The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

An Energy CEO on the Winding Path to a Green Grid Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, directing billions of dollars to tackle climate change. We speak to Pedro Pizarro, the CEO of Edison International, one of America’s largest utility companies, about what this bill means for the energy sector.
Further Reading:
-Biden Signs Bill Aimed at Lowering Drug Costs, Boosting Renewable Energy

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The Fight Over Afghanistan’s Money Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Afghanistan's central bank has $7 billion frozen in the U.S. As the country faces mounting economic and humanitarian crises, WSJ’s Jessica Donati explains the complicated negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over what to do with the money.

Further Reading:

-U.S. Rules Out Releasing Billions in Afghan Funds After Strike

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Electric Cars Need Lithium. Can Chile Provide It? Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

Lithium is a key component of batteries in electric vehicles, and a lot of it is underground in South America. WSJ’s Ryan Dube explains why it’s so complicated to get this metal out of Chile and Bolivia, and what that means for the transition to greener energy.

Further Reading:

- The Place With the Most Lithium Is Blowing the Electric-Car Revolution

- Lithium Prices Soar, Turbocharged By Electric-Vehicle Demand and Scant Supply

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Why Ben & Jerry’s Is Suing its Parent Company Over Israel Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Ben & Jerry's has an unusual agreement with its parent company, Unilever, which let the activist brand keep its corporate social justice mission. But now Ben & Jerry's is taking on Unilever in court to figure out just how far they are allowed to go. WSJ's Saabira Chaudhuri discusses the dispute over selling their ice cream in Israeli territories.

Further Reading:

- Ben and Jerry’s Tells Court That Unilever Could Undermine Its Social Mission

- Unilever Sells Ben and Jerry’s Ice-Cream Business in Israel

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A Business Tries to Solve a Town’s Housing Problem Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

The Pella Corporation, manufacturer of windows and doors, is headquartered in a small town in Iowa. When a shortage of housing and amenities hindered its ability to hire and grow, the company decided to tackle some of these problems themselves. WSJ’s Charity Scott tells the complicated tale of a modern company town.

Further Reading:

- Facing Labor Shortages, Pella Reinvents the Company Town in Rural Iowa

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The Private Equity Lobby Wins Again Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

The private equity lobby notched another victory in their fight to pay low taxes on the fees they charge after Democrats tried – and failed – to change this in their Tax and Climate Bill. WSJ Julie Bykowicz discusses how they managed to do it.

Further reading:

-How the Private-Equity Lobby Won—Again

-Senate Passes Democrats’ Climate, Healthcare and Tax Bill

Further listening:

-Three Candidates, Three Ideas to Tax the Super Rich

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How Teen Gamers Built a Billion Dollar Business Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

In 2010, a handful of teenage boys started posting gaming montages on YouTube, under the name FaZe Clan. More than a decade later, the group is a global e-sports and lifestyle brand worth more than a billion dollars on the Nasdaq. CEO Lee Trink and founding FaZe Clan member Yousef Abdelfattah — better known as FaZe Apex — explain how the company got there.

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Why FBI Agents Searched Mar-a-Lago Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

FBI agents searched former President Donald Trump's Florida home looking for classified documents. WSJ's Alex Leary discusses what we know about the investigation and some of the potential consequences of the search.

Further Reading:

- FBI Searches Trump’s Florida Home Mar-a-Lago in Document Investigation

- Search of Trump’s Home Roils 2022 Midterms, 2024 Presidential Race

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How Much Will Alex Jones Pay for his Sandy Hook Lie? Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

A Texas jury ordered the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay nearly $50 million for lying about the Sandy Hook shooting. But after Jones’ company filed for bankruptcy, there are questions about when — and how much — he’ll actually pay. WSJ’s Rob Copeland and Jonathan Randles talk about the case and the upcoming bankruptcy battle.

Further Reading:

- Alex Jones Ordered to Pay $45.2 Million in Punitive Damages to Sandy Hook Parents

- Alex Jones Ordered to Pay $4.1 Million to Parents of Sandy Hook Victim

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Europe Is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change? Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Europe is stepping up its coal consumption as it tries to reduce reliance on Russian energy. WSJ’s Juan Forero and Phred Dvorak explain why Europe needs coal so badly, and what the consequences will be for the continent’s transition to cleaner energy.

Further Reading:

- Europe’s Coal-Buying Frenzy Means Windfall for Producers

- Europe’s Energy Crisis Threatens to Slow Green Transition

Further Listening:

- Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy

- If Russia Invades Ukraine, Can the U.S. Deliver on Sanctions?

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