A new series from the Big Take podcast investigates the booming market for human eggs.

In this episode, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg’s Jessica Brice focus on the Kemptons, an Australian couple who needed donor eggs to get pregnant. They wanted access to a market they felt offered transparency. They especially wanted information about potential donors. What followed was an around-the-world quest to create a family — filled with promise, gutting losses and extreme cost. 

Read more: The Egg

A new series from the Big Take podcast investigates the booming market for human eggs.
In this episode, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg&rsquo;s Jessica Brice focus on the Kemptons, an Australian couple who needed donor eggs to get pregnant. They wanted access to a market they felt offered transparency. They especially wanted information about potential donors. What followed was an around-the-world quest to create a family &mdash; filled with promise, gutting losses and extreme cost.&nbsp;
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-fertility-egg-trade/?srnd=undefined">The Egg</a>

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Big Take

The Human Egg Trade: Episode 3 - The Journey

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c160df6-5196-463f-8bc7-b25a018a7adf/transcript

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether — and how — prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electronic vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond. 

Read more: Surging Gas Prices Reignite EV Interest

Listen more: 
What a $100-Per-Barrel Oil Spike Does to the Global Economy
Zero Podcast: War with Iran is a nightmare for oil and gas. What does it mean for clean energy?

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether &mdash; and how &mdash; prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electronic vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond.&nbsp;
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-14/iran-war-reignites-ev-interest-in-us-markets?srnd=undefined&amp;sref=jjXJRDFv">Surging Gas Prices Reignite EV Interest</a>
Listen more:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://swap.fm/l/Mgn13rogHyma2xLSIq7M">What a $100-Per-Barrel Oil Spike Does to the Global Economy</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Zero Podcast: <a href="http://swap.fm/l/fbyVpAMyW2vNlnWfvKXa">War with Iran is a nightmare for oil and gas. What does it mean for clean energy?</a></li>
</ul>
Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson.
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

$100 to Fill Up Your Tank? Some Drivers Say No Thanks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cbbc7696-331e-42e5-8305-b4160155272c/transcript

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take,with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery.

The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 here.

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery.
The Sixth Bureau&nbsp;from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness &mdash; and a cunning FBI sting &mdash; led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.
The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/the-sixth-bureau/">here</a>.

The Sixth Bureau Episode 6: Nothing Is Holy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6ebc1e56-47b9-4ed0-bdf4-b41300f204bd/transcript

Has Iran laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz? With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. However, even the possibility that the area has been mined suggests that a recovery could be slow.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global defense editor, Gerry Doyle, tells David Gura about the challenges of clearing mines — especially before the shooting stops.

Read more: 
Mines, Missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz
Mine-Sweeping Drones Don’t Eliminate The Risks For Clearing Hormuz

Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Gerry Doyle; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

Has Iran laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz? With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. However, even the possibility that the area has been mined suggests that a recovery could be slow.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s global defense editor, Gerry Doyle, tells David Gura about the challenges of clearing mines &mdash; especially before the shooting stops.
Read more:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-03-17/mines-missiles-and-the-strait-of-hormuz?srnd=undefined">Mines, Missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-16/mine-sweeping-drones-are-imperfect-way-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz">Mine-Sweeping Drones Don&rsquo;t Eliminate The Risks For Clearing Hormuz</a></li>
</ul>
Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Gerry Doyle; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz Is Going to Take Awhile

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/263c430c-d7b2-4d12-8723-b412015851ea/transcript

The Human Egg Trade: Episode 3 - The Journey

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