Episodes

  • Loyalty Programs | Peter Fader

    Loyalty Programs | Peter Fader
    Sep 9 2025
    Are loyalty programs worth it for retailers? Yes, says Wharton’s Peter Fader, but only if they are designed for customer lifetime value. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    14 mins
  • Rethinking Retail | Barbara Kahn

    Rethinking Retail | Barbara Kahn
    Sep 2 2025
    Wharton's Barbara Kahn, author of The Shopping Revolution: How Retailers Succeed in an Era of Endless Disruption, explains the latest trends in retail, how AI fits into the customer experience, and what's to come for brick-and-mortar. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • Tokenomics and the Social Forces Driving Crypto Markets | Shimon Kogan

    Tokenomics and the Social Forces Driving Crypto Markets | Shimon Kogan
    Aug 26 2025

    What determines whether a cryptocurrency succeeds or fades into obscurity? In this episode, Wharton professor Itay Goldstein speaks with Shimon Kogan, adjunct associate professor of finance at Wharton and longtime instructor of Wharton’s fintech course, to explore the economic and behavioral forces behind token success. From network effects and user adoption to coordination challenges and the phenomenon of meme coins, this conversation dives into the mechanics of tokenomics and what drives value in the world of fintech.


    This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 mins
  • Could Stablecoins and CBDCs Be the Future of Money? | Heath Tarbert

    Could Stablecoins and CBDCs Be the Future of Money? | Heath Tarbert
    Aug 19 2025

    Stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are at the center of a global shift in how money moves. In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein speaks with Heath Tarbert, president of Circle and former CFTC chair, about the role of stablecoins in modern finance, how they compare to CBDCs, and the regulatory frameworks needed to support their growth.


    This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • Regulating Digital Assets | Jessica Wachter and Timothy Massad

    Regulating Digital Assets | Jessica Wachter and Timothy Massad
    Aug 12 2025

    As cryptocurrency moves further into the mainstream, regulators are stepping up efforts to define its legal and financial framework. But how far will regulation go, and what will it mean for investors, businesses, and the future of digital assets? In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein is joined by Wharton professor Jessica Wachter, recently the chief economist at the SEC, and former CFTC chair Timothy Massad to discuss crypto’s evolving regulatory landscape, the balance between innovation and oversight, and the geopolitical forces shaping crypto policy worldwide.


    This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    39 mins
  • The Rise of Crypto | Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula

    The Rise of Crypto | Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula
    Aug 5 2025

    Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment to a global financial force. But how did we get here? In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein is joined by Duke professor Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula, director of the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative, to explore the milestones that led to crypto’s rise, the forces that shaped its growth, and what the crypto landscape will evolve into.


    This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins
  • Perception Gaps: When Teams Misconnect | Henning Piezunka

    Perception Gaps: When Teams Misconnect | Henning Piezunka
    Jul 29 2025
    A promising collaboration between two competing firms can turn into disaster if expectations aren’t crystal clear from the start, says Wharton’s Henning Piezunka. This episode is part of the “Research Spotlight” series.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 mins
  • Easy as 1, 2, 3: The Motivating Power of Streaks | Marissa Sharif

    Easy as 1, 2, 3: The Motivating Power of Streaks | Marissa Sharif
    Jul 22 2025
    Wharton’s Marissa Sharif explains why streak rewards, like the kinds used by Duolingo and other apps, can be used to incentivize workers to meet goals. This episode is part of the “Research Spotlight” series.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    13 mins