Author: openjargon

• BlackRock announced that 5 new technologists are joining its elite Tech Fellows program.
• Tech Fellows help drive BlackRock's technology strategy and culture.
• Meet the five newest fellows, who span operations and geographies.

The holidays came early for five BlackRock employees, who joined an elite circle of some of the firm's most accomplished technologists on Tuesday.

They became members of BlackRock's Tech Fellows program, a group of 24 senior technologists playing a crucial role in the $13.5 trillion firm's vision and operations.

This year's members underwent a rigorous application process — from being nominated to completing written evaluations and interviews — before being voted into the program by current fellows, Nish Ajitsaria, BlackRock's co-head of Aladdin product engineering and executive sponsor of AI, and the co-executive sponsor of the program, said.

"We think about the combination of technical expertise, domain expertise, commercial mindset, but really lifting the platform, the culture, the experience across the firm," said Ajitsaria, who has been involved with Tech Fellows since it launched in 2020. Many of this year's fellows are credited with mentoring other technologists, according to an internal announcement shared with Business Insider.

Technologists are gaining more and more influence on Wall Street as firms race to adopt AI. BlackRock has long positioned itself as equal parts financial technology company and asset manager. Aladdin — the firm's sprawling risk and portfolio management platform — underpins its client relationships, and tech-related revenue is among its fastest-growing businesses. BlackRock's technology services and subscription revenue jumped 28% year-on-year over the last quarter, fueled by Aladdin and the integration of newly acquired Preqin's private-markets data business, the firm reported in its latest earnings.

Four of this year's fellows work in Aladdin, though Ajitsaria said that the group has always represented a wide swath of the firm's businesses.

"We are also really deliberate about leveraging and applying our tech fellows to the firm's most critical technology initiatives," Ajitsaria said. As of 2023, one in every third BlackRock employee was a software engineer or technologist, according to a document about the firm.

Fellows meet internally at least once a month and are expected to foster the firm's engineering culture both internally and externally — they might, for example, contribute to BlackRock's engineering blog or attend conferences, Ajitsaria said.

BlackRock has set high targets for the year 2030, when it aims to reach $35 billion in annual revenue and fundraising $400 billion in private markets. As Ajitsaria said, "the 2030 vision of BlackRock is very much underpinned by technology."

These five new fellows have just become a more integral part of that vision.

David Woodhead

As the head of Aladdin Studio Engineering for Aladdin Data, David Woodhead has spearheaded the effort to "open Aladdin," giving stakeholders access to the platform's data and analytics models, among other tools. He's recognized for "championing modern data platforms, cloud-native technologies, and open-source adoption," according to the internal announcement. Woodhead has helped craft the very architecture of Aladdin.

Beyond his role at Aladdin Studio, Woodhead also oversees services that give Aladdin and its clients reference, market, and other third-party data. He joined BlackRock in 2006 and is based in Virginia, serving as a managing director.

Kirsty Craig

Kirsty Craig has been at BlackRock for 15 years and now serves as the head of research, data, and AI strategy for portfolio management tech. She's shaped how the firm uses AI and data science in investment research. While Craig is this year's only fellow who doesn't work within the Aladdin program, she has forged collaboration between the investment and technology teams.

Craig has worked in offices in Edinburgh, San Francisco, and now Philadelphia, and is currently a managing director.

Infant Vasanth

New York-based director Infant Vasanth is known for his work pushing BlackRock's internal research and automation platform forward. He joined the firm in 2011 and is now a senior director of engineering, running the team behind an analytics and automation platform.

Vasanth, an advocate for open-source, often speaks at tech conferences and is the brain behind multiple patent filings. He also leads a team focused on Aladdin Studio's AI abilities.

"Drawing on deep expertise in neural networks and pattern-recognition algorithms, he applies research rigor to building enterprise-scale AI systems," the announcement said.

Michael Duncan

Michael Duncan, a director and engineering lead on Aladdin's Trading Engineering team, is the architect behind a collection of tools dubbed BlackRock's Xceler Ecosystem, which is now integral across Aladdin and has helped raise engineering standards. His team is in charge of "delivering multi-asset trading solutions and technology across global markets," and Duncan has improved its abilities.

Beyond that, Duncan is the global engineering lead for part of Aladdin and leads a client support and performance engineering program.

Duncan joined BlackRock in 2020 and is based in Chicago.

Charlie Johnston

New York-based Charlie Johnston joined BlackRock as a summer intern in 2013 and has worked his way up to being a director. A software engineer, he has improved the quality of the asset management giant's code and development processes.

"Charlie's technical contributions and collaborative approach have strengthened the engineering community across Aladdin," the internal announcement reads.

• I recently spent two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in Florida.
• It was my first time staying in a Ritz-Carlton hotel, and a few things surprised me about the chain.
• I wasn't expecting to have access to two locations. I was also surprised by some of the amenities.

I didn't anticipate developing an appreciation for golf. I didn't think I'd find myself in a lazy river. And I definitely didn't expect to have access to two resorts.

But my first-ever stay at a Ritz-Carlton hotel was full of surprises.

This was in October 2025, when I spent two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in Naples, Florida. My stay would have been about $800 a night, but Business Insider received a media rate.

I'm not typically one for hotel chains, but the Ritz-Carlton is an iconic luxury brand, so I decided to give it a try.

When I was planning my trip, I didn't realize that there were two Ritz-Carlton resorts less than five miles apart.

When I arrived at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, my reservation was nowhere to be found. I was riddled with anxiety until an employee informed me that I was at the wrong location.

My stay was about five miles east at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. I didn't realize the city had two locations, and I was surprised to find out they were so close to each other.

I didn't expect to have access to both locations.

Guests of each Ritz-Carlton have access to all amenities at both locations, and a shuttle service runs between them. I was stoked because I'd never stayed at a hotel with this perk.

I was surprised that the hotels were completely different.

After spending some time at each, I found that the resorts offered completely different experiences.

While both were extremely luxurious, the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón was centered on golf, while the Ritz-Carlton, Naples was on the beach. The former was quieter and seemed to cater to an older crowd, while the latter felt busier with a wide range of ages.

I appreciated being able to spend the day at the bustling beach resort and retiring to the calmer Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.

At the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, I didn't expect to find golf courses where the pros play.

I've never held a putter outside mini golf, so I wasn't expecting to be at all interested in the hotel's two courses. Then I learned that they host three pro tournaments every year, according to the company's website.

Even though golf isn't my thing, I instantly got excited for guests who love it. As a baseball fan, I thought about how elated I'd be by the opportunity to play at a major league stadium. So I ended up really appreciating the golf courses at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.

I'd never stayed at a hotel with a lazy river before.

The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón isn't just for golfers. The hotel has a small water park next to the pool area with tall, winding slides and a lazy river.

I'd stayed at hotels that had water slides before, but I'd never even heard of one with a lazy river. I'm not much of a thrill seeker, so I was excited to partake in a leisurely water activity. I hopped into an inflatable tube and looked up at the palm trees swaying in the breeze as I floated around the shady loop.

I was in awe of the lobby bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

On my second day in Naples, I took the shuttle to the hotel chain's other location on the beach. When I stepped inside, I was stunned by the most beautiful bar I'd ever seen in a hotel lobby.

Renovated in 2023, RITZ Lobby Bar was designed to feel celebratory, according to the hotel's website. And I think they nailed it.

Dainty light fixtures dangled from the ceiling above, arched windows flooded the room with light, and gold accents brought the room together.

The biggest surprise was that I'd book the hotel chain again.

As a lover of boutique hotels and unique stays, I didn't expect to be blown away by the Ritz-Carlton. But since two locations in the same city offered completely different experiences, I'm intrigued to see what other Ritz-Carlton resorts are like.

• White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles opened up about Elon Musk's time leading DOGE.
• In interviews with Vanity Fair, she called Musk an "odd duck" and an "avowed ketamine" user.
• She also said she was "aghast" at the Musk-led dismantling of USAID.

One of President Donald Trump's top aides has some thoughts on Elon Musk.

In a series of interviews with Vanity Fair published on Tuesday, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles weighed in on Musk's time as the de facto leader of DOGE, her thoughts on the Musk-led shuttering of USAID, and Musk's personality quirks.

"The challenge with Elon is keeping up with him," Wiles told the outlet, calling Musk an "avowed ketamine" user who "sleeps in a sleeping bag" in an office building adjacent to the White House during the daytime. "He's an odd, odd duck, as I think geniuses are. You know, it's not helpful, but he is his own person."

Asked about a meme Musk had reposted and later unshared about public sector workers murdering people under the dictatorships of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong, Wiles said: "I think that's when he's microdosing."

In June, Musk denied being a current ketamine user, writing on X that he was "NOT taking drugs." He said he'd had a prescription for the drug "a few years ago" but hadn't taken it since then.

Reached for further comment on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Musk's xAI told Business Insider: "Legacy Media Lies."

In a separate interview on Monday with the New York Times, Wiles denied commenting on Musk's drug use, saying she "wouldn't have said it and I wouldn't know." But the Times reported that the journalist Chris Whipple, who interviewed Wiles for Vanity Fair, played a tape for the Times in which she could be heard making the comments.

One of the most notable features of Musk's White House tenure was the sudden dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.

"I was initially aghast," Wiles told Vanity Fair. "Because I think anybody that pays attention to government and has ever paid attention to USAID believed, as I did, that they do very good work."

Wiles said the dismantling of USAID was "not the way" she would do it, and that she told Musk that he "can't just lock people out of their offices."

"Elon's attitude is you have to get it done fast. If you're an incrementalist, you just won't get your rocket to the moon," Wiles said. "And so with that attitude, you're going to break some china. But no rational person could think the USAID process was a good one. Nobody."

Musk left the White House in the spring and had a falling-out with Trump over the "Big Beautiful Bill," though the two men appear to have mended their relationship in recent months.

Wiles wrote on X on Tuesday morning that the Vanity Story was a "disingenuously framed hit piece," and that "significant context was disregarded" in order to "paint an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative about the President and our team."

Asked about Wiles's comments, the White House sent Business Insider a supportive statement from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has helped President Trump achieve the most successful first 11 months in office of any President in American history," Leavitt said. "President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie. The entire Administration is grateful for her steady leadership and united fully behind her."

• I made Ina Garten's ravioli en brodo soup, an Italian twist on chicken noodle. 
• The soup features cheese ravioli, plus carrots, celery, and Parmesan cheese. 
• I've made over 40 of Garten's recipes, and the ravioli en brodo is one of my absolute favorites.

After making my way through Ina Garten's delicious pastas and desserts, I decided to try some of her comforting soups. 

I've whipped up the Barefoot Contessa's savory chicken chili and soothing minestrone, but the soup I've been most excited to try was her ravioli en brodo — an Italian spin on chicken noodle. 

I also decided to challenge myself and make Garten's homemade chicken stock for this dish, and it was definitely worth the extra effort. Here's how it went.

A day before I made Ina Garten's ravioli en brodo, I whipped up her homemade chicken stock.

Ravioli en brodo appears in Garten's most recent cookbook, "Go-To Dinners." She said the key to its flavor is "rich homemade chicken stock."

I usually take the quicker option because, as the Barefoot Contessa herself says, "store-bought is fine!" But since the broth is clearly the star of this dish, I decided to try her homemade chicken stock instead.

To make Garten's homemade chicken stock, you'll need:

• 3 (5-pound) roasting chickens
• 3 large yellow onions, unpeeled and quartered
• 6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
• 4 celery stalks with leaves, cut into thirds
• 4 parsnips, unpeeled and halved
• 20 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 20 sprigs of fresh dill
• 15 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 head of garlic, unpeeled and cut in half
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons of whole black peppercorns (not ground)

Place all the ingredients in a 16- to 20-quart stockpot, add 7 quarts of water, and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat and simmer your stock uncovered, skimming off any foam that comes to the top, for at least four hours. (I let it simmer for about six.)

Let the stock cool, then strain through a colander and discard the solids.

Garten's ravioli en brodo features the homemade stock, plus plenty of veggies.

To make Garten's ravioli en brodo for a serving of 4-6, you'll need:

• 8 cups of chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 2 cups of chopped yellow onions (about 2 onions)
• 2 cups of (½-inch thick) diagonally sliced carrots (about 3-5 carrots)
• 1 ½ cups of (½-inch) diced celery (3 ribs)
• 1 ½ cups of (½-inch) diced fennel, top and core removed
• 1 Italian Parmesan cheese rind (about 2 x 3 inches)
• 1 pound of cheese ravioli, fresh or frozen
• Freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Minced fresh dill or parsley, for serving
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice, for serving

I began by prepping my vegetables.

I chopped the onions, peeled and sliced the carrots, and diced the celery and fennel.

I threw my veggies in a pot and sautéed them for 15 minutes.

I added ¼ cup of olive oil to a pot placed over medium heat. Then, I threw in the onions, celery, carrots, and fennel and cooked them for 15 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally until they had softened.

Then, I added the homemade chicken stock.

I also threw in 2 cups of water, per Garten's instructions.

I threw in the Parmesan rind and seasoned the broth with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper.

One thing I've learned in my soup-making season is that a Parmesan rind can add so much extra flavor to your broth.

As explained by Food & Wine, the Parmesan rind — which is completely edible — releases a "savory and nutty" depth as it begins to melt and also helps give soups a "silky consistency."

You can store Parmesan rinds in a Ziploc bag in your freezer for up to a year, so it's always on hand whenever you need to add a little more umami to your dinner.

I brought my soup to a boil, then lowered the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Garten says you should let the soup simmer partially uncovered.

While the soup was simmering, I prepped the ingredients I needed for serving.

I grated my Parmesan cheese and minced some dill for the soup toppings.

I also began to cook the ravioli.

I cooked my ravioli in a pot of boiling water with two tablespoons of salt for about four minutes.

Every pasta is different, so make sure to follow the specific directions on the package of your ravioli.

I drained the ravioli and spread them out on two plates.

Garten says doing this step will ensure the ravioli squares don't stick together.

Once my soup was done simmering, I removed the Parmesan rind.

It was time for dinner!

Per Garten's instructions, I placed the ravioli in a bowl before adding the soup.

I started with four raviolis but quickly realized I wanted more.

I poured the broth over my ravioli, then sprinkled Parmesan and dill on top — along with a squeeze of lemon juice.

There's something about this soup that just looks so elegant and impressive. The broth has such a lovely golden hue, and the pops of color from the carrots and dill give it a rustic charm.

And did I mention it smelled phenomenal?

Garten's ravioli en brodo is one of my all-time favorite recipes by the Barefoot Contessa.

I've made nearly 50 Barefoot Contessa dishes over the past few years, and her ravioli en brodo soup is one of the best. The broth is so rich and full-bodied that it really blew me away. I made this for my fiancé for dinner one night, and he couldn't resist getting seconds (and thirds).

"A lot of broths are kind of bland or lacking, but this broth alone was just exploding with flavor," he told me.

The dill and lemon also add some lovely brightness to the soup, which pairs perfectly with the cheesy pasta. I opted for a cacio e pepe ravioli and would highly recommend it, as I loved that extra kick of pepper.

My only complaint about Garten's ravioli en brodo is that it has forever ruined store-bought chicken stock for me. However, an extra day of work is absolutely worth it for this soup, which I know I'll be making again and again.

• iRobot, the maker of the Roomba, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after financial struggles.
• A failed $1.4 billion Amazon acquisition contributed to iRobot's financial woes.
• Here's how the pioneering robotics company ended up here.

iRobot, the maker of the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week after years of mounting financial struggles and a failed $1.4 billion acquisition deal with Amazon.

The 35-year-old company once reigned supreme in the world of robotic vacuums, but its dominance waned amid rising competition from lower-cost rivals and weakening consumer demand.

Here's a look back at how this once mighty, pioneering robotics company arrived at this moment.

iRobot was founded by MIT roboticists

iRobot was founded in 1990 by three roboticists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Colin Angle, Helen Greiner, and Rodney Brooks — who had a "vision of making practical robots a reality," the company says on its website.

Before the Roomba, iRobot made robots for military use

iRobot focused on designing robots for space-related research and military use in its early years.

In 1998, the Massachusetts-based company won a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA, to build a tactical mobile robot. This led to the development of iRobot's PackBot, which was later used in search operations at Manhattan's Ground Zero following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The launch of the Roomba

In 2002, iRobot had its consumer breakthrough with its debut of the Roomba, its iconic self-cleaning disc-shaped vacuum.

Over the next two decades, the company went on to release dozens of Roomba models. It has sold over 50 million models globally since.

iRobot goes public

iRobot went public in November 2005 with its IPO priced at $24 per share. It began trading its shares on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol IRBT.

By then, the company was well known for its robot vacuums, and by 2013, iRobot had sold over 10 million home cleaning robots.

The company hit its highest annual revenue in 2021

iRobot saw its annual revenue peak in 2021 at $1.56 billion, but sales have been falling ever since.

Sales dropped, in part, thanks to stiffer competition from Chinese rivals like Dreame, Roborock, and Ecovacs, as well as other brands such as Shark and Samsung.

The failed Amazon-iRobot deal

Amazon agreed to buy iRobot in 2022 for $61 per share in an all-cash transaction, but the deal collapsed two years later with the companies saying there was "no path to regulatory approval in the European Union."

The same day the companies announced that the proposed merger was scrapped in January 2024, iRobot cut 31% of its staff, and Angle, iRobot's cofounder and longtime CEO, also stepped down.

iRobot sounded the alarm about its business

In a March 2025 earnings report, iRobot said there was "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to continue.

The company struggles to find a new buyer

iRobot attempted to find a new buyer after its deal with Amazon collapsed. In an October 2025 regulatory filing, it said the last remaining potential acquirer pulled out "following a lengthy period of exclusive negotiations."

The company warned that without fresh funding, it "may be forced to significantly curtail or cease operations and would likely seek bankruptcy protection."

iRobot files for bankruptcy

iRobot filed for Chapter 11 on December 14 and said the company would be acquired by its China-based primary contract manufacturer and lender, Picea Robotics, through a court-supervised process. Under the deal, iRobot would be taken private.

The company said it expects to continue to operate as normal and does not anticipate any disruption to its core operations, including its app and ongoing product support.

"The transaction will strengthen our financial position and will help deliver continuity for our consumers, customers, and partners," said iRobot CEO Gary Cohen.

• McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski shared his top career tip that might "hurt your feelings."
• The fast food chain executive said young workers should look out for their own careers.
• His comments come amid a broader shift away from loyalty between employees and employers.

As winter temps drop, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski is sharing some cold, hard facts.

The 57-year-old fast-food executive recently shared his top career tip in a viral Instagram video, warning that it might "hurt your feelings."

"Remember, nobody cares about your career as much as you do," Kempczinski said.

"This idea that there's somebody out there who's looking out for you, who's going to make sure that you get that opportunity, who puts you in the right thing — great if it happens," he said. "You've got to make things happen for yourself."

Kempczinski is, of course, not the first corporate leader to make this observation.

Several, including Business Insider founder Henry Blodget, have for years recommended that workers "be the CEO of your career."

"When people enter the workforce, they often imagine that their job and career success and satisfaction is someone else's responsibility," Blodget wrote in 2023.

Blodget said that some school and early-career situations involve predictable requirements and progressions, often with a mentor whose job it is to help you succeed. However, that model often stops working sooner or later, leaving the individual solely responsible for their own direction.

Kempczinski's comments also come amid a broader shift away from loyalty between employees and employers, a shift that was probably best summarized earlier this year in a memo from AT&T CEO John Stankey.

"I understand that some of you may have started your tour with this company expecting an 'employment deal' rooted in loyalty, tenure, and conformance with the associated compensation, work structure, and benefits," Stankey said. "We have consciously shifted away from some of these elements and towards a more market-based culture — focused on rewarding capability, contribution, and commitment."

In an earlier video, Kempczinski shared a key tip to help workers get control over their time, energy, and attention: "Be organized."

Kempczinski said he keeps a tidy email inbox, computer, and workspace.

"Staying organized is a way to make me stay focused," he said.

Taken together, it's safe to say that you should keep track of what you need to do for your own life and career because nobody else is going to do it for you.

• Google cofounder Sergey Brin said he asks Gemini Live about data center costs while driving.
• Brin said he's been using an unreleased version as the current Gemini Live AI is backed by an "ancient model."
• "Give me a few weeks to actually ship what I have access to," he said during a recent Stanford panel interview.

Sergey Brin has been dogfooding Google's AI on his commute.

The Google cofounder has been back in the thick of the company's AI development after stepping down as president of Alphabet in 2019, returning in recent years to work on Gemini.

At a Stanford University panel last week, an audience member asked Brin how he stayed sharp. What podcasts did Brin listen to in the car?

"I do talk to Gemini Live in the car often," Brin said. "I just talk to it about stuff on my drive."

Brin gave an example of what he asked Gemini Live while driving: "I want to develop a data center, I need how many hundreds of megawatts of this kind of power, that kind of power, how much it's going to cost."

Gemini Live is Google's voice-enabled AI chatbot. The company first demoed the product in May 2024 at Google I/O and made it freely available in September 2024.

For car-chatting enthusiasts, Brin recommended drivers "shouldn't do it now, because we have a way better version coming."

"The publicly available version right now is not the good version," he said. "Give me a few weeks to actually ship what I have access to."

Brin said that the current available version of Gemini Live is backed by an "ancient model."

Google's recent model updates have made waves in the AI world. In November, the company debuted Gemini 3. The model is more visual, Google said, and its "most factual" model to date.

Gemini 3 was also the first model Google added directly to search on day one. Users could immediately access it by clicking "AI Mode," rather than having to visit a separate app or website.

The other LLM makers took note. Meta employees now have access to Gemini 3 Pro.

On the panel, Brin acknowledged that his answer to the driving question seemed "kind of self-advertising." He does listen to some podcasts, he said.

"The 'All In' guys are actually one of my favorites," he said. Brin has appeared on the podcast multiple times.

• Netflix will exclusively host over a dozen iHeartMedia video podcasts starting in 2026.
• The deal includes shows like "The Breakfast Club" but excludes some of iHeart's other top podcasts.
• The deal is part of Netflix's effort to capitalize on the growing popularity of video podcasts.

Netflix just made its second big podcast move, announcing a deal with iHeartMedia to exclusively host the video versions of more than a dozen of its shows.

Those shows include "The Breakfast Club," cohosted by popular radio personality Charlamagne tha God; true crime show "My Favorite Murder"; and "Dear Chelsea" with Chelsea Handler.

Netflix said the shows will launch on its platform in early 2026 in the US, with other markets to follow.

Netflix stressed the variety of the shows available through the deal. Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia's CEO, said it let his company complement its audio foundation with a leading video-first service. The video versions of the shows will only be available on Netflix — and crucially won't be on YouTube — while iHeartMedia retains the audio-only rights and distribution.

The deal is Netflix's second big foray into video podcasts after announcing a similar deal with Spotify in October for shows including "The Bill Simmons Podcast," "The Rewatchables," and "Conspiracy Theories."

Netflix's move into video podcasts is part of a broader effort to expand its content offerings beyond its core of TV series and movies. The streamer has added content from YouTubers like Ms. Rachel, sports programming, and even games as its engagement time has flattened. Netflix is also seeking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studios business.

Besides its Spotify and iHeartMedia deals, Netflix has explored potential pacts with individual podcasters, including Alex Cooper of "Call Her Daddy" fame, two people familiar with the talks previously told Business Insider. Netflix has also been looking to hire a video podcast executive.

The streamer told potential partners it wants to have 50 to 75 shows when its video podcasts launch in early 2026, two dealmakers previously told Business Insider, with one hearing the platform was looking to build that number to as many as 200 over time.

The iHeartMedia deal checks a few boxes for Netflix, which, in keeping with its stated goal of serving everyone, has been seeking shows across various genres, including pop culture, true crime, sports, and comedy. "The Breakfast Club" is the 15th most listened to podcast, according to Edison Research, and its daily format could help Netflix establish itself as a routine destination. The deal notably doesn't include iHeartMedia's other podcasts in the top 50, including the flagship "Stuff You Should Know," "Club Shay Shay," and "On Purpose with Jay Shetty."

Netflix's podcast negotiations have, in general, been complicated by the fact that video distribution rights are often controlled by a mix of the host and the network.

For some podcasters, being on Netflix offers a potential new audience and the prestige of being part of a curated offering. However, for others, Netflix's demand for video exclusivity would mean giving up the important ad revenue and reach they gain on YouTube, and potentially alienating their fans who find them there.

There are also questions about how much Netflix will promote the shows and what viewer data it'll share with hosts, who are accustomed to receiving robust data on their shows from YouTube.

Podcasts are mostly an audio experience, but people are increasingly watching them in video form. An Edison Research report in July found that over half (51%) of people in the US 12 and up said they had watched a video podcast, with 37% having watched one in the previous month.

• Instagram launched Instagram for TV, bringing Reels to Amazon Fire TV devices in the US.
• The app groups Reels into channels like trending comedy, sports, and travel gems.
• Instagram's VP of product said users were already finding ways to cast Reels to their TV.

If you miss the days of gathering around the TV surfing channels, you're in luck.

Instagram launched Instagram for TV on Tuesday, bringing its popular Reels content to the big screen via Amazon Fire TV devices.

The app, which is first being rolled out in the US, groups Reels into channels, including trending comedy, sports, or hidden travel gems. Users can choose a channel and start watching, with the Reels playing automatically.

Instagram for TV is part of the platform's ongoing effort to adapt to the ways users are connecting via the app. The company said in a press release that it has heard from its community that "watching Reels together is more fun," so the product was designed with that social aspect in mind.

Tessa Lyons, VP of product at Instagram, told Business Insider that the team heard from users who were finding ways to cast their Reels to the TV so they could watch them with friends.

"People already want to get together and connect with each other over Reels on the TV," she said, adding that this allows them to actually share with friends. "Not just DMing them, but actually be together enjoying them."

Lyons said she personally felt the need for this feature when she realized, while on the couch watching TV with her husband, she was often actually watching Reels on her phone instead.

Instagram for TV is in a testing phase, with plans to eventually expand to more devices and countries. Instagram said this early test is designed to learn which features are best for shared viewing on a TV screen.

Future features could include using your phone as a remote, more intuitive ways to surf channels, and channels that combine your and your friends' interests into one shared feed, like Instagram's Blend feature.

Up to five Instagram accounts can be connected to the Amazon Fire TV device. Once you click into your account, Instagram will automatically group Reels into a channel based on your interests.

Lyons said Instagram's North Star has always been "helping people connect with their friends over creativity," adding that the goal has remained even as the platform and the way people use it have changed.

"The way in which people share evolves," she said. "I think that's natural."

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at kvlamis@businessinsider.com or Signal at @kelseyv.21. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Donald Trump Jr. is engaged to Bettina Anderson, a Palm Beach model and socialite.
• Trump Jr. was previously engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle and married to Vanessa Trump.
• Anderson and Trump Jr. were first linked in September and attended Trump's inauguration together.

President Donald Trump announced the engagement of his son, Donald Trump Jr., to model and socialite Bettina Anderson at a White House holiday party on Monday.

Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson made their public debut as a couple at Trump's inauguration following months of speculation about the nature of their relationship.

Since going public in January 2025, Trump Jr. and Anderson have appeared together at numerous White House events and Palm Beach galas.

Trump Jr., who is Trump's oldest son, was previously engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and campaign advisor whom Trump chose to serve as his administration's ambassador to Greece.

Anderson, a Palm Beach socialite, model, and the founder and executive director of the wildlife conservation nonprofit Project Paradise, was first spotted in the Trump family's orbit at the Republican National Convention in July 2024.

Representatives for the White House, Trump Jr., Guilfoyle, and Anderson did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Here's a timeline of their relationship.

July 2024: Bettina Anderson was seated behind Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle at the Republican National Convention.

Anderson was photographed sitting behind Trump Jr., Guilfoyle, and other members of the Trump family on the third and fourth days of the Republican National Convention.

Guilfoyle was still wearing her engagement ring.

September 2024: The Daily Mail reported that Anderson and Trump Jr. were seen kissing and eating brunch together in Palm Beach.

Anderson and Trump Jr. were photographed dining together at the Honor Bar, a restaurant located about 4 miles from Mar-a-Lago, The Daily Mail reported.

Neither responded to a request for comment in September about the nature of their relationship.

October 2024: Anderson cohosted a Trump campaign fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago featuring Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Tickets to the fundraising dinner cost $100,000 a couple and admission to a fireside chat cost $30,000 a couple, the Palm Beach Daily News reported. Serving on the host committee of the event required a $250,000 contribution.

December 2024: Anderson and Trump Jr. were photographed holding hands in Palm Beach.

Anderson and Trump Jr. were photographed holding hands as they left Buccan, a restaurant in Palm Beach, on Anderson's 38th birthday, The Daily Mail reported.

Anderson also shared a photo on her Instagram story of a bouquet of flowers and a card reading, "Many have said you're aging out but I think you're perfect…happy birthday!" She tagged Trump Jr. in the post, appearing to indicate that he was the sender.

Later that month, Anderson joined Trump Jr. at the Trump family's New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.

December 2024: Trump Jr. told Page Six that he and Guilfoyle "will never stop caring for each other."

While Trump Jr. did not officially confirm that he and Guilfoyle had broken off their engagement, he said in a statement to Page Six that they "will always keep a special bond" and that he "could not be more proud of her and the important role she'll continue to play in my father's administration" as ambassador to Greece.

January 2025: Anderson and Trump Jr. attended inauguration events together, marking their public debut as a couple.

Anderson and Trump Jr. attended an inaugural reception at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, DC, on January 18. On January 19, they held hands and danced to "YMCA" by The Village People at the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball.

Anderson and Trump Jr. traveled to the Capitol Rotunda together on Inauguration Day but sat separately for the ceremony. Trump Jr. sat with his family members on the inaugural platform, while Anderson took her seat in the crowd.

Guilfoyle was also seated in the audience for the inauguration, but not with the Trump family as she had been at the RNC.

February 2025: They attended the Super Bowl together.

President Trump was the first sitting president to ever attend the Super Bowl. He was joined by Trump Jr., Anderson, and other family members and associates to watch the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

March 2025: Trump Jr. and Anderson engaged in public displays of affection at Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.

Trump Jr. and Anderson were photographed cuddling in their seats in the House chamber before Trump's speech began.

March 2025: The couple walked the red carpet together at a gala in Palm Beach.

Trump Jr. and Anderson attended the mfAR Palm Beach Gala in support of the organization's AIDS research and global HIV prevention.

Other celebrities in attendance included Martha Stewart, who received mfAR's Award of Inspiration, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ricky Martin.

The gala was held days after People magazine reported that Trump Jr.'s ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, is dating Tiger Woods.

April 2025: Anderson and Trump Jr. attended the White House Easter Egg Roll.

That same month, they also attended a golf event at Trump National Doral, Trump's golf resort in Doral, Florida.

June 2025: They appeared together at another official White House event, the US Army's 250th anniversary military parade.

Trump Jr. and Anderson were seated in front of Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos for the military parade in Washington, DC, which featured 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft.

July 2025: Anderson joined Trump Jr. and two of his children on Trump's visit to Scotland.

Trump Jr. and Anderson joined Eric and Lara Trump at Trump Turnberry, one of Trump's golf clubs in Scotland, for the announcement of a new trade deal between the US and the European Union.

They were then joined by two of Trump Jr.'s children, Spencer and Chloe, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new golf course at Trump International Golf Links.

December 2025: Trump announced the couple's engagement at a White House holiday party.

Around the same time that Page Six broke the news of Trump Jr. and Anderson's engagement on Monday evening, Trump announced that the two were engaged and called them up to the White House podium to say a few words.

In a video from the event shared by far-right activist Laura Loomer, Trump Jr. thanked Anderson "for that one word, yes."

Anderson could be seen in the video wearing a diamond ring.

"This has really been the most unforgettable weekend of my life, and I get to marry the love of my life, and I feel just like the luckiest girl in the world," Anderson said at the holiday party, according to the video.