Squawk Pod

Proposition 40, a proposed wealth tax in California, has sparked heated debate among investors, tech founders, and billionaires. Venture capitalist Ben Narasin argues that the tax and the solutions put forward by politicians including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) would harm the businesses that drive a large portion of America’s economy. Teletherapy platform Talkspace is betting that AI can do more good than harm in mental healthcare. CEO Dr. Jon Cohen explains how therapists and patients are using AI in and outside of traditional therapy. Plus, Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss the latest on bitcoin’s boom, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s debt buyback plan, and Anthropic executives expect an IPO the same size or larger than SpaceX’s.

 

Ben Narasin - 15:31

Dr. Jon Cohen - 28:42

 

In this episode:

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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The morning after crypto and tech leaders met President Trump at the White House, attendee and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the Clarity Act vote in September. Armstrong is optimistic that crypto will begin a new bull run in the fall. AI data center construction has become a political flashpoint in the primaries and upcoming midterms as candidates navigate support and pushback in their communities. Pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz discusses data center marketing among constituents, as well as the future of the Democratic Party as the Democratic Socialists of America gain traction nationwide. Plus, President Trump has threatened an “economic D-day” for Iran, and U.S. national debt has climbed above $40 trillion while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a debt buyback program.

 

Eamon Javers - 13:40

Brian Armstrong - 18:30

Frank Luntz - 29:21

 

In this episode:

Brian Armstrong, @brian_armstrong

Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntz

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

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Shares of Moderna and Merck are surging on positive results from a Phase 3 trial of a groundbreaking cancer treatment. After a decade in development, individualized mRNA “vaccines” and established cancer treatment Keytruda result in reduced risk of recurrence or death. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel and Merck Research Laboratories president Dr. Dean Li discuss this pivotal moment in medicine and how it fits into the long term visions for both Merck and Moderna. CEO of design and coding platform Figma Dylan Field discusses his company’s wild year as a public company and building public trust in AI. Plus, it was primary night for Democrats in Florida, investors are scrutinizing revenues from Anthropic and OpenAI, and shares of Unitree are surging in Shanghai, presenting a potential challenge to U.S.-based humanoid robotics. 

 

Stephane Bancel & Dr. Dean Li - 15:13

Dylan Field - 33:35

 

In this episode:

Dylan Field, @zoink

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an exclusive, rare interview, CEO and co-founder of Hims & Hers Andrew Dudum sits down with Andrew Ross Sorkin. Dudum maps out his vision for an AI-enabled American healthcare system, comments on the FTC’s lawsuit, and reflects on his company’s impact on GLP1 access and affordability. CNBC’s Alex Sherman reports on the Buss family drama playing out on the Lakers, and Meta is once again on trial over social media addiction allegations. AI avatar startup Genies has made an AI version of CNBC’s Becky Quick, trained on Becky’s mannerisms, history, and perspectives. CEO Akash Nigam discusses the characters he’s made for athletes in the NBA and MLB, the models he uses to build these personas, and the value of avatars in entertainment and in business. Plus, Becky Quick discusses her own CNBC history with AI “Becky Quicker.”

 

Alex Sherman - 5:18

Andrew Dudum - 15:01

Akash Nigam - 32:21

 

In this episode:

Akash Nigam, @akashrnigam

Andrew Dudum, @AndrewDudum

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Alex Sherman, @sherman4949

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman issues a call to amp up cybersecurity in the age of AI. Brockman addresses recent leadership departures at OpenAI, the open-weight model debate, and AI safety standards. Keller Cliffton, CEO of drone delivery company Zipline, discusses his company’s scaling deal with Uber. Together, the companies aim to notch one million drone deliveries a day. Berkshire Hathaway added $17 billion to its Alphabet stake, making the Google parent Berkshire’s third-largest holding. Plus, Congressman for Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has sparked heated pushback from the likes of Mark Cuban and Bill Ackman with his pitch for taxing billionaires.

 

Greg Brockman - 15:45

Keller Cliffton - 37:53

 

In this episode:

Greg Brockman, @gdb

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.