This Week in Business

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.

Stefano Puntoni, Professor of Marketing and Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research, shares insights from his research on how consumers respond to collective layoffs—revealing that offshoring, more than automation, triggers stronger negative reactions due to perceived breaches in the social contract between firms and society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Shell, Wharton Professor of Business Ethics, Legal Studies, and Management, explores the negotiation tactics behind recent tariff implementations, drawing parallels between President Trump’s methods in business and his approach to global trade negotiations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Conti-Brown, Wharton Associate Professor of Financial Regulation & Legal Studies and Business Ethics, and author of Private Finance, Public Power: The History of Bank Supervision in America (set to be released June 24th), explores the increasing political scrutiny faced by the Fed, particularly under President Trump, and how this scrutiny could undermine the central bank's ability to respond effectively to economic challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Bradlow, Professor and Chair of the Marketing Department at the Wharton School and co-host of The Wharton Moneyball Postgame Podcast, explores the accelerating role of private equity in professional sports ownership, its potential move into college athletics, and the financial and fan-facing implications of these seismic shifts in the sports industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Witold Henisz, Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the ESG Initiative at the Wharton School, explores the evolving challenges and opportunities in ESG strategy, highlighting the ongoing shakeout, investment uncertainty, and the urgent need for coordinated climate action as Earth Day 2025 approaches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lori Rosenkopf, Wharton Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, discusses her new book Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: Seven Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value Through Innovation, offering fresh perspectives on entrepreneurial success beyond media stereotypes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, discusses findings from a new report showing how proposed U.S. tariffs may lead to long-term declines in GDP and wages, reduced foreign investment, and increased difficulty in managing federal debt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Zaring, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, discusses the evolving regulatory landscape in the U.S. banking sector, highlighting key contrasts between Biden and Trump-era policies, the uncertain fate of Basel III implementation, and the role of agency discretion in shaping financial oversight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senthil Veeraraghavan, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, explores the immediate and long-term effects of rising tariffs on global supply chains, pricing, and consumer markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loretta J. Mester, Wharton Adjunct Professor of Finance and former President of the Cleveland Federal Reserve, shares her insights on the state of the economy, rising recession risks, and the Federal Reserve's approach to inflation and interest rate decisions in an era of uncertainty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olivia Mitchell, Wharton Professor of Business, Economics, and Public Policy and Director of the Pension Research Council examines the state of financial education in the U.S., the consequences of financial illiteracy, and practical steps parents can take to equip children with the skills needed to manage money effectively throughout their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance, discusses the latest market fluctuations, attributing recent declines to tariffs and trade tensions while also analyzing the broader economic landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Paul MacDuffie, Wharton Management Professor, explores the potential consequences of new tariffs on the North American auto industry and how these trade policies impact U.S. automakers and their operations in Canada and Mexico. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morris Cohen, Professor Emeritus at the Wharton School specializing in Manufacturing, Logistics, and Operations, explores the potential consequences of trade tariffs on the U.S. real estate sector, housing affordability, and market dynamics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atul Gupta, Wharton Assistant Professor of Health Care Management, discusses the growing involvement of private equity in the health care sector, its benefits and risks, and the regulatory challenges surrounding transparency and ownership structures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton professor and faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, Kent Smetters, examines the fiscal 2025 budget discussions, the proposed extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the challenges policymakers face in balancing tax cuts with deficit constraints. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania and Professor of Health Care Management at the Wharton School, examines what the healthcare sector has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and where it continues to fall short in preparing for future crises.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gad Allon, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions, discusses how tariffs are disrupting airline manufacturing, increasing maintenance costs, and ultimately raising ticket prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cait Lamberton, Marketing Professor at the Wharton School, discusses the closure of Joann Stores and the broader challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers. She examines the impact of bankruptcy, shifting consumer behaviors, and the rise of e-commerce, shedding light on why traditional retailers struggle to survive in today’s market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton Management Professor, Matthew Bidwell, examines the recent surge in corporate layoffs, exploring historical trends, economic influences, and the role of remote work in reshaping workforce decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, breaks down the economic impact of eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, how it could accelerate trust fund depletion, and why younger generations may bear the long-term financial burden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton management professor Henning Piezunka discusses his new research that looks at how competing outside the workplace, such as in sports or board memberships, can hinder collaboration back at the office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton professors Nick Roussanov and Peter Conti-Brown join host Dan Loney to discuss the latest inflation data and what steps the Fed may take to keep it under control. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink joins the show to talk about navigating the changing landscape of professional work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton business economics and public policy professor Arthur van Benthem discusses his research on the benefits of dynamic electricity pricing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bill Fagan, President of Business Operations of the Cleveland Cavaliers joins the show to discuss their successes on and off the court.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton management professor Henning Piezunka joins the show to discuss his new research paper titled, "Difference in Deference: When Competitors Do Not Give in Despite Having Lost." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton's Katy Milkman shares findings from a 13-million-person field experiment that tested different ways to communicate with borrowers and, ultimately, decrease loan delinquencies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Useem, Wharton Professor of Management, joins the show to discuss how business leaders can help those affected by the LA wildfires. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel joins the show to discuss how Trump's tariff plans will affect the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.