Young businessman Takeshi “Shin” Okawara takes the gamble of a lifetime when he leaves a secure job to become the manager of one of the first KFCs in Japan. The bold step looks to be failing, until Shin has an idea to bring together fried chicken and Christmas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Historian Dr Vicki Howard examines the rise - and fall - of the American department store and discusses what the future may hold for industry giants like Macy’s. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The end of World War One brings new challenges and opportunities for the Straus brothers and the Macy’s department store. In the exciting era of the Roaring Twenties, the brothers eye expansion beyond Manhattan and begin a holiday tradition which will become a national institution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following the death of Macy’s co-owner Isidor Straus aboard the ocean liner Titanic, a new generation of Straus men take charge of the famous department store. But their plans for the future are disrupted by an unforeseen challenge: the outbreak of World War One. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following the deaths of Rowland Macy and his heirs, the Macy’s department store eventually passes into the ownership of the Straus family. Brothers Isidor and Nathan set about revitalizing the store, but Macy’s is soon threatened by a new rival in Manhattan and the Strauses are forced into a dramatic decision. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a series of failed enterprises in California and Massachusetts, Rowland Macy launches his latest retail store in New York – in the fast-growing metropolis he finds not only success at last, but also a new family to take his legacy forward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Emeritus James O’Toole, author of The Enlightened Capitalists, discusses the relationship between capitalism and altruism, and how Milton Hershey is just one example of a business leader who struggled to marry money-making with do-gooding.Professor Emeritus James O’Toole, author of The Enlightened Capitalists, discusses the relationship between capitalism and altruism, and how Milton Hershey is just one example of a business leader who struggled to marry money-making with...

Milton Hershey’s Utopia is split in two as the chocolate-maker takes on his own striking employees. And as the world changes around the aging businessman, Milton’s legacy is called into question. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Milton Hershey steers his company and town through a catastrophic bet, the Great Depression, and criticisms from the press. But not even a king in his chocolate city can keep the outside world at bay forever. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As construction on the Hershey Chocolate Company’s new factory nears completion, Milton and his team work tirelessly to develop a recipe for mass-producing milk chocolate. But success is just a steppingstone to Milton’s greater goal - building a utopian town for his workers in the Pennsylvania countryside. In the idyllic town of Hershey, there will be no poverty, no illiteracy - and one man will be king. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

After two failed candy businesses, the confectioner Milton Hershey discovers a new recipe for making caramels and starts the Lancaster Caramel Company. The business makes him a millionaire, but he quickly becomes interested in the seductive promise of a new product: chocolate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneur Elizabeth Zalman and investor Jerry Neumann examine the often-difficult relationship between company founders and venture capitalists, and discuss how to avoid the spectacular disagreements experienced by Sandy Lerner. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sandy Lerner pivots industries dramatically, pairing up with a friend to create a make-up company that specializes in unconventional colors. But now that Sandy has money to invest on her own, she becomes just as ruthless as Don Valentine, the venture capitalist who pushed Sandy out of Cisco. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cisco goes public. It’s a financial windfall for all involved, including co-founders Sandy Lerner and Len Bosack. But the tensions behind-the- scenes at the company reach breaking point and force Sandy and Len into a monumental decision. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After two years of running Cisco out of their home, Sandy and Len have finally grown Cisco to a point where it makes modest profits and they can afford an actual office. To reach the next level, they’ll need to step out of their bubble and form a partnership with an investor. But not all matches are made in heaven. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While working for Stanford University in the 1980s, married couple Sandy Lerner and Len Bosack help invent a technology that allows computers of different makes and models to talk to each other for the first time. But they risk financial ruin when they decide to commercialize their invention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Toy industry expert Chris Byrne discusses Lego’s rise to the top of the toy industry and how its focus on one core product has guided the company to success over the decades. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following a family tragedy, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen prepares to hand over his company to the next generation—but first he must reinvent Lego for the modern age. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen leads Lego into a period of rapid expansion, but his vision for the future of the company comes at a great cost: his relationship with family. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen differentiates Lego from its increasingly fierce competition by building his business around a core product: plastic bricks. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/historytellers Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A small Danish toy company survives World War Two thanks to its quality craftsmanship, but behind the scenes all is not well. Despite its good reputation, Lego teeters on the edge of bankruptcy, and a choice to change production methods threatens to tear the family-owned company apart. Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/historytellers Support us by supporting our...