

Bold Names
The Wall Street Journal
WSJ’s Bold Names brings you conversations with the leaders of the bold-named companies featured in the pages of The Wall Street Journal. Hosts Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims speak to CEOs and business leaders in interviews that challenge conventional wisdom and take you inside the decisions being made in the C-suite and beyond.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 8, 2025 • 50min
Space Trucks: One Startup’s Plan to Get the U.S. Back on the Moon
Justin Cyrus, Founder and CEO of Lunar Outpost, discusses the exciting prospects of lunar exploration as one of NASA's selected companies for a lunar terrain vehicle. He highlights the potential for a bustling lunar economy, including resource mining for critical minerals. The podcast dives into the competitive landscape with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, tackles the challenges of establishing sustainable bases on the moon, and addresses geopolitical dynamics in space exploration. Cyrus envisions Lunar Outpost as the backbone of lunar mobility in this new frontier.

24 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 47min
How Tubi Is Coming for Netflix and YouTube in the New Streaming Wars
Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi and a dynamic leader aiming to democratize storytelling, talks about bringing a free ad-supported streaming service to the forefront. She reveals how Tubi is thriving against giants like Netflix, focusing on engaging niche audiences and expanding the definition of quality content. The discussion includes the effects of the Fox acquisition, the rise of original productions, and the changing preferences of Gen Z viewers. Sud emphasizes Tubi's commitment to diverse storytelling and its vision for a new generation of Hollywood talent.

34 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 41min
Are AI Agents the Future of Business? Salesforce Is Betting $8 Billion on It
Amit Walia, CEO of Informatica and a leader in data management solutions, dives into the exciting world of AI and its transformative potential for businesses. He discusses Informatica's pivotal role in helping major corporations like Toyota handle massive data and Salesforce's groundbreaking $8 billion acquisition of the company. Walia highlights the challenges organizations face in AI adoption and emphasizes the importance of proper data infrastructure. Tune in for insights on navigating the hype around AI and the future of personalized customer interactions!

Jul 18, 2025 • 41min
Encore: Could Amazon’s Zoox Beat Tesla and Waymo in the Robotaxi Race?
Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox and former Intel executive, shares insights on Zoox's ambitious plans to disrupt the robotaxi market with Amazon's backing. She discusses the company's unique vehicle design that resembles a lounge and highlights the challenges of ensuring safety and trust in autonomous technology. Evans also dives into the competitive landscape against Tesla and Waymo, emphasizing the need for collaboration and transparency. With families as potential new customers, she explores the importance of communicating the safety and reliability of robotaxi services.

10 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 41min
Tariffs, EVs and China: A CEO Insider’s View of the Car Business
Swamy Kotagiri, CEO of Magna International and a key player in North America's automotive parts sector, shares invaluable insights into the industry's turbulent landscape. He discusses how tariffs and trade conflicts are reshaping strategies for traditional automakers. The conversation dives into the challenges posed by rising competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and the importance of innovation in adapting to consumer shifts. Kotagiri highlights the need for seamless integration between electric vehicles and autonomous technology to build public trust.

16 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 35min
Why José Andrés Says We Need Leaders Who Believe in ‘Longer Tables’
José Andrés, the celebrity chef and humanitarian known for his work with World Central Kitchen, discusses his latest book and the importance of 'longer tables' as a solution to societal issues. He shares insights on how lessons from restaurant chaos help in crisis management, emphasizing adaptability during emergencies. Andrés advocates for direct involvement in humanitarian aid, highlighting food's unifying power amid conflict. He also addresses concerns regarding FEMA's preparedness and explores how culinary advocacy can drive social change and sustainable food practices.

20 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 43min
How Microsoft’s AI Chief Defines ‘Humanist Super Intelligence’
Few people developing artificial intelligence have as much experience in the field as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. He co-founded DeepMind, helped Google develop its large language models and designed AI chatbots with personality at his former startup, Inflection AI. Now, he’s tasked with leading Microsoft’s efforts on its consumer AI products. On the latest episode of the Bold Names podcast, Suleyman speaks to WSJ’s Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins about why AI assistants are central to his plans for Microsoft’s AI future. Plus, they discuss the company’s relationship with OpenAI, and what Suleyman really thinks about “artificial general intelligence.”
Check Out Past Episodes:
Booz Allen CEO on Silicon Valley’s Turn to Defense Tech: ‘We Need Everybody.’
Venture Capitalist Sarah Guo’s Surprising Bet on Unsexy AI
Reid Hoffman Says AI Isn’t an ‘Arms Race,’ but America Needs to Win
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and the AI ‘Fantasy Land’
Let us know what you think of the show. Email us at BoldNames@wsj.com
Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter.
Read Christopher Mims’s Keywords column .
Read Tim Higgins’s column.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 27, 2025 • 38min
Booz Allen CEO on Silicon Valley’s Turn to Defense Tech: ‘We Need Everybody.’
Horacio Rozanski says he is obsessed with speed. As the CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, a company that helps government agencies leverage the latest advances in technology used by the private sector, he has insight into the global race to develop artificial intelligence, especially in the realm of warfare. How does Rozanski see the relationship between the U.S. government and Silicon Valley evolving? He speaks to WSJ’s Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins on the latest episode of the Bold Names podcast.
Check Out Past Episodes:
This CEO Says Global Trade Is Broken. What Comes Next?
Venture Capitalist Sarah Guo’s Surprising Bet on Unsexy AI
What This Former USAID Head Had to Say About Elon Musk and DOGE
Palmer Luckey's 'I Told You So' Tour: AI Weapons and Vindication
Let us know what you think of the show. Email us at BoldNames@wsj.com
Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter.
Read Christopher Mims’s Keywords column.
Read Tim Higgins’s column.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 snips
May 23, 2025 • 38min
This CEO Says Global Trade Is Broken. What Comes Next?
Evan Smith, co-founder and CEO of Altana, offers a unique perspective on the unraveling of globalization and its effects on supply chains. He discusses how President Trump’s tariffs have created chaos in global trade, forcing companies to rethink their processes. Smith raises concerns about a shift away from free trade ideals towards a new geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the need for trusted networks and cooperation. He highlights the growing influence of nations like China and Russia, and Mexico's strategic role in emerging supply chains.

42 snips
May 16, 2025 • 35min
This Company Has a Plan to Beat Neuralink at the Brain-Computer Interface Game
Michael Mager, co-founder and CEO of Precision Neuroscience, discusses pioneering brain-computer interfaces designed to assist those with severe mobility issues. He shares the company's vision for making non-invasive brain implants available to millions and the challenges involved in competing with giants like Neuralink. Mager also reflects on recent FDA approvals and the potential for these technologies to revolutionize lives, turning once rare procedures into standard healthcare solutions.