Big Take

How America’s Consumer Watchdog Became a Corporate Protector 01.06.2026 19min

The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is tasked with enforcing consumer finance laws and holding some of the country’s most powerful banks, lenders and companies to account. But a new Bloomberg investigation found that over the past 15 months, much of that work has come to a halt. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Noah Buhayar and Coulter Jones join host Sarah Holder to talk about how acting director Russell Vought gutted the CFPB, and how the agency has refused to enforce settlements and pursue lawsuits — in some cases letting big businesses pocket millions they’d already agreed to pay consumers. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Noah Buhayar, Coulter Jones, Tedd Mann; Edited by Aaron Edwards, Nicole Beemsterboer. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Emma Munger. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: Indonesia’s $15 Billion Free Lunch Experiment 31.05.2026 17min

Indonesia’s free lunch program is a massive operation, feeding tens of millions of people every day across a vast archipelago. On this episode of the Big Take Asia podcast, host Rebecca Choong Wilkins talks with Bloomberg’s Rosalind Mathieson about the challenges facing President Prabowo’s flagship program and whether it can survive the strain. Read more: Handing Out $15 Billion of Free Meals Strains Indonesia's Budget Hosted by Rebecca Choong Wilkins; Produced by Naomi Ng; Reported by Rosalind Mathieson, Eko Listiyorini; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China Is Recruiting US Citizens to Work for Its Government 29.05.2026 17min

The mayor of an affluent suburb of Los Angeles pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the Chinese government last month. And while cable networks across the US had a field day with the story, Bloomberg’s Drake Bennett and Jordan Robertson have been reporting on cases like this one for years. The two co-hosted the podcast series, The Sixth Bureau, which detailed the inner workings of one of the most powerful and mysterious spy agencies in the world, China’s Ministry of State Security.On today’s Big Take podcast, Drake and Jordan walk host David Gura through what we know about Wang’s case and what it tells us about the extent of Chinese propaganda and espionage in the United States amid ongoing tensions between the world’s two superpowers. Further listening: http://swap.fm/l/9guIFZxhu17KqTWLxBFh  Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/the-sixth-bureau/ We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press and Victor Yvellez; Reported by Drake Bennett and Jordan Robertson; Edited by Nicole Beemsterboer Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DOJ's Campaign to Track Down Anonymous ICE Critics 28.05.2026 18min

Free speech lawyers are watching in real time as the US government escalates efforts to unmask anonymous critics of ICE. On today’s Big Take podcast, Justice Department reporter Jimmy Jenkins and legal reporter Zoe Tillman join host David Gura to break down their exclusive reporting on how the DOJ is deploying an old legal tool in a novel way. We’ll hear from an attorney defending one of the users and explore what the new strategy means for social media platforms, online anonymity and First Amendment freedoms.  Read more: The DOJ Wants to Know Who on Reddit and X Is Criticizing ICE's Tactics We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Jimmy Jenkins and Zoe Tillman; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unpacking Trump’s $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund 27.05.2026 18min

The US Justice Department has announced it would establish a $1.776 billion legal fund to compensate people who claim they’ve been targeted unfairly by the federal government. The plan has been met with swift bipartisan backlash, with some lawmakers calling it a “slush fund” that could line the pockets of Trump loyalists and Jan. 6 rioters with taxpayer dollars. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder joins Bloomberg reporters Chris Strohm and Erik Wasson to break down the mechanics of the fund, the Trump administration’s rationale for using it and the mounting questions around its oversight and legal grounds. Read more: Jan. 6 Rioters Who Beat Police May Get Payouts, Blanche Says Trump’s $1.8 Billion Settlement Fund Hits Senate GOP Backlash Why Critics Call Trump’s $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund an Abuse of Power We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Chris Strohm, Erik Wasson; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe, Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Emma Munger. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Threatens Cuba With Trump’s Venezuela Blueprint 26.05.2026 20min

The Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Cuba’s regime. Just this month, it indicted former President Raúl Castro, announced the deployment of additional military assets to the region and released a video message — featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio — blaming Cuba’s economic troubles on its government. The push comes less than five months after the US captured one of Havana’s staunchest allies, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, which choked Cuba’s oil supplies and plunged the island into darkness. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg State Department reporter Eric Martin discuss what’s next for Cuba’s regime, how President Trump’s Venezuela playbook is — and isn’t — playing out in Havana and the challenges both nations face as they adapt to Trump’s vision for the Western Hemisphere. Read more: Can Cuba’s Regime Survive Rising US Pressure?  We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Eric Martin; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Africa: Did Aid Cuts Make The Ebola Outbreak Worse? 25.05.2026 18min

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo may have been spreading for months, according to the World Health Organization. On this week’s episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by healthcare reporter Janice Kew and Congo Country Director for the Danish Refugee Council, Caitlin Brady. They discuss the impact of aid cuts on the outbreak and how serious the crisis could get. For more stories from the region, sign up for the Next Africa newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: China vs the US: Kishore Mahbubani on a Zero-Sum Rivalry 24.05.2026 34min

Beyond this month's talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, there’s an epic tale that has been unfolding for decades. It’s a battle to be the world’s number one power and a much bigger story than the latest meeting of these two men.  Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat who served as president of the United Nations Security Council. For two decades, he has argued that the West fundamentally misunderstands the rise of China and its challenge to American supremacy.Mahbubani, who eventually turned to academia, now specializes in governance and public policy. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he traces the story behind the Xi-Trump talks, the handshakes and the social media posts–and what may lie ahead.Mahbubani also reveals how his own successes were made possible by Singapore’s remarkable growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why You Should Care About What’s Happening in the Bond Market 22.05.2026 16min

The global bond market buckled over the past week. Yields on 30-year US Treasuries hit their highest level in almost 20 years, while long-term debt yields in the UK and Japan reached multi-decade highs. It’s a signaling effect, Bloomberg’s Enda Curran says, that investors around the world are increasingly convinced higher inflation is here to stay. On today’s Big Take podcast, Curran and host David Gura discuss how supply shocks from the Iran war feed into longer-term inflation concerns, how AI might provide a way out for the global economy — and what this rout in the bond market means for the Federal Reserve, its new chair and the rest of us. Listen more: The Great Bond Car Wreck — in Slow Motion Read more: $50 Trillion Safe-Haven Debt Market Upended by Iran War Inflation We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Enda Curran, Mark Schroers, Ye Xie and Jorgelina Do Rosario; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is AI Ruining the Entry-Level Job Search? 21.05.2026 19min

Graduation is here — but the jobs aren’t. On today’s Big Take podcast, we check in with recent graduates facing a brutal hiring landscape where 42% are underemployed. We look at what’s driving today’s low-hire, low-quit market, how the AI boom could hamper the job search and what happens when top-tier students finish school without a clear path forward. Read more:  A Dozen Young Job Hunters on What It Takes to Get Hired Why More College Graduates Are Stuck in Jobs That Don’t Require Degrees Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Marin Cogan; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economic Impact of Gerrymandering 20.05.2026 16min

 For months, Democrats and Republicans have been locked in a fierce battle over the way districts are drawn across the US. As both parties try to gain an edge ahead of midterms in November, efforts to redistrict could reshape Congress in the final two years of Trump’s second term — and regional economies for decades to come. On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Stacey Vanek Smith hears from Virginia Democratic Representative Don Beyer, economist Julianne Malveaux and Bloomberg’s Greg Giroux about how the race to redistrict America could affect everything from representation to economics. Read more: What the Virginia Court Ruling Means for Democrats We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox with help from Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Greg Giroux; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SoftBank’s $60 Billion OpenAI Bet Sparks Concerns 19.05.2026 20min

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has made a $60 billion bet on OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman – a commitment that has some insiders worried. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Min-Jeong Lee about how Son became captivated by Altman and what’s at stake for his reputation – and the company – as the AI race intensifies. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Read more: SoftBank Founder’s Starstruck Bet on OpenAI Raises Concern Watch, from Originals: The Troubled Saga of Masa Son's $100 Billion FundSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-China Summit's Trade Hangover 18.05.2026 16min

Trade was one of the most contentious issues heading into the Beijing summit between Presidents Trump and Xi. But while the summit generated “good vibes” between the two, it ended with few clear directives, especially regarding trade and tariffs. On today’s Big Take podcast, Brendan Murray, who leads Bloomberg’s trade coverage, sits down with host Sarah Holder to discuss the trade takeaways from last week’s Beijing summit. Can China’s constructive strategic stability plan, or a proposed US-China trade council, calm the waters? And where does the relationship stand with the prospect of more deals—and new tariffs—on the horizon? Read more: Trump-Xi ‘Placeholder’ Summit Leaves Room for Tensions to Reignite Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Brendan Murray; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: A Stock Market of Amazonian Proportions 17.05.2026 40min

Amazon is everywhere, from your doorstep to outer space. So, what is the current state of the Everything Store? This week on Everybody's Business, hosts Max Chafkin and Stacey Vanek Smith look at the company that is more utility than retailer with Bloomberg Businessweek editor-in-chief Brad Stone. Plus, have you wondered why the stock market has been doing so well even though lots of things don't seem to be going great at home or abroad? Author and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon explains why the record highs keep coming even as oil prices double and the job market is at a standstill. And: a special guest gives us an underrated story that makes the case for booing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biggest Takeaways from the Trump-Xi Summit 15.05.2026 21min

Tensions between the US and China have deepened since the last time a US president traveled to Beijing for a summit, in 2017. President Trump’s return to China, in a swirl of dinners and festivities, generated positive optics for host and guest alike, but brought less apparent progress on some of the biggest bilateral sticking points, from tariffs and trade to US arms sales to Taiwan. On today’s Big Take podcast, Big Take Asia host K. Oanh Ha talks to Co-head for Asia John Liu and White House Correspondent Jeff Mason, who were both on the ground in Beijing, about the summit’s deals, sticking points and unfinished business. Read more:  Bloomberg’s Trump-Xi Summit Page Winners and Losers From Trump and Xi’s Beijing Summit Talks We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Jeff Mason and John Liu; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The $100 Billion Gen Alpha Economy 14.05.2026 17min

The oldest Gen Alphas are still in high school, but some of the early reviews have been scathing. Unruly. Nihilistic. Bad at reading. Yet when Bloomberg Businessweek’s Stacey Vanek Smith dug into the research, she emerged with a more optimistic view on the most online generation yet. Tech savvy. Globally minded. Also, preternaturally good at skincare. On today’s Big Take podcast, Smith tells host David Gura about the cohort that accounts for $100 billion a year in direct spending power in the US alone – and what it might look like when it begins to enter the workforce. Read more: Gen Alpha Can’t Be Ignored We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stacey Vanek Smith; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Russian Operation Using AI Fakes to Target Voters 13.05.2026 19min

This year has seen an uptick in falsified videos and other online disinformation with a common theme: advancing Kremlin interests. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Stephanie Baker tells Sarah Holder how she identified nearly 200 social media posts and videos that bear the hallmarks of a Russian influence operation that researchers call Storm-1516. Baker, who has written extensively about Russia and is the author of Punishing Putin, explains why so few of these posts are factchecked in real time — and what that lack of oversight means for the US as it prepares for this year’s midterms. Read more: The Most Potent Weapon in Russia’s Disinformation War We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stephanie Baker and Priyanjana Bengani ; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modi Is More Powerful Than Ever — Even as India’s Economy Strains 12.05.2026 19min

Despite India facing economic headwinds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party defied expectations with a stunning state election sweep — capped by a historic win in opposition stronghold West Bengal. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Menaka Doshi about how the BJP secured a shock victory and what an emboldened Modi might mean for India and the world. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Read more: Resurgent Modi Paves Way to Keep Power in India Well Beyond 2030 Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Menaka Doshi; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, Yang Yang; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Legacy 10.05.2026 20min

After eight years as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term concludes this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Fed correspondents Catarina Saraiva and Amara Omeokwe to look back at Powell’s successes, missteps and legacy — and what shape the central bank could take in the future. Read more: Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Legacy Is Defending the Bank Against Trump We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amara Omeokwe and Catarina Saraiva; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Suguira. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: Will the Xi-Trump Summit Be Over Before It Starts? 10.05.2026 27min

As a high-stakes Trump–Xi summit looms, tensions over the Iran war and defiance of US sanctions threaten to derail what could be one of the year’s most consequential meetings. On Trumponomics, Bloomberg's Stephanie Flanders is joined by Jennifer Welch, chief geoeconomics analyst for Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg News executive editor Dan Ten Kate to unpack whether the talks will happen—and what’s really at stake for the global economy if they do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.