The Man Who Built Blackstone Into a $1.3 Trillion Empire

As chief executive of Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman helped transform modern finance by moving private equity into the mainstream. The company is now the world’s largest alternative asset manager with a portfolio worth $1.3 trillion. On this episode of Leaders, he speaks with Francine Lacqua about spotting economic shifts before they show up in public data, investing early in artificial intelligence and where the world is heading next.Watch the interviewBloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/btv/series/leaders-with-lacqua Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaeHzTS6Pck&t=500s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala spent her early career fighting corruption, at great personal cost. Today, she leads the World Trade Organization at a time of unprecedented disruption. On this episode of Leaders, she speaks with Francine Lacqua about her work in Nigeria and how it led to her mother's abduction, how the US trade war and geopolitics are putting tremendous strain on global trade and why it’s time to re-imagine globalization.Watch the interviewBloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/btv/series/leaders-with-lacquaYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPSeumz6sgISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After spending decades advising CEOs and studying leadership, Harvard Business School professor and author Linda Hill has developed a clear view of what makes great leaders—and where many fall short. In this episode of Leaders with Francine Lacqua, Hill explains why today's most successful executives prioritize collaboration over charisma, embrace constructive conflict and create organizations that can adapt to constant change. She also shares how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership and the skills the next generation of executives will need to thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Harvard Business School Professor, Linda Hill. Here's a preview of their chat, where Hill talks about how high levels of emotional intelligence can empower those around you to make decisions. Check out the full interview when it drops on August 17. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Staveley has spent decades connecting Middle East investors with Britain's biggest dealmaking opportunities. On Leaders with Francine Lacqua, the PCP Capital Partners chief executive describes how she started out, the negotiations behind the Manchester City and Newcastle United deals and the historic rescue of Barclays during the financial crisis.This interview was recorded before Bloomberg and others reported that a consortium that Amanda Staveley leads has agreed to buy a 25% stake in English club West Ham United for £150 million. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-01/amanda-staveley-agrees-west-ham-stake-teeing-up-clash-with-kretinsky?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with PCP Capital Partners Chief Executive Amanda Staveley. Here's a preview of their conversation, where Staveley looks back on the audacious Barclays fundraising deal that established her as one of Britain's best-known dealmakers. Check out the full interview when it drops on August 3. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Leaders with Francine Lacqua, she speaks with Honeywell Technologies Chief Executive and Chair Vimal Kapur about his journey from entry-level engineer in India to leading one of the world’s biggest industrial companies. He explains why he chose to split Honeywell into three businesses, how he navigated pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management and why he believes artificial intelligence will reshape work by augmenting people — not replacing them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Honeywell Chief Executive Vimal Kapur. Here's a preview of their conversation, where Kapur explains why he made the bold decision to split up one of America's largest industrial companies, how AI and aerospace reshaped Honeywell's strategy, and why he saw an activist investor as an ally rather than an obstacle in transforming the business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francine Lacqua speaks with tennis legend Rafael Nadal about the mindset that fueled his extraordinary career. They explore how resilience, unwavering determination and even self-doubt drove him to overcome repeated injuries and become one of tennis's greatest champions. Nadal also opens up about life after retirement, explaining why he still needs goals every day as he builds businesses, grows his academy, and explores what's next beyond the court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with tennis superstar Rafael Nadal. Here's a preview of their conversation, where he speaks about overcoming career-threatening injuries and why self-doubt has been one of his greatest motivators. Check out the full interview on Monday, July 6. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.