Big Take

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Latest Episodes:

The Sixth Bureau, Episode 2: The Spy’s Diary Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 2 of The Sixth Bureau, a limited-run series from The Big Take, we learn how China’s Ministry of State Security recruits experts in the West — and why intelligence officers shouldn’t keep their secrets backed up to the cloud.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Accounts Promise Free Money. What's the Catch? Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

In July, American parents will be eligible to open Trump Accounts on behalf of their children. The administration touts these investment accounts as a way to help the next generation achieve the American dream. But are they the best way to save for college, home-ownership or retirement? And who stands to benefit most?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Ben Steverman walks host Sarah Holder through the advantages — and criticisms — of this new program. Plus, economist Darrick Hamilton, whose federal “baby bonds” proposal inspired the Trump Accounts, weighs in on the immediate and long-term impacts the accounts could have on families and on the US economy.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ben Steverman; 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.

Finally, Some Good News on US Jobs Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

The latest jobs report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is a mixed bag. January’s numbers came in much stronger than expected — but revisions on 2025 data showed a weaker year than previously realized.

The report comes on the heels of a number of high-profile job cut announcements, including at Amazon, the Washington Post and Nike.

On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg US economy editor Molly Smith sift through the numbers and discuss the state of the labor market.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox and Julia Press; Reported by Molly Smith Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Denate, Rachael Lewis-Krisky; 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 Takaichi’s Landslide Election Win Means for Japan Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic election win, positioning her as the nation’s strongest leader in the postwar era.

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sakura Murakami to discuss the reaction to Takaichi’s election gamble, her vision for a more assertive Japan and the uphill battle she faces to deliver her ambitious agenda.

Further listening: All Eyes on Japan and China Tensions After Taiwan

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Yang Yang; Reported by Sakura Murakami; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa and Alex Sugiura.
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the US and Iran Make a Deal? Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

The prospect of US military action in Iran and the possibility of regional war continue to loom over indirect talks between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, Iran reporter Golnar Motevalli joins host David Gura to lay out what the US and Iran each hope to achieve and what’s at stake if these negotiations fall apart.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Golnar Motevalli; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by 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.

Weekend Listen: George Saunders Imagines an Oil Exec’s Deathbed Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

What is the best way to tell a climate story? This week on Zero, Akshat Rathi speaks with Booker Prize-winning novelist George Saunders. His new novel Vigil is an exploration of guilt, told on the deathbed of an oil executive haunted by ghosts. Rathi asks Saunders what he learned about climate change, his thoughts on whether AI complements or compromises human creativity, and why literature still matters in the era of TikTok.

Listen now, and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or YouTube to get new episodes of Zero every Thursday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pro Betters Flock to Prediction Markets Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

On today’s Big Take podcast, professional sports gambler Rufus Peabody discusses why he has shifted more of his betting to prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarke. And markets reporter Justina Lee and sports business reporter Ira Boudway sit down with host David Gura to discuss why these markets are drawing pros like Peabody — and the concerns the platforms raise for regulators and traditional sportsbooks.

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Justina Lee and Ira Boudway; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Generic Versions of Weight Loss Drugs Will Upend the Market Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Shares of Novo Nordisk were down Thursday morning after Hims & Hers introduced a compounded version of its Wegovy pill. The dip came two days after Novo predicted its sales could drop as much as 13% this year as the company factors in competition from generic drugs that could crop up as its patents expire around the world.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporters Naomi Kresge and Amber Tong talk to host David Gura about the year ahead for weight-loss drugs, from compounded products cutting into leading companies’ market share to generics that could upend the market globally.

Further listening:

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amber Tong and Naomi Kresge; 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.

Has the AI Reckoning Arrived? Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

AI anxiety is coursing through the stock market right now. From Tuesday’s global selloff in software and technology stocks to last week’s $381 billion Microsoft rout, investors are skittish over any sign of an AI bubble.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Big Tech editor Sarah Frier joins host Sarah Holder to discuss the coming AI reckoning and why pressure is building on tech companies to prove all their AI investments will pay off big — and soon.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Sarah Frier; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran and Alex Sugiura.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind Thailand’s Push to Recriminalize Cannabis Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Four years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, its booming market is at a crossroads. Initial high hopes for a tourism surge and a billion-dollar industry have been replaced by an oversupply of shops and a fierce public backlash.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Patpicha Tanakasempipat about what went wrong and whether the industry can weather a political firestorm.

Read more: Weed Backlash Grows in Thailand as Kids Turn to Cannabis
Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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