Episode notes
Frontier was one of many budget airlines that rose to prominence during the low-cost airfare craze. But economic and market shifts have changed the game. WSJ’s Alison Sider explores how Frontier is trying to find a balance between the cheap flights that originally made budget airlines popular and the premium amenities consumers increasingly want. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - R.I.P. Spirit Airlines - How Spirit Airlines Landed in Bankruptcy - The Love Triangle Over Spirit Airlines - Frontier, Spirit and the Future of Low-Cost Airlines Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News…
The Journal.
by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios · English · News
The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Get show merch here:
More from The Journal.
-
18 Sep 2026 · 21 min
Should Everyone Get a Prenup?
The prenup is getting a modern makeover. Once seen mainly as a way for the ultrawealthy to protect their assets in the event of a divorce, they’ve now become a financial planning tool for many middle-class newlyweds. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney talks about what’s driving the change in prenup culture, and one New York couple dives into the money conversations they had before tying the knot! Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Booming Industry Keeping Taylor Swift's Wedding a Secret - Lady Gaga, Low-Rise Jeans, and the Next Recession Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn…
-
17 Sep 2026 · 21 min
Inflation Forces the Fed’s Hand
Red, White and Who is back! Email us at thejournal@wsj.com with your thoughts on the economy as we head into the midterms. For the first time in three years, the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. Chairman Kevin Warsh was appointed by President Trump, who explicitly hoped he’d keep rates low. But the economy doesn’t appear to be heading in the right direction and inflation has proven to be far stickier than anticipated. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos reports on why Warsh took a hawkish turn and explains why the Fed might not be done yet. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: -How the Bond…
-
16 Sep 2026 · 20 min
Why China Isn’t Panicking About AI Armageddon
President Trump has pushed back against calls for an AI slowdown, citing competition from China as a threat. But in China, reports WSJ’s Stu Woo, the main concern is keeping up with the United States. And WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar explains why AI deescalation between the two countries remains unlikely. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Great AI Freakout Has Begun - Cybersecurity Braces for ‘AI Bugmaggedon’ Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
14 Sep 2026 · 22 min
The Great AI Freakout Has Begun
A frenzy erupted after Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei published a blog post warning that AI is advancing too quickly. Other major AI executives, like Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have echoed those concerns. These sudden calls for a slow down are raising widespread alarms about AI's potential for harm. WSJ's Robert McMillan breaks down the question on everyone's mind: is AI going to end humanity? Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The College Student Who Defeated the World’s Biggest Cyberweapon - Cybersecurity Braces for AI ‘Bugmaggedon’ Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn…
-
13 Sep 2026 · 20 min
My Monday Morning: Twiggy
Twiggy is one of the most recognizable supermodels of the 20th century. Now the documentary, “Twiggy” about her career and life is being released in the U.S. In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Twiggy about her documentary, the many tuxedos in her closet and the unusual secret to her success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
11 Sep 2026 · 20 min
The MAHA Shake-Up at Steak ‘n Shake
Patriot Shakes. Huge American flags. Beef Tallow. Steak ‘n Shake, the classic fast food chain, is in the middle of an audacious turnaround strategy: a full embrace of the Make America Healthy Again movement. WSJ’s Heather Haddon spoke with the chain’s new “chief MAHA officer” and explains what’s behind the rebrand. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Breakfast Battle: The Cereal Industry vs MAHA - The Corporate Grudge Fueling Cracker Barrel’s Logo Fiasco Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
9 Oct 2026 · 24 minNew
Can Xbox Get Back in the Game?
For years Xbox was the console of choice for serious gamers. But after a failed bet that it could revolutionize gaming through its streaming platform GamePass, the brand has been languishing. Now, a new CEO is overseeing a major turnaround effort. WSJ’s Ben Fritz lays out the new strategy. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: Is the Hottest Investment Pokémon Cards? Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
8 Oct 2026 · 20 minNew
Rogue Pilots Are a Growing Safety Threat. No One Knows How to Stop Them.
U.S. aviation officials and industry insiders have long whispered about a deadly problem with air travel: rogue pilots with severe mental health issues intentionally crashing planes. WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports on why this issue is a struggle for the airline industry, why pilots are afraid to ask for help and how engineers are trying to solve the problem. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport The Life and Death of a Boeing Whistleblower Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
-
7 Oct 2026 · 18 minNew
Why Chinese Fentanyl Factories Are Making Peptides Now
The world’s biggest chemical industry is in China. For years, Chinese factories have also been a major producer of ingredients used to make fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that has contributed to thousands of deaths in the U.S. After a recent crackdown in China, WSJ’s Patricia Kowsmann reports that some of those same factories are now entering a new booming U.S. market: bootleg peptides. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Peptides Are Everywhere. Businesses Are Cashing In. - How Cocaine is Flooding in Europe Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices.…
-
7 Oct 2026 · 24 minNew
Red, White and Who? The Anti-AI Voters
“Red, White and Who?” The Journal’s election mini-series is back to cover the midterms. Every Wednesday for the next five weeks, Ryan Knutson talks with reporters around the country about issues important to voters. This week: in Ohio, a backlash against AI data centers is scrambling old political loyalties. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter and producer Matt Kwong travel across the state, where some Republicans say the issue is changing how they view the Senate race between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted. Further Listening:- A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said…
