Good Bad Billionaire


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How did the planet's richest people make their billions? From celebrities and secretive CEOs to sporting legends and tech titans, Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng find out, and then decide whether they think they’re good, bad, or just another billionaire. Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How Amazon boss Jeff Bezos came to launch one of the biggest corporations of the internet age? And how six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan made his fortune with Nike? Good Bad Billionaire is here to analyse the minds, motives and money of some of the world's wealthiest individuals. No detail is too small and no story too wild to uncover. Join us on a global journey, discovering all we can about some of the richest people on the planet. We hear about billionaires in Russia, China, New Zealand, India, Nigeria and the UK. In the United States, there are those who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and high street fashion. Exploring the lives of Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, El Chapo, Narayana Murthy and Kim Kardashian, this podcast paints a vivid picture of business, entrepreneurship, capitalism and how our world really works. In season two, we learn how the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Peter Jackson, Doris Fisher and George Soros came to join the billionaires' club. We explore how Tiger Woods went from a child golfing prodigy to the world’s highest paid athlete, how a communist mime artist became the boss of fashion house Prada and how Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought an English football club. Find out how Mukesh Ambani became Asia’s richest person, and how Patrice Motsepe became the first black billionaire in a post-apartheid South Africa. Plus, we examine some of the biggest names behind the technology shaping our world – the founders of TikTok, Google, ChatGPT, Alibaba and Bumble. But it's not just how these billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next. Ultimately, Simon and Zing consider whether they think these people are a force for “good”, the opposite, or somewhere in between. Join Simon Jack, business editor for BBC News, and journalist, author and podcaster Zing Tsjeng as this podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, ambition and moral responsibility, and invites you to make up your own mind: are they Good, Bad, or Just Another Billionaire? We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire
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Hosts & Guests
Great Show But…
12/09/2024
Great show, compelling content and novel approach to telling the story of billionnaires. So much learnt fekm this show. Simon Jack is a pretty good, entertaining and competent presenter, hitting all the right notes. Just can’t stand the Chinese Asian presenter Zing, trying too hard to be a native westerner with accent and slang affectations. The only part of this show i dislike.
Claire
Jan 25
I enjoy your presentation very much on this podcast / some episodes better than others but that is measured by my interest in the person you are speaking about. I thoroughly enjoy hearing you laugh / giggle Simon on the occasions that you do / very endearing 😊and you are both very insightful. The more I hear about billionaires the more I realise how it does not make for happy campers and in terms of them sharing / giving away their wealth / is it always announced so everyone can know and the trumpets are blowing ? Real giving is mostly done privately/ secretly….not showing off to others , right ? Thank you for the work you put into the podcast 🙏🏼 informative and very much enjoyed 👌
Good idea…but
Jan 14
I think this is a good idea for a podcast but I think that it might run the risk of exposing or highlighting the worldview or political persuasion of the podcasters as much as it does of the billionaires…and it does. I still find it interesting and the hosts occasionally bring to light issues that I wasn’t aware of but I also have to weed out their bias which definitely trends progressive
Spoiler Alerts!
09/05/2024
***THIS SHOW HAS NO SPOILER ALERTS!!!**** I’m enjoying the show, aside from the big foul during the Murdoch episode in which you ruined a huge plot twist in the Succession Series.
Season 3 PLEASE!
12/04/2024
This is my fav podcast. I love the premise and execution. You two are very articulate and intelligent. I enjoy listening and and learning every time. I hope there is a new season? There must be some more billionaires to scrutinize. Thanks
Hand Over Mouth
11/11/2024
Why does Simon Jack put his hand over his mouth while talking into the microphone all the time? Almost every single show there’s a sentence or two where Simon is obviously talking with his hand over his mouth and I have no idea why. Like at first I think, well, maybe he just yawned and his hand is still covering his mouth when he started talking but he keeps it there and then I’m confused! What is he doing? It’s so irritating! I mean, other that, I thought I was ok until they mentioned the Koch brothers were Libertarians and now I’m questioning all my life choices!!! So… educational I guess. Thank you??? Seriously though. Entertaining podcast. I like it.
Interesting idea that needs better research
09/09/2024
It's an interesting idea for a podcast, but the subject research is surface level at best. These almost exclusively right-wing billionaires seem to get a free pass because the research and context of how they made their money is just not looked into very deeply. There's almost nothing on the ramifications of what these billionaires do to society.
So Well Done!
08/30/2024
I’m enjoying this podcast so much! The subject matter is fascinating! If you want to learn more about the very richest people on the planet and how they got there, this is the listen for you. The hosts are so professional and they never waste time with boring personal chitchat as so many podcasts tend to do. They get right into their subject and present the information in a riveting and entertaining style that keeps me glued start to finish. They adhere to the same format for each podcast. A brief biography is presented, you learn how each person achieves her or his first million dollars, and then how they leap forward to billionaire status. The hosts then have certain criteria by which they judge each subject and eventually declare them either a good or a bad billionaire. Each host brings a different perspective, so hearing them discuss their ratings for each billionaire per category is fun and you’ll find yourself weighing in with your own views, too. Some billionaires are people we’re familiar with from the news, TV, etc, and some I learned about for the first time. It’s just fascinating to see which forces converge in an ordinary person’s life to help make them become extraordinary. I can’t praise these two hosts highly enough! They keep the information in each episode fresh and enjoyable and moving forward, and together they present a very complete picture of these fabulously wealthy people. If you’re even a bit curious about the billionaires’ paths of success please give this podcast a listen. Good Bad Billionaire. You won’t be disappointed, I promise!
Fascinating
08/05/2024
I find these stories fascinating Love every single one of them. I do not always agree with your grade but I still like to hear your reasoning. I’ve been looking forward to this season which I am binging now as I was traveling and I couldn’t.
Zing should be removed as a host: lack of a nuanced and broad understanding of the world
08/05/2024
Simon Jack is very nuanced and great at hosting a show and even directing Zing’s trite comments to something more meaningful in interpreting Zing’s comments. Zing should not be on this show or any shows. Her lack of understanding of the world really comes through. Simon Jack is great, full of nuance and communicates with poise and class. Zing makes this show unbearable to listen to. Just a plainly bad communicator! Simon Jack hosting solo this show would be a five star. Zing one star or zero star.
About
Information
- Channel
- CreatorBBC World Service
- Years Active2023 - 2025
- Episodes54
- RatingClean
- Copyright© (C) BBC 2025
- Show Website
- ProviderBBC Studios Distribution Limited
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