The Penta Podcast Channel

Latest Episodes:

Reputation, Regulation and Relationships: What’s driving policymaker priorities in 2025 Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Penta Policy Brand Research leaders Rebecca Cunningham and Victoria Nolte join hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to unpack findings from the 2025 Washington Insights Review, an annual Penta report based on a survey of hundreds of senior Washington policymakers

Their conversation covered:

Which issues are shaping U.S. policymaker priorities across parties, from the economy and immigration to AI, fintech, and China.
How corporate reputation in Washington has shifted post-COVID, and what’s driving both the rise of emerging sectors and the reputational slip of legacy industries.
Why companies must tailor their advocacy to resonate authentically with policymakers, and how social commitments are being evaluated differently across political parties.
The rising importance of data-backed, bipartisan engagement strategies that reflect political durability in a shifting landscape.

Crypto Counsel: How Ripple’s Top Lawyer Navigates Uncharted Waters Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, join me, Yelan Moy, as I delve into the world of cryptocurrency with Deborah McCrimmon, Ripple's Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. We explore her journey from private practice to leading Ripple's legal strategy amidst the complex landscape of digital assets. Deborah shares her insights on Ripple's mission to create a seamless financial ecosystem and discusses the pivotal SEC lawsuit that challenged the classification of XRP. Tune in as we unpack the implications of recent legal developments, the importance of mentorship, and her advice for aspiring lawyers in the crypto space. This is a conversation you won't want to miss, filled with valuable perspectives on navigating uncharted waters in the evolving financial landscape.

Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Trump, tariffs, and the future of transatlantic relations Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, now a member of Penta's Global Advisory Board, shared his perspective on the evolution of political leadership and business strategy amid rising global uncertainty.

His candid and wide-ranging conversation with hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered:

What it was like to negotiate directly with President Trump and what he learned about the President's governing and communications playbook.
How Europe is responding to shifts in the geopolitical order.
The opportunities and threats facing companies navigating transatlantic trade during a period of volatility.
How political durability and long-term planning can help organizations stay resilient through electoral and ideological shifts.
The importance of authenticity in navigating social and cultural controversies.

You can learn more about the former Taoiseach’s background and new role within Penta Group here: https://pentagroup.com/insight/leo-varadkar-joins-penta

No fence? No problem! How virtual fencing is reshaping the way farmers do ranching May 21, 2025

Show notes

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake examines the future of farming and ranching through a burgeoning and innovative technology: virtual fencing. Penta Partner Andrea Christianson, Nofence Director of Global Market Development John Smout, and Monument Advocacy Principal John Weber discuss how virtual fencing—sitting at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and public policy—is changing herd and livestock management for American farmers through the use of GPS-powered collars. Their conversation covered: -How virtual fencing works and the benefits it brings - The role of public policy in accelerating the growth and adoption of this technology - What the future of agriculture could look like with a new generation of farmers

You can learn more about Nofence by visiting https://www.nofence.no/en-us/

From the boardroom to the Beltway: How CEOs are navigating policy uncertainty May 08, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Business Roundtable president and COO Kristen Silverberg shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges facing American businesses as they navigate a rapidly shifting policy landscape, both at home and abroad. Ambassador Silverberg shared with Bryan and Ylan the importance of corporate executives maintaining a long-term vision for success that can withstand geopolitical turbulence.

The conversation with Penta hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered:

The two-way street: How Business Roundtable helps members understand Washington while educating policymakers about the business impacts of their decisions
How businesses have taken proactive steps to prepare for trade uncertainty
Tax reform’s role in driving business growth and innovation
Workforce initiatives creating opportunities for those without four- or two-year degrees

You can learn more about Business Roundtable at https://www.businessroundtable.org/

Rise of the Influencer Journalist with Mo News Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, I sit down with Moesh Wunanoo, the visionary behind MoNews, to explore the transformative role of influencer journalism in today's media landscape. We delve into Moesh's journey from traditional newsrooms to launching a dynamic social-first news platform during the pandemic, driven by a desire to connect with audiences in a more personal and relatable way. He shares insights on how authenticity, transparency, and audience engagement have reshaped journalism, and the challenges of monetizing content in a rapidly evolving environment. Join us as we discuss the future of news and the impact of new media on public discourse.

Signals and scenario planning: Navigating Trump’s tariffs with Penta CEO Matt McDonald Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake tackles the mounting pressure on corporate America as President Donald Trump’s tariffs rattle the markets and stoke fears of a global economic slowdown. Penta CEO Matt McDonald joins hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to discuss the response from the business community and frameworks for determining when and how to engage publicly.

Their conversation covered:

Whether tariffs are a tool for negotiation or an end result
The importance of "signposting" to determine next steps
The impact of the markets on White House and corporate decision-making

Trust, technology, and tomorrow: How AI will change media Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

This week's episode of What's at Stake delves into the creation and consumption of media amid the rapid advancement of AI. Sally Shin, venture partner at Comcast Ventures, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Andrea Christianson, to discuss the impact of this convergence on journalism and our daily lives.

Their conversation covered:

Guardrails to protect intellectual property and the accuracy of AI-generated content
Partnerships between publishers and AI companies
Opportunities to leverage AI within news organizations
The revolution that voice technologies and no-code tools could bring to content creation

When crypto meets policy: How the sector is evolving in 2025 Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

This week's episode of What's at Stake explores the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency as the industry gears up for a transformative 2025 amid strong support from both the Trump administration and Capitol Hill. Ron Hammond, senior director of government relations and institutional engagement at the Blockchain Association, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Bryan DeAngelis to discuss the vibeshift in Washington and the industry's policy priorities.

Their conversation covered:

Policymakers' evolving perceptions of cryptocurrency
Challenges and opportunities for stablecoin legislation
Crypto interest from institutional investors
Building consensus across the crypto universe

Making sense of Trump’s tariffs and the world’s response Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

This week's episode of What's at Stake crosses the Atlantic to discuss the impact of President Trump's tariffs with Penta's experts in Europe. Rory O’Donnell, a partner in the Brussels office, and Stuart Harbinson, a senior adviser who has represented Hong Kong to the World Trade Organization, joined Penta managing director Ylan Mui to examine the motivations behind the tariffs and the implications of global retaliation.

Their conversation covered: