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 Nik...
May 20, 2026•21 min
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 f...
May 19, 2026•21 min
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 Weal...
May 18, 2026•32 min
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 Missouri Sign up for WSJ’s free Wha...
May 15, 2026•23 min
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. Vis...
May 14, 2026•22 min
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 meg...
May 13, 2026•22 min
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 Popu...
May 12, 2026•21 min
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 megapho...
May 11, 2026•23 min
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 ne...
May 08, 2026•22 min
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 Wa...
May 07, 2026•21 min
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 B...
May 06, 2026•21 min
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 newsl...
May 05, 2026•19 min
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...
May 04, 2026•19 min
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...
May 01, 2026•37 min
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...
Apr 30, 2026•23 min
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 ...
Apr 29, 2026•20 min
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 ...
Apr 28, 2026•22 min
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 ...
Apr 27, 2026•19 min
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 - Priva...
Apr 25, 2026•27 min
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...
Apr 24, 2026•26 min
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 W...
Apr 23, 2026•21 min
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. Furt...
Apr 22, 2026•19 min
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 Jobs...
Apr 21, 2026•19 min
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 tha...
Apr 20, 2026•19 min
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 ...
Apr 17, 2026•23 min
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...
Apr 16, 2026•22 min
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 Sho...
Apr 15, 2026•19 min
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 Government Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Sign up...
Apr 14, 2026•18 min
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 Su...
Apr 13, 2026•18 min
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...
Apr 10, 2026•22 min
