Organized Money

Sen. Chris Murphy, a U.S. Senator from Connecticut, discusses the political landscape around media consolidation and the role of state attorneys general in protecting democracy. Rep. Becca Balint shares insights on antitrust messaging and mobilizing coalitions for effective change. Workers' rights attorney David Seligman emphasizes the need for state enforcement to challenge corporate consolidation. Lastly, Cost Plus Drugs CEO Alex Oshmyansky sheds light on the fight for pharmaceutical transparency against entrenched industry players.

Will Buer, a consumer protection attorney from Booker Law, joins forces with fellow gamer-lawyer Judson Crump to take on Valve, the giant behind Steam. They share their inspiring journey of challenging monopolistic practices in the gaming industry, highlighting the importance of individual claims and creative arbitration strategies. Their efforts expose corporate advantages that often silence consumer rights, making a compelling case for the power of advocacy in the face of corporate dominance while shedding light on broader implications in market competition.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts democrat and former law professor known for her advocacy on consumer protection, joins the discussion to tackle pressing issues. She dives into the antitrust trial against Google and critiques the Federal Reserve's independence, questioning its alignment with Wall Street interests over everyday Americans. Warren argues the Democratic Party needs to effectively communicate its commitment to economic justice amid rising living costs, emphasizing the significance of policies on housing and healthcare in representing true governmental accountability.

Google just lost a huge antitrust case—but somehow seems to have walked away the winner. In this emergency episode David and Matt explain how a federal judge ruled that Google is an illegal monopolist, then turned around and let the company keep the very deals that entrench its dominance. From billion-dollar payments to Apple to the future of AI, they dig into what the ruling means, why critics on both the left and right are calling this a huge win for Big Tech and what it tells us about the fight against monopoly power.If you love Organized Money, support us! Go to Organizedmoney.fm to subscribe to our newsletter, or Organizedmoney.fm/donate to throw us a donation. 

The biggest story in football this season isn’t on the field, but in the boardrooms and backrooms of the NFL. In this episode David and Matt dig into the collusion scandal rocking the league—where billionaire owners conspired to block star quarterbacks from getting guaranteed contracts, in cahoots with the NFL Players Association, the union meant to represent player interests.We're joined by the journalist who cracked the story, Pablo Torre, host of Pablo Torre Finds Out, along with Doha Mekki, Former Acting Assistant Attorney General. Together, we try and piece together how how this scandal's collusive DMs, strip club meetings, shady union politics, and brazen conflicts of interest, form a case study in contemporary power, labor, and corruption.If you love Organized Money, support us! Go to Organizedmoney.fm to subscribe to our newsletter, or Organizedmoney.fm/donate to throw us a donation. 

The business of skateboarding has grown from an independent, DIY culture into one almost completely dominated by private equity groups. How did it get gobbled up? In this episode David teams up with former “skate rat” and researcher Daniel Stone of the Center for Economic and Policy Research to expose how private equity has quietly, and sometimes catastrophically, taken over the world of skateboarding. What started as a subversive, counter-cultural movement has become a hunting ground for financial firms snapping up iconic skate and surf brands, only to leave them saddled with debt, stripped of their soul, and disconnected from the local shops and skaters that built them. From the leveraged buyout and hollowing out of World Industries, the collapse of Dwindle Distribution and Enjoi skateboards, and Boardriders’ massive bankruptcy we see how  these firms disconnected iconic brands from their roots, gutted skate teams, and contributed to the decline of local skate shops. This episode is a cautionary tale, showing how even the most rebellious sides of youth culture aren’t safe from Wall Street’s relentless appetite. Check out Daniel's report, No Comply: Private Equity and Skateboarding here.Love Organized Money? Support us! Go to OrganizedMoney.fm to subscribe to our free newsletter, and throw us a donation if you're able. It helps keep the lights on.  

Join Dan Weissman, an investigative reporter and host of An Arm and a Leg, alongside Emily Pizzacreda, a dedicated producer and insulin-dependent diabetic, as they dive into a riveting tale of pharmaceutical monopolies. They explore the alarming rise in costs of tuberculosis treatments, a drug critical for saving lives, yet often out of reach. Discover the inspiring grassroots movement led by YouTubers advocating for affordable healthcare and the impact of India's patent laws that sparked a revolution in access to essential medicines. This is a powerful story of activism and hope.

Lori Wallach, Director of Rethink Trade at the American Economic Liberties Project, shares her vast expertise in trade, cultivated since the NAFTA era. She unpacks the chaotic tariff landscape shaped by Trump's administration, illustrating how erratic policies confuse businesses and manipulate corporate interests. Key discussions include legal constraints on presidential tariff powers, the distortions in market reactions to trade news, and the real economic impact on American workers versus big tech. Lori advocates for clearer, more equitable trade practices.

Sohrab Ahmari, a conservative journalist and editor at Unheard, delves into the controversial merger between Hewlett-Packard and Juniper Networks, shedding light on backdoor deals within the Justice Department. He discusses the implications for antitrust policy under a potential second Trump administration and the threats faced by populist reformers. The conversation also touches on the opaque nature of political and corporate relationships, raising concerns about the future of competition and the neglect of class analysis in political discourse.

Bridget Read, a features writer for New York Magazine and author of "Little Bosses Everywhere," delves into the murky waters of multi-level marketing (MLM) and pyramid schemes. She discusses how companies like Amway and Herbalife exploit the dream of entrepreneurship, often leading to financial losses for participants. The conversation reveals the deep ties of MLMs to American politics, and how these schemes perpetuate a cycle of hope and extraction within vulnerable communities. Read also critiques the cult-like mentality that thrives in the pursuit of the American dream.