The Journal Podcast: A Deep Dive into Money, Business, and Power
The Journal, a daily news podcast co-produced by Spotify and The Wall Street Journal, has turn into a prominent source of information on money, business, and power since its debut in June 2019. Delivering episodes Monday through Friday, the podcast offers in-depth reporting and analysis, often featuring interviews with journalists from The Wall Street Journal. Episodes typically range from 15 to 25 minutes in length.
Origins and Format
Similar in format to The Daily podcast from The New York Times, The Journal was created to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the day’s most important business and economic news. The podcast’s focus extends beyond purely financial topics, frequently intersecting with politics, news, and science.
Hosts
The Journal is currently hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. Kate Linebaugh hosted the podcast from its inception in 2019 until 2025.
Key Topics Covered
Over its run, The Journal has tackled a wide range of significant events and issues, including:
- The COVID-19 pandemic
- The rise of generative artificial intelligence
- Major acquisition deals, such as Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter
- The bankruptcy of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the trial of its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried
- Investigations surrounding former and current president Donald Trump prior to his 2024 presidential campaign
Musical Composition
The podcast’s opening theme music is composed by So Wylie, who has also created music for other Spotify-produced podcasts, including Dissect, The Habitat, and Murder Ballads.
Reception
The Journal has been recognized for its insightful reporting and ability to connect complex issues to the broader world. Forbes noted the podcast’s tendency to “inevitably cross over into the realms of politics, news and science.”
Where to Listen
The Journal is available on Spotify and other podcast platforms. New episodes are released each weekday by 4 p.m.