Bold Names
Business & Finance
About
WSJ’s Bold Names brings you conversations with the leaders of the bold-named companies featured in the pages of The Wall Street Journal. Hosts Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims speak to CEOs and business leaders in interviews that challenge conventional wisdom and take you inside the decisions being made in the C-suite and beyond.
Episodes
- McDonald's CEO on Going Viral, the Big Arch and the Fast-Food Value War
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski discusses his viral video moment and the company's strategy for balancing premium burger offerings with value-focused meal deals in the current economy. WSJ's Tim Higgins hosts this conversation at McDonald…
- Roses, Revenue, and Retention: Hinge’s Strategy for a $1 Billion Year
WSJ’s Tim Higgins interviews Hinge CEO Jackie Jantos about the company's growth strategy as it moves toward $1 billion in annual revenue. The conversation covers Hinge's relevance with Gen Z, the impact of AI, and future plans for the app.
- The Five Step 'Algorithm' Driving Tesla’s Success
Host Tim Higgins discusses Tesla's management operating system with former Tesla president and current GM board member Jon McNeill. They explore the company's growth, the role of automation, corporate culture, and the necessity of leadersh…
- Southwest’s $1 Billion Pivot: CEO Bob Jordan on Bag Fees And Other Changes
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan joins host Tim Higgins on the Bold Names podcast to discuss the airline's significant business changes in a post-pandemic market. They cover the evolution of the company's long-standing operational policie…
- The SEAL Turned CEO: Brandon Tseng on the AI-Powered Future of War
Former Navy SEAL and Shield AI co-founder Brandon Tseng joins Tim Higgins on Bold Names to discuss the development of autonomous drones and the application of Hivemind software in modern defense. The episode explores the role of AI in futu…
- The AI Agent in Your Pocket: Qualcomm’s CEO on the Future of Mobile
In this episode of Bold Names, WSJ’s Tim Higgins interviews Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon about the shift from mobile apps to AI agents and the future impact of this technology on consumer devices.
- Can Zillow’s 'Super App' Fix a Broken Housing Market?
Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman joins WSJ's Tim Higgins to discuss the current state of the U.S. housing market and Zillow's strategy to become a housing super app. The conversation covers market challenges, the housing supply deficit, and pote…
- Why Cigna’s CEO Is Confident We Can Fix American Healthcare
David Cordani, CEO of the Cigna Group, discusses the challenges facing the American healthcare system and his thoughts on making affordable care a reality. He joins hosts Tim Higgins and David Wainer to explain how insurers can help manage…
- Encore: Can IBM Beat Microsoft and Google in the Quantum Computing Race?
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna discusses the company's progress in hybrid cloud and consulting, as well as its strategic focus on quantum computing. He joins WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins to address competition with Microsoft and Google a…
- ‘We Sell Scarcity:’ How Lamborghini Continues to Stay So Cool
Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann joins WSJ’s Tim Higgins to discuss the brand's focus on scarcity, its hybrid vehicle strategy, and current global trade challenges. The episode explores how Lamborghini maintains its exclusive appeal in t…
- How SAP's CEO Is Remaking the European Tech Giant For The Age Of AI
SAP CEO Christian Klein discusses the company's strategic shift to the cloud and the cultural changes required for modernization. He also shares his perspective on the importance of applied AI for European competitiveness.
- How Athletic Brewing Sells Beer for a Post-Alcohol Generation
Bill Shufelt of Athletic Brewing discusses the growth of the non-alcoholic beer market, the impact of tariffs, and the industry's evolution. He joins hosts Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins on this episode of Bold Names.
- How Corning Is Using Trump’s Tariffs To Its Advantage
Corning CEO Wendell Weeks joins WSJ's Christopher Mims to discuss the company's long-term technology investments and its approach to domestic manufacturing in the context of recent tariffs and industrial policy.
- Affirm’s Max Levchin: Why ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Beats Credit Cards
Affirm CEO Max Levchin joins WSJ's Tim Higgins to discuss the "buy now, pay later" business model, his time at PayPal, and the role of artificial intelligence in shopping. They also explore why Levchin advocates for financing alternatives…
- Even More Bold Names in 2026
Hosts Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins prepare for a new season of Bold Names in 2026, featuring conversations with business and technology leaders from various global companies. The show explores industry trends and strategies with execut…
- Encore: This CEO Says Humanoid Robots Are The "Space Race" of Our Time
Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, discusses the development of humanoid robots and their potential roles in healthcare, economic growth, and national security. He speaks with hosts Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins about trans…
- SPECIAL WSJ’s Take On the Week: How This Fed Hawk Views the Economy, Inflation, AI and Jobs
In this episode of WSJ’s Take On the Week, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack discusses the U.S. economy, interest rates, inflation, and the impact of artificial intelligence. She also addresses the importance of Fed independence and the…
- The Boldest Ideas of 2025 — And What’s in Store for 2026
In this review of the first year of Bold Names, hosts Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims discuss recurring themes from past guests and analyze the technological and geopolitical developments of 2025, including AI and U.S.-China trade relatio…
- Inside PlayStation's Plans to Lead a $200 Billion Industry
On the Bold Names podcast, Sony Interactive Entertainment SVP Eric Lempel joins WSJ journalists to discuss PlayStation's strategy in the $200 billion gaming industry, focusing on mobile-first competition, AI integration, and the future of…
- McLaren CEO Zak Brown On F1 And Business Strategy At 200 Miles Per Hour
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown joins hosts Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins to discuss business lessons learned at 200 miles per hour, drawing from his experience leading a global Formula One team and insights from his book.
- SPECIAL WSJ Tech Live: The Man Leading Trump’s AI Charge Against China (The Journal Podcast)
Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, talks about AI regulation, chips, and chatbots at WSJ Tech Live. He discusses the AI boom and the US-China tech competition.
- Biden’s Antitrust Architect on How Big Tech Threatens U.S. Prosperity
Tim Wu, a legal scholar and architect of President Biden's antitrust policy, joins Bold Names to discuss how Big Tech platforms have dominated the economy. He shares insights from his book, 'The Age of Extraction,' on restoring competition…
- The World’s Tech Giants Are Running Out of Power. This CEO Plans to Deliver.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, joins WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins to discuss the increasing electricity demand driven by AI and data centers. They explore how GE Vernova's gas turbines are in high demand and the potential role…
- How Uber Plans to Win the Self-Driving Car Race
Uber is pursuing a hybrid strategy in the self-driving car market by partnering with multiple autonomous vehicle companies. Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal discusses the company's approach to a driverless future.
- Inside Visa’s Tech-Charged Future: From Crypto to AI
Rajat Taneja, Visa’s president of technology, speaks with WSJ journalists about the company’s use of digital currency and agentic AI to shape the future of payments, viewing it as a natural evolution for the innovation-driven company.
- This Tech Founder's $1.3 Billion Company Is Taking On Apple and Samsung
Carl Pei, founder and CEO of Nothing, believes his $1.3 billion company can challenge Apple and Samsung by focusing on artificial intelligence and design-savvy consumers. He shares his perspective on how his company aims to differentiate i…
- Why This Investor Says the AI Boom Isn’t the Next Dot-Com Crash
Martin Casado of Andreessen Horowitz joins WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins on Bold Names to discuss the substantial investment in the AI boom. Casado shares his optimism and analyzes how this period compares to the 1990s internet ex…
- The Google Exec Reinventing Search in the AI Era
Liz Reid, VP and head of Google Search, joins WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins to discuss how Google is adapting its search engine for the AI era. Reid believes Google has overcome previous disruptions and will expand, not decline, i…
- Condoleezza Rice on Beating China in the Tech Race: 'Run Hard and Run Fast'
On the Bold Names podcast, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discusses geopolitical tensions and the U.S. need to lead in the tech race with China, stating the U.S. must "run hard and run fast." She also advises executives to cons…
- The Google-Backed Startup Taking on Elon Musk in Humanoid Robotics
Jeff Cardenas, CEO of Apptronik, explains his vision for humanoid robots in elder care, economic growth, and national security. He discusses the challenges and potential of these robots to become a reality beyond science fiction.
- How the U.S. Stacks Up to China’s ‘Engineering State’
Dan Wang, author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future,' explains his framework of China as an 'engineering state' versus the U.S. as a 'lawyerly society.' He discusses how these differing approaches impact their strengths an…
- Why IBM's CEO Thinks His Company Can Crack Quantum Computing
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna discusses the company's recent performance in hybrid cloud and consulting, and its strategy for the future of quantum computing. He also addresses how the company is applying lessons learned from its experience with…
- Bold Names Is Back
The podcast Bold Names is back with new episodes starting September 12. Hosted by WSJ columnists Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins, the show features conversations with influential individuals.
- From AI and Defense Tech, to Tariffs and the New Streaming Wars: The Best of Bold Names
This episode revisits highlights from the Bold Names podcast archives, featuring discussions on AI, defense technology, the betting industry, and streaming wars. Hosts Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins share insights from interviews with gu…
- Space Trucks: One Startup’s Plan to Get the U.S. Back on the Moon
Lunar Outpost CEO Justin Cyrus explains his company's goal to be the "mobility provider" for the lunar economy by building a space truck for NASA's Artemis missions. He discusses the competition between space rivals and the race to establi…
- How Tubi Is Coming for Netflix and YouTube in the New Streaming Wars
Tubi CEO Anjali Sud explains on the Bold Names podcast how the free ad-supported streaming service is challenging Netflix and YouTube. She details Tubi's large content library, focus on viewer experience, and strategy for original content,…
- Are AI Agents the Future of Business? Salesforce Is Betting $8 Billion on It
Informatica CEO Amit Walia discusses the company's $8 billion acquisition by Salesforce, highlighting the importance of data management for AI ambitions. The conversation, hosted by WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins, touches on Salesf…
- Encore: Could Amazon’s Zoox Beat Tesla and Waymo in the Robotaxi Race?
This episode revisits an interview with Zoox CEO Aicha Evans, discussing the $1.2 billion sale to Amazon and the company's unique driverless car design. The discussion also covers robotaxi safety and potential new customer bases.
- Tariffs, EVs and China: A CEO Insider’s View of the Car Business
Magna International CEO Swamy Kotagiri shares insights on navigating the auto industry amidst trade wars, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. He discusses how his company is adjusting plans in response to the changing global landscape.
- Why José Andrés Says We Need Leaders Who Believe in ‘Longer Tables’
Chef and humanitarian José Andrés discusses his new book, his investment in lab-grown meat, and his philosophy on using food to bring people together. He explores these topics with WSJ’s Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins on this episode of…
- How Microsoft’s AI Chief Defines ‘Humanist Super Intelligence’
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, a key figure in AI development, shares his perspective on 'humanist super intelligence' and the central role of AI assistants in Microsoft's future strategy. The discussion covers Microsoft's ties with Op…
- Booz Allen CEO on Silicon Valley’s Turn to Defense Tech: ‘We Need Everybody.’
Booz Allen Hamilton CEO Horacio Rozanski shares insights on the global race to develop artificial intelligence for warfare and the evolving relationship between the U.S. government and Silicon Valley.
- This CEO Says Global Trade Is Broken. What Comes Next?
Evan Smith, CEO of Altana, explains how tariffs have disrupted global supply chains and discusses the potential end of the free trade era, exploring what might come next.
- This Company Has a Plan to Beat Neuralink at the Brain-Computer Interface Game
Michael Mager, co-founder and CEO of Precision Neuroscience, explains his company's strategy to compete with Neuralink in the brain-computer interface market and provide implants to millions needing assistance.
- Venture Capitalist Sarah Guo’s Surprising Bet on Unsexy AI
Venture capitalist Sarah Guo shares insights on the next wave of AI innovation, particularly its potential to transform the business world and enterprise software. She outlines what she seeks in investment opportunities.
- How Zipline’s Drones Are Taking Off in the U.S. and Rivaling Amazon
Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton discusses his company's drone delivery expansion into the U.S. and its competition with tech giants like Amazon and Alphabet. Zipline has completed over 1.4 million deliveries, flying more than 100 milli…
- 70,000 Bets a Minute: How FanDuel’s Parent Is Winning at Sports Gambling
Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment, discusses the company's global sports betting operations, highlighting FanDuel's role and the use of technology in the industry, while also acknowledging the potential harms associated with spor…
- What This Former USAID Head Had to Say About Elon Musk and DOGE
Rajiv Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation and former head of USAID, offers insights on global poverty, foreign aid, and philanthropy. He discusses how NGOs are addressing funding gaps potentially caused by shifting governmental p…
- Coming Soon: Bold Names Season Three
Bold Names podcast is launching its third season on Friday, April 18. Hosted by Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims, the show will feature conversations with influential individuals. Learn more about your ad choices.
- ‘Businesses Don’t Like Uncertainty’: How Cisco Is Navigating AI and Trump 2.0
Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shares his perspective on navigating the current landscape of AI and political uncertainty. Speaking on the Bold Names podcast, Robbins, who also chairs the Business Roundtable, discusses how businesses are affected…