Business Wars: Behind the Scenes | Episode 5 Summary

Release Date: January 8, 2025

Introduction to the Behind-the-Scenes Episode

In the fifth episode of Business Wars, host David Brown takes listeners on an exclusive journey behind the scenes of the acclaimed podcast. This episode delves into the creation, writing, and production processes that have made Business Wars a beloved series exploring corporate rivalries and their profound impacts on consumers and society.

The Origin of Business Wars

Karen Lowe shares the foundational story of Business Wars, highlighting the vision behind the podcast’s inception. She states:

"We wanted a show that told the real drama behind some of these business rivalries, the characters that drove these businesses and the strategies and the things they did to take each other down or push each other out of the way." [03:41]

Karen elaborates on the selection of David Brown as the host, praising his storytelling abilities and prior collaboration on Marketplace.

David Brown reflects on his initial hesitation due to academic commitments but ultimately expresses gratitude for joining the project:

"Looking back on it, you know, you think about those moments in your life where like, you know, the sliding doors thing, that was one of those moments where I felt like, wow, what if I had just walked away from it?" [05:38]

Building the First Season: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

Karen Lowe recounts the decision-making process behind selecting Netflix versus Blockbuster as the inaugural series topic. Drawing from her conversation with her husband and author Gina Keating, they secured Gina to author the scripts for this pivotal story.

Gina Keating describes the challenges of adapting her book into a podcast format:

"I had to teach me the entire time, which I'm sure was incredibly irritating. When I look back at some of our emails and some of the script notes, I realized I was driving her crazy." [08:04]

She details the intense writing period, characterized by tight deadlines and the necessity to invent characters to visualize real events.

David Brown acknowledges the rigorous editing process and the collaborative efforts that shaped the first season:

"The sound design... makes all those different characters come to life. I couldn't even believe it." [12:07]

The Writing Process and Challenges: Gina Keating's Experience

Gina shares insights into transitioning from journalism to podcast writing, emphasizing the creative hurdles and growth she experienced. She explains the need to balance factual accuracy with engaging storytelling, particularly when depicting behind-the-scenes corporate maneuvers.

"I felt every time, like the sweat pouring down my body every time I had to do that. So she had to really get after me to do that." [09:05]

Her collaboration with Karen Lowe was pivotal in navigating these challenges, ultimately leading to compelling and dynamic storytelling.

Crafting the Sound: Tristan Donovan and Kyle Randall's Contribution

The episode features an in-depth look at the audio production process with Tristan Donovan, writer at Yellow Ant Media, and Kyle Randall, the podcast’s sound designer.

Tristan Donovan discusses the importance of the cold open in establishing the episode's tone and engaging listeners:

"We want to hint or show the business competition that's central to the story. We want to introduce the main characters... and we also want action, some kind of drama with some stakes." [23:30]

Kyle Randall breaks down the meticulous sound design techniques used to create immersive experiences:

"The sounds that I use, whether they come from a library or we record them ourselves, they don't necessarily work in the scene without some changes." [28:38]

He illustrates this with the creation of the North Face versus Patagonia opening scene, highlighting how layered sound effects and strategic audio placement enhance the storytelling.

Engaging the Audience: Interview with Josh Gondelman

A standout segment features comedian Josh Gondelman interviewing David Brown, offering a lighter glimpse into Brown’s personal preferences and the podcast’s impact on listeners.

Josh Gondelman playfully quizzes Brown on his choices between rival brands, revealing personal anecdotes and preferences:

"If we were to ask you Dunkin versus Starbucks, obviously you'd say Dunkin." [38:01]

David Brown shares heartfelt reflections on listener feedback, emphasizing the podcast's role in fostering connections and meaningful conversations:

"When we record Business Wars, I try to imagine visualize the listeners out there because I find it helps with the performance of a script in a rather solitary studio. Your message is a gift to me." [47:24]

Listener Impact and Final Reflections

The episode concludes with David Brown reading a poignant listener message from Kentucky, illustrating the profound personal impact Business Wars has on its audience. Brown's heartfelt response underscores the podcast's role in creating shared experiences and educational opportunities for families.

"In ways big and small, you've made Business Wars something special. I think of you as part of the family and you've made this journey more precious than any of us could have imagined." [47:44]

Brown extends gratitude to the listeners, inviting further engagement and episode suggestions, thereby reinforcing the community-centric ethos of Business Wars.

Conclusion

Behind the Scenes | 5 offers an intimate look into the collaborative and creative processes that drive Business Wars. Through candid discussions with key team members, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous effort involved in crafting each episode. The episode not only highlights the podcast’s commitment to storytelling excellence but also celebrates the meaningful connections formed between the show and its audience.

Key Quotes:

• Karen Lowe: "We wanted a show that told the real drama behind some of these business rivalries, the characters that drove these businesses and the strategies and the things they did to take each other down or push each other out of the way." [03:41]

• Gina Keating: "I had to teach me the entire time, which I'm sure was incredibly irritating. When I look back at some of our emails and some of the script notes, I realized I was driving her crazy." [08:04]

• Tristan Donovan: "We want to hint or show the business competition that's central to the story. We want to introduce the main characters... and we also want action, some kind of drama with some stakes." [23:30]

• David Brown: "When we record Business Wars, I try to imagine visualize the listeners out there because I find it helps with the performance of a script in a rather solitary studio. Your message is a gift to me." [47:24]

Unlocking the Full Experience

For listeners eager to explore more, Business Wars is available on the Wondery App and other major podcast platforms. Subscribers can access all episodes early and ad-free by joining Wondery Plus.

Credits:

• Host: David Brown
• Guests: Karen Lowe, Gina Keating, Tristan Donovan, Kyle Randall, Josh Gondelman
• Producers: Emily Frost, Kelly Kyle, Grant Rutter
• Sound Design: Kyle Randall
• Executive Producers: Jenny Lauer Beckman, Marshall Louie

Business Wars continues to captivate audiences with its in-depth exploration of corporate rivalries, brought to life through expert storytelling and immersive audio design.