The Penta Podcast Channel

In this week's episode of the Macrocast episode, Ylan and Brendan dove into the latest jobs report, breaking down the unexpected addition of 336,000 jobs to the economy. They explored one of the standout features of this data: a massive 96,000 job boost in the leisure and hospitality sector. They also took a closer look at how this job growth is impacting wage data and the sudden rise in Treasury yields. Plus, Brendan and Ylan discussed potential disruptions tied to recent political events, like the narrowly averted government shutdown and the ongoing Hollywood labor strike. The pair also analyzed the Federal Reserve's new Instagram account and its informal approach to financial education.

On this week's episode, Penta Partner Meghan Pennington explored the impact of early childhood education on the future workforce with our guests from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Senior Vice President and Vice President of Education & Workforce Policy, Cheryl Oldham, and Vice President of Policy and Programs, Caitlin Codella Low. Drawing from their extensive experience in the education sector, Cheryl and Caitlin provided valuable insights into the importance of a robust childcare system in shaping the workforce pipeline and the necessity of investing in our youngest learners.The group examined the challenges employers face in providing quality childcare and the prevalence of child care deserts in many U.S. zip codes. The conversation also delved into the CHIPS Act and its potential to address childcare issues, as well as the complexities of using data to inform K-12 education policy, highlighting the disconnect between parents' perceptions of their child's performance and the data reality.The episode emphasized the need to understand these challenges to create effective, data-informed solutions that help families and build a stronger workforce. Tune in to learn more!

On today's Macrocast, Yale Law School research scholar, Martha Gimbel joined Ylan, John, and Brendan for a discussion on the likelihood and consequences of a potential government shutdown.  The  group breaks down potential economic fallout, the uphill battle for unemployment benefits, and even the possibility of air traffic controllers stepping in to force an end to the shutdown. Martha also offered her take on the Biden administration's economic policy, the influence of rising mortgage rates, and the domino effect of gas prices and supply chain issues on consumer sentiment. Buckle up and let's unpack the chaos together.

On this episode of What's At Stake, Penta Partner Andrea Christianson is joined by Penta Senior Director Scott Haber-Katris and Steven Overly, host of POLITICO Tech. The trio discussed AI's large-scale impact, including for the workforce, education, politics, and the law. Based on years of experience in the tech industry and politics, the group offered their predictions for how Congress will (and will not) regulate the emerging technology, and how industry is preparing to respond to these guardrails.

On this week's episode of the Macrocast, Ylan, Brendan, and John discuss the looming government shutdown and much more, including the Fed's competing signals on interest rates, and the international economic outlook. The trio unpacks the looming debt ceiling fight and the effects of far-right influences on Speaker McCarthy's negotiation power. The group also analyzes the Federal Reserve's recent decision against rate hikes, and speculates whether the decision will stick. Finally, our hosts discuss the Bank of England's unexpected pause on rate hikes and what's next for the Japanese Central Bank.

Amidst the excitement of Climate Week in New York, join Penta Partner Andy Whitehouse, along with Penta Managing Directors Cecilia Thorn and Alex Bluestone, as they discuss the latest in climate policy and the corporate race to meet ESG standards in the U.S. and in Europe. They share insights into how businesses are preparing for decarbonization and navigating the European Commission's ESG standards, set to take effect in 2024. The group also examines the evolving public attitudes toward renewable energy and the federal government's role in promoting it. They explain that data indicates a strong push for renewable energy development among American adults, but sentiment toward Climate Week and ESG overall is mixed. You'll also get to hear about the upcoming European sustainability and due diligence directive, and the role venture capital plays in shaping the global conversation on climate change. Tune in for an informative conversation on the challenges and opportunities in communicating climate action!For more on ESG from Penta, tune in to our upcoming webinar, "New ESG developments and standards - risks and opportunities for companies and investors" on Thursday, October 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM ET, moderated by Cecilia Thorn, Managing Director in our Brussels office. Register here and view the event on LinkedIn here!

This week on the Macrocast, Ylan Mui, Brendan Walsh, John Fagan, and Robert Dewey  are joined by John Dick, CEO and founder of Civic Science, to dive into the latest economic sentiment index (ESI). The group offers their insights on the subtle shifts in the labor market, the dilemma of return-to-office mandates, and the decline in job changes since the peak of the "Great Resignation." And after an active summer for labor, our experts grapple with the potential economic ripple effects of the United Auto Workers strike. You won't want to miss it! Read the latest ESI analysis here.

Imagine stepping into the world of crypto investments, grappling with the complexities of a new technology and pioneering the charge towards a revolutionary financial product. Our guest, Jennifer Rosenthal, head of communications at Grayscale Investments, has done just that.  On today's episode of What's at Stake, Jennifer gives us a captivating recount of her journey, including how she built Grayscale's communications team and led the company to an impressive victory in the D.C. Court of Appeals. From the nuances of message crafting to the intricacies of litigation preparedness, Jennifer shares insights on how Grayscale navigated communications challenges while  converting their flagship product into an Exchange-Traded Fund. Bryan and Jennifer also discuss how Grayscale is educating people about the importance of a Bitcoin ETF, and why their recent court win is so notable. Join us for this fascinating conversation, offering an inside look into the world of crypto and communications.

What happens when the government hits pause and the financial markets hold their breath? On the latest episode of the Macrocast, Ed Mills, Washington Policy Analyst at Raymond James, joins Ylan Mui and Brendan Walsh to discuss the potential effects of a government shutdown on markets. The group explores the possible twist of a temporary funding extension and the seismic shift this could cause in consumer sentiment. Later, our experts turn to the 2024 elections and the heavyweights that could influence voters' decisions—including economic and social issues, healthcare woes, and legal battles. The episode also examines the U.S.-China relationship, particularly in light of Secretary Raimondo's recent trip to China. You won't want to miss it!

On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Bryan DeAngelis, Head of Penta's D.C. office, is joined by Alberto Lopez Valenzuela and Andrea Christianson, co-leads of Penta's AI Task Force. Ahead of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's AI Insight Forum with tech leaders next week, the group takes a look at key considerations around AI governance, including the impact industry can have on responsible adoption and regulation.  As leaders in the field, Valenzuela and Christianson share insights on the practical applications of AI in providing strategic guidance to businesses. Tune in for a glimpse behind the scenes of how Penta is integrating AI into our products and strategic recommendations.