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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Global diamond company De Beers spent decades convincing couples that true love required a diamond. But now, lab-grown diamonds that are identical to naturally-mined ones are flooding the market with cheaper options and reshaping the diamond business completely. WSJ’s Jenny Strasburg takes us inside the showdown in the diamond market, and we speak to a ring shopper weighing her options. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - One American Company Taking on China's Rare-Earth Dominance - Can ...
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, despite consistently warning about the dangers of unregulated private credit, is now leading the bank's significant investment into this booming market. This episode explores the paradox of Dimon's stance, detailing what private credit is, how it emerged post-2008 to fill a lending void, and JPMorgan's strategic move to engage with it. It also explains why this financial trend, now touching pension funds and 401ks, holds increasing relevance and potential risk for everyday individuals.
Buc-ee's — the chain of road stops with a beaver mascot and a die-hard fanbase — is looking to expand westward. Its next stop is Palmer Lake, Colorado : a small, rural town known for its lush greenery and outdoor recreation. But some local residents are looking to “heave the beave.” And they have a powerful billionaire backing them: ‘cable cowboy' John Malone. WSJ’s Jim Carlton reports on this standoff over development and the future of the American West. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: -...
Tiny rare-earth magnets are used for building phones, electric cars, and submarines, but nearly all of them are mined and made in China . One U.S. company is trying to change that . WSJ’s Jon Emont spoke with MP Materials’ CEO about his goals for the mine, which has now made deals with the Pentagon , General Motors, and Apple . Can this industry come back the U.S.? Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals - Greenland Has Tons of Minerals. So Where Are All th...
In 2003, Jeffrey Epstein got a gift for his 50th birthday , a leather-bound album containing letters, poems, photos and greetings from friends. One of the letters was from Donald Trump. The president says the letter "is a fake thing." WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar reveals what’s in the letter and Sadie Gurman explores what it means for Trump and the Department of Justice . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News new...
Amazon warehouses are more automated than ever . The company, a key bellwether for the U.S. labor market , now has over a million robots packing and shipping goods in its fulfillment centers . While some employees are finding ways to transition into higher-paying technical roles that manage the robots, the company’s CEO Andy Jassy has said it plans to cut the size of its overall workforce . Sebastian Herrera explains Amazon’s vision for the warehouse of the future. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further...
This episode explores President Trump's evolving approach to the war in Ukraine, from his campaign promise of a quick peace deal through personal negotiation with Vladimir Putin, to his growing frustration with Russian intransigence. After failed diplomatic attempts and clashes with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump shifts tactics, halting U.S. weapon donations and demanding European allies shoulder more of the financial burden for Ukraine's defense. The podcast details Trump's new strategy, including a 50-day tariff ultimatum to Russia, and assesses the long-term implications for the conflict and his strained relationship with Putin.
After the passage of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” renewable energy companies are bracing for more challenging times . The law is set to end Biden-era subsidies for clean energy, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that the industry could lose half a trillion dollars in tax incentives over the next decade. WSJ’s David Uberti reports on the renewable energy pullback. And Annie Minoff talks to a co-owner of a North Carolina-based solar-panel-installation company about what th...
Last week, Grok went rogue . The AI chatbot – which users can interact with on X – posted antisemitic comments and graphic descriptions of violence before being deactivated, leaving users with a question: Where were Grok ’s guardrails? WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy breaks down what happened and what it means for Musk’s company’s plans for an AI future . Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - How Elon Musk Pulled X Back From the Brink - The Musk-Twitter Saga Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newslett...
The man of steel is back in a new $225 million reboot . Riding on this weekend’s release is the hope that DC Studios will finally begin to match the past successes of its archrival Marvel . Its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery views DC Studios as critical to its success or failure . WSJ’s Ben Fritz talks to Jessica Mendoza about whether or not Superman can be the savior that DC and Warner are hoping for. Further Listening: - With Great Power: The Rise of Superhero Cinema - Ron Howard and Br...
For years, President Trump has feuded with the Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell over interest rates. And now, two Republicans named Kevin ( Kevin Hassett , one of Trump’s closest economic advisers and Kevin Warsh —a former Fed governor) are vying to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos takes us inside the contest for the next Fed Chair and what the President might be looking for with his choice. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Why Trump Pushed His T...
President Trump’s megabill cuts over $1 trillion in healthcare spending over the next decade, mainly from Medicaid . Experts project nearly 8.7 million fewer people covered by Medicaid, and hospitals face reduced payments and higher costs. WSJ’s Dominique Mosbergen reports on the bill’s historic cuts. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - How Trump’s Megabill Squeaked Through the Senate - Can the GOP Unite Around Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . L...
When President Trump paused most of his “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days last spring, the administration had hoped to cut dozens of trade deals. As trade advisor Peter Navarro put it, there could be "90 deals in 90 days." But as Trump’s deal deadline approached, it became clear that the administration’s deal-making push has hit some snags , resulting in only a handful of agreements with the UK , China , and Vietnam . This week , Trump extended his deadline to August 1st and sent public lette...
Artificial intelligence is shaking up business in a big way , and recent college graduates are feeling the pinch . WSJ’s Chip Cutter explores the new corporate philosophy emerging around hiring and explains how the promise of artificial intelligence is putting entry-level jobs on the chopping block and less experienced applicants may be forced to pivot . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Company Behind ChatGPT - The Hidden Workforce That Helped Filter Violence and Abuse Out of Chat...
The Journal examines Meta's urgent push to acquire leading AI researchers and engineers through unprecedented compensation offers, like up to $100 million, as the company seeks to overcome recent setbacks with its Llama large language model and close the gap with rivals like OpenAI and Google. The episode details Meta's AI ambitions, the challenges faced, the new Super Intelligence Labs, and the intense talent war unfolding in Silicon Valley with CEOs like Zuckerberg personally recruiting key individuals.
After a grueling 27-hour session, Senate Republicans narrowly passed their version of President Trump's major bill. This episode details the intense negotiations and concessions made to overcome sticking points on issues like Medicaid, clean energy, and the budget deficit. It also looks at which senators opposed the bill and what needs to happen in the House before the legislation can reach the President's desk.
JPMorgan Chase recently announced that it was raising the annual fee on its popular Sapphire Reserve credit card by 45%. The company believes enough customers will stick around because of the status and exclusivity the card conveys. WSJ’s Imani Moise reports on how credit card companies have increasingly attracted customers by offering perks. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card - The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe Sign up for WSJ’s free Wh...
SCOTUS wrapped up a busy session , giving states room to restrict transgender medical care for minors , allowing the federal government to strip legal status for Venezuelan migrants and, in one of its final acts on Friday, clipping the power of federal judges to block President Trump’s policies nationwide . Jessica Mendoza speaks to WSJ’s Jess Bravin about the emergency cases filling the Supreme Court schedule and what that signals for the future. Further Listening: - Is There an Ethics Problem ...
To renowned travel guru Rick Steves , “fear is for people who don’t get out very much.” The travel mogul has built an empire on a philosophy of travel that builds bridges. Recently, he sat down with Ryan Knutson at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle for a conversation about his business, his politics and how the two intersect. Further Listening: - The Love Triangle Over Spirit - An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport Photo: Uncredited Learn more about your ad ch...
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has won over legions of rent-strapped young voters with a platform focused on making housing more affordable — including by freezing rents . This week he cleared an important hurdle, winning the Democratic primary in an upset of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. But his success has panicked the New York real estate industry, which is now in a mad scramble to assess its options. WSJ’s Rebecca Picciotto explains how the city’s housing crisis is driving the...
Gary Rohwer owns Glenn Valley Foods and lends his name to the company’s signature product: Gary’s QuickSteaks. He says he built his business with the help of mostly immigrant workers, whose legal status he says his company vetted using the government’s E-Verify System. This month, his plant was raided by ICE . He speaks with Annie Minoff about what happened, his industry and what’s next for his company. Further Listening: - Why Latino Consumers Are Spending Less - Inside ICE’s Aggressive Approac...
The new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV , is making artificial intelligence a signature issue. Last week, the Vatican hosted tech leaders at a two-day international AI conference in Rome. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati reports on why Silicon Valley is watching to see if Leo will use the Church’s moral authority to push for stronger AI rules. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Financial Mess Facing the Vatican - Pope Francis Has Died. What’s Next for the Catholic Church? Sign up...
Jessica Mendoza speaks to NCAA president Charlie Baker about the landmark settlement that is ushering in a new professional era for college sports. The deal will create a new system for college athletes to get paid directly by schools. They discuss how payments will be regulated, what impact Title IX could have and how the deal could change college sports. Further Listening: - The TikTok That Changed College Hoops - California Takes On the NCAA Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Lea...
Today, Iran fired missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar. Officials said Iran also fired on Iraq. The attacks were in retaliation for a strike over the weekend that hit three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, authorized by President Trump. WSJ’s Shayndi Raice reports on how Iran got backed into a corner and has been forced to decide whether or not to escalate into a broader war. J essica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Iran May Be Running Out of Options - Iran and the U.S. Were Set to Negotia...
The most well-known cryptocurrency thefts involve online hacks or phishing attempts via text messages . But WSJ's Sam Schechner has been reporting on a new wave of violent crypto thefts: wrench attacks . Brutal physical attacks against the crypto elite are on the rise. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - Pig-Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist - How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choice...
Deportation fears and economic uncertainty is driving changes in shopping behavior in Latino communities. Job losses in industries like construction have also left Hispanics with less money to spend. WSJ’s Laura Cooper travels to Texas and reports that some Hispanic shoppers are forgoing their regular shopping trips and restaurant meals. Companies are now saying they’re seeing the pullback in their sales. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Inside ICE’s Aggressive Approach to Arresting M...
After five days of escalating conflict with Israel, Iran’s government may be running out of moves. Today, President Trump called on Iran to surrender without conditions . WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen explores how Iran built itself into a regional power and why its government now finds itself imperiled. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - Iran and the U.S. Were Set to Negotiate. Then Israel Attacked Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
This year, Washington D.C. has faced thousands of federal jobs cuts due to President Trump’s DOGE work. Also, the city has a $1 billion budget shortfall after Congress passed a funding bill forcing the District to revert to its 2024 budget. Jessica Mendoza sat down with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to discuss the city’s challenges, the weekend’s military parade, and her relationship with Trump . Further Listening: - Inside DOGE’s Campaign of Secrecy - Can the GOP Unite Around Trump’s ‘Bi...
U.S. officials planned to meet with an Iranian delegation this weekend to discuss curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. In a twist, those talks ended up as cover for a surprise Israeli attack that killed top Iranian officials and struck key nuclear sites. Now, Iran is retaliating . WSJ’s Michael R. Gordon lays out the U.S.’s diplomacy efforts in the Middle East and explains what to expect next. Annie Minoff hosts. Further Listening: - Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War - A Deadly...
Leonard Leo is a conservative lawyer and co-chairman of the Federalist Society who played a significant role in shifting the U.S. Supreme Court rightward . Now he is focusing his efforts on reshaping American culture through entertainment . He’s channeling funds towards high production value Christian and conservative television shows and films, including Amazon Prime’s hit " House of David .” WSJ’s Maggie Severns reports on how Leo is using a fund of more than $1 billion to back Hollywood block...
