Ep 1. This Is Where It Begins

WeCrashed is a stunning new podcast series that tells the mesmerizing story of WeWork, a start-up that was once one of the most valued tech companies in the world until it all came crashing down. The show is co-hosted by David Brown and Joanna Lippman, who guide the listener through the complex and fascinating story of WeWork's rise and fall in a way that is incredibly engaging and informative.

The first episode of WeCrashed is titled "This Is Where It Begins", and it sets the stage for the rest of the season by introducing the listener to the key players in the WeWork story and providing some background on how the company got started. The episode opens with a montage of news clips about the downfall of WeWork, which sets a foreboding tone for the rest of the series.

From there, David and Joanna take us back to the early days of WeWork, when the company was just a glimmer in the eye of its founder, Adam Neumann. We learn about Adam's early life, including his childhood in Israel and his time in the Israeli military, which provides some context for his ambitious and often grandiose personality.

The episode also introduces us to other key figures in the WeWork story, including Adam's co-founder, Miguel McKelvey, and some of the company's early investors. We hear about how Adam and Miguel met, and how they came up with the idea for WeWork after struggling to find affordable office space for their own start-up.

One of the most interesting aspects of this episode is the way it explores the culture of WeWork in its early days. We hear about the company's early co-working spaces in New York City, which were designed to be more than just places to work. WeWork's spaces were filled with art, music, and community events, and they quickly became a hub for young entrepreneurs and freelancers.

As the episode progresses, we also learn about some of the challenges that WeWork faced in its early years, including a cash crunch that nearly forced the company to shut down. But despite these setbacks, Adam remained convinced that WeWork was destined for greatness, and he continued to pitch his vision of a "global physical social network" to anyone who would listen.

Overall, "This Is Where It Begins" is a gripping opening to WeCrashed, and it sets the stage for the rest of the season in a compelling way. The episode expertly weaves together interviews with key players in the WeWork story, archival audio clips, and narration from David and Joanna to create a rich and immersive listening experience. Whether you're a fan of true crime podcasts, business stories, or just great storytelling in general, WeCrashed is definitely a series worth checking out.