Two weeks ago, the WeightWatchers board ousted CEO Sima Sistani, who helmed the company for two-and-a-half years, appointing board member Tara Comonte interim CEO. During that time, the company has radically altered its business model to stay competitive in the Ozempic era. Cohost Yasmin Gange analyzes what this leadership change signals for the company’s strategy. Also, ‘Fast Company’ associate editor David Salazar talks with Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. His tenure of the past 3 years comes amid a cultural discussion about whether or not the Grammys and the Academy are still relevant. They chatted about diversifying the Grammy voting process, advocating for artists, and how Mason feels about AI in the music industry.

Over the past week, it was announced that Mira Murati, CTO of OpenAI, would be the latest to depart the company. This leaves Sam Altman as the last remaining leader from the early days of OpenAI, signaling a clear shift in direction. And maybe most importantly, the company has abandoned its nonprofit status and become a for-profit benefit corporation. ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris talks through these changes and what it could mean for the future of OpenAI. Also, Shion Kaji, father of Ryan Kaji of Ryan’s World, and Albie Hecht of pocket.watch talk about working with child stars and creative influence across platforms, from YouTube to the big screen.

Alabama’s ecosystem of innovation is built on the strength of its entrepreneurs, workforce, policymakers, and community leaders. Leading economic development at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Carter Wells has long worked at the intersection of these stakeholders, fueling innovation, collaboration, and impact across 45 biotech companies in the state. In this custom episode, learn how Carter connects Alabama’s best institutions, organizations, and people behind HudsonAlpha’s mission — and how Alabama creates an ecosystem for this mission to thrive.

If you were on YouTube in the Golden Age of BuzzFeed videos, there’s a good chance you remember the Try Guys, a group of four friends, who hosted a hugely popular series about trying new experiences. Like many BuzzFeed creators, the four eventually left to start their own production company, 2nd Try. But a couple years ago, the ‘guys’ were thrust into the spotlight when one of them was caught having an affair with an employee and left the company. We got to talk with two of the original guys, Zach Kornfeld and Keith Habersberger, about navigating the upheaval and their strategy around YouTube and 2nd Try’s new streaming platform.

Also, Stephanie Smellie, head of business development at Patreon, talks about how the platform supports podcasters and other creators in building a unique relationship with their audiences.

This week, we’re recording the show at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival using a modular soundproof booth from ROOM. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer, who covers advertising and branding, returns to talk about the latest ads and over-the-top videos from brands including Pepsi, the NFL, and Progressive—and the nearly-11-minute-long promo video, ‘ManningCast: The Musical.’ Also, how are brands responding to the backlash against DEI, and who’s going against the trends?

Plus, Robinhood cofounder and CEO Vlad Tenev shares about his company’s growth since the GameStop chaos of 2021, the regulation he’d like to see for cryptocurrency, and how he thinks about AI as a new language tool.

The Fast Company Innovation Festival begins next week for the 10th year, and to celebrate the anniversary, we’re highlighting 10 of the most innovative people in various industries and sectors. ‘Fast Company’ editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan chats about how the list was chosen, and what’s remarkable about each person. And Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy shares about how the brand with such a strong cultural link to millennial fashion works to reach all generations of makeup fans.

Tickets are still available for the Innovation Festival! Please join us for four days of inspired conversation, purposeful networking, and meaningful takeaways.

Last week, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris. French authorities detained and charged him in connection to an investigation related to a dozen different charges, including money laundering and child abuse. Telegram has become notorious for its laissez-faire approach to moderation and celebrated by right wing groups as an anti-government, anti-liberal home for channels and messaging. The platform is used by everyone from French and Russian government officials to the Ukrainian military. ‘Fast Company’ contributing editor Alex Pasternack chats about Pavel Durov’s background and what the case means for social media moderation in the U.S. and internationally.

Also, Damian Bradfield, cofounder and chief creative officer of WeTransfer, discusses how his file-sharing company used advertising and a unique approach to creative tools to morph into a digital arts platform.

In this custom episode from FastCo Works and Williams, Kathleen Koch chats with Williams executive VP of corporate strategic development Chad Zamarin. They break down the rapid growth of energy demand due to the rise of data centers and AI and the need for clean tech—and what the U.S. needs to do to keep pace.

Will Packer is a film, television, and podcast producer who has worked in Hollywood for more than 20 years, making movies like ‘Ride Along,’ ‘The Wedding Ringer,’ and ‘Girls Trip.’ He also has a book on the way next year, ‘Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big,’ about the stories and lessons he’s learned in the entertainment industry. Will’s latest show, ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,’ premieres September 5 on Peacock, and tells the story of Muhammad Ali’s famous fight in Atlanta and the massive theft that followed. He chatted about his experiences as a producer, where he finds story inspiration, and one of his biggest accomplishments: convincing Beyoncé to change her mind.

Also, Anu Duggal, founding partner of Female Founders Fund, talks about how things have changed, or not, for female entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem. After 10 years in seed-funding for companies, she sees optimism in climate tech, but AI? . . . Not so much.

Last week in a major shakeup, Starbucks announced the appointment of Brian Niccol as its new chairman and CEO. Niccol, then CEO of Chipotle, will succeed Starbucks’s Laxman Narasimhan, who is stepping down immediately from the position he’s held for only 17 months. For a company that has aggressively claimed it does not make fast food, this could signal a shift in how Starbucks views itself . . . and how it attempts to regain the 20% in market cap that it’s lost. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey discusses the coffee chain’s past mission and values, and how different leadership has shifted the brand’s focus.

Also, we talk with rapper Saweetie about her successful brand partnerships with Postmates and McDonald’s, and her perspective on growing her own brand and image. And Candace Bushnell, author of ‘Sex and the City’ (the book!), chats about looking back on her writing and TV career and what stories she wants women to see today.