March 2026 Friday’s e-links: The Best Business Histories

Every once in a while, (and sometimes each day) I listen to a great podcast, enjoy an article, or see a good video that I want to share with you. These are my e-links.

Last updated 3/13/26

All too frequently, podcasts lack the spark that made their first generation from years ago such fun to listen to.  Now, most are boring. But not Acquired. The new podcast I just discovered combines content and enthusiasm. Unusually long, perhaps four hours, the format provides the opportunity to dig in (while the hosts seem to be having a good time).

Listening to their two hour story of Costco, I’ve been fascinated by facts few of us have heard. Starting with the origin of its business plan, that grew from a failed merger, step by step, and anecdote by anecdote, hosts Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal tell the Costco story.

They included this Warren Buffett joke:

My next long listen from Acquired will be about Rolex and then Trader Joe’s.

Do listen. The research is impressive and the hosts are fun!