
Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion Live with Nicolle Wallace
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Dec 16, 2025 Zach Grenier, a talented stage and screen actor, captivates listeners with a dramatic reading from The Big Short, bringing the narrative to life. Michael Lewis discusses revisiting the financial crisis after 15 years, highlighting the personal stories behind the traders' emotional toll. He emphasizes the importance of character in explaining financial decisions and their broader societal impacts. The conversation also touches on the political repercussions of the crisis and contrasts the book's tone with its cinematic adaptation, offering a rich exploration of storytelling in finance.
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The Crisis As One Big Bet
- Michael Lewis frames the crisis as a single giant bet that split Wall Street from obscure contrarian investors.
- He used that frame to cast and choose a few vivid characters who explain how the bet played out.
Get Close Enough To Let People Be Themselves
- Immerse yourself to strip subjects of self-consciousness and reveal their true character.
- Spend time in their lives until they surrender and act naturally.
Rescue Institutions Were The Real Safety Net
- Lewis argues the government's bailout likely prevented a depression and relied on trusted institutions like the Fed and Treasury.
- He warns we've weakened those institutions and become less able to handle the next crisis.







