The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

The Power Grid's AI Problem Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is straining the U.S. power grid and driving up electricity prices. Tech giants and politicians are scrambling to determine who will pay for the massive infrastructure needed to keep the lights on. WSJ's Jennifer Hiller explains what this energy crisis means for the future of the power industry. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- AI Has Come for Advertising

- The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun

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How Far Will Trump Go to Get Greenland? Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Over the weekend, President Trump intensified calls for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, a territory controlled by Denmark. WSJ’s Max Colchester explains how European leaders are reacting to Trump’s push for the arctic island, and what might happen next. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy

- Greenland Has Tons of Minerals. So Where Are All the Miners?

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Are Waymos Driving More Like Humans? Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

In this mini-episode of The Journal, WSJ's Katherine Bindley investigates a recent change in behavior among San Francisco’s ubiquitous Waymos, the self-driving robotaxis. Suddenly, the cars are behaving less like deferential drivers and more like New York cabbies. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- How Waymo Won Over San Francisco

- The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here

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Inside the Black Market for High School Football Players Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

From a young age, it was clear that Phillip Bell was a football phenom. He got his first college scholarship offer in middle school. But that talent drew Bell into Southern California’s unruly youth football black market. In that system, high schoolers and their families are paid millions to play football. WSJ's Harriet Ryan reports on a system that ultimately tore Phillip Bell's family apart. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- NCAA President on a New Era for College Sports

- Private Equity Finally Can Get a Piece of the NFL

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The Bank Collapse Behind Iran's Protests Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

For the past two weeks, Iran has been consumed by protests that have resulted in a heavy government crackdown with deaths estimated in the thousands. But the prelude to the unrest wasn’t just political. It stemmed from a deep financial crisis, and specifically, as WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains, the collapse of an obscure and indebted bank. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Iran Retaliates After U.S. Strike. How Could This End?

- Iran May Be Running Out of Options

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Oil Companies Aren't Sold on Venezuela Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump's sweeping plan for Venezuelan oil is coming into focus. It includes cutting off illicit oil exports, gaining more control over Venezuela's state-run oil company and rebuilding infrastructure. Some of these goals require the participation of U.S. oil companies, but those companies are reluctant to invest in the still-unstable country. WSJ's Andrew Restuccia explains Trump's gambit to bring down oil prices and reshape the global oil market. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy

- Was Maduro's Capture About Oil?

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Why is the Fed Chair Facing a Criminal Investigation? Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

After receiving grand jury subpoenas from the Justice Department last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the investigation was part of a pressure campaign to get the Fed to lower interest rates. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains how the investigation could change who controls monetary policy in the future. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Is the Economy Getting Better or Worse? The Fed Says It’s Hard to Tell

- Who Will Be the Next Fed Chair? Maybe Kevin

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How to Be an Intelligent Investor in 2026 Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

An AI bubble. Geopolitical turmoil. Inflation and interest rates. These things and more could rock the stock market in 2026, and investors have to be prepared. WSJ’s Jason Zweig, writer of The Intelligent Investor column and newsletter, discusse s how investors can best set up their portfolios for the new year and breaks down his outlook for the year ahead. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- It's Almost 2026. How’s the Economy?

- Investment Accounts for Babies Are Coming. Wall Street Can’t Wait.

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A Son Blames ChatGPT for His Father's Murder-Suicide Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

In August, a troubled man named Stein-Erik Soelberg killed his mother and took his own life. In the months leading up to the tragedy, Soelberg had been engaging in delusion-filled conversations with ChatGPT. Now, his mother’s estate has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, and Soelberg’s son Erik wants the tech giant to take responsibility for a product that he believes deepened his father’s decline. WSJ’s Julie Jargon tells Ryan Knutson about the challenges facing OpenAI when it comes to mental health.

Further Listening:

- A Troubled Man and His Chatbot

- OpenAI’s ‘Code Red’ Problem

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The Man Who Wants Netflix to Save Hollywood Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Netflix is in a high-stakes fight to buy storied movie studio Warner Bros. The company has a $72 billion deal in hand, but rival Paramount isn't going down without a fight. At the helm of the streaming giant is co-CEO Ted Sarandos, whose strategies have helped transform the entertainment industry. WSJ’s Joe Flint says that Hollywood’s creatives were once enamored with Netflix’s approaches but have grown more wary of what new changes could come with consolidation. WSJ’s Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Netflix’s Fight for Warner Just Got Harder

- Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing

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