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The first of our special midweek podcasts during the COVID-19 pandemic looks at Airbnb. Cory explores the company's decision to give guests full refunds on trips that had to be cancelled because of travel restrictions during the crisis. Please reach out to tom@theinformation.com if this situation has happened to you if you have any thoughts as a guest or host. Background Reading: Airbnb’s Longstanding Ties to Hosts Frayed by Crisis

Martin talks about the effects of the market downturn in response to the global pandemic. And we discuss which companies are the most affected and how long it will take for investors to regain confidence in the markets again. Background Reading: Market Crash Pressures Softbank's High-Risk Investment Strategy As Prices Fall, Private Equity's Deal Appetite Could Grow

Kate talks about the messages that investors are giving to their portfolio companies about the coronavirus and how to prepare for an economic downturn. Background Reading: VCs Brace for Fundraising Delays Amid Outbreak

Jessica Lessin talks about Disney's surprise appointment of a new CEO, Bob Chapek and what it means for Bob Iger in his new role as executive chairman. Priya discusses the future of Amazon Go. Background Reading: Despite Stepping Down as Disney CEO, Iger Will Still Be In Charge Buyer Beware: Why Retailers Should Think Hard About Amazon ‘Go’ Partnerships

Cory interviews New York Times journalist Conor Dougherty about his new book on the California housing crisis and the role tech has played in causing it (and trying to solve it). Then Jessica Lessin talks to Robin Murdoch of Accenture about autonomous vehicles as part of our sponsored series with the firm. 

Jessica and Tom discuss Roku and whether its hard-nosed negotiation tactics with media companies will work. Cory dives into Softbank and its troubles since the WeWork collapse.

Amir talks about the companies that have invested the most in self-driving car technology in the past decade. Kate explains why Sequoia is doubling down on seed investing and why that category is getting more competitive.

Chris Stern joins from Washington DC to talk about how Republicans have become Facebook's biggest supporters on the Hill in the face of increasingly antagonistic Democrats. Kevin discusses the legacy of Ginni Rometty the outgoing CEO of IBM.

Priya and Kevin Dugan talk about the ways companies going public try to get bankers to become clients in order to win the job. Kate explores Lambda School, a coding school that has a different way of approaching tuition, and the controversy around it.

Nick Bastone and Jessica Lessin talk about David Drummond's tense relationship with Google Venture and his lasting legacy at Alphabet. Read more: Drummond Departure Puts Spotlight on Google Venture Arm Google Reckoning With History of Interoffice Romance by Top Execs