Larry Ellison's ABCs: Always Be Colonizing (PLUS a huge announcement!)

Heated Rivalry: Private Equity vs Human Decency

Jul 3, 202657 minSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, hosts Rebecca Platsky and Robby Slovik examine the disturbing trend of private equity firms infiltrating the youth sports landscape. What was once a community-driven, municipal-funded activity has transformed into a forty-billion-dollar industry, often at the expense of families and children. The hosts discuss how the decline of public funding has created a vacuum, allowing profit-seeking firms to step in with aggressive tactics, such as monopolizing rinks, forcing teams into exclusive in-house leagues, and extracting fees through mandatory equipment, travel, and streaming requirements. The discussion focuses on several high-profile figures in the industry, particularly Murray Gunty of Black Bear Sports Group. The hosts explore his controversial history, including his time at Harvard Business School and his past leadership of a company associated with dangerous baby products, illustrating a pattern of profit prioritizing over human safety and community well-being. By blending personal anecdotes with a critical look at corporate consolidation, the hosts shed light on how private equity has turned a formative part of childhood into an extractive ecosystem, leaving parents and young athletes to bear the emotional and financial cost.

Full Body Scam: The Longevity Influencers

Jun 19, 20261h 4mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts explore the burgeoning and often questionable world of longevity medicine and the influencers who champion it. They examine the industry’s lack of official guidelines and board certification, noting how easily anyone can style themselves as an expert. The discussion highlights a cynical reality: rather than focusing on proven health practices like quality sleep, stress reduction, and social connection, the longevity market is largely driven by wealthy individuals gripped by existential anxiety. The hosts analyze the business models of prominent figures like Peter Diamandis and Brian Johnson, describing their clinics and experimental protocols as sophisticated, high-priced, and often data-poor endeavors. They critique the "longevity escape velocity" philosophy, characterizing it as a marketing tool designed to sell expensive memberships and experimental therapies to those desperate to avoid death. The episode also touches on the role of media figures in validating these billionaire-backed ventures, arguing that many high-profile journalists have lost their objectivity by becoming too entrenched in these elite social circles. Ultimately, the hosts frame the entire longevity movement as a massive, unregulated money grab that leverages the fears of the ultra-wealthy.

[Patreon Teaser] Forbes 30 under 30 and Kalder: Bull Balls and Bullsh*t

Jun 12, 20265 minSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts turn their critical lens toward Gok Guven, a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and the founder of the startup Calder. The discussion centers on the disconnect between the high-profile media narratives surrounding young entrepreneurs and the actual substance of their businesses. After reviewing the lofty financial claims and descriptions of Calder’s technology, the hosts express significant skepticism regarding the startup’s true utility and business model. A key portion of the conversation focuses on how these figures present themselves to the public. The hosts dissect a specific Forbes profile, highlighting how the magazine chooses to detail the founder’s high-end accessories, such as an Audemars Piguet watch, and what that might signal about their professional image. The episode ultimately serves as a critique of modern corporate jargon, with the hosts arguing that much of the technical language used to describe blockchain-integrated loyalty programs is little more than empty buzzwords designed to obscure a lack of clear value. It is a cynical, humorous look at the performative nature of startup culture and the questionable merit behind prestigious media accolades.

Sloppy CEOs: Giving, getting, and breaking the business

Jun 5, 20261h 14mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts dive into the messy intersection of executive leadership and extramarital scandal. Moving away from broader business news, they curate a series of stories that explore how high-level corporate figures often engage in reckless behavior, only to face consequences when those actions inevitably leak into the professional sphere. The discussion begins with the ousting of Laurent Freixe, the former CEO of Nestlé, who was fired after an internal investigation revealed he had been involved in an affair with a colleague. The hosts analyze the cultural differences between European and American approaches to CEO conduct, noting that while the French corporate landscape is generally more permissive regarding personal relationships, Nestlé’s internal politics made the scandal a convenient trigger for his dismissal. The episode also highlights the career of Jeff Shell, a media executive who saw his tenure at NBCUniversal and later Paramount collapse following allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate insider disclosure. The hosts use these examples to debate whether personal indiscretions are simply a cost of doing business or if they point to a deeper, problematic sense of impunity among corporate leadership.

CaaStle: The Devil Rents Prada

May 22, 20261h 3mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts dive into the spectacular rise and fall of CaaStle, a clothing-as-a-service startup that became the centerpiece of a massive financial fraud. Led by Christine Hunsicker, the company promised to disrupt the retail industry by offering subscription-based rental services for major brands. However, as the hosts explain, the business model was fundamentally flawed, relying on unsustainable logistics and a complete lack of genuine market demand. The conversation highlights the recurring red flags throughout Hunsicker’s career, noting her reputation for manipulative behavior and a penchant for "fake it till you make it" tactics that echoed the notoriety of other infamous corporate fraudsters. Despite employees raising consistent red flags during company town halls, Hunsicker successfully deceived high-profile billionaire investors who failed to perform basic due diligence. The hosts dissect the absurdity of the "Everything as a Service" trend, questioning how intelligent investors ignored the reality that the company was burning through cash while reporting fabricated financial growth. Ultimately, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about corporate governance, the dangers of blind investor faith, and the ease with which a narrative of innovation can mask deep-seated deception.

World Liberty Financial: The Real House Sons of Fake Money

May 8, 20261h 8mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts pull back the curtain on World Liberty Financial, the controversial crypto venture tied to the Trump family and a cast of eccentric business partners. The conversation centers on the Witkoff family—real estate investor Steve and his sons, Alex and Zach—as they navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of decentralized finance. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the legal challenges currently threatening the enterprise, highlighted by a recent investor lawsuit. Beyond the financial drama, the episode explores the bizarre histories of those involved, including resurfaced personal scandals and past business ventures. By connecting these figures to broader geopolitical maneuvers and the intersection of politics and digital currency, the hosts provide a cynical, comprehensive look at the murky world of Trump-affiliated crypto projects and the questionable reputations behind them.

[Patreon Exclusive] Musk V. Altman: Between a Grok and a hard place

Apr 30, 20269 minSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, hosts Robby and Becca dive into the escalating legal clash between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. As the two tech titans face off in federal court over accusations of betrayal and broken promises, the hosts meticulously unpack the unfolding drama. By analyzing electronic court records from the Northern California district court, they surface the most revealing details behind the battle for control over the future of artificial intelligence. Listeners can expect an engaging breakdown of the high-stakes dispute, exploring the intense personal and professional animosity fueling the lawsuit. With the situation evolving rapidly, this episode provides a timely deep dive into the complex power dynamics and unflattering secrets emerging from this collision of billionaire egos. It is an essential listen for anyone trying to track the latest chapter in this historic tech feud.

Live Nation Ticketmaster: Swift Justice for bad Beyhavior

Apr 24, 20261h 12mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, hosts Becca and Robby dive into the contentious world of the Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger. The discussion explores the company's recent legal battles regarding anti-trust violations and the broader implications of their market dominance. Listeners are taken on a journey back to the origin story of this industry titan, unpacking how the entities became a powerhouse that critics describe as a systematic fraud against music fans. The hosts analyze the company’s controversial strategies, including their relationship with scalpers and their extensive history of lobbying efforts. From the high-stakes courtroom drama to the long-standing frustration of concertgoers, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the corporate machinations that have made Ticketmaster a household name for all the wrong reasons. Tune in for a deep dive into the business of live entertainment.

Palmer Luckey & The Gundo Bros: America Runs on Drunken Drone Nuts

Apr 10, 20261h 15mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, hosts Robby and Becca dive headfirst into the chaotic intersection of Silicon Valley ambition and the booming American defense tech industry. The conversation begins with a look at the Gundo Bros, a group of teenagers operating within the defense sector, before shifting focus to the industry’s most polarizing figure, Palmer Luckey. The hosts analyze the trajectory of Luckey’s firm, Anduril, following its massive multi-billion dollar contract with the U.S. Army. The discussion explores Luckey’s public persona, his controversial personal background, and the broader implications of private tech founders reshaping the future of military warfare. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the culture of modern defense innovation, the "move fast and break things" ethos applied to national security, and a concluding segment highlighting the inspiring work of the Radical Monarchs.

Trevor Milton: Pardon My Fraud

Apr 7, 20261h 7mSummary

In this episode of Corporate Gossip, the hosts dive into the controversial and chaotic career of Trevor Milton, the disgraced founder of Nikola. Once hailed as the next Elon Musk, Milton’s rapid rise to billionaire status was built on a foundation of deception that eventually led to criminal fraud charges. The discussion explores his long history of failed ventures and elaborate schemes, including his most recent bizarre project involving a private jet equipped with an oversized toilet. By analyzing reports on his business practices and his recent attempts at a comeback following a presidential pardon, the hosts paint a vivid picture of a man whose ambition consistently eclipsed reality. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the patterns of manipulation that fueled his professional downfall and a critical look at the hubris that defines his ongoing saga.