

Organized Money
Rock Creek Sound
Organized Money is a podcast about how the business world really works, and how corporate consolidation and monopolies are dominating every sector of our economy. The series is hosted by writers and journalists Matt Stoller and David Dayen, both thought leaders in the antimonopoly movement. Organized Money is a fresh spin on business reporting, one that goes beyond supply and demand curves or odes to visionary entrepreneurs. Each week Matt and David break down the ways monopolies control everything from the food we eat, to the drugs we take, the way we communicate and even how we date. You’ll hear from workers, business leaders, antitrust lawyers, and policymakers who are on the front lines of the fight for open markets and fair competition.If you care about an economy that is free and open, one not controlled by a handful of corporations, Organized Money is for you. New episodes out every week until the end of the year. Organized Money is a Rock Creek Sound production, from executive producers Ari Saperstein and Ellen Weiss, and senior producer Benjamin Frisch.
Episodes
Mentioned books

13 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 42min
The Democratic Party and Corporate Power with Rep. Chris DeLuzio
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D) defied Pennsylvania's red wave, outperforming Kamala Harris in working-class areas outside of Pittsburgh to secure re-election. He joins David and Matt to talk about what the Democratic party can learn from his victory. Deluzio says Democratic candidates in tough races won by focusing on pocketbook issues and standing up to powerful forces harming their constituents. Deluzio says you need a clear vision and bold messaging: "Not every issue has a win-win solution. Sometimes there’s a bad guy, and you’ve got to be willing to fight them."

13 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 52min
FanDuel and DraftKings and the online betting duopoly
Americans lose over $150 billion annually to state lotteries, casinos, and online gambling—that’s $300,000 every minute. How did gambling become so entrenched in American life? And how are FanDuel and DraftKings driving this crisis?In this episode, we’re joined by Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, and Dr. Kavita Fisher, a psychiatrist whose life was deeply affected by online gambling addiction. Together, they uncover how corporate giants and state governments profit at the expense of millions, fueling addiction and financial ruin.Check out the Al Jazeera documentary " The Big Gamble": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ9qp9UftEE. And the New York Times investigation into online sports betting: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/podcasts/the-daily/sports-betting-lobbying-laws-states.html

Nov 12, 2024 • 51min
Baby Formula Monopoly with Laura Modi, CEO of Bobby
When Laura Modi launched Bobby in 2020, it was the first infant formula company to enter the U.S. market in over six years. At the time, the U.S. baby formula industry was dominated by two major players (Abbott and Reckitt) they controlled 80% of the market. Two years later, that monopoly would lead to a crisis when Abbott Labs shut down its main production facilities because of contamination. Modi explains the significant barriers to entry in the industry, and how the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program's state-by-state exclusive contracts with formula manufacturers have historically reinforced market concentration.

Nov 5, 2024 • 38min
Voters Want Antitrust! with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
In the battleground state of Arizona, voters are telling campaigns that they want more antitrust! Earlier this year, state Attorney General Kris Mayes sued a bunch of corporate landlords and a software company called RealPage for illegally raising rents in Phoenix and Tucson using an algorithm, hiking the cost of renting by as much as 20%. Her lawsuit went viral. And now, voters are telling campaign staff at the doors that they love what Mayes did and want more of it. Rent, antitrust, corporate power, and elections, all in one episode.

7 snips
Oct 29, 2024 • 49min
Monopolies and Censorship in Elections with Ken Klippenstein
We hear a lot about how Big Tech uses algorithms to serve up information - but on this episode, we have a story about how they also use their power to control what you can see and hear. After independent journalist Ken Klippenstein wrote a story sharing a dossier about J.D. Vance, allegedly obtained in an Iranian hack of the Trump campaign, X suspended his account and blocked links to his Substack. People that shared his post on X had their accounts suspended and were told to take down the post if they wanted their accounts reinstated. This is a cautionary tale about how Big Tech uses its power to limit speech, and how that's not limited to going after one political party or persuasion.Check out Ken's site here: https://www.kenklippenstein.com

Oct 29, 2024 • 38min
Antitrust on the Campaign Trail with Maggie Goodlander
Maggie Goodlander, a former antitrust attorney and current Congressional candidate from New Hampshire, dives into the rising importance of antitrust issues in political campaigns. She discusses the unique challenges of advocating against monopolies while campaigning and the need for stronger enforcement within the Justice Department. Goodlander highlights stories of everyday citizens affected by corporate dominance, emphasizing how monopolies impact families and local economies. Her insights shed light on the transformative potential of a focused antitrust message in today's political landscape.

13 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 34min
The Revolt of the Pharmacists Part 2: with Congressman Jake Auchicloss (D) from Massachusetts.
In Part 1, we heard how pharmacists are trying to push back against the monopolistic and harmful practices of PBMs. Today, we hear from another avenger who is taking the battle against PBMs to his workplace on Capitol Hill. Representative Jake Auchicloss is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act, the most comprehensive PBM reform ever introduced at the federal level. He tells David and Matt that you've got to delink the money that a PBM earns to the price of a drug or the volume of drugs that are sold. And he's not willing to settle for less.

23 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 55min
The Revolt of the Pharmacists Part 1: with Benjamin Jolley
What would you do if you owned an independent pharmacy and you discovered that the only way to actually make money would be to stop filling most prescriptions? This is what our guest Benjamin Jolley sees everyday. As a third generation independent pharmacist, he's watched as an industry of middlemen have taken control over a transaction that they literally have nothing to do with. Pharmacy Benefit Managers, PBMs decide which drugs, the pricing and the supply between patients trying to fill prescriptions and what a pharmacist gets paid. As a result, some 2000 plus pharmacies have closed this year. How did we get here? Matt and David go behind the pharmacy counter to break it all down with Benjamin Jolley.

17 snips
Oct 15, 2024 • 45min
The Real Supermarket Sweep: with Laurel Kilgour
Laurel Kilgour, an attorney and research manager at the American Economic Liberties Project, dives deep into the controversial merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons. She highlights the potential impacts on competition, prices, and the workforce as these companies seek to consolidate power. Insights from the ongoing courtroom battles reveal the high stakes for consumers and how a merger could reshape the grocery landscape. Laurel also adds an engaging layer by discussing the courtroom dynamics and the complexities of corporate mergers in today's market.

8 snips
Oct 15, 2024 • 44min
The Search Monopoly: with Brody and Luke Mullins
Brody and Luke Mullins, investigative journalists and co-authors of "The Wolves of K Street," delve into Google’s antitrust challenges and lobbying strategies. They discuss why a critical antitrust trial took 11 years to materialize and the unseen influence Google wielded over political circles. The brothers share insights on the transformation of lobbying practices and the historical context of corporate power dynamics. With personal anecdotes and a deep dive into regulatory battles, they reveal the complex interplay between tech giants and government.