Podcasts about opportunists

While the pundits are insisting that the late Alan Greenspan was a committed free market adherent, his actions throughout his career spoke differently. In today's Friday Philosophy, Dr. David Gordon exposes Greenspan for what he was: an opportunist.Original article: https://mises.org/friday-philosophy/greenspan-great-opportunist

On this episode of The Opportunist, former Luther Davis leveraged his football pedigree and connections to build a career representing aspiring NFL players. The episode traces how promises of opportunity and professional success gave way to allegations of deception that left careers and dreams hanging in the balance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Ultimate Opportunist Jack Jones #sanfrancisco49ers #NFL Join this channel to get access to perks and support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzZkcTcRj7vKSTHL9DQI4Bw/join Also hop on over to Patreon and get EXCLUSIVE 49ers Cutback content including ALL 22 Film Breakdowns: https://www.patreon.com/49erscutback Find links to all our socials on our Link Tree page: https://linktr.ee/49erscutback Don't forget to check out our NEW MERCH SHOP at: https://49erscutbackshop.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of The Opportunist, Tai Lopez built a massive online following selling the gospel of wealth, knowledge, and hustle - until the SEC alleged he was running a $112 million Ponzi scheme behind the scenes. The episode traces how the internet's most famous self-help guru allegedly used his own playbook to con the very audience he built his empire on.Thank you to our sponsors:- Quince: high quality everyday staples like breathable linen, organic cotton, and washable silk, priced 50 to 80% less than comparable brands, plus elevated basics for your home, kitchen, and bedding. Go to quince.com slash opportunist for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's quince.com/opportunist.- Grow Therapy: online therapist marketplace with no subscription and no big commitment. Pay by the session, filter by insurance, specialty, background, and availability, and you may be able to start within a couple of days. Accepts over 125 insurance plans, sessions average $21 with insurance, and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan. Visit growtherapy.com slash opportunist today to get started. That's growtherapy.com/opportunist.- Pluto TV: free streaming with thousands of movies and shows, all free, including Terminator 2, Fringe, Arrow, The 100, and The X-Files. No credit card needed. Pluto TV. Stream now, pay never.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Key TakeawaysThree Business Archetypes: Businesses succeed by controlling the industry's primary constraint. Three archetypes emerged: 1) the Opportunist (e.g., Frederick Trump), who moves capital to temporary choke points; 2) the Vertical Integrator (e.g., K.C. Irving), who owns the entire supply chain to capture profit regardless of where the constraint shifts; and 3) the Constraint Holder (e.g., Warren Buffett), who controls a long-term, stable bottleneck.Brand vs. Distribution: In some industries (e.g., mattresses, furniture), the retailer's brand and distribution network are the true constraint, not the product brand. This explains why Sleep Country acquired online competitors like Endy and Casper Canada, whose high customer acquisition costs (CAC) made them unviable alone.Management is the Constraint: Two case studies revealed that poor management and lack of data tracking were the primary constraints causing businesses to lose ~$20k/month. Fixing these foundational issues—not external factors like the economy—was the key to their turnaround.The group identified three archetypes for capturing value by controlling an industry's primary constraint:The Opportunist (Frederick Trump):Strategy: Move capital to temporary supply-demand imbalances.Example: Frederick Trump relocated his hotels/brothels to follow the Klondike Gold Rush, capturing peak earnings in new, unserved markets.The Vertical Integrator (K.C. Irving):Strategy: Own the entire supply chain to capture profit regardless of where the constraint shifts.Example: Irving's veneer company, previously a minor asset, became a massive profit center during WWII by supplying plywood for the "Mosquito" aircraft.The Constraint Holder (Warren Buffett):Strategy: Control a stable, long-term choke point in a mature industry.Example: Buffett's investment in Micron (memory chips) anticipated the long-term constraint of hardware in the AI boom.Mattress Industry:Constraint: Retailer brand and physical distribution, not product brand.Outcome: Online-only brands (Endy, Casper Canada) failed due to high CAC and distribution costs. Sleep Country acquired them to leverage its existing retail network, proving the physical store was the more powerful asset.Construction Trades:Constraint: Contractor skill and reputation.Context: Unlike ticketed trades (plumbing, electrical), unticketed trades (roofing, decking) have low barriers to entry.Manufacturer Response: Manufacturers (GAF, IKO) create "certified installer" programs, offering extended warranties to homeowners who hire their preferred contractors. This incentivizes contractors to push specific brands.Rydel's Strategy: Remain brand-agnostic by getting certified by all major manufacturers. This allows Rydel to recommend the best product for the client, not the one that pays the highest incentive.Amer shared two case studies of businesses losing ~$20k/month due to poor management.Case Study 1: Used Furniture BusinessProblem: Losing $20k/month from increased rent ($16k → $30k/mo) and a sales team with a low conversion rate (~20%).Solution: The owner personally sold 7/7 walk-ins, proving the constraint was the sales team's performance, not the economy.Case Study 2: Online BusinessProblem: Losing $20k/month, with cash dropping from $74k to -$60k.Solution: An audit revealed zero tracking for leads, calls, or media buyer performance. The constraint was a complete lack of management and accountability.

Send me a text!I am coming back to do another lesson in the manipulation/witchcraft series I started on TikTok Live, but this time—it's just a recorded video.Have you been an opportunist in your life?Have you operated off of sight ALONE in some of your decisions?I have, and The Most High has taught me some key principles about this and how to stay from it from a story in The Bible about David BEFORE taking the throne.Tune in.Learn.Apply!Timestamps:0:00-7:58 introduction + passion behind the lesson7:59-20:30 Man's Sense of Sight Is Limited.20:31-23:37 What's an opportunist?!23:38-33:50 The Most High can be testing YOU!33:51-35:38 When it comes to dreams and visions…35:40-38:44 No matter what do not stray from His way of conduct.38:45-40:43 Reflection————————————————————————Apple, Spotify, & BuzzSprout Podcast @TamarTalks Socials Ministry www.tamarstestimony.com Instagram @tamarstestimony TikTok @tamarstestimony_#waitingforthepromise #christianwitchcraft #christianfaith #manipulation

On this episode of The Opportunist, Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang were trusted educators and religious leaders at St. James Catholic School - until missing school funds shattered the community's faith in them. The episode traces how two women who preached morality and discipline allegedly concealed a secret double life for years.Thank you to our sponsors:Mint Mobile: Get premium wireless starting at just $15/month at mintmobile.com/opportunistSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailWe look at the career of Diocletian to determine the effectiveness of his reign and reforms.  

On this episode of The Opportunist, Natalie Marie Gonzalez built the image of a driven high achiever while secretly operating a drug distribution scheme. The episode traces how ambition and access helped her rise - and how that same double life ultimately caught up with her.Thank you to our sponsors:- AquaTru: countertop reverse-osmosis water purifier that removes 84 contaminants including lead, chlorine, forever chemicals, and microplastics. "Head over to Aquatru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code OPPORTUNIST."- Grow Therapy: online therapist marketplace that takes insurance (over 125 plans), sessions average $21, virtual or in-person, nights and weekends available. "Visit GrowTherapy.com slash OPPORTUNIST today to get started. That's GrowTherapy.com slash OPPORTUNIST."- Mint Mobile: premium wireless plans starting at $15 a month on the largest 5G network. Bring your own phone and number, activate with eSIM in minutes. "Shop plans at mintmobile.com slash opportunist. That's mintmobile.com slash opportunist."- Quince: affordable luxury basics priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands by working directly with ethical factories and cutting out the middleman. "Head to quince.com slash opportunist for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns."- Pluto TV: free streaming with thousands of movies and shows (Terminator 2, Fringe, Arrow, The 100, The X-Files). No credit cards needed. "Pluto TV. Stream now, pay never."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 The Opportunist, chef Valentino Luchin built an acclaimed restaurant - until mounting financial pressure drove him to a drastic choice. The episode traces how a celebrated career unraveled into a string of bank robberies in an attempt to stay afloat.Thank you to our sponsors:Grow Therapy: GrowTherapy.com/OpportunistPluto TV: Pluto.tvSee 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 The Opportunist, we tell the story of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, who allegedly used his position to solicit sex from inmates, and how his abuse of power came to a shocking end.Thank you to our sponsors:Quince: Quince.com/Opportunist for free shipping 365 day returnsMint Mobile: montmobile.com/opportunist $15/monthSee 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 The Opportunist, Daryl Hagler and Kenneth Rozenberg built a sprawling nursing home network in New Jersey — where profits allegedly came before patient care. The episode traces how their operation drew scrutiny, and the fallout from a system critics say put vulnerable residents at risk.Thank you to our sponsors:Quince: Quince.com/Opportunist for free shipping 365 day returnsMint Mobile: montmobile.com/opportunist $15/monthSee 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 The Opportunist, Ian Bick built the image of a young entrepreneur while secretly running a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme out of Danbury, Connecticut. The episode traces how a teenager convinced friends, investors, and even family to trust him - until the scheme began to unravel.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 Opportunist, Ari Giselle is at the center of a case tied to the killing of three surfers in Baja California. The episode traces how the crime unfolded - and how it turned a long-considered tourist playground into the focus of international scrutiny.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Firsties, we are so excited to introduce you to an amazing true crime podcast hosted by some new friends to The First Degree, Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. The Knife is a journalistic, true crime podcast with immersive, narrative interview episodes and additional episodes where producers and hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton tell eachother a crime story. Hannah and Patia formerly produced The Opportunist before launching The Knife in 2025.We have become huge fans and we know you'll love them too. Find them whenever you listen to podcasts.

From ingratiation to opportunity to the brutal truth about self-imposed pressure - and why being an opportunist in friendships means knowing exactly what you want and serving with blood and energy to get it, the deliberate plan to get skin-to-skin close to Emma Morrison the best TV news anchor in Ghana by constantly asking "what are you having for lunch, have you eaten, let me get your water" until she realized this girl wants to be close to me and brought her along, the strategic move of studying Emma's weaknesses without telling her and perfecting them as personal strengths so that when the prime time opportunity came the answer was "yes put her on" because that's exactly what was wanted all along, and why people are so addicted to the successes of others thinking "partner mia mia nisi kanibi" instead of charting their own authentic path, while the real question becomes: why are 28-year-old women pressured into marriage when they're not ready and 35-year-old men taking loans for weddings they'll spend two years paying off when the pressure is mostly self-imposed from watching what others post on social media, because the girl wearing that dress on Instagram didn't buy it - designers made it and gave it to her - so don't go looking for money to buy what you see someone else wearing, and the ultimate truth is this: you cannot allow people to control your narrative, you cannot sit in a meeting for hours waiting because someone thinks they're big, and if you need a favor but the 9am meeting starts at 9:15 and by 9:30 they're still not there - you walk out, because refusing to be put in a box is the only way to protect your potential and your power. In this raw episode of Konnected Minds, host Derrick Abaitey sits down with Nanaaba, a powerhouse media personality who dismantles the dangerous "wait your turn and be humble" mentality that keeps ambitious women locked out of opportunities they could seize with strategic action, revealing the exact moment when entering the TV newsroom and meeting Emma Morrison - the best TV news anchor in Ghana - triggered the deliberate plan to get skin-to-skin close to her because she had what was needed: expertise, and even though "I am not a very serviceable person, I don't know how to serve," the decision was made to serve Emma with blood and energy by constantly being in her face asking "what are you having for lunch, have you eaten, let me get your water" until Emma realized this girl wants to be close to me and instead of pushing away she brought her along, when Emma would say "this bulletin I wouldn't be available but not the prime time" but the hidden objective was always to share the prime time spot with her - if Emma does Monday to Friday then the goal was to get Thursday and Friday, when studying Emma's weaknesses and not telling her "oh Ms. Mollue I think if you do this it would be good" but instead making those weaknesses personal strengths and perfecting them so that on the day of going on TV Emma said "oh the thing you should put her on the road that's well for the prime time" and the response was "yes I did it, got what you wanted, that's what I wanted," when people would say "oh Nanaaba was washing Emma's feet, she was being an opportunist" and the response is simple: "yes that's what I call negotiation, it was deliberate because I knew what I wanted at the end of the day and I don't care what you say," when a father always said "you're an opportunist" and it's true because "if I'm not getting anything from the friendship trust me it's useless to me, I make friends because I know there is something you have that I would like," when Emma understood the assignment and when she became in charge of the newsroom her recruitments showed it - she was recruiting more women and giving more women opportunities for bigger assignments not just to people she liked but to people she hadn't even engaged with, just giving the opportunity to see what you can do. This isn't motivational empowerment talk from Instagram influencers - it's a systematic breakdown of why being an opportunist and ingratiating yourself into someone's life to learn from them is strategic not shameful when you know what you want and you're willing to serve to get it, why studying someone's weaknesses and perfecting them as your strengths without telling them is how you position yourself to take the prime time spot when the opportunity comes, why some societal pressure on young girls and women is self-imposed because people are so addicted to the successes of others instead of charting their own authentic path, " and why the ultimate power move is knowing exactly what you want, being deliberate about getting it, and refusing to let anyone - society, friends, or bosses - control your narrative or your time. Guest: Nana Aba Anamoah Host: Derrick Abaitey

On this episode of The Opportunist, probation guards at LA County's Camp Scott, entrusted with the care of vulnerable girls, are accused of using their authority to sexually abuse those in custody. The episode examines how power, isolation, and a broken oversight system created the conditions for exploitation- and the reckoning that followed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jontay Porter On this episode of The Opportunist, NBA journeyman Jontay Porter is accused of fixing games to cash in on bets placed by his gambling partners. The episode unpacks how a professional athlete risked his career - and the integrity of the sport - for profit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sean McMeekin details how Stalin replaced Litvinov with Molotov to signal realignment with Hitler, leading to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, arguing Stalin was an opportunist seeking territorial expansion in Poland, Romania, and the Baltics while Western powers failed to intervene.1900 THE RUSSIA BEAR, "RECKLESS DEFIANCE" OF THE ENGLISH TOMMIES

Ein neuer Mensch für eine neue Gesellschaft: In den 1930er-Jahren setzt die Sowjetunion alles daran, den Homo Sovieticus hervorzubringen - einen kommunistischen Idealbürger. Durch gezielte Umerziehung sollte ein "Neuer Mensch" entstehen: angepasst, diszipliniert, politisch loyal. Wie erfolgreich war das soziale Experiment? Von Fiona Rachel Fischer (BR 2025)

On this episode of The Opportunist, a rising model with a double life, Adva Lavie conned fellow models and wealthy older men, leaving a trail of betrayal in her wake. The episode unpacks how looks, access, and opportunity fueled a years-long scheme hiding in plain sight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII, is often characterised as a domineering woman who plotted her son's rise to the throne. But how true is that depiction? This Long Read, written by Lauren Johnson, explores the life of the founding matriarch of the Tudor dynasty. Today's feature originally appeared in the December 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HOW TO SPOT A OPPORTUNIST.

This episode of The Opportunist pulls back the curtain on pastor Mike Bickle, tracing years of troubling claims and unanswered questions that lingered in the shadows of his ministry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Their Feelings Real? Players. Scammers. Opportunists. They thrive on the one vulnerability we all possess—the desire to believe their feelings are real. Here's how to become ‘player proof.' We have one universal quality that is our downfall to being played, used, and conned, both in real life and online. We WANT to believe. We want to believe the fairytale, and we don't want reality to pierce that seductive bubble. Here's your way out, and onward to real love. Too Good To Be True It's Perfect. They're Perfect Exit the Bubble Reference to YouTube Live Show: Why People Pleasing Pushes Love Away- LIVE Q&A https://www.youtube.com/live/mE84gY2FfY8 Website: https://www.schoolofattraction.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/schoolofattraction Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SX9WKgEWynkxyulGhDihC?si=62449e8d26ac4ba2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolofattraction/ Work with Me: Consultation: Books: Breakup Triage; The Cure for Heartache Audible Allowing Magnificence; Living the Expanded Version of Your Life - Book and Audiobook: Connect with Me! Website: susanwinter.net YouTube: YouTube Channel Instagram: Instagram Profile Twitter: Twitter Profile Facebook: Facebook Page LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile TikTok: TikTok Profile

Pastor David Taylor built Kingdom of God Global Church into a sprawling ministry powered by aggressive fundraising call centers and promises of divine favor. In this episode of The Opportunist, his story exposes how spiritual authority can become a tool for manipulation, control, and unending financial gain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeffrey Manchester became known nationwide as the “Rooftop Burglar,” a figure often distorted by Hollywood and myth. But in this episode of The Opportunist, the real Jeffrey Manchester emerges - revealing how a quiet Army soldier turned thief built a double life of break-ins, secrecy, and startling ingenuity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leah, Melissa, and Kate dive into the raging legal battles over redistricting ahead of next year's midterms, Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan's massive oopsies in her prosecution of James Comey, developments with L'Affaire Epstein, and other assorted legal quagmires and outrages from the Trump administration. Then, Kate chats with University of Minnesota Law Professor Jill Hasday about her book We the Men: How Forgetting Women's Struggles for Equality Perpetuates Inequality. Check out Leah's review of Justice Amy Coney Barrett's book, Listening to the Law, for the Los Angeles Review of Books here.Favorite things:Kate: Lux, Rosalía; The Unraveling of the Justice Department, Emily Bazelon and Rachel Poser (NYT); Wild Dark Shore, Charlotte McConaghy; The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990, Jonathan MahlerLeah: Mature, Hilary Duff; The Pop-Tarts Bowl; Cupcakin' Bake Shop in BerkeleyMelissa: Judith Browne Dianis & Alexei Navalny win the inaugural Kettering Democracy Prize; Meghan's Moment, Kaitlyn Greenidge (Harper's Bazaar); Meet the Veteran Who Chases ICE on a Scooter, Isabela Dias (Mother Jones) Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 3/6/26 – San Francisco3/7/26 – Los AngelesLearn more: http://crooked.com/eventsOrder your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad VibesFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins rose to power as a reformer promising justice and change within Boston's jail system. But in this episode of The Opportunist, Sheriff Steven Tomkins' story reveals how a crusade for reform became a vehicle for power, loyalty, and personal gain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Knife is a weekly true crime podcast from producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. You might remember Hannah as the original host of The Opportunist! The Knife is a show about people who've been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. In-depth interviews take the listener behind the punchy headlines to hear what really happened from the people who lived it. The Knife reveals the ripple effect of crime. Through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who've been touched by crime. Episode description: Patia and Hannah speak with Cassie, who attended a Halloween party at an Oregon State University fraternity in 2008. The night started with costumes, loud music and a crowded basement full of college students. By the end of the night, Cassie was in the ER, holding a bag that contained her bloodstained costume. She soon found herself in a police interview recounting what happened. The state brought charges, and the case went to trial. Cassie's story is a personal account of navigating the legal system after reporting a rape. She did everything "right" but still faced a long, painful process. Her experience echoes the questions we've wrestled with in high-profile campus sexual assault cases: What does justice actually look like?  Links: Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram

The Knife is a weekly true crime podcast from producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. You might remember Hannah as the original host of The Opportunist! The Knife is a show about people who've been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. In-depth interviews take the listener behind the punchy headlines to hear what really happened from the people who lived it. The Knife reveals the ripple effect of crime. Through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who've been touched by crime. Episode description: Patia and Hannah speak with Cassie, who attended a Halloween party at an Oregon State University fraternity in 2008. The night started with costumes, loud music and a crowded basement full of college students. By the end of the night, Cassie was in the ER, holding a bag that contained her bloodstained costume. She soon found herself in a police interview recounting what happened. The state brought charges, and the case went to trial. Cassie's story is a personal account of navigating the legal system after reporting a rape. She did everything “right" but still faced a long, painful process. Her experience echoes the questions we've wrestled with in high-profile campus sexual assault cases: What does justice actually look like?  Links: Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram

On this episode of The Opportunist, when 27-year-old Adan Manzano is found dead in a New Orleans hotel room, suspicion quickly turns to Danette Colbert. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and greed that suggests Adan wasn't her only victim.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode of Firewall, Rev. Al Sharpton, a major figure in Jonathan Mahler's book The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990, joined the author and Tusk Strategies CEO Chris Coffey earlier in October for a spirited conversation about New York in the 1980s and how it set the stage for the politics of today.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City's only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today's episode: info@firewall.media.Be sure to watch Bradley's new TED Talk on Mobile Voting at https://go.ted.com/bradleytusk.Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter and follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube.

Ed Koch. Donald Trump. Rudy Giulian. Al Sharpton. Spike Lee. And more. They were the tabloid gods of New York at a pivotal time in the City's modern history - a time when several issues erupted into crises that caused chaos in NYC and made national headlines. And we discuss them in this interview because many of those issues persist to this day, and continue to polarize NYC's population and politics.

On this episode of The Opportunist, trusted Montana oncologist Dr. Thomas Weiner is accused of diagnosing patients with cancer they didn't have. What began as a story of hope and healing quickly turned into one of greed, deception, and shattered lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mahler walks us through The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City, 1986–1990—how a late-'80s crucible of crime, crack, and tabloids minted characters like Spike Lee ("the coolest guy in America"), Al Sharpton, Donald Trump, Ed Koch, and Rudy Giuliani. We revisit Howard Beach, Yusuf Hawkins, Do the Right Thing, and the media ecosystem that turned norm-breaking into power, alongside the policy tradeoffs (SROs, development, homelessness) that still echo today. It's a brisk tour of the years when New York became the prototype for how America lives now. Plus: how to read diplomatic reporting—and why Hamas yielded when its only real leverage was other people's bodies. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of The Opportunist, we tell the story of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, who allegedly used his position to solicit sex from inmates, and how his abuse of power came to a shocking end.--See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The tabs were this incredibly paradoxical force in New York during these years. On the one hand, they were totally polarizing, turning the world into into heroes and villains, good guys and bad guys — like comic books for adults. On the other hand, everyone is reading the Post and the News and Newsday, and they were unifying all of New York around these storylines." Jonathan Mahler joins LIT NYC hosts Harry Siegel and Amy Sohn to discuss his new "The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990."

In this episode of The Opportunist, we follow Charlie Javice, a young fintech founder who sold her startup to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But behind the glowing headlines was a stunning fraud that would ultimately bring her empire crashing down.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTPlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary Mahoney's Old French House was a beloved Gulf Coast landmark, serving presidents, celebrities, and locals for decades. On this episode of The Opportunist, we uncover the hidden story that threatened to tarnish its celebrated reputation.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTPlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new book from Jonathan Mahler posits that the years from 1986 to 1990 were some of the most important, and tumultuous, in New York City history. Mahler discusses the book, The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990.

John welcomes Jonathan Mahler, New York Times Magazine staff writer and bestselling author of “The Bronx Is Burning,” to discuss his new book, “The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990.” Mahler unpacks the reinvention of the Big Apple in the second half of the Eighties; riffs on the outsized characters (from Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani to Larry Kramer, Al Sharpton, and, of course, Donald Trump) who played key roles in it; and argues that the rise of Zohran Mamdani signals an end to the 40-year era spawned by that transformation. He and Heilemann also reminisce about crossing paths as undergrads in 1987—first as teammates and then as cellmates. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremiah ‘The Bull' Evans was a flashy entrepreneur who launched the Alpha Con convention, promising the secrets to wealth and influence. On this episode of The Opportunist, we look at how his high-energy salesmanship unraveled into fraud charges and a prison sentence.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTEarnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.PlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello,This week, we have a long talk with an author we both have admired for a while, Jonathan Mahler. His new book, The Gods of New York: Egoists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990, is a chronicle of how a four year stretch in New York City laid down the groundwork for a new city, one that fully separated itself from its working class roots and any notion of civic unity for a fractured, polarized, and atomized city that gave rise to everyone from Donald Trump to Al Sharpton to Larry Kramer to Spike Lee. Really really good book and a great guest. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle Norton Riester was an active duty Army pilot who used LSD on the weekends and sold psychedelics on the dark web. On this episode of The Opportunist, we examine how his double life led to federal charges and a stunning fall from grace.Thank you to our sponsors:Quince: Go to Quince.com/OPPORTUNIST for free shipping on your order and 65-day returns.Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTEarnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Larry is joined by New York Times journalist and author Jonathan Mahler to discuss his newest book ‘The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990', publishing on August 12th. They begin their conversation by detailing why Jonathan decided to write the book and shining a light on the rich history of New York city that precedes the period it covers. Here, they focus on the infamous Howard Beach, Queens incident with local police that led to the rise of Al Sharpton and a new age of public protesting (18:46). After the break, Larry and Jonathan take a look at the Wall St. crash of 87-88 and break down how the AIDS epidemic affected both the gay and art communities in New York at that time (31:52). They end the pod by talking about Rudy Guiliani's war against the mob, how the tabloids created Donald Trump, and filmmaker Spike Lee's love letter to the city,  ‘Do The Right Thing' (38:43). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Jonathan Mahler Producers: Chris Sutton and Brandy LaPlante Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this follow-up episode, The Opportunist explores the latest legal troubles facing Tim Ballard, this time in Argentina, where he's under investigation for alleged misconduct tied to his anti-trafficking efforts. As the international scrutiny mounts, questions grow louder about the true motives behind Ballard's crusade.Thank you to our sponsors:Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNISTSimplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNISTEarnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Once a promising snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding traded the slopes for smuggling routes in a shocking descent into the world of international drug trafficking. The Opportunists unpacks how fame, ambition, and risk collided in one man's transformation from athlete to criminal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Hunter Raines was a trusted CFO overseeing millions in public funds meant to support families of children with severe birth injuries in Virginia. The Opportunist investigates how he quietly exploited the system for personal gain—while the families he was supposed to help were left fighting for scraps.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.