Author: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace in Ukraine through business deals. To Europe’s dismay, President Trump and his envoy are on board. WSJ’s Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson take us inside the Trump administration's new approach to diplomacy with Russia and how it could shake up the U.S.'s longstanding alliances. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Trump Is Ready to Send Missiles to Ukraine

- Inside the Hunt for Putin's Sleeper Agents

- The Suspected Russian Plot to Set Airplanes on Fire

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The U.S. wine industry hasn’t had it this bad since Prohibition. WSJ’s Laura Cooper reports from Sonoma County, California, a major region for American wine production, on why growers are drowning in unsold grapes, shrinking demand and trade-war fallout. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Who Wants Non-Alcoholic Bear? Everyone, Apparently.

- Why Coke Isn't Getting Rid of High-Fructose Corn Syrup

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As part of a year-long investigation, WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran and Betsy McKay have been reporting on two of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications in America: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. These drugs weren’t intended for long-term use, but some Americans end up on them for years. Betsy and Shalini spoke to many patients who experienced the downsides. So a basic question popped up: Is America overmedicated?

Further Listening:

- A Quick Fix for Hair Loss Is Making Some Men Sick

- Uncontrolled Substances, Part 1: Subscribe and Prescribe

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An escalating artificial intelligence race between China and the U.S. is drawing comparisons to the Cold War, and is likely to be just as consequential. As the technology barrels ahead from ChatGPT to DeepSeek and beyond, the competition is now primarily focused on advanced computer chips, but some worry that the race to innovate will lead to loosening safety regulations. WSJ’s Josh Chin explains China’s strategy to Ryan Knutson.

Further Listening:

- CoreWeave, the Company Riding the AI Boom

- Is the AI Boom… a Bubble?

- What's the Worst AI Can Do? This Team Is Finding Out.

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Quince is seemingly everywhere. Since launching in 2018, the brand has built an e-commerce empire that brings in $1.1 billion annually, and has catapulted to the top of the "dupe" economy. But the company’s strategy of making its own versions of best-selling products has run into some pushback from competitors. WSJ’s Chavie Lieber takes us inside Quince’s strategy and ensuing legal battles. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Smucker, Trader Joe's and a Battle Over PB&Js

- Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Labubus?

- How Target Got Off Target

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After Hermès heir Nicolas Puech announced his $15 billion fortune was missing, accusations started flying. Who had taken the money? Was it his handyman? His financial advisor? Puech himself? In this second episode, WSJ’s Nick Kostov reveals the answer in what could be the fraud of the century. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

The Case of the Missing $15 Billion Fortune: Part 1

The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession

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Hermès is one of Europe’s most storied luxury brands, known for its Birkin bags and expensive silk scarves. One of the company’s biggest shareholders had been fifth-generation Hermès heir Nicolas Puech. But a few years ago, Puech made a shocking admission: he was out of money. And Puech’s Hermès shares, worth some $15 billion, were missing. In this first episode, WSJ’s Nick Kostov digs into one of the most baffling and epic financial sagas of this century. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

 

Further Listening:

The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession

Are Diamonds Even a Luxury Anymore?

How a Miami Couple Used Empty Mansions to Pocket Millions

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Pokémon cards are beating the benchmark S&P 500 and tech stocks like Meta. WSJ’s Krystal Hur has been talking with a few collectors that have hit it big thanks to some prized sparkly cardboard from their childhoods. But are there signs of a bubble and that we’re reaching peak Pikachu? Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- The $55 Billion Deal to Take EA Private

- GameStop and the Rise of the Reddit Investor

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Kentucky Fried Chicken was once one of the biggest fast-food chain in America. Now, it’s battling declining U.S. sales as rivals attract customers with chicken sandwiches and tenders over KFC’s classic bucket of bone-in chicken. WSJ’s Heather Haddon reports on how the iconic chain is trying to turn things around. Ryan Knutson hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Can Pepsi Make a Comeback?

- McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both?

 

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Corporate layoffs have been rolling across American companies: Amazon, General Motors, Verizon, Target and Microsoft have all cut jobs. WSJ’s Chip Cutter takes us inside his conversations with CEOs about how hiring is changing, and what the AI era means for jobs. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing

- Is the Economy Getting Better or Worse? The fed Says it’s Hard to Tell

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