The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
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UnitedHealth is the largest healthcare company in the U.S. But over the last 18 months , a string of challenges , including several Justice Department probes, have tested the company. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews and Christopher Weaver report on how the company rose to prominence, why its CEO is out, and how it has weathered the setbacks. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening : - Medicare, Inc. Part 1: How Insurers Make Billions From Medicare - Medicare, Inc. Part 2: Taxpayers Paid for Care Denied b...
To fulfill a key campaign promise, the Trump administration has been pushing ICE to arrest more migrants . WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains how that’s led to more aggressive tactics and raids like the ones that unfolded in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking major protests. Jessica Mendoza hosts . Further Listening: - Deportations Could Upend This Parachute Factory - How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention - A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News news...
The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk - Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin - Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped it Apart Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Some of the sickest Medicare Advantage patients ran into problems getting end-of-life care. Ultimately many patients switched to traditional Medicare , costing taxpayers billions , according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal . This is one of many Medicare Advantage practices that is now under government scrutiny. Both Congress and Medicare agency head Dr. Mehmet Oz are pushing for reforms to curb tactics that can boost federal payments to private insurers. The Department of Justice ...
Medicare Advantage was designed to save the government money. But a Wall Street Journal investigation found that private insurers used the program to generate extra payments through questionable diagnoses . The investigation uncovered instances of potentially deadly illnesses like AIDS, where patients received no follow-up care , as well as diagnoses that were medically impossible. This happened in part when insurers sent nurse practitioners into Medicare Advantage recipients’ homes . Jessica Me...
A special immigration status helped Mills Manufacturing, which makes parachutes for the U.S. military , keep its workforce fully staffed. But last week, an order from the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to revoke temporary protections for about 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. WSJ’s Ruth Simon explains why companies like Mills are scrambling. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight - How Frog Embryos Landed a ...
An Israeli-backed system meant to deliver aid and food into Gaza launched last week to scenes of chaos and violence . WSJ's Anat Peled breaks down the new system, and explains why getting aid to the region is difficult and dangerous. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - A Fragile Cease-Fire Deal in Gaza - The UN Agency Accused of Links to Hamas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Christina Chapman presented herself as just another influencer on TikTok. In reality, she operated a “laptop farm” that allowed North Koreans to take jobs as U.S. tech workers and scam more than 300 U.S. companies out of millions of dollars. WSJ’s Robert McMillan breaks down the scam and Chapman’s crucial role in it. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - North Korea's Propaganda Mastermind - Your New Hire May Be a North Korean Spy - Hack Me If You Can Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsle...
Minting one penny costs the United States nearly four cents. After 233 years, the Treasury Department has decided to phase out the coin . This will mean that businesses will have to round cash transactions up or down, and some fear it could lead to inflation. We reminisce about the cultural significance of the one-cent coin with WSJ’s Oyin Adedoyin and discuss the pro-penny stance with an advocate . WSJ’s Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe - The Cor...
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are the Oscar winning director and producer behind some of Hollywood's most memorable movies like A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13 and The Da Vinci Code. The duo, who co-founded Imagine Entertainment in 1985, sat down with WSJ's Ben Fritz at the Future of Everything Festival to talk about longevity in Hollywood , AI in movie production and the future of movies. Further Listening: - Why Hollywood Is Betting Big on ‘Wicked’ - With Great Power, Part 1: Origin Stor...
This week, an obscure trade court dropped a bombshell ruling : President Trump did not have the authority to issue sweeping tariffs under a 1977 law. The government has appealed the court’s decision. WSJ’s James Fanelli and Gavin Bade dig into the ruling and what it could mean for the future of Trump’s trade agenda. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: The Tariff Trade Off: Jobs vs. Higher Prices A Tariff Loophole Just Closed. What That Means for Online Shopping Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s N...
In May, President Trump signed an executive order cutting off federal funding for public broadcasters, including NPR and PBS . In his order, Trump said “neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.” WSJ’s Joe Flint breaks down the decades-long fight over public media, and NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher explains why her network is challenging the Trump administration in court . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - For Millions of Studen...
The Trump administration is starting to put millions of defaulted student-loan borrowers into collections and threatening to confiscate their wages, tax refunds and federal benefits. WSJ’s Oyin Adedoyin digs into what the restart could mean for borrowers and the economy. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - Biden’s New Plan to Cancel Student Debt - Breaking Down Student Debt Relief Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Meta has gone all in on chatbots. The bots are capable of giving advice, answering questions and playing games with users. Some feature the licensed voices of some celebrities. But after months of testing, the Wall Street Journal found Meta's chatbots were also capable of engaging in graphic romantic roleplay , even with young users. Some people inside the company are concerned. Jeff Horwitz reports and Kate Linebaugh hosts for the last time. Further Listening: - Does Meta Have a Social Media Mo...
Explore how BookTok, TikTok's literary corner, is profoundly impacting the publishing world. Hear from a bookstore owner, an author, and a publisher about how the platform is driving unprecedented sales for romance and fantasy genres, leading publishers to rethink strategies and discover new talent. The episode delves into the challenges authors face on the platform and the potential for BookTok to fundamentally change the relationship between publishers, authors, and readers.
Economists have long analyzed data to predict the next recession. They’ve also turned to more offbeat economic gauges like underwear sales and skirt lengths. But now, the TikTok generation is seeing recession indicators everywhere . WSJ’s Hannah Erin Lang explains what Gen Z’s fascination with harbingers of economic doom might actually mean for the economy. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Is the Economy… OK? - Trump 2.0: Where Is The Economy Headed? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News...
Some consumers and lawmakers upset over high egg prices believe they’ve found a villain: Cal-Maine . The little-known company produces one out of every five eggs sold in the U.S. And in the midst of a national egg shortage and a bird flu epidemic, Cal-Maine has been raking in the profits . But are the accusations against Cal-Maine fair? WSJ’s Patrick Thomas investigates. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - An Eggspensive Dilemma - Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs Sign up for WSJ’s free W...
Blockbuster drugs. Rising profits. Strong sales. And yet, Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind the GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, made a surprising move last week: It pushed out its CEO . WSJ's Peter Loftus charts the rise of Ozempic and the fall of CEO Lars Jorgensen. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: Trillion Dollar Shot Why WeightWatchers Wants in on Drugs Like Ozempic Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
President Donald Trump visited Capitol Hill today to urge passage of his multitrillion dollar tax and spending agenda. The bill is a complex piece of legislation that includes tax cuts, spending increases, spending reductions and some tax hikes. In total, it would increase budget deficits by nearly $3 trillion over a decade. WSJ’s Richard Rubin reports on the testy debate inside the GOP over the bill. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump 2.0: The First 100 Days - Trump’s Tariffs For...
It was supposed to be the highlight of New York’s spring auction week: Sculptor Alberto Giacometti’s masterpiece “Large Thin Head” was this year’s most hotly anticipated piece up for sale. But when the bidding opened, collectors went silent. WSJ’s Kelly Crow explains what this unexpected auction week bust reveals about today’s art market. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - The $6 Million Banana's Appeal - Is This Painting a Masterpiece? AI Is On the Case - The Basquiat Sisters on Managing ...
A global team of betting whizzes hatched a scheme to take down the Texas Lottery . The plan was led by a London banker-turned-bookmaker and a mysterious professional gambler nicknamed ‘The Joker.’ The duo partnered with a Texas company and local retailers to print more than 99% of all the lottery tickets sold. And the jackpot was worth almost $100 million. The WSJ’s Brad Reagan explains how they pulled off the heist. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How an Antiques Dealer Uncovered a ...
Air traffic controllers for Newark Liberty International Airport have recently experienced several frightening incidents . Their radars and radios have gone dark, potentially risking the lives of hundreds of passengers. The resulting chaos and delays are forcing government officials to address staffing shortages and outdated tech at the Newark facility , and nationwide. WSJ’s aviation reporter Andrew Tangel talks with one air traffic controller about the difficulties of the job. Annie Minoff hos...
Billions of health insurance claims are processed every year, and around 19% of them are denied. Very few people appeal, but those that do have a chance at a different outcome. Jessica Mendoza speaks to one family about the insurance denial that threw them into a life-or-death crisis, and WSJ’s Julie Wernau on the system they navigated. Further Listening: - Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance - The Cyberattack That's Roiling Healthcare Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter....
On Monday, to the surprise of global investors , the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day trade deal. The deal slashed tariffs between the two countries and sent stocks surging . Leading the negotiations on the U.S. side was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent . WSJ’s Brian Schwartz , who covered the talks in Geneva, explains how Bessent became President Trump’s man on trade policy and got China to ‘yes’ on a temporary truce. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Made In America? Shoe Companies ...
Last week, President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means to be surgeon general. Means is a wellness influencer and, along with her brother , a prominent advocate for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. WSJ’s Kristina Peterson reports on how Means’s nomination makes her the latest figure from the lightly regulated wellness industry who has been elevated by Kennedy. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Fight to Kick Soda Out of Food Stamps ...
This episode explores Sam Altman's World project, which aims to distinguish humans from AI using iris-scanning orbs and the WorldCoin cryptocurrency. The discussion covers the project's motivations, how the technology works, its global rollout, and the privacy concerns it raises. It also touches on the project's recent launch in the US and future expansion plans.
President Donald Trump sees tariffs as a way to bring more manufacturing to the United States. But Nike and other sneaker companies have tried to move production out of Asia before . WSJ’s Jon Emont describes the cautionary tale of Nike’s attempt to make tens of millions of sneakers using high-tech manufacturing in Guadalajara, Mexico. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - A Tariff Loophole Just Closed. What That Means for Online Shopping. - China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal Sign up for WSJ...
Just days before his death, Pope Francis wrestled with an enormous problem: the Vatican’s dire finances. The world’s smallest country is now facing a budget deficit of millions, and a looming crisis in its pension fund. As the Papal conclave meets this week to vote for a new leader, WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw pieces through how centuries of financial mismanagement have culminated into a mess that the next pope will inherit . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Pope Francis Has Died. What’s Next ...
For months, questions have been swirling about the economy. And last week, we finally got some answers when all kinds of economic data was released. Some of those numbers seemed to say that the economy is headed toward a downward slump , but WSJ’s Jeanne Whalen explains that the picture may not be as dark as it seems at first glance. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Trump 2.0: Where Is The Economy Headed? - A Tariff Loophole Just Closed. What That Means for Online Shopping Sign up for...
After 60 years in charge, Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway later this year. Jessica Mendoza talks to WSJ’s Jason Zweig and Karen Langley about Buffet’s prolific career and Greg Abel, the man he chose to succeed him as CEO. Further Listening: - Does Warren Buffett Know Something We Don't? - The Life of One of Wall Street's Greatest Investors Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
