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 most important stories shaping the world of money, business, and power. Launched in June 2019, the podcast has quickly grow a travel-to source for listeners seeking insightful analysis and interviews with journalists from The Wall Street Journal. Episodes are released Monday through Friday by 4 p.m. And typically run between 15 and 25 minutes.

Origins and Format

Similar in format to The Daily from The New York Times, The Journal focuses on providing a comprehensive look at the day’s top business headlines. The podcast distinguishes itself through its detailed exploration of complex topics, featuring interviews with the reporters who broke the stories. It is currently hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza.

Key Coverage Areas

Over its run since 2019, The Journal has covered a wide range of significant events, including:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact
• 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
• Financial scandals, including the bankruptcy of FTX and the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried
• Investigations surrounding former and current president Donald Trump prior to his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

Production and Music

The Journal is a collaborative effort between Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. 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.

Hosts

The podcast is currently hosted by Ryan Knutson, who has been with the show since its inception in 2019, and Jessica Mendoza. Kate Linebaugh previously co-hosted the podcast from 2019 to 2025.

Reception

The Journal has been praised for its ability to delve into complex issues and provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces driving the global economy. Forbes noted the podcast “inevitably crosses over into the realms of politics, news and science.”

Where to Listen

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