Podcast · Business

Business Wars

by Audible · English · Business

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New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 48 minNew

Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wingstop | Winging It | 1

It’s the early 1980s, and a pair of brothers open a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio serving Buffalo wings. They see an opportunity to bring the spicy, tangy wings to diners around the country. The brothers are ambitious and Buffalo Wild Wings expands rapidly. A decade later, a couple in Texas gets a similar idea; launching Wingstop in a suburb of Dallas. But while Buffalo Wild Wings is focused on the full dining experience, Wingstop concentrates almost entirely on the wing itself. And soon, the stage is set for the two restaurants to battle it out to be America’s King of Wings.Audible…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S143 · E2 · 30 Sep 2026 · 52 min

FanDuel vs DraftKings | Open The Gates | 2

It’s May 2018, and the U.S. Supreme Court just struck down a law that banned most sports betting nationwide. The gold rush is on to capture a newly wide-open market of online gamblers. FanDuel and DraftKings shift seamlessly from daily fantasy companies to online sportsbooks, partnering with top athletes and pro sports leagues. But their methods for keeping customers hooked will shock the conscience, and threaten the very fan base that earned them billions.If you’d like to learn more about the FanDuel - DraftKings rivalry, you can listen to the audiobook version of “Billion Dollar Fantasy,”…
28 Sep 2026 · 5 min

Listen Now: My Mom’s Murder

Lauren Malloy was a baby when her mother, Lori, was murdered in East Providence, Rhode Island. For thirty years, no one told her. Everyone said Lori died of natural causes. Then a stranger sent Lauren a message — and the lie collapsed. Now Lauren is investigating her own mother’s murder. She’s recorded hundreds of hours of interviews with law enforcement, family, childhood friends, and people who won’t stop contradicting each other. Every answer opens a darker question. Every person she trusts seems to be hiding something. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes the…
S143 · E1 · 23 Sep 2026 · 47 min

FanDuel vs DraftKings | The Enemy of My Enemy | 1

It’s 2009, and most online betting is illegal in the U.S. Then tech founder Nigel Eccles finds a nifty loophole around fantasy sports, and FanDuel is born. The new ‘daily fantasy sports’ app allows users to play in short-term contests with quick payouts… almost like gambling by another name. But soon, a competitor emerges: DraftKings. The rivalry builds to a fever pitch, with battling ads running on national TV every 90 seconds. And that’s when the trouble really starts…If you’d like to learn more about the FanDuel - DraftKings rivalry, you can listen to the audiobook version of “Billion…
S142 · E3 · 17 Sep 2026 · 36 min

Roomba: Hitting the Wall | The New Space Race | 3

Recent visitors to China’s tech zone in Shenzhen have come away in awe of the country’s manufacturing capabilities, including its increasingly advanced humanoid robots. And when iRobot’s Chinese supplier took over the company this year, it looked like another win for Chinese tech. Christopher Mims is a tech reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He’s the author of “Arriving Today: From Factory to Front Door – Why Everything Has Changed About How and What We Buy.” He joins David to discuss robots, AI and what he calls “the new space race.”Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of…
S142 · E2 · 16 Sep 2026 · 48 min

Roomba: Hitting the Wall | The Moat | 2

It’s 2017 and the Roomba rules the robotic vacuum market. But cheaper competitors from China, some of whom offer more features for less money, start eating away at its lead. iRobot’s CEO Colin Angle fights back with lawsuits and a bet on premium pricing. But the competition keeps finding ways around him, and as a pandemic-fueled sales boom fades, iRobot’s finances start to crumble. Can a lifeline from Amazon pull the Roomba to safety or is the pioneer of home robots, about to get sucked up by the competition? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at…
S142 · E1 · 9 Sep 2026 · 48 min

Roomba: Hitting the Wall | Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control | 1

It’s 1984 and MIT professor Rodney Brooks has a radical idea: robots don't need complicated brains to navigate the world — they just need simple rules. Brooks and two of his students, Colin Angle and Helen Greiner, turn that idea into a company called iRobot. The company chases government contracts and builds robotic dolls. But in 2002, iRobot breaks through with the Roomba — a vacuuming robot. The Roomba bumps into chair legs, takes cats for joyrides, and propels iRobot to a blockbuster IPO. But the Roomba is headed for trouble. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California…
S141 · E2 · 2 Sep 2026 · 44 min

The Sweetener Wars | Sweet Goes Sour | 2

After years on top, Sweet’N Low is sinking fast. Newer artificial sweeteners aspartame and sucralose are spawning fresh competition. But the problems go even deeper – because within its own ranks, fraudsters are draining Sweet’N Low's coffers.If you’d like to hear more about the artificial sweetener business, you can listen to the audiobook version of “Empty Pleasures” by Carolyn de la Peña right now on Audible.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
S141 · E1 · 26 Aug 2026 · 46 min

The Sweetener Wars | Attack of the Cancer Rats | 1

The promise seemed miraculous. Sweetness minus the calories. But when studies begin to link artificial sweeteners with cancer, the entire industry faces oblivion. And it'll take some lightning-fast pivots and Donald Rumsfeld to pull it back from the brink.If you’d like to hear more about the artificial sweetener business, you can listen to the audiobook version of “Empty Pleasures” by Carolyn de la Peña right now on Audible.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at…
S140 · E3 · 20 Aug 2026 · 39 min

Warby Parker vs Luxottica | A Modern Lens | 3

When Warby Parker debuted in 2010, the brand disrupted not just how much eyeglasses cost, but also how customers purchased them. Its direct-to-consumer e-commerce business model left many wondering whether Luxottica’s longstanding reign over the industry would soon be over. In the decade-and-a-half since, the answer to that question is still evolving. Max Chafkin profiled Warby Parker in its early days for Fast Company, and is currently a senior reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek. He joins David to discuss Warby Parker’s staying power, the company’s embrace of brick-and-mortar retail, and…
S140 · E2 · 19 Aug 2026 · 43 min

Warby Parker vs Luxottica | Getting Vertical | 2

Warby Parker is three weeks old and its online glasses store is proving so popular the brand’s in danger of burning out. But if it’s going to pose a real challenge to Luxottica, it needs to learn how to sustain that momentum.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S140 · E1 · 12 Aug 2026 · 40 min

Warby Parker vs Luxottica | The Empire of Eyes | 1

After a childhood of hard knocks, Italian entrepreneur Leonardo Del Vecchio sets out to build an eyewear empire by swallowing brands like Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, Lenscrafters, and Oakley. But as his wealth and power grows, four MBA students in Philadelphia ask if there’s room for an alternative.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S139 · E2 · 5 Aug 2026 · 39 min

GoPro: The Billion Dollar Wipeout | Crash Landing | 2

After a successful IPO in 2014, GoPro founder and CEO Nick Woodman hopes to lead the company into its next act. In his vision, GoPro won’t just be a camera maker anymore; they’ll be a full-scale media empire. Woodman hires a Hollywood executive to lead the charge and staffs the new division with 100 people. But changing a company’s mission is a slow process, and in the meantime GoPro has one disastrous product launch after another. And within just a couple of years, GoPro is struggling to survive. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible…
S139 · E1 · 29 Jul 2026 · 44 min

GoPro: The Billion Dollar Wipeout | Think it. See It. Do it. Boom. | 1

In 2002, while on a surf trip to Bali, 26-year-old Nick Woodman has an idea for a camera mount that would allow him and his friends to capture action shots of themselves in the water. At the time, only professional surfers who hired photographers had these types of images. Woodman spends years developing and trying to sell his product. In 2007, the GoPro takes off, in large part due to customers posting on a new website called YouTube. For years, GoPro soars, but Apple is close on its heels, releasing iPhones with better and better cameras. To keep GoPro relevant, Woodman makes a massive and…
S138 · E4 · 23 Jul 2026 · 44 min

Universal vs Disney: The Battle for Orlando | Epic Rivalry | 4

For decades, Disney was the undisputed champion of theme parks. But Universal Studios had its big breakthrough when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010. And it’s been gaining ground on Disney ever since. Today, journalist Drew Taylor takes David on a ride through this heated theme park rivalry. Drew covers film, animation and theme parks for The Wrap. They’ll dive into Universal’s new Epic Universe expansion in Orlando, the inner workings of park hopping and lightning lanes, and why the key to this battle is all about who controls the IP.Check out Drew’s podcast: Fine Tooning…
S138 · E3 · 22 Jul 2026 · 48 min

Universal vs. Disney: The Battle for Orlando | An IP for an IP | 3

With Harry Potter on its team, Universal hopes to cast a spell on millions of vacationers. Meanwhile, Disney’s new boss Bob Iger is about to strike back with Star Wars. But who will win this clash between Jedi and wizard? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S138 · E2 · 15 Jul 2026 · 48 min

Universal vs. Disney: The Battle for Orlando | The Park That Lived | 2

After a bumpy opening, Universal Studios Florida is looking for a way to get out of Disney World’s shadow. But if Jaws, King Kong and Back to the Future won’t do it, what will? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S138 · E1 · 8 Jul 2026 · 48 min

Universal vs. Disney: The Battle for Orlando | A Kingdom Invaded | 1

Walt Disney World: it’s the Central Florida theme park destination that dreams are made of. And Universal’s dream is to build an even better theme park next door. But Disney boss Michael Eisner isn’t about to let it spoil the fun without a fight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S137 · E4 · 3 Jul 2026 · 45 min

ENCORE: Cruise Ship Wars | Mayday | 4

As the cruise industry enters the 21st century, Carnival and Royal Caribbean square off again as they battle to acquire British company Princess Cruises. Whoever wins Princess will be virtually uncatchable as the largest cruise company in the world. But when the Covid-19 pandemic breaks out, the cruise industry struggles to keep passengers safe, and the entire existence of the industry is in jeopardy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S137 · E3 · 3 Jul 2026 · 43 min

ENCORE: Cruise Ship Wars | A Shot Across the Bow | 3

As Carnival cements its success by going public, founder Ted Arison and his son and CEO Micky set their sights on growing the company through acquisition. They make long-time rival Royal Caribbean their target. But with a new ambitious executive at the helm, Royal Caribbean isn’t going down without a fight. Norwegian Cruise Line struggles to keep up with the competition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S137 · E2 · 2 Jul 2026 · 45 min

ENCORE: Cruise Ship Wars | Making Waves | 2

After his bitter exit from Norwegian Cruise Line, Ted Arison has limited time to make his new company Carnival a success. With little funds and one run-down ship, the odds are stacked against him. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean compete to be the most luxurious cruise ship company on the market. And all three get an unexpected boost from Hollywood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S137 · E1 · 1 Jul 2026 · 42 min

ENCORE: Cruise Ship Wars | Anchors Aweigh! | 1

In 1950, an enterprising Miami businessman has the idea to use a passenger liner to ferry retired Floridians to the Caribbean. He makes their time on board the ship as much a part of the appeal as the destination. Modern cruising is born, but it’s still just a small niche activity.But in the 1960s, a group of ambitious men in both the United States and Europe sees huge potential in this form of vacation travel. Within six years Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival are all founded. They spend the next 60 years battling to be the biggest and best cruise line in the world. See…
S136 · E2 · 24 Jun 2026 · 39 min

Chobani: The Yogurt That Ate America | Fungi and Bankruptcy | 2

It’s 2013 and upstart yogurt brand Chobani is riding high. But in its huge new factory in Idaho, a microscopic threat is spreading: mold. And when it contaminates Chobani’s yogurt, founder Hamdi Ulukaya will face an agonizing choice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S136 · E1 · 17 Jun 2026 · 39 min

Chobani: The Yogurt That Ate America | Nothing But Good | 1

When a leaflet advertising a decrepit factory for sale lands in the office of struggling entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya, it sets him on a quest to make America fall in love with Greek yogurt. But to succeed, he must not just beat yogurt giants Yoplait and Dannon, but change the American diet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S135 · E3 · 11 Jun 2026 · 45 min

Meta and the Battle for Smart Glasses | Google's Return | 3

Back in 2014, Google Glass made the dream of smart glasses a reality for the tech-obsessed. But a hefty price tag and divisive design prevented Google from bringing its vision to the masses. A decade later, Meta seemingly cracked the code, offering affordable, fashion-forward smart specs in frames by established brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. WIRED senior gear editor Julian Chokkattu and staff writer Boone Ashworth join David to discuss whether Google’s new Android XR platform, which the company debuted in May, can give Meta a run for its money. They’ll also discuss some of the thorny…
S135 · E2 · 10 Jun 2026 · 49 min

Meta and the Battle for Smart Glasses | I'm a Creep | 2

It’s 2023, and Meta Ray-Bans have just helped Mark Zuckerberg turn a corner. After his disastrous investment in the Metaverse, Meta’s AI-enabled smart glasses are a welcome victory for the company. But the competition is coming. And so are uncomfortable questions about mandatory data-sharing, worker exploitation, and federal agents using the glasses illegally. If smart glasses are here to stay, the question becomes… is that a good thing? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S135 · E1 · 3 Jun 2026 · 48 min

Meta and the Battle for Smart Glasses | Prize on the Eyes | 1

It’s 2011, and two Stanford students have built eyeglasses with a tiny camera inside. Their a prototype paves the way for Meta Ray-Bans, the first tech-enabled eyewear to truly go mainstream after attempts like Google Glass fizzled. But in integrating their smart glasses into our daily lives, Meta has created something else: a tool for mass surveillance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S134 · E4 · 28 May 2026 · 39 min

F1 vs NASCAR | F1 Roars Into the U.S. | 4

In 2019, the Netflix series Formula 1: Drive To Survive ushered in a major uptick in the sport’s popularity among Americans. Then, the 2021 F1 season saw an epic showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and interest exploded. The F1 fan-base is young, diverse and gaining on NASCAR. Formula 1 lead commentator Alex Jacques join us to share his insights into the rise of F1 in the U.S. market, the wave of new talent, and why he loves the sport so much. Jacques is the author of Grid to Glory: 75 Milestone Formula One Moments. You can hear his commentary on F1TV, Channel 4 and Formula…
S134 · E3 · 27 May 2026 · 41 min

F1 vs NASCAR | Land of Liberty | 3

Formula One is under new management and pushing to finally break into America. But after decades of failure, it needs to remodel its approach while also facing off against NASCAR. They're racing to capture the next generation of motorsport fans.If you’d like to hear more about the high-stakes drama of F1, we recommend the audiobook version of The Formula. You can listen right now on Audible.https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Formula-Audiobook/B0C834FDPB?srsltid=AfmBOopWNQLsloHzpZvxk0E1_mHodmgMgrcJUH-ue6AHQHwnX86ov_TZ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice…
S134 · E2 · 20 May 2026 · 45 min

F1 vs NASCAR | Pedal to the Metal | 2

When the European Union moves to ban tobacco sponsorship, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone finds himself racing to expand the sport’s global reach. But as F1 goes global, NASCAR finds its TV appeal is running out of gas.If you’d like to hear more about the high-stakes drama of F1, we recommend the audiobook version of The Formula. You can listen right now on Audible.https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Formula-Audiobook/B0C834FDPB?srsltid=AfmBOopWNQLsloHzpZvxk0E1_mHodmgMgrcJUH-ue6AHQHwnX86ov_TZ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at…

About Business Wars

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.

Business Wars is a English business podcast from Audible. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Audible
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1335814741
Website: wondery.com/shows/business-wars/?utm_source=rss

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