
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

Apr 3, 2024 • 26min
Ep42 Waiting to Invest
What could be the reason to delay investing in an option that will make you money? How do your investment opportunities expand when you make that choice? In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen discuss the concept of real options in finance, focusing particularly on investment decision-making. They also address the challenge of valuing growth options in uncertain investment environments, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and the potential to create value through well-timed information and decisions.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.

Mar 13, 2024 • 27min
Ep41 “Understanding the SEC's New Climate Disclosure Rules” with Lawrence Cunningham
Why should climate risk be singled out for mandatory disclosure by the SEC, and how does this change the investment landscape? Can climate disclosure legislation walk the fine line between transparency and information overload? In this episode, hosts and finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen welcome Lawrence Cunningham, Research Professor of Law Emeritus at GW Law and special counsel with Mayer Brown LLP, to explore the arguments for and against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandating climate risk disclosures for companies. Submit your questions to the show here: https://bit.ly/AllElseEqual Find All Else Equal on the web: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/all-else-equal-making-better-decisions All 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.

Mar 4, 2024 • 29min
Navigating Workplace Power Dynamics with Deborah H. Gruenfeld feat. ‘If/Then’ Podcast
Dr. Deborah Grunfeld discusses reshaping power structures, exploring dog behavior parallels, human hierarchies complexities, navigating workplace power dynamics, and personal struggles with agency and power in an engaging and insightful discussion.

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.

17 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.