Business Wars
Wondery
Netflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, innovators, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Against the Odds and American History Tellers.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/ now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
14 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 44min
Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | We've Got Beef | 5
In this discussion, Deena Shanker, a Bloomberg Businessweek reporter, dives into the tumultuous journey of Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, revealing their marketing missteps and fluctuating consumer trust. She highlights how meme stock status impacted Beyond Meat and outlines fundamental challenges, including bankruptcy rumors. Investigative journalist Clint Rainey then unveils alleged disinformation tactics from 'Big Beef' targeting these companies, exploring the role of industry PR and social media influencers in shaping public perception. Together, they illustrate a fierce battle for the future of plant-based meat.
11 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 35min
ENCORE: Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Break from the Herd | 4
Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger face a tough transition as trends change. Controversial ads and rising debt have led to significant challenges for both brands. Internal shake-ups include leadership changes and workforce cuts, while consumer health debates dampen enthusiasm for plant-based options. Innovative strategies are afoot, like Beyond's health-focused reformulation and Impossible's bold rebranding effort to attract diverse eaters. Amid financial strife, the future of meatless meat hangs in the balance, prompting a fierce rivalry for survival.
8 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 32min
ENCORE: Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Beefing Up, Chowing Down | 3
In 2019, the plant-based meat war heats up with fierce advertising battles, ignited by a Super Bowl ad clash between Impossible Foods and the beef lobby. As Beyond Meat expands rapidly, pressure mounts from debt and internal concerns over growth strategies. Customers are grabbing plant-based products off shelves amid rising demand, but health worries swirl. Plus, Ethan Brown eyes a partnership with McDonald's for a plant-based option. Celebrity endorsements are a double-edged sword, with risks looming over brand perceptions.
8 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 31min
ENCORE: Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Flame Broiled | 2
In 2016, the race for plant-based supremacy heats up between two rivals. Ethan Brown impresses Whole Foods with the Beyond Burger, while Pat Brown courts celebrity chefs to showcase his bleeding Impossible Burger. Tension rises as lobbyists from the beef industry fight against meat labeling for plant products. As Impossible Foods partners with Burger King for a national rollout, production shortages cause chaos. Meanwhile, Beyond Meat's IPO makes headlines, highlighting the fierce competition and evolving perceptions in the food industry.
15 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 39min
ENCORE: Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Pressure Cooker | 1
Two visionary vegans spark a fierce rivalry in the plant-based meat industry. Ethan Brown's Beyond Meat makes a splash with its chicken strips, while Pat Brown's Impossible Foods aims to revolutionize flavor with engineered yeast. The podcast dives into the drama of celebrity endorsements, PR challenges, and the quest for better meat alternatives. Discover the breakthroughs that made lab-grown burgers a culinary triumph and the intense competition that drives innovation in this climate-conscious quest.
117 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 43min
How Nvidia Owned A.I. | Once in a Lifetime | 2
Nvidia's bold move to pivot its gaming chips into AI powerhouses faced skepticism from investors and scientists alike. Universities became key allies, promoting CUDA as academia embraced its potential. The turning point came with Stanford's groundbreaking cat experiment, showcasing GPUs' capabilities. Despite challenges, Nvidia's strategic partnerships and smart acquisitions fortified its position. The launch of ChatGPT sparked an AI gold rush, skyrocketing demand for Nvidia's technology and reshaping its future in the digital landscape.
111 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 44min
How Nvidia Owned A.I. | Light Speed or Bust | 1
Discover the origins of Nvidia, a startup born from three engineers' vision in a Denny's. Learn how CEO Jensen Huang made high-stakes decisions to save the company from early misjudgments and product failures. Explore the dramatic pivot to create first-person shooter chips and the breakthrough launch of the Riva 128 that changed the game. Delve into Nvidia's rise with parallel computing, the challenges posed by competitors like Intel, and the ambitious gamble that led to their dominance in GPUs.
134 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 40min
The Many Deaths of Dungeons & Dragons | Game On | 3
Ryan Dancey, a gaming executive and former VP at Wizards of the Coast, dives into the evolution of Dungeons & Dragons, reflecting on its rise to cultural prominence. He discusses the game's appeal, such as creativity and community, and its growing mainstream audience. Dancey highlights the impact of livestreams like Critical Role, the Open Gaming License's role in expanding content, and challenges in transitioning to digital formats. He also shares insights on AI's potential to transform gameplay and the future of D&D.
111 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 39min
The Many Deaths of Dungeons & Dragons | A Kingdom Reborn | 2
The podcast delves into the dramatic financial collapse of Dungeons & Dragons' publisher TSR, highlighting Lorraine Williams' desperate measures to salvage the game. It discusses Wizards of the Coast's strategic investment to secure TSR and the emotional acquisition by Peter Atkison. The conversation covers the innovative Open Gaming License that revolutionized D&D. Finally, it examines the community backlash following the leaked OGL revision, revealing ongoing challenges and D&D's remarkable resilience.
137 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 44min
The Many Deaths of Dungeons & Dragons | Wizards and Witch Hunts | 1
Explore the origins and rise of Dungeons & Dragons as Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson turn handwritten rules into a cultural phenomenon. Discover how a missing child caused a media frenzy, casting D&D in a dark light and boosting its popularity. Hear about TSR's attempts to simplify the game and the financial strain they faced amidst wild expansion efforts. Experience the split among fans and the challenges posed by competitors like Magic: The Gathering that threatened the game's legacy.
