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Anthropic is preparing for what could be one of the biggest IPOs in history. WSJ's Anissa Gardizy got a look at a draft of the company's S-1. It reveals soaring revenue, a business heavily reliant on a few customers and a long list of risk factors, including the possibility of a catastrophic AI incident. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Great AI Freakout Has Begun - A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said No. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Red, White and Who?” The Journal’s election mini-series is back to cover the midterms. Every Wednesday, Ryan Knutson talks with reporters around the country about issues important to voters. This week: In 2024, President Trump made historic gains with voters in South Texas, especially Latinos. Now, many of these same voters are souring on the president and his party and considering swinging to Democrats in this year’s midterms. WSJ’s Elizabeth Findell and producer Matt Kwong talk to voters there about Trump, the senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, and the issues that matter to them. Further Listening: - Red, White and Who? The Inflation Election - Red, White and Who? The Anti-AI Voters Sign up for WSJ’s Politics newsletter. Illustration: James Walton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump’s stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is evolving. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has made a series of decisions that critics say favor Russia. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to publicly confront Trump over the shift. WSJ’s Marcus Walker reports on what’s behind the shift and how the midterms factor in. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - An Exclusive Interview With Ukraine’s President Zelensky - Inside the U.S. Deal to Get Venezuela’s Oil Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump has put a lot on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s plate, from handling trade talks with China to overseeing sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, tensions inside the Treasury are high. After interviews with former and current officials in the Trump administration, WSJ’s Brian Schwartz reports on how Bessent's behavior and leadership approach is impacting the Treasury. Kate Linebaugh hosts. Further Listening: -How the Bond Market Will Affect Your Wallet - Let’s Talk Bonds. Treasury Bonds. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gayle King has been on TVs across America for decades and is currently a co-host of “CBS Mornings.” In the final episode of My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Gayle to talk about her love of a good bubble bath, the time she panicked and told room service she was ordering for two and why, at 71, she’s aiming to live to at least 90. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Jimmy Buffett died in 2023 he had set up a $275 million trust, naming his widow Jane as the sole beneficiary. Now, as WSJ’s Katherine Sayre reports, the family and Buffett’s former business manager are locked in a legal dispute over that Margaritaville fortune. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Case of the Missing $15 Billion Fortune: Part 1- The Case of the Missing $15 Billion Fortune: Part 2 Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Americans are more upset than ever about the economy as inflation continues to rise. But even so, consumers keep spending. WSJ’s Jeanne Whalen explains why U.S. shoppers are so unstoppable. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Red, White and Who? The Inflation Election - Inflation Forces the Fed’s Hand Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the White House asked her to step down, Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned from her position as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. A Wall Street Journal investigation laid out a series of text messages in which Guilfoyle asked a conservative supporter for a payment of $100,000 to her American Express account. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on the messages that led to Guilfoyle’s fall. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: Jared Kushner’s Albania Headache: Flamingos, Contested Land and Cocaine Kristi Noem’s $200 Million Mistake Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Red, White and Who?” The Journal’s election mini-series is back to cover the midterms. Every Wednesday for the next five weeks, Ryan Knutson talks with reporters around the country about issues important to voters. This week: President Trump's focus on the economy helped clear his way to the White House in 2024. But two years later, Trump initiatives like the war in Iran and global tariffs, have made life more expensive for voters. WSJ's Eliza Collins and producer Pierce Singgih visited a suburb in Arizona, home to one of the most competitive House races in the country, to see how voters feel about the economy and Republican party in 2026. Further Listening: - Red, White and Who? The Anti-AI Voters Sign up for WSJ’s Politics newsletter. Illustration: James Walton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The smart ring company Oura has grown quickly. Its wearable tech seems to be everywhere: in slick ad campaigns, on celebrities’ social media, and on the fingers of regular people hoping to improve their health. Yet when Oura tried to go public late last month, it couldn’t find enough buyers. So the company stalled its listing. WSJ’s David Wainer explains what this delay reveals about investors’ appetites. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - The Great IPO Frenzy of 2026 - $25 Billion to Zero: Bill Ackman’s Bungled IPO Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Composer Ludwig Göransson has scored films like “Black Panther” and “Oppenheimer,” and his latest is Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Ludwig to talk about his Christmassy oatmeal, writing music with 40 bronze gongs during the LA fires and the bottom shelf where he keeps his Oscars. Photo: Austin Hargrave Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For years Xbox was the console of choice for serious gamers. But after a failed bet that it could revolutionize gaming through its streaming platform GamePass, the brand has been languishing. Now, a new CEO is overseeing a major turnaround effort. WSJ’s Ben Fritz lays out the new strategy. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: Is the Hottest Investment Pokémon Cards? Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
U.S. aviation officials and industry insiders have long whispered about a deadly problem with air travel: rogue pilots with severe mental health issues intentionally crashing planes. WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports on why this issue is a struggle for the airline industry, why pilots are afraid to ask for help and how engineers are trying to solve the problem. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport The Life and Death of a Boeing Whistleblower Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The world’s biggest chemical industry is in China. For years, Chinese factories have also been a major producer of ingredients used to make fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that has contributed to thousands of deaths in the U.S. After a recent crackdown in China, WSJ’s Patricia Kowsmann reports that some of those same factories are now entering a new booming U.S. market: bootleg peptides. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Peptides Are Everywhere. Businesses Are Cashing In. - How Cocaine is Flooding in Europe Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Red, White and Who?” The Journal’s election mini-series is back to cover the midterms. Every Wednesday for the next five weeks, Ryan Knutson talks with reporters around the country about issues important to voters. This week: in Ohio, a backlash against AI data centers is scrambling old political loyalties. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter and producer Matt Kwong travel across the state, where some Republicans say the issue is changing how they view the Senate race between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted. Further Listening:- A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said No. - A Data Center Revolt in Missouri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Washington, some subtle signs and unusual requests sparked questions about his health. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains why there’s so much secrecy surrounding Xi’s well-being and why the world’s second largest economy doesn’t have a clear succession plan. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Trump and Xi to Meet at High-Stakes Summit - China's Disappearing Generals Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Google’s tools become more and more common in American classrooms, students are increasingly relying on AI tools to bypass the hard work of learning. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran explores how this trend is impacting students and sparking a backlash from parents and educators. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How YouTube Took Over the American Classroom - The High Schools Going All-In on AI Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Astronaut Randy Bresnik is leading NASA’s Artemis III mission into space next year. In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the long standing column of the same name, Lane Floresheim sits down with Randy to talk about his leadership style, how he sleeps while afloat, and what it’s like starting the week in space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now. High-powered speedboats fitted with radar systems are sneaking tons of cocaine past authorities in Spain, flooding Europe with the illicit drug. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen traveled to Spain’s southern coast to learn more about the boats and why authorities are unable to stop them. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside Mexico's Decision to Take Down a Drug Lord - Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For job seekers, fraud has become a massive problem. Enter: The Profiler. He’s a self-proclaimed crimefighter with a mission to root out online scams and fake job ads. WSJ’s Lindsay Ellis reports on The Profiler’s origin story and explains why the current labor market is ripe for scammers. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - How AI Is Being Trained to Do Your Job - An Influencer’s False Promise to Make His Followers Rich Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now. Muse is Meta’s new AI agent, and it’s a hit. With more and more people using this type of technology to help manage their time and tasks, WSJ’s personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen decided to try Muse for herself. She reports on the tradeoffs between convenience and privacy. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Will Meta's $18 Billion Settlement Change Social Media? - She Let AI Take Over Her Life For a Year Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About 15 years ago, executives from U.S. fruit grower Driscoll’s went to China with a plan to turn blueberries into that country's next big food trend. But along the way, Driscoll's has found itself embroiled in the intense world of Chinese competition. WSJ’s Jon Emont recounts the story of how the Chinese blueberry economy blew up. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Why Chinese Customers Are Running From Nike - The Chinese Coffee Giant Taking on Starbucks - Can the U.S. Keep Chinese Cars Out? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Americans are spending more time in the kitchen than any point in the last 20 years. But the question “what’s for dinner?” is more fraught than ever. People are dealing with increasingly hectic schedules but a rise in prices is also piling on the pressure. Food prices jumped about 26% in the last five years. WSJ's Jesse Newman explains why putting a meal on the table has gotten so hard and how families are adapting. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Inflation Forces the Fed’s Hand - The Bankruptcy That’s Ruining Dinner Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
During a Journal Live Event in New York earlier this month, Ryan Knutson spoke with two experts about the city’s forthcoming rent freeze. Emily Eisner, the executive director and chief economist at the Fiscal Policy Institute, and Kenny Burgos, the CEO of the New York Apartment Association, discuss the housing affordability crisis and the pros and cons of the rent freeze. Further Listening: - Kathy Hochul on Mamdani, Trump and Where Democrats Went Wrong - Is NYC’s Mayoral Race All About Rent? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Email us at [email protected] with your thoughts on the economy as we head into the midterms. Lululemon helped pioneer the athleisure market. Now, it’s fallen on hard times. Sales have slowed, and the company was engaged in a multi-year battle with its founder. A new CEO took over this month hoping to right the ship, but investors reacted poorly. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner spills the tea on all the drama inside the popular brand. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Listeria, Liverwurst and the Family Feud at Boar’s Head - The Battle Over Disney’s Board Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A 2024 survey found that 90% of high-schoolers in Estonia were already using generative AI for learning. So, the northern European country decided to lean in. In an experiment called AI Leap, the country has partnered with OpenAI and Google to give tens of thousands of high-schoolers access to free chatbots. WSJ’s Sam Schechner flew to Estonia and talked to teachers and students about whether there is a way to keep learning with AI in the classroom. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How YouTube Took Over the American Classroom - The College Student Who Defeated the World’s Biggest Cyberweapon Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, during the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a “winter package” of military equipment. After the meeting, Zelensky sat down with WSJ’s editor in chief Emma Tucker to discuss the future of the almost 5-year conflict. Watch the full interview here. Further Listening: - The Man Leading Ukraine - Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the midst of a damaging trade war with the U.S., Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed making his country an “Associate Member of the European Union.” WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson report on private conversations between Carney and many European leaders and explain how a pivot to Europe would work. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Why Canada Won't Back Down to Trump - Canada’s New Leader Is Ready To Take on Trump Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the war in Iran began, several measures went into effect to keep oil prices under control. Governments and companies tapped their reserves and illicit oil became more available. But as the war continues, those buffers have now been depleted and the pain is starting to worsen. WSJ's Benoît Morenne breaks down how we got here and Owen Tucker-Smith explains what it means for some businesses. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside the U.S. Deal to Get Venezuela’s Oil - Can an ‘Economic D-Day’ End the Iran War? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Emma Grede has spent decades in the fashion industry’s backstage, helping found brands like Skims and Good Americans with celebrity partners Kim and Khloe Kardashian respectively. Recently, Grede has stepped into the limelight to share the story of her rise and her strategies for managing motherhood, a fashion empire and making millions. Jessica Mendoza interviewed Grede onstage at The Journal Live earlier this month. Further Listening: - Confessions of a Recovering Work Addict - For Riz Ahmed, Life is a Spy Thriller - Financial Influencers on Wealth and Work Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The prenup is getting a modern makeover. Once seen mainly as a way for the ultrawealthy to protect their assets in the event of a divorce, they’ve now become a financial planning tool for many middle-class newlyweds. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney talks about what’s driving the change in prenup culture, and one New York couple dives into the money conversations they had before tying the knot! Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Booming Industry Keeping Taylor Swift's Wedding a Secret - Lady Gaga, Low-Rise Jeans, and the Next Recession Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Red, White and Who is back! Email us at [email protected] with your thoughts on the economy as we head into the midterms. For the first time in three years, the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. Chairman Kevin Warsh was appointed by President Trump, who explicitly hoped he’d keep rates low. But the economy doesn’t appear to be heading in the right direction and inflation has proven to be far stickier than anticipated. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos reports on why Warsh took a hawkish turn and explains why the Fed might not be done yet. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: -How the Bond Market Will Affect Your Wallet - Who Is the New Fed Chair? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump has pushed back against calls for an AI slowdown, citing competition from China as a threat. But in China, reports WSJ’s Stu Woo, the main concern is keeping up with the United States. And WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explains why AI deescalation between the two countries remains unlikely. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Great AI Freakout Has Begun - Cybersecurity Braces for ‘AI Bugmaggedon’ Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Frontier was one of many budget airlines that rose to prominence during the low-cost airfare craze. But economic and market shifts have changed the game. WSJ’s Alison Sider explores how Frontier is trying to find a balance between the cheap flights that originally made budget airlines popular and the premium amenities consumers increasingly want. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - R.I.P. Spirit Airlines - How Spirit Airlines Landed in Bankruptcy - The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines - Frontier, Spirit and the Future of Low-Cost Airlines Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A frenzy erupted after Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei published a blog post warning that AI is advancing too quickly. Other major AI executives, like Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have echoed those concerns. These sudden calls for a slow down are raising widespread alarms about AI's potential for harm. WSJ's Robert McMillan breaks down the question on everyone's mind: is AI going to end humanity? Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The College Student Who Defeated the World’s Biggest Cyberweapon - Cybersecurity Braces for AI ‘Bugmaggedon’ Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Twiggy is one of the most recognizable supermodels of the 20th century. Now the documentary, “Twiggy” about her career and life is being released in the U.S. In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Twiggy about her documentary, the many tuxedos in her closet and the unusual secret to her success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Patriot Shakes. Huge American flags. Beef Tallow. Steak ‘n Shake, the classic fast food chain, is in the middle of an audacious turnaround strategy: a full embrace of the Make America Healthy Again movement. WSJ’s Heather Haddon spoke with the chain’s new “chief MAHA officer” and explains what’s behind the rebrand. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Breakfast Battle: The Cereal Industry vs MAHA - The Corporate Grudge Fueling Cracker Barrel’s Logo Fiasco Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New cars have gotten really expensive, with average prices hovering around $50,000. It's put potential buyers in a tough spot and instead, many drivers are keeping their cars for longer. WSJ’s Sharon Terlep explains the market and economic forces that squeezed out buyers on a budget and how the auto industry is adapting. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Confused About Automated Driving Features? You’re Not Alone. - Can the U.S. Keep Chinese Cars Out? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Delsia Bare and her mother, Ida Huddleston, rejected $26 million dollars for their Kentucky farmland from the builder of an AI data center. Their stance has made them folk heroes across the country but has also divided their town. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel spent a few days with the mother and daughter to better understand their resistance. Further Listening: - The Vanishing of an Anti-AI Activist - A Data Center Revolt in Missouri Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Something strange has been happening in the world of used books. Sales are up, but booksellers were initially confused about who was behind the purchases. We talked to one bookseller who decided to solve this mystery herself. WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains why at least some of the books are being bought, and then destroyed, by AI companies. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - AI Loves Reddit, but Redditors Aren’t So Sure - Readers Can’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Actor Lee Pace has made a name for himself playing bad guys and mythical beings, like a vampire in “Twilight” to an elvenking in “The Hobbit.” He’s starring in the new “Practical Magic 2” alongside Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Lee to talk about his intense coffee habit, his belief in witches and his farm upstate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yields on U.S. Treasuries continued to rise this week, climbing near a 20-year high. There are many reasons why this is happening but the main driver of this run-up is inflation. As the cost of government borrowing keeps creeping up, it will trickle down to everyday Americans, impacting all kinds of consumer debt. WSJ's Jack Pitcher breaks down what's behind the bond market volatility. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Let’s Talk Bonds. Treasury Bonds. - The Economy Is Booming. Why Does It Feel Like a Bust? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
America is using less cardboard, which is bad news for the farmers who grow the pulpwood trees that get turned into paper products. WSJ’s Ryan Dezember explains how the cheapest, smallest trees in the forest hold up a much larger timber industry. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Bean at the Center of the Trade War - Is Jane Goodall Fighting a Losing Battle? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For decades, food companies have relied on a proven playbook: cater to shoppers with sugar, salt and flavor. This approach has been so successful that some critics have accused the food industry of fueling an obesity epidemic. But with weight-loss drugs and health-conscious shopping on the rise, food companies have a whole new challenge. WSJ’s Amira McKee explores the new ways food makers are meeting the moment. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trillion Dollar Shot - Weight-Loss Drugs Are Gobbling Up Small Town Budgets Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump called it “the biggest oil deal in world history.” After months of secretive negotiations there was a surprise announcement that the U.S. government was getting a direct stake in a private oil company in Venezuela. WSJ’s Vera Bergengruen reports on how the deal came together and the challenges facing what’s being billed as a big foreign policy win. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Oil Companies Aren't Sold on Venezuela - Was Maduro’s Capture About Oil? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recently, Reddit has attracted a lot of attention from brands hoping to use the platform to influence chatbot results. That’s because Reddit, after big deals with AI companies, is often the most-cited website in AI answers. But as the WSJ Leadership Institute’s Katie Deighton reports, moderators on Reddit are pushing back against marketers’ growing interest in the website. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Can Reddit’s IPO Survive Its Own Users?- ‘To the Moon’ - An Oral History of WallStreetBets Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.\ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Suze Orman is one of the most famous financial advisors in America and she wakes up at 5 a.m. every single day. In the first episode of My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Suze to talk about the right age to retire, why eating out is still one of the biggest wastes of money, and why she doesn't trust AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For years, Moderna was a one-hit wonder, a company that bet everything on mRNA, struck gold with a COVID vaccine and then watched its stock crater as the pandemic faded. Now, the company may have found a way to fight skin cancer. An experimental mRNA-based vaccine succeeded in preventing melanoma from returning in high-risk patients, sending drug industry stocks soaring. WSJ’s Xavier Martinez traces Moderna’s wild ride from scrappy startup to the frontier of cancer treatment. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The FDA Commissioner on Vaccines and Public Trust - The Creator of the Record-Setting Covid Vaccine Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday, Meta reached a settlement in a landmark social media lawsuit. The tech giant struck a deal with 48 states to pay $18 billion and make changes to the way teens can use Facebook and Instagram. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky explains what this decision means for the future of social media. And Jessica Mendoza speaks with one of the settlement’s key negotiators. Further Listening: - The New Legal Strategy That Beat Social Media - The Facebook Files, Part 1: The Whitelist Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. and Canada are once again embroiled in a fight over tariffs. During negotiations last week, President Trump threatened big hikes. Canada retaliated with their own tariffs. WSJ’s Gavin Bade explains how trade negotiations between two countries broke down and what could come next. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Tariffs Are Back. What’s Changed? - Canada’s New Leader Is Ready To Take on Trump Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday, the Trump administration announced a new strategy in the war against Iran that targets the regime’s remaining economic lifelines. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it an “economic D-Day.” WSJ’s Brian Schwartz explains the U.S.’s new sanctions approach and analyzes what impact it could have on the Iranian economy. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Do Sanctions Still Work? - Inside Trump and Netanyahu’s Complicated Relationship Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customers of the meal kit company Blue Apron have been complaining about canceled orders, missing ingredients and incomplete recipes. The company even acknowledged in a social media post that "recent orders have fallen short." What's behind this mess? WSJ's Sarah Nassauer breaks down the chaos at Blue Apron. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Jersey Mike's Journey From the Shore to Wall Street - What's Going On With Lettuce? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The swings in the bond market this week had Wall Street scrambling. After bond yields hit a historic high the U.S. Treasury made a surprise announcement: it’s doubling the amount of long term debt it’s buying back. WSJ’s Greg Ip breaks it all down for us, explaining how bonds work, why yields have been on the rise and why we should all pay attention. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Tariffs Are Back. What’s Changed? - The Dollar Is Weaker. Is That a Good Thing? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Flock Safety, the company behind the AI-enabled street cameras, has grown into a multibillion-dollar surveillance giant over the last few years. Supporters say the cameras have helped police reduce crime and solve cases. But critics say they violate privacy rights and are easily misused. WSJ’s Kris Maher reports on recent Flock protests and how the company is responding to the backlash. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - The Vanishing of an Anti-AI Activist - The ‘Class of AI’ Enters the Workforce Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
StubHub, a ticket resale platform, is facing a flood of complaints from World Cup fans who bought tickets months in advance, only to be stranded hours before the games. WSJ’s Hanna Krueger unpacks her months-long investigation into the company’s customer service and one disappointed fan recounts his troubles getting his refund. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Ticketmaster Breakup Trial Just Got Messier - The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Costco pays its hourly wage workers more than most retailers. The company says that this keeps turnover low and ultimately, is good for its business. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explains how this approach helps the company’s bottom line, and speaks to one Costco cashier who's been working there for 40 years and now has more than a million dollars saved for his retirement. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Jersey Mike's Journey From the Shore to Wall Street - How IKEA Is Keeping Its Furniture Affordable Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Millions of Americans take the herbal supplement kratom for everything from energy to pain relief to quitting opioids. But it has also been linked to growing addiction rates and fatal overdoses. WSJ’s Sumathi Reddy explains the regulatory battles playing out across the country as some officials consider bans. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Is the High Over for Hemp Drinks? - Peptides Are Everywhere. Businesses Are Cashing In. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Whatnot is one of the fastest-growing shopping platforms in the U.S., featuring live auctions that allow users to bid on trading cards, rare coins, designer fashions and more. But as WSJ’s Hanna Krueger explains, critics say Whatnot’s high-pressure countdowns and swipe-to-bid design encourage overspending and gambling addiction, claims the company denies. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Can GameStop Really Buy eBay? - Inside Quince’s Quest to Sell Luxury Goods for Less Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the massive initial public offering earlier this year, some investors who thought they had gotten early exposure to shares of SpaceX discovered things may not have been quite what they seemed. WSJ's Corrie Driebusch chronicles the rise of special-purpose vehicle funds and the issues some investors are facing as they navigate private markets. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - 'Eject! Eject! Eject!' Inside the Private Credit Panic - Is SpaceX Worth the Hype? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Across Europe, law enforcement agencies want permission to use genetic genealogy to solve criminal cold cases. But privacy laws restrict the use of recreational DNA in most of Europe. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton reports on how French investigators in one case skirted their country’s DNA laws by asking the United States for help. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Did Nancy Guthrie Vanish Without a Trace? - Camp Swamp Road Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jared Kushner has been planning to build ultraluxury resorts in Albania for years. But the multi-billion dollar project has run into a string of controversies. The development has triggered mass protests, calls for the Albanian prime minister to resign and a warning from the EU. On top of all that, WSJ’s Eliot Brown reports on a suspected gangster who sold Kushner and his partners a key piece of land. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers - The Crypto President: Part 1 - The Crypto President: Part 2 Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are now on sale! Get yours here. Garry Tan is the President and CEO of Y Combinator, a tech incubator that invests millions of dollars into new startups every year. Garry describes himself as “AI-pilled,” saying that he’s seen first-hand how the technology is transforming what startups can build. Ryan Knutson interviews Tan about how he remains optimistic despite AI’s risks, how AI is impacting the workforce and how we should all be having more parties. Further Listening: - The Vanishing of an Anti-AI Activist - Chinese AI Is Spooking Silicon Valley Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Jersey Mike’s started as a small sub shop on the Jersey Shore when a 17-year-old stepped in with big ambitions. Along the way, the company grew to several thousand locations before private equity company Blackstone bought it for $8 billion and took it to Wall Street. But its IPO comes amid struggles in the restaurant industry. WSJ’s Heather Haddon and Mark Maurer on Jersey Mike’s origins and the hurdles it will have to jump through as a public company. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Can Burger King Regain Its Crown? - How Kraft Lost Its Mac and Cheese Crown Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Almost every night in the White House, President Donald Trump calls his fundraiser, Meredith O’Rourke, for an update. Together, they have raised more than $800 million since Trump’s second inauguration. WSJ’s Josh Dawsey and Dana Mattioli unspool their investigation into the president’s unprecedented fundraising and the political operative behind it. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Crypto President: Part 1 - The Crypto President: Part 2 Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Early this year, Hyundai unveiled its newest employee: a humanoid robot named Atlas. Now, Hyundai’s unionized workers in South Korea are on a partial strike, arguing that humanoids shouldn’t join the assembly line without their approval. WSJ’s Tim Martin explains how the rest of the world is watching to see who wins the battle over the future. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Move Over, Humans. China's Robots Are Taking Over How 1 Million Robots Are Taking Over Amazon Warehouses Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Leopold Aschenbrenner, age 24, was hailed as the ‘Nostradamus of AI.’ With that reputation, the wunderkind built a multi-billion dollar hedge fund called Situational Awareness, taking on an enormous amount of debt. WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman explains how the fund crashed while Aschebrenner was preparing for his wedding. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Republican Megadonor Ken Griffin on Trump’s Economy - Is the AI Boom… a Bubble? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Six months after Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Ariz., investigators have little to show beyond a trail of tragic missteps and bad luck. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports on how early errors, attention from amateur sleuths and public feuding have complicated the case. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Camp Swamp Road Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Laura Mayer was born a tryhard, addicted to work. A quality that supercharged her career and earned her executive jobs at major media companies. But as Mayer writes in her new memoir, “Tryhard: A Cautionary Tale of Clocking In and Spinning Out,” being a tryhard comes with a cost. Jessica Mendoza hosts.Further Listening: - How an Influencer Built His Business, One Dog at a Time - How to Keep Up with AI At Work (Without Losing Your Mind) - The Data Is In On Work From Home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Sam Kirchner, the founder of an anti-AI protest group, was on a mission to stop AI’s development. Then he mysteriously disappeared. WSJ’s Zusha Ellinson takes us inside the growing anti-AI movement. As violent threats against AI companies are on the rise, the backlash has tech executives and employees fearing for their lives. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Inside a Debate at OpenAI Over Mass Shootings - The Killing Spree Tied to a Silicon Valley Intellectual Movement - Artificial: The Open AI Story Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Peptides are a huge part of the wellness craze that’s sweeping social media. Demand for restricted peptides has fueled an online gray market for injections promising youth, beauty and strength. Businesses are racing—and taking risks—to get in on the craze. WSJ's Sara Ashley O’Brien explores the burgeoning peptide market and how a recent FDA hearing could signal things are only just getting started. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trillion Dollar Shot - The FDA Boss on the Agency's MAHA Makeover Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Hands-free driving technology is changing the way people drive, and in some cases leading to accidents. WSJ's Ryan Felton reports on how Ford rolled out its BlueCruise technology and how confusion over what the system can do has led to crashes. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How Deadly Airbags Are Getting Inside Cars - The Shake-Up Coming for Car Dealerships Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Low-cost artificial intelligence models from China are rapidly improving, closing the gap with U.S. AI products and forcing an industry-wide debate over the future of AI. WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explains how these "open-weight" models have caused a rift in Silicon Valley. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How to Keep Up with AI At Work (Without Losing Your Mind)- Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. The Trump administration is imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on its major trading partners as part of a new set of duties that the White House says are designed to combat forced labor. The White House has also proposed new tariffs for fining U.S. tech companies. WSJ’s Gavin Bade walks us through the new levies and explores the architect behind them and how he built them to last. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Do You Refund $166 Billion? - Trump's Tariffs Are Illegal. He's Got a Plan B. - Trump's Tariff Whiplash. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Six years after the pandemic, remote work has become a mainstay of the economy, with almost a quarter of work days taking place outside traditional offices. WSJ’s Owen Tucker-Smith explains how this has reshaped businesses, the economy and our work lives. And we hear from you about your love-hate relationship with working from home. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How an Influencer Built His Business, One Dog at a Time - How to Keep Up with AI At Work (Without Losing Your Mind)Further Reading: - The Power of Proximity to Coworkers- Does Working from Home Work? Evidence from a Chinese Experiment- Work from Home and Productivity: Evidence from Personnel and Analytics Data on Information Technology Professionals- Remote Work Leaves Younger Workers Sidelined- Has the Rise of Work from Home Reduced the Motherhood Penalty in the Labor Market?- Remote Work or More Pay: What Tech Workers Value in One Chart- Home Alone: Remote Work, Isolation, and Mental Health Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tickets for our live show in New York are on sale now! Get yours here. Airbags are meant to save lives, but imported, counterfeit parts have killed at least 10 U.S. drivers. and regulators have don't know how many more are in cars on the road today. WSJ’s Ryan Felton breaks down the market for these parts, the race to figure out where they’re coming from and how you can stay safe. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Shake-Up Coming for Car Dealerships - The Repo Man Is Busier Than Ever Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is one of the biggest movies of the year. It is also his first film entirely shot on IMAX 70mm film. But there are fewer than 40 70mm film IMAX theaters in the United States, making those tickets some of the most coveted this summer. Ryan Knutson talks with IMAX’s CEO, Richard Gelfond, about the company’s origins, his relationship with Nolan and why he isn’t scared of competitors. Further Listening: - These Movies Finally Got Gen Z Into Theaters - Why Hollywood Can't Find Good Scripts Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. has leaned on sanctions for decades as a way to apply pressure on its adversaries. But countries like Iran and Russia have found increasingly sophisticated ways to get around those sanctions. WSJ’s Rory Jones explains why Washington’s ability to force other governments to change through economic pressure is diminishing. And Jessica Mendoza sits down with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D., CT) to talk about a new sanctions bill against Russia. Further Listening: - How a Year of Sanctions Is Impacting Russians - How Putin Has Planned For Sanctions Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thousands of people across the country have fallen ill in a parasitic outbreak of cyclosporosis linked to contaminated lettuce, but a series of conflicting announcements about where this outbreak started has left consumers confused. WSJ's Jesse Newman and Sabrina Siddiqui look into Taylor Farms, the sprawling company at the center of the outbreak, and explain the communication breakdown. Jessica Mendoza hosts. More info on our upcoming NYC Live Show here! Further Listening: - McDonald’s and Coke's Marriage Might Need a Refresher - The Vape Cloud Hanging Over the FDA Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This past year Progressive usurped State Farm as the nation’s biggest personal auto insurer, losing a throne State Farm had held since World War II. The shift sparked a dramatic overhaul at the company, including new agent contracts, sweeping benefit cuts and a big push into AI. WSJ's Jean Eaglesham reports on the fallout. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Insuring a Home in California Is Getting Harder - Is Florida Just for Rich People Now? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Elias Weiss Friedman, better known on social media as The Dogist, has made a career out of shooting portraits of dogs. Ryan Knutson met up with Elias in a New York City park to talk about photography, social media pressures, and how The Dogist has evolved and expanded over the last decade. Further listening: - How to Keep Up with AI At Work (Without Losing Your Mind) - Financial Influencers on Wealth and Work - The Viral Band Trying to Sing Its Way to a U.S. Visa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The stage is set: Spain takes on Argentina in the World Cup final this coming Sunday. WSJ’s Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg discuss the highs, lows and controversies of this year’s tournament, and explain how political interference as well as FIFA’s drive to make as much money as possible have changed the World Cup forever. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The World Cup Story Part 1: Soccer and Scandal - The World Cup Story Part 2: Too Big To Fail Sign up for WSJ’s free Sports newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In his first term, President Trump called Jeff Bezos “Bozo.” But things have changed. The Amazon founder has gone from an avowed enemy of the president to an energetic ally. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli unpacks Bezos’ previously icy relationship with Trump and how he has turned things around. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Are Trump and Musk Done for Good? - Amazon After Bezos Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple sued OpenAI and one of its top executives on Friday, alleging the AI company stole trade secrets as part of its effort to develop competing devices. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler unpacks the explosive filing and explores what it might mean for the tech landscape. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Tim Cook Built the Apple Empire. What's Next for His Successor? - Artificial: The OpenAI Story Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Microfinance was once hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, promising to empower the world's most vulnerable with small business loans. But in countries like Cambodia, the industry has devolved into a cycle of predatory debt that is leaving families struggling. WSJ’s Gabriele Steinhauser explains why this once-celebrated solution has failed so many. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Why Sweden Embraced Capitalism - Is Jane Goodall Fighting a Losing Battle? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Over the phone, Paul Regan offered prospective clients something that sounded too good to be true: investments with guaranteed returns of 10-15%. It was all part of a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. WSJ’s Jason Zweig obtained hours of recorded phone calls, in which Regan seduced his victims, who were often older and needed help. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - An Influencer’s False Promise to Make His Followers Rich - Pig Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Artificial intelligence models have taken over the corporate world, and workers are trying to figure out how to collaborate with their new robot co-workers. In this first episode of “Work Mode,” a new series from The Journal on the evolution of work, WSJ’s Callum Borchers shares the strategies that work best and the pitfalls to avoid. And we hear from Michael Rueckert, AI power user who transformed his work life with Claude and leveraged his AI skills into a new start up. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How AI Is Being Trained to Do Your Job - Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy - The ‘Class of AI’ Enters the Workforce Subscribe to On the Clock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Record-breaking egg prices in recent years were blamed on an avian flu outbreak. But a recent Department of Justice complaint spells out another cause: a scheme among some of America’s top egg producers to bid up the cost of eggs. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas explains how they allegedly manipulated the “Wall Street of Eggs.” Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Eggs Are Still Expensive. Is This Company to Blame? - An Eggspensive Dilemma Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Tuesday morning, something potentially very scary happened in New York City. Images of buckling steel beams at the former Pfizer headquarters led to a large evacuation in midtown Manhattan. WSJ’s Peter Grant reports on what happened and what this high-profile setback means for the nationwide trend of converting empty skyscrapers into apartments. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Compass vs. Zillow: The Real Estate Wars - Who’s in Charge of Fixing Miami’s Aging Condos? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump’s tariffs, threats against Greenland, and other “America-first” demands have turned away the U.S.’s longtime allies. Now, Western leaders are considering how to decouple from American influence and move forward without the decades-long partnership. WSJ’s Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw explain how this "loveless marriage" is coming apart. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers - Make Money Not War: Trump’s Plan for Peace in Ukraine Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Europe experiences record-breaking heat waves this summer, many residents are reconsidering the continent’s long resistance to air conditioning. Europe’s summer high temperatures often cause tens of thousands of people to die from heat-related causes. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton reports that the battle over air conditioning is shaping political debates. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Germany’s Economy Is Spiraling. Can War Fix It? - Why Sweden Embraced Capitalism Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hundreds of social media videos showed people hitting it big on Polymarket. But it turns out, none of it was real. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff and Katherine Long report on their investigation into a fake viral marketing campaign. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Insiders Are Cashing In on Prediction Markets - How Betting on U.S. Politics Is Getting Big Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Celebrities and ultrawealthy people are spending millions on advanced military-style tactics to keep their weddings private, including security, fake-out venues, airtight NDAs and secret tunnels. WSJ’s Chavie Lieber takes us inside the growing wedding security industrial complex as rumors circulate around the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at historic Madison Square Garden. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle - Taylor Swift’s Push to Change Music Ownership Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella recently wrote a blistering essay criticizing how the race for AI supremacy has played out, and specifically called out tech leaders’ dire prophecies about job losses. Nadella says the industry needs to figure out a path forward that is more beneficial to everyone, not just the biggest AI companies. WSJ's Bradley Olson, who spoke with Nadella in an exclusive interview, says that there might be a business calculus behind his message. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun - How AI Is Being Trained to Do Your Job - The ‘Class of AI’ Enters the Workforce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s attempt to curtail birthright citizenship, rebuffing the administration’s plans to upend the longstanding guarantee that virtually everyone born on American soil is a U.S. citizen. WSJ’s James Romoser unpacks the unexpectedly close decision, and the other wins conservatives have had at the court over the past year. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Will Trump's Tariffs Survive the Supreme Court? - How Do You Refund $166 Billion? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Many small towns across the country added GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to their employee health insurance plans. Now, some of those towns are being hit with huge unexpected premiums as use of the drugs continues to grow. Imani Moise speaks to a selectwoman from Belchertown, MA who helped navigate her town through a devastating bill and WSJ’s Owen Tucker-Smith takes us through the economics for towns around the country. Further Listening: - Trillion Dollar Shot - Novo Nordisk's CEO Has a Comeback Plan - Ozempic Is a Hit. So Why Is the Drugmaker’s CEO Out? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This past summer, employees at OpenAI had a meeting. On the table were about 10 cases where users discussed violence. Months later, one of those users committed one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history. Sam Altman wrote an apology letter to the devastated town of Tumbler Ridge. WSJ’s Georgia Wells reports on why OpenAI resisted internal calls to alert law enforcement. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - A Troubled Man and His Chatbot - Artificial: The OpenAI Story Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For 70 years, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola have teamed up as fast food juggernauts. WSJ’s Heather Haddon and Laura Cooper explore how changing consumer tastes and increasing competition are challenging their iconic brand partnership. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both? - 'It Came out of Nowhere': The Rise of Dr Pepper - KFC Got Fried in the Chicken Wars. Can It Come Back? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan died this week at the age of 100. He was a towering figure in modern finance who oversaw unprecedented growth in the US economy. But Greenspan was also blamed for stripping away safeguards that might have prevented the Great Recession. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains that while Greenspan retired two decades ago, his ideas are providing a model for the new Fed chairman Kevin Warsh. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Who Is the New Fed Chair? - Barney Frank’s Legacy of Financial Reform Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cultivated a close relationship with President Donald Trump. But in recent weeks Trump has grown frustrated with Netanyahu over the war with Iran. The relationship has major ramifications for a region on the cusp of a potential peace deal, whose future could be undone by further military attacks by Israel. WSJ’s Josh Dawsey takes us inside the complex dynamic between the two leaders. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Iran Thinks It’s Winning the War - Israel Wants "Decisive Victory" in Iran. Is It Succeeding? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Artificial intelligence is driving up the cost of the chips inside your iPhone. In an exclusive interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook warned that price increases are “unavoidable.” WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler breaks down how AI companies’ race for memory and storage has sent chip prices soaring, forcing Apple to choose between shrinking profits and charging customers more. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Tim Cook Built the Apple Empire. What’s Next for His Successor? - The Nvidia CEO’s Quest to Sell Chips in China Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holding students back in school once came with a negative connotation. But with college athletes now able to earn endorsement deals, they are preparing younger and younger to be recruited and potentially get paid. WSJ's Harriet Ryan reports on the rise of special middle schools where students hold themselves back on purpose so they can grow, develop and mature before high school. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside the Black Market for High School Football Players- NCAA President on a New Era for College Sports - How Gamblers Are Rigging College Basketball Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stock markets are hitting record highs, the job market is doing fine and productivity is up. Yet many Americans are feeling strapped despite the positive data. WSJ’s Harriet Torry explains the contradictory signals. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Energy Shock Is Here - Germany’s Economy Is Spiraling. Can War Fix It? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The initial public offering for SpaceX crowned Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. WSJ’s Theo Francis takes us inside the staggering finances of the world’s richest man, and explores what the impact of his new status might be. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Is SpaceX Worth the Hype? - The Great IPO Frenzy of 2026 - Musk vs. Altman Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2026 is set to be a monster year for tech IPOs. SpaceX hit the market with a blockbuster $1.77 trillion valuation while Anthropic and OpenAI are set to go public later this year. WSJ’s investing columnist Spencer Jakab takes us inside the IPO bonanza and explores the risks potentially hiding behind all the hype. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Is SpaceX Worth the Hype? - Musk vs. Altman Sign up for the Markets A.M. newsletter, The Wall Street Journal's daily investing outlook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the World Cup begins, we bring you a two-part Sunday special charting how FIFA built the World Cup into a global phenomenon. In Part 2, WSJ sports journalists Jonathan Clegg and Joshua Robinson explore FIFA under its current president Gianni Infantino and how he has maximized revenue for FIFA by exploiting new markets for soccer in the Arab world and the U.S. at the expense of the sport’s longstanding fanbase. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The World Cup Story, Part 1: Soccer and Scandal Sign up for WSJ’s free Sports newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two scrappy horror films are taking Hollywood by surprise. “Backrooms” and “Obsession” have wildly exceeded expectations at the box office. Both spring from internet culture and have brought an unprecedented numbers of Gen Z-ers into theaters. WSJ's Ben Fritz explains what this new wave means for the movie business. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Why Hollywood Can't Find Good Scripts - Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SpaceX is preparing the largest public offering ever on Friday. Elon Musk’s space-satellite-AI-social-media company plans to sell $75 billion worth of shares at a “take-it-or-leave-it” price of $135 a share. WSJ’s Corrie Driebusch takes us inside the SpaceX books and details what investors are thinking about the massive IPO. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Musk vs. Altman - Elon Musk's $1.25 Trillion Megamerger - The Woman Behind SpaceX Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the era of the $100 steak, WSJ reporter Patrick Thomas traveled from a steakhouse in Omaha to a manure-splattered cattle auction in the Nebraska sandhills. What he found was a story about drought, debt and a stunning reversal of fortune that has left America's ranchers holding more power than they've had in decades. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Beef Between Cattle Ranchers and Meatpackers - How Scotts Miracle-Gro's Weed Business Went Up in Smoke Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For years, Bill Gates was best known for his charitable work. The Gates Foundation spends billions on humanitarian efforts around the world. At one point, Gates was ranked as the world’s most admired man. But as details surface about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, that carefully crafted image is eroding. WSJ’s Emily Glazer reveals the lengths that Gates’s team has taken in order to burnish his reputation, and how it’s slowly cracking. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Jeffrey Epstein Made Millions From His Connections - The Growing Fallout From the Epstein Files Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sweden, once considered by many as the standard bearer of high-tax and high-spend government, has embraced capitalism. WSJ’s Tom Fairless reports on how the Nordic country privatized large swaths of its healthcare and school systems, promoted business and shrank the state. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Germany’s Economy Is Spiraling. Can War Fix It? - China's Cheap Goods Are Europe's Problem Now Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the World Cup begins this week, we bring you a two-part Sunday special charting how FIFA built the World Cup into a global phenomenon and how it became marred in scandal and corruption. In Part 1, WSJ soccer experts Jonathan Clegg and Joshua Robinson go back to the World Cup’s origins — how it grew from a small tournament in Uruguay into a massive empire. And how an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice prompted a moment for reckoning for FIFA. Ryan Knutson hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The collective credit card debt of Americans has reached an all-time high of $1.25 trillion. Soaring interest rates and stubborn inflation have also led more people to be late making their credit card payments or not paying at all. WSJ’s Dan Frosch reports on why that debt is growing and where people can turn for help. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: Swipe, Spend, Repeat: The Perks Arms Race in Your Wallet Student-Loan Debt Is Strangling Gen XSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s a new gig economy that involves training AI to do white collar jobs. And one company, Mercor, is leading the charge. The training startup hired 30,000 contractors just last year to help AI companies get their models trained up on sophisticated roles. Ryan Knutson spoke to one former Mercor contractor about the job and WSJ’s Katie Bindley lays out the tactics that have landed the startup in hot water. Further Listening: The ‘Class of AI’ Enters the Workforce AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
China’s carmakers like BYD, Geely and Great Wall Motor have seen immense growth in recent years. But their cars are not for sale in the U.S. due to high tariffs and tight regulations. WSJ’s Ryan Felton reports on America’s rising interest in Chinese cars, particularly because they’re so affordable. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Move Over, Humans. China's Robots Are Taking Over - How China's BYD Overtook Tesla - China and the U.S. Are in a Race for AI Supremacy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first time since the 1930s, more people are moving out of the U.S. than moving in. It's a trend driven largely by the Trump Administration’s deportation agenda, but WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson also report that U.S. citizens are moving away in numbers not previously seen. The high costs of healthcare and housing, coupled with the ability to work remotely, are contributing to an exodus of young families and middle-class workers. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: Americans Are Now a Target in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown A $100,000 Work Visa Could Rock the Tech Industry Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to get discovered in Hollywood has been a decades-old struggle. For screenwriters, that game started to change when Franklin Leonard launched the Black List, an annual ranking of the “most liked” but not-yet-produced screenplays. Since 2005, more than 500 of those scripts have become feature films, including several Best Picture Oscar-winners. Ryan Knutson interviewed Leonard about how to fix some of Hollywood’s other challenges at our live show in Los Angeles. Further Listening: - Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing - Inside the Nasty Fight to Take Over Hollywood - The Journal. - For Riz Ahmed, Life is a Spy Thriller Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The class of 2026 is the most AI-native group of graduates to come out of college, with ChatGPT debuting their freshman year. WSJ’s Allison Pohle reports on how this cohort used AI in school and what future employers expect from them. And we hear from various college students and recent graduates about their hopes and fears when it comes to AI and their careers. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs - Is the AI Boom… a Bubble? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s finally another way to buy a new car, as companies like Carvana and Volkswagen’s new brand Scout are challenging the traditional dealership model. WSJ’s Christopher Otts explains how a decades-old system is starting to show some wear. Jessica Mendoza hosts.Further Listening: - Why People Aren't Lining Up for This $120,000 Job - The Repo Man Is Busier Than Ever Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Florida, once an affordable haven, is rapidly transforming into a state for the wealthy. As a result, living costs are rising and population growth is slowing overall. WSJ’s Arian Campo-Flores reports on the affordability crisis and speaks with Republican Senator Rick Scott about what the state can do to create better-paying jobs and housing. Ryan Knutson hosts.Further Listening: - The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE Agents - California Billionaires Are Freaking Out Over a New Tax ProposalSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Maziar Mike Doustdar took over as CEO of Novo Nordisk last year, the company had lost ground in the anti-obesity drug market. Doustdar spoke with Jessica Mendoza about his plans to turn the company around, the recent success of their Wegovy pill and what keeps him up at night. Further Listening: - Ozempic Is a Hit. So Why Is the Drugmaker’s CEO Out? - Trillion Dollar Shot Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
American classrooms are awash with YouTube. One survey showed that 94% of teachers have used YouTube in their roles. A WSJ investigation reveals the business strategy behind Google’s push to bring the technology to schools and looks at how YouTube is affecting children. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran lays out her reporting, and Jessica Mendoza talks with a math teacher who has been wrestling with YouTube in his classroom. Further Listening: - The New Legal Strategy That Beat Social Media - Judge Rules ‘Google Is a Monopolist’ Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Barney Frank, the former Democratic congressman, died this week at the age of 86. Frank was best known as the architect of the Dodd-Frank law that reshaped the U.S. financial system in the wake of the 2008 crisis. WSJ’s Damian Paletta talks about Frank’s legacy. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Man Who Waged War on Inflation - Two Executives on What It's Like to Stop a Bank RunSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nike co-founder Phil Knight visited China nearly 50 years ago and dreamed of selling sneakers. He laid out an ambitious vision—“One billion people, two billion feet”— it was an ambitious strategy. By 2010, China was among Nike’s most lucrative markets, offering a blueprint for U.S. companies seeking to cash in on China’s rise. Today, Nike’s China business is bleeding. WSJ’s Jon Emont explores the cautionary tale of Nike’s rise and fall in China. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Can Nike Make Its Shoes Cool Again?. - The Missteps That Led Nike Off Course - The Chinese Coffee Giant Taking on Starbucks Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Approximately 20,000 seafarers have been stranded, many since late February, because they can’t get through the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw spoke with sailors trapped in the strait and reports on their worsening conditions. And WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains why it is so hard to get the cargo ships moving again. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Iran's Regime Changed...for the Worse - The Energy Shock Is Here - How China Keeps Iran’s Oil Industry Afloat Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sometimes, actor Riz Ahmed says, his life feels like a spy thriller. He made his new show, “Bait,” about that feeling, and sat down with Jessica Mendoza at our Journal Live show in Los Angeles to talk about it. The actor, known for blockbusters like “Star Wars: Rogue One” and his Oscar-nominated performance in “Sound of Metal,” also spoke about his career, what it takes to succeed in Hollywood and getting the rights to a famous spy for his show. Further Listening: - Financial Influencers on Wealth and Work - Kathy Hochul on Mamdani, Trump and Where Democrats Went Wrong Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The blockbuster lawsuit between OpenAI co-founders Elon Musk and Sam Altman has wrapped up. The three-week trial has exposed some of the inner workings and personal feuds behind Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence boom. WSJ’s Angel Au-Yeung explains what happened during the trial and what the verdict could mean for the future of AI. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza. Further Listening: - The Unraveling of OpenAI and Microsoft’s Bromance - A Data Center Revolt in MissouriSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new chairman is taking over from Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve. But Powell isn't leaving. He plans to stay on as a voting member on the Fed’s board of governors. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos reflects on Powell’s tenure and unpacks his controversial decision to remain at the central bank. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Who Is the New Fed Chair? - Why is the Fed Chair Facing a Criminal Investigation? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump has arrived in Beijing for a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. WSJ's Annie Linskey and Lingling Wei lay out what each side is hoping to get out of the talks, which will range from trade to Taiwan to the war in Iran. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - China's Cheap Goods Are Europe's Problem Now - Move Over, Humans. China's Robots Are Taking Over - The Missing Minister Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Marty Makary has resigned as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Makary faced criticism over the FDA’s rejections of rare-disease drugs, the agency’s handling of abortion pills and high-profile departures of key FDA staff. But WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte reports that it was a battle over flavored vapes that sealed Makary’s fate. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Flu Shot Drama at the FDA - The FDA Boss on the Agency’s MAHA Makeover - How Puff Bar Became the Most Popular Vape for KidsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Personal tech journalist Joanna Stern let AI be her doctor, driver, colleague, housekeeper, therapist and lover as research for her new book "I Am Not a Robot." In this live taping of The Journal, Stern discusses how artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how we think and work. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Move Over, Humans. China's Robots Are Taking Over Inside Meta’s Big AI Pivot Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GameStop has made an unsolicited offer to buy eBay for about $56 billion. The proposed deal, which eBay says it is reviewing, is the brainchild of GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen. In an interview with WSJ’s Lauren Thomas, Cohen said that putting his videogame retailer and eBay under one roof could create opportunities to cut costs and improve earnings. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - To the Moon: How did a bunch of amateurs take Wall Street by surprise? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Around the country, there’s been a construction boom in AI data centers, but opposition is surging too. In the small town of Festus, Missouri, a $6 billion project angered residents, leading to the removal of local council members and a campaign to recall the mayor. WSJ's Will Parker explains how intense local pushback is changing where data centers are built. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - More Coding, Less Slop? Why OpenAI Ditched Sora - The AI Economic Doomsday Report That Shook Wall StreetSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Private credit was the hottest craze on Wall Street. Throughout the boom, one firm became its poster child, Blue Owl. But a recent panic posed a troubling question. What happens if investors suddenly want out at the same time? WSJ's Matt Wirz reports on the turmoil and explains why private credit is something American workers need to pay attention to. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Wall Street Craze Jamie Dimon Can’t Resist. Even If It Blows Up. - Private Equity and Crypto Could Be Coming for Your 401K Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After years of industrial decline, the Germany economy is stagnant. Government officials now hope an audacious plan, to pivot from consumer goods to weapons, will kickstart growth again. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski explains how the same factories built to make German car parts are now gearing up to supply the defense industry. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Global Scramble for Patriot Missiles - Germany’s Economy Is Broken. There’s No Plan B. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday after a possible government bailout plan fell apart. WSJ’s Alison Sider reports on the company’s challenging last few years and what the end of Spirit means for travelers. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Why Air Travel Costs Will Continue to Rise - How Spirit Airlines Landed in Bankruptcy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last year, a massive cyberweapon terrorized the internet. It launched thousands of DDoS attacks, threatening tens of millions of people around the world. The weapon came to be known as Kimwolf. WSJ’s Robert McMillan reports that cybersecurity experts were stumped. Kimwolf’s attacks seemed to be launched from millions of internet-connected devices like TV boxes, cameras and picture frames. Eventually, the experts got help from an unlikely ally: a 22-year-old college senior named Benjamin Brundage. Jessica Mendoza talks to Ben about how he might have saved the internet. To check if your network is secretly connected to a residential proxy network, here are a few tips. Further Listening: - Cybersecurity Braces for AI ‘Bugmaggedon’ - ‘Hack Me If You Can’ from The Journal Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tariffs, inflation and an energy crisis have driven up the cost of nearly every consumer good. Despite those economic headwinds, IKEA has tried to keep its furniture affordable. Juvencio Maeztu is the CEO of the Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest franchise, and he explains how the company is making the numbers work. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Can Burger King Regain Its Crown? The Battle to Be the King of Retail: Walmart vs. Amazon Etsy: Big Commerce or Crafters' Community? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In China, humanoid robots are on the rise. Robots with heads and torsos have been spotted staffing the front desk at hotels, working factory floors, and serving lattes. It's all thanks to an investment boom and subsidies from the Chinese government, which is betting on "embodied AI" as the next frontier in a global arms race. WSJ's Yoko Kubota explains how China's robots got so good, and what the US is doing to catch up. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - China and the U.S. Are in a Race for AI Supremacy - The Man Leading Trump’s AI Charge Against China Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Meta is kicking its AI transformation into high gear. The Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram parent is getting aggressive about AI talent, integrating AI technology into employees’ workflows and even developing an AI agent to help its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Last week, the company announced a 10% cut in its global workforce. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky unpacks what the pivot means for the AI race and the company’s employees. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Why Meta Is Offering $100 Million for AI Geniuses The Battle Within Meta Over Chatbot Safety Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The war in Iran has sparked a global jet fuel crunch, sending prices soaring. Now, airlines are passing costs onto travelers, with higher ticket prices and additional fees. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton and Alison Sider explain how jet fuel has been caught up in the crisis and why airlines aren't planning to lower prices anytime soon. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How China Keeps Iran's Oil Industry Afloat - The Airline Industry Has a Toxic Fume Problem Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Four days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration, an Emirati royal known as the “spy sheikh” secretly purchased a stake in Trump's cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial for half a billion dollars. In the second of two episodes about World Liberty Financial, WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus details what the Sheikh received from the Trump Administration following his deal with the Trump family’s crypto company. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza. Further Listening: - The Crypto President: Part 1 - Private Equity and Crypto Could Be Coming for Your 401k Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the height of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign for re-election in 2024, Trump gathered with his sons and longtime friend Steve Witkoff to launch a new money machine: a crypto company called World Liberty Financial. Since its launch less than two years ago, the company has earned the Trump family at least $1.2 billion dollars. It turns out much of that has come from secret business dealings with foreign-owned companies. In the first of two episodes diving into World Liberty Financial, WSJ’s Angus Berwick explains how a billionaire felon boosted Trump’s crypto company en route to a presidential pardon. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza. Further Listening: - Big Banks vs. Big Crypto - Severed Fingers and Wrench Attacks: A New Era in Crypto Crime Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After 15 years as the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook announced this week that he will be stepping down. During his tenure, Cook quadrupled Apple’s revenue and transformed the company’s supply chain, building a complex global network that churns out hundreds of millions of devices each year. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler reports on Cook’s legacy, and the new guy that’s set to replace him. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - China and the U.S. Are in a Race for AI Supremacy - The Company Taking on Apple’s Watch Technology Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!In the first Trump administration, the U.S. launched a “maximum pressure” campaign to cut Iranian oil from the global market and eliminate Tehran’s biggest source of revenue. Today, Iran sells billions of dollars’ worth of oil every month via a shadow fleet of ships that have been passing through the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ’s Rory Jones takes us inside Iran’s underground network for shipping, processing and selling oil in China. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How Iran's Regime Changed... for the Worse - The Strait of Hormuz Showdown - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AI models like Anthropic's Mythos are finding software bugs at an unprecedented rate, kicking off a cybersecurity scramble to prevent what experts are calling “bugmageddon.” Thanks to these new models, hackers will be able to exploit those bugs more quickly than ever before. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains why major corporations and the White House are scrambling to patch their systems. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Battle Over AI in Warfare - AI Is Coming for Entry-Level JobsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!At the outset of the U.S.-Iran War, the U.S. and Israel assassinated key figures in the Iranian regime, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But the killings of high-ranking officials have failed to spark the popular uprising President Trump initially called for. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati explores the current regime and reports that Iran’s theocratic dictatorship not only remains in control, but is more conservative, more radical, and more entrenched than ever before. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Strait of Hormuz Showdown - The Energy Shock Is Here - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! In 2019, influencer Tai Lopez made a pitch to his social media followers: by buying up distressed retail brands like Radio Shack and Pier 1 out of bankruptcy, they could all get rich. But as WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner reports, the Securities and Exchange Commission accused Lopez of running a “Ponzi-like scheme” through his company, Retail Ecommerce Ventures. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening/Viewing: - Influencer Arielle Charnas’s Fashion Fail - How a Miami Couple Used Empty Mansions to Pocket Millions Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The automotive industry is facing a shortage of mechanics. Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley has said his company’s dealerships have 5,000 open jobs – positions he says can pay up to $120,000 a year. WSJ’s Christopher Otts explains why more people aren’t taking him up on it. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager’s Six-Figure Salary - The Repo Man Is Busier Than Ever Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz means millions of barrels of oil are still trapped in the Persian Gulf. As countries around the world begin to feel the impact of that energy shock, new inflation numbers are signalling that the U.S. economy is being impacted too. WSJ’s David Uberti explains how the stock market and consumers are processing what could be the worst oil crisis ever. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Strait of Hormuz Showdown - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire - Will the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Hold? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!The Trump administration has shrunk the IRS. WSJ’s Richard Rubin reports on how the federal government has scaled back tax enforcement, leaving fewer federal employees to audit returns and collect unpaid tax debts. The cutbacks could lead to more Americans skirting the tax law. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Do You Refund $166 Billion? - DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the GovernmentSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. military would blockade the Strait of Hormuz sets up a risky showdown to control the strategic chokepoint. WSJ’s Vera Bergengruen explains what the blockade could look like, explores the global economic damage caused by the conflict and discusses what could come next in the war. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire - Will the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Hold? - Israel Wants "Decisive Victory" in Iran. Is It Succeeding? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Tom Curtis took over as president of Burger King in 2021, the company was struggling. After joining, Curtis worked to update restaurants and streamline the menu. Jessica Mendoza talks with Curtis about the fast food chain’s recent struggles, the rising price of beef and his turn as a social media influencer. Further Listening: - KFC Got Fried in the Chicken Wars. Can It Come Back? - The Epic Mess at TGI Fridays - Red Lobster's New CEO Plots Its Comeback - McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!After nearly six weeks of war in Iran, a fragile cease-fire is holding for now. But for people on the ground, the uncertainty is far from over. Jessica Mendoza speaks with a Tehran resident living through the strangeness of war and WSJ’s Jared Malsin unpacks the sticking points for achieving long-term peace. Further Listening: - Will the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Hold? - Israel Wants "Decisive Victory" in Iran. Is It Succeeding? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week cease-fire. President Trump said the truce was conditional on Iran opening up the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ’s Damian Paletta explains how the fragile cease-fire came together, why there are still many unanswered questions and what comes next. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Israel Wants "Decisive Victory" in Iran. Is It Succeeding? - Iran Thinks It’s Winning the War - The Escalating Crisis at the Strait of Hormuz Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! After the smash success of ChatGPT, OpenAI positioned its video generation model Sora as AI’s next consumer-friendly frontier. Disney signed on to the vision, promising a huge investment and allowing the studio’s characters to appear in Sora videos. Then OpenAI abruptly shut Sora down. WSJ’s Berber Jin takes us inside the pivot and explores what it means for the AI industry. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - OpenAI's 'Code Red' Problem - Is the AI Boom… a Bubble? - Artificial: The OpenAI Story Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new billion-dollar industry of hemp-derived THC drinks exploded onto the market last year by exploiting an apparent legal loophole. Now, a federal ban is set to wipe the popular alcohol alternatives off shelves by November. WSJ's Laura Cooper and Cann CEO Jake Bullock detail the last-ditch effort to lobby Washington. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Scotts Miracle-Gro's Weed Business Went Up in Smoke - California's Wine Industry Is in Crisis Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!After Jeffrey Epstein’s death, Svetlana Pozhidaeva said she finally felt free. The former Russian model, who became one of Epstein’s “assistants” and a victim of his abuse, changed her name and moved to another city. Then the Epstein files dropped. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar unspools Pozhidaeva’s story and what it reveals about who Epstein allegedly ensared and how he did it. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How Jeffrey Epstein Made Millions From His Connections - The Growing Fallout From the Epstein Files - Trump’s Letter to Jeffrey Epstein Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the Supreme Court ruled that many of President Trump’s tariffs were illegal, thousands of companies have sued the government in the hopes of getting their money back. WSJ’s Lydia Wheeler reports on the obscure court at the center of the refund battle and explains why the process will be slow and messy. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How One Company Is Navigating a New Era of Tariff Uncertainty - Trump's Tariffs Are Illegal. He's Got a Plan B. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! When the war with Iran started, Israel had three goals: reduce the threat from Iranian missiles, eliminate its nuclear capabilities and, most importantly, create the conditions for regime change. WSJ’s Dov Lieber reports that about four weeks in, achieving those goals against Israel’s biggest enemy is proving elusive. With President Trump stating that he wants the war to end within weeks, Israel is now racing to cripple Iranian industry. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening:- Iran Thinks It’s Winning the War - The Global Scramble for Patriot Missiles Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! OpenAI planned to launch an “adult mode” for ChatGPT, opening the door to AI-generated, sexually explicit conversations. The decision created an internal uproar as some company experts warned of potential risks to minors and unhealthy emotional attachments. WSJ’s Sam Schechner discusses the complicated future of sex and artificial intelligence. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Her Client Was Deepfaked. She Says xAI Is to Blame. - Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! In a landmark case, a 20-year-old woman just beat Meta and YouTube in court. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney explains how a new legal strategy got around a decades-old legal shield for social media companies, and how Big Tech could end up like Big Tobacco. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - In a Landmark Trial, Zuckerberg Takes the Stand - The Battle Within Meta Over Chatbot Safety Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Genetically engineered babies are banned in the U.S. But that isn’t stopping Silicon Valley tech titans from trying to make one. In this final installment from The Journal’s investigation into the fringes of the fertility industry, WSJ’s Emily Glazer reports on the controversial new companies pushing the boundaries of reproductive genetics. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Fertility Inc.: One Dad, One Hundred Babies - Fertility Inc.: ‘Our Money Was Gone’ - Fertility Inc.: When the Surrogate Gets Left With the Bill - Fertility Inc. from The Journal Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!The most recent batch of the Epstein files show how easily Jeffrey Epstein collected confidential information from his well-connected associates. WSJ’s Emily Glazer reports on how Epstein sometimes used the tips to invest for himself. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Growing Fallout From the Epstein Files - Trump’s Letter to Jeffrey EpsteinSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here! If you’ve taken a flight lately, you might have noticed hourslong lines to get through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports like New York, Atlanta and Houston. This week, President Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to airports to try to ease bottlenecks as Congress works to try to make a deal to end the partial government shutdown. WSJ's Michelle Hackman dives into the situation at airports and what’s being done in Washington to get lines moving again. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening:- Americans Are Now a Target in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown- The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE AgentsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about our L.A. live show here! Just weeks after the war started, Iran believes it is winning, but not because it has more firepower than the US and Israel. The regime wants its control over the Strait of Hormuz to become a permanent economic weapon. WSJ's Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov reports on the steep price Iran wants to end the war. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Escalating Crisis at the Strait of Hormuz - Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about our L.A. live show here! Click here to see the Wall Street Journal’s full visual investigation. American citizens are being targeted in the government's immigration enforcement operations. That's according to a Wall Street Journal visual investigation that reviewed thousands of videos, social media posts, and court documents. WSJ's Hannah Critchfield breaks down the Journal's findings, and explains how the government's actions are impacting free speech in the U.S. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Kristi Noem’s $200 Million Mistake - The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE AgentsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the third episode from the fringes of the fertility industry, The Journal examines the rise of the surrogacy superuser. In the absence of meaningful regulation, the industry has enabled a new phenomenon of wealthy foreign men having dozens of children via surrogacy in the U.S. Ryan Knutson speaks with WSJ’s Katherine Long, who reports on the strange case of Xu Bo, a Chinese tech entrepreneur on a mission to have a mega-family. Further Listening: - Fertility Inc.: ‘Our Money Was Gone’ - Fertility Inc.: When the Surrogate Gets Left With the Bill - Listen to all the Fertility Inc. episodes Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump’s oil blockade is grinding Cuba’s economy to a standstill, spreading unrest and intensifying pressure on the Communist regime. On Monday, the island nation’s obsolete power grid collapsed, causing blackouts across the country and exposing the magnitude of its economic implosion. WSJ’s Vera Bergengruen explains the U.S. pressure campaign and its impact. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Earlier this year, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment alleging a widespread cheating scandal in D1 college basketball. WSJ's Jared Diamond reports on how this scandal unfolded, where endorsement deals come in, and how it might affect this year's March Madness tournament. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How Gambling Scandals Are Rocking Sports Leagues - How a Psychiatrist Lost $400,000 on Gambling AppsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Congress is moving to increase regulation over the crypto industry with the CLARITY Act. But the potential legislation has provoked a big clash between crypto companies like Coinbase and traditional banks over rewards that function a lot like interest. WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explores the tension and the impact the new bill could have on both industries. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Coinbase’s CEO on the Future of Crypto - Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Just one week into the blockbuster antitrust trial between the Justice Department and Live Nation, the two parties reached a tentative agreement. WSJ’s Dave Michaels explores a deal that would allow the dominant concert promoter to keep ownership of Ticketmaster, a potential monopoly the DOJ had been concerned about for years. But for a coalition of state attorneys general who were also part of the original lawsuit, the deal wasn't good enough. Jessica Mendoza speaks to North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson about why he didn’t sign onto the agreement and what he’s looking for as the case continues. Further Listening: - The Trustbuster Taking on Ticketmaster - The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Journal’s investigation into the wild west of the fertility industry continues, this time from an intended parent’s perspective. Ryan Knutson speaks with AnnaMaria Gallozzi, who wanted to have a child through surrogacy after a cancer diagnosis. Gallozzi and her husband set aside a large sum of money, but they lost it all when the escrow company entrusted with that cash defrauded them. WSJ’s Ben Foldy walks us through the complicated legal battle, and reveals how a lack of oversight has exposed hopeful parents to fraud. Further Listening: - Fertility Inc.: When the Surrogate Gets Left With the Bill - The Mystery of the Mansion Filled With Surrogate Children Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global economic disruption and created a major military and political challenge for the Trump Administration. WSJ's Jared Malsin explores the militarization of the strait, the options for its reopening and the risks of a prolonged closure of the world’s most important energy-transport route. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War? - The Global Scramble for Patriot Missiles Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Since the start of the war in Iran, the U.S. and regional allies have relied on American-made Patriot missile systems to counteract Iran’s airstrikes. But WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski reports that production shortfalls are draining reserves. This urgent math problem is not only straining U.S defenses around the world, it’s also creating an existential crisis for another country seeking to defend itself: Ukraine. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War? - Trump’s Shifting Reasons for War With Iran - What’s Next for Iran? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthropic is taking the Trump administration to court, after the Trump administration designated the AI company a security threat and tried to cancel its federal contracts. The move brings the ongoing battle between the two sides to new heights. WSJ’s Keach Hagey explains Anthropic’s ‘red lines’ at the heart of the saga, how rival OpenAI stepped in to make its own deal with the Pentagon, and what all of this could mean for the future of Anthropic’s business. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Anthropic’s Pentagon Problems - The AI Economic Doomsday Report That Shook Wall Street Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kristi Noem brought a camera-ready leadership style to the Department of Homeland Security. Now, after a turbulent year leading the agency, Trump has fired her. WSJ's Michelle Hackman takes us behind the scenes of her controversial tenure and what led to her downfall. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside the ICE Hiring Blitz - Inside ICE's Aggressive Approach to Arresting Migrants Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reproductive technology is a modern miracle. It's made it possible for millions of people to become parents who might otherwise not have been able to. But growing demand has spawned a multibillion-dollar industry that’s largely unregulated in the U.S. In our first episode looking at the wild west of the fertility industry, Ryan Knutson speaks with a three-time surrogate who ended up in a big legal battle. Nia Trent-Wilson was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt after a family didn’t pay up after delivery. WSJ’s Katherine Long reports on how the industry fosters a dramatic power imbalance between surrogates and intended parents. Further Listening: - The Mystery of the Mansion Filled With Surrogate Children - America’s Maternal Health Crisis Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After a months-long bidding war, Paramount Skydance has secured a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, snatching the media giant away from Netflix. WSJ’s Joe Flint breaks down how Paramount CEO David Ellison pulled off the $81 billion takeover and what this debt-heavy merger means for the future of entertainment and news. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Man Who Wants Netflix to Save Hollywood - She Swore Off Legacy Media. Now She's Running CBS News. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The conflict with Iran has raised energy prices and sent shock waves through markets. WSJ’s Rebecca Feng explains what’s happening in the Strait of Hormuz, an Iran-controlled waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply typically travels. And WSJ’s Harriet Torry breaks down what this could mean for consumers and inflation in the U.S. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump’s Shifting Reasons for War With Iran - Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S.’s war with Iran has entered its fourth day. The Trump administration has given several reasons for initiating attacks on Iran. All of them are coming under scrutiny. WSJ's Alex Ward discusses the intelligence President Trump is using for his case for war and explores the challenges ahead. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - What’s Next for Iran? - U.S. and Israel Attack Iran Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After a joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has launched its own strikes in return. Now, the Middle East is on a path to a broader regional war. WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen explains the Iranian regime's existential fight and how its retaliation is drawing in countries around the region. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Bank Collapse Behind Iran's Protests - Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you want to start on episode one, or hear the full series up to this point, click on this playlist. Jennifer Spivey Foley has her day in court. After a long hearing with new evidence, a judge decides whether Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams should have immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law for the killing of her brother Scott. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports from the courtroom. Read the Reporting: - What Happened on Camp Swamp Road? Follow the Story: - Camp Swamp Road Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A special episode from our sister podcast, What’s News. The U.S. and Israel launched a wave of strikes against Iran, targeting its leadership and military assets in an attack that risked sparking a wider conflict in one of the most economically sensitive regions in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A viral blog post by a relatively unknown research firm sent the stock market on a wild ride this week. The post by Citrini Research tapped into a new strain of fears about artificial intelligence, painting a dark portrait of a future in which technological change leads to mass white collar unemployment. WSJ’s David Uberti explains why Wall Street is jumpy about the prospects for AI. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun- AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs And listen to Camp Swamp Road, full playlist here.Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Newell Brands, the Atlanta-based maker of dozens of household brands including Rubbermaid, Coleman and Yankee Candle, paid more than $170 million in tariffs last year. Newell’s CEO Chris Peterson tells Jessica Mendoza that those tariffs hurt business and the company is considering requesting a refund. He also talks about plans to bring more manufacturing to America. One of its brands, Sharpie, is now almost completely made in the United States. But making that happen wasn’t easy. Further Listening: Trump's Tariffs Are Illegal. He's Got a Plan B. How Tariffs Could End Italian Pasta in the U.S. How to Make a $12.98 T-Shirt... in the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After Mexican authorities killed El Mencho, the country’s most powerful drug lord, his cartel responded with violence across the country. The operation came amid pressure from the U.S. government on Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. WSJ’s José De Córdoba explains the power struggle that will ensue among the cartels and what it means for the global drug trade. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In- Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Trump has spent much of the past year trying to pump up international investment in U.S. factories. He's promised to bring back jobs that have moved overseas. WSJ’s Gavin Bade investigates a Chinese automotive glass plant in the Ohio heartland and explores the risks when America’s biggest rival sets up shop. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump's Tariffs Are Illegal. He's Got a Plan B. - How Tariffs Could End Italian Pasta in the U.S. - The Tariff Trade Off: Jobs vs. Higher Prices Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthropic is feuding with the U.S. military, despite their massive $200 million contract. The company says that its AI model, Claude, cannot be used for weapons development or surveillance. The Pentagon is pushing back against those limitations. WSJ's Amrith Ramkumar joins Jessica Mendoza to explain why the Department of Defense is now threatening to label Anthropic a supply chain risk. Further Listening: - AI Bots Have Social Media Now. It Got Weird Fast. - Vibe Coding Could Change Everything - Her Client Was Deepfaked. She Says xAI Is to Blame. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s global tariffs are illegal. It is the first time the Supreme Court has definitively struck down one of Trump’s second-term policies, saying the president went too far in enacting his most sweeping tariffs without clear authorization from Congress. WSJ’s Gavin Bade unpacks the ruling and discusses Trump’s next steps. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Trump's Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade - How Tariffs Could End Italian Pasta in the U.S. - The Tariff Trade Off: Jobs vs. Higher Prices Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a first-of-its-kind trial with one central question: Are social media platforms causing mental health disorders among young people? The plaintiff argues that platforms like Instagram are designed to keep children addicted, potentially bypassing long-standing legal shields that have protected tech companies in the past. WSJ’s Meghan Bobrowsky takes us inside the courtroom for Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony and explains why this trial could impact thousands of other cases. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Battle Within Meta Over Chatbot Safety - “The Facebook Files’ from The Journal. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Food and Drug Administration agreed to begin a review of biotech company Moderna’s application to make a new seasonal flu shot available. The decision comes after the FDA initially refused to review the company's application. It's a back and forth that reveals increased turmoil within the agency. WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte takes us inside the FDA’s unexpected reversals and explores what’s next for the mRNA flu vaccine. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The FDA Commissioner on Vaccines and Public Trust - Breakfast Battle: The Cereal Industry vs MAHA Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are booming, but they’re facing questions about users betting on information that is not publicly available, from Super Bowl performances to geopolitical crises. Advocates for the platforms say they are "truth machines" but critics say they’re a new vehicle for insider trading. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff explains how users are making fortunes, and why regulators are starting to take notice. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How ‘The Joker’ Rigged the Texas Lottery - How Parlays Became the Biggest Bet in SportsSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Boy Throb is a new boy band going viral on social media, but member Darshan Magdum is stuck in India. To get him to the U.S., the band needs to convince the United States government that Darshan qualifies for an "extraordinary ability" visa, the type of thing that’s often reserved for Olympians and scientists. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains the visa process and Boy Throb tells Jessica Mendoza about their unconventional quest to get their fourth member stateside. Further Listening: - Are Waymos Driving More Like Humans? - Lady Gaga, Low-Rise Jeans, and the Next Recession Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Justice Department recently released millions of additional documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. These files detailed Epstein’s expansive social and business network and reveal how the disgraced financier maintained ties with the global elite. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar discusses the new revelations, the fallout for those named in the documents, and the impact of unredacted victim information. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump’s Letter to Jeffrey Epstein- How Jeffrey Epstein Made His MoneySign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An influential California labor union is gathering signatures for a proposed asset tax on billionaires. But some of California’s ultra-wealthy are threatening to pack their bags — leaving the state’s tax revenue in the balance. WSJ’s Laura J. Nelson explains what’s potentially at stake and why a billionaire exodus is harder than simply renting a truck. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Healthcare Costs of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill - Kathy Hochul on Mamdani, Trump and Where Democrats Went Wrong Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Xi Jinping has solidified control over China's military after firing his top general Zhang Youxia in an unprecedented military purge that has sent shockwaves through the country. The allegations against Zhang include corruption and a nuclear secrets leak. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains how this move potentially gives Xi more room to pursue his long-standing goal of reunifying with Taiwan. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - China's Cheap Goods Are Europe's Problem Now - China and the U.S. Are in a Race for AI Supremacy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Doug McMillon was Walmart's CEO for more than ten years, overseeing the company's return to retail success. WSJ's Sarah Nassauer sat down with him to talk about Walmart's turnaround, its future and a CEO's role in politics. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Battle to Be the King of Retail: Walmart vs. Amazon - The 20000 Steps to a Walmart Manager's Six-Figure Salary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s a new social media platform for AI agents, but things are getting weird. It’s called Moltbook, and agents use it to apparently talk about things like coding and dating profiles, but also about overthrowing their human overlords and forming their own lobster religion. Initially, Moltbook shocked even some of the most experienced AI researchers, but how much of that is just humans messing around? WSJ’s Angel Au Yeung explains what’s actually happening on the site and how it came to be. Ryan Knuston hosts. Further Listening: Vibe Coding Could Change Everything AI Has Come for Advertising Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, SpaceX and xAI, two companies controlled by Elon Musk, merged into a $1.25 trillion company. The deal combines a successful rocket and satellite business with an AI startup. Musk says the goal is to put AI data centers in earth’s orbit. WSJ’s Berber Jin reports on the deal. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: The Woman Behind SpaceX Her Client Was Deepfaked. She Says xAI Is to Blame. Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Billionaire investor and CEO Ken Griffin runs one of the world’s most successful hedge funds, Citadel. He’s also a Republican who has been outspokenly critical of some of President Trump’s policies. Griffin sat down with WSJ Editor in Chief Emma Tucker at WSJ Invest Live to discuss his concerns about political uncertainty, the dangers of crony capitalism and the erosion of ethics in public service. Further Listening: - JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What's Next for the Economy - It’s Almost 2026. How’s the Economy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices