The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

Our Reporter Tried Meta’s Viral AI Agent. Should You? Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now.

Muse is Meta’s new AI agent, and it’s a hit. With more and more people using this type of technology to help manage their time and tasks, WSJ’s personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen decided to try Muse for herself. She reports on the tradeoffs between convenience and privacy. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Will Meta's $18 Billion Settlement Change Social Media?

- She Let AI Take Over Her Life For a Year

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How China Swiped the Secret to American Blueberries Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

About 15 years ago, executives from U.S. fruit grower Driscoll’s went to China with a plan to turn blueberries into that country's next big food trend. But along the way, Driscoll's has found itself embroiled in the intense world of Chinese competition. WSJ’s Jon Emont recounts the story of how the Chinese blueberry economy blew up. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Chinese Customers Are Running From Nike

- The Chinese Coffee Giant Taking on Starbucks

- Can the U.S. Keep Chinese Cars Out?

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Why ‘What’s for Dinner?’ Is Harder than Ever Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Americans are spending more time in the kitchen than any point in the last 20 years. But the question “what’s for dinner?” is more fraught than ever. People are dealing with increasingly hectic schedules but a rise in prices is also piling on the pressure. Food prices jumped about 26% in the last five years. WSJ's Jesse Newman explains why putting a meal on the table has gotten so hard and how families are adapting. Imani Moise hosts.

Further Listening:

- Inflation Forces the Fed’s Hand

- The Bankruptcy That’s Ruining Dinner

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Will a Rent Freeze Fix NYC or Make it Worse? Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

During a Journal Live Event in New York earlier this month, Ryan Knutson spoke with two experts about the city’s forthcoming rent freeze. Emily Eisner, the executive director and chief economist at the Fiscal Policy Institute, and Kenny Burgos, the CEO of the New York Apartment Association, discuss the housing affordability crisis and the pros and cons of the rent freeze. Further Listening:

- Kathy Hochul on Mamdani, Trump and Where Democrats Went Wrong

- Is NYC’s Mayoral Race All About Rent?

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The Epic Drama at Lululemon Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Email us at thejournal@wsj.com with your thoughts on the economy as we head into the midterms.

Lululemon helped pioneer the athleisure market. Now, it’s fallen on hard times. Sales have slowed, and the company was engaged in a multi-year battle with its founder. A new CEO took over this month hoping to right the ship, but investors reacted poorly. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner spills the tea on all the drama inside the popular brand. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Listeria, Liverwurst and the Family Feud at Boar’s Head

- The Battle Over Disney’s Board

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The High Schools Going All-In on AI Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

A 2024 survey found that 90% of high-schoolers in Estonia were already using generative AI for learning. So, the northern European country decided to lean in. In an experiment called AI Leap, the country has partnered with OpenAI and Google to give tens of thousands of high-schoolers access to free chatbots. WSJ’s Sam Schechner flew to Estonia and talked to teachers and students about whether there is a way to keep learning with AI in the classroom. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- How YouTube Took Over the American Classroom

- The College Student Who Defeated the World’s Biggest Cyberweapon

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An Exclusive Interview With Ukraine’s President Zelensky Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, during the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a “winter package” of military equipment. After the meeting, Zelensky sat down with WSJ’s editor in chief Emma Tucker to discuss the future of the almost 5-year conflict.

Watch the full interview here.

Further Listening:

- The Man Leading Ukraine

- Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption

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Inside Canada's EU Courtship Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

In the midst of a damaging trade war with the U.S., Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed making his country an “Associate Member of the European Union.” WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson report on private conversations between Carney and many European leaders and explain how a pivot to Europe would work. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Canada Won't Back Down to Trump

- Canada’s New Leader Is Ready To Take on Trump

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The World is Running Out of Fuel Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

After the war in Iran began, several measures went into effect to keep oil prices under control. Governments and companies tapped their reserves and illicit oil became more available. But as the war continues, those buffers have now been depleted and the pain is starting to worsen. WSJ's Benoît Morenne breaks down how we got here and Owen Tucker-Smith explains what it means for some businesses. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Inside the U.S. Deal to Get Venezuela’s Oil

- Can an ‘Economic D-Day’ End the Iran War?

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Fashion Mogul Says Working Moms Need to Stop Apologizing Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Emma Grede has spent decades in the fashion industry’s backstage, helping found brands like Skims and Good Americans with celebrity partners Kim and Khloe Kardashian respectively. Recently, Grede has stepped into the limelight to share the story of her rise and her strategies for managing motherhood, a fashion empire and making millions. Jessica Mendoza interviewed Grede onstage at The Journal Live earlier this month.

Further Listening:

- Confessions of a Recovering Work Addict

- For Riz Ahmed, Life is a Spy Thriller

- Financial Influencers on Wealth and Work

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