WSJ's Take On the Week
The Wall Street Journal
WSJ's Take On the Week brings you the insights and analysis you need to get a leg up on the world of money and investing. We cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance. Join The Wall Street Journal's Telis Demos and Miriam Gottfried in conversation with the people closest to the hot topics in markets to get incisive analysis on the big trades, key players in finance and business news. The duo will bring actionable insights to a range of investors and business leaders while also entertaining a broader audience with lively, relatable conversations. Episodes drop Sundays.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Mar 29, 2026 • 30min
How Emerging-Market Bonds Can Hedge Against U.S. Market Volatility
Eric Fine, portfolio manager and head of active emerging market debt at VanEck, explains why some emerging-market bonds may now offer stability compared with U.S. debt. He discusses fiscal dominance, which markets now look safer, and how commodity exporters and Gulf issuers fit into portfolios. The conversation highlights using EM bonds as a hedge against U.S. volatility and energy-driven inflation.
54 snips
Mar 22, 2026 • 33min
Will High Oil Prices Kill Demand? Why JPMorgan Says Book Your Travel Now
Natasha Kaneva, head of global commodities research at JPMorgan, explains the math behind oil’s upside and the $90 red line for demand destruction. She discusses Gulf export risks, why reopening the Strait matters, China’s energy self-sufficiency push, and tips for booking summer travel. Short, sharp takes on how supply shocks could reshape markets.
28 snips
Mar 15, 2026 • 31min
Why a Closed Strait of Hormuz Is a ‘Smoking Risk’ for Global Markets
James Stavridis, retired U.S. Navy admiral and Carlyle Group vice chairman, offers naval strategy and geopolitical insight. He discusses how a blocked Strait of Hormuz threatens oil, fertilizer and global trade. He outlines timelines to reopen the waterway, scenarios that could ease prices, and which defense technologies and private capital moves may gain from the crisis.
7 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 33min
Is Bitcoin Still 'Digital Gold'? How Investors See It Now
Marion Laboure, senior strategist and MD at Deutsche Bank who researches crypto and payments, explains why bitcoin no longer tracks gold. She describes bitcoin as an asset rather than a currency. She discusses stablecoins, regulatory debates over yields, and how institutions are sizing crypto allocations.
35 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 31min
The Inflation Debate That Will Shape the Fed’s Plans for Interest Rates
Rob Kaplan, vice chairman at Goldman Sachs and former Federal Reserve president, offers market insight on tariffs, AI-driven investment shifts, mortgage regulation, and Fed policy. He discusses the fallout from the Supreme Court tariff decision. He explains why investors favor HALO stocks and how AI and regulatory changes could reshape mortgages and the Fed’s rate debate.
Feb 22, 2026 • 30min
Could AI Disruption Fears Trigger a Software M&A Boom?
Brent Thill, a Jefferies software analyst who covers AI risks to SaaS, explains why fears of AI replacing enterprise software may be overblown. He discusses why large companies will keep many vendors, why infrastructure and security look resilient, and how weak valuations could spark a big wave of software M&A driven by private equity.
21 snips
Feb 15, 2026 • 30min
The Consumer Shock From Tariffs Isn't Over. When Will Prices Peak?
Frances Donald, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, explains the K-shaped economy in plain terms. She explores why retailers like Walmart can boom while many households struggle. She discusses tariff-driven price shocks and when they may peak. She also covers aging demographics, labor shortages and how AI might offset a shrinking workforce.
30 snips
Feb 8, 2026 • 33min
Why This VC Says AI and Robotics Will Put Every Human Job at Risk
Hemant Taneja, venture capitalist and CEO of General Catalyst, shares his take on investing in AI and startups. He explains why he backed Anthropic at scale and argues multiple AI winners will emerge. Conversations cover AI scaling, real-world AI deployments in healthcare, and why many human skills could be challenged in 20 to 30 years.
34 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 34min
Will the Next Jobs Report Reveal the Real Cost of AI on Employment?
Erik Brynjolfsson, Stanford digital-economy director studying AI and jobs; Justin Lahart, WSJ economics reporter covering labor and macro trends. They debate AI’s impact on entry-level and junior roles. They preview the upcoming jobs report and a possible benchmark revision. They also weigh Amazon’s AI bets against recent layoffs and the market forces behind the gold rally.
17 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 31min
The Risks Behind the Expected $5.3T AI Data Center Funding Boom
Greg Peters, co-CIO for public fixed income at PGIM, a bond-market and credit specialist. He discusses the $5.3 trillion AI data-center financing surge and why much of it may hit bond markets. Short construction loans vs long unsecured hyperscaler debt come up. He highlights winner-take-all risks in hyperscaler buildouts and his top near-term worry: economic overheating.
