The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

The Ticketmaster Breakup Trial Just Got Messier Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Just one week into the blockbuster antitrust trial between the Justice Department and Live Nation, the two parties reached a tentative agreement. WSJ’s Dave Michaels explores a deal that would allow the dominant concert promoter to keep ownership of Ticketmaster, a potential monopoly the DOJ had been concerned about for years. But for a coalition of state attorneys general who were also part of the original lawsuit, the deal wasn't good enough. Jessica Mendoza speaks to North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson about why he didn’t sign onto the agreement and what he’s looking for as the case continues.

Further Listening:

- The Trustbuster Taking on Ticketmaster

- The Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Debacle

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Fertility Inc.: ‘Our Money Was Gone’ Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The Journal’s investigation into the wild west of the fertility industry continues, this time from an intended parent’s perspective. Ryan Knutson speaks with AnnaMaria Gallozzi, who wanted to have a child through surrogacy after a cancer diagnosis. Gallozzi and her husband set aside a large sum of money, but they lost it all when the escrow company entrusted with that cash defrauded them. WSJ’s Ben Foldy walks us through the complicated legal battle, and reveals how a lack of oversight has exposed hopeful parents to fraud.

Further Listening:

- Fertility Inc.: When the Surrogate Gets Left With the Bill

- The Mystery of the Mansion Filled With Surrogate Children

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The Escalating Crisis at the Strait of Hormuz Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global economic disruption and created a major military and political challenge for the Trump Administration. WSJ's Jared Malsin explores the militarization of the strait, the options for its reopening and the risks of a prolonged closure of the world’s most important energy-transport route. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War?

- The Global Scramble for Patriot Missiles

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The Global Scramble for Patriot Missiles Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Since the start of the war in Iran, the U.S. and regional allies have relied on American-made Patriot missile systems to counteract Iran’s airstrikes. But WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski reports that production shortfalls are draining reserves. This urgent math problem is not only straining U.S defenses around the world, it’s also creating an existential crisis for another country seeking to defend itself: Ukraine. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War?

- Trump’s Shifting Reasons for War With Iran

- What’s Next for Iran?

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The Battle Over AI in Warfare Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Anthropic is taking the Trump administration to court, after the Trump administration designated the AI company a security threat and tried to cancel its federal contracts. The move brings the ongoing battle between the two sides to new heights. WSJ’s Keach Hagey explains Anthropic’s ‘red lines’ at the heart of the saga, how rival OpenAI stepped in to make its own deal with the Pentagon, and what all of this could mean for the future of Anthropic’s business. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Anthropic’s Pentagon Problems

- The AI Economic Doomsday Report That Shook Wall Street

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Kristi Noem’s $200 Million Mistake Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Kristi Noem brought a camera-ready leadership style to the Department of Homeland Security. Now, after a turbulent year leading the agency, Trump has fired her. WSJ's Michelle Hackman takes us behind the scenes of her controversial tenure and what led to her downfall. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Inside the ICE Hiring Blitz

- Inside ICE's Aggressive Approach to Arresting Migrants

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Fertility Inc.: When the Surrogate Gets Left With the Bill Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Reproductive technology is a modern miracle. It's made it possible for millions of people to become parents who might otherwise not have been able to. But growing demand has spawned a multibillion-dollar industry that’s largely unregulated in the U.S.

In our first episode looking at the wild west of the fertility industry, Ryan Knutson speaks with a three-time surrogate who ended up in a big legal battle. Nia Trent-Wilson was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt after a family didn’t pay up after delivery. WSJ’s Katherine Long reports on how the industry fosters a dramatic power imbalance between surrogates and intended parents.

Further Listening:

- The Mystery of the Mansion Filled With Surrogate Children

- America’s Maternal Health Crisis

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Inside the Nasty Fight to Take Over Hollywood Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

After a months-long bidding war, Paramount Skydance has secured a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, snatching the media giant away from Netflix. WSJ’s Joe Flint breaks down how Paramount CEO David Ellison pulled off the $81 billion takeover and what this debt-heavy merger means for the future of entertainment and news. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Man Who Wants Netflix to Save Hollywood

- She Swore Off Legacy Media. Now She's Running CBS News.

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Will Gas Prices Go Up Because of the Iran War? Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

The conflict with Iran has raised energy prices and sent shock waves through markets. WSJ’s Rebecca Feng explains what’s happening in the Strait of Hormuz, an Iran-controlled waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply typically travels. And WSJ’s Harriet Torry breaks down what this could mean for consumers and inflation in the U.S. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Trump’s Shifting Reasons for War With Iran

- Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy

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Trump’s Shifting Reasons for War With Iran Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

The U.S.’s war with Iran has entered its fourth day. The Trump administration has given several reasons for initiating attacks on Iran. All of them are coming under scrutiny. WSJ's Alex Ward discusses the intelligence President Trump is using for his case for war and explores the challenges ahead. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- What’s Next for Iran?

- U.S. and Israel Attack Iran

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