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Bad Bets

By: The Wall Street Journal
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  • Summary

  • Bad Bets unravels big-business dramas that have had a big impact on our world. In Season 2, we delve into the story of Nikola founder Trevor Milton, who promised a future of zero-emission trucks but was taken down by a ragtag bunch of whistleblowers and short sellers. Season 2 is hosted by Ben Foldy.
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Episodes
  • The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 6: “The Truth and the Whole Truth"

    The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 6: “The Truth and the Whole Truth"
    Nov 11 2022
    Trevor Milton assembled a high-powered legal team to defend himself against federal fraud charges. At the same time, whistleblowers and Nikola executives were ready to testify against him. In our season finale, we go inside Milton’s trial and speak to some of the jurors who held his fate in their hands. Plus, we hear the revelations in a secret recording where Milton talks about his future.  Ben Foldy is the host of this season of Bad Bets. Bad Bets is a production of The Wall Street Journal. This season is produced with Jigsaw Productions, in collaboration with Story Force Entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 5: “Trouble for Troublemakers”

    The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 5: “Trouble for Troublemakers”
    Nov 4 2022
    As investors and General Motors bet on Trevor Milton’s vision, the short sellers at Hindenburg Research revealed that the company he founded, Nikola, wasn’t all that it seemed. The allegation that Nikola rolled its truck down a hill for a promotional video made Hindenburg’s report a sensation. In this episode, we’ll hear how Trevor Milton, investors and the U.S. government responded to the report—and how its authors ended up in a game of Spy vs. Spy with shadowy private investigators.  Ben Foldy is the host of this season of Bad Bets. Bad Bets is a production of The Wall Street Journal. This season is produced with Jigsaw Productions, in collaboration with Story Force Entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 4: “Not Appointed Us to Wrath”

    The Unraveling of Trevor Milton, Ep 4: “Not Appointed Us to Wrath”
    Oct 28 2022
    After it began trading in 2020, Nikola was a hot stock—and Trevor Milton was a newly minted billionaire. But in the background, people from Trevor’s past were finding each other and sharing their experiences. In this episode, we talk to the unlikely group of whistleblowers and short sellers who teamed up to find the cracks in Nikola’s facade and expose them to the world.  Ben Foldy is the host of this season of Bad Bets. Bad Bets is a production of The Wall Street Journal. This season is produced with Jigsaw Productions, in collaboration with Story Force Entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
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Enron

I liked that this was informative. This podcast is enlightening and insightful. I would recommend to business executive, Leadership without strong moral compass is unethical.

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Addictively Entertaining!

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction! Expect to binge listen, as it is hard to stop.

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Fantastic Reporting and Analysis

This is a great look back at one of the most baffling and fascinating bankruptcy stories. With the combination of reporting from the time and reflections from participants, Bad Bets presents a 360° view. I'm not a business person, but the story is compelling!

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