Stratagems

The Fall of the Giant (Standard Oil Series)

In the final episode of our Standard Oil series, the empire reaches its peak—and faces the consequences. As Rockefeller tightens control, resistance grows. Journalists, politicians, and the public turn against the monopoly, and Standard Oil becomes a target of the U.S. government’s most aggressive antitrust case to date. What follows is not just a legal defeat, but a strategic turning point. We explore how the dissolution of Standard Oil in 1911 gave rise to a constellation of powerful successor companies—and how Rockefeller’s influence lived on long after the trust was broken. This is the story of transformation through collapse, and how strategy adapts in the face of pressure. Episode Chapters (02:45) Part 6 - The Inferior Power (32:03) Part 7 - The Fracture (43:44) Part 8 - The Shadow Empire P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes—it takes less than 60 seconds and helps others discover the show. Links * All episode sources, including background music used [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vF3fq3FJXTtvuk37DKm9M-dspE8kjCf96eby7L3dfKA/edit?usp=sharing] * Read the full episode transcript * Get email updates on upcoming episodes and bonus content [https://www.stratagems.ca/] * Email me your feedback or questions about the episode [https://www.stratagems.ca/about] Episode 11 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stratagems.ca [https://www.stratagems.ca?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Oil Empire (Standard Oil Series)

In this second episode of our Standard Oil series, John D. Rockefeller crosses the threshold from disciplined outsider to dominant industry force. What began as a moral and financial covenant among a few partners transforms into a sweeping strategy to consolidate power, cut waste, and outmaneuver rivals. We follow the birth of the Standard Oil Trust—one of the most effective and controversial business structures ever created. As Rockefeller’s empire expands, he encounters new challenges, allies, and unexpected rewards. This is the story of ambition becoming infrastructure, and belief turning into monopoly. Episode Chapters (01:45) Part 3 - The Covenant (34:03) Part 4 - The Trust is Born (52:44) Part 5 - The Promised Land P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes—it takes less than 60 seconds and helps others discover the show. Links * All episode sources, including background music used [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vF3fq3FJXTtvuk37DKm9M-dspE8kjCf96eby7L3dfKA/edit?usp=sharing] * Read the full episode transcript * Bonus content for The Oil Empire episode * Get email updates on upcoming episodes and bonus content [https://www.stratagems.ca/] * Email me your feedback or questions about the episode [https://www.stratagems.ca/about] Episode 10 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stratagems.ca [https://www.stratagems.ca?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Religious Bookkeeper (Standard Oil Series)

Before Standard Oil became a titan of American capitalism, there was a young man with a ledger and a quiet, relentless drive. In the first episode of our three-part series on Standard Oil, we meet John D. Rockefeller—not as the richest man in modern history, but as a meticulous clerk with an almost spiritual devotion to order, discipline, and numbers. But Rockefeller’s world was anything but orderly. The oil fields of Pennsylvania were wild, speculative, and wasteful—a far cry from the structured empire he would one day build. As we enter the chaos of America’s first oil boom, we begin to see the forces that would push Rockefeller toward his radical vision: to tame the frontier, eliminate waste, and create a new kind of business. This is the story of how strategy, faith, and frontier ambition collided—setting the stage for one of the most powerful companies in history. Episode Chapters (02:22) Part 1 - The Divine Ledger (30:21) Part 2 - The Wild Frontier P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes—it takes less than 60 seconds and helps others discover the show. Links All episode sources, including background music used [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vF3fq3FJXTtvuk37DKm9M-dspE8kjCf96eby7L3dfKA/edit?usp=sharing] Read the full episode transcript [https://www.stratagems.ca/p/the-religious-bookkeeper-standard-oil] Get email updates on upcoming episodes and bonus content [https://www.stratagems.ca/] Email me your feedback or questions about the episode [https://www.stratagems.ca/about] Episode 9 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stratagems.ca [https://www.stratagems.ca?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Beyond Oil (Dubai Series)

In our final episode of the Dubai series, we explore Dubai at the close of Sheik Rashid's rule in 1990—a period that set the stage for a bold new era. Under his guidance, Dubai became the Middle East’s first post-oil economy, launching global icons like Emirates Airlines. Yet, rapid development also brought challenges. We examine how decades-old strategic decisions continue to resonate in modern Dubai, influencing everything from the Nationals vs. Expats debate and a thriving tax-free economy to successes in tourism, banking, internet industries, and other surprising sectors. Join us as we unpack the legacy of visionary leadership and the enduring quirks that make Dubai a global marvel. Episode Chapters (01:52) Part 7 - The Post-Oil World (13:36) Part 8 - The Modern Economy P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes takes less than 60 seconds and helps others discover the show. Links * All episode sources, including background music used [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rHmcW0dVfmnpuMH4BNX9yaBuOGrbAIulAOjIR6PAdog/edit?usp=sharing] * Read the full episode transcript [https://www.stratagems.ca/p/beyond-oil-crafting-dubais-modern] * Get email updates on upcoming episodes and bonus content [https://www.stratagems.ca/] * Email me your feedback or questions about the episode [https://www.stratagems.ca/about] Episode 8 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stratagems.ca [https://www.stratagems.ca?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The New Pearls (Dubai Series)

Following the collapse of the once-flourishing pearl industry, Dubai entered a period of hardship and uncertainty. In this second episode of our Dubai series, we follow the turbulent years leading up to the rise of Sheik Rashid—a leader whose strategic vision would drive Dubai into prosperity. When oil was discovered in 1966, its quantity was modest. Undeterred, Sheik Rashid was forced to craft a bold strategy, parlaying limited oil wealth into a diversified economy. His calculated decisions set the stage for one of the fastest transformations in history, while rapid development brought with it unforeseen challenges and consequences. Episode Chapters (01:21) Part 4 - The Quest (16:15) Part 5 - The Lottery Ticket (37:01) Part 6 - The New Pearls P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes takes less than 60 seconds and helps others discover the show. Links * All episode sources, including background music used [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rHmcW0dVfmnpuMH4BNX9yaBuOGrbAIulAOjIR6PAdog/edit?usp=sharing] * Read the full episode transcript [https://www.stratagems.ca/p/the-new-dawn-sheik-rashid-and-dubais] * Get email updates on upcoming episodes and bonus content [https://www.stratagems.ca/] * Email me your feedback or questions about the episode [https://www.stratagems.ca/about] Episode 7 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stratagems.ca [https://www.stratagems.ca?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]