Episodes

  • Germany's Economy Is Broken. There's No Plan B.

    Germany's Economy Is Broken. There's No Plan B.
    Feb 21 2025
    For decades, Germany has relied on manufacturing and exports – a model that made it the world’s third largest economy. But that model is breaking down, and the country’s leaders are offering few alternatives in the upcoming election. WSJ’s Tom Fairless and Bertrand Benoit discuss Germany’s downturn and what can be done about it. Further Reading: - Germany’s Economic Model Is Broken, and No One Has a Plan B - Why Germany’s Confidence Is Shattered and Its Economy Is Kaput Further Listening: - Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe - Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe

    Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe
    Feb 21 2025
    The Trump Administration turns its focus to Europe as President Trump signals a willingness to cooperate with Russia. WSJ’s Alex Ward joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what that means for an end to the war in Ukraine. Further Reading: -Trump’s Turn to Russia Spooks U.S. Allies Who Fear a Weakened NATO -Trump’s Attack on Zelensky Signals New World Order Taking Shape Further Listening: -Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance -R.I.P. CFPB? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Why Influencers Say Honey Is Stealing Their Money

    Why Influencers Say Honey Is Stealing Their Money
    Feb 20 2025
    A controversy among YouTube influencers has led to a series of lawsuits accusing browser extensions like PayPal Honey of swiping their commissions. PayPal said it disagrees with the claims in these lawsuits and look forward to defending itself. The litigation shines a light on the sometimes murky world of affiliate marketing, a $12 billion business. Further Reading: -Creators Insist Coupon Browser Extensions Are Stealing Their Money. Will the Courts Agree? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • State Farm Cut Policies. Then the L.A. Fires Hit.

    State Farm Cut Policies. Then the L.A. Fires Hit.
    Feb 19 2025
    In recent years, most home insurers were fleeing areas of California with high risk for wildfires. But State Farm was there, dominating the market. Then, just months before the devastating L.A. fires, the company dropped 30,000 homeowners from their books. WSJ’s Jean Eaglesham explains how the risk that State Farm unloaded is now a problem for the rest of California. Further Reading: -State Farm Was All In on California – Until it Pulled the Plug Before the Fires -Insurers’ Rule Change Puts California Homeowners on the Hook for L.A. Fire Further Listening: -Their L.A. Neighborhood Burned. Two Residents Find What’s Left. -Insuring a Home in California Is Getting Harder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • The Life and Death of a Boeing Whistleblower

    The Life and Death of a Boeing Whistleblower
    Feb 18 2025
    John Barnett worked at Boeing for nearly 30 years. Before he left the company, he filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging he was retaliated against for raising safety concerns. Last March, after two days of testimony, he was found dead in his truck. Police ruled his death a suicide. We tell the story of Barnett’s life, and death, as a Boeing whistleblower. Further Reading: - Boeing CEO Apologizes to MAX Crash Families, Calls Culture ‘Far From Perfect’ - The Disarray Inside Boeing’s 737 Factory Before the Door Plug Blowout - Can Boeing Be Fixed? Aerospace Leaders Offer a Repair Manual Further Listening: - The Failures Inside Boeing's 737 Factory - A Hole in a Plane and a Headache for Boeing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager's Six-Figure Salary

    The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager's Six-Figure Salary
    Feb 17 2025
    Walmart is offering higher pay, bonuses and more stock options this year to retain and attract managers. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer spent a day with one manager, Nichole Hart, to understand why the job is commanding such a high salary these days, and why Hart logs about 20,000 steps a day. Further Reading: -A Day in the Life of a Walmart Manager Who Makes $240,000 a Year -Walmart Takes On Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods With New Premium Brand Further Listening: -What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • The U.S. Spent Billions Fighting AIDS. What Now?

    The U.S. Spent Billions Fighting AIDS. What Now?
    Feb 14 2025
    At the beginning of his presidency, Donald Trump suspended most U.S. foreign aid, causing vast confusion and concern around the world. One affected program was PEPFAR, the bipartisan initiative that works to fight HIV/AIDS globally. WSJ’s Nicholas Bariyo from Uganda and Michael M. Phillips from Kenya report. And we hear from Karl Hoffman, the CEO of the public health organization HealthX Partners. Further Listening: -Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart Further Reading: -Trump Aid Whiplash Hits Refugees, AIDS Patients Worldwide -Trump Order Freezing Foreign Aid Halts Programs Worldwide, Prompts Confusion and Rush for Waivers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance

    Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance
    Feb 14 2025
    It’s been a busy month in D.C. for Elon Musk. WSJ’s Tim Higgins joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what Musk’s strategies as a CEO can tell us about his plans for DOGE and the federal government. Plus, we get into Trump’s relationship with the judiciary and take a question from a listener about American expansionism. Further Reading: -Musk Brings His Business Playbook to Washington: Move Fast and Claim Victory -DOGE, Musk and Trump—Our Reporters Answered Your Questions Further Listening: -R.I.P. CFPB? -Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins