Squawk Pod

The Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation by tracking the prices of everyday items, rose 8.5% in the last year–the fastest annual gain since 1981. CNBC’s senior economics reporter Steve Liesman and on-air editor Rick Santelli explain the hot inflation data, pains for consumers, and whether the Fed’s aggressive policies to combat it will result in a broader economic slowdown. Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd covers another factor that could hit inflation rates here in the U.S.: China’s Covid lockdowns. As sweeping shutdowns across the country continue, Rudd considers the impact on global supply chains and inflation around the world. Plus, Etsy sellers are on strike–virtually for a week to protest a hike in fees. In this episode:Kevin Rudd, @MrKRuddRick Santelli, @RickSantelliSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

12 Apr 202228min

China’s strict “no-Covid” policy is prompting lockdowns across the country, and residents are sharing reports of food shortages and hoarding as they weather the latest wave of the pandemic. CNBC’s Eunice Yoon reports from China on the quarantines and the inflation sweeping the nation. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb details the low vaccination rates in China that might be contributing to such a dire situation over 2 years into the pandemic. White House economist Heather Boushey, a member of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisors, discusses inflation in the U.S., high energy costs around the world, and what the government might do to mitigate American pocketbook pains. Plus, WarnerMedia and Discovery have made their merger official; investors and streamers are tuned in for the resulting changes to the entertainment and media landscapes.  In this episode:Heather Boushey, @hboushey46Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

11 Apr 202232min

As Vladimir Putin presses on with Russia’s assaults in Ukraine, the rest of the world has reevaluated the globe’s balance of energy power. The New York Times columnist Tom Friedman discusses the new oil world order and this moment’s legacy in energy markets for years to come. Elon Musk closed out an eventful week with a “cyber rodeo” to celebrate the opening of Tesla’s new gigafactory in Austin, Texas. CNBC’s Phil Lebeau and WSJ’s Tim Higgins discuss the whirlwind week for Tesla, Twitter, and Musk himself. Plus, famed entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel shared some harsh words about fellow billionaire Warren Buffett, calling the Oracle of Omaha a “sociopathic grandpa.” In this episode:Tom Friedman, @tomfriedmanTim Higgins, @timkhigginsPhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

8 Apr 202235min

Elon Musk’s 9.2% stake in Twitter cost him $2.6B–chump change for the wealthiest man in the world, according to fellow billionaire and supporter Ron Baron. But Musk’s ownership and board seat are a big deal for Twitter and for social media on the whole; Reddit co-founder turned VC Alexis Ohanian considers Musk’s intentions and his potential impact on social media as we know it. Plus, President Biden has expressed his support for unionizing Amazon workers, and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has had a productive–and expensive–start to 2022.  In this episode:Alexis Ohanian, @alexisohanianJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

7 Apr 202227min

Filmmaker Ken Burns’ new two-part documentary on PBS documents the life and complicated legacy of Benjamin Franklin. The documentarian joins Franklin biographer Walter Isaacson to discuss how the founding father shaped not only our country, but America’s everyday life, language, education system, and economy. Contemporary innovator Elon Musk is also shaping our daily lives, albeit differently: the anchors discuss his ambitions for Twitter and his multifaceted legacy–flamethrowers, rockets, and all. Plus, CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on JetBlue’s $3.6 billion offer for Spirit Airlines, and whether regulators will show as much skepticism as Wall Street analysts.  In this episode: Ken Burns, @KenBurnsWalter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacsonPhil LeBeau, @LebeaucarnewsJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew 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.

6 Apr 202228min

In an extended interview, Matt Damon and Gary White discuss founding their nonprofit Water.org, following over a decade funding global access to safe water and sanitation. The actor and engineer share their inspiration and motivation. Plus, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been appointed to Twitter’s board of directors after taking a 9.2% stake in the social media giant. In reaction, Twitter saw its best day of trading since its IPO in 2013. Shanghai has extended restrictions on transportation as cases rise and lockdown continues, and in the U.S., the Senate reached a deal on $10 billion in additional Covid funding just in case another Covid wave arrives stateside.In this episode:Matt Damon, @WaterGary White, @WaterAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

5 Apr 202233min

Tesla CEO Elon Musk purchased a giant stake in Twitter making him the largest outside shareholder in the social media stock, not long after criticizing the company for what he said was its failure to uphold the tenets of free speech. Rich Greenfield, partner and co-founder of LightShed Partners, reacts to Elon Musk’s passive stake in Twitter and explains why he thinks Twitter could be an acquisition target—and a buying opportunity for investors. Amazon workers on New York’s Staten Island made history after becoming the first group to vote in favor of unionizing at a U.S. facility operated by the country’s largest e-commerce company. Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, reacts to the historic unionization vote and a similar sentiment building among Starbucks baristas. Plus, CNBC’s Leslie Picker breaks down the highlights from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s annual letter to shareholders.In this episode:Mary Kay Henry, @MaryKayHenryRich Greenfield, @RichLightShedLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

4 Apr 202234min

The bond market briefly flashed a warning that recession could be imminent; Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and CNBC’s senior economics reporter Steve Liesman explain Wall Street’s hype about the inverted yield curve. The other talk on Wall Street: a social breakfast between Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and trader Alexander von Furstenberg that’s now in the center of official probes into insider trading concerns. Also caught up in the probes are billionaire magnates Barry Diller and David Geffen. Plus, China is in the thick of another battle with Covid, but here at home, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says, we’re nearing the end of its pandemic phase.   In this episode:Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie 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.

1 Apr 202226min