Business Wars
Audible
Netflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, innovators, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Against the Odds and American History Tellers.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 48min
F1 vs NASCAR | Start Your Engines | 1
High-speed origins from moonshine runners to purpose-built stock cars. The rise of a racing empire through TV, sponsorships, and national fandom. A rival motorsport built by savvy deal-making and a global TV strategy. Repeated attempts to crack the American market and why they often failed.
28 snips
May 6, 2026 • 42min
Bumble's Stumble | The Sting | 2
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble and entrepreneur who built the women-first dating app, returns to steer the company. The conversation covers a controversial rebrand and the Opening Moves change, dating-app fatigue and backlash from billboards, her AI dating concierge idea, a quality-first reset with layoffs, and the launch of B, an AI assistant aimed at rebuilding trust.
20 snips
Apr 29, 2026 • 44min
Bumble's Stumble | The Queen Bee | 1
A founder's legal battle shakes up Silicon Valley and sparks a women-first dating app. The app rockets to cultural fame, expands features, and stages a blockbuster IPO. Rapid growth brings lawsuits, arbitration waves, leadership turmoil, and a controversial rebrand that tests the community built around its original promise.
48 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 43min
Athletic Brewing and the NA Beer Revolution | Is NA Here to Stay? | 3
Kate Burnett, food and beverage reporter and certified beer judge, breaks down the rise of craft non-alcoholic beer. She talks about how Athletic Brewing changed perception, the brewing techniques behind quality NA beers, and why retailers and bars are rethinking shelf space and pricing. Short, refreshingly drink-focused conversation on why NA options are booming and who they serve.
51 snips
Apr 22, 2026 • 38min
Athletic Brewing and the NA Beer Revolution | Bring Your Beer to Work | 2
A scrappy brewer fights to scale distribution while dodging contamination scares and investing in pasteurization. A European giant perfects a zero-proof recipe and mounts a global marketing and sports-sponsorship push. The market shifts as big brands, celebrities, and changing drinking habits expand competition beyond beer into sodas and seltzers.
28 snips
Apr 15, 2026 • 37min
Athletic Brewing and the NA Beer Revolution | Brewing the Impossible | 1
A founder leaves Wall Street to build great-tasting non-alcoholic beer against industry skepticism. Secret labs, garage trials, and a breakthrough brew that finally tastes right. Creative branding targets athletes and fitness events to seed demand. Retail and distribution tactics unlock a surprising market gap for NA beer.
94 snips
Apr 8, 2026 • 43min
Spotify vs Apple Music | Dehumanizer | 2
A clash over music streaming economics and platform power fuels the narrative. Taylor Swift’s revolt and Apple’s free-trial decision shake up industry rules. Spotify’s algorithmic breakthroughs and controversial tactics reshape discovery and growth. Legal fights, regulatory wins, and strategic feature races steer both companies’ futures.
133 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 44min
Spotify vs Apple Music | Who Stopped the Music? | 1
A battle between streaming and the old music order plays out through piracy, licensing fights, and daring tech moves. The rise of Spotify’s freemium model and engineering choices clash with record label demands. Apple’s push into streaming, a big acquisition, and a public artist standoff add high-stakes drama.
74 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 42min
Under Armour's Attack on Nike | Signature Sneakers | 3
Tim Newcomb, sneaker and sports tech reporter for outlets like Forbes and Sports Illustrated, traces the history of signature sneakers from Chuck Taylors to modern stars. He compares Michael Jordan’s and Steph Curry’s deals, analyzes why Under Armour’s Curry play struggled, explores rising global brands, and lays out how signature partnerships shape athlete and brand strategy.
93 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 45min
Under Armour's Attack on Nike | Dropping the Ball | 2
A rise-and-fall business tale about a challenger taking on an industry giant. Aggressive tech buys to capture user data and a risky footwear rollout that led to oversupply. A sudden retail bankruptcy forces a controversial mass-market partnership. Leadership shakeups, culture scandals, and repeated strategic pivots reshape the brand's future.
