The Journal.

Microfinance was once hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, promising to empower the world's most vulnerable with small business loans. But in countries like Cambodia, the industry has devolved into a cycle of predatory debt that is leaving families struggling. WSJ’s Gabriele Steinhauser explains why this once-celebrated solution has failed so many. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Sweden Embraced Capitalism

- Is Jane Goodall Fighting a Losing Battle?

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Over the phone, Paul Regan offered prospective clients something that sounded too good to be true: investments with guaranteed returns of 10-15%. It was all part of a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. WSJ’s Jason Zweig obtained hours of recorded phone calls, in which Regan seduced his victims, who were often older and needed help. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- An Influencer’s False Promise to Make His Followers Rich

- Pig Butchering: A Texting Scam With a Crypto Twist

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Artificial intelligence models have taken over the corporate world, and workers are trying to figure out how to collaborate with their new robot co-workers. In this first episode of “Work Mode,” a new series from The Journal on the evolution of work, WSJ’s Callum Borchers shares the strategies that work best and the pitfalls to avoid. And we hear from Michael Rueckert, AI power user who transformed his work life with Claude and leveraged his AI skills into a new start up. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- How AI Is Being Trained to Do Your Job

- Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy

- The ‘Class of AI’ Enters the Workforce

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Record-breaking egg prices in recent years were blamed on an avian flu outbreak. But a recent Department of Justice complaint spells out another cause: a scheme among some of America’s top egg producers to bid up the cost of eggs. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas explains how they allegedly manipulated the “Wall Street of Eggs.” Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Eggs Are Still Expensive. Is This Company to Blame?

- An Eggspensive Dilemma

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On Tuesday morning, something potentially very scary happened in New York City. Images of buckling steel beams at the former Pfizer headquarters led to a large evacuation in midtown Manhattan. WSJ’s Peter Grant reports on what happened and what this high-profile setback means for the nationwide trend of converting empty skyscrapers into apartments. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- Compass vs. Zillow: The Real Estate Wars

- Who’s in Charge of Fixing Miami’s Aging Condos?

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