Big Take

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

Meet OpenClaw: The AI Craze Sweeping China Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Fueled by a powerful mix of FOMO and a government drive to accelerate AI adoption, OpenClaw has exploded in popularity across China. But as these agentic systems gain sweeping access to personal data, reports of them “going rogue” are beginning to surface.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Luz Ding and Bloomberg Opinion’s Catherine Thorbecke to dig into the rapid rise of agentic AI in China, why it has taken hold so quickly and the mounting security concerns pushing users and regulators to reassess the risks.

China’s OpenClaw Obsession Is a Risky Gamble on Experimental AI

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang Edited by Paddy Hirsch Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Threatens Iran's Water Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

A month into the Iran War, the Trump administration continues to send mixed messages about when and how it will end. In addition to threats on electricity plants and oil wells if a deal isn’t reached, the president said he would consider destroying another piece of critical infrastructure: Iran’s water desalination plants.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg defense policy and intelligence reporter Peter Martin about the Middle East’s reliance on desalination, the potential humanitarian crisis that targeting the plants could spark and how that action could fly in the face of international law.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Peter Martin; Edited by Paddy Hirsch.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With SpaceX IPO, Elon Musk Shoots for The Stars, Trillionaire Status Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

SpaceX is preparing for liftoff. After months of speculation, the company could file for a historic IPO as early as this week — seeking $75 billion in funding that would push the company’s value to $1.75 trillion.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech’s Ed Ludlow joins David Gura to break down the timing of the mega-offering. They discuss the challenges SpaceX could face taking its Mars-focused mission public, how the move could push Elon Musk’s net worth past the $1 trillion mark and what this all means for everyday investors looking to get in on the action.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ed Ludlow; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: BTS Leads Netflix’s Push for Growth in Asia Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

BTS is back. After a near four-year hiatus, the K-pop icons returned with a historic Netflix event – the platform’s first concert live streamed from Asia.

On today's Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha joins Bloomberg’s Sohee Kim and Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix’s power move and how global streamers are fighting for dominance in the competitive Asian market.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How US Troops Could Go About Taking Hormuz Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Leaders in Washington and Tehran are on the clock, with about a month to wrap up the Iran war before it does greater damage to the global economy and their own political fates, according to retired Admiral James Stavridis.

On today’s Big Take podcast with David Gura, Adm. Stavridis, the former head of US Southern Command and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, outlines how the US troops heading to the region could help bring about a diplomatic resolution – or raise the risk of a longer conflict.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Tracey Samuelson and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Really Happened in the Battle for Warner Bros. Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Just when it seemed that Netflix had clinched the deal to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance Corp. swooped in with a $110 billion counter-offer that was ultimately too good for the studio to pass up.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and Chris Palmeri take host Sarah Holder inside the behind-the-scenes negotiations that secured the deal for Paramount, how Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained his company’s decision to walk away – and the twists and turns that could still be coming in this story as two mega-studios become one.

David Ellison Used Political Ties, Deep Pockets to Buy Warner Bros.Netflix’s Co-CEO Explains Why He Quit the Warner Bros. Fight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prosecutor Who Tried to Stop Epstein, in Her Own Words Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Two decades ago, a federal prosecutor in Florida spent two years investigating Jeffrey Epstein and urged her superiors to charge him. Her frustrations mounted as her boss, US Attorney Alex Acosta, pursued a now-infamous plea deal that allowed Epstein to serve just 13 months, much of it on work release.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg legal reporter David Voreacos joins host Sarah Holder to examine emails and evidence recently released by the Justice Department. They reveal Marie Villafaña’s exhaustive efforts to hold Epstein accountable — and how, despite years of credible evidence, he managed to slip through the cracks.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by David Voreacos; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Trump Wants in Cuba Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump says he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba.” As the island nation suffers from major blackouts and a US squeeze on its oil supply, its regime’s survival — and the country’s future broadly — is in question.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Eric Martin and Jim Wyss about the dire situation on the ground in Cuba, ongoing talks between the country’s leadership and the US and what could come next.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Eric Martin, Jim Wyss; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

$100 to Fill Up Your Tank? Some Drivers Look Elsewhere Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether — and how — prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond.

Listen more:

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sixth Bureau Episode 6: Nothing Is Holy Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take,with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery.

The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected