The Penta Podcast Channel

In this episode of What’s at Stake, host Ylan Mui is joined by Ryan Panchadsaram and Anjali Grover from Speed & Scale to reflect on Climate Week 2024. Ryan and Anjali discuss the pressing need for stronger corporate net-zero commitments and the crucial role of venture capital in accelerating breakthrough technologies. The two also offer insights into the connection between national security and climate change, highlighting the need for increased investments to drive meaningful progress and bold action.

The Federal Reserve is shifting its focus from inflation to a slowing job market, signaling the start of a new economic era. This week on What's at Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui talk to Neil Irwin, chief economic correspondent at Axios, about the impact that the Fed's first rate cut in four years will have across the economy—and perhaps even on the November elections. 

In this episode of What's At Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui analyze the first – and maybe only – presidential debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris with Alex Sternhell, Principal at Sternhell Group and Democratic strategist. They discuss the heated exchanges on immigration as well as the candidates' stances on tariffs, taxes, and corporate America. The election could hinge on whether the candidates' debate performance sways voters in crucial swing states.  Tune in for a breakdown of what’s at stake in the final weeks before Election Day (with a bonus track on Taylor Swift!). Tune in

What does financial literacy look like in the digital age? This week on What's at Stake, Bryan DeAngelis hosts author and content creator Kyla Scanlon for a live discussion of her new book, “In This Economy” with the Penta team in our Washington, D.C. office. Kyla is known for making complex economic concepts accessible – she uses her unique platform to bridge the knowledge gap from the academic world to the real world. In this episode, Kyla sheds light on the significant disconnect between positive economic indicators and the often-negative public sentiment. She dives into the structural issues that contribute to this disparity, from housing affordability to the rising costs of elder and childcare. Don't miss Kyla's insightful analysis and practical solutions to some of today's most pressing economic challenges.

How could a Harris administration revolutionize the tech policy landscape in America? This week on What's at Stake, partner and head of Penta's D.C. office, Bryan DeAngelis, and Penta managing director Elliott Owensby are joined by Katie Mitchell, the founder of New World Advisors, to discuss the election and the future of tech.  Together, they discuss Katie's recent piece, "A Vibe Check for Tech" and explore how a Harris-led White House might reshape the conversation between technology firms and U.S. policymakers, particularly within the Democratic Party. They also discuss the growing influence of crypto in the political arena, regulatory challenges, and the U.S.'s competitive edge in global tech markets. Don't miss this insightful conversation that unpacks the complexities of the relationship between technology and politics.

As the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium approaches, Penta Managing Director Ylan Mui sits down with friends of the pod John Fagan and Brendan Walsh from Markets Policy Partners to discuss the Federal Reserve's efforts to manage inflation and maintain labor market stability. They discuss recent labor market data, the state of the U.S. consumer post-COVID, and of course, expectations for a rate cut in September – and missed opportunities this summer.  The episode also delves into the implications of the upcoming presidential election for Fed policy and personnel and the potential impact on inflation from both candidates' economic platforms.

In this week's episode of What's at Stake, host and Managing Director Ylan Mui delves into the critical issue of mental health in the workplace. With poor mental health leading to significant productivity losses and high turnover, it's an issue businesses can't afford to ignore. This episode spotlights Bechtel's $7 million partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, aimed at addressing the high suicide rates in the construction industry. The episode features a panel Ylan moderated with insights from Bechtel Chairman and CEO Brendan Bechtel, along with key leaders from the foundation and North America's Building Trades Union, highlighting the power of public-private partnerships and stakeholder collaboration in improving mental health outcomes across industries.

On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Penta managing director Ylan Mui discusses the ways that AI is reshaping the landscape for small businesses with Imani Augustus, the director of the Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity, a partnership between Third Way and the National Urban League. Imani explains how entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of generative AI to improve customer service, marketing, and daily operations. They also tackle the ethical questions and operational hurdles surrounding AI, especially for minority-owned businesses.  Tune in to understand the benefits and risks of AI for small business owners and the steps they can take to navigate AI implementation responsibly.

On this week's episode of What's at Stake, managing partner Andy Whitehouse talks to our director of marketing, Owen McNamee, about the complex strategies behind consumer branding and sponsorships at the Olympics.  Together, they look at the opportunities for brands and athletes to create harmonious partnerships  while still working in their best interests. They also discuss how brands seek to reach their objectives while navigating within the tight parameters set by the International Olympic Committee.  Tune in for this compelling discussion as you cheer on your country and your favorite athletes on their quest for gold.

On this week's episode of What's at Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui talk to Penta Senior Partner Stacy Kerr about the entry of Vice President Kamala Harris into the presidential race and the implications of her campaign for families, businesses, and other stakeholders.  Together, they parse through her policy differences with President Biden as well as how she could change the electoral map for Democrats. And of course, they play the popular Washington parlor game of predicting who she might pick as her vice president.   Tune in for a compelling discussion of the 100-day sprint to Election Day – and beyond.