Squawk Pod

Following news that Tesla buyers could be excluded from lucrative EV credits in California, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) is urging the state’s leaders to keep manufacturing in the state. In the name of bipartisanship, Rep. Khanna shares a list of agenda items ripe for collaboration across the aisle. Next, Crunch Labs founder and YouTuber Mark Rober discusses how he’s making science cool for kids. The former NASA employee and Apple engineer discusses the creator economy, coding for adults, and taking selfies from space. Plus, Elon Musk lost his bid for his $56B pay package, and Trump vows to block Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel. Ro Khanna - 14:02Mark Rober - 25:23 In this episode:Rep. Ro Khanna, @RepRoKhannaMark Rober, @MarkRoberBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

3 Dec 202430min

The holiday season is in full swing, and happiness guru Arthur Brooks is offering advice to maximize gratitude into the new year. Host of the “How to Build a Better Life” podcast says Thanksgiving offers a helpful psychology, and that an emphasis on being “grateful, not cheerful” can improve mental health. Next, on this Cyber Monday, Amber Venz Box discusses the rise of live shopping on social media via influencers or creators. She co-founded LTK, a platform that helps influencers earn commissions by connecting them with brands to promote and sell products on social media. She says over a thousand creators on her platform are now millionaires. Plus, President Biden pardoned his son, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has stepped down, and President-elect Trump has picked Charles Kushner for ambassador to France and Kash Patel for FBI director. Arthur Brooks - 17:20Amber Venz Box - 31:38 In this episode:Arthur Brooks, @arthurbrooksAmber Venz Box, @AmberVenzBoxBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

2 Dec 202434min

Black Friday is here, and while many shoppers are hitting the malls, others are taking advantage of deals on social media. Marketing and social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk highlights the rise of live shopping on social media as a potential disruption to the retail industry. Influencers are making millions of dollars each month through live shopping events on TikTok, he says, much like QVC. Next, Dr. Scott Gottlieb gives his perspective on the future of health care as President-elect Trump’s transition team takes shape, including Trump’s pick of RFK Jr. as health secretary. CNBC’s wealth reporter Robert Frank shares the impact philanthropy has had on the net worth of America’s richest people–and explains why Warren Buffett has already shared his will with his family. Plus, the FTC has launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, and Moana 2, Wicked and Gladiator II had a successful Thanksgiving. Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 21:19Gary Vaynerchuk - 34:52 In this episode:Gary Vaynerchuk, @garyveeScott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMDBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickSteve Liesman, @steveliesmanRobert Frank, @robtfrankZach Vallese, @zachvallese

29 Nov 202438min

In this bonus episode of Squawk Pod, the beloved “Roundball Rock” NBA theme song could make a return to NBC. CNBC’s Alex Sherman shares the latest on the rights to the iconic song and whether fans will hear it when the NBA returns to NBC starting in 2025. The Roundball Rock composer himself, John Tesh, heard us squawking about his song and reacted to it on his podcast. Tesh then joined Squawk Box to share his perspective on the likelihood of a rights deal and his song making a comeback. In this episode: Alex Sherman, @sherman4949John Tesh, @JohnTeshMediaBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

29 Nov 202416min

Israel and Hezbollah reached a permanent ceasefire agreement overnight after nearly 14 months of fighting. In Washington, CNBC’s Eamon Javers discusses the latest picks for Trump’s economic team, and in Silicon Valley, OpenAI is allowing employees to sell about $1.5 billion worth of shares in a new tender offer to SoftBank. Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan is turning her nearly 25-year-old “Declarations” column into a book. After years of speech writing for Ronald Reagan and writing on American politics, Noonan reflects on our nation’s journey to Trumpian conservatism. Plus, this Thanksgiving, a Squawk Box tradition: Butterball is back with its Turkey Talk-Line, helping holiday cooks avoid turkey turmoil. Supervisor Bill Nolan shares this year’s turkey trends and tips for the perfect bird. Eamon Javers - 03:23Peggy Noonan - 17:28Bill Nolan - 28:52 In this episode: Peggy Noonan, @PeggynoonannycEamon Javers, @EamonJaversBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese

27 Nov 202431min

President-elect Trump says he plans to raise tariffs by an additional 10% on China and impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. CNBC’s Megan Cassella talks through the latest reporting on Trump’s plans for tariffs on day one of his administration. Next, the U.S. has finalized a $7.9B award to Intel to fund chips projects. Chris Miller, Tufts Fletcher School professor and ‘Chip War’ author, discusses the future of semiconductor legislation in a second Trump administration, as well as the global competition for US chipmakers. Ahead of Thanksgiving, chef, restaurateur, and Eataly partner Lidia Bastianich shares her turkey dinner tips amid rising food prices and her experiments with a surprising ingredient: crickets. Plus, Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts and Qualcomm’s interest in taking over Intel is reportedly waning. Megan Cassella - 03:51Chris Miller - 19:23Lidia Bastianich - 27:55 In this episode:Megan Cassella, @mmcassellaChris Miller, @crmiller1Lidia Bastianich, @LidiaBastianichBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

26 Nov 202433min

President-elect Trump’s Treasury Secretary pick Scott Bessent prompted a positive market reaction as the last few cabinet roles are filled. Sports team owner Mark Wilf had a big weekend, scoring a trifecta of wins for his teams: Orlando Pride, Orlando City, and the Minnesota Vikings. He discusses the Pride’s first NWSL championship victory and his return on investment in women’s sports. Plus, Wicked and Gladiator II made a splash at the box office this weekend, Novak Djokovic names long-time tennis rival Andy Murray as his new coach, and the Squawk anchors talk gift ideas heading into the holidays. Mark Wilf - 19:14 In this episode:Becky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

25 Nov 202432min

A big weekend is coming up for the box office, with Wicked and Gladiator II expected to bring in a combined $200 million. CNBC’s Julia Boorstin explains the stakes and the marketing blitzes for both movies. Puck’s Matt Belloni discusses Wicked-ator and Comcast’s rationale for “SpinCo,” its cable spinoff. Restaurant review platform The Infatuation is out with its best new restaurants of the year. CEO Paul Needham highlights recent dining trends, including “rip and dip” bagels and mini martinis. Plus, DirecTV scraps its merger with Dish, SEC Chair Gary Gensler will resign once President-elect Trump takes office, and Matt Gaetz is out and Pam Bondi is in for Trump’s attorney general pick. Megan Cassella - 03:52Julia Boorstin - 19:00Matt Belloni - 22:21Paul Needham - 32:35 In this episode:Julia Boorstin, @JBoorstinMatt Belloni, @MattBelloniPaul Needham, @paul_needhamBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

22 Nov 202436min