Business Wars

It’s 2023 and Southwest Airlines’ stock is in a nosedive. With costs ascending, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan freezes hiring and slashes spending. Amid all that, a crisis at Boeing has left Southwest short on jets. With Southwest weakened, an unwelcome, activist investor rushes on board. Jordan jettisons staffers along with longstanding policies like open seating and free bags. It’s a new era for the airline. But the question remains: Will Southwest passengers go along for the ride? Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter [https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter] Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ [http://wondery.com/links/business-wars/] now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

It's 2021 and for the first time in nearly 50 years, Southwest Airlines posts an annual net loss. Amid the crisis, thousands of Southwest workers head for early retirement. The next year, Southwest is short on staff as Americans return to the skies. Pilots and flight attendants complain of being overworked. A winter storm cripples Southwest’s operations, exposing the airline’s underinvestment in technology. Millions are stranded. Lawmakers and the public ask: Will Southwest ever straighten up and fly right? Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter [https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter] Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ [http://wondery.com/links/business-wars/] now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Can you remember the last time you got mail from an AOL email address? Or fired off an IM? In the 1990s, AOL was the hottest name in cyberspace, but now it’s a digital ghost. Journalist and author Nina Munk is the author of Fools Rush In: Steve Case, Jerry Levin, and the Unmaking of AOL Time Warner — she explains how the merger meltdown led to AOL’s demise. Plus, Lauren Goode and Michael Calore of the Wired podcast Uncanny Valley share a remembrance of AOL Instant Messenger — and how it laid the groundwork for online communication as we know it.   Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter [https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter] Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ [http://wondery.com/links/business-wars/] now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The AOL Time Warner merger is done. Now Jerry Levin and Steve Case must deliver on the bold promises. But will disharmony in the ranks and slumping ad sales be the undoing of the merger — or was the entire deal doomed from the start? Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter [https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter] Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ [http://wondery.com/links/business-wars/] now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

When AOL and Time Warner find a way around their differences, the biggest merger in history is on. But when rivals attack and tech stocks meltdown, AOL finds it must meet Wall Street expectations or watch its mega-deal derail. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter [https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter] Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ [http://wondery.com/links/business-wars/] now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].