logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
37m 32s

Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Press...

Wondery
About this episode

It's 2008 and two men, both vegans, ponder what they can do to improve the climate. Though they’re on separate sides of the country and in different professions (but they coincidentally share a last name)— Ethan Brown is in the fuel cell business and Pat Brown is a lauded Stanford biochemist — they land on the same solution. They’re going to try and lessen the climate impact of animal agriculture by making meat from plants. Ethan calls his company Beyond Meat and notches the first commercial breakthrough, a fake chicken strip. Pat is not far behind, and launches Impossible Foods two years later, setting off a heated rivalry. 


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/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Today
Flipping the Bird: Elon vs Twitter | I Am Supposed to Believe This Man is a Genius? | 2
Elon Musk makes the Twitter board an offer they can’t refuse — a $44 billion offer, to be exact. But this won’t be an easy marriage. No sooner does Twitter accept than Elon starts raising doubts. Publicly, Elon can’t help taking shots at Twitter and its leaders, sending their sto ... Show More
33m 9s
Yesterday
Flipping the Bird: Elon vs Twitter | Maximum Amazing | 1
Twitter is at a crossroads. Its founder, Jack Dorsey, has stepped down from his role as CEO. The social media heavyweight is also under fire for alleged bias, censorship, and the roving army of bot accounts wreaking havoc on the site. In this moment of crisis, the only would-be s ... Show More
29m 9s
Jul 2
Rebuilding LEGO | Brick to the Future | 2
It’s late 2003 and LEGO’s turnaround strategy has failed. It’s hurtling towards bankruptcy. Its only hope now is a three-man shadow leadership team. And they’re about to learn that the problems at LEGO go way deeper than anyone thought.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest ... Show More
40m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 26
Breaking Bell | The Decision to Decide | 1
After almost a century of controlling the telecommunications industry in the United States, AT&T’s dominance is threatened by new competition. It’s a challenge that “Ma Bell” has weathered before, but this time is different—the political climate has changed, and the powerbrokers ... Show More
35m 38s
Oct 2024
The Missing Mogul | Three Strikes | 2
Robert Maxwell is repeatedly frustrated in his attempts to break into the newspaper industry by an equally ruthless rival: Rupert Murdoch.Listen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the ... Show More
37m 14s
May 22
Rehabilitating Porsche | Blueprints | 1
Czechoslovak engineer Ferdinand Porsche dreams of a mass-market car that’ll sell in the millions and redefine the automotive industry. But Ferdinand can only find one person who’ll back his vision for the future of the car: Adolf Hitler.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest ... Show More
35m 27s
Jul 3
Breaking Bell | Wheelin' & Dealin' | 2
Deals to secure the future of AT&T fall apart as the fight for the future of America’s telephone system turns increasingly fractious, and the continuing crisis forces John deButts to make the most difficult decision of his career.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcas ... Show More
33m 48s
Sep 2024
How to Shift Consumer Sentiments with Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat
In 2009, Ethan Brown, Founder & CEO of Beyond Meat, faced a dilemma at a rest stop on I-95. Struggling to find a healthy meal for his young children, he realized he had to make a change. That same year, he launched Beyond Meat, the world’s first plant-based meat company, with a m ... Show More
29m 20s
Apr 24
Virgin Territory: Richard Branson’s Business Beginnings | E for Export | 2
Virgin gets into the music business, but 20-year-old founder Richard Branson is caught in an illegal scheme that threatens the future of his fledgling business empire.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://w ... Show More
32m 11s
Apr 17
Virgin Territory: Richard Branson’s Business Beginnings | Sowing the Seeds | 1
British teenager Richard Branson finds his true calling as an entrepreneur, but it doesn’t take him long to ruffle a few feathers.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to ... Show More
33m 12s
Nov 2024
The Missing Mogul | Oxford University’s Professor Christopher McKenna On Corporate Corruption Today | 5
Professor Christopher McKenna from the University of Oxford discusses modern corporate scandals and how much - and how little - has changed in the years since Robert Maxwell’s death.Listen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all epi ... Show More
49m 7s
Mar 2025
Making the News - Ted Turner and CNN | Two Giant Egos | 1
Media mogul Ted Turner shakes up the television industry with the launch of a 24-hour channel dedicated solely to breaking news.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Bu ... Show More
33m 26s
May 29
Rehabilitating Porsche | Stalled | 2
In the aftermath of World War Two, Ferdinand Porsche is arrested for war crimes. As the fate of his company hangs in the balance, only Ferdinand’s son can liberate his father from behind bars and resurrect the family business.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, ... Show More
33m 45s