The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

The End of Facebook’s Content Moderation Era Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this week that Facebook, Instagram and Threads would dramatically dial back content moderation and end fact checking. WSJ’s Jeff Horwitz explains what that means for the social media giant.

Further Reading:

-Social-Media Companies Decide Content Moderation Is Trending Down

-Meta Ends Fact-Checking on Facebook, Instagram in Free-Speech Pitch

Further listening:

-Meta Is Struggling to Boot Pedophiles Off Facebook and Instagram

-Is Fighting Misinformation Censorship? The Supreme Court Will Decide.

-The Facebook Files

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Will Honda Be Nissan's Ride or Die? Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Once fierce rivals, Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan recently announced their plans to merge in 2026. The deal would create the world’s 3rd largest automaker. WSJ’s Sean McLain reports on why Nissan struggled in recent years and the challenges the merged company would face.

Further Listening:

-Inside Carlos Ghosn's Escape From Japan

-The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here

Further Reading:

-Nissan Needs a Honda Rescue. What Went So Wrong?

-Honda, Nissan Plan to Create World’s No. 3 Automaker in 2026 Merger

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Why Justin Trudeau Stepped Down Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would resign. He is the latest global progressive leader to fall from power. WSJ’s Vipal Monga reports on Trudeau’s legacy and downfall.

Further Listening:

-A Murder That Sparked a Diplomatic Crisis

-Canada’s Trucker Protests

Further Reading:

-Trudeau to Resign as Voters Sour on His Vision for Canada

-The Populist Vying to Lead Canada and End a Decade of Liberalism

-The Progressive Moment in Global Politics Is Over

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Netflix’s Culture Led to Extraordinary Parental Leave. That’s Over. Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Netflix was known for its “no rules” culture that executives say attracted the best talent. But as it’s grown, the company has pulled back on some of that freedom, including its generous parental leave. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains why Netflix is changing the culture that fueled its success, and what it means for employees.

Further Reading:

-Netflix’s Extraordinary Parental Leave Was Part of Its Culture. That’s Over.

-Netflix Is Rethinking Employee Freedom, a Core Tenet of Its Vaunted Culture

Further Listening:

-Netflix Turns to Ads

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How to Make a $12.98 T-Shirt... in the U.S. Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

After decades of manufacturing in the United States moving overseas, there are calls to bring it back. But doing that is not straightforward. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and the founder of American Giant explain how that company produced inexpensive T-shirts in the U.S.

Further Reading:

-How a $12.98 T-Shirt Is Made in America—at a Profit

Further Listening:

-How One Business Owner Is Getting Ahead of Trump's Tariffs

-China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle

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The Underground Battle for Colombia's Richest Gold Mine Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Gunmen of the Gulf Clan, a drug-trafficking militia in Colombia, are seizing tunnels inside one of the largest gold motherlodes in Latin America. The mine belongs to Zijin Mining Group, a Chinese company, which says it has surrendered nearly two-thirds of its tunnels and lost an estimated $200 million worth of gold in 2023. WSJ's Juan Forero reports.

This episode has been updated to include comment from the Gulf Clan.

Further Reading:

-A Drug Gang Stole 3 Tons of Gold in a Scam So Perfect It’s Still Going

Further Listening:

-Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business

-Why Black Lung Is Rising in Coal Country

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The Missing Minister: The Vanishing of Qin Gang Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance. This series was originally published in October.

Further Listening:
- Episode 2: The Affair - Apple | Spotify
- Episode 3: The Downfall - Apple | Spotify
We'll be back with something new on January 2.

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Happy Holidays! An Interview with the Christmas Queen Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

Mariah Carey released "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 1994 to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit and Christmas playlist staple. What happened? WSJ's John Jurgensen called up the "Queen of Christmas" to find out. This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.
We'll return with something new on January 2.

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James Bond Is Missing. He's Trapped in a Fight With Amazon. Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

James Bond is one of Hollywood's most famous characters. So when Amazon bought the rights to distribute Bond, executives had big plans for the brand’s intellectual property. But so far, Amazon hasn't made a single Bond movie. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel takes us inside the feud that’s tying up the franchise.

Further Reading:

-Where Is James Bond? Trapped in an Ugly Stalemate With Amazon

Further Listening:

-Why Hollywood Is Betting Big on 'Wicked'

-Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows

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Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

The killing of a top health insurance executive outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel this month triggered an outpouring of public anger at private health insurance companies. WSJ’s Julie Wernau reports that many doctors are among the aggrieved. And two doctors explain how dealing with health insurers is getting worse.

Further Listening:

- The Suspect in the UnitedHealth Killing

Further Reading:

- Doctors Say Dealing With Health Insurers Is Only Getting Worse

- Clues Left by a Killer Echo Widespread Anger at Health Insurers

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