Good Bad Billionaire

BBC World Service
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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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10 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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17 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 52min

Henry Ford: Putting the world on wheels

Henry Ford revolutionized transportation with the affordable Model T, reshaping American society. He introduced the assembly line, enhanced production efficiency, and pioneered the five-day workweek. However, his legacy is complex; he raised wages but opposed unions and propagated antisemitic views. The podcast dives into his early struggles, landmark legal battles, and the contradictions of his character, exploring how he influenced modern culture while facing criticism for his beliefs. Listeners are invited to reflect on his impact and look forward to more tales of billionaires.
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62 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 47min

John D Rockefeller: The first billionaire

Dive into the life of John D. Rockefeller, the first billionaire who revolutionized the oil industry while shaping corporate America. Discover how his ruthless tactics fueled a monopoly yet triggered antitrust laws. Unravel the contradictions of a man viewed by some as a 'robber baron' and by others as a generous philanthropist, giving away over $500 million. Explore how Rockefeller's legacy resonates in today's corporations and the ongoing debate: can vast wealth justify immense power?
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Jun 23, 2025 • 2min

Coming soon: Good Bad Dead Billionaire

Dive into the legacies of legendary billionaires like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. Discover how their innovative ideas shaped modern industry and finance. Explore the contrasts in their personas—are they to be celebrated or scrutinized? The podcast invites listeners to weigh in on the moral implications of their vast fortunes. Time travel through business history as these iconic figures influence today’s economic landscape, proving that their impact persists, even from beyond the grave.
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29 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 40min

Eike Batista: Golden grifter

In this intriguing dive, listeners explore the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Eike Batista, Brazil’s once-wealthiest man. From a gold tycoon to a notorious grifter, Batista's life was marked by extravagant lifestyle choices and high-stakes business ventures. The hosts discuss his ambitious attempts to revolutionize Brazil's mining industry and the corruption that led to his infamous legal troubles. They weigh his celebrated contributions against his controversial legacy, prompting debates on the true nature of wealth and influence.
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64 snips
May 26, 2025 • 48min

LeBron James: King of the court

LeBron James turned down a $10 million offer from Reebok at just 18, showing remarkable foresight. His journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming an NBA legend is inspiring. Beyond basketball, he built a business empire with Nike and strategic investments, including Blaze Pizza. The podcast explores his controversial decision to move to the Miami Heat, the evolution of his public image, and his rise to billionaire status. It also highlights his philanthropic efforts and activism, making him more than just an athlete.
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27 snips
May 19, 2025 • 45min

Masayoshi Son: High-tech gambler

Dive into the fascinating life of Masayoshi Son, a high-tech gambler who rose from poverty to build SoftBank, showcasing his bold investment strategies and remarkable comebacks. Discover how he overcame significant health challenges and once lost 96% of his fortune yet remained a billionaire through high-stakes bets on tech giants like Alibaba. From an ambitious teenager crashing corporate headquarters to a visionary navigating the tumultuous tech landscape, his story is a blend of triumph and tenacity.
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7 snips
May 12, 2025 • 42min

Strive Masiyiwa: Connecting a continent

Explore the remarkable journey of Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe’s first billionaire, who turned challenges into triumphs amidst political turmoil. Hear about his escape from kidnapping and how he revolutionized telecommunications with Econet Wireless across Africa. Delve into his innovative contributions like EcoCash and the Sasai app, reshaping financial landscapes while navigating corruption. The discussion also touches on his philanthropic efforts and the complex impact of his entrepreneurial spirit on education and economic growth across the continent.

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