The Penta Podcast Channel

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Macrocast: Navigating global economic currents Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

Join Ylan, John, and Brendan on the Macrocast this week as they discuss the unexpected inflation data and its ripple effects. They discuss January's inflation rates and how they will impact the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy leading up to election season. They also break down retail sales and discuss if the soft landing is likely amidst the tension between layoffs and resilience in various job sectors.

The group also discusses the dichotomy between the U.S.'s growing economy and technical recessions in major economies like Japan and the U.K. Next week, we will sadly bid farewell to our current podcast format, so make sure to join us for this episode and stay tuned for next week!

Tax talk: Navigating the tax deal for American families and businesses Feb 12, 2024

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On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui explore the implications of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act with expert insights from guests Michael Steel, senior vice president of Communications at Business Roundtable and Kasey Pittman, a director with Baker Tilly’s Washington national tax practice. They offer analysis on critical updates to business tax provisions, highlighting potential impacts on low-income families and business owners nationwide.
The group touches on the changing U.S. business environment with a focus on small businesses and startups, assessing how updates to R&D tax credits, business interest deductions, and bonus depreciation could affect cash flows and innovation investments. Looking forward, they examine the dynamics of tax policies amidst global competition and a divided government. Discussing the potential for tax code revisions post-2024 elections, they also analyze the expiration of key provisions and the political strategies shaping the economic landscape. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of the intersection between political decision-making, financial accountability, and the real-world impact on American businesses and families.

Macrocast: Bracing for U.S. debt increases Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

On today's episode of the Macrocast, Ylan, Brendan, and John examine the implications of extensive borrowing, as the U.S. debt approaches 106% of GDP. The group discusses the projections from the Congressional Budget Office, the impact of rising interest rates, and the scrutiny on the Treasury Department's past decisions. Ylan, John, and Brendan also discuss the impact of expiring tax cuts.

Ylan, Brendan, and John then shift to a discussion about the challenges confronting the commercial real estate sector amid the ongoing shift towards remote work. They analyze the potential repercussions on pension funds and insurance companies, posing questions about the necessity of government intervention. The group then delves into the evolving labor market landscape, the Federal Reserve's response to inflation concerns, and the strategic maneuvers undertaken by companies like PepsiCo and McDonald's to navigate consumer resistance to price increases.

The Washington Insights Review: The Tech Takeover Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

On this week's episode of What’s at Stake, Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis sits down with Emily Vaughan, Senior Director of Client Services, Natalie Bahmanyar, Associate Director of Policy Insiders, and Sehare Hemani, Director of Research, to dissect the Washington Insights Review, Penta’s annual report based on hundreds of conversations with D.C. policymakers.

The group dives into the complexity of the rapidly evolving digital world, and how technological advancements like artificial intelligence are impacting the business and policy landscape. Bryan, Emily, Sehare, and Natalie explain that policymakers are looking to rely on industry for education and expertise to shape regulation. The conversation also highlights best practices for improving advocacy directed towards policymakers and staff—who are increasingly reliant on technology.

Macrocast: Breaking down the job surge with Loren Smith Feb 02, 2024

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On today's episode of the Macrocast, Ylan, John, and Brendan are joined by Loren Smith, President of Skyline Policy Risk Group. The group delves into the addition of 353,000 jobs to the economy in January, which surpassed the expected 180,000 projected by market forecasters. They analyze the implications of this growth streak across various sectors and its potential impact on the Federal Reserve's approach to rate cuts. The discussion also explores recent nuances of the labor market, including wage increases and workweek fluctuations, while examining how these trends might influence policies and sector-specific outcomes, particularly in areas like mining and oil.
Shifting focus, Ylan, Brendan, John, and Loren also take a detailed look at global market risks and economic challenges, examining the delicate balance between corporate performances and the looming shadow of geopolitical strife, with a specific focus on the Middle East and its effects on commodity markets. Listen in for a comprehensive understanding of how these factors may impact U.S. consumer prices and influence the upcoming U.S. elections!

Does Davos work? Feb 01, 2024

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On this week's edition of What's at Stake, Andy Whitehouse, host and senior partner of Penta's NYC office is joined by President of Penta Matt McDonald, D.C.-based Partner Stacy Kerr, and Brussels-based Partner Conall McDevitt to discuss Penta's presence in Davos in January. Andy, Matt, Stacy, and Conall took to the mountains for the 2024 World Economic Forum. During the episode, the group shared their reflections on the week’s events, and unpacked the implications of global gatherings like Davos for companies and their stakeholders.

To answer the question of "Does Davos work?", the group delves into what it takes to participate in international gatherings like Davos, examining the factors that contribute to success. Their conversation includes a discussion on the impact of engagements such as Davos on a company's overall strategy and positioning and how these events influence the global narrative.

The group also reflects on Penta's event from the week: How AI will disrupt the roles of the C-suite executives, which was dubbed the most relevant discussion at the conference by POLITICO Playbook.

To conclude, the group reflects on key themes from the week, like AI, examining their potential impact on future trends. This episode reveals the essential considerations for businesses to monitor in 2024 and strategies to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

Macrocast: Skipping down the golden path Jan 26, 2024

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This week on the Macrocast, Ylan, John, and Brendan are joined by Nick Bunker, Director of North American Economic Research at Indeed to discuss the latest core PCE data. Nick discusses some of Indeed's proprietary labor market data, including its Job Postings Index, that shows that average wages are now outpacing inflation.

Nick brings his expertise to the conversation, discussing the Fed's next moves and the robust demand for workers across the globe. The group also forecasts future labor market indicators, including part-time employment shifts and hours worked. Tune in for an episode packed with insights to help you navigate the latest economic developments.

Macrocast: Can the Fed pull off a soft landing? Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Tune in for another exciting edition of the Macrocast! This week, Ylan, John, and Brendan dissect how geopolitical chess moves—like Russia's recent maneuvers and the Houthi conflicts—pose a threat to economic stability. The discussion includes commentary on stagflation and the Fed's delicate interest rate tightrope walk, considering how these decisions could affect the approaching 2024 election cycle. Through this lens, Ylan, John, and Brendan analyze the fiscal philosophies of emergent Republican leaders like Haley and DeSantis, compared to frontrunner Trump. They also turn their lens to Europe, analyzing ECB President Lagarde's hints at potential rate cuts and the broader implications for global monetary policy.

They cap things off with a peek into the insights shared at Davos, where AI's encroachment into the C-suite heralds a transformative era for knowledge work. Listen in for all this and more!

The Iowa Equation: Trump's victory and the GOP shift Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In today's installation of our 2024 election series, host and Penta Senior Partner Kevin Madden is joined by Penta Director Brendan Conley and special guest David Kochel, an inside participant in six presidential campaigns and current host of the HighBall Politics podcast. The group breaks down the results of the recent Iowa Republican caucus, examining the political undercurrents that contributed to Donald Trump's significant victory. The discussion delves into the debate on the media's early call of the race and the often-overlooked role of low voter turnout. Learn how these factors, coupled with groundwork laid by veteran campaigns, set the stage for the 2024 presidential race, challenging newer presidential contenders like Nikki Haley.

Amid identity shifts in the Republican Party, this episode dissects the influence of Trump's working-class appeal and the impact of the Bragg indictment on his support base. David provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective, offering valuable insights into Trump's nuanced position as both a leader and a near-victim in the eyes of his followers. With the New Hampshire primary on the horizon, the spotlight is on the strategies of candidates like Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of the race poised to redefine the GOP and the nation's political future.

Check out the HighBall Politics podcast here.

Artificially Intelligent Conversations: Leaders focus on AI at Davos Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

This week on What's At Stake, tune into the inaugural episode of our Artificially Intelligent Conversations series. Each month, Penta Partners Andrea Christianson and Chris Mehigan will dissect the AI latest news and developments from each side of the Atlantic, helping you understand how AI will affect stakeholder management, policy, and more. This week, they discussed two major reports released leading up to the World Economic Forum in Davos: one from the International Monetary Fund on the impact AI will have on the economy and one from Deloitte on the impact of AI on jobs and companies.
With the EU's AI Act on the horizon, Andrea and Chris debate the role of companies and governments as regulatory arms. Further, they explore the alarming potential for AI to produce 90% of online content, and the potentially polarizing effects of deepfakes and rumor bombing on our political landscape. Don't miss the first episode in this series!

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