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 ...
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 Liste...
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 Launder...
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. Highe...
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 -...
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 It...
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 thou...
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...
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...
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 ...
The Justice Department r ecently 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 M...
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 Democr...
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...
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. Ry...
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 mo...
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....
Vibe coding, the process of turning a text prompt into actual software, has taken the AI world by storm . And it has investors in everything from software to legal services nervous. WSJ’s Joanna Stern and Ben Cohen tell us about their experience using Claude Code to develop an article. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun 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 meg...
Over the last year, the dollar has been declining in value. And last week, President Donald Trump said he wasn’t concerned about the recent slide. WSJ’s Greg Ip explains how a weaker dollar fits into Trump’s broader economic strategy to boost U.S. growth. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Who Is the New Fed Chair? - 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...
Kraft macaroni and cheese has been a household staple for decades. But owing to shifting consumer tastes towards healthier options and a tumultuous corporate shakeup, Kraft’s status as the big cheese is slipping . WSJ’s Jesse Newman reports on how Kraft lost its dominance in the mac and cheese aisle, and what the company plans on doing about it. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Kraft Heinz’s Big Breakup - ‘It Came out of Nowhere’: The Rise of Dr Pepper Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s Ne...
President Trump will be nominating former Fed official Kevin Warsh to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos profiles the pick , explores the lingering issues Trump has with the current Fed chair and details the implications for the U.S. economy . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Who Will Be the Next Fed Chair? Maybe Kevin - 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. V...
Howard Rubin is a Wall Street legend , famous in the 1980s and ‘90s for being a risk-loving star trader. He also allegedly was involved in secret sex trafficking for years, hidden in a midtown penthouse. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel traces the saga and explains the allegations of abuse that ultimately led to Rubin’s arrest. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The High Pressure Tactics Gloria Allred Uses On Her Own Clients - Behind the Scenes at Davos, Claims of a Toxic Boss Sign up for WSJ’s free...
Disney’s largest source of revenue is its theme parks and cruises. The people responsible for designing those attractions are the secretive Imagineers . WSJ’s Ben Fritz reports that the company is spending $60 billion to create more Disney magic and it's up to the Imagineers to make it work. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Disney’s Big AI Dilemma - Disney Gets Into Gambling Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Ashley St. Clair , a conservative influencer who had a child with Elon Musk , sued Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, alleging that its chatbot Grok generated and shared nonconsensual, sexually explicit images of her. St. Clair’s lawsuit is emblematic of the thorny legal issues that surround new AI tools and deepfakes. It also confronts the question: Who is responsible for the content that users prompt chatbots to create? Jessica Mendoza spoke with St. Clair’s lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, a...
Over the weekend, a federal officer shot and killed Alex Pretti , a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis . WSJ’s Joe Barrett describes how events unfolded in the wake of Pretti’s killing, and WSJ’s Michelle Hackman breaks down how ICE tactics have led to clashes with local residents . Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE Agents The Hyundai Plant Raided By Immigration Authorities Inside the ICE Hiring Blitz Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn ...
Danielle Gansky was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder at age 7. Soon, she was prescribed a daily cocktail of powerful psychiatric drugs that she would be on for years. A new Wall Street Journal investigation reveals that children who start on ADHD medication at a young age are more than five times as likely to be prescribed additional psychiatric drugs. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran breaks down that investigation. WSJ’s Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Is America on To...
Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, has overseen the rise of the rocket and satellite company . She’s also maintained a long relationship with the company’s CEO Elon Musk. Now, with a potential IPO looming , WSJ’s Micah Maidenberg reports on how expansive Shotwell’s role is, and explains the big year ahead. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - When Elon Musk Moves In Next Door - Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Learn ...
The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is straining the U.S. power grid and driving up electricity prices . Tech giants and politicians are scrambling to determine who will pay for the massive infrastructure needed to keep the lights on. WSJ's Jennifer Hiller explains what this energy crisis means for the future of the power industry. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - AI Has Come for Advertising - The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter . Lea...
The episode details the escalating diplomatic conflict between the US and Europe over President Trump's renewed efforts to acquire Greenland. It covers Trump's national security justifications, including access to rare earth minerals and countering Russian presence, met by Denmark's refusal and Europe's protective measures. The discussion highlights Trump's tariff threats, potential European economic retaliation, and the deep implications for the US-Europe alliance, while also exploring Greenland's challenging economic reality and its inhabitants' strong desire to remain independent.
