# How Microfinance Failed the World's Poor

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-journal-547598/how-microfinance-failed-the-world-s-poor
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-journal-547598/how-microfinance-failed-the-world-s-poor.md
Podcast: [The Journal.](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-journal-547598)
Published: 2026-07-14T20:59:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/WSJ3172361350.mp3
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/WSJ3172361350.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-journal-547598/episodes/how-microfinance-failed-the-world-s-poor
Duration seconds: 1476

## Resource

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? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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