

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

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.

Feb 25, 2026 • 12min
Understanding Crypto Sentiment and Market Signals
Dave Reibstein, Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, explains how the school’s Cryptocurrency Confidence Index tracks U.S. consumer sentiment, explores links between confidence and price volatility, and examines the role of regulation and public perception in shaping the future of digital assets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 20, 2026 • 13min
How Geopolitics Is Hitting Local Gas Stations
Serguei Netessine, Wharton professor of operations, information, and decisions who studies operations management and platform business models. He explains how sanctions on a major oil owner ripple through local gas stations. Short takes cover franchise ties, banking and card-processing breakdowns, reputational harm from logos, legal limits on switching providers, and why divestment and rebranding can be the cleanest fix.

Feb 18, 2026 • 12min
Why Hiring Has Slowed Without Mass Layoffs
Peter Cappelli, Wharton management professor and labor market expert, walks through cooling white-collar hiring and where openings remain. He discusses why firms pause hires amid uncertainty, how vacancy chains amplify hiring when active, investor-driven cost cutting, and the reality behind AI-driven layoff claims.

Feb 13, 2026 • 11min
Stablecoins Explained: Bridging Digital Assets and Traditional Finance
Kevin Werbach, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, discusses the Stablecoin Toolkit and how clearer definitions, regulatory frameworks, and emerging use cases could position stablecoins as a bridge between digital assets and the traditional financial system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 2026 • 12min
Super Bowl Advertising Trends, Creative Strategy, and Brand Competition
Dr. Americus Reed, II, Wharton Professor of Marketing, breaks down the strengths, themes, and competitive dynamics of this year’s Super Bowl ads, including the role of nostalgia, humor, artificial intelligence, and long-term brand storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 6, 2026 • 10min
The Economic Reality Behind Billionaires Taxes and State Budgets
Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, analyzes the origins of billionaire and wealth taxes, explains why they consistently underperform revenue expectations, and explores their economic distortions at both the state and national level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 4, 2026 • 13min
How Advertising Could Reshape ChatGPT and Digital Marketing
Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Professor of Marketing and Co-Director of the Wharton Human-AI Research Program, discusses OpenAI’s move toward advertising, its implications for monetization, consumer experience, and the future of digital advertising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 30, 2026 • 12min
What the Fed’s Pause Signals for Economy and Markets
Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, analyzes the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates, the significance of dissenting votes, the outlook for future cuts, shifting market leadership, and how AI-driven productivity may shape the economy and labor markets heading into 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 2026 • 11min
Why Interest Rates Can’t Fix Deeper Economic Problems
Patrick T. Harker, former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and current Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions, draws on his experience to discuss why monetary policy has clear limits, the need for political follow-through on fiscal and workforce issues, and how investments in education, skilled trades, and digital innovation are essential for securing the nation’s long-term economic future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


