Squawk Pod

In a special Squawk Pod “Reporter’s Notebook,” CNBC’s Frank Holland discusses the AltFinance Fellowship, a talent acquisition program that bridges HBCU students and finance’s biggest players–and hirers. Ozy Media’s Carlos Watson has been arrested, in the latest chapter of the media company’s implosion. Ben Smith, the journalist who broke the first story exposing the company, explains how Watson duped investors and partners. Plus, we’re one year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and regulators are heightening scrutiny on antitrust practices in big tech.  In this episode:Ben Smith, @semaforbenFrank Holland, @FrankCNBCJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Feb 202329min

In two big tech cases this week, the Supreme Court considers reinterpretations of Section 230, the heart of a “free” internet. Tech investor and Plexo Capital founding managing partner Lo Toney discusses the implications of Gonzalez v. Google and Twitter v. Taamneh, as well as the next big tech revolution: AI. After over two years of pandemic-related shipping disruptions, the supply chain is still under pressure. Executive director of the Port of Los Angeles Gene Seroka paints the current picture of port traffic and cargo holdups. Plus, Elon Musk and California Governor Gavin Newsom have toured a new Tesla HQ, a proxy battle’s brewing at Bath & Body Works, Baidu’s taking on ChatGPT, and investors are worried about the Fed–still.  In this episode:Lo Toney, @lo_toneyGene Seroka, @PortofLAJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinMelissa Lee, @MelissaLeeCNBCKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

23 Feb 202339min

In an extended interview, former United States Vice President Mike Pence discusses the 2024 Presidential race, U.S. competition with China, and the current debt ceiling negotiations in Congress. He considers the best ways to avert a national debt crisis, including implementing changes to entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security. Plus, Amazon’s return to office mandate is prompting backlash among employees, Starbucks is adding olive oil to its Italian coffee, and Twitter is changing its authentication process.  In this episode:Mike Pence, @Mike_PenceJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 Feb 202335min

Nearly a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Biden is in Kyiv and Poland. Yale School of Management’s Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies Jeffrey Sonnenfeld discusses the business retreat from Russia, highlighting companies that have exited the country. Sonnenfeld suggests that the war and the resulting corporate protest has exposed Russia’s economic irrelevance. Manhattan workers are spending $12B less per year, due to remote work. Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn Wylde discusses the demands of a new generation of workers and the many employers betting on a future of hybrid work. Plus, Meta is rolling out Meta Verified, a new paid verification subscription service, lumber prices hit Home Depot’s bottom line, and some airlines are planning to accommodate families–for free! In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Feb 202332min

Two weeks after a train derailment in Ohio resulted in a hazardous chemical spill, the responsible railway Norfolk Southern, the EPA, and the Biden administration are working to help the affected community. Oscar Munoz, former United Airlines CEO and former CEO of CSX rail  shares lessons from his career, and offers some advice to the leaders involved. In the wake of wins for betting giants like DraftKings and Fanduel, Activate CEO Michael Wolf discusses the trends for legal and illegal sports betting. Plus, Sam Bankman-Fried is in trouble again, and prominent Chinese investment banker Bao Fan is missing according to his company China Renaissance Holdings. The Beijing-based fund and investment bank said it “has been unable to contact Mr. Bao Fan,” but is operating normally, according to a filing. In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Feb 202327min

Charlie Munger, a shareholder and board member for The Daily Journal, spoke at the newspaper’s virtual annual meeting on Wednesday. The meeting featured a Q&A moderated by Becky Quick that featured a wide range of topics, from market volatility, his favorite stocks of all time, the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes, to cryptocurrencies and investing in China. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Feb 20232h 10min

Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, a shareholder and board member of the Daily Journal Corporation, spoke at this year’s virtual Daily Journal Annual Meeting. Becky Quick delivers the highlights from that meeting, where Munger addressed A.I., his favorite stocks of all time, Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, and what he calls “crypto crap-o.” The Labor Department reported a producer price index hotter than economists expected, raising questions about the longevity of inflation in the U.S. CNBC’s Rick Santelli and Steve Liesman discuss what the most recent inflation data means for the Fed’s fight against inflation. The Congressional Budget Office has warned that the U.S. the Treasury Department can only sustain its extraordinary measures to prevent a debt default for five to eight more months. The CBO also raised its projection of national debt over the next decade. Phillip Swagel, the director of The Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, discusses the deficit and default warnings, the contentious Congressional debt ceiling fight, and rising interest payments challenging the U.S. budget window. Plus, more leadership changes are coming for the Federal Reserve, Wall Street Bets founder is suing Reddit, and a growing population of wealthy Chinese are relocating out of China, as economic concerns rise in the mainland.In this episode:Rick Santelli, @RickSantelliSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanRobert Frank, @robtfrankBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Feb 202325min

After his dramatic takeover, Elon Musk aims to name a successor at Twitter before the end of 2023. Musk has also announced that thousands of Tesla’s chargers will soon open all other EVs. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard is leaving her post to become President Biden’s top economic advisor. She’s replacing White House powerhouse Brian Deese, who speaks with Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin for an exit interview. Deese discusses his legacy at the National Economic Council, President Biden’s push against corporate buybacks, and the administration's remaining agenda. Louis Vuitton has hired designer and musician Pharrell Williams, and CNBC’s Robert Frank reports that it’s LVMH’s biggest bet yet on mixing pop culture and luxury for the world’s largest fashion brand. Plus, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has declined a Congressional invitation, and travel costs are up–alongside profits. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on air travel traffic and the FAA’s testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee today.  In this episode:Robert Frank, @robtfrankKayla Tausche, @kaylatauschePhil Lebeau, @LebeaucarnewsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Feb 202330min