The Master Investor Podcast with Wilfred Frost

Sara Eisen: The Surprising Truth About Trump's Tariffs, & The One Skill All Great Leaders Have in Common

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Oct 27, 2025

Sara Eisen, a seasoned business journalist and anchor at CNBC, joins Wilfred Frost for an insightful conversation about the US economy and tariffs. She shares why the economy continues to outperform expectations, highlighting factors like AI-driven growth and business investment. Sara discusses the surprising support for tariffs among businesses and their role in rebalancing trade with China. She reflects on her interviewing techniques, emphasizing the importance of preparation and curiosity, and identifies a key leadership trait: the ability to think big while knowing the details.

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ADVICE

Prep Deeply And Prioritise Listening

Prepare thoroughly to reduce nerves for high-pressure interviews or events.
Stay present in the conversation by avoiding notes and listening actively to create better dialogue.

ANECDOTE

Early Career Pressure And Over-Preparation

Eisen recalls starting in her late 20s and feeling judged more as a young woman entering finance.
Early nerves pushed her to over-prepare and prove credibility on complex financial topics.

INSIGHT

Economy Has Defied Recession Calls

The US economy has repeatedly beaten recession predictions and remained resilient through rate hikes.
AI investment, business investment and policy changes are driving a new surge in growth.

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CNBC star and Wilf’s former co-anchor, Sara Eisen, joins the Master Investor Podcast to reflect on the state of the US economy and stock market, as well as her career and the incredible people she has met and interviewed, from Secretary Bessent to Fed Chair Jay Powell.

From her front-row seat at CNBC, where she anchors “Squawk on the Street” and “Money Movers,” Sara offers an insider’s view on how America’s economy continues to defy expectations – and why business investment, AI innovation, and the Trump administration’s policies have combined to fuel a surprisingly strong economy. She also discusses the evolving role of tariffs and why they’re here to stay; the balancing act that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces, and how and why Secretary Bessent has been able to reassure stock market investors in the face of huge volatility.

Beyond the headlines, Sara shares personal insights into her evolution as one of the world’s premier business journalists — from covering currencies at Bloomberg to interviewing central bankers, presidents, and CEOs. She reflects on her interviewing philosophy, what it takes to thrive under pressure, and why preparation and curiosity remain her superpowers.

In a lively and warm exchange, Wilf and Sara reminisce about their years on air together, swap stories about anchoring at dawn, and close with her take on the best leadership traits she's observed from the world’s top decision-makers – plus who’s still on her interview bucket list (hint: Taylor Swift and Sam Altman).

A must-listen for anyone interested in markets, media, and the art of asking better questions – featuring two of financial journalism’s finest in conversation.

The content of The Master Investor Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. Always seek independent financial advice before making investment decisions

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This podcast is produced by Paradine Productions, Master Investor Ltd in association with Bird Lime Media.