Pivot
Podcast

Pivot

by New York Magazine

133 episodes

Every Tuesday and Friday, tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics. They make bold predictions, pick winners and losers, and bicker and banter like no one else. After all, with great power comes great scrutiny. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Ask about PivotAnswers are grounded in this source's posts from the last 30 days.

Recent Posts

133 posts
AI Therapy, “Mankeeping,” and Screen Addiction

Corning (GLW) is a high-conviction investment as a key supplier for Apple, directly benefiting from Apple's multi-billion dollar U.S. investment strategy. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector presents a major opportunity, particularly for companies developing large language models that recently won a key legal battle allowing them to train on copyrighted data. Conversely, investors should be cautious with media and content creation companies whose intellectual property is now at risk. Within AI, the most promising mental health technology investments are companies developing hybrid models that assist human therapists, a market validated by successful clinical trials. Avoid companies aiming for fully autonomous AI therapists, as they face significant regulatory headwinds, with states already starting to ban this practice.

MAGA War Chest, Nuclear Subs, and Texas Dems Flee

Consider long-term positions in Tesla (TSLA), reflecting high confidence in Elon Musk's leadership and strategic victories. Conversely, investors should be cautious with the American automotive sector, as companies like General Motors (GM) face significant financial pressure from tariffs. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is presented as a stable, blue-chip investment, benefiting from its CEO's strong political influence and strategic guidance. The cryptocurrency sector, including assets like Bitcoin, shows long-term bullish potential as the industry gains political influence to secure a favorable regulatory future. Finally, the private AI company XAI is highlighted as a strong competitor, representing a key venture for those with access to private markets.

Joe Rogan’s Trump Jabs, Blockbuster Tech Earnings, and Another Tariff Deadline

Consider buying Novo Nordisk (NVO), as the stock appears "over punished" and offers a compelling value opportunity in the massive GLP-1 market. For growth investors, the upcoming Figma IPO is being called the "IPO of the year" due to its exceptional financial strength and market leadership. Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta (META) remain core holdings, as their aggressive AI investments are being heavily rewarded by the market. This trend is amplified by tariff uncertainty, which pushes capital towards these tech giants as relative safe havens. Investors should consider avoiding tariff-sensitive US industrials like Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) for now.

Skydance-Paramount Merger, Ghislaine Pardon Talk, and South Park Skewers Trump

The FCC's approval of the Skydance merger is a significant bullish catalyst for Paramount (PARA), removing a major hurdle for the deal. Investors in legacy media like Disney (DIS) and Comcast (CMCSA) should monitor for volatility as they face heightened political risks regarding their broadcast licenses. Similarly, the conflict between political figures and Elon Musk creates short-term headline risk for Tesla (TSLA) investors. A key long-term opportunity lies in companies with strong Intellectual Property (IP) that can be licensed for new revenue streams in the age of AI. Conversely, be cautious of AI companies that face legal risks from using copyrighted data, a factor to consider for firms like Meta (META).

Epstein Distractions, Columbia’s Big Check, and Tesla Underwhelms

Alphabet (GOOGL) is presented as a strong buying opportunity due to its impressive growth and an attractive valuation below the S&P 500 average. Conversely, investors should be extremely cautious with Tesla (TSLA), as its declining sales create a significant risk of a stock price crash from its high valuation. The analysis suggests avoiding the broader US automotive industry, which faces intense pressure from foreign competitors. Instead, consider international automakers like Toyota (TM), which is seen as benefiting from favorable trade dynamics. The massive spending in the AI arms race continues to benefit key suppliers, making NVIDIA (NVDA) a core holding in this theme.

Trump Sues Murdoch, Colbert Cancellation, and Coldplay Kiss Cam Fallout

Analysts are bearish on Paramount (PARA) due to the unsustainable economics of its late-night television business, which faces a collapsing advertising market. The cancellation of a major show losing $40 million annually signals deep financial trouble and pressure from potential acquirers to cut unprofitable assets. This makes PARA a risky investment and a potential stock to avoid. In contrast, News Corp (NWSA) is viewed more favorably, as a recent high-profile lawsuit is seen as strengthening the brand and credibility of its core Wall Street Journal asset. This reinforces the long-term value of NWSA's premium subscription business, making it a more attractive holding in the media sector.

Epstein Saga Continues, Trump Launches Distractions, and Cuomo Relaunches Campaign

A primary investment theme is the intersection of US Defense & AI, as the future of warfare shifts towards smarter, predictive technologies. Consider key players like Palantir (PLTR), Google (GOOGL), and Microsoft (MSFT), which are securing major Department of Defense contracts for their AI platforms. Bitcoin (BTC) also presents a compelling opportunity, as potential regulatory clarity and growing mainstream acceptance could serve as major catalysts for growth. Finally, the financial sector shows strength, with Goldman Sachs (GS) reporting a record quarter, suggesting large banks are navigating market volatility effectively.

MAGA's Epstein Civil War, SpaceX's xAI investment, and Trump's Rosie Threat

Major tech companies like Google (GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT) are aggressively acquiring AI talent, signaling a strong long-term commitment to dominating the AI sector. Investors in Tesla (TSLA) should recognize their investment is now a bet on Elon Musk's entire ecosystem, which carries significant interconnected risks from SpaceX and xAI. The market may be underestimating the risk of significant tariffs, which could trigger a sharp downturn if implemented. A potential 50% tariff on copper could directly threaten the AI data center buildout, a key driver of recent market gains. Investors should review portfolio exposure to companies reliant on international supply chains, especially in the AI and housing sectors.

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down, Grok's Rant, and Tariffs Galore

Meta (META) is a top pick in social media, capitalizing on turmoil at X with its successful Threads platform and explosive 72% earnings growth. Conversely, investors should be cautious with Tesla (TSLA) due to significant CEO risk, a stale product line, and intense competition from Chinese EV maker BYD. NVIDIA (NVDA) remains a core holding for AI exposure, boasting an exceptionally strong 60% operating margin that highlights its market dominance. For future opportunities, keep a close watch for a potential IPO from SpaceX, which is considered a highly valuable private company with remarkable products like Starlink. Finally, investors should be wary of the upcoming Shein IPO in Hong Kong, as the company faces significant ESG risks related to its labor practices.

Texas Flooding, Trump's Tariff Threats, and Elon's Political Party

Consider Vertical Aerospace (EVTL), which one host called their "biggest investment in 2026" amid a strategic shift towards non-U.S. companies. New government spending is expected to create strong tailwinds for defense contractors and private prison stocks, positioning them as potential winners. Conversely, the broader clean energy and EV sector faces significant headwinds following the removal of the crucial $7,500 EV subsidy. For investors seeking EV exposure, Chinese automaker BYD (BYDDF) is presented as a strong competitor gaining market share from Tesla. Finally, monitor Oracle (ORCL), as a potential acquisition of TikTok's U.S. operations could serve as a major, albeit risky, catalyst for the stock.

Trump and Elon Clash Again, Paramount Settles, and the Fate of the “Big Beautiful Bill”

The forced sale of TikTok presents a potential transformative acquisition opportunity for bidders like Oracle (ORCL) and Blackstone (BX). Paramount's (PARA) recent legal settlement is viewed as a positive step that de-risks its pending merger with Skydance Media. Investors in Tesla (TSLA) should be cautious, as the CEO's public feuds and a sharp drop in global sales create significant risk. Meta (META) is making a high-stakes gamble on AI, and investors should monitor for signs of successful execution from its new super-intelligence division. These event-driven situations in media and technology represent the most significant opportunities and risks to watch.

China's EV Power Play, AI Career Choices, and Time Travel

Consider an investment in BYD (BYDDF), which is viewed as a highly innovative electric vehicle leader making global inroads with its affordable and well-designed cars. Conversely, Tesla (TSLA) is seen as losing its innovative edge and strategically failing by not offering a mass-market vehicle to compete. This competitive pressure also extends to traditional automakers like GM and Ford, who are perceived as lagging in the global EV race. Within the Artificial Intelligence sector, Google (GOOGL) stands out as a strong competitor with its impressive Gemini product developments. For a different AI approach, IBM (IBM) presents a compelling case by focusing on smaller, cost-effective AI models for business clients.

Mamdani's Victory, Iran Nuclear Damage Dispute, and Fed Chair Succession

In the advertising sector, consider Publicis Groupe (PUBGY) as a potential winner over struggling peers like OMC and IPG due to its superior technology integration. Recent court rulings declaring AI training data as "fair use" are a significant bullish development for companies heavily invested in AI, such as Meta (META). These legal victories reduce a major risk for the industry, clearing the path for more aggressive development. Keep a close watch on Netflix (NFLX) for a potential joint venture with the AI company Anthropic. Such a partnership could be a major catalyst for Netflix, creating a new product to compete with TikTok and YouTube.