Really really need to talk like grown-ups and not like 14 year-old Valley girls

Promoting Tesla in 2025. Gross!

I really enjoy this podcast. My favourite episodes are the Hermes one and the 3 Google ones. I especially appreciate the optimism they bring to their story telling

Pages upon pages of incorrect facts timelines, etc. Ridiculously poor episode.

This podcast is fantastic for storytelling purposes. The hosts do an incredible job researching their stories and telling brilliant narratives around how popular companies are founded b However, they ultimately operate on an access basis and what this means is they’ve become a safe, comfortable place for founders (particularly in tech) to come on and give an idealized version of events with zero pushback. The hosts want to be liked by people likeMark Z, fine. But just be aware that dynamic is happening and influences their coverage. Interpreting everything they say as a form narrative fiction “based in real events” makes it much more enjoyable to listen to.

You can learn everything you need to know about Formula 1 by watching the award winning film, Talladega Nights…

I’m not a person who cares at all about business but I love the storytelling of this show. It feels like having a Wikipedia read to you by your very smart buddies, in the best way.

I just listened to my first Acquired episode. It was fascinating. The show and the hosts were amazing.

AI scam hawkers

I love how these guys deconstruct business dynamics into stories and conversations that really uncover how these companies work. I have worked for 30 years at one of the businesses featured which is privately held. I’ve seen or heard no better described or researched piece of work.

One of the best business podcasts available. For years, David and Ben have been diving deep into some of the most important companies in world history. Every episode is packed with facts and interesting details about what makes each entity unique and iconic. Their interaction and banter makes each episode a fun listen.

This podcast is top tier info delivery on companies we thought we knew. You can hear the level of research for each episode. Greatly appreciated work

No words can describe how great this podcast is, educating people on topics that they wouldn’t even consider learning about otherwise, and it’s all entertaining! Love the work these two do, definitely the best hosts ever!

I absolutely love the stories they tell. I can’t get enough!

Great story and a lot of in-depth information. I’m wondering if you can add a supplement specific to Cokes acquisition of Northern Neck Ginger ale. A Virginia family business from Montross VA. A few years after acquisition Coke stopped bottling supposedly due to lack of aluminum 🤷‍♂️. There’s tremendous interest in Virginia to bring the product back

This podcast is amazing but as a kid I feel that there should be a kid version. Because I like it but some words I don’t understand

The information in this podcast series is great. However the delivery of it is frustrating enough to make me want to unfollow. Not every fact needs to be a headline. Not every sentence deserves a giggling conspiratorial laugh at the end. Not every listener has time to savor every… single… word… as you excitedly announce them. The info is sooooo good though.

This is by far the best podcast on business and technology period. Ben and David’s child like excitement going through the rich and deep history and strategies of tech companies (now other companies) is incredible and comes through in every episode. Rather than narrating stories and anecdotes, they both go through the rationale and often deep technical details. The research done here is as thorough as it can get and the first 30 mins is as exciting as the last 30 mins of every episode. Great work and congrats on all the success!

I highly recommend the Acquired podcast to anyone interested in learning the history of technology companies and famous brands, and about what makes a business successful. My gateway podcast was "Google: The AI Company" (10/5/2025), and this last month I really enjoyed their past episodes on Google's search engine, Alphabet Inc., Meta, Microsoft, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel. Yesterday I finished their excellent Coca-Cola podcast and have many other episodes in my podcast queue, including Disney Plus, Instagram, LinkedIn, Oculus, Nvidia, Amazon.com, YouTube, AOL, Bitcoin, Trader Joe's, Nike, Mars Inc., and Costco. Per their website at acquired.fm, this the #1 technology podcast on Apple and Spotify. I am not surprised since each podcast contains many interesting facts and useful business analysis by co-hosts Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal. I agree the phrase "conversational audiobook" best describes the podcast - some episodes are more than four hours long!

Just the best!

Growing up in SoCal, my parents owned and operated grocery and convenience stores. I grew up with Trader Joe and with Pronto, but never realized they were related. My parents’ stores often competed with Pronto but never with Trader Joe. Another great episode. Well researched, great story telling and clearly radiating your endless enthusiasm for discovering the story behind great companies.

Love the show. Please consider doing a Honda episode!

You didn't cover Mexican Coke :( I was hoping you'd cover the popularity of Mexican Coke when you got to the global perspectives part of the Coca Cola company. Mexican Coke is the absolute best! It's glass bottled and still made with cane sugar. In order for me... Mexican Coke, McDonalds Fountain drink Coca Cola and Classic Coke. Great podcast and so fun to listen to. You guys are the absolute best at what you do. Thank you!

Love all the stories and explanations of technology innovations! Would want to hear some cyber security stories as that can be difficult to understand for the layman.

As much as I love this show I won't be able to listen to it anymore because they are supported by JP Morgan Payments. I'll be canceling all of my business with that bank and won't be listening to aquired anymore until they drop that sponsorship. I'm sure they are a large contributor to the show, but choices matter.

My only “wish” is that you do more shows outside Silicon Valley and high tech, as those are my favorites — Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Hermes . . . “Real” stuff. LOL. I know I’m a Luddite. I try, but hey, old people listen to your show, too! I use technology but I don’t have the same fascination in the origins. That’s just me, not the show. I keep trying.

Frazier and Niles Crane entertainingly lead us through some very good stories.

F all of you that say this is too long. Grow a pair. Sit down and listen, do some work or chores. These are amazing podcasts filled with great storytelling and personal anecdotes. Will listen until there’s no more

Normally this podcast has great content, but not even mentioning the Gemini rollout debacle is something y’all should be embarrassed about. It’s a HUGE story, and it didn’t even get a mention. The company ostracized half of America because of how they trained their model and rolled it out. Failing to mention that is a shame, and it betrays your underlying bias in telling the story.

The storytelling, format, and dynamic of the hosts makes an incredible podcast. However, I wish they were more honest in their assessment of the companies and founders they cover. It feels like they intentionally paint companies/founders in the best possible light so that they don’t make anyone angry and lose access.

I wanted to like this show, the topics are cool, and very well researched. There’s a lot of fluff, tangential stories and chit chat. Could easily be under an hour and still deliver as much value.

I make my toddler listen to these at bedtime and he’ll be a ruthless VC oligopolist before he even graduates grade school. No MBA needed.

Fabulous podcast. Outstanding research, superb storytelling. This podcast always makes me smile and learn so much. Doesn’t get any better.

Very well done… despite length the pod moves ! These guys are good.

Haven’t come across an episode yet where I didn’t learn something or really enjoy it.

This is a truly amazing podcast. I got such a great insight into Alphabet from this 4 hour podcast. I’ll go back to check our earlier shows.

Amazing podcast - so many insights and learnings! Can’t believe I did not listen to this for the last few years.

Best business podcast by far. Fantastic research, better than most business books, a pleasure to listen to. Can’t believe I just found it.

Love how many times these fanboys use the term “famously.” Famously, this is when the CEO ate a ham sandwich. Despite their hyperbole, they are good storytellers. Terrible interviewers though. Don’t know how to ask tough questions. Probably because they are fanboys.

Every episode these guys put out is just so interesting. There’s been so many times that I say well that one can’t be that interesting and they sprinkle the magic formula and lo and behold I listen to the whole thing. The Mars and the Dimon episodes were so good I listened to 3/4 and then stopped so my wife could listen to it from the beginning at the same time. KEEP GOING.

Hi. In 1995, Paul Allen opened a new fraternity house (his old was torn down) at Washington State University. The house had servers in the attic that powered internet for all of greek row and student housing. There is over 300 hours of press showcasing the house as the first with internet hard wired in the house. So one year prior to Paul’s (Gmail) school.

Best of the best

All there is

Fantastic deep dive into each topic and simple to grasp. Thank you both for great insights.

This is by far one of my favorite podcasts this is so goodddddddd!!!!

To all you haters out there: I DONT CARE

They fawn over people they want to flatter. The end. Somehow it takes 4 hours to do that. Best episode / case in point: Charlie Munger shuts down every single one of their self-serving questions about “advice for young guys like them.” Every. Single. One. Charlie saw through this operation immediately. So naturally, they censor Charlie Munger explaining why the venture business model makes no sense, which is hilarious and absolutely a must watch episode.

Today was my first time listening to this podcast. I enjoyed the interview with Jamie Dimon!

Great premise, fascinating topic but couldn’t get through more than 30 minutes of the History of Microsoft - the constant gigging and presentation of info like fanbois was a huge negative.

I love this show but have you guys done McLaren because I would Lovethat