Good Bad Billionaire The dead billionaires: What do you think?
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Aug 27, 2025 Dive into the fascinating legacies of legendary billionaires like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. The discussion uncovers their complicated impacts on society, blending philanthropy with controversy. Listeners share personal reflections, revealing diverse opinions on figures like Hetty Green and her unconventional strategies during crises. The podcast also tackles the tricky relationship between wealth and economic inequality, prompting listeners to reflect on the moral implications of billionaire success. A riveting exploration of fortune and responsibility!
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Mini Series On Five Dead Billionaires
- The hosts ran a mini series on five dead US billionaires and asked listeners to judge them good, bad, or just another billionaire.
- The featured figures were John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, Sam Walton and Hetty Green.
Listener Verdicts Vary Widely
- John O'Mahoney from Ireland emailed a quick verdict: Rockefeller, Green and Walton — good; Hughes very bad; Ford just another billionaire.
- The hosts react with light banter about Howard Hughes's personality changing with age.
Rockefeller: Foundational But Controversial
- Listeners debated whether Rockefeller was merely another billionaire or uniquely foundational as the first major industrial billionaire.
- His monopolistic tactics also prompted early US antitrust laws that shape regulation today.