

The Penta Podcast Channel
Penta Group
The Penta Podcast Channel is home of Penta's podcast - "What's At Stake". "What's at Stake" features in-house experts and often special guests for analysis on the biggest issues shaping business and public policy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2023 • 34min
Macrocast: Rate Hikes, real estate, and reflecting on Yellen's legacy
On today's Macrocast, Ylan, John, and Brendan are joined by a special guest: Jon Hilsenrath. Jon covered economics and finance at the Wall Street Journal from 1997 until this spring. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 2009 for coverage of the financial crisis, and most recently, the author of "Yellen: The Trailblazing Economist Who Navigated an Era of Upheaval," which examines the major financial crises of the 21st century through the lens of Janet Yellen's career and life..
The group engages in a wide-ranging discussion on all things rate hikes, the real estate market, and the reputations and legacies of Jay Powell and Janet Yellen.
Find Jon's book "Yellen: The Trailblazing Economist Who Navigated an Era of Upheaval" here.

Jul 24, 2023 • 29min
Is the PGA/LIV merger up to par? A conversation with Mike McCann
On this week's episode of What's At Stake, Bryan DeAngelis, Partner and Head of Penta's DC office, is joined by sports law expert Mike McCann to discuss the proposed PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger.In 2022, it was announced that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund would be sponsoring a new golf league, LIV Golf, and had signed a number of prominent professional golfers. In response, the PGA Tour announced that current and former PGA golfers who signed with LIV would be indefinitely banned from participating in PGA sponsored events. Then, in a shocking twist, it was announced that LIV would merge with PGA. Additionally, Saudi Arabia would become an investor in the PGA Tour, a nonprofit organization, through the country's Public Investment Fund. Players and fans of golf have expressed displeasure with the announcement, leading to a Senate hearing on the topic on June 11, 2023 and the Department of Justice opening an antitrust investigation into the proposed merger.Bryan and Mike discuss the recent Senate hearing, the legality of this merger, and what they expect from the leagues merging for players and fans. The two also outlined how this proposed merger is unprecedented in professional sports and the serious implications it could have on other leagues around the world.Mike McCann is a professor of law at the University of New Hampshire and the founding director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute. He is one of the nation's leading experts in sports law and Name, Image, Likeness. Mike also co-authored a book with former NBA player Ed O'Bannon, titled "Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA," which tells the story of O’Bannon's life and his historic court case against the NCAA.

Jul 21, 2023 • 33min
Macrocast: The end of the vibecession?
On this special Barbie-weekend edition of the Macrocast, Ylan Mui, Brendan Walsh, and John Fagan are joined by John Dick, CEO and founder of Civic Science, to dive into the latest economic sentiment index (ESI).
The group explores the monster day for consumer spending that was last week's Amazon Prime Day, along with the UPS-Teamsters negotiations, the economic impact of soon-to-be-resumed student debt payments, and whether we can finally breathe a sigh of relief about a soft economic landing. And be sure to stick around for some Barbie-premiere outfit planning toward the end of the show!
Read the latest ESI analysis here.

Jul 18, 2023 • 47min
The future of news
On the latest episode of What's at Stake, Penta Managing Director Ylan Mui sits down with Stratton Kirton, partner at Penta, and Rebecca Buck, senior director at Penta, to dive into the evolving state of today's news industry. The group explores the latest across the consumption and production of news, including the shift to digital media and changes in revenue models. The group also takes a look at the biggest challenges facing journalists and news outlets today, along with the major trends across content, revenue, and innovations in tech and AI that are changing the way journalists and newsrooms operate.

Jul 14, 2023 • 29min
Macrocast: Betting on the Banks
In this jam-packed episode of the Macrocast, Ylan, John, and Brendan discuss the latest on inflation as the annual rate continues to slow, and zoom in on some CPI and PPI insights. The group delves into today's bank earnings, as investors hope that sour expectations for last quarter's results will give banks a lower bar for beating estimates. They also discuss the rise in mortgage applications, China's trade surplus, shifting oil prices, and a special announcement from the Fed! Tune in for all this and more.

Jul 12, 2023 • 36min
Are companies caught between a rock and a hard place on ESG?
On a new episode of What's at Stake, Bryan DeAngelis brings together a group of intercontinental experts including Penta Partners Stratton Kirton and David Cook, along with Managing Director Cecilia Thorn, to break down the starkly different universes of ESG regulations across the EU, the U.S., and the U.K.
As the war in Ukraine continues to complicate environmental and social trends in Europe, the EU is poised to enact stringent regulations on human rights, environmental transparency, and due diligence for businesses. At the same time, ESG has become a dirty word in the polarized U.S. political environment, heightening risks for companies that operate across jurisdictions and must cater to stakeholders in both regions.
This week on the podcast, the group explores strategies for companies to effectively navigate these developments while balancing their fiduciary duties and safeguarding their global reputation. Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve on these pressing issues.

Jul 7, 2023 • 33min
Macrocast: A good set of numbers
Join us for a special edition of the Macrocast! On this week's episode, Ylan and Brendan are joined by Neil Irwin, chief economic correspondent at Axios and author of "The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire" and "How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World: The Definitive Guide to Adapting and Succeeding in High-Performance Careers."
The trio discuss the latest jobs report, the recent ADP National Employment Report, Secretary Yellen's recent visit to China, and more. Tune in!
Read Penta's latest Jobs report.
For more insights check out Neil's books, "The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire" and "How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World: The Definitive Guide to Adapting and Succeeding in High-Performance Careers."

Jul 5, 2023 • 33min
A new defense against a crisis: Online Reputation Management
On the latest episode of What's At Stake, Penta partner Bryan DeAngelis hosts Viv O'Connor-Jemmett, a partner in Penta's Dublin office. The pair discuss how news cycles are moving faster than ever—and how search engines and social media play a large role in disseminating information to stakeholders. Being prepared to control and manage a crisis online before it gets out of hand is essential for any organization.Enter Online Reputation Management (ORM).
Sharing insights learned from over 15 years of experience supporting brands' online reputations, Viv describes how ORM came to be and why it is critical in today's media landscape. With the rapid development of AI, businesses will need to be even more prepared to respond to the next reputational challenge. Tune in to hear about everything ORM.
To learn more, check out Penta's article on ORM, as well as a podcast and article on Penta's framework for analyzing potential brand risks of AI.

Jun 30, 2023 • 34min
Macrocast: Reaching across the pond
Join us for an exciting holiday edition of the Macrocast! This week, Ylan, Brendan, and John are joined by David Cook, a partner at Penta's London office, where he leads the firm's international financial services practice.
Together, the group delves into pressing macroeconomic issues from both sides of the pond, illuminating the challenges faced by the Bank of England as it navigates high inflation and an upcoming election along with what the results of the Fed's annual big bank stress tests mean for consumers. Brendan Walsh even takes us on a live reporting adventure from the Connecticut highway, shedding light on the real-world impact of high gas prices. You won't want to miss it!

Jun 27, 2023 • 55min
Potential priorities for a Labour government
The U.K. Labour Party has seen a remarkable turnaround in its political fortunes since the 2019 general election. The current polls show a consistent and sizable lead for Labour under Sir current party leader Keir Starmer. But what are the realistic prospects for a Labour Government? What would the priorities be for a new administration? And what will that mean for business and enterprise?On June 13, 2023, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest (formerly Tom Watson, Member of Parliament), former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and current Chair of U.K. Music, joined Penta Managing Director Mark MacGregor to discuss the future for the Labour Party.Make sure to also tune into Penta's next live discussion on Monday July 3rd, which will feature discussion on the future of the agri-food sector. Mark MacGregor will chair a conversation on the issue with Penta Partner Rory O'Donnell and Rt Hon George Eustice MP. Find further event details and registration here.


