Organized Money

The hosts dive into the latest buzz surrounding Google's antitrust challenges and potential divestitures. The legal landscape for pharmacy benefit managers and healthcare competition is evolving, with significant updates from Arkansas and Oregon. They also tackle surveillance pricing and the contradictions in recent California legislation. The discussion shifts to tariff issues and the fallout from previous trade policies. Lastly, the impact of a controversial tax bill seeking to cut Medicaid while favoring the wealthy raises eyebrows, alongside a plea for listener support.

In this lively discussion, Lee Hepner, an antitrust lawyer at the American Economic Liberties Project, dives into the unsettling world of surveillance pricing. He explains how companies manipulate your data to set personalized prices, often harming consumers. Listeners learn about the RealPage scandal, where landlords coordinated rent hikes, and how this tactic is emerging in various sectors, from retail to meatpacking. Hepner stresses the urgent need for lawmakers to address these issues, as dynamic pricing practices continue to blur the lines of fairness and competition.

Courtney Van Kott, a dedicated real estate broker from California and Arizona, shares her harrowing six-year battle against a non-compete agreement that nearly derailed her career. She recounts the shocking moment she was served legal papers while picking up her kids from school, revealing the immense pressure to sign a contract that demanded 75% of her commissions even after leaving her team. Their discussion highlights the chilling effects of non-competes on workers, especially in real estate, and touches on the ongoing fight for fair employment practices.

David Seligman, the Executive Director of Toward Justice, dives into the transformative impact of the 1970s Powell memo on corporate power. He reveals how Justice Lewis Powell reshaped antitrust laws to favor corporations over worker rights. Discussion highlights include the ongoing effects of vertical restraints on healthcare and gig economies. Seligman also critiques the influence of Chicago school scholars on legal interpretations, illustrating how these historical shifts continue to affect economic equity and democracy in today's society.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Beckham, Co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, shares his journey from nonprofit work to leading a successful e-commerce brand known for its stainless steel drinkware. He dives into the complexities of global supply chains and the challenges of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. Mike highlights how new tariffs could disrupt consumer prices and discusses the hidden costs of Amazon's business model, revealing how algorithms dominate decision-making in retail.

In this engaging discussion, Molson Hart, an entrepreneur and toy company founder, delves into the significant impact of new 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. He shares firsthand experiences from the manufacturing floor, revealing how these tariffs disrupt supply chains, risking layoffs in ports and warehouses. The conversation highlights strategic shifts toward production in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, and contrasts current economic uncertainties with the pandemic's effects. Hart emphasizes the need for reevaluating supply chain dependencies and fostering U.S. manufacturing resilience.

Laurel Kilgore, an attorney with the American Economic Liberties Project, and Brendan Benedict, an antitrust attorney, dive into high-stakes antitrust trials against Google and Meta. They discuss Google's potential punishment for monopolizing search and the government's push to divest Chrome. Brendan shares insights from the Meta trial, examining how the company's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp may have stifled competition. The conversation highlights the interplay of law and corporate power amid the current political climate.

Spurred on by Trump, Covid, and climate change, leaders are taking a more hands-on approach to shaping markets that would be seen as impossible a few years ago—but as our guest today argues, this kind of marketcraft is actually a long American tradition. Today, Matt and David welcome Chris Hughes, one of Facebook's founders, to the show to talk about his new book Marketcrafters. The book demolishes the myth that government and the free market were ever truly separate entities and examines the oft-forgotten stories of how policymakers on both sides of the aisle have used their power to craft markets to both good and bad ends.This week also marks the beginning of the FTC's trial against Meta, an action Chris called for back in 2019 in The New York Times. We get Chris's take on the trial, plus a dispatch from Matt, who has been watching the proceedings go down at the courthouse. To learn about Chris's new book Marketcrafters, check out his Substack: https://chrishughes749530.substack.comRead Chris's 2019 op-ed calling for Facebook to be broken up: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/sunday/chris-hughes-facebook-zuckerberg.html

Jonathan Kanter, the former head of the DOJ's antitrust division and current CNBC contributor, shares his thrilling experiences battling major corporations like Google and Ticketmaster. He reveals the courtroom drama and hilarious moments he faced while leading a small team against powerful monopolies. Kanter discusses Apple’s monopolistic practices and the challenges of fostering innovation in a competitive market. His insights on evolving antitrust strategies emphasize the ongoing fight against corporate power, shedding light on the complexities of promoting fair competition.

Jonathan Kanter, former head of the Antitrust Division and big law partner, delves into the intricate ties between major law firms and politics. He discusses how recent executive orders from the Trump administration have created a chilling effect on legal representation, especially against government actions. The conversation shifts to the ways big law has evolved from academia to a profit-driven focus, impacting their dual roles as legal advisers and political players. Kanter also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by firms in maintaining integrity amid profit pressures.