The Journal. - The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

A Plan to Hack the Planet Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Tech CEO Luke Iseman has an idea he wants to sell the world: A business plan to cool the Earth by dimming the amount of sunlight that hits the planet. As WSJ’s Eric Niiler explains, the principle behind the idea, geoengineering, is getting big investment but is also sparking serious scientific debate.

Further Reading:

- Mexico Bans Climate Startup’s Experiment to Cool the Earth

Further Listening:

- Banks’ Alliance to Fight Climate Change is on the Rocks

- Why an Arctic Treasure is Spurring Hope and Dread

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The Ranking Battle in Higher Ed Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

In November, Yale Law School pulled out of the U.S. News & World Report law-school rankings, saying the system was flawed. A wave of law, medical and undergraduate schools quickly followed. WSJ’s Melissa Korn reports on how the revolt was decades in the making.

Further Reading:

-The Unraveling of the U.S. News College Rankings

-Yale and Harvard Law Schools Abandon U.S. News Rankings

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The Arrest of a Crypto Fugitive Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

After his TerraUSD cryptocurrency imploded, Do Kwon became one of the most wanted men in crypto. Last week, after a global manhunt, he was arrested at an airport in Montenegro. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich tells the story of how Kwon went from being a major crypto player to facing fraud charges in several countries.

Further Reading:

- Do Kwon Arrested in Montenegro as U.S. Charges Crypto Fugitive With Fraud

- Cutting-Edge Crypto Coins Tout Stability. Critics Call Them Dangerous.

- Do Kwon’s Crypto Empire Fell in a $40 Billion Crash. He’s Got a New Coin For You.

Further Listening:

- The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin

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The Underdog Coffee Bean That’s Making a Comeback Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

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.

Further Reading:

- The Underdog Coffee Bean That Java Snobs Hate Is Finally Getting Some Respect

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Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Over the past year the Federal Reserve has been steadily raising interest rates to try to bring down inflation. But the recent banking crisis has thrown a wrench into its plans. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains how the Fed is now trying to fight two problems at once.

Further Reading:

- Fed Raises Rates but Nods to Greater Uncertainty After Banking Stress

Further Listening:

- What Just Happened at Credit Suisse?

- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?

- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed

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Yachts, Custom Cars and $36,000 Mattresses: Inside an Alleged Fraud Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Former Chinese real-estate developer and outspoken China critic Guo Wengui was arrested by the FBI last week and accused of orchestrating a $1 billion fraud. WSJ’s Aruna Viswanatha unpacks Guo’s trek from Beijing gadfly to Steve Bannon confidant to fraud suspect.

Further Reading:

- A Chinese Businessman’s Trek From Beijing Gadfly to Steve Bannon Confidant to Fraud Suspect

- China’s Pursuit of Fugitive Businessman Guo Wengui Kicks Off Manhattan Caper Worthy of Spy Thriller

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Biden's Flip on Drilling in Alaska Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

While campaigning for president, Joe Biden said there would be no new oil drilling on federal land. But last week he approved the Willow project, one of the largest domestic oil projects in years. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia explains why Biden made the shift.

Further Reading:

-Biden Administration Approves Willow Oil-Drilling Project in Alaskan Arctic

Further Listening:

-Why Biden Killed The Keystone XL Pipeline

-The War in Ukraine Hits American Gas Prices

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Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S. Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is due to testify before Congress this week, as the Biden administration demands that TikTok’s Chinese owners sell their stakes in the company or face a possible U.S. ban of the app. In this exclusive interview with WSJ’s Stu Woo, the TikTok CEO said a sale won’t solve Washington’s security concerns.

Further Reading:

- TikTok CEO’s Message to Washington: A Sale Won’t Solve Security Concerns

Further Listening:

- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App

- What’s Up With All the TikTok Bans?

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Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Google has been a pioneer in the modern era of artificial intelligence, but lately, it’s fallen behind. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa explains why the tech giant took a more cautious approach to chatbots and what’s at stake now that Microsoft has beaten them to market.

Further Reading:

-How Google Became Cautious of AI and Gave Microsoft an Opening

Further Listening:

-The Company Behind Chat GPT

-When AI Comes for Your Art

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What Just Happened at Credit Suisse? Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

As fears about the health of global banks spread from the U.S. to Europe, the bank Credit Suisse said it would tap a more than $50 billion loan from the Swiss National Bank. WSJ’s Margot Patrick explains how Credit Suisse became a cause for concern.

Further Reading:

- Credit Suisse Stock Price Jumps as Bank Secures $50 Billion Lifeline

- Credit Suisse Promises Overhaul in Wake of Rout as Regulators Offer Lifeline

- Janet Yellen Says Banking System Is Healthy After SVB Collapse

Further Listening:

- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?

- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed

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