Real-time wisdom from business leaders in fast-changing situations — covering the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. These fast, focused interviews with CEOs are the in-the-moment counterpoint to the timeless episodes in the classic Masters of Scale podcast. Hosted by Bob Safian, former editor in chief of Fast Company.
Listeners of Masters of Scale: Rapid Response that love the show mention: masters of scale, ceos, great series, reassuring, crisis, bob, timely, leaders, current, needed, right, business, questions, hearing, interviews, insightful, like, interesting, listening.
The Masters of Scale: Rapid Response podcast is a timely and engaging series that provides valuable insights into how business leaders and CEOs are navigating the current crisis. It offers a condensed, focused shot of wisdom directed specifically at the challenges we face today, making it both relevant and reassuring. The host, Bob, does a great job in guiding the conversations, starting off with well-considered questions that set the stage for insightful discussions. In the early episodes, some guests may have been handled with a lighter touch due to the initial shock of the pandemic, but as the series progresses, Bob asks harder-hitting questions which bring out more interesting responses. This shift in interviewing style adds depth to the discussions and keeps listeners engaged.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is hearing directly from leaders in their respective fields about how they are adapting to and addressing the current landscape. Their candid conversations on important subjects provide valuable insights into decision-making processes during these uncertain times. It's not only informative but also helps create a sense of unity knowing that high-powered business people share similar experiences and concerns. The interviews are revealing and educational, offering a direct understanding of what business leaders are facing during COVID-19.
While this podcast excels at delivering relevant content and fostering a sense of solidarity among listeners, one potential drawback is its focus solely on business-related topics. While it provides valuable insights into how businesses are handling the crisis, it may not appeal to those looking for broader discussions or different perspectives outside of the business world.
In conclusion, The Masters of Scale: Rapid Response podcast fills a much-needed niche by providing timely and engaging content tailored specifically to founders and other aspiring business scalers navigating these uncertain waters. It combines relevant interviews with insightful conversations to offer actionable advice for thriving during these challenging times. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or simply reassurance that you're not alone in your experiences, this podcast delivers on all fronts.
Few companies are a clearer barometer of the American economy today than Uber, and few executives have a clearer view of what's coming than President and COO Andrew Macdonald. He joins Rapid Response to share what Uber's real-time data reveals about consumer behavior amid surging gas prices, and what the company's rapid expansion into hotels and hospitality really signals about its ambitions. Macdonald also confronts the uncomfortable question at the heart of Uber's autonomous vehicle push: what does the company actually owe its millions of drivers? Plus, why the rising cost of AI isn't just a tech-sector problem, and what it means for businesses of every size trying to keep up.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Robotaxis are multiplying across American cities… But are consumers actually ready to trust them? Zoox CEO Aicha Evans joins Rapid Response to talk about the company's strategy as an Amazon subsidiary, its intensifying rivalry with Waymo, and why a new partnership with Uber could be the key to getting autonomous rides from novelty to scale. Evans also reveals why she recruits what she calls an “invisible army of rebels” inside Zoox, and what Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela have to do with leading through uncertainty.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oscar-nominated producer and Arcellx CEO Rami Elghandour was supposed to deliver an address to Rutgers University engineering graduates this week. But days before the ceremony, the school canceled his appearance after student objections to his social media posts around Palestine. Elghandour joins Rapid Response to speak out about free speech on campus, the personal cost of conviction, and what it really means to lead with your values when you run a public company. He also opens up about why the recent $8 billion acquisition of Arcellx by Gilead Sciences left him surprisingly cold, and his case for kindness and empathy as a competitive advantage — despite what Elon Musk says.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn sent an internal memo about AI last year, he didn't expect it to go viral — or to ignite a firestorm about the future of work. Now he joins Rapid Response to unpack what he got right, what he got wrong, and what the backlash taught him about the real limitations of AI. Von Ahn also reveals why he's made a deliberate pivot in 2026: chasing users, not revenue — and what that bet says about how big Duolingo can get before ads become inevitable. It's a candid reckoning with hype, growth, and the surprisingly complicated promise of technology in education.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is reshaping energy markets in real time. But what's a short-term shock and what's a lasting structural shift? Amy Harder, National Energy Correspondent for Axios, returns to Rapid Response to map the true scale of the oil disruption, why demand destruction may be closer for American consumers than most realize, and why the strait may never fully reopen the way it was. Plus, how the AI data center boom is rewriting electricity demand, what it means for nuclear and renewables, and why the collision of energy, geopolitics, and technology is forcing both leaders and everyday people to pay attention in ways they never have before.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What does a former skydiver have to say about getting started with AI? Go ahead and jump! While Maia Josebachvili doesn't spend her free time leaping out of airplanes these days, she still is a firm believer in taking calculated risks. It's a mindset that's followed her to her role as Chief Revenue Officer of AI at Stripe, a financial services platform at the forefront of agentic commerce. On this Pioneers of AI episode, Josebachvili makes the case for AI chat-enabled shopping, examines the risks of commodification in an AI-driven future, and explains how agentic commerce can unlock new customers for merchants of every size.Check out Pioneers of AI: https://swap.fm/l/pioneersofaiVisit the Rapid Response website: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When markets drop and chaos hits, Mellody Hobson is determined to be brave. The co-CEO of Ariel Investments and former chair of Starbucks and DreamWorks joins Rapid Response to make the case that volatility isn't something to survive but to exploit. She shares the financial lessons she lives by, including a surprising admonition against making choices based on money, and why she sees women's sports as the investment opportunity of a generation. Plus, why math has no opinion, and how that changes everything.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of "The Messy Parts," Gary Vaynerchuk opens up to host Maryam Banikarim about self-esteem, leadership, and what he believes is a growing crisis of “late adulthood.” Gary breaks down his philosophy on kind candor vs. radical candor, why fear is the real career killer, and how over-coddling may be delaying independence for an entire generation. If you've ever felt behind, afraid to pivot, or unsure of your next move in the age of AI, this episode is for you.Subscribe to The Messy Parts today: www.youtube.com/@TheMessyPartsVisit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters this weekend, Rapid Response explores the enduring business lessons inside the now 20-year-old original. Host Bob Safian is joined by two insiders who built their careers in the world the film depicts: Janice Min, CEO of The Ankler, and Sarah Ball, editor-in-chief of WSJ Magazine. Together they track how publishing, fashion and power have all shifted over the past two decades — and dig into what the original got right about ambition, success, and the bosses who shape us. Plus, shocking personal stories from the magazine industry, and why Miranda Priestly's management style wouldn't survive a week in 2026.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Five grand slam titles. More than a decade as the world's highest-paid female athlete. But the fiercest competition Maria Sharapova describes may be the one she's navigating now. She joins Rapid Response to talk about her second act as an investor, entrepreneur, and podcaster — and what the court never prepared her for. She gets candid about the deals she's walked away from, the candy brand she built and ultimately shuttered, and what it really takes to sit across the negotiating table from Nike.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Just days after the record-breaking Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins Rapid Response for a candid debrief on what comes next. An entrepreneur turned space chief, Isaacman gets frank about the agency's ambitions to build a permanent lunar base, put boots on Mars, and push the search for extraterrestrial life further than ever before. He also addresses the tensions and opportunities in NASA's relationships with SpaceX and Blue Origin, how looming budget cuts could force tradeoffs, and why he sees the accelerating space race with China as one of the most consequential competitions of our time.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI redefining how products are both built and experienced, and Samsung is reimagining its place in the tech ecosystem. As Milan Design Week gets underway, Samsung's president and chief design officer Mauro Porcini pulls back the curtain on the company's new design manifesto, and gets candid about their rivalry with Apple, the shift from hardware to human experience, and why a brand known for engineering dominance is now betting its future on something far harder to measure: how a product makes you feel.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With the Strait of Hormuz in crisis and gas prices surging, few executives are feeling the pressure more acutely than Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley. He joins Rapid Response to give a candid account of what the turmoil means for the auto industry, and for an iconic American brand navigating one of the most turbulent moments in its history. Farley gets frank about the China threat reshaping the global auto business, and his frustration with Ford's own ingenuity. Plus, why Ford is back in Formula One, and why Farley sees a storm gathering in the so-called "essential economy".Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Scott O'Neil has run NBA and NHL franchises. Now he's betting on a golf revolution. The LIV Golf CEO joins Rapid Response to reveal what it really takes to disrupt a legacy sport, the unique pressures of answering to Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, and why golf may be the most underleveraged business in all of sports. Plus, inside the startup mindset Scott's instilling his team, and what every leader can steal from the way LIV is chasing opportunity.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
While legacy news outlets like The Washington Post stumble, The Guardian keeps growing — but how? Guardian Media Group CEO Anna Bateson joins Rapid Response to pull back the curtain on the company's unusual ownership structure and the multi-revenue model fueling its resilience. Bateson also weighs in on the threat and opportunity of AI chatbots, the Jeff Bezos effect on media, and what role she sees The Guardian playing as the future of news takes shape, even as the pressures of today demand her full attention.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What does it take to lead a meditation company without finding a moment's peace? David Ko spent years as CEO of Calm, one of the world's most recognized mental health and wellness apps, helping millions manage stress. Now he's stepping down. Ko unpacks why he made the call, what the relentless pressure of the C-suite really does to a person, and how to draw the line between the kind of stress that sharpens you and the kind that quietly breaks you down.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI is moving fast. But are we really keeping humans at the center? In this special live Rapid Response, recorded on stage at South by Southwest, host Bob Safian sits down with AI scientist, founder of Affectiva, investor at Blue Tulip, and host of Pioneers of AI, Dr. Rana el Kaliouby. Rana makes the case that human-centric AI isn't just a safety guardrail; it's the key to thriving socially, economically, and emotionally. She also cuts through the noise on the buzziest AI myths, weighs in on AI in therapy and Meta Glasses, and draws a sharp line between AI founders who are truly visionary and those who are simply opportunistic. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI bots are on track to outnumber humans online by 2027. No one has a better line of sight into that shift than Matthew Prince — his company, Cloudflare, routes more than 20% of all internet traffic. Speaking live from SXSW, Prince reveals how AI is rewriting the economics of the web, how tech giants are scrambling to respond, and what it means for anyone running an online business. Plus, what it's like to be on the frontlines of Iranian cyberwarfare, and why Prince made the unexpected move to buy a local Utah newspaper.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Who's really winning the AI race? And what does innovation even mean anymore? Fast Company's Executive Editor Amy Farley joins Rapid Response to break down this year's Most Innovative Companies list — the surprising winners, the notable snubs, and the unexpected lessons hiding between Google, Gap, and Bad Bunny.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When global trade buckles, Ryan Petersen is the person executives call. The founder and CEO of Flexport returns to Rapid Response to offer a real-time account of the Strait of Hormuz crisis — what he's seeing on the ground, on the water, and across the supply chains straining under the pressure. Petersen also digs into the prospect of tariff refunds in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling against the Trump Administration, and why businesses risk leaving $160 billion on the table by not acting. Plus, how AI is reshaping both logistics and software-based firms, and whether all the trade turbulence might actually be a tailwind for Flexport itself.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
William Shockley was a brilliant inventor and Nobel Prize winner, but he was a terrible boss. Paranoid, cruel, and obsessed with micromanaging, he drove away the team of young engineers — later called “The Traitorous Eight” — he had assembled in Northern California. They went on to pioneer silicon chips, create companies like Intel and AMD, and fund tech giants like Google and Slack. This episode from Business History, hosted by former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith, tells the story of how one bad boss accidentally sparked the tech revolution that became Silicon Valley.Find Business History on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/BHRapidVisit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this episode of Rapid Response, Ro CEO Zach Reitano joins the show to talk about what happens when a breakout drug becomes a full-blown market force. Since first appearing at the height of the Ozempic-Wegovy-Zepbound boom, Reitano has helped scale Ro into a leading provider of branded GLP-1s — grabbing headlines with a Super Bowl ad featuring Serena Williams and landing a major partnership with Novo Nordisk for the new pill version of Wegovy. He also takes on the tougher questions: the long-term health unknowns, the cultural backlash to “Ozempic face,” and what this wave of disruption could mean not just for pharma, but for the future of healthcare.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Career disruption is accelerating across the economy — and few people have navigated it more boldly than Maryam Banikarim. The former CMO of Univision, Gannett, and Hyatt, and host of The Messy Parts podcast, Banikarim joins Rapid Response to share hard-won wisdom about C-suite politics, and ultimately betting on yourself. Growing up in Iran during the time of revolution, Banikarim offers a unique perspective on the current Middle East conflict — and her determined search for hope amid the chaos.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hollywood's biggest night is more than a spectacle — it's a stress test for an industry in freefall. Janice Min, CEO of The Ankler, joins Rapid Response to break down her Oscars predictions and what the show's upcoming move to YouTube signals about the future of mainstream media. Min also unpacks the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal that caught everyone off guard, what David Ellison's arrival really means for Hollywood, and why a viral AI video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise has the entertainment world more rattled than any box office bomb.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI disruption and geopolitical upheaval are forcing business leaders to make high-stakes decisions — fast. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to share what she's hearing from her 9,000 clients and the hard-won advice she's giving them. Sweet reveals why AI proficiency is now a requirement for promotion at Accenture, why she's doubling down on entry-level hiring amid the automation wave, and why tension in the C-suite may be the most underrated leadership advantage right now. Plus, Sweet unpacks the hidden power of "leader-led learning", and makes the case for why preparing society for an AI future is not just a government job, but a business imperative.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Logitech may be known for keyboards, webcams, and gaming gear, but CEO Hanneke Faber is going AI-first. On this episode of Rapid Response, she explains how she's leading the hardware brand through an AI shift, approaching it as a leadership challenge, not just a tech one. Faber also shares lessons from competitive diving, navigating tariffs, and why she gave herself a 48-hour crash course in gaming to understand her customers.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Geopolitics is back at the top of every business leader's agenda — and the signals are coming fast. Host Bob Safian sits down with Rapid Response producer Alex Morris to cut through the noise and decode the stories shaping the business world right now: from Jeff Bezos' Washington Post shakeup and Jack Dorsey's AI-driven layoff memo, to a landmark Supreme Court tariff ruling and the Ellison family's rising grip on media. Plus, Bob and Alex play a round of Noise or Legit, separating the meaningful from the merely buzzworthy in today's business zeitgeist.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What happens when childhood is rewired by smartphones and social media? Jonathan Haidt breaks down how a single decade transformed attention, resilience, and the emotional lives of millions of kids. In this episode of Remarkable People with Guy Kawasaki, Haidt draws from his bestselling book The Anxious Generation, explaining why Gen Z's spike in anxiety wasn't random — and what we can do to make sure Gen Alpha doesn't suffer the same fate.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Women's sports are continuing to thrive. Record-breaking WNBA viewership, a flood of new brand investment, and now Unrivaled: the women's basketball league built by players, for players. Commissioner Micky Lawler joins Rapid Response to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a high-stakes sports startup in the full glare of the public eye, from signing Sephora and Samsung to selling out arenas. The question is no longer whether women's sports can compete. It's how fast they can grow.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tarang Amin took the helm of e.l.f. Beauty at a pivotal moment and helped turn it from industry underdog to category disruptor, with a retail footprint spanning Sephora, Target, Dollar General, and H&M — while outperforming much of the beauty sector. Amin breaks down the unconventional moves driving that growth, from lightning-fast product cycles and hands-on AI experimentation to cultural bets like partnering with Hailey Bieber. Beyond beauty, e.l.f.'s playbook offers a sharp look at how speed and conviction fuel growth in a volatile market.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Corey duBrowa spent much of his career advising some of the world's most scrutinized leaders — from Howard Schultz at Starbucks and Marc Benioff at Salesforce to Sundar Pichai at Google. Now, as CEO of global communications firm Burson, he's helping executives navigate a charged marketplace shaped by AI disruption, ICE activity, and nonstop reputational risk. duBrowa explains why reputation remains one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) assets in business, and how leaders should decide whether, when, and how to speak up.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Nicholas Thompson took over as CEO of The Atlantic five years ago, the iconic magazine was in financial peril. Now, it's profitable, and subscriber and revenue numbers are growing. In this episode of Masters of Scale, Thompson joins host Jeff Berman to talk about the impressive turnaround, how media companies can weather AI disruption, and lessons from the world of long-distance running.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Super Bowl LX ad blitz was a big budget highwire act — from Anthropic's shot at OpenAI to Lady Gaga's homage to Mr Rogers, and Dunkin's nostalgia-fueled celeb fest. Autodesk CMO Dara Treseder returns to Rapid Response to break down what worked, what didn't, and what the ads reveal about where marketing is headed next. Treseder unpacks the business impact of Bad Bunny's halftime show, what it signals for the NFL and Apple, and the lessons every leader can take from the biggest stage in advertising.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why does uncertainty make us less rational with money? And who should we trust for financial advice online? Vivian Tu, financial educator and CEO of Your Rich BFF, joins Rapid Response to break down today's personal finance risks and opportunities, from “lifestyle inflation” and the most common money mistakes smart people make to how Gen Z is navigating 2026 volatility and a shifting job market. Tu also previews her new book Well-Endowed, weighs in on tech stock valuations and prediction markets, and shares the surprising lessons she's taken from Rihanna.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TV host, producer, author, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Padma Lakshmi joins Rapid Response with candid advice for business leaders on speaking out, showing courage, and staying true to themselves, particularly amid the Trump Administration's violent immigration crackdown. A passionate voice at the intersection of food, culture, and identity, Lakshmi shares how she's shaking up food media with her new series America's Culinary Cup, and offers a refreshingly human take on modern work life, including why she chooses to take zoom meetings from the comfort of her own bed.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As Super Bowl LX nears, sports betting has become inseparable from the modern fan experience, even as scandals ripple through the NBA, MLB, and NCAA. Journalist Danny Funt joins Rapid Response to explore his new book, Everybody Loses, and explain how legalized gambling is transforming leagues, media, and the economics of fandom. From the dominance of FanDuel and DraftKings to the rise of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, Funt reveals who's winning, who's being exploited, and whether the industry is headed for a reckoning.If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you can call 1-800-662-HELP. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As global leaders disperse from the World Economic Forum, LinkedIn co-founder and tech investor Reid Hoffman joins Rapid Response to break down the biggest challenges and opportunities facing business today, from political headwinds tied to immigration and geopolitics to AI's real-time impact on industries like music and healthcare. Hoffman also explains why fears of a tech bubble aren't shaping his investing, what it really means to be an AI-first organization, and why this moment calls for CEOs to speak up and show courage.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Grammy Awards return next week at a pivotal moment for the music industry, one shaped by surging Latin artists, resurgent rock legends, and even charting AI acts. To unpack what will make this year's broadcast distinctive, The Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. joins Rapid Response to share how Grammy winners are chosen, how the show navigates social action and potential boycotts, and how music both reflects and influences the broader business marketplace.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mayors are unique leaders in America, often more loved and less polarized than state or federal politicians, with a different mandate and metric for success. Mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, is also the current president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and he joins Rapid Response to discuss how cities deliver for their residents, navigate macroeconomic forces and federal policy, and improve public trust. Holt shares what it means to govern a politically “purple” city, and how forces of politics and society may make us appear to be more polarized than we really are.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
From new vaccine guidance to nutrition policy to AI, the health care industry is already navigating massive change in 2026. New York Times health care reporter Sarah Kliff joins Rapid Response to break down major shifts reshaping American health — including new vaccine recommendations, an updated food pyramid, the continued rise of GLP-1 drugs, and OpenAI's Health GPT. Kliff explains why these changes matter far beyond hospitals and clinics, and why leaders across sectors should be paying close attention as health care, technology, and policy collide.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What did the latest holiday shopping season reveal about consumer confidence as the year begins? Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach joins Rapid Response to unpack the signals he's seeing across global spending — from shifting consumer sentiment to AI's growing role in financial security. Miebach also explores how credit cards fit into a future shaped by crypto, digital wallets, and agent-driven commerce, and what it will take for businesses to stay competitive amid continued market disruption.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One year on from the catastrophic LA wildfires, journalist, author, and MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff joins Rapid Response to examine what the fires reveal about America's growing age of disaster. Drawing from his new book Firestorm, Soboroff shares hard lessons from the aftermath, exposing systemic failures, unlikely heroics, and what today's recovery efforts tell us about how the U.S. will respond to the next crisis.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As we turn from reflection to what's ahead for a new year, Rapid Response presents host Bob Safian's predictions for the most pressing issues business leaders could face in 2026. Join Bob and producer Alex Morris for a surprisingly hopeful conversation about what's next – from an AI reality check to energy prices, immigration, and even the World Cup. Safian walks us through what might happen, and why being “right” matters less than sparking debate, testing assumptions, and taking a clear-headed approach in the year ahead.Check out Bob's full writeup of his predictions, here in Fast Company:See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The promise of fusion is enormous: clean, reliable energy at a scale that could change everything from climate outcomes to global prosperity. But how close are we? And what's still standing between today's breakthroughs and tomorrow's power plants? Bob Mumgaard, co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, joins Rapid Response to explain why fusion is different from fission, what recent advances have unlocked, and what the race to industrialize fusion will require. And with Trump Media making an unexpected recent entry into the fusion arena, the push toward a tipping point is getting even more urgent.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mark Cuban has spent decades as a serial entrepreneur and investor, with one of the best track records on the planet (including celebrity status on ABC's Shark Tank). In this episode of Pioneers of AI, Cuban joins host Rana El Kaliouby for a wide-ranging conversation about whether we are in an AI bubble, how he's applying his investment philosophy to AI, and why the AI world is tending to excite him less and less each day.Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Is the stock market in an AI bubble? What happens if it bursts? To understand our current economic moment, it's essential to understand history. In this episode of Masters of Scale, host Jeff Berman is joined by journalist and author Andrew Ross Sorkin onstage at the Masters of Scale Summit in San Francisco. His new book is 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History–and How It Shattered a Nation. Sorkin explains the lessons we can learn from this historical moment – and how they provide cautionary tales.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this encore episode of Rapid Response, we revisit a scientific breakthrough that set the internet ablaze: The ‘de-extinction' of the dire wolf. While many celebrated Colossal Biosciences' announcement, the experiment also sparked controversy throughout the scientific community — namely the ethics of birthing and re-wilding extinct animals, and whether Colossal's dire wolf puppies are the real thing. Colossal's co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm joined Rapid Response to take us inside the dire wolf journey, revealing how the startup attracted a roster of celebrity investors, and what the company's technology means for not only conservation and biodiversity, but potentially the future of human health. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How should leaders prepare for AI's accelerating impact on work and everyday life? AI scientist, entrepreneur, and Pioneers of AI host Dr. Rana El Kaliouby returns to Rapid Response to share her predictions for the year ahead — from physical AI entering the real world to what it means to onboard AI into your org chart. El Kaliouby also cuts through today's biggest AI headlines, including the chatbot arms race, Instacart's dynamic pricing controversy, and whether we're really living through an AI bubble.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This year delivered whiplash: geopolitics, tariffs, and technology all shifting at once. And heading into 2026, the disruption isn't easing up. In this special episode, host Bob Safian distills five hard-won lessons from Rapid Response this year on how to lead when the ground won't stop moving. You'll hear standout moments from Brian Chesky, Clara Shih, Marc Lore, José Andrés, and more, with practical takeaways for turning uncertainty into advantage.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When the U.S. government cut funding for local news stations, the Knight Foundation moved quickly to help stabilize a rapidly eroding industry. President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth joins Rapid Response to unpack the evolving roles of philanthropy and government, and why philanthropic organizations must learn to move at the speed of the news cycle. Wadsworth also explores what traditional journalists can learn from digital creators, the risks of crossing political leaders, and how to stay impartial in an increasingly polarized environment.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Can ChatGPT dethrone Gemini? Is Tim Cook capable of leading Apple into the next wave of AI? As 2025 winds down, journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher joins Rapid Response to cut through the noise and decode what's really happening across OpenAI, Meta, Google, and more. Swisher also sizes up the state of Disney, Netflix, and the escalating bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery. And in classic Swisher fashion, she doesn't hold back — weighing in on Elon Musk's eye-popping potential pay package, Mark Zuckerberg's costly misfires at Meta, and what the future of AI means for human health and cognition.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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