Author: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Over a decade ago, home gardening giant Scotts Miracle-Gro made a bold push for growth in a nascent and controversial industry: cannabis. What was once the company’s lucrative bet is now a struggling business. WSJ’s Dean Seal explains how Scotts Miracle-Gro ventured into marijuana and why their early bet has shriveled up. Oyin Adedoyin hosts.

Further Listening: 

How the 'Napa Valley of Cannabis' Dried Up

The Highs and Lows of Diversifying the Cannabis Industry

The Drug You’ve Never Heard of Wreaking Havoc Across Europe

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When a pro-growth mayor in rural Tennessee dies unexpectedly, his vision for development is suddenly challenged. What began as a land dispute quickly escalates into a clash of values, dividing the deep-red county over the very definition of 'conservative.' WSJ's Cameron McWhirter reports on a fight between tradition and transformation, featuring two farmers on opposing sides. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
- A Fight over Buc-ee’s and the Soul of the American West

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President Trump recently signed an executive order that could make it easier for everyday Americans to invest their retirement savings in assets that lie outside public markets, such as private equity, cryptocurrency and private real estate. WSJ’s Anne Targesen explains how 401ks have evolved, and the risks and rewards of adding these alternative assets to people’s retirement accounts. Oyin Adedoyin hosts.

Further Listening:
- The Wall Street Craze Jamie Dimon Can’t Resist. Even If It Blows Up.
- Private Equity Finally Can Get a Piece of the NFL

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When New Rochelle, NY was faced with a declining population and economy, it set out on a building spree. A decade into the effort, the city – which sits just north of New York City – actually managed to keep rents down, bucking a nationwide trend. WSJ’s Rebecca Picciotto shares how New Rochelle navigated red tape and some community opposition to build thousands of new housing units. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
- Is NYC’s Mayoral Race All About Rent?
- The Rise of the Yimbys

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The Trump administration has made big moves to intervene in critical industries – from computer chips to rare earth minerals to steel. WSJ’s chief economics commentator, Grep Ip, says that these efforts could suggest the U.S. might be moving away from free market capitalism and towards what he calls state capitalism, American-style. Now, Greg is wondering if the U.S. economic system is starting to look more like China’s, and if President Trump is imitating the Chinese Communist Party by extending political control ever deeper into the economy. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
- The Nvidia CEO’s Quest to Sell Chips in China
- How Intel’s CEO Became a Political Liability

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After months of quiet behind the scenes’ lobbying in both Washington and Beijing, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has secured a deal to protect tens of billions of dollars in future sales from the heated U.S.-China trade rivalry. WSJ’s Lingling Wei profiles the CEO’s transformation from co-founder to corporate lobbyist. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:
- How Intel’s CEO Became a Political Liability
- The U.S. Wants American-Made Chips. Can Intel Deliver?

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A couple in Los Angeles say they wanted a big family. Surrogates who carried their children say they were deceived. WSJ’s Katherine Long explains why an investigation into a family who say they have 22 children is raising alarm among the commercial surrogacy industry, a fast-growing and multibillion-dollar market. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening: 

- America's Maternal Mental Health Crisis

- How Employer-Funded Child Care Can Work

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Derek Mobley spent years applying for jobs online after he got laid off. After more than 100 rejections, he started to wonder whether Workday – the popular online recruiting platform – was to blame. Now, Mobley is suing Workday, alleging that the company’s hiring algorithm discriminated against him. Derek shares his experience, and WSJ’s Lauren Weber explains how his lawsuit got this far. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs

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

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President Trump has called for the resignation of Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan. Tan played a key role in building up China’s chip industry, earning him the nickname “Mr. Chip.” Now his ties to China have opened him up to criticism, just as he’s struggling to turn Intel’s business around. WSJ’s Stu Woo explains how Tan attracted the President’s attention, and what it says about the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:
- The Chip Business Is Booming. Why Isn't Intel?
- Why Washington Went to Wall Street to Revive the Chips Industry
- The U.S. Wants American-Made Chips. Can Intel Deliver?

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Europe has mostly been spared from the synthetic opioid crisis that has ravaged the U.S. over the past two decades. But now, a deadly new drug could be changing that: nitazenes. Up to 15 times stronger than fentanyl, nitazenes have been behind hundreds of overdose deaths in European countries over the past few years. WSJ's Sune Rasmussen on where the drug comes from and why it's doing so much damage. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

Fentanyl Is Bad. ‘Tranq’ Might Be Worse.

The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl

Why Some Opioid Victims Are Challenging Purdue’s Settlement

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