The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing
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The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing
Copyright: Copyright © Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Marvel Studios is the most dominant film studio on the planet today. But 25 years ago, it was bankrupt and selling furniture for cash. Its astonishing revival begins with two men: Ike Perlmutter and Avi Arad.
Industry insiders like comics writer Brian Michael Bendis and film producer Amy Pascal recount how Marvel went from its lowest point to its first big-screen blockbuster, Sony’s “Spider-Man” in 2002.
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We’re off today and tomorrow, but we still have a great episode for you.
For decades, the Robusta coffee bean has been the ugly duckling of the coffee world. Now, a new generation of coffee geeks think the time could be ripe for a Robusta revolution. WSJ’s Jon Emont explains why the humble bean is gaining momentum in the coffee industry.
This episode originally published in March 2023.
Further Reading:
-The Underdog Coffee Bean That Java Snobs Hate Is Finally Getting Some Respect
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Gun violence among young people is on the rise. In Denver, Colorado, one high school in particular has experienced a number of violent incidents in the past year, including two shootings in which two students died. We visited East High School to meet students, teachers and the superintendent who decided to bring armed police back to schools.
Further Reading:
-‘My Kid Can’t Sleep’: Gun Violence Drives Denver to Return Armed Police to Schools
- Juvenile Crime Surges, Reversing Long Decline. ‘It’s Just Kids Killing Kids.’
Further Listening:
- The Fight Over Banning the AR-15
- Remington's Surprising Sandy Hook Settlement
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The Supreme Court has ruled that affirmative action is unconstitutional in college admissions. We talk with WSJ's Douglas Belkin about how the decision upends decades of admissions policies at the nation's most selective schools. And WSJ's Lauren Weber describes how this ruling could impact corporate America.
Further Reading:
- Supreme Court Rules Against Affirmative Action
- The Man Behind the Case Seeking to End Affirmative Action
- Companies Brace for Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action
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The Supreme Court is heading into the final stretch of its current session and there are a number of cases with major social implications yet to be decided. But as we wait for decisions on student loan forgiveness and affirmative action, another major issue is hanging over the court. WSJ’s Jess Bravin discusses ProPublica’s recent investigations into alleged ethical misconduct of Supreme Court justices and what they could mean for the institution.
Further Reading:
- OPINION: Justice Samuel Alito: ProPublica Misleads Its Readers
- Harlan Crow’s Gifts, Financial Ties With Justice Thomas Under Fresh Scrutiny by Democrats
- Chief Justice John Roberts Asked to Address ‘Ethical Standards’ at Supreme Court
Further Listening:
- Will Student Debt Get Canceled? The Supreme Court Decides.
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Superheroes have conquered Hollywood. They generate billions of dollars at the box office and have pushed other movies to the margins. That revolution has been led by Marvel Studios.
In a new four-part series, WSJ’s Ben Fritz goes behind the scenes and reports on how Marvel, a once-troubled comics publisher, soared to the top of the movie business. It’s a tale of rivalries, spite, little-known deals and incredible luck.
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In May, Taco Bell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming that ‘Taco Tuesday’ is a common phrase and that any restaurant should be able to use it. The trademark owners—Taco John’s and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar— have both moved to fight back in court to protect their exclusive rights. WSJ’s Joseph De Avila breaks down the clash of the taco titans.
Further Reading:
- The Battle for Taco Tuesday Gets Heated
- The Long Fight Over ‘Taco Tuesday’
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It was a weekend of chaos in Russia, as forces of the paramilitary Wagner Group marched towards Moscow in a short-lived revolt. WSJ's Yaroslav Trofimov describes what happened and explains why this is the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.
Further Reading:
- After Weekend of Chaos in Russia, Questions Remain Over Fate of Wagner
- Why Wagner Chief Prigozhin Turned Against Putin
Further Listening:
- The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit
- ‘Putin’s Chef’ Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine
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Long-dormant mortgages are coming back to bite. Homeowners around the country are facing large bills and even foreclosure threats from investors who own their second mortgages, often made more than a decade ago. We talk to WSJ’s Ben Eisen and a homeowner about why these seemingly dead mortgages are now coming back to life.
Further Reading:
- Zombie Mortgages Could Force Some Homeowners Into Foreclosure
Further Listening:
- Investors are Buying Up Homes. Cincinnati is Pushing Back
- The Downfall of a Real Estate Empire
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North Korean hackers have stolen more than $3 billion over the past 5 years. The U.S. government says a big share of that is being funneled into the country’s nuclear missile program. WSJ’s Robert McMillan discusses how these hackers have reached the top of the crypto hacking game.
Further Reading:
- How North Korea’s Hacker Army Stole $3 Billion in Crypto, Funding Nuclear Program
Further Listening:
- How Investigators Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist
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