charge of the Pac-12. But his new job will become a nightmare when the SEC makes a play that’ll send panic through entire the college football scene. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/bu...
Jun 19, 2024•37 min•Season 95Ep. 4
With the College Football Playoff boosting the sport’s worth, the rivalry between the Power 5 conferences is heating up. But as the Big Ten thrives, the Pac-12 will find itself trapped by its past. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.co...
Jun 12, 2024•33 min•Season 95Ep. 3
Pac-12 boss Larry Scott wants a media empire that can outshine the Big Ten. But to do it, he must strong-arm ESPN and then find a way to face down satellite TV giant DirecTV. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ ...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min•Season 95Ep. 2
It’s the 90s. College football’s a hot mess of untapped profit potential. But two TV execs have an answer. It’s called the Bowl Championship Series and it’ll ignite a rush for the big bucks. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links...
May 29, 2024•39 min•Season 95Ep. 1
Soda has had its fair share of ups and downs, but now, a new wave of prebiotic pop promises to reinvent the fizzy drink consumers love. Poppi and Olipop are two buzzy, health-focused brands leading the charge. And David is cracking open a can of each to figure out whether these drinks really are soda's second coming...or just another wellness fad. Featured Guests:Tristan Donovan, Author of Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the WorldAnn Gehan, Retail Reporter at The Information Listen to Business War...
May 23, 2024•37 min•Season 94Ep. 6
