The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

How to Build a Metaverse, Part 4: Why Build a World? Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

Second Life never went mainstream. But just because the platform wasn’t for everyone doesn’t mean it wasn’t for anyone. In part 4 of our series, we talk to longtime Second Life users about the lives they’ve built in the metaverse and what virtual worlds have to offer.

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Government Officials and Their Stocks Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Hidden records show that thousands of senior executive branch employees owned stocks in companies whose fates were affected by their employers’ actions. WSJ’s Brody Mullins and Rebecca Ballhaus take us inside the nearly year-long Wall Street Journal investigation.

Further Reading:

- Government Officials Invest in Companies Their Agencies Oversee

- 131 Federal Judges Broke the Law by Hearing Cases Where They Had a Financial Interest

- Congressional Staffers Gain From Trading in Stocks

Further Listening:

- The Federal Law that 138 Judges have broken

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Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable? Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

In the last few years, streaming has overtaken cable as the go-to means of watching TV. But as more streaming platforms flood the market, the industry’s major players are finding it harder to grow. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel says companies are finding new solutions in the old cable bundle playbook.

Further Reading:

- You Hated Your Cable Package. Your Streaming Services Are Bringing It Back.

- Paramount Explores Merging Showtime Streaming Service Into Paramount+

- Disney Explores Membership Program Like Amazon Prime

- Walmart Reaches Video-Streaming Deal to Offer Paramount+ to Members

Further Listening:

- Netflix Turns to Ads

- NBC's Olympic Bet on Peacock

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Ukraine Makes a Deal with Wall Street Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

The war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on the country and rebuilding will be expensive, estimated in the tens of billions. WSJ's Matt Wirz tells the story of one Ukrainian official's unconventional plan to win over Wall Street and help keep his country afloat.

Further Reading:

- Ukraine Takes Unorthodox Pitch to Wall Street to Raise Billions in Debt

Further Listening:

- Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes

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Are Rotisserie Chickens ‘Inflation-Proof’? Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

We're off for the holiday today, but we still have an episode for you!
Inflation is the worst it’s been in more than 40 years. But one bright spot for consumers might be found at the grocery store: rotisserie chickens. WSJ’s Annie Gasparro chronicles the history of America’s love for the quick and versatile meal, and what a "rotisserie chicken economic index" might say about this inflationary moment.

Further Listening:

- Inflation Is Happening. Should You Be Worried?

Further Reading:

- Rotisserie Chickens: The ’90s Gift to Supermarkets That Keeps on Giving

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How to Build a Metaverse, Part 3: Prime Time Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

By 2007, Second Life seemed on track for a commercial breakthrough. And then, an opportunity came along to get in front of a truly mainstream audience: a starring role on one of TV’s biggest shows. In part 3 of our series: Second Life’s ascension to prime time, and the hurdles that threw its success into question.

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The U.K. Tried to Stimulate Growth. It Got Backlash Instead. Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

The U.K. government has U-turned on one part of a plan to make major tax cuts after markets reacted violently to it. WSJ's Max Colchester explains why the government's attempt to boost growth did the opposite.

Further Reading:

- U.K. Markets Turmoil Puts Spotlight on New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng

- U.K.’s Central Banker Struggles With Inflation, a Financial Crisis and His Own Government

Further Listening:

- The U.K.'s New Prime Minister Faces an Economic Crisis

- The Pros and Cons of a Strong U.S. Dollar

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Elon Musk Wants to Buy Twitter After All Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

Facing an impending deposition, a trial date and the potential release of more private text messages, billionaire Elon Musk said he wants to proceed with his purchase of Twitter at the original $44-billion offer. But will he be able to avert the Oct. 17th trial? WSJ’s Cara Lombardo on the topsy-turvy deal.

Further Reading:

- Elon Musk Proposes Closing Twitter Deal on Original Terms

- Elon Musk’s Twitter Reversal Renews Takeover Bid for a Now-Weaker Firm

Further Listening:

- The Musk-Twitter Saga - from The Journal.

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Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

As Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine sputters, he's escalating tensions. WSJ's Matthew Dalton explains how Putin's ramping up the stakes both in the ground war in Ukraine and in his economic war with the West.

Further Reading:

- NATO Formally Blames Sabotage for Nord Stream Pipeline Damage

- Russia’s Lower House Approves Absorbing Ukrainian Territories

- Putin Raises Ukraine Ante as His War Fortunes Sink

Further Listening:

- Ukraine Shifts the War With a Surprise Attack

- Europe is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change?

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The Former MoviePass CEO on What Went Wrong Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

MoviePass took off like a rocket when it unveiled a $9.95 monthly service in 2017 that allowed customers to see a movie a day in theaters. But its crash was just as spectacular as its rise. Now, the service is coming back under new management. Mitch Lowe, the former CEO, talks about what went wrong.

Further Reading:

- It’s a Wrap: MoviePass Ends Theater Subscription Service

- MoviePass Is Making a Comeback With Plans From $10 to $30 a Month

Further Listening:

- The Fundamental Flaw (and Alleged Deception) of MoviePass

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