Spanx vs Skims | Not Your Grandmother’s Girdle | 1

Spanx vs Skims | Not Your Grandmother’s Girdle | 1

Author: Audible March 19, 2025 Duration: 41:34
In 1998, a young office equipment sales rep named Sara Blakely can’t find anything to wear under a pair of tight fitting white pants. Everything she tries on makes her feel unattractive. In a moment of inspiration, she cuts off the feet of a pair of pantyhose, saving the outfit and the day. She realizes she’s not the only woman who might like a product like this, so she takes her modest life savings and invents a product that changes an entire industry.  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
Ozempic Wars | The Hundred-Year Duel | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:55
When pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk developed a new medication for type 2 diabetes, they noticed that a welcome side effect was a small amount of weight loss. They had no idea that their new diabetes medication was ab…
Gap's Revival | Better in Navy?  | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
The “Better in Denim” ad campaign put Gap back on the map for Gen Z — but are viral ads enough to fuel a comeback? Jordyn Holman of the New York Times breaks down how Gap CEO Richard Dickson is taking the company back to…
Gap's Revival | Back in Blue | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 s…
Gap's Revival | Faded Khakis | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
It’s 2016, and a fire is ripping through a Gap distribution center in Fishkill, New York. When the smoke clears, thousands of Gap T-shirts, khakis, and jeans are reduced to ash. But one analyst sees good news in the wrec…
How Lululemon Won Athleisure | Mirror, Mirror | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
It's the 2010s, and the athleisure market has exploded. As Lululemon has grown into one of the world's biggest athletic wear companies, brands like Nike and Adidas want a piece of the pie—and new, smaller companies are a…
How Lululemon Won Athleisure | Child's Pose | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:56
In the late 90s, Canadian entrepreneur Chip Wilson identified a new market emerging in North America: young women taking on yoga as a hobby. Wilson recognized that athletic wear for yoga didn’t exist, and invented the yo…
The Rise and Fall of Peloton | Pedal On | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
Peloton’s pandemic hype and sales have died down and now, the company must determine what’s next. Lauren Thomas of the Wall Street Journal talks to us about what it’ll take for Peloton to continue as a standalone company…
The Rise and Fall of Peloton | Maximum Effort | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:23
As the Covid-19 pandemic rages, Peloton’s stock surges and the company scrambles to keep up with the new demand for its products. They pour millions of dollars into increasing production and cutting down on shipping time…
The Rise and Fall of Peloton | Welcome to the Ride | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:31
In 2011, avid fitness fan John Foley comes up with an idea for an internet-connected exercise bike that allows users to experience the communal nature of a cycling class from the comfort of home. He thinks the idea will…
Dieselgate | Running on Fumes | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
By 2014, Volkswagen has taken the U.S. auto market by storm with its fleet of affordable, fuel-efficient diesel cars. But a new study threatens to reveal the dirty truth behind so-called ""clean"" diesel. When the EPA co…