WSJ What’s News

Latest Episodes:

Meta Is Back on Trial in California Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 18. Opening arguments are set to begin today in a hugely consequential trial accusing Meta of contributing to a crisis in youth mental health and which could cost the social media giant more than $1 trillion. WSJ reporters Meghan Bobrowsky and Erin Mulvaney preview what to expect as proceedings get underway. Plus, retail giant Costco prepares to enter the Medicare market. And minerals companies lean into red, white and blue branding in a bid to score U.S. federal funding. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Tech's AI Bill Is $3 Trillion Bigger Than It Looks Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 17. Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Rudegeair discusses why the top technology companies have huge AI spending commitments that aren’t reflected on their balance sheets. WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains how renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping are threatening another critical chokepoint for global energy as the Iran war spills into neighboring countries. And U.K. correspondent Max Colchester unpacks how the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday is reigniting Britain’s culture wars. Sabrina Siddiqui hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drones From the Ukraine War Are Spilling Into Europe Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 17. For the second time in three days, NATO warplanes on Sunday were forced to shoot down a drone in alliance airspace. WSJ Brussels bureau chief Daniel Michaels says that while electronic jamming could make the drone incursions an accident, some countries fear Russia is deliberately probing European air defenses. Plus, the Colorado River’s water crisis worsens as Lake Powell joins Lake Mead at record lows. And we’ll look at the race among job seekers to write AI experience into their résumés. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are Mental-Health Chatbots Safe? Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

The promise for AI mental-health tools is clear: bringing support to people who need it, when they need it. But these chatbots can come with risks. How do they respond when someone is in crisis, or thinking about harming themselves? In Part Two of our special series “The AI Therapist,” WSJ What’s News host Alex Ossola digs into the guardrails that companies are installing in their AI tools—and the questions as to whether they’re enough.

Episode 1 of The AI Therapist: When People Turn to Chatbots for Mental Health

Further Reading:

Chatbots Are Replacing Therapists With Little Scientific Evidence Behind Them

Teens Seek Mental-Health Help From Chatbots. That’s Dangerous, Says New Study.

How AI Advice Is Undermining Eating-Disorder Therapy

When There’s No School Counselor, There’s a Bot

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s News in Markets: Inflation Cools, Oil Refiners Push Stocks Up, Reddit Joins S&P 500 Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

What’s the latest on inflation? And what’s pushing shares of old-school energy companies higher? Plus, why is Reddit joining the S&P 500? Host Shradha Dinesh discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Investors Are Holding $3 Trillion in Cash. Money Managers Aren’t Happy. Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 14. Money managers have a problem: Clients are holding near-record amounts in cash—by one estimate more than $3 trillion. Miriam Gottfried, a reporter and co-host of WSJ’s Take On the Week podcast, explains why this is happening and what financial planners are pushing their clients to do instead. Plus, two pieces of data—July retail sales and the preliminary August reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey—came in lower than expected. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman says that is painting a picture of a weaker U.S. economy. And AI slop is everywhere, making it hard to know what’s real online. We hear from WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen about the inspiration for her recent special Tech News Briefing podcast series, “AI and the Blurring of Reality.” Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tyson Pulls Back From the Beleaguered Beef Business Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 14. Meatpacking giant Tyson Foods is planning to close a major beef processing plant, its latest bid to cut costs as the industry tries to cope with a yearslong cattle shortage. Plus, President Trump turns to tariffs to try and reshore drone production. And WSJ South Asia bureau chief Tripti Lahiri takes us inside the frantic scramble for work in India, where thousands of young people are competing for each new job. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trouble Scoring a Restaurant Reservation? Blame the Apps. Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 13. The U.S. is sending a fresh aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid growing concerns over living conditions aboard the carrier currently stationed there, the USS Abraham Lincoln. Plus, seven months into the U.S. energy blockade against Cuba, everyday people are struggling to sleep in the heat and to afford food as blackouts persist. We hear from Journal reporter José de Córdoba about what he is hearing from people across the country. And the proliferation of restaurant reservation apps have made it a nightmare for diners to get a table at a buzzy restaurant. Reporter Heather Haddon explains why restaurants keep doing business with the apps. Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How North Koreans Are Infiltrating American Businesses Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Aug. 13. A Journal investigation finds that thousands of North Korean operatives have landed jobs at American companies and are funneling millions of dollars back to the regime. Plus, big businesses like Apple and FedEx start reeling in hundreds of millions in tariff refunds. And the WSJ’s Stu Woo details how American chatbots are towing Beijing’s party line. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Lakers Just Became the Most Highly Valued Sports Team Ever. Again. Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Aug. 12. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner are buying the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion—the highest-ever valuation for any sports team. WSJ sports reporter Andrew Beaton discusses the sale, which he calls a “stunning twist.” Plus, inflation cooled slightly last month to 3.4%. Journal economics reporter Matt Grossman joins to talk about what it could mean for the Federal Reserve. And ticket reseller StubHub reported record revenue, thanks in part to this summer’s World Cup. But as retail reporter Hanna Krueger details, both during and well before the World Cup, some fans were disappointed when the tickets they bought on StubHub didn’t work and they faced lengthy fights to get their money back. Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected