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CTRL+Z

CTRL+Z

By: Kevin Perez-Allen
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About this listen

What if you could hit Control Z on some of the biggest decisions in history? How different would the world look right now? CTRL Z is a decision-based alternate reality podcast. Each episode takes a real, documented decision by a real person or institution, rewinds it, and traces what would have happened if they'd chosen differently. Not fate, not randomness, not "what if this person was never born." One person, one choice, one alternative that was actually on the table, and ripple effects we're still living in. Sony turned down Marvel's entire character catalog for $25 million. Reagan fired 13,000 air traffic controllers instead of negotiating. NBC almost killed Seinfeld after one episode. What happens if they go the other way? Politics, business, sports, history, pop culture. New episodes twice per week.

Hosted by Kevin Perez-Allen.

2026 Kevin Perez-Allen
Episodes
  • Apple Hits CTRL+Z

    Apple Hits CTRL+Z
    Apr 16 2026

    On December 10, 1996, Apple was months from bankruptcy and out of options. Two men flew to Cupertino to pitch their software as the company's last hope, Jean-Louis Gassée and Steve Jobs. Apple picked Jobs and used the software he brought with him to build the iMac, the iPod, the iTunes Store, and the iPhone.

    But what if Gassée hadn't phoned it in? What if Apple picked the other guy and Steve Jobs never walked back through that door? What happens to Apple? What happens to the smartphone? And does the 21st century we're living in show up at all?
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    32 mins
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