
All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions
Join Stanford GSB finance professor Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen of The Wharton School in a conversation with prominent business leaders about common flaws in the decision making process and what to do about them. Learn more at AllElseEqualPodcast.com.All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Podcast is a production of Stanford Graduate School of Business and is produced by University FM.
Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2024 • 28min
Ep40 “Why the Private Debt Markets Have Exploded” with Laurence Gottlieb
There has been a rising trend in the importance of private debt as a way of financing companies. But what are the differences between private debt and public debt? Why is it increasing in popularity? What advantages does it offer over traditional banking models? In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen welcome Laurence Gottlieb, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Fundamental Advisors LP, for a discussion about why the private debt markets have exploded.Submit your questions to the show here: https://bit.ly/AllElseEqualFind All Else Equal on the web: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/all-else-equal-making-better-decisionsAll Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Podcast is a production of Stanford Graduate School of Business and is produced by University FM.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 14, 2024 • 29min
Ep39 “Why Does the Non-Profit Model Work?” with Daniel Diermeier
Daniel Diermeier, Chancellor of Vanderbilt Uni, discusses the non-profit model in universities, including strong alumni connections, reputation benefits, and the challenges of managing stakeholders. The episode explores the advantages of the non-profit model for universities, such as goal achievement, financing research, and innovation over for-profit entities.

Jan 31, 2024 • 25min
Ep38 "The Power of Non-Monetary Incentives: Lessons from the Military" with Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick
Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, former 53rd Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, discusses non-monetary incentives in the military and their impact on motivation. Topics include the higher purpose in the military, team cohesion, handling underperforming individuals, clear guidelines for performance, and the importance of corporate social responsibility.

Jan 17, 2024 • 30min
Ep37 Five Common Finance Mistakes
The hosts discuss five common mistakes in finance, including focusing on return measures instead of dollar value, the impact of financing on company value, and common mistakes in finance such as assuming a competitive advantage or a good money manager guarantees high returns. They also discuss the mistake of believing having investable money makes individuals special and the need to do something more to stand out in today's capital markets.

15 snips
Jan 3, 2024 • 26min
Rerun: Ep15 "Shareholder vs. Stakeholder Capitalism" with Alex Edmans
Delve into the debate of prioritizing shareholder value vs. broader stakeholder interests. Explore government intervention, societal impact, and CEO compensation. Learn how corporations can leverage their strengths for the greater good.

4 snips
Dec 27, 2023 • 35min
Rerun: Ep5 "Why You Can't 'Agree to Disagree" with Robert Aumann
For the end of the year, Jules and Jonathan are taking some well-deserved time off, and wanted to rerun a past episode they love for the new audience who has joined since then.Is it possible to unravel the paradox of disagreement in rational decision-making? How should we dissolve discord? In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen are joined by Robert Aumann, mathematician, professor, and Nobel Prize winner, as they discuss acknowledging errors and embracing diverse viewpoints, with stories of Nobel Prize-winning luminaries showing the importance of evolving one's understanding in light of new evidence.Submit your questions to the show here: https://bit.ly/AllElseEqualFind All Else Equal on the web: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/all-else-equal-making-better-decisionsAll Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Podcast is a production of Stanford Graduate School of Business and is produced by University FM.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 20, 2023 • 29min
Rerun: Ep3 “Why Good Stocks Are Not Good Buys” with Cliff Asness
For the end of the year, Jules and Jonathan are taking some well-deserved time off, and wanted to re-present a past episode they love for the new audience who has joined since then.Investing in stocks isn’t just prowess in numbers but a mental marathon as well. But prowess in numbers isn't all there is; this episode also explores the mental marathon of investment. It's a master class in economic acumen that will challenge the way you see the numbers, with the promise to elevate your understanding of the intricate dance between buyer and seller dynamics. In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen are joined by Cliff Asness, co-founder of AQR Capital Management, as they move beyond the common mantras of investment strategies to confront the harsh market realities and identify what truly makes a stock undervalued or overvalued.Submit your questions to the show here: https://bit.ly/AllElseEqualFind All Else Equal on the web: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/all-else-equal-making-better-decisionsAll Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Podcast is a production of Stanford Graduate School of Business and is produced by University FM.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 29, 2023 • 25min
Ep36 "Institutional Neutrality: Open Debate and Moral Stands" with John Etchemendy
Former Provost of Stanford University, John Etchemendy, discusses institutional neutrality in universities and the challenges they face in maintaining it. The importance of open debate and critical thinking, embracing doubt and debate for scientific progress, the misconception that university statements represent the entire community's opinion, and the challenges of maintaining institutional neutrality are explored in this entertaining podcast.

Nov 23, 2023 • 28min
Ep35 “Does Common Ownership Affect Product Market Outcomes?” with Martin Schmalz
It turns out your airline ticket prices might be affected by common ownership in mutual and index funds, but how? In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen welcome Martin Schmalz, Professor of Finance and Economics at Oxford Saïd and Academic Area Head for the FAME faculty group (Finance, Accounting, Managerial Science, and Economics) for a discussion about Common Ownership, and the unseen power it holds in asset management for the corporate world. Submit your questions to the show here: https://bit.ly/AllElseEqualFind All Else Equal on the web: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/all-else-equal-making-better-decisionsAll Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Podcast is a production of Stanford Graduate School of Business and is produced by University FM.RELEVANT LINKS:Common Ownership, Competition and Top Management IncentivesAnticompetitive Effects of Common OwnershipSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 snips
Nov 1, 2023 • 29min
Ep34 “Why Has Private Equity Grown So Much?” with Eric Zinterhofer
Eric Zinterhofer, Founder of Searchlight Capital Partners, joins the hosts to discuss the tradeoff between Public Equity and Private Equity. They explore the advantages and drawbacks of private equity funds, the challenges of performance measurement, and the time commitment required for private equity investors. They also discuss the factors driving the growth of private equity and the importance of alignment.
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