The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

The Financial Mess Facing the Vatican May 07, 2025

Show notes

Just days before his death, Pope Francis wrestled with an enormous problem: the Vatican’s dire finances. The world’s smallest country is now facing a budget deficit of millions, and a looming crisis in its pension fund. As the Papal conclave meets this week to vote for a new leader, WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw pieces through how centuries of financial mismanagement have culminated into a mess that the next pope will inherit. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Pope Francis Has Died. What’s Next for the Catholic Church?

- The Mormon Church’s $100 Billion Secret Fund

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Is the Economy… OK? May 06, 2025

Show notes

For months, questions have been swirling about the economy. And last week, we finally got some answers when all kinds of economic data was released. Some of those numbers seemed to say that the economy is headed toward a downward slump, but WSJ’s Jeanne Whalen explains that the picture may not be as dark as it seems at first glance. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-Trump 2.0: Where Is The Economy Headed?

-A Tariff Loophole Just Closed. What That Means for Online Shopping

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There Will Never Be Another Warren Buffett May 05, 2025

Show notes

After 60 years in charge, Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway later this year. Jessica Mendoza talks to WSJ’s Jason Zweig and Karen Langley about Buffet’s prolific career and Greg Abel, the man he chose to succeed him as CEO.

Further Listening:

- Does Warren Buffett Know Something We Don't?

- The Life of One of Wall Street's Greatest Investors

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A Tariff Loophole Just Closed. What That Means for Online Shopping. May 02, 2025

Show notes

A little-known trade provision is ending, and it will likely upend business for e-commerce companies and raise prices for consumers. De minimis has allowed companies to avoid duties on shipments to the U.S. that are worth $800 or less. It’s a program that many companies, especially e-commerce giants, Shein and Temu, have taken advantage of to keep prices low. WSJ’s Shen Lu explains how President Donald Trump has now ended that program for products from China and Hong Kong. We also speak with the CFO of shoe company Kuru about how the new rules could change their business. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO

-The Billionaire Caught Between Trump and China

-China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal

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Trump 2.0: The First 100 Days May 02, 2025

Show notes

In our capstone episode, Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball break down Trump's first 100 days in office with WSJ’s Aaron Zitner, digging into the highs and lows, where things stand with voters and what’s next for the administration and the country.

Further Listening:

-Canada’s New Leader Is Ready to Take On Trump

-Trump 2.0: Where is the Economy Headed

-Taking Stock of the ‘Sell America’ Trade

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In Crypto’s Darkest Corner, A Suicide Became a Meme Coin May 01, 2025

Show notes

Before committing suicide live on X, Arnold Haro had a request: "If I die, I hope you guys turn this into a meme coin." His dying wish came true. Haro’s followers created a meme coin that skyrocketed in value to $2 million. WSJ's Kevin Dugan digs into a seedy online world where anything can be turned into crypto. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance

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Behind the Scenes at Davos, Claims of a Toxic Boss Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

The Davos conference brings together the world’s elites to try to make the world a better place. But according to some current and former employees, the leader of the organizing body behind Davos fosters a toxic workplace. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran discusses her investigation into the World Economic Forum and the impact of a recent anonymous whistleblower letter. Annie Minoff hosts.

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Canada’s New Leader Is Ready To Take on Trump Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Mark Carney, a former banker, won Canada’s national election on Monday. Carney ran on an anti-Trump platform, and he's promised to try to decouple his country’s economy from its biggest trading partner and, lately, its biggest threat. WSJ’s Vipal Monga explains how Trump’s trade war and threats to annex Canada have upended the election. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Justin Trudeau Stepped Down

- Guns and Death Threats in Canada's Baby-Eel Fisheries

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A Syrian Father’s Journey to Find His Son Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Suleiman al-Youssef’s son, Shadi, has been missing since the beginning of the Syrian civil war. After the Assad regime was overthrown, Suleiman found new hope when he discovered a video of a man who looked like his son outside the country’s most notorious prison. WSJ’s Ben C. Solomon on Suleiman’s search for his son and Syria’s thousands of other missing loved ones like him. Kate Linebaugh hosts.

Further Listening:

- Assad’s Regime Falls. What’s Next For Syria?

- Ten Days That Shifted Power in Syria

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Neom, Pt 2: The Emperor’s New Clothes Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

Andy Wirth and Tony Harris moved halfway across the world to help build Neom: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s futuristic new city in the Saudi desert. But what they found wasn’t the desert utopia of Neom’s marketing. Instead, they found a project bleeding cash, led by a screaming CEO, where very little was actually being built.

WSJ’s Rory Jones and Eliot Brown explain how Neom fell years behind schedule – and went billions of dollars over-budget – thanks to a culture of runaway spending and never telling the boss “no.” Hosted by Ryan Knutson.

Further Listening:

- Neom, Pt 1: Skiing in the Desert

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