Material World

Introducing: Blood River, A New Podcast From Bloomberg Jul 16, 2020

The killers of Berta Caceres had every reason to believe they’d get away with murder. More than 100 other environmental activists in Honduras had been killed in the previous five years, yet almost no one had been punished for the crimes. Bloomberg’s Blood River follows a four-year quest to find her killers – a twisting trail that leads into the country’s circles of power.

Blood River premieres on July 27.

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Introducing Foundering Jun 24, 2020

Adam Neumann had a vision: to make his startup WeWork a wildly successful company that would change the world. He convinced thousands of other people -- customers, employees, investors -- that he could make that dream a reality. And for a while, he did. He was one of the most successful startup founders in the world. But then, in the span of just a few months, everything changed.

Foundering is a new serialized podcast from the journalists at Bloomberg Technology. This season, we’ll tell you the story of WeWork, a company that captured the startup boom of the 2010s and also may be remembered as a spectacular bust that marked the end of an era.

Foundering premieres June 25, 2020. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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Introducing Prognosis Season 4: America's Broken Health-Care Costs Jan 14, 2020

Americans are paying more and getting less for their health care than ever before. On the new season of Prognosis, reporter John Tozzi explores what went wrong.

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Introducing "What Goes Up," A New Show From Bloomberg Apr 16, 2019

On this new show from Bloomberg, hosts Mike Regan and Sarah Ponczek speak with expert guests each week about the main themes influencing global markets. They explore everything from stocks to bonds to currencies and commodities, and how each asset class affects trading in the others. Whether you’re a financial professional or just a curious retirement saver, What Goes Up keeps you apprised of the latest buzz on Wall Street and what the wildest movements in markets will mean for your investments.

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Introducing "Works For Me," A New Podcast From Bloomberg Jan 10, 2019

On this new show from Bloomberg, hosts Francesca Levy and Rebecca Greenfield navigate the productivity industry by way of their own experiences. In each episode, one of the two becomes a human guinea pig as she tries to solve a specific work-related problem. Using the advice of so-called productivity experts, the duo tackles obstacles like ineffective to-do lists, overflowing inboxes and unruly meetings. Follow along with their attempts, insights and missteps, and maybe find a solution that will work for you.

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Travel Genius, a New Show From Bloomberg Nov 08, 2018

What’s the most sure-fire way to get a flight upgrade? How can you find the best, secret local restaurants by asking just one question? What's the first thing you should do when you get into a hotel room? On Bloomberg's new podcast Travel Genius, we'll give you those answers—and plenty more—as hosts Nikki Ekstein and Mark Ellwood quiz the world’s most experienced globetrotters for their tried-and-true travel hacks. Listen weekly, and even your work trips will go from a necessary evil to an expert art form. Plus, you'll be padding out your bucket list with dreams of amazing future vacations.

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Prognosis, a New Show From Bloomberg Nov 02, 2018

Where does a medical cure come from? 100 years ago, it wasn't uncommon for scientists to test medicines by taking a dose themselves. As medical technologies get cheaper and more accessible, patients and DIY tinkerers are trying something similar—and mainstream medicine is racing to catch up. Prognosis explores the leading edge of medical advances, and asks who gets—or should get—access to them. We look at how innovation happens, when it fails, and what it means to the people with a disease trying to feel better, live longer, or avoid death.

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BONUS: The Pay Check, Episode 6 Jun 13, 2018

So far, the pay gap has proved pretty impossible to solve. But most of us aren’t just going to sit here and accept that we’ll be paid less than men for our entire careers. In the last episode of The Pay Check, host Rebecca Greenfield talks to Gaby Dunn, who hosts her own podcast called Bad With Money, about what she's learned from the many people she's sought advice from on her series. Jordyn Holman also travels to Seattle for the Get Money, Get Paid conference, hosted by a group called Ladies Get Paid, and learns some important lessons about negotiation—and collaboration.

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BONUS: The Pay Check, Episode 5 Jun 08, 2018

The pay gap goes way deeper than just men's and women's salaries—that's why just paying women more doesn't solve the problem. In this episode, Claire Suddath talks to Salesforce.com Inc., the San Francisco software company that began doing pay equity audits in 2015 and has found a pay gap every single year. Host Rebecca Greenfield looks at another software company, Fog Creek Software, Inc., and how radical pay transparency is helping equalize salaries. And Ellen Huet reports on Adobe Systems Inc., which says it's closed its pay gap but is still trying to tackle inequities around parental leave that can hold some women back.

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BONUS: The Pay Check, Episode 4 May 30, 2018

Can companies be shamed into closing the pay gap? A new law in the U.K. requires companies with more than 250 employees to publicly disclose their gender pay gaps. More than 10,000 companies reported by the April deadline, revealing differences in median pay of as much as 60 percent in some extreme cases. Now it’s up to companies to decide what, if anything, to do about that. This week, Suzi Ring talks to one company that reported a wide gap, and how that’s changing the way it hires and pays women. Then, Claire Suddath tells us about a different pay gap law in Iceland, how that came to be and if it’s working.

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BONUS: The Pay Check, Episode 3 May 23, 2018

Skeptics say the gender pay gap is explained by choices women make about family and career. Rebecca Greenfield unpacks those arguments with the help of professors from Harvard and Georgetown. Then, Jordyn Holman goes inside a contract negotiation between Netflix and the comedian and actress Mo’Nique that went south.

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BONUS: The Pay Check, Episode 2 May 16, 2018

There was a brief moment 150 years ago when it looked like women might get equal pay for equal work. But they didn’t—and that set the standard for decades to come. On this episode of the Pay Check, Rebecca Greenfield revisits a Civil War-era sex scandal that set the stage for the pay gap debates we're having right now. She talks to Claire Suddath about how a century of rules and laws saying what women can and can’t do have made it easy for companies to pay women less.

One big reason the gender pay gap still exists is because of a phenomenon called "occupational sorting"— the idea that some jobs are dominated by women, and those jobs often pay less. That didn't just happen. Claire and Rebecca sort through how history determined the market value for women. Then Claire talks with Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for gender equality at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. seemed like an open and shut case—until a loophole in the law denied her justice.

Visit us at https://www.bloomberg.com/the-paycheck

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BONUS: Listen to The Pay Check May 09, 2018

In the first episode of The Pay Check, we go deep on pay discrimination. Host Rebecca Greenfield tells us about an equal pay fight in her own family. We take you inside a gender discrimination case against Goldman Sachs that’s been unfolding for over a decade. And we look at how companies magically make their pay gaps disappear—without actually paying women more.

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Movie Theaters Want You Back, So They're Rushing to Modernize Dec 26, 2017

For many people, going to movies in the theater is more of a hassle than a joy -- why sit in an uncomfortable chair and spend upwards of $10 to get a ticket, plus the cost of popcorn and a drink? As the number of shows on television and subscription services surges and home theater systems improve, it takes a lot to get customers to leave their homes.

Lindsey Rupp and Jenny Kaplan talk with Anousha Sakoui, who covers the cinema and film industry for Bloomberg, about how the movie theaters industry got into this mess and the challenges that face them in regaining media dominance. Some startups, like MoviePass, which allows subscribers to see a movie every day for a month for $9.95 per month, are trying to getting customers to go to more films by offering them “bad-movie insurance,” says Chief Executive Officer Mitch Lowe. Cinemark, the third-largest movie chain, is also offering a subscription service and upgrading its theaters so customers can enjoy nicer seats and even perks like food and alcohol. Will these efforts to modernize be enough to win back consumers?

Every other week, hosts Jenny Kaplan and Lindsey Rupp guided you through the consumer universe, breaking down what's going on with all the things people buy. This will be the last episode of Material World.

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Wal-Mart Gets Ready For Virtual Reality Shopping Dec 12, 2017

Retail has been undergoing a rapid, extreme time of change that hasn't happened since online shopping came on the scene 20 years ago. Companies like Wal-Mart, the biggest retailer in the world, are trying to get ahead of the next trends in how people will buy stuff. They're making a big bet on virtual reality and augmented reality, and this week Jenny Kaplan and Lindsey Rupp take you behind the scenes to use Wal-Mart as a case study for how you might buy a tent or even a dress in the future.

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Global Warming Is Coming for Your Shopping Cart Nov 28, 2017

The impact of climate change on the things we buy is already noticeable, but it’s bound to get worse. In future decades, the food we eat, beverages we drink and clothes we wear may all be altered by the warming planet. In the second of two episodes about climate change, Jenny and Lindsey dig into the future impact of global warming on shoppers. They talk with Andrea Illy, Chief Executive Officer of IllyCaffe; Dr. Peter Howard, economics director at the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University's School of Law; and Cecilia Strömblad Brännsten, a sustainability business expert at H&M.

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How Climate Change Affects What You Buy Nov 15, 2017

Climate change is already worsening extreme weather events -- from hurricanes to wildfires -- and beginning to affect the U.S. economy and consumers. This episode is the first in a two-part series on climate and commerce. This week, Lindsey and Jenny dive into how changes in the environment are showing up in stores and businesses. Dr. Peter Howard, the economics director at the institute for policy integrity at NYU's school of law, explains how changing global temperatures and climate could have ripple effects on businesses and shoppers. Bloomberg's Jordyn Holman discusses her reporting in Puerto Rico after it was hit by Hurricane Maria and the director of the Florida Department of Citrus describes Hurricane Irma's impact on growers.

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Yogurt Battle Puts Big Food Struggles on Display Oct 31, 2017

Big Food's having a tough time, and yogurt is no exception. Large, bureaucratic food companies have trouble keeping up with consumers looking for fresh ingredients and new products. Newcomers like Chobani are beating out old standbys such as General Mills' Yoplait and DannoneWave's Dannon. This week on Material World, Jenny and guest host Craig Giammona dig into the evolution of yogurt, the changing consumer and the lessons yogurt provides for the rest the grocery store.

Correction: A previous version of this episode misstated Gary Hirshberg's last name.

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Is New York Fashion Week Still On Trend? Oct 17, 2017

Last month, fashion lovers got a taste of what's going to be in this spring as designers and models took to runways from New York to London to Paris and Milan. But as customers look for instant gratification and retailers rush to get clothes on shelves faster, is New York Fashion Week as relevant and agenda-setting as it once was? Lindsey Rupp and Alex Barinka talk with Xcel Brands Chief Executive Officer Bob D'Loren, retail consultant Gabriella Santaniello, and Tricia Smith, the head of women's merchandising at Nordstrom.

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The Evolution of Coffee, America's Favorite Drink Oct 03, 2017

The majority of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee every day. The kinds of drinks and the companies producing them have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Consumers increasingly want their caffeine kick to be gourmet and iced. Meanwhile, artisanal coffee companies are being snatched up by big roasters, much as craft brewers have been acquired by bigger counterparts. This week on Material World, Jenny and Lindsey dig into what's happening with the country's favorite stimulant. They talk with the leaders of Illycaffe Spa, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and Blue Bottle Coffee Co. about why gourmet coffee is growing, how cold drinks got so hot and why industry consolidation is expected to continue.

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The Disruption of the Jewelry Industry Sep 25, 2017

Millennials are blamed for disrupting a lot of industries, from cereal to soap, and now they're wreaking havoc on the jewelry industry. Customers today want timeless pieces that aren't so expensive they require a down payment, and they want to be able to collect items that can be customized into a truly personal look. In addition, they're browsing jewelry online and designing unique pieces. And young consumers are waiting longer to get married -- putting a dent in the engagement ring category -- and increasingly considering lab-made diamonds and other stones. These trends have put mainstream players like Signet's Zales, Kay and Jared in a tough spot. Lindsey Rupp and Kim Bhasin take a look at the changing trends in the industry and talk with New York startups Rebe and Catbird about what might be coming next.

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Beyond Barbecue: The Evolution of Potato Chips Sep 05, 2017

Everyone knows it's almost impossible to eat just one potato chip. Why is America's favorite salty snack so addictive? Jenny and Lindsey dig into the science behind the mouthwatering taste, the evolution of the business from local to national and the diversification of flavors from plain to things like everything bagel with cream cheese, pico de gallo and crispy taco. Jenny travels to Frito-Lay's Plano, Texas headquarters to get the scoop on how chefs, cooking competitions and healthier eating are reshaping the chip business.

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Trump Inc. (Ivanka Edition): What's in a Name? Aug 22, 2017

For the rich and famous, a name is often much more than just a name, and the Trump family hasn't shied from capitalizing on that opportunity. This week on Material World, we explain how Ivanka Trump turned her name into a brand. Now that the First Daughter has taken a position in the White House, what happens to her namesake company? Jenny and Lindsey speak with branding expert Allen Adamson on the challenges of using a person's name as a brand; actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba on her decision not to use her name as her masthead and Bloomberg's Kim Bhasin on how the Ivanka Trump Co. is helped or hurt by the election of its founder's father.

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Be Right Back Aug 08, 2017

Jenny and Lindsey are taking a vacation.

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To Win the Grocery Wars, Wal-Mart Is Making Designer Melons Jul 25, 2017

In our last episode, Jenny and guest host Craig Giammona explored how technology could shape the grocery industry's future. This week, Jenny and Lindsey look at what the biggest grocers are doing to stay on top -- and discover it has a lot to do with produce. As part of its plan to fight off competition, Wal-Mart, the world's biggest grocer, joined forces with an agriculture giant to design a new, sweeter cantaloupe. If the new melon is a success, it could set the stage for a makeover of the crucial produce aisle across the industry.

"The Cantaloupe Song" was written by Russ Rogers.

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The Tech Industry Wants To Revolutionize How You Shop For Groceries Jul 11, 2017

For decades, the experience of buying groceries has remained much the same — and stayed largely immune to tech disruption. But that may be about to change. Amazon's bid for Whole Foods shows that it's determined to revolutionize the way Americans buy their groceries. Jenny and guest host Craig Giammona talk with grocery experts about how stores are already changing — and the challenge that Amazon faces in charting a new future for the industry.

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Barbie’s Torrid Rise, Awkward Fall and -- Maybe! -- Surprise Comeback Jun 27, 2017

She's been called a role model -- but also creepy and superficial. So who is the real Barbie? Matt Townsend looked into an 58-year-old toy that's become much, much more than a mere plaything. He and Lindsey trace the life and times of this 11-and-a-half inch doll -- from her Eisenhower-era debut her stumbles (who knew she struggled to compete with Britney Spears?) and what Mattel is doing now to revive her.

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Yes, Big Tobacco Says It’s Racing to Create a Smoke-Free Future Jun 12, 2017

When you think innovation, Big Tobacco probably doesn't spring to mind. But Philip Morris International alone has spent more than $3 billion trying to create new products and push towards a “Smoke-Free Future.” Jenny and Lindsey dig into the tobacco industry's race to move beyond cigarettes and towards potentially better-for-you products. Philip Morris veteran Tony Snyder, talks about how the largest publicly-traded tobacco company in the world says its turning away from its core product; Businessweek's Felix Gillette describes how the move from “analog” cigarettes to “digital” gadgets snagged his interest; and Truth Initiative President Robin Koval discusses the importance of treating these innovations with caution.

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How Festivals Became Marketing Meccas May 30, 2017

From the success of Coachella to the cataclysm that was Fyre, music festivals are omnipresent these days, drawing colossal crowds and clogging Instagram feeds. But it isn't just partiers who have caught the festival bug -- consumer product companies want in, too. This week on Material World, Jenny and Lindsey examine how and why these gatherings have become the ultimate millennial experience and marketing mecca. They talk with executives from Live Nation, Heineken, and The Infatuation to get the scoop on what's behind the trend.

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How Tech Is Changing Your Beauty Routine May 15, 2017

The beauty industry is on fire, thanks in large part to technology. Prestige beauty sales in the United States grew 6 percent to $15.9 billion in the year ending in February, according to the research firm NPD Group. Makeup alone rose 11 percent to $7.3 billion. Lindsey and Jenny talk to lifestyle website Goop and makeup brand Glossier about how the prevalence of social media and online shopping are driving some of these sales figures. Industry investor TSG Consumer Partners, with $5 billion under management, explains the opportunity smaller brands have to carve out a niche market thanks to the Internet and what makes these upstarts appealing companies to invest in or even buy outright. Bloomberg's Stephanie Wong breaks down how big, traditional players are trying to get in on the growth.

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Inside Fashion's Quest to Make Sustainable Clothes Fit May 01, 2017

Americans love what they wear -- until it's time to throw it away. Each year, we generate 21 billion pounds of discarded clothing, amounting to 70 pounds per person. Now, as the world finally begins to address climate change, is there a business case for the fashion industry to invest in sustainability? Lindsey and Jenny talk brands including H&M, Levi Strauss and Timberland about what they're doing to make their products more green. With apparel at the beginning of its transformation, customers will need to demand improvements to help spur change.

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This Bud's For You: Weed Goes Mainstream Apr 19, 2017

As legalized pot becomes more widely available, the race is on for brands to become household names. One in five American adults now lives in a place where he or she can smoke, eat, drink, vape or otherwise ingest cannabis as they please. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out plans last week for the country to become the first Group of Seven nation to legalize it nationally. As the product moves out of the black market, cannabis is getting a makeover. Jenny and Lindsey dive into what's going on politically and how the industry is changing. Some ganjapreneurs are leaving Jamaican flags, giant pot leaves and highly potent strains behind in the quest to become the Coca-Cola or Budweiser of weed.

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How America's Push to Live Healthier Is Changing Food Labels Apr 03, 2017

Food and beverage companies have long used buzzwords like "natural" and "healthy" to get shoppers' attention, a battle that's intensified now that foodie culture has gone mainstream. Whether it's organic, gluten-free or non-GMO, consumers are demanding more information about what's inside the stuff they eat and drink. And that, in turn, is forcing companies to navigate an antiquated and confusing regulatory system. Jenny and guest host Craig Giammona examine how the demand for information about what's in our food is playing out in grocery stores.

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The Rise of Ghost Tequila Mar 21, 2017

The man who helped turn Fireball whisky into a shot sensation is at it again, this time with ghost-pepper infused tequila. Recording a day in the life, Material World follows him around to find out exactly what it takes to make a liquor brand go viral. How do bars come by their selection of alcohol? Jenny heads to Boston to interview Ghost Tequila's founders, bar owners and tequila drinkers -- and to suss out if this startup spirits company can disrupt a giant industry.

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Is Trump's 'Made in America' Push Healthy for Your Wallet? Mar 06, 2017

Jenny and Lindsey explore what Trump's campaign to revive domestic manufacturing means at the mall. Some companies, including Knot Standard, the custom suit-maker that dressed the younger male Trumps for the inauguration, say the U.S. doesn't have the technological infrastructure or employee knowhow to get the job done. Others, such as hoodie-maker American Giant, say that's baloney. Either way, after a decade of plummeting prices, shoppers may need to prepare themselves to spend more on the clothes they've been coveting.

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How to Live Forever Young Feb 21, 2017

Immortality may remain forever the stuff of science fiction, but our ability to live long and prosper is finally within reach -- if a select group of so-called biohackers can be believed. Take Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey, so committed to the lifestyle that he plans to live to the age of 180. Or consider Jim Fadiman, who studies the benefits of microdosing on psychedelic drugs such as LSD and says small changes can have big benefits. They're just two of the scores of experts, professionals and skeptics whom Jenny and Lindsey spoke with for this week's Material World. We also explore more mainstream efforts to live better, from diet and exercise to smartphone apps that help less-committed people quantify their wellness goals and success.

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Why There's No Excuse Not To Buy Better Underwear Feb 06, 2017

Material World is taking a look at the basics -- underwear. Technology and innovation has infiltrated the rest of your closet. Now, entrepreneurs say it's time to upgrade your underwear drawer. There's plenty to pick from: The global men's underwear market is expected to expand to $11 billion in 2020 from $8.4 billion in 2015, according to Persistence Market Research. That 31 percent jump dwarfs the expected 14 percent growth in the overall men's apparel market to $33 billion in 2020, according to Edited. Jenny and Lindsey talk with the founders of My Pakage and Tommy Johns, mens' brands, and Thinx, the so-called period underwear, to explore trends driving this market. Plus, they host a consumer-expert panel to find out if the new products actually live up to the hype.

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Shopping in Trump's America: A Look Ahead to 2017 Dec 27, 2016

This year was full of surprises -- Brangelina called it quits, the U.K. voted to leave the European Union and Donald Trump became the next president of the United States. It's hard to predict what lies ahead in 2017. Jenny and Lindsey are joined by others on Bloomberg News's consumer team to do just that. They discuss what retail might look like next year. Skinny pants, beards and progressive advertising themes could be out. Shoulder-pads, fast food and sugar may be in. The team tries its best to guess what living in Trump's America will mean for shoppers.

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Zombie Brands Are Hard to Kill Dec 12, 2016

The holidays are upon us, and with them a shopping season that can make or break a struggling retailer. Yet bankruptcy doesn't always mean the end. Many struggling chains linger well past their expiration dates and others find second lives under new ownership. The deciding factor is the strength of the brand. Join us as Lindsey and Jenny explain the bankruptcy process -- and why some brands survive while others don't. Jamie Salter tells us why he bought Aeropostale, the teen apparel chain, four months after it filed for bankruptcy in May. Bazillion Points book publisher Ian Christe describes his conflict with Borders, the bookseller that went out of business in 2011. Ryan Cotton, a managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity, explores what sets successful brands apart, while Bloomberg's Lauren Coleman-Lochner breaks down the mechanics of filing for bankruptcy.

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America's Sugar Addiction: Why So Sweet? Nov 29, 2016

This time of year feels like a continuous feast. With pumpkin spice lattes and apple pie and holiday cookies at every turn, Americans are constantly confronted by sugar. More than half of the nation's people are trying to eat less sugar -- and some are trying to quit altogether. So why is it so hard to tame that sweet tooth? Jenny and Lindsey dig into the ingredients that keep us chomping long past our necessary caloric intake: sugar, salt and fat. Jacqueline Raposo, a food writer and host of the "Love Bites" podcast, talks about the challenges of her month-long pledge to abstain from sugar. New York University's Nutrition and Food Studies Professor Marion Nestle explains why certain tastes appeal. Bestselling author and New York Times investigative reporter Michael Moss and Bloomberg's Craig Giammona speak to the companies that rely on sugar, salt and fat to attract consumers and how Big Food and Big Soda are being forced to change tactics.

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Celebration Inflation: We're Partying Hard & Companies Love It Nov 14, 2016

The holiday season is almost upon us. But these days it feels as if we're always celebrating. When it's not Halloween or Thanksgiving or Christmas, it's Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, National Margarita Day, National Siblings Day or National Pet Day. Companies have even created their own corporate holidays to get in on the action, such as Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day. This week, Jenny and Lindsey dig into a phenomenon they call celebration inflation. People may be skipping the mall these days, but they're happy to shop if it means snapping the perfect Instagram picture or throwing a "Pinterest perfect" party. We're spending more on events, whether they're nationally recognized days or other celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and bachelorette parties. Jenny and Lindsey explore the growing industry surrounding celebrations to find out why our partying patterns have changed and who is benefiting.

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How The Kardashians (and Other Celebrities) Get You To Buy Stuff Oct 31, 2016

Celebrities, they're just like us! Or rather, marketers have long relied on the fact that we want to be just like them. Slapping a famous name and image on to products has been a sales tactic for more than a century. But consumers's thirst for authenticity and attachment to social media have changed the ways that fame can be used. Join us as Jenny and Lindsey dive into the world of celebrity to find out why the relationship between companies and stars increasingly revolves around investments, not endorsements. Khloe Kardashian tells us why she no longer feels obliged to accept every product offer dangled her way. The comedians behind the Fat Jewish and Babe Walker on Instagram and Twitter explain the origins of White Girl Rose. And Jody Levy, co-founder and creative director of WTRMLN WTR tells us what one famous backer -- Beyonce -- brings to the table.

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The Costly Companionship of Cats and Dogs Oct 17, 2016

Cats and dogs have never had it so good. Hosts Lindsey Rupp and Jenny Kaplan explore the $63 billion U.S. pet industry. As Americans wait longer to have kids, they're spending more on their furry relatives instead, from pet insurance and premium diets to Halloween costumes. To break down the changes in the industry and find out if all this money actually makes a difference to our speechless friends, our hosts talk with celebrity chef Rachael Ray, who launched her own pet-food line called Nutrish, a New York City veterinarian and representatives from Petco and PetSmart.

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American Made, Bought and Sold Oct 03, 2016

Hosts Lindsey Rupp and Jenny Kaplan are talking patriotic marketing. In an Olympic and election year, consumers have been overwhelmed with red, white and blue. Budweiser actually branded its iconic beer "America" during the summer. Do these ploys attract buyers? What about items that are made in America? For more insight the hosts talk with Wrangler Jeans, Bloomberg reporter Shannon Pettypiece on Wal-Mart and Budweiser.

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Having a Baby Never Cost So Much Sep 19, 2016

Having a baby costs more than ever. The average American parents will pay about $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 through the age of 18 -- and that's just for basics! It isn't just higher costs that are changing the business of raising babies, industry experts tell Jenny and Lindsey in this episode. These days, new parents rely more on technology, care less about brands and are more attuned to product ingredients than previous generations. Mainstream companies such as Johnson & Johnson, once the only option for new parents, are struggling to keep up with changing demands as customers flock to upstarts like the Honest Co. for products they can trust.

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Pink It & Shrink It Sep 06, 2016

Marketing to women is getting more nuanced than the stereotyped, often sexist, efforts of the past -- mostly. How are companies that sell typically macho-things like beer and guns appealing to the fairer sex? Some do it better than others with inclusive messages. The toy industry is making stereotypically masculine toys more palatable for girls. The internet is allowing marketers to target customers based on their interests. Will advertisers ever really know what women want?

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The Future of Vegan Food Is Here, and It’s Not Gross Aug 22, 2016

For many years, packaged vegan foods were expensive, sometimes unappealing, knock-offs of animal products and byproducts made for diet extremists. Not any more. Companies that make plant-based fare, such as Treeline Cheese and Beyond Meat, want their products to go mainstream. They're working hard to appeal to meat-eaters, not just vegetarians. Others, like Santa Margherita Wine, call being vegan more of a perk than a goal. But will Americans ever really be willing to spring for a more expensive cashew-based cheese or skip beef for an imitation burger?

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Skinny Jeans Are Killing the Fashion Industry Aug 08, 2016

Skinny jeans have dominated the denim world for 10 long years and the fashion industry has had enough. Apparel companies are eager for pant styles to change, prompting customers to spend more on updating their entire wardrobe. Yet the skinny silhouette has serious staying power, according to Nancy Zhang, chief operating officer of New York boutique chain Otte. Sid and Ann Mashburn, who own a retail chain, describe how skinny became a style staple, from denim to athletic apparel to menswear. And Bloomberg's Matt Townsend bets the time has come for skinnies to meet their end. Are trends finally starting to show signs of change?

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Sex Sells Jul 25, 2016

Attitudes toward the sex toy industry have changed dramatically thanks to the Internet, making what was once a taboo subject pervasive in popular culture. In this episode, Lindsey and Jenny take a closer look at the $15 billion "adult product" market, with guests including Phil Harvey, who founded the adult store chain Adam & Eve in 1970 and explains to them how the industry has blossomed during the past 40 years. Challenges persist, however. As Babeland founder Claire Cavanah says, sometimes it's tough just to do basic banking. And Dame Products founders Alexandra Fine and Janet Lieberman tell our hosts that they used crowdfunding to make a new toy, but faced hurdles trying to advertise it.

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Cash, Sweat and Tears: The Big Business of Fitness Jul 11, 2016

The business of slimming has gained serious weight. From Soul Cycle to Lululemon, people are focused on getting fit -- and shelling out significant cash in the process. But just how big is the fitness economy? Are we in a fitness bubble? Join us as Jenny and Lindsey dig into the business side of this cultural phenomenon. Guests include Bloomberg New York Bureau Chief Jason Kelly, who chronicled this world in his book, “Sweat Equity: Inside the New Economy of Mind and Body”; Tom Cortese, co-founder and chief operating officer of Peloton; and Rohan Gunatillake, founder and director of Buddhify.

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Hustling In The World Of Food Trucks and Pop-Ups Jun 27, 2016

More people are skipping a trip to a mall and looking for a unique experience, helping fuel the growth of pop-up shops and food trucks. With that in mind, Jenny and Lindsey take a closer look at the growing trend of temporary and mobile retail. Michelle Lam, founder of lingerie company True&Co., describes her "nomadic" retailing strategy and its benefits. But operating out of a confined space like a truck has its challenges too, and Adam Sobel of The Cinnamon Snail breaks down the obstacles facing street vendors. Is wanderlust the future of retailing?

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There's Something About Mary Jane Jun 13, 2016

As Cannabis seemingly barrels toward federal legalization, Lindsey and Jenny dig into the unique challenges faced by ganja-preneurs in the American states where it's already gained legal status. After a quick breakdown of the plant's history, pot icon Cheech Marin joins us to explain the pitfalls of operating within a semi-legal industry. And cannabis activist Charlo Greene is on hand to explore the groups that stand a good chance of being left behind.

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Craft Is Dead. Long Live Craft. May 31, 2016

More than ever, people want the stuff they buy to be hand-crafted. Lindsey and Jenny discuss why that is and what that means for big and small businesses. Is ``craft'' simply a meaningless marketing word? Is the movement dying now that big companies are trying to get a piece of the action? Can people tell the difference between ``artisanal'' and generic? The musicians behind the Hanson Brothers Beer Company explain why this is just the beginning of the craft revolution. Bloomberg Reporter Craig Giammonna spells out why for big companies, the race is on to think small. And the founder of Ample Hills Creamery talks about what it takes to grow into a successful business while staying true to the ice cream parlor's Brooklyn roots.

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Welcome to Material World May 23, 2016

Meet Jenny Kaplan and Lindsey Rupp, two reporters at Bloomberg News who will be your guides through the consumer universe. What's going on with all the things you buy? Bloomberg is excited to present a taste of this new show. Stay tuned for the first full-length episode May 31.

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