MegaloMedia Podcast

In 2023, Elon Musk - the richest man in the world was dethroned. And in his place, a mystery man took the crown. Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci. Brands that everybody knows and admires. Whether on Instagram, the world's biggest runways, or the most powerful presidents - their products are everywhere. And they all have one thing in common: they are all owned by one man. Bernard Arnault.

Travis Kalanick was once one of the most powerful men in Silicon Valley...until he was exiled from the very empire he helped to create. Though he will tell you he built it all by himself. He once managed to save his failing company by securing $1.8 million dollars in funding from a famous Wall St billionaire that he met on an Internet forum. He is also responsible for putting Silicon Valley on the map and creating several billionaires from what would become one of the most ground-breaking tech companies of the 21st Century. But on the other hand, many people hate him.

In this episode of Megalomedia Originals, dive into the life of George Soros, the billionaire who went from surviving the horrors of the Holocaust to building an empire of influence. Discover how Soros became a master of finance, shaping global markets and fueling controversy with his relentless pursuit of a democratic world. From breaking the Bank of England to funding worldwide philanthropic efforts, Soros’s story is one of power, ambition, and a legacy that continues to spark debate and controversies. Join us as we explore the man behind the money and the impact he's had on the world.

His story begins on 2nd October 1967 in the streets of New York City, the global billionaire capital. Robert and Leah Karp are in their late 20s when they welcome a bouncing baby boy - Alex Caedmon Karp. Little do they know that this little bundle of joy will disrupt the US industrial military complex.

The rise of the Rothschild's family name is legendary and surrounded with myths and tales. Join us on a journey from the humble beginnings in the Frankfurt ghetto to their meteoric rise as a global financial powerhouse.

In the vast deserts of Arabia stands a giant named Saudi Aramco. Saudi Aramco is shaping how rich the country is and how much influence it has in the world. Picture this: Saudi Aramco controls a whopping 20% of all the oil in the entire world. It’s the chief player in a game where everyone wants oil.

America has been hit by the worst financial crisis in history. What started out as an amazing decade has come to a halt with a bang! Millions have lost jobs, homes, and some even their lives. By the end of it, the world economy has lost $2 trillion - more than any Robinhood option trader ever could lose. And at the center of it all is one investment bank. You might think that crises hurt banks…But no, the most powerful investment bank of all, emerges unscathed. In fact, Goldman Sachs continues to prosper and today, it is more powerful than ever, raking in billions in profits.

It seems like the wider world is beginning to wake up to Larry Fink and his claim to infamy...BlackRock. A gargantuan company, the size of a nation - yet accountable to none.

There are two kinds of traders on Wall Street: Those who profit from greed. And those who profit from fear. Such traders are known as short-sellers. They make cash when stocks crash. The short-selling firm Hindenburg Research specializes in shorting one kind of company…the criminal kind. They find their targets by looking for companies that have misled or lied to investors. They’ve wiped out over 100 billion dollars of value from their bombshell findings. Just who is the puppet master behind Hindenburg Research?

Many legendary figures emerge from the wild west of Wall Street. Some are known for their spectacularly good trades. Some for their spectacularly bad trades. Some for price gouging. Some for beating the market for years. But Carl Icahn? Well, he’s known for something else…

There is a darker side to Roman Abramovich. He is Vladimir Putin's favourite son. He defrauded the government, rigged auctions and took full advantage of the corruption in the post soviet Russian government. And is also responsible for Russia's rise and helped turn it into the world power it is today. The Roman Abramovich story is both inspiring and tragic.

When he least expects it, a knife pierces Jamie Dimon. Betrayed by his closest friend and ally, he’s left for dead. All in the name of power. For a time, he was Wall Street’s Golden boy. The one who could do no wrong. Together with Sandy Weill, they had built a monster. CitiGroup - the Largest Bank in the world at the time - worth a staggering $800 billion dollars. Even more impressive - they’d built it effectively from scratch. Sandy was the seasoned veteran, and Jamie, the talented protege. Over more than a decade, the pair turned a small fry lender into a multinational conglomerate. Jamie’s learnt everything from Sandy, the tricks of the trade and the ruthlessness one needed to thrive in a dog-eat-dog world. Little did he know, that following their greatest victory - that ruthlessness would fall on him.

Goldman Sachs is the pinnacle of prestige for ambitious finance chimps. But the status and money you can earn at Goldman require a lot of sacrifices to be made. It is famous for its long hours, toxic work culture and MDs hitting you with a nightly pls fix at 3 am. Enter David M. Solomon, the current chief executive officer at Goldman Sachs who was able to not only succeed in this hyper-competitive environment but also defeat his colleagues in a battle of climbing the corporate ladder and coming out as the primus inter pares in a pool full of sharks.

It’s 2009, and Steve Cohen is watching the financial crisis destroy investors around the world - with a big smile. Why with a smile? Well, while the financial world is burning like ancient Rome, Steven Cohen is living out the dream of every mildly successful instagram trader; He option-traded his way to a multi-billion dollar portfolio for his firm SAC Capital Advisors, and he is only just getting started; Cohen is famous for his fast-paced volatile trades, and was successful at it for years. But just a few years later, it will all come crumbling down for Cohen as the SEC drops the hammer on him for insider trading. What will ensue will be a Roman empire-like collapse for Cohen, followed by a revival of epic proportions. But how did Cohen, a once average guy, manage to make money while everyone was losing money?

He’s a real terror show. Skipping school is his norm, and paying attention isn't even on his radar. He's been kicked out of not one, not two, but three high schools. Why? He simply doesn't care about doing any work, and when he gets into trouble, he brushes off any advice like it's nothing. Like many great traders, he carries a chip on his shoulder. We searched and contacted him exclusively for MegaloMedia - to find out more about the psychology of traders at a young age.

Meet America’s Dictator Billionaire: Chamath Palihapitiya, a truly inspiring and multi-faceted personality. He is not without his downsides though... We will discuss how he came from zero to one billion and how you might be able to replicate his success.

He is the Secret King of Finance and Greatest Investor of all time. From humble beginnings to Billionaire, we explore the incredible life and career of Jim Simons and reveal the secrets behind his groundbreaking success.

As of March 2023, the total assets of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation amounted to around 235.3 trillion Japanese yen. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation is one of the largest banks in Japan. Over 800 group companies. It is the second-largest bank in Japan in terms of total assets and market capitalization and it owns one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies - SMBC Aviation Capital.

This is the story of Sequoia capital, one of Silicon Valley’s most notorious and enduring venture capital firms, investing in the likes of Apple, Cisco, WhatsApp, Airbnb, Zoom, LinkedIn, PayPal and Google among others throughout its 50-year history. It’s investments are now worth trillions of dollars in public market value. And graduates around the world would love to get a shot at working at Sequoia. Because having Sequoia Capital on your CV carries massive prestige.

Larry Ellison is one of the richest men in the world and has vowed to give away all his money when he dies. But that is a lie, Because he has no intention of dying, Ever…He has turned $1200 dollars into an empire worth over $100 Billion and is responsible for managing nearly all of the data in the world. Including the highly confidential databases of organisations such as the CIA and YMCA.

Peter Thiel has it all, money, power and an agenda - that makes him one of the most dangerous billionaire investors of today's time. Mind you, we mean dangerous in the most positive sense possible. Thiel is a force of nature and it will be interesting to emulate some of his career steps in order to achieve our own lofty goals.

Bill Ackman has been beaten many times, in spite of this, his firm Pershing Square Capital is managing assets of almost 19 billion USD, with only roughly 30 employees. Who is really behind the mask of a silver-haired hedge fund investor? Is Bill Ackman a failed successor version of Warren Buffett undergoing bug fixes? Or is he nothing more than a professional gambler that gets lucky sometimes?

Watch how Henry Kravis became one of the largest dealmakers in the world of finance.

He is one of the richest men on the planet. And due to his young age, he is likely to become one of the most powerful men in the coming decades. He has held the prestigious title of the world's youngest self-made billionaire… And he presides over a finance behemoth that many predict to join the ranks of Google, Meta or Amazon in terms of market cap and influence very soon.

How do you build a successful YouTube documentary channel? We peel back the curtain on what it takes to build a documentary empire that not only captivates millions but also generates jaw-dropping revenue. Join Kevin Jon as he interviews the legendary Rocky Xu, a pioneer in the realm of business documentary channels, whose strategic approach to content creation has set the gold standard for creators everywhere. Rocky reveals the astonishing potential of documentary filmmaking on YouTube, from raking in $20,000 per video to navigating the unpredictable tides of the platform. Discover the secrets behind crafting binge-worthy content that keeps viewers hooked and the meticulous process that goes into each masterpiece, ensuring every release surpasses the last. Whether you're a budding YouTuber or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and eye-opening revelations that will redefine your view of the digital landscape. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights – your gateway to transforming passion into profit awaits!

Witness how Bank of America's acquisition of Merrill Lynch and its 49.8% stake in BlackRock transformed it into a financial juggernaut. In this episode MegaloMedia Originals, we get into Stanley O'Neal's ruthless leadership, the desperate deals during the 2008 crisis, and how a bank that once saved Disney now wields power behind the world's largest asset manager. Discover the dramatic twists that shaped modern finance, revealing a hidden empire in the shadows.

CIS, the Japanese wonder trader: They’re traditional conservatives stuck in the old ways of doing things. They live in a humble one-bedroom, are loyal to their 9-5, believe in the corporate ladder, and place their hopes in the traditional educational system. And they intend to instill these same ideologies to their unborn child. Unbeknownst to them, they carry the ultimate antagonist of their belief system. And it won't take long for their child to make them realize just how wrong their thinking is.

Little children have fantasies. The child who is skinny and weak delights in dreaming that, with the snap of a finger, he can become a Stallone, or-minus ze German accent - a Schwarzenegger. The kid who rarely leaves home and doesn’t travel wishes he could be a pilot, or an astronaut. But what is one to make of a child who believed he was God? Those were the thoughts of young George Soros, growing up in upper-middle-class surroundings in 1930s Budapest.

In less than 5 minutes, more than one Trillion Dollars of value is wiped out from American companies. But behind all this is not a devastating event or even the doings of a giant financial institution: Instead, the chaos is orchestrated by someone who belongs more to Wallstreetbets than actual Wall Street.

Stephen Schwarzman is the 37th richest person in the world - worth a whopping $26 billion dollars. He rubs shoulders with the world’s most powerful leaders. And yet, he’s not a household name. In fact, outside of finance - no one’s even heard of him. So how does one of the most influential, well-connected people - stay in the shadows? How did he amass such a staggering fortune - and the power to get a meeting with any president anytime he wants? One word. BlackStone.