Episodes

  • Free Versus Fair Trade in a Changing Global Economy

    Free Versus Fair Trade in a Changing Global Economy
    Dec 17 2025
    John Zhang, Wharton Marketing Professor, discusses his recent analysis of free versus fair trade, explaining the economic assumptions, political incentives, and distributional consequences of tariffs in today’s global trading system.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins
  • Why Today’s AI Bubble May Fuel Tomorrow’s Economic Growth

    Why Today’s AI Bubble May Fuel Tomorrow’s Economic Growth
    Dec 12 2025
    Lynn Wu, Wharton Associate Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, explains why today’s AI investment frenzy, while exhibiting bubble-like characteristics, represents a vital phase of technological evolution—driving infrastructure development, enabling future economic spillovers, and laying the groundwork for transformative advancements across industries.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins
  • Understanding the True Costs Behind Credit Card Lending

    Understanding the True Costs Behind Credit Card Lending
    Dec 10 2025
    Itamar Drechsler, Wharton School Professor of Finance and Co-Director of the Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research, explains the economic forces behind high credit card interest rates, highlighting the roles of defaults, operating costs, marketing expenditures, and market power in shaping what consumers ultimately pay.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins
  • Examining How Amazon Fulfillment Centers Influence Local Economic Growth

    Examining How Amazon Fulfillment Centers Influence Local Economic Growth
    Dec 5 2025
    Serguei Netessine, Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions and Senior Vice Dean for Innovation and Global Initiatives at the Wharton School, discusses new research analyzing how Amazon fulfillment centers affect county-level employment, median household income, and poverty rates.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    12 mins
  • How Chatbots Shape Emotional Well-Being in the Age of AI

    How Chatbots Shape Emotional Well-Being in the Age of AI
    Dec 3 2025
    Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Marketing Professor and co-director of the Wharton Human AI Research Project, discusses emerging research on AI companionship, its effects on loneliness and mental health, and the complex safety, ethical, and legal considerations shaping this rapidly evolving space.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins
  • Economic Signals, Policy Debates, and AI’s Impact on Markets

    Economic Signals, Policy Debates, and AI’s Impact on Markets
    Nov 28 2025
    Jeremy Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, offers his perspective on Fed decision-making amid data gaps, evolving consumer trends, AI-driven market competition, and the broader economic implications of shifting U.S.–China relations.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins
  • Rethinking ACA Tax Credits and the Future of Health Coverage

    Rethinking ACA Tax Credits and the Future of Health Coverage
    Nov 26 2025
    Mark Pauly, Professor Emeritus of Healthcare Management at the Wharton School, examines Senator Bill Cassidy’s new health savings account–based proposal, evaluates its relationship to existing ACA tax credits, and offers broader insights into the persistent economic and political challenges of U.S. health care reform.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    10 mins
  • Navigating Holiday Retail Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty

    Navigating Holiday Retail Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty
    Nov 21 2025
    Mina Fader, Managing Director of the Baker Retailing Center at the Wharton School, offers insights on how inflation, inventory strategy, consumer spending habits, and the renewed importance of in-store experiences are shaping the outlook for holiday retail performance.

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