Episodes
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This week on What's At Stake, tune into another episode of our Artificially Intelligent Conversations series. Each month, Penta Partners Andrea Christianson and Chris Mehigan will dissect the AI latest news and developments from each side of the Atlantic, helping you understand how AI will affect stakeholder management, policy, and more. This week, they host Nicole DeCario, Director of AI & Society at the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) to cover AI literacy, policy, and industry norms.
Nicole discusses how AI2's commitment to open-source language models aims to shape a more transparent and collaborative future in AI research, distinct from the closed doors of industry norms. Her insights reveal a pressing need for ethical frameworks and a nuanced understanding of AI technology in order for U.S. regulators to craft effective policy. You don't want to miss this episode! -
In 2024, a wave of global elections is shaping the landscape of corporate engagement, increasing partisan contention across virtually every issue. On today's episode of What's At Stake, we drill down on the upcoming European elections.
From our Brussels office, Penta Senior Partner Jill Craig and Partner Rory O'Donnell join Andrea Christianson, partner in the D.C. office, to discuss the key players in the EU elections, what issues voters are paying the most attention to, and what businesses around the world can expect from a new European Parliament and Commission. The group also shares insight on how companies should prepare for this new political landscape.
If you're a business currently operating in Europe or are considering expanding your operations across the pond, tune in to this must-listen episode.
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This week's episode of What's At Stake examines the phenomenon known as the Taylor Swift economy. Host and Senior Partner Kevin Madden sits down with colleagues Isabel Nieves, Runal Patel, Bianca Schwam Auriemo, and Camryn Banks to analyze how Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poet's Department," demonstrates her impact beyond music and into economic ecosystems across industries and global markets. The group also broke down the album's reception and the work involved in promoting and protecting Swift's brand.
The team then dives into the businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals whose livelihoods depend on the entertainment empire Swift has built, including concert venues, endorsing brands, and ultimately, cultural influence.
Music, business, and culture are all examined in this exciting episode—centered on the one-and-only Taylor Swift. You don't want to miss it! -
This week on What's At Stake, our host Bryan DeAngelis, partner at Penta and head of the Washington, D.C. office, is joined by Oliver Edelmann, director at Penta, and Ananya Kumar, the associate director for digital currencies at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, to discuss Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Just a few years ago, less than 30 countries were exploring a CBDC—as of this week, over 130 countries are doing so. Ananya, Bryan, and Oliver break down this trend and discuss the increasing digitization of payments and services and highlight the CBDC projects we should be paying attention to.
More broadly, Ananya, Bryan, and Oliver discuss U.S. power projection through the dollar in geopolitical conflicts, the role that the Fed should play in CBDCs, and the future of the global financial system. Tune in!
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This week on What's at Stake, Kevin Madden, Senior Partner at Penta, hosts Wes Turbeville, Senior Vice President at ID.me, to discuss how ID.me is tackling the evolving challenge of digital identity fraud and making it easier for Americans to access services online.
Digital technology has redefined how Americans interact with the government, from veterans managing benefits online to citizens filing taxes electronically. Wes and Kevin start the conversation on the urgent need to protect our identities online. Wes stresses the value of public-private partnerships in fighting fraud – it takes a network of companies like ID.me and government partners to combat the risk posed by increasingly coordinated identity thieves.
Wes also delves into how ID.me is closing the digital divide and making it easier for Americans of all backgrounds to access the services they need, showing there need not be a tradeoff between security and accessibility. Listen to the full conversation below!
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This week on What's At Stake, our host Penta Managing Director Ylan Mui is joined by CNBC's Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin to discuss her new book, "When Women Lead." In a world where only around 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women and less than 2% of venture capital dollars go to startups with female founders, Julia and Ylan break down what the book can teach us about what women achieve, why they succeed, and what we can learn from them.
Beyond recapping some of the stories of successful women in the book, Ylan and Julia discuss what skills, attributes, and attitudes all leaders can implement to progress in their careers and live better. All business leaders can benefit from this episode's conversation on changing the corporate culture, reinventing markets to fit new demographics, and rethinking what success looks like. Listen now! -
This week's episode of "What's At Stake" dives deep into the high-stakes dynamics of the 2024 presidential election. Hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui are joined by Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-author of The Washington Post's Early 202 newsletter and political correspondent for The Washington Post. The crew explores the rematch between former President Trump and incumbent President Biden.
Beyond the horse-race coverage, the group scrutinizes the complex policy challenges facing both candidates. Leigh Ann sheds light on the obstacles Biden must overcome, including a narrowly divided Congress and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion also examines Trump's enduring base of support and the pivotal role of swing voters in key battleground states.
Stepping back, the group engages in a candid examination of the media's role in covering this high-stakes political landscape. Leigh Ann shares insights into the challenges of reporting objectively in an era marked by deep partisan divides and a pervasive sense of distrust in institutions.
The episode also delves into the broader implications of the election, including the shadow of a lame-duck presidency and the potential impact of presidential appointments on the balance of power in Washington. Throughout, Ylan, Bryan, and Leigh Ann provide a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the critical issues at stake in the 2024 race. -
This week on What's At Stake, Penta Partner Andrea Christianson is joined by two executives from Cognizant Technologies: Senior Vice President of Legal and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Tobi Young and Chief Technology Officer for AI Babak Hodjat. The group discusses AI in the context of the workforce and how it could help companies operate more dynamically. Additionally, they highlight how tools like generative AI are bridging knowledge gaps and democratizing tech use.
Tobi and Babak also spotlight Cognizant's Synapse Initiative, a global AI upskilling pilot program. Cognizant launched the Synapse Initiative last October with the goal of preparing one million people worldwide over the next three years to become the workforce for the high-tech, AI age. Whether you're an AI skeptic or optimist, this episode promises to offer a fresh perspective on how AI is reshaping industries and empowering the workforce.
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In celebration of International Women's Month and support of Penta's global DE&I efforts, join Senior Associate Lizzie Johnson as she speaks with Penta Managing Directors Ylan Mui from D.C., Louise Ford from London, and Deborah Giam from Singapore about their career experiences and advice for young women in the workforce.
The group discusses how companies can support women (and all of their employees) to build a stronger workforce with opportunities including mentorship, flexibility, and paid leave for caregiving. Deborah, Ylan, and Louise also share stories about impactful mentors they've worked with over the years, and provide tips for authentic and professional networking.
Tune in to hear more from some of Penta's wonderful female leaders.
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This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for the American Gaming Association Joe Maloney for a special March Madness episode on the American gaming industry. They discuss the contributions of the industry including its impact on jobs, wages, and tax revenues, as well as how casinos are becoming institutions for economic revival in communities seeking economic growth.
Bryan, Ylan, and Joe also dive into gaming regulation. Beyond legalization, they look at policy advocacy and bipartisan legislation ensuring responsible growth that prioritizes consumer safety. They also address some big questions, including: How has the industry changed over the years? Who are the main stakeholders in the game now? And what does the future look like for this industry? -
This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by John Fagan and Brendan Walsh from Markets Policy Partners. In the wake of the March Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, the group dissects the potential for upcoming rate cuts and implications for financial markets. Amidst election year tensions, they also explore the nuanced interplay between monetary policy and politics. Will a June or July rate cut signal the start of an easing cycle? What could this mean for the political landscape? Additionally, Bryan, Ylan, John, and Brendan spotlight the broader implications of governing with a divided Congress.
Beyond U.S. borders, they highlight parallels with international economic scenarios, including the Bank of Japan's surprising interest rate hike and discuss how global economic policies might influence domestic financial markets. Listen now!
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This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by Penta Senior Partner Kevin Madden for a special episode on President Biden's impassioned State of the Union address. They assess Biden's performance delivering a speech that spanned many different policy areas, including healthcare, the economy, and immigration—pivotal issues given this year's election. Bryan, Ylan, and Kevin also discuss how the President's adept handling of disruptors potentially temporality quelled age-related concerns as well as Katie Britt's rebuttal to Biden's speech.
But more than just recapping last night's speech, the group discusses an important consideration: Does the State of the Union actually move the needle on approval ratings? As the memory of last night fades, will voters remember Biden's fiery disposition, or will his age continue to worry voters on both sides of the political spectrum? Listen now!
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On this week's episode of What's At Stake, Penta Managing Partner Andy Whitehouse sits down with journalist and author Josie Cox to celebrate the launch of her new book, "Women Money Power." During their discussion, Josie recounts the journey of completing her new book, detailing the book's inspiration, research, and drafting process. Josie also shares some of her most fascinating findings, detailing pivotal moments in history that have shaped women's financial autonomy including women's entry into the workforce during WWII and the advent of the contraceptive pill.
Andy and Josie also dissect contemporary gender equity concerns such as the financial intricacies of remote work, biases in promotion and compensation, and the imperative of genuine gender equity in fostering business' success. The two also emphasize the significance of diversity as a driver of innovation and organizational resilience. Josie's book "Women Money Power" is now available wherever you buy books!
Join Andy and Josie as they unpack the history of female empowerment and reveal opportunities for progress in current and future workplace gender dynamics.
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In this week's episode of What's At Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Tucker Warren, partners from Penta's Washington, D.C. office, welcome special guest Eleanor Hawkins, reporter and author of the Axios Communicators newsletter. The discussion explores the origins and success of Axios Communicators, Eleanor's newsletter that offers insights on the latest communication trends impacting businesses, leaders, and communicators.
Eleanor shares her perspectives on emerging topics influencing corporate communications, such as the increasing value placed on soft skills by executives, the impact of AI and emerging technologies on the C-suite, and how culture wars have affected communication strategies. She also provides advice for early-career professionals on developing and leveraging soft skills and offers book recommendations for aspiring communicators.
Bryan, Tucker, and Eleanor also dive into the "shrinking sidelines" in national discourse, and discuss how communicators are preparing for the upcoming election season. Eleanor also asks Bryan and Tucker for their perspective on what makes a powerful communicator and to unpack the significance of data-driven communications throughout their careers.
The episode offers valuable insights for professionals in the communications field, covering key trends, strategies, and resources to enhance their understanding and approach to effective communication. Tune in!
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This week on What's At Stake, tune into another episode of our Artificially Intelligent Conversations series. Each month, Penta Partners Andrea Christianson and Chris Mehigan will dissect the AI latest news and developments from each side of the Atlantic, helping you understand how AI will affect stakeholder management, policy, and more. This week, they discuss the fascinating ways in which AI will influence policy, and, simultaneously, how policy will influence AI.
The pair touches on the impact of the EU's AI Act on companies across the Atlantic, specifically the regulations high-risk AI systems will be subject to. They express cautious pessimism about the impact of AI on elections, before turning to a more optimistic subject: the power of AI to transform and craft policies. Specifically, they discuss the City Digital Twin Pilot Project's potential impact on urban planning and Destination Earth, a digital model of our planet that simulates and predicts the interaction between human activities and our environment, ultimately helping to fine-tune policymaking. Tune in! -
In this final joint episode of the Macrocast, host Ylan Mui, Managing Director at Penta, alongside co-hosts John Fagan and Brendan Walsh of Markets Policy Partners say their farewells. The Macrocast will no longer continue as a joint production. Instead, John and Brendan will be spearheading its relaunch under the Markets Policy Partners banner.
This episode is not a goodbye but rather a reunion, as Tony Fratto, founder of the Macrocast and Hamilton Place Strategies, now leading communications at Goldman Sachs, joins the conversation.
Reflecting on the journey since its inception in 2019, the panel discusses the economic trials and tribulations over the years, such as the impact of COVID-19, the 2020 election, and conflicts worldwide.
The group also shares their favorite memories and expressions of gratitude to contributors, partners, guests, and listeners.
As the Macrocast concludes its final chapter at Penta, listeners are encouraged to follow Markets Policy Partners for future episodes and can continue to engage with Penta's podcast, "What's At Stake." Ylan, Brendan, John, and Tony conclude with a heartfelt thank you to the supporters of the Macrocast over the past five years and look forward to reconnecting soon -
This week on What's at Stake, Bryan and Ylan are joined by Ben Ritz, director of the Center for Funding America's Future at the Progressive Policy Institute. Ben, Ylan, and Bryan have a great conversation on key fiscal policy priorities including the current state of U.S. government funding and America's national debt. Ben explains the current state of play and implications of the proposed Fiscal Stability Act, which would create a fiscal commission in charge of monitoring U.S. fiscal policy.
Ben details how the proposed fiscal commission would differ from the Bowles-Simpson commission of 2010, as well as the public appetite for such an initiative. The group also delves into the implications of the impending expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax cuts and President Biden's $400,000 tax pledge. Tune in!
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Join Ylan, John, and Brendan on the Macrocast this week as they discuss the unexpected inflation data and its ripple effects. They discuss January's inflation rates and how they will impact the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy leading up to election season. They also break down retail sales and discuss if the soft landing is likely amidst the tension between layoffs and resilience in various job sectors.
The group also discusses the dichotomy between the U.S.'s growing economy and technical recessions in major economies like Japan and the U.K. Next week, we will sadly bid farewell to our current podcast format, so make sure to join us for this episode and stay tuned for next week!
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On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui explore the implications of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act with expert insights from guests Michael Steel, senior vice president of Communications at Business Roundtable and Kasey Pittman, a director with Baker Tilly’s Washington national tax practice. They offer analysis on critical updates to business tax provisions, highlighting potential impacts on low-income families and business owners nationwide.
The group touches on the changing U.S. business environment with a focus on small businesses and startups, assessing how updates to R&D tax credits, business interest deductions, and bonus depreciation could affect cash flows and innovation investments. Looking forward, they examine the dynamics of tax policies amidst global competition and a divided government. Discussing the potential for tax code revisions post-2024 elections, they also analyze the expiration of key provisions and the political strategies shaping the economic landscape. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of the intersection between political decision-making, financial accountability, and the real-world impact on American businesses and families. -
On today's episode of the Macrocast, Ylan, Brendan, and John examine the implications of extensive borrowing, as the U.S. debt approaches 106% of GDP. The group discusses the projections from the Congressional Budget Office, the impact of rising interest rates, and the scrutiny on the Treasury Department's past decisions. Ylan, John, and Brendan also discuss the impact of expiring tax cuts.
Ylan, Brendan, and John then shift to a discussion about the challenges confronting the commercial real estate sector amid the ongoing shift towards remote work. They analyze the potential repercussions on pension funds and insurance companies, posing questions about the necessity of government intervention. The group then delves into the evolving labor market landscape, the Federal Reserve's response to inflation concerns, and the strategic maneuvers undertaken by companies like PepsiCo and McDonald's to navigate consumer resistance to price increases.
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