Podcast
BBC World Service
2000 episodes · en
The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.
Aug 6, 2026 · 21 min
Will Bain is joined by Jennifer Pak, NPR's China correspondent, and Trevor Simumba, an international business consultant in Zambia, to discuss what's driving the shift towards economic protectionism, why it has accelerated since Donald Trump's tariffs, and why global trade remains so resilient despite growing barriers.They also discuss why Africa's Lobito Corridor matters for trade, what AI means for jobs in China and beyond and why drinks giant Diageo is cutting costs. Plus, two food heroes: China's baozi and Uganda's matoke. Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: A ship docks at Lobito Port in Angola, December 4, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
Aug 5, 2026 · 20 min
In a highly unusual move, the US has stepped in to back Japan's currency, the yen. Donald Trump calls it a "signal of friendship" but what is Washington hoping to achieve? And what does the move reveal about Japan's economy, after years of deflation and ultra-low interest rates? Rahul Tandon and Will Bain assess the intervention with the help of the BBC's "yen geek" Mariko Oi. Presenters: Rahul Tandon, Will Bain and Mariko Oi Producer: Gideon Long You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: A woman walks past a stock market indicator board in Tokyo, Japan, 03 August 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)
Aug 4, 2026 · 17 min
Ola Sars has spent two decades helping shape the way music is discovered, streamed and licensed. He co-founded Beats Music, the streaming service that helped lay the groundwork for Apple Music, before launching Soundtrack, a company that provides licensed music to restaurants, cafés and other hospitality businesses. After moving to the US as a child and learning English from scratch, how did he become a music-tech entrepreneur? And was selling his stake in Beats before Apple acquired the company the right decision? (Photo: Ola Sars, seen from the shoulders up, wears a black jumper and has short shaved brown hair going grey at the sides, blue eyes and stubble growth. He looks at the camera with a neutral expression. Credit: Rickard Croy) Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh McDermott You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Aug 3, 2026 · 23 min
With Europe sweltering in intense heat and demand for air-conditioners soaring, who is making money from supplying them? We follow the supply chain from a factory churning out air-con units in China to retailers across Europe scrambling to secure stock as demand surges. In France, where repeated heat waves have driven sales higher, shoppers have been fighting in supermarkets to get hold of them. We also examine the cost of powering air-conditioners and the impact their growing use is having on energy prices. How much pressure is Europe's growing appetite for air-conditioning putting on electricity grids? (Photo: People cool off in the Trocadero fountain by the Eiffel Tower in Paris during a heatwave in June 2026. Credit: Yoan Valat/EPA/Shutterstock) Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Gideon Long
Aug 2, 2026 · 20 min
In the second of two episodes, Ed Butler tracks the whereabouts and connections of one of Europe's most wanted drug criminals. Despite denials from the President's family, law enforcement agencies say Jos Leijdekkers is enjoying privileged status in Sierra Leone. The country's Justice Minister responds.
Jul 30, 2026 · 24 min
Is China rapidly catching up with the United States in the race to dominate artificial intelligence? Rahul Tandon is joined by Walter Todd in the US and Rebecca Choong Wilkins in Singapore to discuss, following a week of sharp moves in AI-related markets and growing questions over where the next wave of innovation will come from. They also explore what India's "cockroach protest" says about the growing challenge of youth unemployment around the world. (Photo: People walk past the Unix AI booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, 17 July, 2026. Credit: Go Nakamura/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: David Cann
Jul 30, 2026 · 19 min
This Podcast was first published June 9th 2026 With the future of football's governing body under discussion, we're giving you another chance to hear how FIFA makes most of its money from the World Cup FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed the creation of a subsidiary body to run tournaments, which would include some outside investment. Fifa has given all 211 member associations until 19 September to say whether they agree with the plan, with a straight majority to decide whether to proceed. But there has been criticism of the plans over lack of clarity and the impact it could have on FIFA's independence. Ahead of the World Cup, Sam Fenwick looked at how the event generates billions of dollars for FIFA - where the money comes from and how it gets spent. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines Editor: Stephen Ryan (photo: Silhouette of Gianni Infantino, FIFA President and rising stock graph are seen in this illustration taken, July 28, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
Jul 29, 2026 · 25 min
This week, Will and Rahul speak to business correspondent Arunoday Mukharji in Delhi about how India's youth unemployment crisis helped force the resignation of the country's Education Minister and why it could mark a turning point for India's Gen‑Z. Exam leaks and a shortage of opportunities have sparked some of the biggest youth protests in years, raising difficult questions for the government. Nearly two-thirds of Indians are under 35, and more young people are graduating than ever before. But many can't find jobs. Can India create enough jobs for a generation with rising expectations? And what happens if it can't? Presenters: Will Bain, Rahul Tandon and Arunoday Mukharji Producer: Rebecca Smyllie You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jul 28, 2026 · 17 min
Leah Solivan, founder and former CEO of TaskRabbit, reflects on building one of the world’s most successful gig-economy platforms. She discusses the pressures of scaling a multi-million-dollar business, the stress-related illness that left her in hospital, and the decision to eventually sell TaskRabbit to IKEA. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producer: Niamh McDermott You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Leah Solivan. Credit: Audrey Anne Photography)
Jul 27, 2026 · 17 min
**This episode of Business Daily begins with a real call to 911** There is an antidote for an opioid overdose. It costs a few dollars. The nasal spray technology means it can be administered without needles and can restart a person's breathing within minutes. So why doesn't it always reach the person on the floor? We following the money through the antidote economy. A life-saving drug that costs pennies to make sold over the counter for $52. But when drug companies were sued for their role in America's opioid crisis, some pharmaceutical companies' settlements included paying out using antidote kits valued at $125. Who profits, who pays, and what determines whether an overdose kit is ever in the room when it is needed? Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producers: Josh Martin and Matt Lines (Photo: Two naloxone nasal spray medications used for opioid overdose sit on a brown table on 11 September 2024. Credit: Peg Alexander/BBC Images) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jul 26, 2026 · 17 min
In the first of two episodes, Ed Butler investigates how one of Europe’s most wanted drug smugglers, Jos Leijdekkers, ended up in Sierra Leone while evading justice. He also explores reports linking Leijdekkers to the family of Sierra Leone’s president, including claims that he has married the president’s daughter. Presenter/producer: Ed Butler You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Jos Leijdekkers attends a church service in Tihun, Sierra Leone. Credit: screen grab posted by First Lady Fatima Maada to Facebook/via Reuters)
Jul 23, 2026 · 23 min
Will Bain is joined by Nga Pham in Hanoi and Takara Small in Toronto. Following the latest results from Alphabet and Tesla, both companies are under pressure to sustain spending as competition in artificial intelligence intensifies. Is Wall Street beginning to question the cost of the AI race? Plus, the mounting economic impact of Canada's wildfires, why ketchup-flavoured crisps have become such a uniquely Canadian phenomenon, and what Donald Trump's renewed tariff negotiations could mean for global trade. (Photo: The Google logo, made up of different coloured letters - blue, red, yellow, blue, green, orange - on the Google house at the CES consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, 10 January, 2024. Credit: Steve Marcus/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann
Jul 22, 2026 · 23 min
Cheap flights transformed the way we travel, helping millions of people fly more often and opening up destinations that were once out of reach. But rising fuel costs, changing passenger habits and growing pressure on the low-cost airline model are forcing budget carriers to adapt. Rahul Tandon and Will Bain explore what is driving the turbulence and what it could mean for fares, competition and the future of air travel. (Photo: EasyJet aircraft at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, 21 April, 2026. Credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Producer: Rebecca Smyllie
Jul 21, 2026 · 17 min
Tessa Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of Olio, the food-sharing app helping millions of people reduce waste by sharing food and household items with their neighbours. She explains how a simple idea grew into a global movement, the challenges of convincing investors to back it, and why changing human behaviour may be key to tackling climate change. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Barbara George You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Tessa Clarke. Credit:Annabel Staff)
Jul 20, 2026 · 19 min
Search for "memecoin" on social media and you'll find plenty of videos offering advice on how to invest and grow your money, with some claiming they can help you make a million. But you don't have to look far to find people who have lost money, and lots of it. So where does the money actually go? Sam Fenwick explores the cryptocurrency phenomenon that almost anyone can launch, including presidents. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producers: Matt Lines and Gideon Long You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: A representation of cryptocurrency dogecoin is seen in front of a stock graph and U.S. dollar in this illustration taken, January 24, 2022. Credit: Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
Jul 19, 2026 · 20 min
Artisanal mining accounts for around 20% of global gold production and generates an estimated $30 billion a year for some of the world's poorest communities. But the trade is also linked to criminal networks and environmental damage. Ed Butler explores the forces behind the global gold rush and who is bearing the cost. Presenter/producer: Ed Butler You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Gold miner Kelly Mbayo in Sierra Leone. Credit: Ed Butler/BBC News)
Jul 16, 2026 · 23 min
Connecting the timezones this week are Will Bain in London, David Kuo in Singapore and Emily Peck in New York to unpack the week's biggest business stories. China's economy has recorded one of its weakest quarterly growth rates on record, raising fresh questions about the country's outlook and the impact on the global economy. Plus, why prices for durian, the 'king of fruits', are tumbling across Asia. And New York's move to target AI data centres. Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: People walk in the Lujiazui financial district, in Shanghai, China, 14 July 2022. Credit: ALEX PLAVEVSKI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Jul 15, 2026 · 27 min
This week, Will and Michelle speak to Reuters entertainment business correspondent Dawn Chmielewski about how the Paramount–Warner merger could reshape Hollywood. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery want to combine in a $110 billion deal that would create an entertainment giant. Executives say it's the only way to survive the streaming wars, but now twelve attorneys general, regulators and a host of creators are saying "no deal". So how do Paramount and CEO David Ellison make this deal a reality? And what could it mean for what's on our screens, big, small or handheld? Presenters: Will Bain and Michelle Fleury Producer: Rebecca Smyllie Editor: Stephen Ryan You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: California Attorney General Rob Bonta holds a press conference as he announces California will be suing to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in Los Angeles, California, U.S. July 13, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Cole)
Jul 15, 2026 · 17 min
With the 2026 World Cup underway, here's another chance to hear how England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham became one of football's most marketable names. The face of several major brands, Bellingham has built a successful business beyond football. We explore the Jude Bellingham brand, his sponsorship and endorsement deals, and what makes him so valuable to some of the world's biggest companies. Presenter/producer: Matt Lines. Episode first published on 15 August 2024. You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: England's Jude Bellingham during the football World Cup 2026 quarter final vs Norway. Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar)
Jul 14, 2026 · 17 min
Sumant Sinha is the founder of ReNew, one of India's largest renewable energy companies. He explains why he left a successful corporate career to pursue renewable energy, the challenges of building a business in a fast-changing market, and whether India can become a clean-energy superpower. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Barbara George You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Sumant Sinha. Credit: Mushtak Mohammad)
Jul 13, 2026 · 20 min
Why have US beef prices risen around 13% over the past year? Who is making money from the burgers and steaks Americans eat? Presenter Sam Fenwick speaks to a cattle rancher in South Dakota, an agricultural economist in Wisconsin, a meat packer in North Carolina and a restaurant owner in Nebraska to find out what is happening in this quintessentially American corner of the food market. We unpack the US beef supply chain to discover why prices are rising, who is making money from it and who is getting squeezed. (Photo: A cow waiting to eat at a feedlot in Saltillo, Mexico, 1 June, 2026. Credit: Daniel Becerril/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Gideon Long
Jul 12, 2026 · 20 min
Ed Butler speaks to the man who coined the term BRIC for the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Now back in the headlines as an adviser to Britain’s likely next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, Jim O'Neill argues that Western nations must abandon what he calls their neo-colonial attitudes towards the world's new industrial powerhouses. (Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, 23 October, 2024. Credit: China Daily/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Producer/presenter: Ed Butler
Jul 9, 2026 · 24 min
Will Bain is joined by Seijiro Takeshita in Japan and Yael Selfin in the UK to discuss the week's biggest business stories. As Nato members agree to greater defence spending, we examine how economic conditions in the UK and Japan are shaping their ability to fund these commitments, as governments balance growing security demands with pressure on public finances. Plus, what Microsoft's layoffs at Xbox reveal about the global gaming industry after years of rapid growth. (Photo: Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, 08 July 2026. Credit: Filip Singer/Reuters) You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann
Jul 8, 2026 · 26 min
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani rode a wave of anti-Trump sentiment and cost-of-living pressures to win the New York City mayoralty. But talk of new taxes to fund spending spooked some on Wall Street. Six months in, has he found a balance? Presenters: Michelle Fleury and Will Bain Producer: Josh Martin Editor: Stephen Ryan You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Image: New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani waves to his supporters after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race. Credit: Jeenah Moon/ Reuters)
Jul 7, 2026 · 17 min
Noubar Afeyan helped bring one of medicine's biggest breakthroughs to the world through Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine. In this episode, he explains why what looked like an overnight success was actually decades in the making. Presenter: Will Bain Producers: Barbara George and David Cann Researcher: Aleeza Siddiq
Jul 6, 2026 · 18 min
They are one of the biggest rock bands in the world and are releasing their 25th album this week. So, in a world where artists can make billions from touring alone, should the band release new material or just go on the road? They have earned more than $200 million across six tours, more than $100 million over 10, while many musicians earn less that $0.01 per stream of their songs. Presenter: Hannah Mullane Producer: Matt Lines and Neil Morrow You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Photo: Mick Jagger on the Pyramid Stage during a Rolling Stones set at Glastonbury in 2013. Credit: BBC)
Jul 5, 2026 · 18 min
Sameer Hashmi travels to Riyadh to examine the progress of Vision 2030, an ambitious plan launched nearly a decade ago to transform one of the world's biggest oil producers into a more diverse economy. The kingdom has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in tourism, entertainment, sport and mega-projects, while introducing sweeping social reforms that have reshaped everyday life. But oil remains central to the economy, some flagship projects have been scaled back, and now the conflict with Iran is creating fresh uncertainty over the kingdom's plans to diversify its economy. Presenter/producer: Sameer Hashmi You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: A Saudi man walks past the logo of Vision 2030 after a news conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 7, 2016. Credit: REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser)
Jul 2, 2026 · 27 min
Rahul Tandon is joined by Han Lin in Shanghai and Allison Schrager in New York to examine a set of stories where markets, politics and consumer behaviour collide. They begin with Donald Trump’s financial disclosures and what they reveal about the relationship between politics, markets, and wealth, before discussing the growing role of governments and billionaires in major technology firms, including OpenAI. And are billionaires heroes or villains? Plus, in China, some western consumer brands are finding strong demand among local consumers, including unexpectedly popular pancake chains. So why are companies such as Nike reporting weaker sales in the country? Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: David Cann You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Photo: US President Donald Trump raises a clenched fist to shoulder height after stepping off the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by the Qatari government, after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, 1 July, 2026. Credit: Evan Vucci/Reuters)
Jul 1, 2026 · 22 min
For decades, Nike was the sports brand - a global symbol of winning. One estimate suggests it sells 26 pairs of shoes every second. Elite athletes wore it as they chased titles, while millions of children wore it as they dreamed of sporting glory. But as competition intensified and consumer tastes changed, the company that once dominated the market began to lose momentum. This year alone, Nike's stock market value has fallen by around 35%. So what went wrong? And can Nike find a way back to winning? Presenter: Rahul Tandon, Michelle Fleury and Will Bain Producer: Rebecca Smyllie Editor: Stephen Ryan You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Photo: Shoppers walk past a Nike store in the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, US, 3 April, 2025. A giant Nike tick is displayed in the window. Credit: Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters)
Jun 30, 2026 · 18 min
Charlotte Tilbury, makeup artist and founder of the global beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury, reflects on building an international cosmetics business after spotting a gap in the market. She discusses the role beauty and confidence have played throughout her career, the company's growth and the challenges of navigating Covid-19. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producers: Amber Mehmood and Barbara George You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Charlotte Tilbury)
Jun 29, 2026 · 18 min
It's the most successful tennis tournament in the world, expected to generate $500 million over two weeks. Yet day tickets still start at around $40, strawberries and cream cost less than $4, and courtside sponsorship remains remarkably restrained. So how does Wimbledon generate so much revenue? We examine the business model behind one of sport's most valuable brands and the debate over how its profits are shared with players. Presenter: Hannah Mullane Producer: Matt Lines You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at a Wimbledon practice session on 26 June 2026. Credit: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)
Jun 28, 2026 · 17 min
Rob Young reports on the huge task of rebuilding Gaza, which the United Nations estimates will cost $70 billion. Across Gaza City, earthmovers load piles of waste onto trucks bound for landfill, while in neighbourhood after neighbourhood, rubble stretches into the distance. Yet businesses are trying to get up and running again: markets are slowly refilling, and supply chains are beginning to reopen. Presenter/producer: Rob Young (Photo: Palestinians ride past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Gaza City, 23 June, 2026. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
Jun 25, 2026 · 22 min
Will Bain is joined by Nga Pham in Jakarta and Carsten Brzeski in Frankfurt to take stock of the week's business stories. They discuss the economic impact of heatwaves around the world, as extreme temperatures affect productivity, energy demand, and economic growth. The panel also examines Germany's plans to reform its pension system and what they could mean for Europe's largest economy. Plus, a dispute over fruit imports is raising fresh tensions between China and Taiwan, as Beijing's purchases of custard apples spark concerns on the island. And after a volatile week for technology shares, including sharp movements in SpaceX stock, the panel asks whether investors are becoming more nervous about the future of the tech sector. Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann Executive Producer: Justin Bones You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Photo: People cool off in the Trocadero fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower as temperatures rise in Paris during a heatwave affecting a large part of France, June 23, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Abdul Saboor)
Jun 24, 2026 · 22 min
Toy Story 5 broke opening weekend box office records, handing Josh D'Amaro a welcome gift as he settles in to the top role at Disney. But he inherits many challenges at the global media company as well - theme park attendance has dipped, overall cinema sales are down compared with pre-pandemic box office takings, while its streaming service Disney+ faces strong competition from Netflix, Amazon and HBO Max. And while Toy Story 5 recreated the magic of the original animated adventure, recent releases linked to Marvel or Star Wars have bombed. This is the latest episode of our weekly Power Players show, hosted by Rahul Tandon and Will Bain in the UK, and North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York. Producer: Rebecca Smyllie You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture:A general ambiance of atmosphere during the "Toy Story 5" Paris Premiere at Le Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione on June 14, 2026 in Paris, France. Credit Julien Hekimian/Getty Images)
Jun 23, 2026 · 21 min
We hear how a childhood in Guatemala, a fascination with computers and a belief that education should be accessible to everyone helped inspire the world's most popular learning apps. Luis von Ahn tells us how he went from creating CAPTCHA and selling reCAPTCHA to Google, to building Duolingo into a multi-billion-dollar education technology company used by millions around the world. He reflects on his mother's sacrifices to fund his education, the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur, and why he struggles with conflict in his life as a tech CEO. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Amber Mehmood If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 22, 2026 · 20 min
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating vast new fortunes. But behind every chatbot, image generator and AI model is a physical product: a semiconductor chip. We trace the global supply chain powering the AI revolution. From the companies designing the world's most advanced chips, to the factories manufacturing them, and the specialist machines needed to produce them, we examine who is profiting from the surge in demand. We also explore why so much of the world's most advanced chip production is concentrated in one place, Taiwan, and what that means for the global economy at a time of growing tensions between China and the West. As governments compete for technological leadership and businesses spend billions on AI infrastructure, we ask a simple question: who is getting rich from the AI boom, and what happens if the supply chain breaks? Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: David Cann (Photo: Holographic robot arms making semiconductor Credit:Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images)
Jun 21, 2026 · 17 min
Preparing for the worst might sound a little paranoid, but more people are embracing the prepper mindset and buying emergency supplies. As preparedness becomes a growing business, we visit a survival demonstration, speak to a supplier of emergency kit, and hear from a Swedish Civil Defence official. What's behind the rise of prepping, and why are so many people getting ready for the unexpected? Presenter: David Harper Producer: Victoria Hastings You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 18, 2026 · 29 min
Rahul Tandon is joined by Rebecca Choong Wilkins in Singapore and Walter Todd in South Carolina, USA. They discuss which jobs may be most resistant to the rise of AI and whether skilled trades such as plumbing and locksmithing could offer greater job security. They also compare the challenges facing the US and Chinese economies in light of the latest data releases. And can Toy Story 5 match the box-office success of its predecessors? Producers: Neil Morrow and Bisi Adebayo Executive Producer: Justin Bones You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 17, 2026 · 17 min
The US and Iran interim deal is aimed at reopening one of the world's most important shipping lanes. But even if an agreement is signed, how quickly can things return to normal? How soon can oil tankers and LNG shipments return to service? When might energy supplies begin to ease? And how long before drivers, businesses and households actually feel the benefit through lower prices? Markets may react within hours, but the real-world impact could take much longer. This is the latest episode of our weekly Power Players show. It's hosted by Rahul Tandon in the UK and our North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York, in conversation with the BBC's Economics Editor Faisal Islam. Producer: Niamh McDermott Editor: Stephen Ryan Executive producer: Justin Bones (Photo: People drive past an anti-U.S. billboard depicting US President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, 17 May, 2026. Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA - West Asia News Agency)
Jun 16, 2026 · 17 min
Greek-born billionaire John Catsimatidis rose from working in a New York grocery store to build the Gristedes supermarket chain and a wider business empire after leaving university before graduating. Now head of the Red Apple Group, with interests spanning real estate, energy, aviation and media, he remains a prominent figure in US business and politics, regularly discussing business with President Trump, despite setbacks including a collapsed airline venture and an unsuccessful run for New York mayor. Founders - the stories of the emotions from the highs and lows of starting a successful business Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Amber Mehmood You can email the time: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: John Catsimatidis attends the Economic Club of New York in New York City, U.S., May 28, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)
Jun 15, 2026 · 17 min
When the US and Israel struck Iran in March 2026, Wall Street was opening as missiles were still flying. Within hours, a small number of investors and companies stood to make billions. The conflict has already cost an estimated $40 billion. Sam Fenwick follows the money; from defence contractors replacing weapons systems, to gas exporters benefiting from disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and to anonymous traders who appear to have bet on the strikes before the news broke. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines You can email the team on businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner fires a missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 1, 2026. Credit: U.S. Navy photo)
Jun 14, 2026 · 20 min
Off the coast of Sierra Leone, Sherbro Island has been earmarked for an ambitious transformation: a new centre for international business and investment, designed to rival cities like Singapore or Hong Kong. The BBC’s Ed Butler travels to the island to investigate the project and speaks to developer Siaka Stevens, who is leading the effort alongside supporters including film-star Idris Elba, about the vision and what it will take to deliver it. But how realistic is the ambition, and can it become more than a promise? Presenter/producer: Ed Butler Editor: Stephen Ryan Each Monday on Business Daily, we take you around the globe to the heart of the stories and meeting those living through them. You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 11, 2026 · 25 min
Connecting the timezones we get different perspectives on the key global business stories of the week, setting you up for the weekend. Rahul Tandon discusses OpenAI’s plans to sell shares with Emily Peck from Axios and David Kuo from The Smart Investor. Plus, who are their business heroes and villains of the week? Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Josh Martin You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman waves as he speaks with reporters, following meetings on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. in June 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Kylie Cooper)
Jun 10, 2026 · 21 min
It’s not just about rockets. This week, Michelle, Rahul and Will explore one of the most anticipated stock market debuts in history: the SpaceX IPO. With a potential $1.75 trillion valuation and intense global investor interest, it’s widely tipped as one of the biggest market launches ever. But can the company live up to the hype — or is this Elon Musk’s biggest gamble yet? Plus: what does SpaceX actually do, and why does it matter to investors? This is the latest episode of our weekly Power Players show, hosted by Rahul Tandon and Will Bain in the UK, and North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York. Producer: Rebecca Smyllie You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Tesla and SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk reacts during an event in London, UK in 2023. Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)
Jun 9, 2026 · 17 min
We meet Caecilia Chu, founder of one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing fintech companies, YouTrip.Growing up in a small public housing flat in Hong Kong, she watched her father study at night for years to become an accountant, only to later struggle to secure a bank loan to start his own business. The experience left a lasting impression and sparked her interest in making financial services more accessible. She tells Leanna Byrne how she went from a failed first startup and hundreds of investor rejections to building a company that now processes billions of dollars in payments each year. She also shares how the pandemic-era collapse in travel nearly wiped out the business overnight, forcing a dramatic pivot that ultimately helped YouTrip survive. Founders with Leanna Byrne - The stories of the emotions from the highs and lows of starting a successful business Producer: Amber Mehmood (Picture: Caecilia Chu) You can contact us by email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 8, 2026 · 18 min
World Cup 2026 will span the United States, Canada and Mexico, with demand for tickets at record levels. Fifa stands to earn nearly $9 billion from the tournament, more than the entire Paris 2024 Olympics. So who pays, and where does the money actually go? Sam Fenwick follows the cash through the business of the World Cup: the rising price of tickets, Fifa’s own resale platform, the billions generated by broadcast rights and sponsors, and the host cities covering security and transport costs while receiving little direct revenue in return. Featuring Mark DiDonato (Florida State University), ticketing consultant Jim McCarthy, Amir Somoggi (Sports Value), and Alan Rothenberg, who led the 1994 US World Cup and now sits on the Los Angeles host committee. On Tuesdays, we Follow the Money with Sam Fenwick. Discover where the cash you're spending goes. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines You can contact the team on businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Photo: A Germany fan during training at the Fifa World Cup 2026 in North Carolina, USA. Credit: Chuck Burton/Reuters)
Jun 7, 2026 · 17 min
Each Monday, Ed Butler takes you around the globe to the heart of the stories and meeting those living through them. West Africa is currently the global epicentre for illegal fishing, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. An estimated 40% of the world's illegal industrial fishing occurs in its waters, costing the region up to 10 billion dollars a year in lost revenue, and severely depleting stocks essential for the food security and livelihoods of over 7 million people. Ed Butler has been hearing about the practice in Sierra Leone, trying to ascertain who is behind it, and finding out how much the government is doing to help. Presenter/producer: Ed Butler (Picture: Thomas Turay, Sierra Leone Artisinal Fishermens Union. Credit: BBC/Ed Butler) Our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
Jun 4, 2026 · 17 min
We hear how karate, being laughed out of a bank boardroom in a cash-obsessed country helped shape one of India’s most valuable fintech companies. Harshil Mathur shares how discipline, resilience and a leap of faith helped him build Razorpay into a $7.5 billion company at the heart of India’s digital payments revolution. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: Amber Mehmood and Niamh Mc Dermott (Picture: Harshil Mathur)
Jun 3, 2026 · 17 min
This week, Michelle, Rahul and Will explore the world of dynamic pricing, where prices go up when demand is high and come down when demand drops. It’s already standard in travel and hospitality. Now, it’s expanding into live events, and this year, it reached the World Cup. Supporters say it’s simple economics, charging what people are willing to pay. Critics argue it risks pricing ordinary fans out of the experiences they love. So how does dynamic pricing really work? Why has it become one of the most controversial trends in live entertainment? And as organisers push to maximise revenue, are we seeing the future of events, or the point where fans push back? Hosts: Will Bain, Michelle Fleury and Rahul Tandon Producer: Rebecca Smyllie (Picture: The 2026 FIFA World Cup logo is placed over the original logo of the Hard Rock stadium in Miami, Florida, USA. Credit: CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA/Shutterstock)
Jun 2, 2026 · 17 min
Renowned for its multi-step skincare routine and its foundation in the ever trendy Korean culture, K-beauty has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the globe. The term covers a wide range of skincare, make-up and cosmetics from South Korea and is lauded for its quality and value. But as demand grows, tens of thousands of companies are claiming to be K-beauty, and not all of them are based in South Korea. This has raised questions about its identity and authenticity. In the midst of its identity crisis, counterfeiters are now getting involved. So, what puts the K in K-beauty? We hear from manufacturers, retailers and industry bodies who might have an idea. Presented and produced by David Cann Sound mix: Ben Houghton [This episode was first broadcast on 28 October 2025] (Picture: A young Asian woman applying a moisturising cream in front of a mirror. Credit: Getty Images)
Jun 1, 2026 · 18 min
Many graduates are reluctant to work in the country’s large tourism and service sectors, looking instead for roles that match their university skills. That can make finding a first job after graduating a real challenge. Presenter/producer: Ashish Sharma If you’d like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Spanish Secretary of State for Labour Joaquin Perez Rey speaking about how unemployment in April 2026 fell below 2.4 million people for the first time since June 2008. Credit: JAVIER LIZON/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 31, 2026 · 17 min
From cafes and gyms to supermarkets and restaurants, content creators are moving into everyday spaces, searching for attractive backdrops for their photos and videos. But as the influencer economy grows, their presence is dividing companies, customers and creators. Megan Lawton speaks to business owners, influencers and digital culture experts about what the rules should be. Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet (Photo: Tony Marks, owner of the Starfish and Coffee cafe in Brighton in the UK; Credit: Megan Lawton)
May 28, 2026 · 17 min
Nigeria pharmacist Abimbola Adebakin tells us how a failed start-up and the struggle to access essential medicines inspired her to build Advantage Health Africa, a company connecting pharmacies and helping deliver medicines across Nigeria. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer Amber Mehmood (Photo: Abimbola Adebakin. Credit: Studio 24)
May 27, 2026 · 17 min
This week, Michelle, Rahul and Will explore prediction markets — online platforms where people can bet on future events, from elections to pop culture and even world conflicts. Concerns about insider trading are on the rise and platforms are being banned in an increasing number of countries. So as talk of regulation increases, we try to predict the future of the prediction market. Presenters: Michelle Fleury, Rahul Tandon and Will Bain Producer: Rebecca Smyllie (Photo: Getty/Yuichiro Chino)
May 26, 2026 · 17 min
When the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz's closure disrupted global oil supply, some experts predicted crude oil prices as high as $150, or even $200 per barrel. That hasn't happened. Why not? And is it because the way the global oil markets work mean the pain for households and businesses is still to come? Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Josh Martin (Photo: Getty/matejmo)
May 25, 2026 · 17 min
Biohackers say they are making their bodies and brains run better by hacking their biology. And it is not just kitchen counter experimentation anymore. There is now an entire industry promising to optimise you with supplements, treatments and increasingly strange gadgets. Are these expensive, unproven “hacks” worth the investment? To get in touch with the team, send an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Michelle Fleury Producer: Nathalie Jimenez (Photo: North America Business correspondent Michelle Fleury and Midtown Biohack owner Chuck Morris, standing over a client trying out a red light therapy headset)
May 24, 2026 · 17 min
It is an invaluable material that has enabled global trade and modern medicine, but experts say our reliance on plastic has created a problem the planet is struggling to manage. With plastic waste threatening landscapes and our health, we meet innovators from the UK, Ecuador and India who are trying to get the global economy off its reliance on plastic. Presenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton You can email us on businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: A view of the sewage line covered with plastic waste and other litter in Mumbai, India, 22 April 2026. Credit: Photo by DIVYAKANT SOLANKI/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 21, 2026 · 17 min
On Meet the Founders, we meet Luana Lopes Lara, creator of Kalshi, a prediction markets startup that allows users to trade on the outcome of real-world events - from inflation and interest rates to elections and geopolitics. Kalshi drew attention for showing Zohran Mamdani as a favourite in the NYC mayoral race, as prediction markets gain traction as political barometers. But the wider industry has also faced scrutiny: a trader on rival platform Polymarket reportedly made nearly half a million dollars betting on the capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro before it was announced. The controversy around prediction markets has placed Lopes Lara and her company at the centre of a growing regulatory and ethical debate in the US. In this episode, the Brazilian founder explains how the discipline and resilience of ballet has shaped her approach to building a business, and why she believes markets can often forecast the future better than experts. (First broadcast/podcast on 06 February 2026) If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood Sound mix: Toby James (Picture: Luana Lara Lopes, founder and Chief Operating Officer of Kalshi.)
May 20, 2026 · 17 min
A California jury tossed out Elon Musk's high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI and its boss Sam Altman. But who actually wins and what does this public row mean for the reputation of their companies? Michelle Fleury and Rahul Tandon are joined by the BBC's Lily Jamali, who spent weeks in court following the twists and turns in a battle of the tech titans. Producer: Gideon Long You can email us: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Photo: A combination photo shows OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (L) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk (R) during a trial at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, US. Credit: Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters)
May 19, 2026 · 19 min
How will President Trump get on with Kevin Warsh, who is starting out as the Chair of the Federal Reserve, America's Central Bank? Trump famously clashed with his predecessor Jerome Powell. Can the US central bank remain truly independent from the government? Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Josh Martin (Photo: Kevin Warsh testifies during a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 21 April 2026. Credit: Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 18, 2026 · 17 min
In the 1990s, the video game industry was locked in competition between gaming giants Sega and Nintendo, battling for dominance in living rooms around the world as they raced to deliver the best games on their consoles while attacking one another in advertising. This rivalry reshaped the landscape of gaming, helping it grow into the world’s biggest entertainment industry today. We hear from Sega America CEO Tom Kalinske, who took on Nintendo by targeting a more mature audience, focusing on lower prices. Central to that plan was the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog, a character designed to challenge Mario as the face of gaming. We also travel to the heart of Madrid, to the OXO video game museum to explore the legacy of the console wars and how they helped the industry level up. Presenter/producer: Sean Allsop If you’d like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
May 17, 2026 · 20 min
Data centres are becoming and ever bigger part of our daily lives and our landscapes – great big warehouses, packed with computers, that power pretty much every digital thing we do, from using AI chatbots or filing our tax returns. They’ve popped up around the world in recent years and – whether we like it or not - more are coming. But people don’t necessarily want to live next to these places. They’re often big, faceless facilities, built close to the towns and cities they serve, and there’s a perception that they’re pushing up electricity costs and consuming precious water. So as the AI revolution rolls on, fuelling the need for ever greater digital storage capacity, how do we learn to live with data centres? Presenter/producer: Gideon Long If you’d like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk (Picture: Aerial view of a large Google Data Centre in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, UK on 30th November 2025. Credit: Richard Newstead/Getty Images)
May 14, 2026 · 17 min
Jennifer Riria grew up in a rural village in Kenya, juggled motherhood and university studies in her late teens, and ended up running one of the biggest microfinance institutions for women in Africa, which allows women to access loans for their businesses. The entrepreneur pioneered giving small loans to women at a time when they were not allowed to get finance. We hear about her story in life and in business. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producers: Ahmed Adan and Amber Mehmood Sound mix: Toby James Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders - like Jennifer Riria - and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol. (Picture: Jennifer Riria.)
May 13, 2026 · 17 min
As US President Donald Trump travels to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, we look at the tensions and the relationship between the world's two biggest economies. Presenter: Will Bain, Michelle Fleury and Rahul Tandon Producer: Gideon Long (Photo: US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, 30 October, 2025. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
May 12, 2026 · 23 min
How has the development and aid sector in Africa adapted in the 15 months since the Trump administration started closing USAID? Have predictions of mortalities come to pass, and how can the funding gaps be filled? We hear from the people who used to be in charge of multi-billion-dollar budgets, as well as those receiving funds on the front lines of the HIV crisis in Tanzania. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Josh Martin (Picture: 29-year-old Rashida Musa tends to her sick child who was sent home from the hospital due to malnutrition following the aid cut by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Tudun Gambo, Bauchi State, Nigeria, May 8, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun)
May 11, 2026 · 17 min
We look at the multi-billion-dollar toy industry. We ask why backing the right movie, YouTube show, or social media trend can affect your bottom line. And we hear about the challenges making products based on surprise hits, and how the humble puzzle could be the in-toy for 2026. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter/producer: Elizabeth Hotson (Picture: Figures from the "KPop Demon Hunters" toy series are on display at Mattel's booth at the New York Toy Fair in New York City, U.S., February 17, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/ Jeenah Moon)
May 10, 2026 · 17 min
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Argentines cross the Andes looking for bargains. With a favourable exchange rate, it can be considerably cheaper to buy well-known clothes and electronics brands in Chile. President Javier Milei's economic reforms have helped ease inflation so some people in Argentina have more money to spend. Jane Chambers has been to meet bargain hunters from Argentina and the retailers looking for their business. (Photo: Argentine President Javier Milei reacts in the Chamber of Deputies during Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni's annual report in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 April 2026. Credit: Matias Martin Campaya/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 7, 2026 · 18 min
We meet the creator of a dessert business whose story starts in her parents’ bakery. Vivien Wong tells us how she faced a family loss and eventually channelled that experience into building a company making mochi with a twist: taking a traditional Japanese rice cake and wrapping it around balls of ice cream. She shares how she turned a niche treat into a global brand, Little Moons. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producers: Niamh McDermott, Victoriya Holland and Jay Behrouzi (Picture: Vivien Wong. Credit: Jack Ladenburg)
May 6, 2026 · 17 min
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world, according to the World Bank, and most founders there are women. Why, then, do so many of those startups fail to grow? We look at why many female entrepreneurs struggle to access investment and ask three business leaders what might change that. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Ahmed Adan (Picture: Worker and partner with data analytics, charts and graphs paperwork. Credit: Getty Images)
May 5, 2026 · 17 min
Artificial Intelligence has upended the market for entry-level jobs, but could AI be blocking graduates from getting a foot on the jobs ladder altogether? In this episode, we look at the new AI arms race in recruitment. Tech advancements have allowed graduates to apply for more jobs than ever, and hiring managers can let AI do the initial shortlisting and interviews, so why do both sides of the employment equation feel short-changed? And what can graduates do to stand out in a crowded market of thousands of applicants when an AI app is making the decision? We discuss the pros and cons of the AI hiring pipeline. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Josh Martin (Picture: Young woman sitting at a kitchen table looking at a laptop screen searching for job. Credit: Getty Images)
May 4, 2026 · 18 min
Getting a barrel of crude oil out of the ground in Saudi Arabia costs around $25. The market price right now is around $95. So where does that $70 go - and why has the price at the pump jumped so sharply since the war in the Middle East began? We follow the money behind a tank of petrol: from the oil field, through the world's most dangerous shipping lane, through the commodity markets, through a refinery, and right back to you, waiting at the pump. We hear from the former Saudi Aramco executive who oversaw production of the world's largest oilfield, one of the world's biggest tanker operators making real-time decisions about whether to sail through a war zone; the chief economist of one of the world's largest commodity traders; and an energy analyst who has been tracking the refining crisis that most commentators have missed. What product do you want us to follow next? Get in touch with the team by sending us an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines (Photo: A worker pumps gasoline into a car at a petrol station in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 26th of March 2026. Credit: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA/Shutterstock)
May 3, 2026 · 17 min
Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban commercials for low-cost flights, petrol and diesel cars, and burgers from its billboards, bus and metro shelters. The travel and meat industries say it's over-reach, and violates their rights. We explore whether stripping adverts from public spaces can really change what we eat and how we travel. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter/producer: Anna Holligan (Picture: A bike being ridden through Amsterdam, Netherlands.)
Apr 30, 2026 · 18 min
We speak to the Emirati entrepreneur who set up a business making biodegradable cutlery made from discarded date palm trees, driven by the goal to replace single-use plastics in UAE. Lamis al-Hashimy, co-founder of Palmade, shares how a hobby project became a business producing millions of items, the early failures that nearly stopped it, and the challenges of competing with cheap plastic. How did a failed prototype including a fork that melted in pizza, lead to a growing business? If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producers: Bisi Adebayo, Victoriya Holland and Jay Behrouzi (Photo: Lamis al-Hashimy. Credit: Lamis al-Hashimy)
Apr 29, 2026 · 17 min
The world of sport is being reshaped for the algorithm, with new formats emerging for quick, shareable moments online. From influencers managing sport teams to bite‑sized versions of traditional games like 3-a-side football, more sports are fighting for the attention of younger fans. But is this paying off? If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Matt Lines Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Photo: M7 FC in action against Wembley Rangers FC during Baller League UK at the Copper Box Arena, London, 24 March, 2025. Credit: Ben Whitley/PA)
Apr 28, 2026 · 17 min
The price of natural gas has shot up around the world after the war began in Iran, but how is the gas price linked to electricity in some countries more so than others? We’ll be looking at how gas still sets the power prices so often. We’ll also look at Ethiopia, to see if hydropower could be a solution for other places who want renewables to bring down the cost of bills. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Gas flare at petroleum and natural gas offshore power plant. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 27, 2026 · 17 min
Diamonds in places like Sierra Leone have long had a tarnished association with war and corruption – blood diamonds, as they’re known. There’s now also the economic threat of synthetic, lab-grown diamonds. Can traditional mining compete? And are natural diamonds really so much worse for us, for the planet, than their new rivals, grown in a lab? To get in touch with the team, send us an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Producer/presenter: Ed Butler Sound engineer: Toby James Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Photo: A diamond specialist inspects an uncut rock. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 26, 2026 · 18 min
We’re in Sierra Leone where the gems have helped to fuel war and, many would say, decades of corruption. The closure of the country’s biggest diamond mine has added to the economic uncertainty as well as the fear of further conflict. In the first of two programmes, we look at the clouds hanging over West Africa’s diamond industry. To get in touch with the team, send us an email to businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Ed Butler Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: A man washing diamonds in a mine in Kono, Sierra Leone. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 23, 2026 · 18 min
We meet Kate Kallot, the founder and CEO of Amini AI, a startup working to make farming and environmental data easier to obtain across Africa and other emerging economies. The entrepreneur set up the company with the aim of improving access to reliable information, shaped in part by her family’s experience fleeing the Central African Republic after her grandfather, an Interpol agent, was assassinated. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producers: Victoriya Holland and Niamh McDermott Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Kate Kallot. Credit: Kevin Allen/Devex)
Apr 22, 2026 · 18 min
We explore the costly and growing problem of cheating in video games. It’s an issue that frustrates many players, but what about the impact it’s having on the multi-billion-dollar industry? We reveal how cheats undermine online play, harm reputations in esports, and cost studios big money, speaking to those who’ve made the cheats, and those trying to stop them. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Will Chalk Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Gamer playing online video game at home. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 21, 2026 · 17 min
Kenya is emerging as one of Africa’s leading producers of geothermal power. While it remains a niche but growing industry globally, in Kenya it has become a vital and reliable source of electricity. We explore how this energy is harnessed, why it has become so central to the country’s power supply, and the plans to build what some are calling Africa’s first geothermal‑powered city. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Michael Kaloki Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Olkaria II geothermal power plant in Kenya. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 20, 2026 · 17 min
Have you ever travelled to another city to run a marathon? Or gone away to train with your amateur tennis or hockey club? Millions of holidaymakers are opting for sport-focused breaks over sun loungers, and the trend is contributing to a sector that's experiencing rapid growth. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Daniel Rosney Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: People taking part in an outdoor fitness workout with barbells and step platforms on the French Riviera. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 19, 2026 · 17 min
In one of the most remote and unforgiving regions on the planet, the final stretch of any delivery becomes a test of endurance, ingenuity, and sheer determination. In this episode, Jane Chambers travels deep into Chilean Patagonia, where last mile delivery, or last-mile logistics, collides with hundreds of kilometres of rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, unpaved roads, and ferry routes that can shut down without warning. It means the price of goods is often very expensive. We hear from the people and companies trying to find solutions. If you’d like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Jane Chambers Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Van driving on Carretera Austral, on the way to Villa O'Higgins, Patagonia, Chile. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 16, 2026 · 17 min
Isaac Larian left Iran as a 17 year-old with $750 and went on to build a successful career in the US toy industry. Today, at 72, he’s the founder and chief executive of MGA Entertainment, one of the largest privately owned toy companies in the United States. Over the years, he’s been involved in several high-profile toy launches: from Bratz in 2001 to the acquisition of Little Tikes in 2006, and more recently the L.O.L. Surprise range of toys. He talks about his journey in life and in business and why he thinks the setbacks along the way are essential to success. Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producers: Victoriya Holland and Ahmed Adan (Photo: Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, sitting in front of some dolls. Credit: MGA Entertainment)
Apr 15, 2026 · 17 min
Professional wrestling has grown into a global entertainment industry worth billions of dollars, driven by sponsorships, new broadcasting deals, and a growing online audience. We step inside the ring, exploring how wrestling has become big business, from streaming and new sponsorships to the global fanbase willing to pay for multiple subscriptions. We also hear from the new and emerging wrestling franchises, aiming to change the sport. To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Wrestler, Ben Webb aka Trent Seven.)
Apr 14, 2026 · 17 min
Kodak was written off as a casualty of the digital age. Now, it's betting on film again. We hear from the chief executive, Jim Continenza, on rebuilding manufacturing, reviving analogue, and turning an industrial icon back around. And we learn why going backwards can be harder than going forwards. We also hear how a conversation with Hollywood director Christopher Nolan got him truly interested in the medium of film. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Leanna Byrne Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: A photographer using a Kodak instant camera in Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 13, 2026 · 17 min
Iran’s economy is under strain from war, long-standing sanctions and a nationwide internet shutdown. We hear from people inside the country, and ask how much damage has been done, and how recovery could begin. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rahul Tandon Producer: David Cann Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: An Iranian man reads a copy of the Iranian daily newspaper Jame Jam with the headline 'Sea Bluff' outside a kiosk in Tehran, Iran, on the 13th of April 2026, as the conflict between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz continues. Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/Shutterstock)
Apr 12, 2026 · 18 min
Today - a Dutch fishing village that could be wiped off the map to make room for a mega‑energy hub. We visit Moerdijk, to meet families, eel‑smokers and shopkeepers. What does their fight tell us about the quiet dilemmas in the global race for clean energy? If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Anna Holligan Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: View of some boats in Moerdijk, Netherlands.)
Apr 9, 2026 · 17 min
We meet Alexander Rinke, the co-CEO and co-founder of Celonis, a billion-dollar company that started life as a university project between three friends. We learn how the Munich-based company raised capital like a Silicon Valley startup without ever having to go to Silicon Valley. And we hear how its pioneering "process intelligence" idea, which he likens to "x-raying" a business, is used by some of the biggest companies in the world - and even the beer industry. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producers: Luke Jarmyn and Craig Henderson Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: CEO of Celonis, Alexander Rinke. Credit: Celonis)
Apr 8, 2026 · 17 min
Conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through the global food system. Even with signs of a ceasefire, the impact may not be over. Disruption to fertiliser supplies, combined with rising energy and shipping costs, is pushing up the price of growing food around the world. Farmers are facing tough choices over how much to plant and how much to spend, while global markets aren’t always keeping pace with those rising costs. For now, there is enough food and shelves remain stocked. But even if tensions ease, experts warn the real impact could come later this year and into the next, with higher food prices and growing pressure on the most vulnerable countries. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: David Cann Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: A woman seen shopping for meat at a supermarket in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 7, 2026 · 17 min
Anthropic’s rise from startup to one of the world’s leading players in artificial intelligence has been staggering, but so in recent weeks has been its row with the US Government. Today, we look at that journey to becoming a 380 billion dollar company, ask why Claude has become one of the hottest names in AI, and question whether its fall out with the Pentagon over how its software is used in war could stifle its phenomenal growth. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Josh Martin Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: The Anthropic logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on the 31st of March 2026. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 7, 2026 · 17 min
Headspace started life as a mindfulness app. Now it's partnering with the US Navy and investing in artificial intelligence for mental health support. The company's CEO Tom Pickett speaks to us about therapy, the increasing role of technology, and tackling burnout at scale. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Leanna Byrne Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: CEO of Headspace, Tom Pickett. Credit: Headspace)
Apr 5, 2026 · 17 min
Highly exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices and intensifying climate change, island nations around the world are starting to ask: could they make a fortune from the gusty seas that surround them? Advances in offshore wind technology are prompting island communities to consider whether they can become energy independent - or even electricity exporters. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Tyler Dunn Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Offshore wind farm on the edge of an island. Credit: Getty Images)
Apr 2, 2026 · 22 min
We hear from a founder who taught himself how to code as a child, set up several businesses, and now with his drone delivery firm Manna Air Delivery - one of the largest in Europe - is trying to challenge aviation regulations around the world. Serial entrepreneur Bobby Healy talks about how being from a poor background helped him build a leading company, which is now becoming a major global player, and why, even as a busy CEO, he still loves writing computer code into the early hours. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Sarah Rogers Producers: Niamh McDermott and Jay Behrouzi Sound mix: Nathaniel Danter Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Bobby Healy next to a drone. Credit: Bobby Healy)
Apr 1, 2026 · 17 min
We look at the fallout from the recent court case which found Meta and Google liable for harming the mental health of one their young users and deliberately making their platforms addictive. Some have suggested this is “a tobacco moment” for Big Tech – comparable to the time when cigarette companies were forced to acknowledge that their products were harmful. We ask if social media companies should be brought into line, and if they can be. And if reforms are agreed, what would a responsible social media landscape look like? To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Gideon Long Producer: Josh Martin Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Left to right, Victims families and supporters Shelby Knox, Amy Neville, Mary Rodee, Laura Marquez-Garrett, Sarah Gardner, and Lennon Torres react to the verdict outside the Los Angeles Superior Court on the 25th of March 2026. Credit: Getty Images)
Mar 31, 2026 · 17 min
We explore the growing industry built around the legacies of celebrities after their deaths. We hear from estate managers, the agents representing the deceased and from those reviving these stars in a market the ethics of which are still being debated. To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Sean Allsop Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: The premiere of "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" on the 9th of February 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Getty Images)
Mar 30, 2026 · 17 min
We hear from a man who was once a high-earning, high flyer in the finance industry. But, after he blew the whistle on a major financial scandal, he found himself unemployable and being sued for every cent he owned. Jas Bains tells us his story. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Producer/presenter: Theo Leggett Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Photo: Jas Bains at the height of his career. Credit: Jas Bains)
Mar 29, 2026 · 18 min
For nearly 12 months, a raft of import duties - tariffs - have made it much more expensive to ship consumer goods into the United States. They have shaken up global trade and according to the Federal Reserve, significantly raised inflation. But who is really footing the bill for all of them? To get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Ed Butler Producers: Rebecca Smyllie and Craig Henderson Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Photo: US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs as US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a chart during a Make America Wealthy Again event at the White House, Washington DC, 2 April 2025. Credit: Getty Images)
Mar 27, 2026 · 17 min
We meet the founder of Hero Cosmetics, the brand behind Mighty Patch, a skin patch that's designed to improve the appearance of acne. Patches like these have become increasingly mainstream. We hear how Ju Rhyu went from being jobless during two recessions to creating a global, best-selling product. And we learn why she prefers being an employee now, rather than the boss. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh McDermott Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Ju Rhyu, founder of Hero Cosmetics. Credit: Ju Rhyu)
Mar 26, 2026 · 17 min
With a state of emergency in the Philippines and a series of four-day working weeks and fuel rationing across many countries, the global energy crisis caused by the war in Iran is wreaking havoc on Asia's economies. We look at why the continent seems so exposed, and what governments and businesses are doing in response, with some extreme steps being taken including four-day weeks and the ditching of office attire. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Will Bain Producers: Rebecca Smyllie and Josh Martin Additional production: Tran Vo in Bangkok Sound mix: Toby James Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) queue at lobby elevators at office headquarters in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Following a directive from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., government offices began implementing an interim four-day on-site working week scheme as part of energy conservation efforts. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)
Mar 25, 2026 · 17 min
Last year, around 4000 federal officers were deployed in Minneapolis in a major immigration crackdown. Local firms say the resulting upheaval and protests didn’t just disrupt local people’s lives, they also damaged the economy. But has the anti-immigration drive had a similar impact across the US? If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Josh Martin Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business. Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story. Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, the economic impact of the war in the Middle East, and why bond markets are so powerful. We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins. (Picture: Masked federal agents wearing a Police ICE jacket, stand in a hallway at the New York Federal Plaza Immigration Court inside the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building in New York on the 17th of March 2026. Credit: Getty Images)
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