Pod-Alization: Freakonomics ESP on ESG; Idea Generation; Russian Oligarchs R.I.P.

 Freakonomics has ESP about ESG

  Leave it to the geniuses at Freakonomics to ask a politically divisive question and come up with an answer that doesn't satisfy any side, but does accomplish something political opponents have seemingly forgotten. How to find solutions to our current climate, social, cultural, and economic problems.

This week's episode of Freakonomics Radio asks "Are E.S.G. Investors Actually Helping the Environment?"

Answer: Probably not. The economist Kelly Shue argues that E.S.G. (environmental, social, and governance) investing just gives more money to firms that are already green while depriving polluting firms of the financing they need to get greener. But she has a solution.

The show also hears from the CEO of a so-called "brown" — that is, the opposite of green — company

Listen and find a script at freakonomics.com or wherever you get podcasts.

Idea Generation's All Angles highlights brands
iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media have announced the debut of the new iHeartPodcast IDEA GENERATION’S All Angles. The show will debut on June 22, with new episodes airing weekly on Thursdays.

Listeners can tune in to the official trailer here.

IDEA GENERATION’S All Angles is a twelve-episode co-produced series highlighting brands from the fashion, food, media, and music industries that have helped shape and define today’s culture. Hosted by Noah Callahan-Bever, former Complex Chief Content Officer and founder of IDEA GENERATION – an independent media brand dedicated to the education and inspiration of tomorrow’s creative entrepreneurs – the unscripted series steps behind the curtain and talks with a variety of company leaders to uncover the crucial role that team chemistry has played in the making of the most popular culture-creating brands today.

On each episode, the show will feature an oral history format that weaves together a bevy of insider voices, culminating in a 360-degree narrative that tells the story of each brand. Utilizing the voices of key players and teammates, the show will discuss the ins and outs that helped take the company from an idea to an empire.

In the two-part debut, Noah Callahan-Bever will chat with entrepreneur Steve Rifkind, founder of Loud Records—the 90’s hip-hop record label responsible for developing acts like Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun—as well as his co-founder, Rich Issacson, legendary artist and repertoire (A&R) representatives Matt Life and Sean C, and Mobb Deep's Havoc.

“This new podcast with Noah will give listeners the opportunity to hear never-before-told stories about the trials and tribulations of transforming a brand,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “In today’s world, we’re seeing more and more aspiring entrepreneurs looking for their breakthroughs, and this podcast gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look into what goes into making a successful brand and how the people surrounding you can help champion your ideas.”

“There is a greater intensity in interest around not just the ‘who’ but the in-depth answers to the ‘why,’ ‘how’ and ‘when’ of American success stories,” said Will Packer, CEO Will Packer Media. This podcast gives listeners that specificity they crave.”

"Since the days of Henry Ford and Walt Disney the founder myth has been a foundational part of how the media has framed success in business," said Callahan-Bever. "But creating a great brand takes more than just one person's ideas or efforts—they're born out of the confluence of a founder's vision and the executional and operational expertise of their partners. And along the way there's going to be both collaboration and conflict, steel sharpening steel, and from that process excellence can be achieved. Our goal with All Angles was to capture that magic, and show aspiring entrepreneurs that there are so many crucial roles and crucial steps—and sometimes even crucial fights—that have to happen to build a culture defining brand."

Russian oligarchs are "Putin" mortal danger

  SAD OLIGARCH from iHeart Media is hosted by independent journalist and documentary filmmaker Jake Hanrahan. The show explores the unexplained and suspicious deaths of more than a dozen of Russia's wealthiest businessmen. From frog venom to axes, window falls and more, each episode of SAD OLIGARCH will take listeners through the mysterious deaths of these oligarchs and explore Kremlin corruption and Russian political influence worldwide. Tune it in today.

 Since January 2022, more than 12 of Russia's wealthiest oligarchs have been found dead. One was poisoned with frog venom. One was found hanged on a handrail, with his wife and children killed with an axe. Several fell out of high windows.

All the deaths are, of course, suspicious. Russia says most of them were coincidental suicides--that the oligarchs were simply depressed. I don't think so.

Sad Oligarch is a modern true-crime style investigative podcast series that looks into each Russian oligarch death in 2022/2023, unraveling a dark tale of Kremlin corruption and Russian political influence across the world.

I'll admit that it's difficult to generate much empathy for a group of  corrupt one-percenters who achieved their position of wealth and power by subjugating so many others. But then there's Vladimir Putin. And then I do feel sorry for them, and the fate he imposed upon them.