logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2020
28m 44s

Rapid Response: GM's Mary Barra: "Going ...

Waitwhat
About this episode

GM is now reopening auto plants, after shutting them in March, temporarily reducing pay for 69,000 employees, and making a fast pivot to produce masks and ventilators. But with the killing of George Floyd, things are hardly back to normal. Chair and CEO Mary Barra speaks to her “profound feeling of sadness,” but also to her optimism that the country and her company will bounce back. Though there is work to be done, says Mary, we're poised for transformation. Interviewed by editor Bob Safian.

Read a transcript of this episode at https://mastersofscale.com

Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter at https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe

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

Up next
Jul 10
How a summer job grew into an ice cream empire, with CEO Ben Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing dessert brands in the country. It’s known for its seriously delicious classic flavors and its wacky collaborations. (Kraft Mac and Cheese ice cream, anyone?) Co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen talks with Jeff Berman to reveal ho ... Show More
32m 44s
Jul 8
PBS fights for its future, with President & CEO Paula Kerger
PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger joins Rapid Response to take us inside the organization’s financial reality if federal funding is stripped, and how she’s battling to protect iconic programming — from Frontline to Sesame Street. Kerger shares the role of corporate philanthropy in ... Show More
27m 7s
Jul 3
How Baby2Baby stepped up as LA wildfires raged, with co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof
Devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles at the start of 2025. Nonprofit Baby2Baby was on the ground leveraging its deep knowledge of how to respond to natural disasters to help families in need. Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof joined host Jeff Berman on s ... Show More
36m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2020
GM CEO Mary Barra on why equity is the bottom line
As the first woman to helm one of the big three Detroit automakers, GM CEO Mary Barra has learned a lot about creating a more diverse and equitable company. “The mindset people have to have is this is never done,” she says. “I look for the day when it doesn’t need special focus, ... Show More
30m 59s
Jan 2020
“WE are a real estate company (not a tech company)” — The Wing loses its big investor. Detroit becomes GM’s electric car HQ. Coronavirus messes with stocks.
Women’s coworking icon The Wing enjoyed a major investment from fellow coworking pioneer WeWork… which just sold off that stake. GM’s latest moves in Detroit have turned a shutting down factory into its new capital of electric vehicles. And coronavirus dropped stocks big to start ... Show More
17m 38s
Apr 2024
Less competition, more creation with Renée Mauborgne
Best-selling author and economics professor Renée Mauborgne thinks that too many entrepreneurs focus on the wrong things—consumed with making their companies outperform one another as they fight for a greater share of a crowded market space. But what if entrepreneurs focused on c ... Show More
29m 12s
Nov 2020
#479: Mary Karr — The Master of Memoir on Creative Process and Finding Gifts in the Suffering
Mary Karr — The Master of Memoir on Creative Process and Finding Gifts in the Suffering | Brought to you by Wealthfront automated and intelligent investment service, ShipStation trusted and comprehensive shipping software, and Helix Sleep premium mattresses. "For me, the solution ... Show More
1h 50m
May 2021
Sponsored: Small Business Stories | Columbia Sportswear | 2
This episode is brought to you by Wondery in partnership with Dell Technologies. In honor of small businesses, we're featuring inspiring stories of successful companies that started out small.It’s 1970 and Gert Boyle’s life is in ruins. Her husband’s just died, and now, as a midd ... Show More
31m 23s
Dec 2023
📓 “Work Homework?” — The Take-Home Assignment job trend. GameStop’s Chief Stonk Officer. McDonald’s new CosMc Spinoff.
The newest restaurant chain in America is “CosMc,” a McDonald’s spin off — It’s taking on Starbucks… and it looks like McDonald’s cousin.GameStop just authorized their CEO to use company money to buy stocks — They turned their CEO into their Chief Investment Officer (and gave him ... Show More
21m 2s
May 2024
Advice Line with Tom Rinks of Sun Bum
Sun Bum co-founder Tom Rinks joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders about refining their brand identities. Today we meet Wendy, a former comedian whose sugar scrub takes the sticky-icky off your hands. Then Allyson, who went from ... Show More
43m 27s