Author: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

This week, SpaceX and xAI, two companies controlled by Elon Musk, merged into a $1.25 trillion company. The deal combines a successful rocket and satellite business with an AI startup. Musk says the goal is to put AI data centers in earth’s orbit. WSJ’s Berber Jin reports on the deal. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

The Woman Behind SpaceX

Her Client Was Deepfaked. She Says xAI Is to Blame.

Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue

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Billionaire investor and CEO Ken Griffin runs one of the world’s most successful hedge funds, Citadel. He’s also a Republican who has been outspokenly critical of some of President Trump’s policies. Griffin sat down with WSJ Editor in Chief Emma Tucker at WSJ Invest Live to discuss his concerns about political uncertainty, the dangers of crony capitalism and the erosion of ethics in public service.

Further Listening: 

- JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What's Next for the Economy

- It’s Almost 2026. How’s the Economy

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Vibe coding, the process of turning a text prompt into actual software, has taken the AI world by storm. And it has investors in everything from software to legal services nervous. WSJ’s Joanna Stern and Ben Cohen tell us about their experience using Claude Code to develop an article. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun

Her Client Was Deepfaked. She Says xAI Is to Blame.

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Over the last year, the dollar has been declining in value. And last week, President Donald Trump said he wasn’t concerned about the recent slide. WSJ’s Greg Ip explains how a weaker dollar fits into Trump’s broader economic strategy to boost U.S. growth. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Who Is the New Fed Chair?

- It's Almost 2026. How’s the Economy?

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Kraft macaroni and cheese has been a household staple for decades. But owing to shifting consumer tastes towards healthier options and a tumultuous corporate shakeup, Kraft’s status as the big cheese is slipping. WSJ’s Jesse Newman reports on how Kraft lost its dominance in the mac and cheese aisle, and what the company plans on doing about it. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
- Kraft Heinz’s Big Breakup
- ‘It Came out of Nowhere’: The Rise of Dr Pepper

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President Trump will be nominating former Fed official Kevin Warsh to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos profiles the pick, explores the lingering issues Trump has with the current Fed chair and details the implications for the U.S. economy. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Who Will Be the Next Fed Chair? Maybe Kevin

- Why is the Fed Chair Facing a Criminal Investigation?

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Howard Rubin is a Wall Street legend, famous in the 1980s and ‘90s for being a risk-loving star trader. He also allegedly was involved in secret sex trafficking for years, hidden in a midtown penthouse. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel traces the saga and explains the allegations of abuse that ultimately led to Rubin’s arrest. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- The High Pressure Tactics Gloria Allred Uses On Her Own Clients

- Behind the Scenes at Davos, Claims of a Toxic Boss

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Disney’s largest source of revenue is its theme parks and cruises. The people responsible for designing those attractions are the secretive Imagineers. WSJ’s Ben Fritz reports that the company is spending $60 billion to create more Disney magic and it's up to the Imagineers to make it work. Ryan Knutson hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Disney’s Big AI Dilemma
- Disney Gets Into Gambling

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Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer who had a child with Elon Musk, sued Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, alleging that its chatbot Grok generated and shared nonconsensual, sexually explicit images of her. St. Clair’s lawsuit is emblematic of the thorny legal issues that surround new AI tools and deepfakes. It also confronts the question: Who is responsible for the content that users prompt chatbots to create? Jessica Mendoza spoke with St. Clair’s lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, about the lawsuit.

Further Listening:

- Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue

- How Elon Musk Pulled X Back From the Brink

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Over the weekend, a federal officer shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis. WSJ’s Joe Barrett describes how events unfolded in the wake of Pretti’s killing, and WSJ’s Michelle Hackman breaks down how ICE tactics have led to clashes with local residents. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE Agents

The Hyundai Plant Raided By Immigration Authorities

Inside the ICE Hiring Blitz

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