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, delivers in-depth reporting on the critical issues shaping the global landscape of money, business, and power. Launched in June 2019, the podcast has quickly become a go-to source for listeners seeking nuanced analysis and expert insights into complex topics.

Origins and Format

Similar in format to The Daily from The New York Times, The Journal presents weekday episodes typically lasting between 15 and 25 minutes [1]. The podcast is currently hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza [2]. Episodes are based on the reporting of The Wall Street Journal, often featuring interviews with the newspaper’s journalists.

Key Topics Covered

Since its inception, The Journal has tackled a wide range of high-profile subjects. These include:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions.
• The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence.
• Major corporate acquisition deals, such as Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter.
• Significant financial scandals, including the bankruptcy of FTX and the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.
• Investigations surrounding former and current political figures, including Donald Trump prior to his 2024 presidential campaign.

Production and Music

The podcast’s opening theme music is composed by So Wylie, who has also created music for other Spotify-produced podcasts like Dissect, The Habitat, and Murder Ballads [1]. The Journal releases new episodes Monday through Friday by 4 p.m. ET [1].

Reception

The Journal has been recognized for its ability to connect business and financial news to broader political, scientific, and social contexts [1].

Where to Listen

The Journal is available on Spotify and other major podcast platforms.