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Foundering

Foundering

Bloomberg

Business, Tech News, Technology, News

4.71.1K Ratings

Overview

Foundering is an award-winning, serialized podcast from the journalists at Bloomberg Technology. Each season, Foundering brings you inside a different high-stakes drama from the technology industry, where its companies are wielding unprecedented capital and power.

183 Episodes

Introducing IVF Disrupted: The Kindbody Story

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Introducing: Everybody's Business

A smart and fun chat show about all things business. Hosted by award-winning business and economics journalists Max Chafkin (author of The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s Pursuit of Power) and Stacey Vanek-Smith (former co-host of NPR’s Planet Money and reporter for Marketplace), Everybody's Business is powered by the unparalleled sources and reporters who bring you Businessweek magazine’s headlines and the stories behind them. The show gives listeners a window into the discussions happening in boardrooms, Zooms and group chats in power centers around the world. From interpreting Fed meetings to the business of wolf cloning, each week Max, Stacey and their friends at Bloomberg Businessweek guide listeners through what really went on during the last week from Wall Street and Main Street. Because what’s happening with money and markets is everybody’s business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

Evolving Money: Rebuilding the Creator Economy (Sponsored Content)

What does it mean for content creators to “go onchain?” We’ll learn how this movement to take financial power back from closed-off social media platforms could give creators a kind of freedom that they’ve struggled to hold onto for centuries. This episode is sponsored by Coinbase.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2024

OpenAI Part 5: Beware the Ides of November

Right as Sam Altman was at the peak of his success, touring the world to espouse the virtues of AI, his board turned on him. Altman was unceremoniously fired. OpenAI’s coup is a story of secrets, betrayal, employee revolt and Altman’s expert political maneuvering to regain his position of power. In this episode, reporter Ellen Huet also examines Altman’s history of broken promises and alleged manipulation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2024

OpenAI Part 4: Heaven and Hell, Part 2

It’s widely predicted that AI will upend the economy and threaten many existing jobs. Sam Altman, in trying to stay ahead of public fears of mass unemployment, has offered universal basic income as a solution. He also has envisioned an AI future of abundance. In this episode, reporter Ellen Huet looks at Altman’s proposals for ending poverty and his current relationship with his sister, Annie Altman, who struggles with homelessness in Hawaii.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2024

OpenAI Part 3: Heaven and Hell, Part 1

A group of high-level early employees who had glimpsed the fluidity and power of the technology behind ChatGPT left OpenAI to start a new company. Their exit sparked concerns that OpenAI is not prioritizing safety. Meanwhile, the success of ChatGPT drove a craze within the tech industry but also added fuel to existing apocalyptic fears. In this episode, reporter Ellen Huet examines the frenzy around AI, both its utopic dreams and visions of impending doom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2024

OpenAI Part2: Ilya Dreams of AGI

OpenAI employees were motivated by the dream of building an artificial general intelligence, which could think and solve problems like a human mind. In reality, they sometimes spent their days building bots that played video games. But new research allowed the company to create increasingly powerful AI models, giving them a lead in the AI race. Meanwhile, a power struggle between Sam Altman and Elon Musk led to Musk’s departure from the company. In this episode, reporter Ellen Huet takes a look at OpenAI’s early days and the company’s shift away from its promises to be open-source and nonprofit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2024

OpenAI Part 1: The Most Silicon Valley Man Alive

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, shot to tech stardom with the release of ChatGPT. His company is one of the most valuable startups in the world, and he is treated like an ambassador for the AI future, zipping around the globe, meeting with world leaders. But how did he amass so much power? In this episode, reporter Ellen Huet looks at Altman’s rise and his penchant for forming close bonds with powerful Silicon Valley figures, who in turn have lent their influence and money to his ever-growing ambitions.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2024

Foundering: The OpenAI Story (Trailer)

The biggest story in tech is artificial intelligence, and the biggest story in AI is OpenAI. The company’s rapid progress and blazingly popular consumer products like ChatGPT have pushed tech giants to dump billions of dollars into an AI arms race. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has been dogged by persistent allegations of being manipulative, deceitful, and power hungry – even to the point of being fired by his own board. This season of Foundering takes listeners straight to the heart of the AI explosion: feuds, betrayals, billionaires, and the extinction of humanity…. maybe? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2024

McAfee Bonus: Q&A

A live Q&A with this season’s host, Jamie Tarabay, and a cybersecurity expert featured in the series, Allan Liska. This bonus episode was recorded following a live production of “Foundering: The John McAfee Story” in San Francisco at the RSA Conference in April 2023. The conversation, moderated by Foundering’s editor Mark Milian, explores the reporting process for the show and McAfee’s lasting impact on the digital security industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2023

Introducing - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried

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/id1685258534See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2023

McAfee Part 6: The Demise

A desperate escape by sea finds John McAfee deported to Europe. He ends up in a small Spanish town, but the walls are closing in on him. Reporter Jamie Tarabay investigates the final days of McAfee and the circumstances surrounding his death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2023

McAfee Part 5: The Descent

John McAfee forms a new operation to capitalize on a financial opportunity in cryptocurrencies. Drugs and paranoia take over. Reporter Jamie Tarabay chronicles the beginning of the end for McAfee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2023

McAfee Part 4: The White House

John McAfee is back in America. He meets a new business partner who helps broker a lucrative deal. As reporter Jamie Tarabay learns, the new associate eventually inspires McAfee to make a long-shot bid for the US presidency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2023

McAfee Part 3: The Jungle

John McAfee seeks to evade a lawsuit and leaves the US behind. He makes a new life for himself in Central America, but reporter Jamie Tarabay finds it doesn’t take long before a new crisis envelops him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2023

McAfee Part 2: The Yogi

After cashing out, John McAfee uproots and tries to reinvent himself. He starts a new company and forms a yoga retreat. Reporter Jamie Tarabay also looks into a new and extremely dangerous hobby that captures McAfee’s interest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2023

McAfee Part 1: The Virus

McAfee antivirus software was ubiquitous in the 1990s, and its creator John McAfee helped define the modern cybersecurity industry. McAfee was an archetype of the Silicon Valley founder — bombastic, enigmatic and brilliant. But his life would take a dark turn. Reporter Jamie Tarabay investigated the early days of his career and found that the warning signs were there from the beginning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2023

Introducing: The John McAfee Story

This season of Foundering 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 and 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2023

Introducing: Crash Course

Hosted by Bloomberg Opinion senior executive editor Tim O'Brien, Crash Course will bring listeners directly into the arenas where epic business and social upheavals occur. Every week, Crash Course will explore the lessons to be learned when creativity and ambition collide with competition and power -- on Wall Street and Main Street, and in Hollywood and Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2023

Amazon Part 7: The Final Frontier

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2022

Amazon Part 6: The Billionaire and the Tabloid

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2022

Amazon Part 5: The Price of Speedy Delivery

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2022

Amazon Part 4: The Virtual Bazaar

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2022

Amazon Part 3: The Bumpy Road to Hollywood

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2022

Amazon Part 2: The Obsessive Secrecy Around Alexa

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2022

Amazon Part 1: The Inventor vs. The Monopolist

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2022

TRAILER Foundering: The Amazon Story

The Amazon Story

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2022

Introducing: Breakthrough

On Breakthrough, a new series from the Prognosis podcast, we explore how the pandemic is changing our understanding of healthcare and medicine. We start with an examination of long Covid, a mysterious new illness that has stumped doctors attempting to treat symptoms that last for months and potentially years. It has changed the way hospitals work and forced healthcare officials to prepare for the next pandemic. Covid has also opened the door to revolutionary technology: messenger RNA vaccines. It’s a technology that never could have been proven so quickly outside the crucible of that first pandemic year, 2020, and it holds big implications for the future of medicine. Breakthrough launches on Oct. 19. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2021

TikTok Part 6: The Showdown

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2021

TikTok Part 5: Should We Be Worried About Our Data?

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2021

TikTok Part 4: Are The Kids All Right?

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2021

TikTok Part 3: ‘I’ll Be Making Bank! Hopefully.’

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2021

TikTok Part 2: The Silent Force from China

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2021

TikTok Part 1: An Epiphany on a Train

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2021

Coming Soon: A New Season of Foundering

The TikTok Story

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2021

Introducing: Doubt

A few decades ago, nobody really questioned vaccines. They were viewed as a standard part of staying healthy and safe. Today, the number of people questioning vaccines risks prolonging a pandemic that has already killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. How we got to this moment didn’t start with the rollout of vaccines or in March 2020, or even with the election of Donald Trump. Our confidence in vaccines, often isn't even about vaccines. It’s about trust. And that trust has been eroding for a long time. Doubt, a new series from Bloomberg’s Prognosis podcast, looks at the forces that have been breaking down that trust. We'll trace the rise of vaccine skepticism in America to show how we got here — and where we’re going. Doubt launches on March 23. Subscribe to Prognosis today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2021

WeWork Part 7: In the End, There Was Adam

The WeWork Story, Part 7

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2020

WeWork Part 6: IPO -- Just Kidding

The WeWork Story, Part 6

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2020

Introducing: Blood River, A New Podcast From Bloomberg

The killers of Berta Caceres had every reason to believe they’d get away with murder. More than 100 other environmental activists in Honduras had been killed in the previous five years, yet almost no one had been punished for the crimes. Bloomberg’s Blood River follows a four-year quest to find her killers – a twisting trail that leads into the country’s circles of power.Blood River premieres on July 27.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2020

WeWork Part 5: The Universe Does Not Allow Waste

The WeWork Story, Part 5

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2020

WeWork Part 4: WeWork Sued Her the Same Day

The WeWork Story, Part 4

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2020

WeWork Part 3: Is Naked Pete Coming to Summer Camp?

The WeWork Story, Part 3

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2020

WeWork Part 2: The Bar Is Now at Your Desk

The WeWork Story, Part 2

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2020

WeWork Part 1: Capitalist Kibbutz

The WeWork Story, Part 1

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2020

Introducing Foundering

Foundering is a new serialized podcast from the journalists at Bloomberg Technology.

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2020

A Message for Decrypted Listeners

Bloomberg Technology reporter Ellen Huet has some exciting news about what's coming in the Decrypted feed. We’re launching a new show, Foundering, and spending our entire first season looking at the story of WeWork.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2020

The Last Decrypted

This week on Decrypted, hosts Aki and Brad get together one last time for an announcement: This will be the very last episode of Decrypted. They also look back at some of their favorite episodes from the show, with updates on where those stories are today. (But don't unsubscribe from this feed because we'll be announcing a new show next spring!)For a list of episodes Aki and Brad will be discussing: Young Blood and the Pursuit of Eternal Youth He Sparked the Fake News Boom. Then Facebook Broke His Business A Hacker's Redemption, Part 1 and Part 2 Inside a Multinational Cyber Weapons Deal That Went Bust Meet the Whistleblower Behind a Silicon Valley Meltdown Human vs Machine: Fitness Gadgets See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2019

Can AI Compose Good Music?

Computers can now drive cars, identify faces and transcribe speech, but many experts said that it would take much longer for AI to tackle creative endeavors. This week on Decrypted, Bloomberg Technology's Natalia Drozdiak meets three composers using artificial intelligence to make music, and she and host Aki Ito dissect their robo-generated songs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2019

The YouTube Whisperer Guiding Creators Through Perilous Times

Under pressure from users, advertisers and government regulators, YouTube has implemented sweeping changes to its service over the last three years to minimize the spread of harmful and misleading content. But those changes have made it harder for many of its creators to make a living off of the platform. This week on Decrypted, Bloomberg Technology's Mark Bergen visits YouTube whisperer Tim Schmoyer, who advises other YouTube creators on how to adapt to the changing platform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2019

The Amazon Seller Caught in the Middle of a Trade War

The U.S.-China trade war has dragged on for more than a year now, harming the livelihoods of people around the world who depend on the two superpowers getting along. This week on Decrypted, Bloomberg Technology's Shelly Banjo profiles one such person: Michael Michelini, an American who moved to China a decade ago to build out his e-commerce business. At the time, Michelini believed that the internet was making the world a more open and interconnected place. Recent tensions between the world's two largest economies have put that faith in doubt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2019

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