

Foundering
Bloomberg
Foundering is an award-winning, serialized podcast from the journalists at Bloomberg Technology. Each season, Foundering brings you inside a different high-stakes drama from the technology industry, where its companies are wielding unprecedented capital and power.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2026 • 13min
Preview: The Sixth Bureau, Episode 1
It’s an open secret that the Chinese government has engaged in a global campaign to acquire intellectual property from foreign rivals. At the center of that campaign is the Ministry of State Security, China’s elusive intelligence agency. The US has apprehended hundreds of people accused of giving information to the MSS, but the agency’s inner workings have been a mystery — until now. Today, we’re bringing you Episode 1 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take. The series follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. Listen to Episode 2, available now in The Big Take.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 19, 2024 • 18min
Evolving Money: Rebuilding the Creator Economy (Sponsored Content)
What does it mean for content creators to “go onchain?” We’ll learn how this movement to take financial power back from closed-off social media platforms could give creators a kind of freedom that they’ve struggled to hold onto for centuries. This episode is sponsored by Coinbase.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

47 snips
Jun 27, 2024 • 48min
OpenAI Part 5: Beware the Ides of November
Tech entrepreneur Sam Altman's power struggle at OpenAI leads to a board coup, employee revolt, and his triumphant return as CEO. Explore the secrets, betrayals, and political maneuvering behind the scenes in the AI industry.

29 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 22min
OpenAI Part 4: Heaven and Hell, Part 2
Reporter Ellen Huet explores Sam Altman's proposals for ending poverty and his relationship with his sister, Annie Altman. They discuss AI's impact on the economy, universal basic income as a solution, poverty challenges, housing insecurity, family dynamics, and personal disappointment.

68 snips
Jun 13, 2024 • 32min
OpenAI Part 3: Heaven and Hell, Part 1
Reporter Ellen Huet explores the frenzy around AI, from utopian dreams to impending doom. Discusses OpenAI's ChatGPT success, split from anthropic creation, and rise of AI doomer subculture. Explores debates on AI's impact on society and employment, and perceptions shaping the AI industry focus.

54 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 35min
OpenAI Part2: Ilya Dreams of AGI
OpenAI employee Ilya discusses the company's AI research progress leading up to AGI dreams amidst a power struggle involving Elon Musk. From building bots to powerful AI models, OpenAI's shift away from open-source ideals is examined, alongside the impact of a billion-dollar deal with Microsoft.

49 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 39min
OpenAI Part 1: The Most Silicon Valley Man Alive
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, discusses his rise to tech stardom with ChatGPT. The podcast dives into his close ties with Silicon Valley elites, his global influence on the AI future, and the power dynamics shaping his ambitions.

May 30, 2024 • 2min
Foundering: The OpenAI Story (Trailer)
Join Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, as he discusses the explosive growth of AI technology and the controversies surrounding his leadership. Delve into the rise and fall of Altman at OpenAI, exploring internal conflicts and the ethical implications of AI advancement.

May 16, 2023 • 24min
McAfee Bonus: Q&A
Cybersecurity expert Allan Liska joins host Jamie Tarabay for a live Q&A. They discuss McAfee's approach to cybersecurity, challenges of reporting on shady characters, the rise and fall of McAfee, and key takeaways from the series.

May 12, 2023 • 2min
Introducing - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried
Coming soon: When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But then his crypto exchange FTX collapsed Billions of dollars were missing, and Sam was in handcuffs. Those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculating con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal and what happens when “doing good” goes really really bad. Learn more here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spellcaster-the-fall-of-sam-bankman-fried/id1685258534See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


