The Active Share
William Blair Investment Management
Curious about the ever-changing world and how it impacts investing? So are we. If you’re seeking the less obvious, The Active Share podcast is for you. Hear thought-provoking conversations with thought leaders, company executives, and William Blair Investment Management’s own analysts and portfolio managers as they share unique perspectives on investing in a world that’s always evolving.
Disclosure: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to adopt any investment strategy. Investment advice and recommendations can be provided only after careful consideration of an investor’s objectives, guidelines, and restrictions. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of this recording, are subject to change without notice as economic and market conditions dictate, and may not reflect the views and opinions of other investment teams within William Blair Investment Management. Factual information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but its accuracy, completeness or interpretation cannot be guaranteed. Any discussion of particular topics is not meant to be comprehensive and may be subject to change. This material may include forecasts, estimates, outlooks, projections and other forward-looking statements. Due to a variety of factors, actual events may differ significantly from those presented. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. Any investment or strategy mentioned herein may not be suitable for every investor. References to specific companies are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. William Blair Investment Management may or may not own any securities of the companies referenced. It should not be assumed that any investment in the companies referenced was or will be profitable. Copyright © 2019 William Blair. "William Blair" refers to William Blair Investment Management, LLC. William Blair is a registered trademark of William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
Disclosure: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to adopt any investment strategy. Investment advice and recommendations can be provided only after careful consideration of an investor’s objectives, guidelines, and restrictions. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of this recording, are subject to change without notice as economic and market conditions dictate, and may not reflect the views and opinions of other investment teams within William Blair Investment Management. Factual information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but its accuracy, completeness or interpretation cannot be guaranteed. Any discussion of particular topics is not meant to be comprehensive and may be subject to change. This material may include forecasts, estimates, outlooks, projections and other forward-looking statements. Due to a variety of factors, actual events may differ significantly from those presented. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. Any investment or strategy mentioned herein may not be suitable for every investor. References to specific companies are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. William Blair Investment Management may or may not own any securities of the companies referenced. It should not be assumed that any investment in the companies referenced was or will be profitable. Copyright © 2019 William Blair. "William Blair" refers to William Blair Investment Management, LLC. William Blair is a registered trademark of William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 7, 2025 • 33min
Alex Hsieh: CEO of Voltronic Power Technology
On this episode of SuiteTalk, Hugo is joined by Alex Hsieh, the president and chairman of Voltronic, to explore the journey behind one of the leading companies in the uninterrupted power supply and solar inverter space. Together, they discuss the resilience needed when starting a company, navigating industry headwinds, and addressing the global demand for energy.
Jul 17, 2025 • 35min
Adrian Blair: CEO of Trustpilot
Trust is not something that can be bought or sold—it's earned and built over time. On this episode of SuiteTalk, Hugo is joined by Adrian Blair, CEO of Trustpilot, a global review platform headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a conversation about the market for trust, the differences between high- and low-trust societies, and the role of technology in enhancing customer feedback.
Jun 17, 2025 • 38min
The Trade-Offs of Tariffs
In this episode of The Active Share, Hugo sits down with William Blair’s Olga Bitel, partner, global strategist, for a conversation all about tariffs—their complexities, their historical context, and their implications on modern economies. With a global perspective in mind, Hugo and Olga touch on the theory of competitive advantage, the impact of tariffs on consumers and producers, the resurgence of tariffs amid globalization, and potential compelling growth opportunities in Europe and China.
May 19, 2025 • 27min
Daniel Ljunggren: CEO of MilDef
What is behind the unprecedented demand for defense spending in Europe? On the first episode of SuiteTalk, an Active Share series that taps into the minds of top business leaders, host Hugo Scott-Gall sits down with Daniel Ljunggren, CEO of MilDef. Together, they discuss the evolution of the defense technology industry, the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in the current geopolitical landscape, and the important role leaderships plays when navigating uncertainty.
Jan 28, 2025 • 37min
Did the AI Bubble Burst?
Is it possible to identify a market bubble before it bursts? On this episode of The Active Share, Hugo welcomes James Mackintosh, senior market columnist at The Wall Street Journal, for a deep dive into the current state of the U.S. equity market. Together, they explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and U.S. exceptionalism in today’s global economy and explore strategies for identifying compelling investment opportunities and navigating uncertainty in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Dec 20, 2024 • 42min
The Global Growth Engine: 2025 and Beyond
What drives growth on a global scale? And why does growth occur? On the 50th episode of The Active Share, Hugo is joined by William Blair’s Olga Bitel, partner, global strategist, and Simon Fennell, partner, portfolio manager, for an insightful conversation on the outlook for 2025. Through the lens of economic growth, they discuss key topics such as accelerating innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), the insatiable demand for compute power, growth dynamics across emerging markets (EMs), and the impact of what Olga calls the “perpetual growth machine.”
Nov 11, 2024 • 36min
What If We Never Age?
What would it cost to live forever? In this episode of The Active Share, Hugo is joined by Dr. Greg Bailey, co-founder and executive chairman of Juvenescence, for an in-depth discussion about the science of aging, the societal and economic impacts of extended lifespans, and how advancements in biotech are paving the way for longer, and healthier, lives.
Aug 26, 2024 • 33min
Diamonds Disrupted
In the luxury goods market, there has been growing consumer preference for sustainable products—particularly for diamonds and other fine jewelry. In this episode of The Active Share, Hugo is joined by Marie-Ann Wachtmeister, co-founder and creative director of Courbet, a Parisian fine jewelry company, for a conversation on how luxury brands are embracing technology, how lab-grown diamonds have upended the traditional diamond industry, and how this shift in values offers new opportunities for companies to appeal to consumers’ changing ethical and environmental concerns.
Jun 17, 2024 • 43min
The High Costs of a Soft Landing
In this episode of The Active Share, Hugo is joined by Rob Kaplan, partner and vice chairman at Goldman Sachs and former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, for a conversation that explores the shifting economic and geopolitical dynamics in a post-COVID world. Together, Hugo and Rob touch on the pendulum swing away from excessive globalization, the importance of balancing national security concerns with the economic benefits of trade, and the need for informed debate when making decisions amidst global uncertainty.
May 22, 2024 • 36min
India’s Wake-Up Call
Making the growth case for India involves answering one key question: How can India differentiate itself from China? In this episode of The Active Share, Hugo and Raghuram Rajan, a professor of finance at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, discuss what it would take for India to evolve into a global economic powerhouse.
