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
84 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 44min
Under Armour's Attack on Nike | Sweat Equity | 1
A college player's sweat problem sparks a DIY sportswear revolution. Early hustles, sly sales tactics, and a big movie placement accelerate rapid retail growth. A risky ad gamble and IPO fuel ambitions to take on the industry leader. Strategic pivots into sneakers, star deals, and worries about losing the brand's original focus round out the climb.
63 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 38min
Gatorade Sweats the Competition | Defending the Title | 3
A look at Gatorade’s fight to hold market dominance as Coca‑Cola’s Powerade and new rivals surge. Corporate deals and superstar endorsements reshape the sports drink wars. Science, product pivots, and tech-enabled hydration all play into a shifting competitive landscape.
42 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 35min
Gatorade Sweats the Competition | Be Like Mike | 2
The story follows Gatorade's rise from sideline fuel to mainstream powerhouse. It traces boardroom battles, takeover bids, and a bidding war to sign Michael Jordan. Marketing shifts broaden the brand beyond athletes. The origin of the Gatorade bath and the creation of the 'Be Like Mike' campaign get spotlighted.
57 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 44min
Gatorade Sweats the Competition | Searching for a Solution | 1
A 1960s lab race to solve dangerous player dehydration leads to a new electrolyte drink. Sideline tests, quirky production fixes, and hard-nosed pitching bring the beverage from bench to retail. Packaging challenges, clever branding, and early copycats shape a fierce commercial scramble.
49 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 41min
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | Fake Money | 3
Annie Joy Williams, Atlantic editor who exposed the marketing of “cute debt.” Adam Clark Estes, Vox tech correspondent who covers fintech and BNPL risks. They unpack why BNPL exploded, how apps target young women with pink branding and influencer culture, the mechanics behind stacking loans and securitization, and growing worries about consumer harm and regulation.
195 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 41min
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | Maxing Out | 2
A fast-paced look at how buy-now-pay-later services exploded during the pandemic and then faced fierce competition. The story tracks soaring valuations, painful layoffs, and risky partnerships with big retailers and delivery apps. It also highlights rising consumer debt, regulatory crackdowns, and a company pivoting to AI, banking, and an eventual IPO.
211 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 42min
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | No Interest | 1
A deep dive into how a Scandinavian idea turned mail-order ‘bill me’ into modern buy now, pay later. The story traces cold calls, early skepticism, and a pivot from factoring to fintech. It follows a bold U.S. push, viral growth tactics with influencers, and the regulatory cracks that helped the model explode.
67 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 35min
CrowdStrike: All Systems Down | Digital Dominos | 2
A global software update crash that knocked out airports, hospitals and TV networks. How a cloud-native security product’s architecture amplified a single-point failure. The rapid fallout: public outrage, market chaos and opportunistic scams. Congressional scrutiny, legal costs and changes to how updates are rolled out. A broader look at concentration risk as critical systems centralize in the cloud.
74 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 37min
CrowdStrike: All Systems Down | Guarding the Cloud | 1
A cloud-native cybersecurity startup's bold vision and rapid rise are explored. A routine software update morphs into a global IT meltdown. High-profile breach investigations and public forensic reports bring fame and controversy. Political fallout and conspiracy theories swirl as rapid growth exposes new vulnerabilities.
198 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 43min
Waymo and the Rise of the Robotaxis | Driving Too Fast | 2
A thrilling race for autonomous cars unfolds as Google invests heavily in Waymo, aiming to revolutionize transportation. Meanwhile, Uber's reckless strategy in its quest for autonomy leads to major setbacks and a tragic accident in Tempe. Legal clashes culminate in a 2018 settlement, while Waymo partners with Lyft to launch a ride-hailing service. Despite impressive safety records and cautious advancements, public skepticism remains high. The battle for the robotaxi market intensifies with new competitors emerging and lingering questions about trust and profitability.
