Wharton Business Radio Highlights

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Academic Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program at the Wharton School, explores the policy, regulatory, and investor considerations surrounding the White House’s proposal to introduce private equity and other alternative assets into 401(k) retirement portfolios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Gyourko, Wharton Professor of Real Estate, Finance, and Business Economics and Public Policy, explores 50 years of housing market data, highlighting how local regulation, slowing construction, and regional demand shifts are reshaping affordability across the U.S., particularly in high-growth Sunbelt cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Harker, former Philadelphia Federal Reserve President, and current Rowan Distinguished Professor at the Wharton School, shares his perspective on interest rates, inflation risks, labor force dynamics, and the critical role of maintaining Fed independence in shaping the U.S. economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Marketing Professor and Co-Director of the Wharton Human AI Research Program, explores the evolving strategies behind monetizing AI platforms, the implications of sponsored chatbots for consumer trust, and the critical role of energy efficiency in ensuring AI’s sustainable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and WisdomTree Chief Economist, shares his perspective on the Federal Reserve’s policy direction, the potential for rate cuts, the impact of tariffs, labor market dynamics, and the critical importance of central bank independence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Musto, Wharton Finance Professor and Director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, explores the importance of teaching financial literacy to students, the progress made in recent years, and why early education in personal finance is essential for preparing future citizens and voters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Nave, Wharton Associate Professor of Marketing, discusses his research on the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in creative problem-solving, examining how they can boost individual innovation while also raising concerns about homogenization of ideas across society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lori Rosenkopf, Management Professor and Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School, discusses the value of introducing entrepreneurship in high school curricula, highlighting how it builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that prepare students for future challenges in business and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsey Cameron, Wharton Assistant Professor of Management, examines Uber’s pilot program allowing women drivers and passengers to avoid pairing with men, exploring its implications for safety, driver availability, consumer trust, and the future of ride-hailing services. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamsa Bastani, Associate Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions at the Wharton School, examines the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into K–12 education, emphasizing the need for foundational skills, guardrails, and human connection to ensure technology enhances—rather than undermines—student learning and motivation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, discusses recent research revealing how deportation—especially over long periods—can lower GDP and reduce wages for high-skilled workers, challenging assumptions about who truly benefits or suffers from such policies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maurice Schweitzer, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, joins the show to explore the challenges organizations face when high-performing employees clash with leadership, drawing on real-world examples from sports and business including Steve Jobs, Jamie Dimon, and Sheryl Sandberg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emilie Feldman, Wharton Professor of Management, explores how recent M&A activity—such as Ferrero’s acquisition of WK Kellogg—reflects a recurring trend where companies separate high-and low-growth assets only to later reintegrate them, drawing parallels to past moves by Kraft, Heinz, and other consumer goods giants.Ask ChatGPT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manav Raj, Wharton Assistant Professor of Management, shares insights on how AI is transforming job roles, challenging traditional degree models, and pushing both students and educators to rethink skills development in a shifting labor market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and WisdomTree Chief Economist, shares his outlook on economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and market resilience, addressing the impact of tariffs, the rise of AI, and the uncertain future of Federal Reserve leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Zhang, Wharton Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses how firms use tariff-induced economic conditions to raise prices and explore dynamic pricing strategies, balancing profit motives with consumer perceptions and competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Cappelli, Management Professor at the Wharton School and Director of the Center on Human Resources, explains why bold predictions about AI-driven job loss often miss the mark, how financial pressures are influencing executive behavior, and why uncertainty—not automation—should be guiding future workforce strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Shea, Adjunct Professor of Management and Senior Fellow at the Wharton Center for Leadership and Change, outlines how Boeing’s long-term shift away from its engineering roots has led to widespread reputational damage and organizational dysfunction—and what its leadership must do to repair both internal culture and external credibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.