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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We’re off today for the holiday, but wanted to share this episode. Sonos, the high-end speaker company, is still reeling from its disastrous app update over a year ago. WSJ’s Ben Cohen explains how the company lost revenue and approximately $600 million in market capitalization. Then came the layoffs and a CEO exit. Jessica Mendoza hosts. This episode was first published in March 2025. Further Listening: The Glitch That Crashed Millions of Computers The Snowballing Problems at Vail Resorts Learn...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has a lot to juggle, from a federal government shutdown to immigration enforcement to the state’s affordability crisis . In a conversation taped at The Journal live event, Hochul joins host Ryan Knutson to talk about how she’s managing those challenges, what her private conversations are like with President Donald Trump, and her take on New York City’s next potential mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Further Listening: - Why This Government Shutdown Is Different - Is NYC’s Ma...
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The deal would free the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The Trump administration hopes it is the first step towards a longer term peace. WSJ’s Shayndi Raice explains how all the parties got to the table and what big hurdles remain. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: -The Struggle to Get Aid Into Gaza -A Fragile Cease-Fire Deal in Gaza Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about y...
Paramount has acquired news and opinion website the Free Press for $150 million. The company's co-founder, Bari Weiss, has a new job as editor in chief of CBS News. She's a polarizing figure , known for her outspoken support of Israel and strong views on topics like gun rights and DEI. WSJ’s Joe Flint on why Paramount thinks CBS News needs a shakeup. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: -Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Trump’s FCC -What Killed 'The Late Show'? -Will Paramount Settle With Trum...
In 2021, Tamar Veatch won millions of dollars in a sweepstakes competition run by Publishers Clearing House, the company best known for delivering oversized checks to winners. But then last April, Publishers Clearing House went bankrupt . WSJ’s Akiko Matsuda explains why the company went under, and what it means for winners like Tamar. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - How ‘The Joker’ Rigged the Texas Lottery - How Parlays Became the Biggest Bet in Sports Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s ...
Last month, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield quit the brand after 47 years , accusing parent company Unilever of not allowing the company to speak out on social issues. Host Jessica Mendoza talks to Ben Cohen, the co-founder who stayed, about why he’s not leaving, what he wants next for the company , and why political messaging is important for his ice cream brand. Further Listening: - Why Ben & Jerry’s Is Suing its Parent Company Over Israel - Kraft Heinz’s Big Breakup Sign up ...
For more than two years, Jennifer Foley has been an advocate for her brother Scott Spivey. But to get the criminal investigation into his death reopened, Jennifer has to convince some of the most powerful leaders in South Carolina that this was not a Stand Your Ground case. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports. Read the Reporting: Police Say He Killed in Self-Defense. His Phone Tells Another Story. ‘You’re Taken Care of’: Did Police Promise to Shield a Killer? Nobody Suspected Police Shielded a Kille...
A group of investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s investment firm are acquiring videogame maker Electronic Arts. The $55 billion deal is the largest leveraged buyout of all time. WSJ’s Lauren Thomas takes us inside the historic buyout, exploring the company's fandom and legacy. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Camp Swamp Road Series Why Microsoft Is Paying $75 Billion for Activision Blizzard Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more a...
Gen X is barreling toward retirement with an excruciating student-loan burden . The generation that came of age in the ’80s and ’90s is now also the generation with the most student debt per borrower. WSJ’s Oyin Adedoyin explains how federal policies around student debt left Gen X with such a big burden. And one Gen Xer talks about the impact student debt has had on his life. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - For Millions of Student-Loan Borrowers It's Time to Pay - Biden’s New Plan to...
Government funding lapsed early Wednesday morning after the White House and lawmakers failed to reach a spending deal, triggering a shutdown that is expected to halt some federal services and put hundreds of thousands of federal workers on furlough. WSJ’s Natalie Andrews takes us inside the contentious dispute and explains why the gulf between Democrats and Republicans is wider than ever. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside DOGE's Campaign of Secrecy - DOGE: The Plan to Downsize th...
Last week, President Donald Trump warned that acetaminophen , the active ingredient in Tylenol, is a potential cause of autism. Many medical professionals say the relationship between acetaminophen and autism is inconclusive , and Trump's comments went beyond what his own administration officials recommend. Still, the press conference caused a crisis at the company that makes Tylenol , Kenvue. WSJ’s Peter Loftus on Kenvue CEO Kirk Perry’s attempts to manage the Trump Administration and the new c...
After former FBI director James Comey was indicted last week, Trump said that there may be more indictments coming . WSJ’s Sadie Gurman takes us inside the President’s push to prosecute the people he views as enemies and what this may mean for the future of the Justice Department. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Federal Reserve Under Siege - Trump’s Letter to Jeffrey Epstein - Trump 2.0: A Fast Start to a Second Term Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about y...
On Super Bowl Sunday, Jennifer Foley opened a police file and discovered 90 recorded phone calls from her brother’s killer. To Jennifer, what she heard completely undermined Weldon Boyd’s self-defense claims. But the calls also revealed that Boyd had a powerful friend. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports. Read the Reporting : Nobody Suspected Police Shielded a Killer Until the Dead Man’s Sister Dug In Follow the Story : Camp Swamp Road Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
From the forests of Tanzania to the halls of power, Jane Goodall has spent her life fighting to protect wildlife. But as the planet warms and some governments retreat from environmentalism , is her mission slipping out of reach? Ryan Knutson interviews the renowned conservationist. Further Listening The Head of the EPA on the Future of the Agency How the U.S. Fell Behind China on Climate Diplomacy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
It's officially harvest season in the American heartland. But sixth-generation Iowa farmer Scott Dierickx says he won’t be making a profit on soybeans this year. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas explains how China is using soybeans as a weapon in the trade war with the United States. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Can a Farming Community Resist a Development Boom? Why Farmers Are Breaking Eggs and Dumping Milk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
The Trump Administration recently announced a new $100,000 annual fee for the coveted H-1B visa. Then the White House walked that back, saying that the charge would only apply to new visa applicants, one-time only. WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar reports on how the changes set off a wave of anxiety and confusion , especially in Silicon Valley where many H-1B visa holders work. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Hyundai Plant Raided By Immigration Authorities - Inside the ICE Hiring Blitz Lear...
The fumes are often described as smelling like “dirty socks ” – and they’re seeping into airplane air, sickening some passengers and crew. So-called “fume events” have been a known problem in the airline industry for decades. But a new WSJ analysis shows they’re becoming more common, and their health effects can be severe. WSJ’s Benjamin Katz details his team’s investigation into fume events, which have led to emergency landings and affected pilots’ vision midflight. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further ...
The Florida Highway Patrol has taken up the Trump administration’s call for state and local law enforcement to play a bigger role in its immigration crackdown . Virtually all its officers have been trained to participate in a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement program that deputizes police to perform some of the duties of federal immigration officers. WSJ’s Arian Campo-Flores takes us along for a ride with some officers in the program. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - I...
After Scott Spivey was killed in a shootout on Camp Swamp Road, his sister Jennifer Foley wanted to know what happened. But the police didn’t provide the family with answers. So, Jennifer began her own investigation. WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein goes to South Carolina to see what Jennifer uncovered. Read the Reporting: ‘You’re Taken Care of’: Did Police Promise to Shield a Killer? Further Listening: Camp Swamp Road Ep. 1: Mess Around, Find Out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
This episode details the indefinite suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" by Disney, driven by a controversial monologue and significant political pressure. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly condemned Kimmel's comments and leveraged the agency's regulatory power over broadcast licenses and mergers. Local affiliate stations further intensified the situation, leading to Disney's decision. The incident underscores former President Trump's ongoing campaign against broadcast networks and the unprecedented alignment of a federal agency with presidential political agendas, raising concerns about media regulation and free speech.
The Oracle co-founder is almost as wealthy as Elon Musk, and he’s in the middle of the AI revolution , the future of entertainment , and maybe even a deal for TikTok . WSJ’s Sebastian Herrera explains why, at 81 years old, Larry Ellison is more powerful than ever. Ryan Knuston hosts. Further Listening: Will Paramount Settle With Trump? Is the TikTok Saga Finally Over? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
After a series of extended deadlines, the U.S. and China say they have a framework for a deal for the future of TikTok. Alex Leary discusses who comes out ahead. Further Listening: - Wait… Was That the TikTok Ban? - The Day the Music Died on TikTok Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
The Federal Reserve faces a pivotal choice this week: cut interest rates to boost a cooling labor market, or hold firm to keep inflation in check. WSJ's Nick Timiraos breaks down the Fed's debate and high-stakes maneuvering as President Trump pushes to expand his influence over the central bank. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Federal Reserve Under Siege - Who Will Be the Next Fed Chair? Maybe Kevin Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
This episode reconstructs a fatal road rage incident on Camp Swamp Road where Weldon Boyd shot Scott Spivey, claiming self-defense. Police quickly ruled it a justifiable killing under South Carolina's Stand Your Ground law, influenced by initial witness accounts. However, the deceased's sister, Jennifer Spivey Foley, questions the official narrative, prompting a deeper investigation into the events leading up to and during the shooting.
The musician Bad Bunny opted to hold 30 concerts in his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico instead of touring the mainland United States. WSJ’s Elias Leight explains how the move has given a nearly $200 million boost to the island’s economy during a slow season for tourism. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Puerto Rico's Long Struggle to Keep the Lights On - The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Charlie Kirk , the provocative conservative influencer and confidant of President Trump, was shot and killed yesterday. He was 31. WSJ’s Aaron Zitner reports on how Kirk quickly rose to become a prominent figure in conservative politics and where things stand with the investigation into his death. He also discusses the alarming recent rise of political violence in American life. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Get more information about our first-ever live show here ! Limited tickets left. Artificial intelligence company Anthropic agreed to pay at least $1.5 billion to settle a copyright infringement lawsuit over the company's use of pirated books to train large-language models. WSJ’s Melissa Korn unpacks the proposed settlement and explores what the precedent could mean for the AI industry. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: Why Elon Musk's AI Chatbot Went Rogue The Company Behind ChatGPT Sign up...
On September 9, 2023, in rural South Carolina, a man was killed in a shootout on Camp Swamp Road. Police said that it was a clear case of self defense, but secret recordings tell a different story. In a new true crime podcast series from The Journal, WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein unspools a shooting that might have gone unnoticed, if not for a grieving sister’s quest to find the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the recent decision to approve updated Covid-19 vaccines for a smaller population . In an interview with host Ryan Knutson , Makary also discusses his thoughts on restoring confidence in public health policy and explains the agency's new crackdown on pharmaceutical ads and an upcoming report that says that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could be linked to autism, among others. Further Listening: - The FDA Boss on the Agency’s ...
At a Hyundai electric vehicle factory complex in Georgia, agents from the Department of Homeland Security detained about 475 people , including hundreds of South Korean nationals . It was the biggest single site raid in the history of the department. WSJ’s Sharon Terlep went to the factory complex and explains how two of Trump’s key policies—cracking down on illegal immigration and rebuilding U.S. manufacturing—have unexpectedly collided. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Inside the IC...
