The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

A Fight in Elon Musk's Inner Circle Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Most billionaires are surrounded by people who manage their money and philanthropy but Elon Musk has had just one man to do that job... until recently. WSJ’s Rob Copeland tells the story of a newcomer who disrupted Musk's inner circle.

Further reading:

- Elon Musk’s Inner Circle Rocked by Fight Over His $230 Billion Fortune

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Netflix Turns to Ads Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

Netflix had a second straight quarter of subscriber losses. Now the streaming giant is making big changes, including adding ads, which the company had long avoided. WSJ’s Sarah Krouse says ads will be part of the solution as the streaming platform looks to right the ship.
Further Reading:
- Netflix Loses Nearly 1 Million Viewers, Vows Rebound

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Why Amazon is Dialing Back Its Own Brands Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Amazon tried to grow the sales of its private label brands, like AmazonBasics, by adding more products. But rather than juice sales, it’s created new headaches — especially with regulators. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli explains why Amazon is starting to scale back.

Further Reading:

- Amazon Scooped Up Data From Its Own Sellers to Launch Competing Products

- Amazon Has Been Slashing Private-Label Selection Amid Weak Sales

Further Listening:

- How Amazon Employees Used Sellers' Data Against Them

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Somalia's Hunger Crisis Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Droughts, the global pandemic and political instability have put many Somalis on the brink of starvation. But now, the war in Ukraine has pushed even more over the edge. The victims include children, who are most at risk of dying from hunger. Our colleague Gabriele Steinhauser visited Somalia last month to speak to the people bearing the brunt of a global food shortage.

Warning: This episode contains depictions of starving children. Please listen with care.

Further reading:

- The Ukraine War Pushes Millions of the World’s Poorest Toward Starvation

- Russia Says It Is Open to Talks With Ukraine, Turkey on Grain Exports

- How Food Became Putin’s New Strategic Weapon

Further listening:

- War in Ukraine Hits Global Food Supplies

- War in Ukraine Pushes Millions Into Food Insecurity

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Why The James Webb Telescope Nearly Didn't Make It Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

The James Webb Space Telescope was almost an epic failure. More than 20,000 scientists worked together for over 30 years, but when NASA appointed Greg Robinson to direct the project, things finally came together. We hear from Robinson and WSJ’s Ben Cohen about the engineering breakthroughs— and management finesse— that launched the world’s best telescope into space.

Further Reading:

- The NASA Engineer Who Made the James Webb Space Telescope Work

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The Roots of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Sri Lanka’s escalating political and economic crises came to a head this week when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and submitted his resignation. WSJ’s Philip Wen describes the roots of the crisis -- and what pushed this highly indebted nation over the edge, into rolling blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

Further reading:

-Sri Lanka’s Debt Crisis Tests China’s Role as Financier to Poor Countries

-Sri Lanka’s President Resigns Over Email After Fleeing Country

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Rural America Is Still Waiting for Fast Internet Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

For decades, the Federal Communications Commission has tried to close the digital divide between cities and rural communities. In a 2020 auction, it allocated funding to a private telecom company to expand high-speed internet coverage. WSJ’s Ryan Tracy explains why one company has struggled to deliver on its big promises.

Further Reading:

-Vegas Company Promised Fast Internet. Rural America Waits…and Waits.

-Why Rural Americans Keep Waiting for Fast Internet, Despite Billions Spent

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The Battle to Get Brittney Griner Home Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

One of the WNBA 's biggest stars has been in Russian prison since February, when she was arrested on drug charges. While fans clamor for her release, WSJ's Louise Radnofsky explains why it's going to be a difficult task for the U.S. to get her back.

Further Reading:

- Brittney Griner’s Case Faces Tensions Back Home

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Elon Musk Doesn't Want to Buy Twitter Anymore Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

Elon Musk says he wants to pull out of his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter. The social media company responded by saying it plans to sue. WSJ's Jason Dean discusses the latest and what might be next.

Further Reading:

- Twitter Didn’t Seek a Sale. Now Elon Musk Doesn’t Want to Buy. Cue Strange Legal Drama.

- Elon Musk’s Twitter Deal Collided With Market and Economic Tumult

Further Listening:

- Elon Musk's Twitter Surprise

- Elon Musk’s $43 Billion Offer to Buy Twitter

- Elon Musk is Actually Buying Twitter

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Two Friends Pulled Apart by a Changing Hong Kong Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

25 years ago, Britain handed Hong Kong back to China. We meet two Hong Kong artists whose friendship has survived personal, political and creative differences in a shared art studio for 13 years. Now, with China exerting more power, one of them is choosing to leave the city for good.

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