The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

The Promise and Peril of One Self Driving Truck Company Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

Autonomous trucking company TuSimple has an ambitious goal: eliminate humans from behind the wheel and teach big rigs to drive themselves. But recently, as WSJ's Heather Somerville reports, a traffic accident brought to light technical and safety shortcomings.

Further Reading:

-Self-Driving Truck Accident Draws Attention to Safety at TuSimple

-For Robot Trucks, Navigating Highways Is Just One Bump in the Road

Further Listening:

-To Solve Labor Shortage, Companies Turn to Automation

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Why Everyone Is Mad at Instagram Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

In response to competition from TikTok, Instagram is making big changes to its app. But a lot of users are upset about it. WSJ’s Salvador Rodriguez explains how the company is responding to the backlash, and what it means for parent company Meta.

Further reading:

-'Make Instagram Instagram Again': The App’s Evolution is causing Users to Question its Future

-Mark Zuckerberg’s Bid to Reinvent Facebook Parent Meta Hits Early Snags

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The Biotech Founder Facing Murder Charges Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Enochian Biosciences co-founder Serhat Gumrukcu was working to build a name for himself in biotech. But earlier this year, he was arrested in a purported plot to kill an associate. WSJ’s Joseph Walker tells the story of Gumrukcu’s rise and what prosecutors allege happened.
Further Reading:

-Biotech Wizard Left a Trail of Fraud – Prosecutors Allege it Ended in Murder

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Kansas’ Big Abortion Vote Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

On Tuesday, Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment that could lead to abortion restrictions or an outright ban. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains how Kansas became the biggest abortion battleground since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Further reading:

-Kansas Abortion Amendment Is Closely Watched Ahead of Other State Referendums

Further listening:

-The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade

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Are We in a Recession? It’s Complicated. Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Yesterday, government data showed that the economy shrank for the second quarter in a row, a common definition of a recession. The WSJ's Jon Hilsenrath explains why that doesn't mean the U.S. is in one and looks at what needs to change before he starts using the "R" word.

Further reading:

- Inventory Swing Is a Key Culprit Behind U.S. Recession Talk

- People Have Money but Feel Glum-What Does that Mean for the Economy?

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Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

When the pandemic hit, Rent the Runway, a company that rents designer clothing, saw half its customers pause or cancel their monthly subscriptions. Jennifer Hyman, the CEO, talks about how she retooled the business to survive the shock, and the challenges that still remain.

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The Company Behind the World's Only Monkeypox Vaccine Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a public health emergency as worldwide cases exceed 19,000. WSJ's Denise Roland tells the story of how a Danish company's rarely used smallpox vaccine became the only licensed shot against monkeypox, and how the company's scrambling to meet global demand.
Further reading:
-FDA Clears Danish Monkeypox Vaccine Plant, Paving Way for Use of Doses in U.S.

-What to Know About the Monkeypox Outbreak in the U.S.

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How a Crypto Bank Went Bankrupt Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network promoted itself as better than a bank, but now it's filed for bankruptcy. WSJ’s Alexander Gladstone discusses the company’s promise, fall, and what it could mean for regulation in the cryptocurrency marketplace.

Further Reading:

- Celsius Customers Are Losing Hope for Their Locked-Up Crypto

- Behind the Celsius Sales Pitch Was a Crypto Firm Built on Risk

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Is Healthcare Amazon's Next Big Thing? Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

E-commerce giant Amazon is acquiring the primary-care practice One Medical, giving it about 180 clinics across roughly two dozen U.S. markets. We talk with WSJ’s Sebastian Herrera about Amazon’s track record in health care so far and why it’s investing in the industry.

Further reading:

- Amazon Faces Fierce Competition in Health Ambitions After One Medical Deal

- Amazon to Buy One Medical Network of Health Clinics in Healthcare Expansion

- Amazon Gives Healthcare Ambitions a Booster Shot

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Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash. Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

WSJ's Fashion Director Rory Satran explains how Shein, now valued at $100 billion, used social media to dominate the fast-fashion industry, and why it’s now facing intense criticism from sustainable shoppers.

Further reading:

- Shein’s Rise Was Nearly Overnight. The Backlash Came Just as Fast

- China’s Fast-Fashion Giant Shein Faces Dozens of Lawsuits Alleging Design Theft

- How Shein Became the Chinese Apparel Maker American Teens Love

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