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. Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing
Elon Musk's merger of xAI and SpaceX to create a $1.25 trillion company is driven by Musk's vision of extending AI capabilities into space, specifically through orbital data centers powered by solar energy. The rationale behind locating data centers in space is to overcome the limitations of land and power resources on...
Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, discusses the weakening dollar and the growing national debt, emphasizing the need for increased fiscal discipline in the U.S. Griffin suggests bipartisan agreement is necessary to address the national debt, warning that deferring decisions will only increase the pain for future generations...
The rapid advancements and potential implications of Anthropic's Claude Code, an AI coding tool, are examined. It explores how Claude Code enables users with limited coding knowledge to create websites and applications through "vibe coding." The discussion covers the tool's origins, its significant update in November, ...
The podcast explores the weakening U.S. dollar and its implications for the global economy under the Trump administration. It highlights how Trump's policies, including tariffs, unconventional foreign policy, and pressure on the Federal Reserve, have contributed to the dollar's decline by creating economic uncertainty....
Kraft Mac & Cheese's decades-long dominance is threatened by shifting consumer preferences and increased competition. The brand, introduced in 1937, thrived during the Great Depression and World War II but now faces challenges as consumers seek healthier options. A merger with Heinz in 2015, driven by cost-cutting meas...
The podcast analyzes Donald Trump's selection of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, exploring the potential implications for the economy and the Fed's future direction. It highlights Warsh's background as a Fed insider turned critic and his evolving views on monetary policy, particularly his recent advocacy...
The podcast explores the double life of Howard Rubin, a Wall Street trader who led a secret life of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Rubin, once a celebrated figure known for high-stakes trading at firms like Salomon Brothers and Bear Stearns, later became the subject of civil suits and a criminal investigation. The i...
Disney's strategic shift towards its theme parks division is explored, highlighting its increasing importance as TV revenue declines and streaming struggles to compensate. The company is investing $60 billion into its parks, nearly double the prior decade's spending, and tasking the Imagineers with ambitious expansion ...
The podcast explores the legal battle between Ashley St. Clair and xAI, focusing on the controversy surrounding Grok, an AI chatbot accused of generating nonconsensual, sexually explicit images of real people. It highlights Carrie Goldberg's product liability legal strategy against tech companies, arguing that Grok is ...
The podcast examines the implications of a second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and its impact on President Trump's immigration policies. It highlights the escalating tensions between the federal government and the local community, sparked by Operation Metro Surge, an unprecedented immigra...
The podcast explores the issue of over-medication in the U.S., particularly focusing on how an ADHD diagnosis in childhood can lead to a cascade of psychiatric prescriptions. It highlights the story of Danielle, who was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven and subsequently put on multiple medications, experiencing signific...
The podcast explores Gwynne Shotwell's pivotal role at SpaceX, particularly as the company considers an IPO. Shotwell, SpaceX's president since 2008, is portrayed as essential to the company's success, adept at managing relationships and translating Elon Musk's vision. The discussion highlights her early sales efforts,...
The U.S. power industry faces a significant challenge as AI data centers strain the energy grid, particularly within the PJM Interconnection, which oversees energy markets across 13 states. This surge in demand reverses a 20-year trend of flat electricity consumption due to increased efficiency. Now, data centers, espe...
The podcast explores the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Europe over Greenland, focusing on President Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the territory. It highlights Trump's national security rationale, citing Greenland's rare earth mineral resources and concerns over Russian military presence in the Arctic...
Waymo's self-driving cars in San Francisco are reportedly exhibiting more assertive driving behaviors, prompting an investigation into whether the company intentionally altered their programming. Anecdotal evidence suggests Waymos are now making lane changes in tunnels, being less patient with pedestrians, and possibly...
The black market for high school football players is explored, focusing on the story of Phillip Bell III, a talented wide receiver whose family was impacted by the lure of money. It is revealed that high school players are being paid through street agents connecting them with wealthy alumni and parents, despite it bein...
Iran's financial crisis, triggered by renewed U.S. sanctions in 2018, is examined, highlighting the collapse of Ayande Bank as a turning point. The bank's failure, rooted in risky loans and investments in projects like the Iran Mall, led to a government bailout and increased money printing, causing inflation and a rial...
The podcast explores President Trump's strategy to control Venezuela's oil reserves, focusing on his desire to lower oil prices to around $50 a barrel. Trump aims to displace the shadow market controlled by Russia and China by leveraging U.S. oil companies to invest an estimated $100 billion in Venezuela. However, U.S....
The Justice Department's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is examined, centering on alleged cost overruns in the Federal Reserve building renovations and potential political motivations. Powell publicly accused the Trump administration of pressuring the Fed to lower interest rates, viewing the inv...
The podcast explores intelligent investing strategies for 2026 with Jason Zweig, who writes the Intelligent Investor column for The Wall Street Journal. Zweig advocates for a buy-and-hold approach using index funds to minimize friction from fees, taxes, and behavioral tendencies like performance chasing. While acknowle...
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