Trailer

Summary

Good Bad Billionaire — Trailer Episode Summary

Podcast: Good Bad Billionaire
Host: BBC World Service
Date: May 27, 2026
Hosts: Simon Jack (BBC Business Editor), Zing Tsjeng (journalist, author, podcaster)
Episode: Trailer

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Episode Overview

The trailer for "Good Bad Billionaire" introduces listeners to the podcast’s premise: a dynamic, thought-provoking exploration of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explain their mission to analyze how billionaires earned their fortunes, how they wield their power, and the impact of their choices—good, bad, or otherwise. This season promises a diverse range of stories, from household names like Beyoncé and Elon Musk to lesser-known figures like the "beef brothers of Brazil." The hosts invite listener interaction and challenge the audience to make up their own minds about the morality and legacy of billionaire wealth.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Is "Good Bad Billionaire"?

• Format: Every episode tells the story of one billionaire, tracing their path from zero, to millionaire, to billionaire (01:51).
  • “We take them from zero to their first million, then from a million onto a billion.” — Simon Jack (01:51)
• Purpose: The show seeks to examine not just the individuals, but what their stories reveal about society and the machinery of modern wealth.
  • “How people got really rich is interesting in itself. And for my money, it also holds up a bit of a mirror to us.… It tells us something about the societies in which we live.” — Simon Jack (01:58)

The Billionaire Paradox: Inspiration or Inequality?

• Dichotomy: Society is divided on billionaires—some admire them as innovators, others see them as emblematic of inequality.
  • “There are also some people who say that billionaires are some of the most inspiring people on the planet, that they show the limits of human endeavor… And other people say they're the living manifestation of inequality.” — Zing Tsjeng & Simon Jack (02:17-02:29)
  • “It’s a pretty weird way to run a planet when you could have a bus full of people who’ve got more combined wealth than the poorest half of the world’s population.” — Simon Jack (02:32)

Billionaire Facts & Statistics (2026)

• Staggering Wealth: The world’s billionaires collectively hold over $20 trillion (02:40).
• Record Numbers:
  • Total Billionaires: 3,3428 (likely a transcript error; context suggests 3,428) in 2026 (02:46)
  • Growth: More than one new billionaire minted every day over the last year (02:47)
• Demographics:
  • Getting Younger: “There are 35 billionaires under the age of 30.” (03:03)
  • Gender Gap: Only 14% of all billionaires are women; just 122 are self-made (03:14)

Season Teasers & Notable Names

• Younger Billionaires: Coverage includes viral stars like MrBeast and Khae LeMay (03:10)
• Self-Made Women: The season will feature the “newest, youngest self-made female billionaire” whose company could “change the world forever” (03:28)
• Hidden Figures: “The beef brothers of Brazil and the old godmother of Chinese chili sauce” (03:35)
• Celebrity Billionaires: Upcoming subjects include Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer (sports); Paul McCartney (music), and Beyoncé (the first episode—03:50).

Show Schedule & Listener Engagement

• New Episodes: Every Monday, with early access on BBC Sounds (03:56)
• Interactive Element: Listeners are encouraged to share opinions and verdicts on billionaires—good, bad, or just billionaires.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Simon Jack on the “Billionaire Mirror”:
  “How people got really rich... holds up a bit of a mirror to us.… It tells us something about the societies in which we live.” (01:58)
• Zing Tsjeng on Inspiration vs. Inequality:
  “There are also some people who say that billionaires are some of the most inspiring... creating new, exciting technologies... And other people say they're the living manifestation of inequality.” (02:17)
• Simon Jack on Disparity:
  *“It’s a pretty weird way to run a planet when you could have a bus full of people…

with more combined wealth than the poorest half of the world’s population.”* (02:32)

• Zing Tsjeng on Gender Imbalance:
  “It’s still very much a boys' club… Only 14% of all billionaires are women. And… only 122 self made female billionaires. Three quarters… inherited their money.” (03:14)
• Simon Jack, tongue-in-cheek on young billionaires:
  “Don’t you just hate them?” (03:08)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:42 – Introduction: What is Good Bad Billionaire?
• 01:55 – Meet the Hosts
• 01:58–02:17 – Why tell these stories?
• 02:17–02:32 – Billionaires: Inspiration or inequality?
• 02:40 – Billionaire stats: Wealth, numbers, and growth
• 03:00–03:14 – Billionaires getting younger and the gender gap
• 03:28–03:56 – Season preview: Who’s coming up? (new names and episodes)
• 03:56–04:01 – When and where to listen

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Summary & Takeaway

The trailer establishes "Good Bad Billionaire" as a lively examination of billionaire culture. With wit, skepticism, and a probing eye, Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng dive beyond simple biographies and fortunes, looking instead at what these figures say about global society, opportunity, and inequality. With episodes spanning icons and unknowns, men and women, sports and business, the show offers listeners both stories and a say in the final verdict. The challenge is clear: Are these people good, bad, or simply billionaires?

Next episode launches Monday featuring Beyoncé.

Transcript

[A]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[B]

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[A]

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[C]

We are back for those new to Good Bad Billionaire what is the podcast?

[D]

Well, we're going to find out how some of the wealthiest people on the planet made their money.

[C]

We take them from zero to their first million, then from a million onto a billion.

[D]

My name is Zing Seng. I'm a journalist, author and podcaster.

[C]

And I'm Simon Jack. I'm the BBC's business editor. And why do we do this? Well, how people got really rich is interesting in itself. And for my money, it also holds up a bit of a mirror to us. Nobody gets that rich without providing something that we need, want or enjoy. So it tells us something about the societies in which we live.

[D]

And there are also some people who say that billionaires are some of the most inspiring people on the planet, that they show the limits of human endeavor to they're creating new exciting technologies, things that people can buy, consume and enjoy.

[C]

And other people say they're the living manifestation of inequality. It's a pretty weird way to run a planet when you could have a bus full of people who've got more combined wealth than the poorest half of the world's population.

[D]

That's right. If you combine the wealth of every single billionaire on the planet, it stands at over $20 trillion. And there are also more billionaires than ever before. In 2026 there are a record 3,3428 of them according to Forbes. So that means over the last 12 months or so there's been more than one new billionaire minted every single day.

[C]

So we could be doing this for the rest of our lives.

[D]

Exactly.

[C]

Billionaires are also getting younger. There are 35 billionaires under the age of 30. Don't you just hate them? And we're going to cover a few, including viral stars MrBeast and Khae LeMay.

[D]

But it's still very much a boys Club because only 14% of all billionaires are women. And of those 3,000 plus billionaires, there are only 122 self made female billionaires. Three quarters of them inherited their money.

[C]

And in this season we'll cover the newest, youngest self made female billionaire. A woman whose company might change the world forever.

[D]

Plus we're going to cover some fascinating billionaires you've probably never heard of. The beef brothers of Brazil and the old godmother of Chinese chili sauce.

[C]

And there are more celebrity billionaires than ever. We're going to cover a few names you may have heard of. Sports star Cristiano Ronaldo, anyone? And Roger Federer.

[D]

As well as musicians that you may have heard of like Paul McCartney. And we kick it all off next week with Beyonce.

[C]

Yep. New episodes will be released every Monday.

[D]

Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts,

[C]

listen first on BBC Sounds.

[A]

Ever invest in something that seemed incredible at first but didn't live up to the hype? Like those $5 roses at a gas station. Or a second hand piece of technology that breaks in the first 10 minutes. Marketers know that feeling. We optimize for the numbers that look great, impressions reach and reacts. But when they don't show revenue, well, that's a not so great conversation with the CFO. LinkedIn has a word for that. Bullspender. Now you can invest in what looks good to your CFO. LinkedIn Ads generates the highest roas of all major ad networks. You'll reach the right buyers because you can target by company, industry, job title and more. So cut the bull. Spend advertise on LinkedIn, the network that works for you. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get a 250 credit for the next one just go to LinkedIn.com Broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com Broadcast. Terms and conditions apply.