Gap's Revival | Back in Blue | 2

Gap's Revival | Back in Blue | 2

Author: Audible November 12, 2025 Duration: 38:17
It’s late 2023, and Gap’s new CEO Richard Dickson is trying to revive the brand’s fading fortunes. Dickson is the man who rescued Barbie from cultural irrelevance and turned her into a blockbuster movie star. To do the same at Gap, Dickson finds out that he’ll have to change Gap’s culture — one that puts a cheerful spin on even the bleakest financials. Dickson also must win back the imagination of shoppers. For that, he’ll try to enlist a big-name fashion designer while pumping up Gap’s ads with some of the hottest pop tracks. But that will put Gap on a cultural collision course with another denim powerhouse. Now, the question is: Who’s got the better jeans? Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind every product you use and every brand you recognize, there's a hidden history of rivalry and strategic gambles. Business Wars, from Audible, pulls back the curtain on these epic corporate clashes that quietly define our daily lives. It’s not just about quarterly earnings; it’s a deep narrative exploration where ambition, innovation, and sometimes sheer ego collide. Hosted by David Brown, whose experience as a former Marketplace anchor brings a seasoned clarity to complex stories, each series within this podcast dissects a famous business feud. You’ll hear the tense boardroom decisions, the disruptive marketing campaigns, and the personal rivalries that pushed companies like Nike and Adidas or Netflix and HBO to the brink. The storytelling goes beyond the official press releases to uncover the unauthorized maneuvers and human dramas that led to monumental triumphs or stunning downfalls. By weaving together elements of history, management theory, and pure suspense, this series reveals how these battles for your wallet and attention ultimately shape the cultural and commercial landscape we all navigate. Tune in for a compelling chronicle of what it really takes to win, or lose, in the high-stakes arena of modern business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Wars
Podcast Episodes
The Great Sriracha Feud | If You Can't Stand the Heat | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:55
Why has hot sauce gotten so - well, hot? Bon Appétit’s Joseph Hernandez sheds some light on the rise of condiment culture, and why the spicy stuff got so popular over the past ten years (even Mötley Crüe has a hot sauce…
The Great Sriracha Feud | Showdown | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
The rift between David Tran’s Huy Fong Foods and Underwood Ranches becomes insurmountable. The two companies sue each other and wait for the courts to decide who was in the right. But in the meantime, Huy Fong struggles…
The Great Sriracha Feud | The Only Hot Sauce Billionaire | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
In the early 80s, David Tran developed a sauce he called Sriracha; its popularity quickly spread among chefs and customers throughout Southern California. But to grow his business, Tran needs to find a reliable source of…
McDonald's vs The Burger Revolution | The Price is Right | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
The “better burger” business has been rapidly expanding across the United States and internationally, with chains like Five Guys and Shake Shack growing at break-neck speed. In response, McDonald’s has tried switching up…
McDonald's vs The Burger Revolution | Better Burgers | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:13
It's the mid-2000s, and new burger chains are popping up across the United States. Places like Five Guys and Shake Shack are touting their higher-quality ingredients. As these chains rapidly expand, they force behemoths…
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Bumpy Skies Ahead  | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
Southwest Airlines announced some big changes recently, and customers of the “Love Airline” are not feeling it. Joe Guinto, a business reporter who wrote this season, joins David to discuss the airline’s next steps, and…
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Excess Baggage | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:14
It’s 2023 and Southwest Airlines’ stock is in a nosedive. With costs ascending, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan freezes hiring and slashes spending. Amid all that, a crisis at Boeing has left Southwest short on jets. With South…
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Hard Landing | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
It's 2021 and for the first time in nearly 50 years, Southwest Airlines posts an annual net loss. Amid the crisis, thousands of Southwest workers head for early retirement. The next year, Southwest is short on staff as A…
The AOL Time Warner Disaster | TTYL, AOL | 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:53
Can you remember the last time you got mail from an AOL email address? Or fired off an IM? In the 1990s, AOL was the hottest name in cyberspace, but now it’s a digital ghost. Journalist and author Nina Munk is the author…
The AOL Time Warner Disaster | Cold Case | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:56
The AOL Time Warner merger is done. Now Jerry Levin and Steve Case must deliver on the bold promises. But will disharmony in the ranks and slumping ad sales be the undoing of the merger — or was the entire deal doomed fr…