

This Week in Business
The Wharton School
Bringing together top leaders, innovators and renowned faculty from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania discussing topics that matter to consumers and the business world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 13min
Inside the Business Models of Today’s Top AI Platforms
Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Professor of Marketing, analyzes how OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are pursuing distinct business models and growth strategies to compete in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2026 • 13min
How Geopolitics and AI Are Influencing Today’s Financial Markets
Jeremy Siegel, Emeritus Professor of Finance at the Wharton School and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, discusses how the Iran conflict, Federal Reserve decisions, and artificial intelligence are shaping market performance and long-term economic expectations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 2026 • 13min
Inside Iran’s Payment Network and Global Sanctions Strategy
Philip Nichols, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics, explains how Iran has built a complex and adaptive banking and payments infrastructure under decades of sanctions while exploring its future in an evolving global financial system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2026 • 16min
The Business Impact of Leadership Under Pressure
Nancy Rothbard, Deputy Dean and Professor of Management at the Wharton School, joins the show to examine how leaders respond to intensifying workplace disruption. The conversation covers decision bottlenecks, delegation, emotional regulation, and sustaining performance under pressure. Rothbard also discusses Wharton’s Owner/President and CEO Program, which helps executives strengthen strategy and succession planning. Learn more at: whartonopc.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2026 • 14min
The Fed’s Payment Rails and Fintech Access
David Zaring, Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School, joins the show to explain the Federal Reserve’s consideration of a “skinny” master account for nonbank financial firms. The conversation covers payment rails, regulatory oversight, competition with traditional banks, and the implications for community lenders and financial stability. They also examine potential litigation and legislative responses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2026 • 13min
Zeke Emanuel on Medicare Payment and Innovation Reform
Zeke Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at the Wharton School, joins the show to discuss recent reforms at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The conversation covers site-neutral payments, strengthening primary care compensation, innovation models, and efforts to address waste and Medicare Advantage risk adjustment. They also examine the broader fiscal and policy implications for the $1.7 trillion agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 2026 • 10min
The Economic Cost of Conflict with Iran
Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, breaks down the projected budgetary costs of conflict with Iran, estimates potential GDP losses driven by higher oil prices, and explains how supply shocks could influence inflation and Federal Reserve decision-making. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 6, 2026 • 12min
The Decline of the Cover Letter in the AI Era
Judd Kessler, Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School and author of Lucky by Design, explains how artificial intelligence is eroding the signaling power of cover letters and elevating the importance of recommendations, networking, and real-world connections in the labor market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2026 • 13min
From Hype to Impact: AI Reshapes Enterprise Software
Stefano Puntoni, Marketing Professor at the Wharton School and Co-Director of the Wharton Human-AI Research Program, explains how artificial intelligence is pressuring SaaS margins, lowering barriers to entry, reshaping pricing models, and marking a potential inflection point for enterprise software markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 2026 • 11min
Fed Leadership, Rate Cuts, and Geopolitical Risks Ahead
Jeremy Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Finance at Wharton and senior economist at WisdomTree, breaks down the Supreme Court tariff ruling and remaining presidential tariff powers. He discusses geopolitical risks from Iran, the potential impact of Kevin Warsh on Fed leadership, and his outlook on the timing and scale of future rate cuts.


