Squawk Pod

Disney’s old guard and new guard are butting heads in the company’s boardroom, and the tensions between Bob Iger and Bob Chapek are getting awkward. As Russian troops continue their assaults in Ukraine, world leaders prepare for a NATO meeting with a singular objective: to stop Vladimir Putin. Former US Ambassador to Nato Ivo Daalder considers the biggest risks to European stability and the best tools to prompt an end to the conflict. In China, Boeing is helping to investigate a 737 plane crash while still rebuilding its reputation after the 737 Max tragedies. Plus, Warren Buffett’s taking Berkshire Hathaway on a shopping spree, and CNBC’s Jabari Young explains the waning luster of March Madness. In this episode:Ivo Daalder, @IvoHDaalderJabari Young, @JabariJYoungKelly Evans, @KellyCNBCMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliJoe 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.

21 Mar 202229min

The markets are on track for their best week since November 2020, despite geopolitical risks continuing to brew abroad. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reports on the rising Covid-19 cases across Europe, and what experts think that means for the U.S.’s pandemic response. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner and CNBC contributor, also breaks down the latest surge, but says the U.S. will not see a major wave of infections as we head into the spring and summer. President Joe Biden signed an executive order last week directing agencies to study cryptocurrencies as well as to come up with a government-wide approach to regulating digital assets. Perianne Boring, Chamber of Digital Commerce founder and president, says the move is a “huge validation” for blockchain. Plus, March Madness has begun! Joe Kernen discusses his not-so-perfect brackets with guest hosts Brian Sullivan and Michael Santoli. In this episode:Perianne Boring, @PerianneDCDr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellBrain Sullivan, @SullyCNBCMichael Santoli, @michaelsantoliJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 Mar 202233min

The markets react to the Fed’s strategy to combat inflation with the first rate hike in over three years. Former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Roger Ferguson considers whether six more hikes in 2022 would increase the probability of a U.S. recession, and whether investors are haunted by the last time the Fed tried to fix inflation with big hikes. Plus, President Biden has some sharp words for President Putin, and Netflix might be cracking down on shared accounts.  In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Mar 202229min

Starbucks is shaking up its leadership. In an exclusive interview, Starbucks board chair Mellody Hobson discusses Kevin Johnson’s surprise departure from his role as CEO, and she explains the board’s decision to call on founder Howard Schultz to step in. Billionaire investing legend Leon Cooperman weighs his 55 years on Wall Street when managing his portfolio in today’s market. Plus, Ukraine’s President Volodimir Zelensky appeals directly to the US government, and it might be time to put Daylight Savings Time to bed, once and for all.  In this episode:Mellody Hobson, @MellodyHobsonJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Mar 202238min

Chinese tech stocks are under serious pressure as domestic and international regulators heighten scrutiny on Chinese firms and Covid cases prompt lockdowns in Chinese manufacturing facilities and port cities. Meanwhile, Russia denies that the Kremlin asked Beijing for military support and for aid in avoiding Western sanctions as it wages war in Ukraine, and Chinese officials deny that they signaled being open to Russia’s request. After a 7-hour, “intense” talk between U.S. and Chinese officials about the conflict, the world still has little clarity on China’s stance. Here at home, the White House is rolling out a new program to ease supply chain congestion; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg explains the strategy and the impact of infrastructure investment on inflation. Plus, global investors are weighing the risk of Russia defaulting on its debt, and on Equal Pay Day, the gender pay gap is just as present as ever.  In this episode:Sec. Pete Buttigieg, @SecretaryPeteEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvLeslie Picker, @LesliePickerJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKlaire Odumody, @klairemarie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Mar 202234min

China’s Covid cases are now the highest they’ve been since the beginning of the pandemic. Domestically, the country is addressing health concerns by halting business and production while simultaneously cracking down on its biggest tech stocks. Internationally, Chinese leaders are meeting with U.S. officials to discuss China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine. CNBC’s Kayla Tausche reports on the latest attacks in Ukraine and the week’s negotiation agenda for global powers. Two years after the WHO declared the coronavirus a global pandemic, Dr. Scott Gottlieb reflects on the long road since then, and considers global risks of a resurgence. Plus, the NFL’s shortest retirement: Tom Brady is heading back to the field less than two months after announcing his departure. In this episode:Dr. Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDKayla Tausche, @kaylatauscheSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickKatie 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.

14 Mar 202230min

Two years after the WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, CNBC’s Meg Tirrell reflects on how far we’ve come, in a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla traces our progress from manufacturing the first vaccine to battling various strains as they evolve. Bourla maps out the annual vaccinations on our road still ahead. In Eastern Europe Vladimir Putin has referred to “positive shifts” in Russia’s talks with Ukraine, giving the global markets hope for an imminent end to the conflict, although many doubt the veracity of his comments. In the meantime, the U.S. Senate has passed a $1.5 trillion spending bill that includes aid for Ukraine. Plus, the MLB is back and ready to play ball. In this episode:Albert Bourla, @AlbertBourlaMeg Tirrell, @megtirrellJoe 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.

11 Mar 202230min

Efforts at diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine have so far been unproductive, and foreign leaders including Vice President Kamala Harris and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are now in Poland to facilitate talks and support Ukraine. The conflict has affected American gas prices, and Operation Hope CEO John Hope Bryant discusses impacts on consumer wallets and on corporate strategies. In the wake of Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard, the SEC is investigating concerns of insider trading that took place before the deal was announced; entertainment mogul Barry Diller strongly insists that he, his stepson Alex von Furstenberg, and fellow mogul David Geffen made “a lucky bet” on Activision Blizzard, and that the transactions were legal. President Biden’s executive order to examine cryptocurrencies prompted a bounce in bitcoin prices, and United Airlines is allowing some unvaccinated workers to return to their jobs later this month. Plus, one health insurer is considering a rebrand, and Amazon’s stock split might shake up the Dow.  In this episode:John Hope Bryant, @johnhopebryantJoe 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.

10 Mar 202226min