The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

China's Cheap Goods Are Europe's Problem Now Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Amid an intense trade dispute with the US, China has started looking to other markets to sell its low value items. In recent months, Chinese e-commerce companies like Shein and Temu have started homing in on Europe. But the pivot has been met with resistance by many in Europe. WSJ's Chelsey Dulaney reports on the evolving China-Europe trade dynamic. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- China and the U.S. Are in a Race for AI Supremacy

- Is Trump Winning His Trade War?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Since World War II, U.S. geopolitical strategy prioritized global trade and building alliances, especially with democracies. Now, after his action in Venezuela, President Trump is ushering in a new era of American foreign policy that is focused primarily on territory and resources. WSJ’s chief economics commentator Greg Ip breaks down the moment, its historical context, and what’s next. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Was Maduro's Capture About Oil?

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was Maduro's Capture About Oil? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

For months, the U.S. sold its pressure campaign against Venezuela as a way to curtail drug trafficking. Now, after a surprise military operation on Saturday that led to the capture of President Nicolàs Maduro, U.S. oil companies have a path to regaining access to one of the world’s largest oil reserves. But WSJ’s Collin Eaton explains why getting companies to flock back to Venezuela will be a massive challenge. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Make Money Not War: Trump’s Plan for Peace in Ukraine

- Why Is the U.S. Giving Billions to Argentina?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026! Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

The stories that defined 2025, the themes to watch in 2026. Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza hear from top editors across the paper. Plus, Ryan's bold proposal to switch Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Thanks for listening to the show in 2025. We’ll see you in 2026!

Listen to Ryan and Jess’s playlist of their Greatest Hits of 2025.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Camp Swamp Road Ep. 5: Jacksonville Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

According to a WSJ analysis, the epicenter for Stand Your Ground killings is in the state where the laws were first enacted: Florida. From 2021 through 2024, the Jacksonville area had a larger share of its homicides classified as justifiable killings by civilians than any U.S. city or county with a population greater than 500,000. WSJ’s Hannah Critchfield reports on the law’s unintended consequences and one case labelled as a self-defense killing, where no killer came forward at all. Valerie Bauerlein hosts and reveals a major update on the Scott Spivey case.

Read the Reporting:

- The Self-Defense Cases That Made Jacksonville No. 1 in Legal Homicides

- 29 Shots in 24 Seconds: How a Killing Was Cast as Self-Defense

Follow the Story:

- Camp Swamp Road Playlist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Federal officials say Chinese money launderers moved more than $300 billion in illicit transactions through U.S. banks and other financial institutions in recent years. WSJ’s Dylan Tokar explores the rise of these highly lucrative schemes and former federal prosecutor Julie Shemitz takes us inside the federal investigation to bring them down. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Money Laundering Behind TD Bank's $3 Billion Fine

- Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Almost 2026. How’s the Economy? Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

How did the U.S. economy do in 2025? With unemployment ticking up, tariffs shaking up global trade and the stock market booming, it has been hard to make sense of it all. Ryan Knutson talks with three WSJ economics reporters–Justin Lahart, Rachel Wolfe and Jeanne Whalen– about the state of the economy as we wrap up the year, and about what to expect in 2026.

Further Listening:

- The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle Over a Church Worth Millions Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

After a historic church in the heart of Nashville was taken over by a businessman, the family of the church’s original founder, including Christian pop star Amy Grant, says the building was “steeple-jacked.” The businessman leading the church denies the allegations. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter explains to Ryan Knutson why many American churches are vulnerable to a hostile takeover.

Further Listening:

- ‘Exmo’ Influencers Are Taking On Mormonism

- The Financial Mess Facing the Vatican

- Why the New Pope Is Taking on AI

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How the ‘Chemtrails’ Conspiracy Theory Is Sabotaging One Company Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Cloud seeding is a decades-old rain-making technology, and it’s making a comeback in drought-stricken western states. Utah is partnering with a startup called Rainmaker as they try to stabilize the Great Salt Lake, assisted by drones and AI. But those efforts are colliding with weather conspiracy theories that have only gotten more persistent after some blamed Rainmaker for deadly floods in Texas last year. Jessica Mendoza spoke to the company’s CEO Agustus Doricko about their projects, and WSJ’s Kris Maher explains the growing movement for states to ban weather modification despite scientific consensus.

Further Listening:

- Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study

- Is Asheville No Longer a 'Climate Haven?'

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Robinhood’s CEO Became a Cult Hero Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Risky investing strategies are on the rise, and Robinhood’s CEO Vlad Tenev is leading the charge. He’s built the company’s trading app not just to buy and sell ordinary stocks, but to make it easier to invest in more exotic financial products. WSJ’s Hannah Erin Lang profiles Tenev and explores the extraordinary success his company has had over the past year. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Free Trading Isn't Free: How Robinhood Makes Money

- ‘To The Moon’ From the Journal

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Journal. – The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected