In this episode of The Unknowns hosted by Charlie Stone, New York Times journalist and author David Gelles discusses his new biography, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away. The conversation explores Chouinard's unconventional journey as Patagonia's founder—a climbing pioneer turned reluctant billionaire who donated his entire $3–6 billion stake in 2022 to fund environmental activism—while delving into broader themes of capitalism's paradoxes, corporate responsibility, and societal shifts.

Why Patagonia and Chouinard?

Gelles, a veteran business reporter, was drawn to Patagonia after breaking the 2022 donation story, which contrasted sharply with typical billionaire narratives. Unlike greenwashing peers, Patagonia embedded social an

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