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The Path with Becky Quick: A Beast of a Journey 3/2/26 Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

In 2024, Jeffrey Allen applied to the first season of “Beast Games,” a reality competition show on Amazon Prime Video that was inspired by the Netflix series “Squid Game” and created by YouTuber MrBeast. Why did this California Dad want to be on a game show? “Beast Games” offered the largest cash prize in history – and Allen wanted to make a difference in the search for a cure for his son Lucas’ rare disease.

Lucas was diagnosed as a toddler with Creatine Transporter Deficiency, or CTD, a rare genetic mutation that blocks the transport of the natural source of energy from the brain and muscle. Symptoms can include difficulty growing and gaining weight, slowed development of motor skills, intellectual disabilities, autistic behaviors and seizures, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. There are, estimated, just a few hundred CTD patients worldwide.

Known as Player 831, Jeffrey Allen won the first season of “Beast Games” and the massive $10 million prize. “It’s all a miracle,” he says about the serendipitous achievement and the gift of parenting Lucas.

To follow “Ruck for Rare,” visit: https://creatineinfo.org/ruck4rare/

Join us in advancing awareness and understanding of rare diseases. Visit CNBC.com/Cures to access clips, resources, or to sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Follow Becky Quick on X: @BeckyQuick

Please share your thoughts or rare disease story in the comments, and join us on The Path.

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Strikes in Iran and Lloyd Blankfein Looks Back 3/2/26 Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

More U.S. forces head to the Middle East, following the initial strikes in Iran by the U.S. and Israel. CNBC reporters Dan Murphy and Brian Sullivan on the market and global energy industry’s response. Veteran and venture capitalist Alex Harstrick describes Operation Epic Fury as, potentially, the first “AI War” and the language barriers between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon when it comes to artificial intelligence. And, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein looks back on an epic Wall Street career

Dan Murphy 2:27

Brian Sullivan 11:37

Alex Harstrick 24:42

Lloyd Blankfein 34:00

In this episode:

Dan Murphy, @dan_murphy

Brian Sullivan, @SullyCNBC

Lloyd Blankfein, @lloydblankfein

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman & Amazon CEO Andy Jassy 2/27/26 Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

OpenAI has closed a staggering $110 billion funding round, more than doubling its record-setting raise from just a year ago. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joins alongside Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to discuss the massive new capital infusion, the details behind OpenAI and Amazon’s $50 billion strategic partnership, and what comes next for agentic AI. Then, IBM vice chairman and former Trump NEC director Gary Cohn reacts to news that Block is cutting 40% of its workforce, citing AI efficiencies. Cohn discusses what those cuts signal about the future of work, the broader economy, and the market’s AI-fueled momentum. Plus, Paramount Skydance moves closer to a deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, and President Trump meets with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Gary Cohn 18:23

Sam Altman & Andy Jassy 32:55

In this episode:

Gary Cohn, @Gary_D_Cohn

Sam Altman, @sama

Andy Jassy, @ajassy

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Zach Vallese, @ZachVallese

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Jensen Huang, FDA Commissioner Makary, & Beast Industries CEO 2/26/26 Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

After reporting a strong quarter, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks to Becky Quick about his company’s future and the future of the AI landscape–including the ongoing standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the agency’s push for reforms and expedited drug approvals, particularly for rare disease therapies. Plus, Beast Games Season 2 finale is out on Amazon Prime, and season three is already in preproduction. Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold discusses his ambitions of building another Disney while producing the most-followed person on the internet, Mr. Beast.

Dr. Marty Makary - 17:16

Jeff Housenbold - 33:30

In this episode:

Dr. Marty Makary, @DrMakaryFDA

Jeff Housenbold, @jtbold

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin,

@andrewrsorkin

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State of the Union Digest: Dr. Mehmet Oz & Rep. Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/25/26 Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

After the President’s State of the Union address, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) discusses his party’s response to the lengthy speech and underscores the affordability crisis facing many Americans. CNBC’s Eamon Javers recaps the evening’s highlights, including moments of partisan- and bipartisanship. Then, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses the administration’s push to lower drug prices. Plus, Anthropic has changed its safety policy.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer - 21:28

Dr. Mehmet Oz - 29:44

In this episode:

Josh Gottheimer, @RepJoshG

Dr. Mehmet Oz, @DrOz

Eamon Javers, @eamonjavers

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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State of the Union: Senators Cruz (R-TX) & Cantwell (D-WA) 2/24/26 Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Ahead of the President’s State of the Union address tonight, Joe Kernen sits down with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. First, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discusses the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and his outlook for geopolitical shifts in the rest of President Trump’s term. Then, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) discusses tariff confusion and the latest development in Netflix’s and Paramount Skydance’s competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Sen. Ted Cruz - 10:48

Sen. Maria Cantwell - 24:16

In this episode:

Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz

Maria Cantwell, @SenatorCantwell

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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Blizzards & Tariffs Hit Washington 2/23/26 Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

As a major blizzard blankets much of the East Coast, the bigger storm is in Washington. After the Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy, the President responded with a new 15% tariff on all imports, putting U.S. trade deals and the broader global order in question. CNBC’s Steve Liesman explains the ruling and what comes next. Yale Law School professor and former Biden Treasury official Natasha Sarin debates former Trump economic advisor Stephen Moore on the economic impact and outlook of more tariffs. Then, Washington State Senator Jamie Pedersen discusses his proposal to raise the income tax on millionaires and its likelihood to encourage executives to leave the state. Plus, President Trump urges Netflix to remove board member and former Biden policy chief Susan Rice.

Steve Liesman - 19:04

Stephen Moore and Natasha Sarin - 32:57

Jamie Pedersen - 46:23

In this episode:

Natasha Sarin, @NatashaRSarin

Stephen Moore, @StephenMoore

Steve Liesman, @SteveLiesman

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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5 Things to Know Ahead of the Opening Bell 2/23/26 Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

U.S. Customs will stop collecting IEEPA tariffs on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court deemed them illegal, TSA Pre-Check is once again operational, despite the partial government shutdown, Axios reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will meet with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss the military’s use of Claude AI, Goldman Sachs has raised its end-of-year oil forecast, and “One Battle After Another” won BAFTA’s best film award.

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“Please, Spare Me.” Chris Christie on Kalshi & Polymarket 2/20/26 Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

The Supreme Court has struck down the President’s tariffs, President Trump is considering a limited military attack against Iran, private credit stocks are sliding, and filmmaker James Cameron is speaking out against Netflix’s bid for Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is now a strategic advisor for the American Gaming Association, and he’s calling out the “prediction market” status of Kalshi and Polymarket. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discusses the state tax policies around the country that are driving businesses and billionaires to his own state.

Chris Christie - 18:19

Gov. Ron DeSantis - 35:00

In this episode:

Chris Christie, @GovChristie

Ron DeSantis, @GovRonDeSantis

Eamon Javers, @eamonjavers

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

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5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell 2/20/2026 Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

President Trump says he’ll decide whether to attack Iran in the next 10 days, Johnson & Johnson is reportedly considering selling its orthopedics unit, Amazon’s AI tools sparked two outages at the company’s cloud unit, according to the FT, Live Nation reported strong live concert demand, and President Trump will direct the release of files on “extraterrestrial life.”

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