Author: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Global diamond company De Beers spent decades convincing couples that true love required a diamond. But now, lab-grown diamonds that are identical to naturally-mined ones are flooding the market with cheaper options and reshaping the diamond business completely. WSJ’s Jenny Strasburg takes us inside the showdown in the diamond market, and we speak to a ring shopper weighing her options. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
-One American Company Taking on China's Rare-Earth Dominance
-Can Pepsi Make a Comeback?
-How Target Got Off Target

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Jamie Dimon, the cautious head of JPMorgan Chase, has consistently warned that private credit, the hottest trend on Wall Street, could trigger a financial blowup. So why is America’s biggest bank pouring money into it? WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy explains JPMorgan’s strategy and why you should care. Annie Minoff hosts. 

Further Listening:

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

- Is the Economy… OK? 

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Buc-ee's — the chain of road stops with a beaver mascot and a die-hard fanbase — is looking to expand westward. Its next stop is Palmer Springs, Colorado: a small, rural town known for its lush greenery and outdoor recreation. But some local residents are looking to “heave the beave.” And they have a powerful billionaire backing them: ‘cable cowboy' John Malone. WSJ’s Jim Carlton reports on this standoff over development and the future of the American West. Annie Minoff hosts.  

Further Listening:

- The Fight Over Water in the West

- The Rise of the Yimbys

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Tiny rare-earth magnets are used for building phones, electric cars, and submarines, but nearly all of them are mined and made in China. One U.S. company is trying to change that. WSJ’s Jon Emont spoke with MP Materials’ CEO about his goals for the mine, which has now made deals with the Pentagon, General Motors, and Apple. Can this industry come back the U.S.? Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

-Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals 

-Greenland Has Tons of Minerals. So Where Are All the Miners? 

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In 2003, Jeffrey Epstein got a gift for his 50th birthday, a leather-bound album containing letters, poems, photos and greetings from friends. One of the letters was from Donald Trump. The president says the letter "is a fake thing." WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar reveals what’s in the letter and Sadie Gurman explores what it means for Trump and the Department of Justice. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

-JPMorgan's $75 Million Jeffrey Epstein Settlement 

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Amazon warehouses are more automated than ever. The company, a key bellwether for the U.S. labor market, now has over a million robots packing and shipping goods in its fulfillment centers. While some employees are finding ways to transition into higher-paying technical roles that manage the robots, the company’s CEO Andy Jassy has said it plans to cut the size of its overall workforce. Sebastian Herrera explains Amazon’s vision for the warehouse of the future. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs. 

- The Battle to Be the King of Retail: Walmart vs. Amazon  

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After talks with NATO allies, President Donald Trump gave Russia 50 days to broker peace with Ukraine. If they can’t make it happen, he says he’ll impose tariffs on Russian goods to ratchet up economic pressure. The move underscores Trump’s growing anger with Russian President Vladimir Putin. WSJ’s Lara Seligman unpacks the latest and explores the evolving relationship between Trump and Putin. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

-Inside the Hunt for Putin’s Sleeper Agents 

-How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea 

-Ukraine Makes a Deal With Wall Street 

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After the passage of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” renewable energy companies are bracing for more challenging times. The law is set to end Biden-era subsidies for clean energy, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that the industry could lose half a trillion dollars in tax incentives over the next decade. WSJ’s David Uberti reports on the renewable energy pullback. And Annie Minofftalks to a co-owner of a North Carolina-based solar-panel-installation company about what the winding down of subsidies means for his business. 

Further Listening:

- The Healthcare Costs of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ 

- How Trump’s Megabill Squeaked Through the Senate 

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Hans Zimmer, Academy Award-winning composer, and Golnar Khosrowshahi, CEO of Reservoir Media, discuss AI in the music industry, why human creation is still unique and whether or not Zimmer approves of “The Journal” theme music.

Further Listening:

-⁠Artificial: The OpenAI Story⁠

-⁠When AI Comes for Your Art⁠

Further Reading:

-⁠Hans Zimmer, Movie Maestro⁠

-⁠Music Labels Take On AI Startups With New Lawsuits

Photo: Uncredited

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