Squawk Pod

As valuations for Tesla and Bitcoin climb higher and higher, Joe, Becky, and Andrew consider the roots of the hype and the consequences for the market. Operation Hope’s John Hope Bryant delves into what the “Reddit Rebellion” is teaching America about equity and financial literacy in this country. Plus, DoorDash is betting on restaurant robots; automation is coming soon to a salad near you.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Feb 202124min

Elon Musk’s Tesla announced that it has bought $1.5B in bitcoin, and the company plans to accept the currency as payment for its products. Galaxy Digital’s Michael Novogratz says this should be the first corporate move of many, but Tesla’s announcement intensifies concerns that Elon Musk is irresponsibly wielding his power to hype stocks and cryptocurrency--like Dogecoin--on his social media. South Africa is second guessing the efficacy of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against a new coronavirus variant, and back in the U.S., Super Bowl LV used touchless security company Clear to keep attendees and health workers safe at this year’s game. Clear CEO Caryn Seidman Becker discusses Clear’s technology and its role in a post-pandemic, post-vaccine world.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Feb 202135min

23andMe is set to go public in a merger with a SPAC backed by Sir Richard Branson. Company co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki and Branson himself discuss the “delight” offered by the company’s genetic sequencing, and they look ahead to what they’re hoping is a lucrative future. In a special conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, Joe Kernen reflects on his own family’s journey with 23andMe, including the highs and lows of finding long lost blood connections. Plus, Johnson and Johnson has asked the FDA for emergency use authorization for its vaccine, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says an approval could hasten the country’s herd immunity.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Feb 202134min

Apple is finally hitting the road, closing in on a deal with Hyundai-Kia to manufacture an Apple-branded autonomous electric vehicle in Georgia. Merck CEO and social justice leader Ken Frazier is stepping down from his role, effective in June. CNBC’s Meg Tirrell discusses his legacy while at the helm of the pharma giant, as well as his role in pushing progress in corporate America. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced a bill to take on Big Tech and bolster antitrust regulation. Plus, PayPal delivers big returns to its investors. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Feb 202134min

Jeff Bezos is stepping back from his role as Amazon CEO, passing leadership to AWS head Andy Jassy. Walter Isaacson, author of the introduction to Bezos’s book, “Invent and Wander,” discusses the Amazon founder’s infinite thirst for innovation and the transition of power at the “store” that changed everything. In the wake of the Redditor rebellion, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is calling for a meeting of financial regulators. Former Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher considers the regulators’ role in managing volatility, maintaining market fairness, and leveling the market’s playing field.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Feb 202130min

The endgame may be near for the GameStop squeeze trade as investing enthusiasm and volume wane. Silver prices, another hill in the battle between Redditor retail investors and Wall Street hedge funds, fell after hitting an eight-year high on Monday. Ray McGuire, Democratic candidate for New York City mayor and former Citigroup vice chairman, discusses his strategy for overcoming the pandemic and supporting businesses in crisis, including calls for police reform and more. Plus, SpaceX is prepped for its first all-civilian space mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Feb 202123min

Starting off a new week and a new month, Wall Street continues to weather concerns about the Reddit-sparked retail trading frenzy around GameStop. Joe Moglia, former chairman and CEO of TD Ameritrade, puts the Reddit traders’ short squeeze into perspective with the broader market. Elon Musk turned to social media audio app, Clubhouse, for a conversation with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev about the retail investor rebellion. Paul Davison, CEO and co-founder of Clubhouse, the audio social networking app popular with Wall Street and Silicon Valley insiders, discusses social media’s role in the markets. Plus, could Silver be the new GameStop? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Feb 202138min

In a conversation exclusive to Squawk Pod, singer, actress, activist, and Presidential Inauguration performer Lady Gaga shares her hopes for rebuilding community spirit post-pandemic. She and Becky Quick discuss her inauguration performance, mental health amid Covid, and the WELL Health-Safety Seal initiative to bolster consumer confidence in shared indoor spaces like live concert and sport venues. Plus, Elon Musk is moving markets, and The New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman gives a graphic, circle-of-life-inspired explanation of the RobinHood, GameStop, short squeeze drama.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 Jan 202129min