Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | We've Got Beef

January 8, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: Structured interview podcast episode from Business Wars, split into two segments: host chats with reporters on plant-based meat's rise/fall and industry intrigue.
The Key Players:
- Dina Shanker: Bloomberg Businessweek reporter who covered packaged foods; tracked Beyond Meat and Impossible from buzzy launches to struggles—offers insider taste tests and financial scoops.
- Clint Rainey: Fast Company investigative journalist; dug into alleged "big beef" smear campaigns against fake meat.
- Host David Brown: Guides banter with personal asides (e.g., wife's meat aversion), keeps it lively.
The Vibe: Educational with punchy business drama—fun nostalgia for 2019 hype, intense on flops and conspiracies, optimistic undertones on pivots.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Dina Shanker (Bloomberg Businessweek reporter on packaged foods)**
2 (02:08) **Early Buzz and Taste Tests**
3 (04:25) **Total Addressable Market Strategy**
4 (06:29) **Product Comparisons and Iterations**
5 (09:01) **Target Consumers and Marketing**
6 (11:02) **Health Claims and Ultra-Processed Reality**
7 (14:45) **Stock Rollercoaster and Meme Surge**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

This fall, Beyond Meat became a meme stock, surging …and then falling right back down. For years, alternative meat companies Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have struggled to win over customers en masse. Deena Shanker of Bloomberg Businessweek explains where the companies lost their way, and whether they can survive another year. Later, journalist Clint Rainey walks us through his investigation for Fast Company where Beyond and Impossible claimed they were victims of a social media disinformation campaign funded by “Big Beef.” So were the rumors true? Clint breaks it down.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.