

Opening Bid Unfiltered
Yahoo Finance
Start your investing day with the right market commentary and inside scoops to help you decode the trading day. Yahoo Finance editor in chief, Brian Sozzi, is at the helm with a rotating roster of expert guests, including Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates, the CEOs of Ford, PayPal, Robinhood, and other Fortune 500 companies, to help you think about your investments differently.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 11, 2025 • 26min
What makes wellness brands go from viral to billion-dollar
What does turning a wellness trend into a $1 billion brand take? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi gets the answer from SC Holdings co-founder Jason Stein in this episode of Opening Bid Unfiltered. Stein reveals the data-driven playbook behind AG1’s explosive growth, the future of wearable recovery tech with Hyperice and Nike (NKE), and why youth sports could be the next $40 billion investment frontier. From IPO potential to M&A strategy, he shares insights every growth-focused investor needs to hear.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves, and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor, before the stock market opens.
Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid Unfiltered at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered is hosted by Brian Sozzi and produced by Langston Sessoms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 4, 2025 • 28min
Where this billionaire is betting big next
There is being a winner in one’s business career, and then there is Ted Leonsis — arguably one of the most successful business people of the past 20 years. The former top tech and AOL executive has parlayed his success in the C-suite into being a dominant force in the world of sports. He owns Capital One Arena, which is undergoing a nearly $1 billion tech-led renovation. He purchased the WNBA’s Washington Mystics for $10 million in 2005, well before the surge in popularity in the league. He bought the NBA’s Washington Wizards for $310 million 2010, a fraction of what major sports teams are going for today. He purchased the NHL’s Washington Capitals in 1999 for $200 million. So what’s next for Leonsis? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast with Leonsis about the business of sports and what opportunities he sees ahead. Leonsis had been rumored to have interest in buying the MLB’s Washington Nationals, for example. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 28, 2025 • 25min
Why the Trump economy hasn’t plunged into recession…yet
Midway through 2025, the economy finds itself in a fascinating position. Despite considerable Trump tariff uncertainty and sticky inflation, the US economy continues to expand. The job market is staying solid. Corporate America, as seen by earnings results from Delta (DAL), Levi Strauss (LEVI), and JPMorgan Chase (JPM), is performing well on the top and bottom lines. And profit outlooks haven’t been too shabby, either. But that doesn’t mean smooth sailing for the economy into year-end. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast with Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk. Several months ago, Slok didn’t rule out a US recession in part because of Trump's tariffs. Meanwhile, the perception of a non-independent Federal Reserve when Trump announces Jerome Powell’s successor could harm the economy and markets. Sløk shares his perspective on these pressing issues for investors and how dynamics may unfold in the economy as we look forward to 2026.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves, and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor, before the stock market opens.
Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid Unfiltered at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered is hosted by Brian Sozzi and produced by Langston Sessoms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 21, 2025 • 26min
Why Nextdoor is having a founder-led re-founding moment
Nirav Tolia, co-founder and CEO of Nextdoor, discusses his return to the company in May 2024 after a five-year hiatus. He reveals the challenges faced while revitalizing a struggling platform, including competition from larger social networks and the impacts of AI technology. Tolia shares insights about community engagement and the importance of enhancing local content to improve user experience. He candidly addresses the difficulties of steering a public company amid innovation pressures and the evolving tech landscape.

Jul 14, 2025 • 26min
Why Reebok’s founder is taking on the new footwear trade war
Join footwear innovators Ben Weiss and Joe Foster as they dive into the future of shoes. Ben, CEO of Syntilay, reveals how AI and 3D printing are reshaping sneaker design, while Joe, the visionary behind Reebok, shares insights from decades in the industry. They discuss the challenges traditional brands face amidst shifting production trends and the quest to revive Reebok's iconic basketball legacy. Together, they explore how technology can revolutionize footwear, bridging innovation with heritage in an ever-changing market.

Jul 7, 2025 • 24min
US debt surge: CEO of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund weighs in
The Trump administration is still reportedly keen on starting a sovereign wealth fund. But details have been scant since initial news hit the public in early February. Even if a US sovereign wealth fund gets developed, it will have a hard time amassing the size of Norway’s. Norway has the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world with more than $1.8 trillion in investments spanning stocks, fixed income and real estate. It owns close to 9,000 stocks. Looked at another way, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund owns almost 1.5% of all shares in the world’s listed companies. Some well known holdings include Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), Google (GOOG), among many others. In charge of managing this fund - which was established in 1990 to diversify from Norway’s oil revenue – is Norges Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tangen. Tangen joined as CEO in September 2020 after a successful run as a top hedge fund manager. He gained another five year term as CEO earlier this year, extending his run atop the fund at least until 2030. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid podcast with Tangen about how he invests and what’s next for markets. Tangen is also the host of the In Good Company podcast, where he interviews other CEOs usually of companies the fund is invested in. Some headline grabbing interviews have included with Twitter founder and Block (XYZ) CEO Jack Dorsey, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Elliot Management founder Paul Singer.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website for full episodes of Opening Bid Unfiltered.
Langston Sessoms produces Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 21min
Inside the pre-July 4 stock market melt-up
In case you missed it, summer is here, judging by the extreme heat gripping the United States. While many power players on Wall Street often use the summer months to hang out on their gas-guzzling yachts or to go on lavish vacations to faraway lands, we are doing anything but here at Yahoo Finance!
Why these extreme measures? This will be a volatile few months for the markets, and we want you prepared! For one, geopolitical risk is front and center as President Trump, Iran, and Israel tango. A tariff deadline looms on July 9, as does Trump’s big beautiful bill on July 4. The Federal Reserve may or may not have to move on rates. And the economy has slowed.
To that end, we want to highlight some of the most actionable points from our recent chats on Opening Bid Unfiltered. Consider this your guide to understanding the economy and the reasons for the market’s pre-July 4th melt-up.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves, and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor, before the stock market opens.
Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid Unfiltered at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered is hosted by Brian Sozzi and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 30min
Ochocinco lived at work, Diplo sells his catalog
Some celebrities are as savvy with their money as a typical Wall Street money manager. The only difference is that oftentimes these celebrities have more money than the money manager! Two examples of financial savviness come from NFL great Chad Ochocinco and renowned DJ and producer Diplo. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid podcast from Cannes Lions with both celebrities about how they manage their money and why. Ochocinco — a former star wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals — says he slept in his team’s training facility for two years to save money. Diplo says he has sold 75% of his music catalog to fund investments elsewhere.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves, and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor, before the stock market opens.
Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid Unfiltered is hosted by Brian Sozzi and produced by Langston Sessoms.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 20, 2025 • 34min
Candle Media’s CEO unpacks Disney’s next chapter
The media industry is undergoing a significant moment of distress. Predicting what’s coming up is easier said than done, even for top executives. But that doesn’t stop folks from trying! Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid podcast from the Spotify Beach house at the annual Cannes Lions advertising and media conference with Candle Media CEO Kevin Mayer. Mayer spent 25 years as a top Disney executive and was seen as a potential successor to CEO Bob Iger. Mayer weighs in on the future of Disney (DIS), who may succeed Iger, and why Disney may not sell its TV business. Mayer also shared his thoughts on the crumbling legacy TV industry, which has seen streamers like Netflix (NFLX) and Amazon (AMZN) trigger breakups at Comcast (CMCSA) and Warner Bros. (WBDhttps://finance.yahoo.com...). Candle Media is also behind the children’s program Cocomelon — Mayer discusses what’s next for the popular brand.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.
Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 24min
Here’s the next big investing theme in the Trump economy
It could be a pressure cooker of a summer for the US economy, and not because of the warmer weather. Tariffs from the Trump administration don’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon, forcing businesses to raise consumer prices and delay key projects. At the same time, the Federal Reserve is in no hurry to cut interest rates amid stagflation fears. Economic data has also weakened, with the latest evidence being the employment readings from the last three months. Yahoo Finance Executive EditorBrian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid podcast with the deputy head of BlackRock’s portfolio management group, Mike Pyle. Pyle has spent considerable time in top economic adviser roles in the White House administrations of both Biden and Obama. Before rejoining BlackRock in the fall of 2024, Pyle led former President Joe Biden’s international economic policy efforts. He was Biden’s ‘sherpa', leading key economic negotiations with the G7, G20, and APEC. Pyle reveals his latest outlooks on the economy and markets with Sozzi and his biggest concerns as Trump tariffs begin to take root inside corporate America.
Trader Talk with Kenny Polcari on Yahoo Finance delivers expert analysis and actionable insights. Drawing on decades of trading floor experience, we empower you to navigate market volatility and keep your portfolio from getting burned.
Watch more episodes of Trader Talk at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/trader-talk/.
Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Please email us at tradertalk@yahooinc.com.
Yahoo Finance’s Trader Talk is hosted by Kenny Polcari and produced by Langston Sessoms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices