An Expanding NATO Reinforces Itself Against Russia
This year’s NATO summit begins next week in Vilnius, Lithuania—and once again, the alliance’s response to the war in Ukraine is top of mind. Bloomberg’s Natalia Drozdiak and Niclas Rolander discuss this year’s agenda, including the implications of expanding NATO as Sweden’s membership bid hangs in the balance. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Juli 202325min
A Frustrated Middle Class Wants More Than Promises In 2024
The American middle class is feeling the squeeze: inflation, wages that haven’t kept up, higher interest rates and fluctuating markets are all adding up to a loss of collective wealth. Bloomberg’s Shawn Donnan and a team of journalists are following the economic lives of two dozen middle class families across the country as we head into the 2024 election. In this first installment we hear from four of them. What does it mean to be middle class in America today–and how will their shifting fortunes influence the way they vote? Read more: The US Middle Class's Economic Anxiety Will Decide the 2024 Election Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Juli 202330min
TEAM FAVORITE: Women's Pro Tackle Football Takes The Field
The Big Take team is taking a break for the Fourth of July holiday in the US, so we wanted to share this episode you might have missed. Back tomorrow!---Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Mary Pilon joins this episode to talk about the promise–and challenges–of building a fanbase for the Women’s Football Alliance, an all-female, full-contact league that has 60 teams in four divisions across 32 states. And we head to a nighttime practice of the DC Divas, to hear from the players and coaches about why they love the game and what it means for women to play tackle football. Read more: Women Tackle Football With a Full-Contact League of Their Own. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net. This episode was originally released May 15, 2023, and was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Michael Falero Sound Design/Engineer: Gilda Garcia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4 Juli 202332min
Summer Heat Is Straining The US Power Grid. Winter Cold Could Be Worse
Record temperatures in Texas and across the southern US are putting immense strain on the electric grid, as residents battle the heat by cranking up the AC. But experts say grid pressure could get even worse this winter. Bloomberg’s Naureen Malik joins this episode to discuss whether America’s infrastructure can support an increasingly electrified economy—and what can be done to avoid mass blackouts in the coming months. Read more: America’s Biggest Power Source Wasn’t Built for Extreme Weather Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3 Juli 202328min
The Supreme Court’s Power Is Growing. The Public’s Confidence Is Shrinking
The US Supreme Court is wrapping up yet another eventful term, with decisions in major cases that will have a lasting impact on Americans’ lives. Bloomberg’s Greg Stohr and Zoe Tillman join this episode to talk about how in recent years, the high court has become more willing to assert its power and enhance its role among the three branches of government. At the same time, ethics controversies and rising public perception that the justices are sometimes overtly political have lowered confidence in the court. Read more: An Aggressive Supreme Court Reshapes the US as Its Standing Erodes Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.* This episode introduction was updated on Friday, 6/30 to reflect the two Supreme Court rulings out Friday morning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Juni 202325min
It Started As A Huawei 5G Bid. It Became A Mole Hunt
In 2019, telecommunications companies were vying for a lucrative contract to upgrade Denmark’s cellular network to 5G. The competition came down to two finalists: The Swedish telecom Ericsson, and the Chinese technology giant Huawei. Then things got weird. Bloomberg Businessweek writers Jordan Robertson and Drake Bennett are back again with another captivating investigation–this one featuring eavesdropping, a drone and the frantic hunt for a suspected leaker. Read more: When a Huawei Bid Turned Into a Hunt for a Corporate Mole Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Juni 202328min
Germany Is Europe’s Economic Engine. It’s Starting To Sputter
For decades, Germany has been the driving force of Europe’s economy. But now, as it emerges from a winter recession, the nation’s resilience is showing signs of breaking down–and that could mean trouble for the rest of the continent. Bloomberg’s William Wilkes and Jana Randow join from Frankfurt to talk about why Germany has lost its economic edge–and what it will take to get it back. Read more: Europe’s Economic Engine Is Breaking Down Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.This episode was produced by: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producer: Federica Romaniello, Associate Producer: Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 Juni 202324min
Bringing Government Services Into The 21st Century. One Text At A Time
Millions of Americans depend on public assistance programs to help pay for food and make ends meet. But it’s not always easy for them to manage the red tape required to keep those benefits coming. Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Bryce Covert joins this episode with the story of a nonprofit called Code For America. It works with states to make navigating government bureaucracies less of a hassle. And we also hear from Code For America’s Genevieve Miller. Read more: How Many People Does It Take for the Government to Send a Text? Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Juni 202325min
