Wharton Business Radio Highlights

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, discusses the newly passed reconciliation bill—highlighting its projected $3.6 trillion increase to the national debt, minimal near-term economic growth, and long-term GDP decline, along with how the legislation may reduce resources for lower-income households.Ask ChatGPT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olivia Mitchell, Professor and Executive Director of the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School, joins the show to discuss Fidelity’s latest data showing record-high retirement saving rates, explore the policy and psychological factors driving increased 401(k) participation, and examine how generational trends, employer incentives, and concerns over Social Security and national debt are shaping the future of retirement preparedness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leon Musolff, Wharton Assistant Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses findings from a recent field experiment showing how default search engine settings significantly influence user choice, highlighting the implications for antitrust policy and competition between Google and Bing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Zaring, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, explains how the long-standing First Sale Rule allows U.S. companies to reduce tariff costs by structuring international transactions strategically and maintaining thorough supply chain documentation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, discusses how markets are reacting to global instability, the possibility of renewed tariffs, and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates, while highlighting how artificial intelligence could help offset economic challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian Terwiesch, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, discusses the evolving role of AI in customer service—highlighting the tension between cost reduction and service quality, the growing expectations of consumers, and the challenges of fully automating support without losing the human element. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Bornstein, Wharton Assistant Professor of Finance, discusses how ongoing tariff uncertainties and fluctuating consumer confidence are impacting retailers’ pricing strategies, supply chains, and economic outlooks, offering insights into what this means for the broader macroeconomic picture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob DiGisi, lecturer at the Wharton School and founder of Iron Horse Marketing, discusses the implications of the House v. NCAA settlement, including direct athlete compensation, the evolving role of NIL collectives, and the far-reaching consequences for non-revenue sports, program structures, and the traditional identity of college athletics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Nary, Wharton Assistant Professor of Management, discusses the recent merger between Capital One and Discover, highlighting the strategic motivations behind the deal, the integration challenges ahead, and why the move could ultimately benefit consumers by increasing competition in the payments network space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Santiago Gallino, Associate Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, and of Marketing at the Wharton School, discusses the growing presence of self-checkout in retail, its intended operational benefits, and the unintended consequences—including theft, customer friction, and strategic recalibration—that are prompting retailers to rethink their approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Josefy, Visiting Associate Professor of Management at Wharton and Associate Professor of Strategy and Shoemaker Faculty Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Indiana University, discusses how IPOs affect company longevity, leadership decisions, and the often-overlooked human consequences for employees during and after the transition to public markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cade Massey, Practice Professor in the Operations, Information and Decisions Department at the Wharton School and host of the Wharton Moneyball podcast, discusses the growing influence of big data and artificial intelligence in sports—from game-day strategies to injury prevention and referee evaluation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer of Finance and Academic Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program at the Wharton School, explores how ongoing tariff fluctuations and economic unpredictability are prompting private equity firms to slow deal activity, reassess portfolio risks, and reconfigure supply chains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Sprung-Keyser, Wharton Assistant Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, explains his research on how the IRS can maximize revenue through audits—highlighting that audits of high-income taxpayers yield significantly greater returns and have long-term behavioral impacts that may inform smarter tax policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Nave, Wharton Associate Professor of Marketing, explores the complex intersection of personal autonomy, informed consent, and societal benefit as 23andMe's bankruptcy raises urgent questions about the fate and control of sensitive genetic information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Bidwell, Wharton Professor of Management, discusses the current challenges facing college graduates entering the workforce, highlighting hiring slowdowns, economic uncertainty, and how young professionals can position themselves for long-term success despite a difficult start. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gad Allon, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, examines the long-term neglect in U.S. aviation infrastructure—from outdated technology to severe air traffic controller shortages—and calls for a strategic overhaul to ensure safety and reliability in air travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Bradlow, Wharton Marketing Professor and Chair of the department, explores the financial future of women’s professional sports, emphasizing how WNBA players can enhance their total earning potential through personal branding, media exposure, and marketing opportunities beyond traditional league salaries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Itay Goldstein, Wharton Professor of Finance and Economics, discusses how the Trump administration’s tariff announcements and debates over Federal Reserve independence have introduced uncertainty into financial markets, driving volatility and investor anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joao Gomes, Professor of Finance and Senior Vice Dean of Research at the Wharton School, offers an in-depth analysis of the Trump administration’s tariff approach, its theoretical justifications, and the real-world consequences for trade, business strategy, and global economic stability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.