The Journal Podcast: A Daily Dose of Business and Power

The Journal, a daily news podcast co-produced by Spotify and The Wall Street Journal, delivers concise reporting on money, business, and power. Launched in June 2019, the podcast has quickly become a go-to source for listeners seeking in-depth analysis of current events, from economic trends to political developments and major corporate dealings.

Origins and Format

The Journal was created to mirror the format of successful news podcasts like The Daily from The New York Times. Episodes, released Monday through Friday by 4 p.m., typically range from 15 to 25 minutes in length [1]. The podcast distinguishes itself through its reliance on reporting from The Wall Street Journal, featuring interviews with the newspaper’s journalists to provide context and insights.

Hosts

Currently, The Journal is hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza [2]. Kate Linebaugh was a previous host, contributing to the podcast from its inception in 2019 until 2025.

Key Topics Covered

Over its run, The Journal has tackled a wide range of significant topics, 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
• Financial scandals, including the bankruptcy of FTX and the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried
• Investigations surrounding former and current president Donald Trump

Music and Production

The podcast’s opening theme music is composed by So Wylie, who has as well contributed music to other Spotify-produced podcasts like Dissect, The Habitat, and Murder Ballads [1].

Reception

Forbes noted that the podcast “inevitably crosses over into the realms of politics, news and science” [1], demonstrating its broad scope and appeal.