Good Bad Billionaire cover art
Podcast · 110 episodes

Good Bad Billionaire, page 2

by BBC World Service · English

How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? New episodes include: Sir Paul McCartney, Roger Federer, MrBeast, Luana Lopes Lara, Beyoncé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Spielberg. Make up your minds whether you think they are good, bad or just another billionaire. In each episode, BBC Business Editor Simon Jack and journalist and author Zing Tsjeng analyse the lives of the super-rich, and try to understand what motivates billionaires like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. New season: From singing superstar Beyoncé, to footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Simon and Zing will rate their wealth, power, legacy and associated controversies, putting them to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard. Then they hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? Get in touch by email and let us know what you think! The contact details are at the end of these show notes. Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How tennis ace Roger Federer turned sporting prowess into amazing business opportunities? Or how Mr Beast and Khaby Lame became some of the wealthiest people on the planet by posting on YouTube and TikTok? Trawl through the archives to find out how Selena Gomez went from a child Disney star to a mega-magnate of makeup, and how Martha Stewart, the “original lifestyle influencer”, became one of the most successful women in business. We explore the life of British inventor Sir James Dyson, and learn about some of the big names behind Snapchat, Minecraft, Marvel, ChatGPT, Google and Amazon, which shape the world we live in today. In a special season, we have also told the stories of the pioneers who helped build the United States of America: the world’s first billionaire John D Rockefeller, motor magnate Henry Ford, the aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes, Walmart founder Sam Walton, and Hetty Green - once dubbed “The Witch of Wall Street”. It's not just how billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next. So, what do you think? Make up your own mind. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? Let us know your thoughts, and we may include your comments and suggestions in a future episode. If you do not wish for your comments, first name or location to be read out, please say that in your email or message, or mark it confidential. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

All episodes, page 2

Lucy Guo: The woman training AIexplores the lives of the world's wealthiest individuals, delving into their stories of success, philanthropy, and ethics.26 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 21 chapters
Elon Musk: You decide!In this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the feedback from listeners regarding Elon Musk, the first person to amass a fortune of half a trillion dollars.23 Jan 2026 · 17 min · 9 chapters
David Geffen: The Hollywood power brokerIn this episode of "Good Bad Billionaire," hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the life of David Geffen, a billionaire who has profoundly influenced the music and film industries.19 Jan 2026 · 48 min · 26 chapters
Sara Blakely: Shaping the world with SpanxSimon Jack (BBC’s Business Editor) and Zing Tsjeng (Journalist and Author)12 Jan 2026 · 42 min · 30 chapters
Guy Laliberté: Cirque du Soleil’s clown turned CEOIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and accomplishments of Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil.5 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 25 chapters
Elon Musk: Money, memes and MarsIn this episode of the *Good Bad Billionaire*, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the life of Elon Musk, the world's first person to amass half a trillion dollars.8 Dec 2025 · 55 min
Luciano Benetton: Famous fashion to cultural controversySimon Jack (BBC Business Editor) and Zing Tsjeng (Journalist & Author)1 Dec 2025 · 41 min
Tyler Perry: Homeless to Hollywood entrepreneurThis podcast explores the lives of some of the world's wealthiest individuals, analyzing their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and success.24 Nov 2025 · 42 min
Lakshmi Mittal: King of steelThis podcast delves into the lives, motives, and financial strategies of the world's wealthiest individuals, allowing listeners to determine whether these billionaires are good, bad, or just another…17 Nov 2025 · 45 min
Michael O’Leary: Ryanair’s cost-cutting kingAnalyzing the lives, motives, and wealth of billionaires, with a lens on their impact on society and industry.10 Nov 2025 · 49 min
Diane Hendricks: Building a fortuneSimon Jack (BBC Business Editor) and Zing Tsjeng (Journalist and Author)3 Nov 2025 · 39 min
John Fredriksen: Tanker kingThe podcast examines the lives and legacies of some of the world's wealthiest individuals, questioning whether they are good, bad, or just billionaires.27 Oct 2025 · 44 min
Evan Spiegel: Snapchat fratboyThis podcast explores how the richest individuals on the planet made their fortunes, uncovering their minds, motives, and ethical considerations.20 Oct 2025 · 47 min
Tatyana Kim: Russia’s online retail queenIn this episode of *Good Bad Billionaire*, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and achievements of Tatyana Kim, the founder of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer and the…13 Oct 2025 · 45 min
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Muscles, movies, moneyThis episode delves into the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger, tracing his journey from a poor childhood in post-war Austria to becoming a celebrated bodybuilder, Hollywood superstar, and billionaire…6 Oct 2025 · 47 min
Coming soon: More tales of the mega-richThe Good Bad Billionaire podcast, hosted by BBC’s Business Editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng, delves into the lives of the world's wealthiest individuals.19 Sep 2025 · 2 min
Encore - Film Stories: George Lucas and Peter JacksonThis podcast analyzes the lives of billionaires, examining their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and success.8 Sep 2025 · 1 h 4 min
The dead billionaires: What do you think?This podcast analyzes the lives, motives, and wealth of some of the world's richest individuals, exploring their philanthropy, business ethics, and legacies.27 Aug 2025 · 11 min
Hetty Green: The 'witch' of Wall StreetIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the story of Hetty Green, America's richest woman during her lifetime, who was also known for her extreme…4 Aug 2025 · 48 min
Sam Walton: Walmart’s founderIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and legacy of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.28 Jul 2025 · 44 min
Howard Hughes: Eccentric aviatorThe podcast explores the lives, wealth, philanthropy, and business ethics of billionaires, inviting listeners to form their own opinions on whether these individuals are good, bad, or just another…21 Jul 2025 · 45 min
Henry Ford: Putting the world on wheelsis a podcast that examines the lives, motivations, and financial success of some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.14 Jul 2025 · 52 min
John D Rockefeller: The first billionaireIn this episode of the Good Bad Billionaire podcast, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the life of John D.7 Jul 2025 · 47 min
Coming soon: Good Bad Dead BillionaireThis podcast explores the lives, wealth, and legacies of some of the world's richest individuals.23 Jun 2025 · 2 min