Everybody's Business
Bloomberg and iHeartPodcasts
Bloomberg Businessweek brings you a smart and fun chat show about all things...business. Hosted by award-winning business and economics journalists Max Chafkin (author of The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s Pursuit of Power) and Stacey Vanek Smith (former co-host of NPR’s Planet Money and reporter for Marketplace), Everybody's Business is powered by the unparalleled sources and reporters who bring you Businessweek magazine’s headlines and the stories behind them. The show gives listeners a window into the discussions happening in boardrooms, Zooms and group chats in power centers around the world. From interpreting Fed meetings to the business of wolf cloning, each week Max, Stacey and their friends at Bloomberg Businessweek guide listeners through what really went on during the last week from Wall Street and Main Street. Because what’s happening with money and markets is everybody’s business.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2025 • 45min
Trump's AI Hail Mary
Dive into Trump's bold AI strategy as he allows Nvidia to sell chips to China. Experts explore if this decision will fuel AI growth or risk creating a larger economic bubble. The podcast also dissects the intense competition for Warner Bros. between Netflix and Paramount, assessing the impact on streaming prices and content quality. With insights on trade-offs in chip sales and the evolving AI landscape, the conversation raises critical questions about the future of both tech and media.
Dec 10, 2025 • 19min
Big Take Bonus: Why We Can’t Quit Microsoft Excel
Max Chafkin, a Businessweek journalist, and Dina Bass, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Microsoft and AI, explore the wild world of Microsoft Excel. They discuss its unexpected status as an esports phenomenon thanks to the Excel World Championship. The duo dives into Excel's cultural baggage, from productivity paragon to capitalist drudgery. Despite new contenders like Google Sheets and AI tools, they argue Excel's unique format and reliability keep it irreplaceable in the corporate realm. Why can’t we quit it? Tune in to find out!
Dec 5, 2025 • 38min
Will Chatbots Break Our Brains—And Our Hearts?
Ellen Huet, a Businessweek reporter and author of Empire of Orgasm, joins the discussion on the profound impacts of chatbot interactions. She reveals alarming cases where deep connections with chatbots disrupt lives and even break apart families. The conversation touches on emotional dependence fostered by chatbots, raising concerns about potential delusions and addiction parallels. Huet also emphasizes the need for better design in chatbot technology to mitigate harmful effects and compares their influence to cult dynamics, urging for critical changes in how they're developed.
Nov 28, 2025 • 41min
The Business Behind the 'Turkey 5'
Ken Belson, a New York Times sports reporter and author, joins the conversation to reveal the NFL's transformation into a cultural titan. He discusses the unique elements that make football a TV powerhouse and the impact of celebrity fans on its viewership. Annemarie Conte from Wirecutter shares insights on Black Friday shopping, detailing how they sift through countless deals to find genuine bargains. She also highlights shifting strategies and categories for this year's sales amidst economic challenges.
10 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 41min
Examining Epstein, Inc
Max Abelson, a Bloomberg reporter focused on money and power, dives into the disturbing business dealings of Jeffrey Epstein, revealing the cruel language and relationships found in thousands of emails. He discusses Epstein's intertwining of money management, influence-building, and illicit activities. Dina Shanker, a Businessweek food reporter, surprises listeners with predictions that Thanksgiving meal costs may actually decrease in 2025, unpacking the complexities of grocery pricing dynamics.
Nov 14, 2025 • 41min
Can Makeup Help Prop up the Economy?
Allison Schrager, an economist and Bloomberg Opinion contributor, delves into the controversial 50-year mortgage proposal as a potentially helpful solution for first-time homebuyers. She discusses how this plan might ease housing affordability but warns of the political obstacles ahead. Joining her is Amanda Mull, a Businessweek reporter, who shares insights on Ulta's dominance in the beauty retail space, highlighting the 'lipstick effect' where consumers splurge on affordable makeup during tough times. Their conversation reveals intriguing connections between beauty and economic trends.
5 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 48min
Why Matt Yglesias thinks Mamdani Won't Change New York
Matthew Yglesias, a writer for Bloomberg Opinion, shares his insights on the implications of Zohran Mamdani's anticipated mayoralty in New York City, arguing that transformative change may remain elusive. He likens Mamdani's situation to Bill de Blasio's governance, focusing on practical constraints versus lofty goals. Meanwhile, Ellen Cushing from The Atlantic discusses the impact of food delivery apps, revealing how they've reshaped dining culture and restaurant economics, highlighting both benefits and the community losses from reduced in-person dining.
Oct 31, 2025 • 45min
Will Horror Gruel Save Hollywood?
Leo Feler, an economist known for his insights on immigration policy, shares a harrowing account of an ICE raid at his renovation site, discussing its chilling economic impacts. He reveals how such raids lead to anxiety-driven behaviors in communities and disrupt local economies. Sean Fennessey, Chief Content Officer at The Ringer, analyzes Hollywood's struggles in 2025, highlighting issues like superhero fatigue and changing audience preferences. He passionately defends horror films as a resilient genre, recommending both classic and modern titles for Halloween.
Oct 24, 2025 • 43min
Kyla Scanlon Sees Trouble Brewing in the US Economy
Kyla Scanlon visits the studio armed with her three most pressing indicators of the state of the economy. What do we make of all those auto loan defaults? Is Jamie Dimon’s new $3 billion “fortress” a harbinger of fundamental changes in the labor market? And why does an economically anxious population keep on spending? Lots to discuss. Max and Stacey also sit down with David Papadopoulos to talk about the forthcoming, high stakes election in Argentina and try to make sense of the Trump administration’s attempt to help the country out: a currency swap. Is it a bailout or does the US really need $20 billion worth of pesos?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 22, 2025 • 2min
Introducing: The Mishal Husain Show
Make sense of the world with one essential conversation, every week. Mishal Husain, one of Britain's best interviewers, brings her signature blend of curiosity and tenacity to weekly conversations with world leaders, business titans, and cultural icons, revealing who they really are and how they see the world changing around them.Follow the podcast wherever you listen, so you don't miss an episode.https://link.podtrac.com/iu94w2n4See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
