Episodes

  • Introducing - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried

    Introducing - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried
    May 10 2023
    Coming Soon: Listen early and ad-free on Wondery+ on 5/22. Listen on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts on 6/5 When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when, his crypto exchange FTX collapsed Billions of dollars were missing, and Sam was in handcuffs. Those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculating con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal and what happens when “doing good” goes really really bad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    2 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • The Smartest Person I Know | 1

    The Smartest Person I Know | 1
    May 22 2023
    Sam Bankman-Fried was making billions. He shared the stage with world leaders and celebrities. His face appeared on billboards promoting his plans to save the world. But this carefully staged production was about to be tested when reporters started asking questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    25 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Deleted from Reality | 3

    Deleted from Reality | 3
    May 29 2023
    Sam’s crypto trading firm, Alameda Research, makes millions. But some of his closest allies start to doubt his methods. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    30 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Genie’s Wish | 4

    Genie’s Wish | 4
    Jun 5 2023
    With the success of FTX, Sam is hailed as the next Warren Buffett. But behind the scenes, there are secrets that threaten to destroy everything he’s built. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    34 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Magic Beans | 5

    Magic Beans | 5
    Jun 12 2023
    A leaked document puts Sam’s crypto empire into a tailspin. He is forced to turn to his greatest adversary for help. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    27 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • “Fraud in Shorts” | 6

    “Fraud in Shorts” | 6
    Jun 19 2023
    As his empire lies in ruins, Sam starts telling his own side of the story. But when Caroline Ellison is spotted in New York, his problems look set to get much worse. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    29 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Sam’s Inner Circle | 7

    Sam’s Inner Circle | 7
    Jul 10 2023
    Sam Bankman-Fried wasn’t the only one involved in the rise and fall of FTX and Alameda. David Brown, the host of the Wondery podcast Business Wars, talks to the Bloomberg reporters behind the series about how the people closest to Sam helped make him the person he is today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    34 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Trial Update: Star Witness | 8

    Trial Update: Star Witness | 8
    Oct 5 2023
    The trial of the United States v. Samuel Bankman-Fried has begun. Staring down the prospect of life in prison, Sam will face off against some of the people who helped him build his crypto empire. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    22 mins
    Free with 30-day trial