Diamond Wars | Blood and Champagne | 5

It’s 1966 and De Beers is about to abandon its eleven-year search for diamonds in Botswana. But the geologist behind the search is far from ready to pack up his tools.And De Beers isn’t the only one searching for gemstones. Soon, a major diamond find in Australia will leave the diamond monopoly facing a big dilemma: should it seek to control or to destroy...

2d

Diamond Wars | The Shadow World | 4

It’s the early 1950s and West Africa’s growing number of diamond smugglers is causing headaches for De Beers. Faced with millions of pounds in losses, the diamond monopoly decides it’s time to get tough with the smugglers.But while De Beers battles the illicit diamond traders, in the far east of the Soviet Union a new threat is brewing. Listen ad-free...

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Introducing the Wondery+ Exclusive Season of Business Wars: Playboy vs Penthouse

In our new after-dark exclusive series, we dive into the heyday of the 1970s, when Playboy and Penthouse rule the adult genre, and the line between sexy and obscene starts just below a woman’s belly button. But when it comes to the boundaries of good taste, how far will founders Hugh Hefner and Bob Guccione go to expand their erotic empires?Listen to...

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Diamond Wars | Diamond Dogfight | 3

It’s 1940, and the world is at war. The Allies and Axis powers are scrambling to lock down supplies of the industrial diamonds needed to mass produce their tanks, planes and submarines.But when the White House demands De Beers hands over a year’s supply of industrial diamonds, it soon learns the cartel is as hard to break as the diamonds it sells. Listen...

2w

Diamond Wars | The Puppet Master | 2

It’s 1914 and De Beers’s monopoly is under threat. Diamonds have been discovered on the desolate coast of the German colony of South West Africa.So it hired an ambitious diamond expert named Ernest Oppenheimer and gave him his orders: head to the beach and assess the threat.But then World War One disrupts De Beers chance to do a deal with the German...

2w

Diamond Wars | The Diamond Rush | 1

It’s 1869 and diamonds have been found in Cape Colony. Now, diamond hunters from across the world are heading to this remote British outpost in southern Africa, seeking a glittering fortune.And among them are two wide-eyed hopefuls: streetwise Barney Barnato, who hails from the London slums, and Cecil Rhodes, a vicar’s son with a head full of imperialist...

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Uber vs Lyft | Examining Toxic Company Culture in the Rideshare Industry | 7

Uber and Lyft have made their mark as very different brands.Lyft was born out of a need for more environmentally friendly rideshare options. And is also seen as the “friendlier” of the two companies. While Uber’s former CEO, Travis Kalanick built a reputation for ruthlessness, sexual harassment and “bro culture.”Still, both companies have seen protests...

3w

Uber vs Lyft | Evolve or Die | 6

New CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is cleaning house after the departure of Travis Kalanick. But after a disappointing IPO, Khosrowshahi has to boost the company’s ailing financials and fight against lawmakers who are siding with aggrieved drivers.Then COVID-19 hits. Uber and Lyft are faced with a crisis that could alter ridesharing forever. Khosrowshahi leans...

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Uber vs Lyft | Damage Control | 5

February 2017, Super Bowl Sunday. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is taking a black car home when he gets in an altercation with the driver. LIttle does he know, the entire exchange has been captured on a dashcam recording. And when it goes viral, Kalanick will have to fight for his reputation — and his job. Lyft, meanwhile, spies an opening. As sexual harassment...

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Uber vs Lyft | Kill or Be Killed | 4

Uber is facing blowback from all directions — the taxi industry, riders, and the most important man in tech: Apple's Tim Cook. Uber’s been engaged in some disreputable activity, and it's finally catching up with them. Lyft forges ahead and forms a new alliance to fight back against Uber's growing global footprint. But Uber will once again outmaneuver...

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