12 episodes

When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when Sam's crypto exchange FTX collapsed, billions of dollars went missing, and Sam was in handcuffs, those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculated con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal, and what happens when “doing good” goes really, really, bad.

You can binge all episodes of Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried Wondery

    • Business
    • 4.3 • 387 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when Sam's crypto exchange FTX collapsed, billions of dollars went missing, and Sam was in handcuffs, those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculated con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal, and what happens when “doing good” goes really, really, bad.

You can binge all episodes of Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    The Smartest Person I Know

    The Smartest Person I Know

    Sam Bankman-Fried was making billions. He shared the stage with world leaders and celebrities. His face appeared on billboards promoting his plans to save the world. But this carefully staged production was about to be tested when reporters started asking questions.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 25 min
    Earn to Give

    Earn to Give

    A lunchtime chat convinces Sam the best way to save the world is to make a ton of money. All he has to do is figure out how to make that happen.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Deleted from Reality

    Deleted from Reality

    Sam’s crypto trading firm, Alameda Research, makes millions. But some of his closest allies start to doubt his methods. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Genie’s Wish

    Genie’s Wish

    With the success of FTX, Sam is hailed as the next Warren Buffett. But behind the scenes, there are secrets that threaten to destroy everything he’s built. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Magic Beans

    Magic Beans

    A leaked document puts Sam’s crypto empire into a tailspin. He is forced to turn to his greatest adversary for help.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    “Fraud in Shorts”

    “Fraud in Shorts”

    As his empire lies in ruins, Sam starts telling his own side of the story. But when Caroline Ellison is spotted in New York, his problems look set to get much worse.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
387 Ratings

387 Ratings

anon-nerd ,

Great look at the human side of Alameda and FTX

I love this podcast. Very well written, and easy to follow even if you know nothing about crypto. It gives you great insight into the people around SBF and their experiences with him during the rise and fall of Alameda and FTX. Well reported and well written. The vocal fry on the narrator’s part is really the only downside, and it’s not a biggie. Side note- it’s crazy how much listening to Caroline Ellison reminds me of Elizabeth Holmes.

RondyR ,

Not Bad

I simply cannot understand how anyone fell for this kid’s nonsense. I knew he was full of crap the first time I ever heard his name; anyone who wants to “do good” would not donate money to, and vote for, one of the most evil political parties in human history. Also, hearing his fellow crook call herself “hot” was the funniest thing that I have heard all year. I really needed a good laugh, and that gave me a great one. That Caroline crook is so unattractive that if we were the last two people on the planet and only we could repopulate humanity I would just let the human race become extinct before I touched that girl with a ten-foot pole. The show itself is interesting and the hostess seems to have the personality for podcasting; however, she lets her alt-left insanity shine through once in a while. If it were not for that this show would have gotten five stars from me.

megerrrrrs ,

Great summary of the issue

Great podcast reviewing SBF and FTX without going too long or detailed. Very compelling

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