Good Bad Billionaire

BBC World Service
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9 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 44min

John Fredriksen: Tanker king

Explore the wild life of John Fredriksen, the shipping magnate who once ran the world’s largest fleet of oil tankers. Discover his rise from a shipbroker to a billionaire through risky oil trades and daring deals in war zones. Hear about his infamous past, including a jail stint and the transformation prompted by an environmental disaster. Learn how he leveraged industry crises to expand his empire and why his investments in safety and double-hulled tankers became game-changers in the business. A riveting tale of ambition, controversy, and resilience!
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38 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 47min

Evan Spiegel: Snapchat fratboy

Evan Spiegel's journey from a shy schoolboy to the world's youngest billionaire at just 25 is captivating. From dropping out of Stanford to the explosive rise of Snapchat, his story brims with ambition and controversy. The hosts delve into the app’s early struggles, the impact of a lawsuit, and how challenges from tech giants influenced its path. Spiegel's personal life, including his relationship with Miranda Kerr, adds an intriguing layer. With insights on wealth and legacy, the narrative explores the complexities of fame and fortune.
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Oct 13, 2025 • 45min

Tatyana Kim: Russia’s online retail queen

Discover the incredible journey of Tatyana Kim, who transformed from an English teacher into Russia’s wealthiest woman by founding Wildberries. Learn how she navigated the challenges of the e-commerce landscape, innovated with pickup points, and tackled supplier disputes. The podcast delves into the dramatic 2024 office shooting incident, the shadowy merger with Russ Outdoor, and the ensuing political fallout. Find out how Kim balances her billionaire status with philanthropy and public perception, and what the future holds for her expanding empire.
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Oct 6, 2025 • 47min

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Muscles, movies, money

How bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger went from Mr Universe to all-action cinematic superstar and billionaire investor.BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng take us back to Schwarzenegger’s youth in post-war Austria and a childhood marked by poverty. Bodybuilding gave him a way out and he took it, going all the way to Hollywood. But he made even more money from investments than he did from acting. Schwarzenegger also had a fourth career as governor of California.Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, before asking the audience to decide if they are good, bad, or just billionaires.To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire.Audio for this episode was updated on 8th October 2025.
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Sep 19, 2025 • 2min

Coming soon: More tales of the mega-rich

Film stars, tech bros, shipping magnates and online retail giants... BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng introduce the latest batch of billionaires whose stories they will uncover in their new season, starting 6 October.Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, before asking the audience to decide if they are good, bad, or just billionaires.To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire
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Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 4min

Encore - Film Stories: George Lucas and Peter Jackson

George Lucas created Star Wars and Peter Jackson directed the Lord of the Rings films, two of the movie world’s most epic adventures. Ahead of a new season of Good Bad Billionaire, presented by Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack, here’s another chance to hear how these two film directors went from zero to a billion, in episodes originally released in 2023 and 2024.Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. This season we want to hear YOUR thoughts about our billionaires. And we’ll be heading back to the movies… To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire
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9 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 11min

The dead billionaires: What do you think?

Dive into the fascinating legacies of legendary billionaires like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. The discussion uncovers their complicated impacts on society, blending philanthropy with controversy. Listeners share personal reflections, revealing diverse opinions on figures like Hetty Green and her unconventional strategies during crises. The podcast also tackles the tricky relationship between wealth and economic inequality, prompting listeners to reflect on the moral implications of billionaire success. A riveting exploration of fortune and responsibility!
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Aug 4, 2025 • 48min

Hetty Green: The 'witch' of Wall Street

Explore the intriguing life of Hetty Green, America’s richest woman, known as the 'Witch of Wall Street.' Delve into her extreme frugality and remarkable investment strategies during a time when women had little financial power. Uncover her battles with family trusts and a notorious will forgery trial that put her reputation on the line. Learn how she navigated the male-dominated finance world, made her fortune through value investing, and faced personal challenges with a complex relationship with wealth. Hetty's story is a captivating blend of ambition and adversity.
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20 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 44min

Sam Walton: Walmart’s founder

Discover the remarkable journey of Sam Walton, the visionary behind Walmart, as he revolutionized retail with discount megastores. Explore his unique strategies, like surprise visits to stores and his risk-taking innovations during Walmart's early growth. Dive into the mixed legacy of Walmart, examining its impact on small-town economies and the ethical implications of corporate practices. Enjoy a humorous tale of Walton’s quirky Wall Street moment—tropical shirt included—while unpacking the vast influence of supermarkets on modern society.
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15 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 45min

Howard Hughes: Eccentric aviator

Explore the fascinating life of Howard Hughes, a billionaire who mastered filmmaking and aviation while wrestling with obsession and paranoia. From his extraordinary upbringing to taking charge of his father's company at 19, Hughes's life is a whirlwind of ambition, love, and chaos. Discover his rise as a charismatic mogul, his controversial wartime dealings, and his eventual retreat into reclusiveness. Delve into the complexities of his legacy, marked by both groundbreaking achievements and eccentric behavior.

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