Logo
    Search

    The Unlikely Successor to the George Soros Empire

    enJune 16, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • George Soros' Controversial Legacy and Family DynamicsBillionaire investor George Soros, a Holocaust survivor, plans for future with unexpected son as heir, despite controversy surrounding his liberal causes and global impact.

      George Soros, the billionaire investor and philanthropist, is a highly divisive figure in American politics and finance. Known for his $25 billion empire supporting liberal causes, Soros has been reviled by some on the right. Despite his advanced age, Soros is planning for the future and has chosen an unexpected son to take over his organization. Born in Hungary during World War 2, Soros survived the Holocaust and went on to build a successful career as a speculator and hedge fund manager. His impact on global markets and politics continues to be felt, making him a figure of fascination and controversy. Regardless of one's political or financial stance, the intriguing family dynamics surrounding Soros' succession add another layer to the complex narrative of this influential figure.

    • George Soros' Famous Currency Bet and Controversial ReputationGeorge Soros earned over $1 billion by betting against the British pound in 1992, showcasing his investment skills but also making him a controversial figure for governments due to the potential economic impact of his trades.

      George Soros is a legendary investor known for making bold bets on economic and political trends in various markets around the world. His most famous trade was against the British pound in 1992, which earned him over $1 billion and made him a household name. This trade not only showcased his investment skills but also highlighted the risks and consequences of betting against a country's currency, making him a controversial figure for governments. Simultaneously, Soros used his wealth to engage in politics, using it to make a difference beyond his personal investments.

    • Philanthropist George Soros's efforts to build democracies in Europe and opposition to US policies made him controversialGeorge Soros, a philanthropist known for promoting democracies in Europe, faced controversy for opposing US policies and supporting progressive causes, including district attorneys, without clear evidence of crime increase.

      George Soros started as a local philanthropist but gained international recognition for his efforts to build democracies in Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, his focus on the United States and opposition to President George W. Bush's policies, particularly the Iraq War, made him a controversial figure. Soros and his Open Society Foundations have been a target for criticism from the right for funding progressive causes, most recently his support for progressive district attorneys. Despite this, there is no clear evidence of a connection between the district attorneys and any rise in crime. Soros, now 92, is looking for a successor, but his relationship with his son Jonathan, who was seen as the heir apparent, has been complicated due to their different personalities.

    • The unexpected rise of Alex Soros in the Soros empireUnexpected individuals can unexpectedly emerge as capable leaders when previous heirs face conflicts and step down from their roles

      Unexpected individuals can rise to prominent roles when previous heirs step down or depart from an organization. This was the case with the Soros empire, where Jonathan and George had conflicts, leading to Jonathan's departure and the emergence of Alex Soros as a potential successor. For many years, Alex was seen as a playboy, but his opportunity came when his father and older brother had issues, making him a surprising yet capable candidate for the empire. This situation echoes elements of fiction, as seen in shows like "Succession," where the younger, less expected sibling takes on a leadership role.

    • George Soros' relationship with his son Alex deepens after divorceDespite a distant childhood, Alex Soros developed a strong bond with his father through intellectual discussions and shared interests, eventually becoming a respected leader within the foundation due to his dedication and hands-on approach.

      George Soros' relationship with his son, Alex, was not close growing up due to George's preoccupation with business and markets. However, after their divorce, they bonded over intellectual discussions and shared interests, leading to a deeper connection. Initially, Alex wasn't seen as a likely successor due to his lack of experience and impactful contributions. But he recognized his limitations and set out to educate himself, traveling the world and taking on a more hands-on role within the foundation. Through dedication and hard work, Alex earned the respect of his colleagues and eventually took on leadership roles within the organization. Unlike his father, Alex is more detail-oriented and focuses on the day-to-day operations of the foundation, making him an effective and valued leader.

    • Alex Soros: A New Political ForceAlex Soros, son of George Soros, supports Dems but holds nuanced views on free speech, bail reform, and reaching out to disaffected GOP voters.

      Alex Soros, the son of prominent Democratic donor George Soros, is shaping up to be a politically influential figure in his own right, but his political stance may not align perfectly with typical liberal or progressive views. While he supports Democratic politicians and aims to stop Donald Trump, he also holds nuanced opinions on issues like free speech and bail reform, which could set him apart from some on the left. Moreover, his emphasis on reaching out to disaffected GOP voters and winning them back to the Democratic Party could signal a shift in political strategy. Overall, Alex's involvement in domestic politics through the Soros organization is likely to be a contentious issue, with implications for the future of American politics.

    • The Making of a Podcast Episode: Teamwork and CollaborationA diverse team of individuals collaborate to produce each podcast episode, ensuring engaging and informative content through a commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.

      Key takeaway from this episode of the podcast is the incredible team effort that goes into producing each episode. The show is made by a diverse group of individuals, including Maher Adoni, Annie Baxter, and many others, with contributions from engineers Griffin Tanner, Nathan Singapak, and Peter Leonard. The team also includes fact checkers Sophie Hurwitz and Najwa Jamal, and features music from artists like So Wiley and Blue Dot Sessions. This collaborative effort results in the engaging and informative content that listeners enjoy each week. Additionally, the team's dedication to accuracy and attention to detail, as demonstrated by the fact checking process, ensures that the information presented is reliable and trustworthy. Overall, this episode highlights the importance of teamwork and collaboration in creating high-quality content.

    Recent Episodes from The Journal.

    Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food

    Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food
    Alice Waters helped the farm-to-table movement go mainstream in the U.S. through her restaurant Chez Panisse. In the decades since she has kept advocating for locally grown, organic food over the fast food Americans regularly consume. Kate Linebaugh sat down with Waters at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum. To watch a video of the conversation, check out the episode on Spotify. Further Listening: – Could Paris Hilton Create the 'Next Disney?' – Live from Seattle: A Weird Economy + Election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 28, 2024

    All Eyes on Biden, Trump – and CNN

    All Eyes on Biden, Trump – and CNN
    Tonight, two presidents, one current and one former, are set to debate live on CNN. The stakes are high for the candidates and for the network that’s been struggling to win viewers. WSJ’s Isabella Simonetti reports on how CNN is remaking the debate, and Annie Linskey analyzes what the format change could mean for the candidates. Further Reading: - Presidential Debate Carries Great Opportunity—and Risk—for CNN  - Biden-Trump Debate Takes Shape  - We Rewatched the 2020 Trump-Biden Debates. Here’s What We Learned.  Further Listening: - The Downfall of CNN’s CEO  - Behind Closed Doors, Biden’s Age is Showing  - The Origin Story of Trump’s Guilty Verdict  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 27, 2024

    How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea

    How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea
    Ukraine has sunk or damaged about two dozen Russian ships using a technical innovation: naval drones. WSJ’s James Marson unspools the story of the drones’ development and explores how they’re turning the tide in a key area of the war. Further Reading: - How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Turned the Tide in the Battle of the Black Sea  Further Listening: - Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street  - Ukraine's $30 Billion Problem  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 26, 2024

    The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card

    The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card
    Rent has long been an expense people wanted to pay on credit cards. In 2022, Wells Fargo launched a credit card with Bilt Technologies that allowed users to pay for rent, avoid processing fees and earn points. But the partnership is costing Wells Fargo millions. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis reports. Further Listening: -The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe  -The Deal That Could Change Credit Cards  Further Reading: -Wells Fargo Bet on a Flashy Rent Credit Card. It Is Costing the Bank Dearly.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 25, 2024

    Southwest Changed Flying. Can It Change Itself?

    Southwest Changed Flying. Can It Change Itself?
    An activist investor says Southwest Airlines is stuck in the past. Elliott Investment Management says it has amassed a $1.9 billion stake, making it one of Southwest’s biggest shareholders and one of its most vocal critics. WSJ’s Alison Sider explains what Elliott wants, and why critics say some of the things that made Southwest great are now holding it back.  Further Reading: - Southwest Changed Flying. Now It Can’t Change Fast Enough  - Meet the Southwest Superfans Who Don’t Want the Airline to Change  Further Listening: - Ryanair: Cheap, Cramped and Making Its CEO a Fortune  - The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 24, 2024

    Zyn pouches, ‘Zynfluencers’ and ‘the Zyndemic’

    Zyn pouches, ‘Zynfluencers’ and ‘the Zyndemic’
    For about a decade, Zyn, a brand of nicotine pouch, was a niche product used by former smokers. But now it’s exploded in popularity and is hard to find on store shelves. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney explains how Zyn achieved social media virality and has found itself in the middle of a culture war. Further Reading: - Zyn Nicotine Pouches Take Off—and Land in the Culture Wars  - Why America Is Running Low on Zyn Nicotine Pouches  Further Listening: - The Juul Paradox  - The ‘Existential Threat’ Facing Big Tobacco  - How Puff Bar Became the Most Popular Vape for Kids  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 21, 2024

    Sam Altman's Opaque Investment Empire

    Sam Altman's Opaque Investment Empire
    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a day job and a side gig. Only one of them makes him rich. WSJ's Berber Jin explains how Altman makes most of his wealth through investing in tech startups and how some of those startups' business relationships with OpenAI raise questions about conflicts of interest. Further Reading: - The Opaque Investment Empire Making OpenAI’s Sam Altman Rich  Further Listening:  - Artificial: The OpenAI Story  - Tesla's Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 20, 2024

    How ‘Conflict Gum’ Is Helping Fuel Sudan’s Civil War

    How ‘Conflict Gum’ Is Helping Fuel Sudan’s Civil War
    Gum arabic is a widely used but little-known ingredient found in products like soda, gum, makeup and beer. But as WSJ’s Nicholas Bariyo and Alexandra Wexler report, the product has been used for a darker purpose: helping to fund the civil war in Sudan.Further Reading: -How Soda, Chocolate and Chewing Gum Are Funding War in Sudan  -What Is Happening in Sudan? The Fighting Explained  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 18, 2024

    The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader

    The Brutal Calculation of Hamas’s Leader
    Yahya Sinwar is the Hamas leader inside Gaza who allegedly plotted the October 7th attacks. According to private messages reviewed by the WSJ, Sinwar believes that a rising Palestinian death toll—and the international condemnation it brings—is in the best interest of his cause. WSJ’s Rory Jones walks us through Sinwar’s strategy. Further Reading: - Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas  - The Hamas Leader Who Studied Israel’s Psyche—and Is Betting His Life on What He Learned  Further Listening:  - Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War  - Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 17, 2024

    Tesla’s Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk

    Tesla’s Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk
    Tesla shareholders voted to reapprove Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package, signaling support for the EV maker’s CEO and giving the board ammunition in its fight to preserve the court-rejected compensation plan. WSJ’s David Benoit explores the fight to get Musk billions and why the Tesla board is so invested in making the huge pay package happen. Further Listening:  - Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX  - Why is Tesla Pulling Back on EV Charging?  - Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla’s Board  Further Reading:  - Tesla Shareholders Vote to Uphold Elon Musk’s $48 Billion Pay Package  - Elon Musk’s $55.8 Billion Tesla Pay Package Struck Down by Judge  - Tesla Hits the Road to Persuade Shareholders to Pay Elon Musk $46 Billion  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    The Journal.
    enJune 14, 2024

    Related Episodes

    Spotlight: Will Larry Elder Replace Governor Newsom In California’s Recall Election?

    Spotlight: Will Larry Elder Replace Governor Newsom In California’s Recall Election?

    Until recently, it looked like Governor Gavin Newsom of California would beat back the recall. But his constant incompetencies are catching up to him. Steve Forbes on the election recall Newsom is facing and on how recent polls show Larry Elder leading others and how he could be in line to replace Newsom after September 14th.

    Steve Forbes shares his What’s Ahead Spotlights each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Spotlight: The UAW Won But America's Taxpayers Will Lose — Here's Why

    Spotlight: The UAW Won But America's Taxpayers Will Lose — Here's Why

    Steve Forbes responds to the United Auto Workers union victory over major auto manufacturers, pointing out that the strike's settlements will come at the expense of profits—and that means bad news for consumers.

    Steve Forbes shares his What’s Ahead Spotlights each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Spotlight: How Biden’s Regulatory Blunders Are Crushing American Ingenuity

    Spotlight: How Biden’s Regulatory Blunders Are Crushing American Ingenuity

    Administration regulators have tightened water-use rules, pushed for energy-efficiency standards and its war on fossil fuels continues. All these unnecessary rules from Washington are making life less pleasant, more irritating and more expensive! Steve Forbes on how Biden's regulatory blunders are crushing American ingenuity and on why government interference is only making things worse.

    Steve Forbes shares his What’s Ahead Spotlights each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Why Unicorn Island Was Inevitable with Lilly Singh

    Why Unicorn Island Was Inevitable with Lilly Singh

    A huge thank you to HSBC for powering this week's episode. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your wealth creation phase and taking your first steps in investing or you’re starting to think about passing your wealth and values to the next generation - HSBC can connect you to global opportunities at every stage of your wealth journey. Click here to find out more!

    This week, Sim chats to Lilly Singh about all things Unicorn Island, money mindset growing up, the importance of culture and storytelling & more. THIS IS ONE OF OUR MOST EXCITING EPISODES YET! Lilly has been someone we have looked up to for so long, this feels absolutely SURREAL.  

    Donate here to the Unicorn Island Fund!

    For more Girls That Invest:

    Till next week team,

    Sim & Sonya xo

    --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/girls-that-invest/message

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


    Spotlight: Is Ukraine-Russia War Escalating? How The U.S. Can Help

    Spotlight: Is Ukraine-Russia War Escalating? How The U.S. Can Help

    Putin's quest for control of Moscow, both politically and economically, continues to strain Ukraine. Recently Russia massed troops on the border of Ukraine, as if for a full-scale invasion. Is the Ukraine-Russia war escalating? Steve Forbes on how the U.S. can help Ukraine get out of Putin's clutches and on why we should take action and then follow through.

    Steve Forbes shares his What’s Ahead Spotlights each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.