Ripple Effect

Katherine J. Klein, Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management at The Wharton School, discusses new research on leadership succession and how employees respond when a new leader takes over an organization. Drawing from a large-scale study of public schools, she explains why successors often have a unique window of influence, how coaching impacts organizational performance, and why leaders must understand employees’ appetite for change before trying to reshape culture or operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olivia S. Mitchell, Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, joins The Ripple Effect to discuss the current state of financial literacy in theUnited States. While more states are introducing financial education requirements, progress remains uneven across schools and communities. Mitchell explains why starting earlier is critical, how parents and educators can better prepare students, and the key areas where financial education still falls short. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Bidwell, Professor of Management at the Wharton School, explores how the job search process is evolving for today’s graduates and what it takes to break into theworkforce. As hiring has slowed across traditional pipelines like consulting and tech, the path to a first role has become more competitive and fragmented. In this episode, Bidwell explains how AI is transforming applications, making it easier to apply at scale while increasing competition, and shares how candidates can still stand out by leveraging networking, personal connections, and targeted outreach. The conversation also highlights the importance of internships and viewing early careers as a period of exploration, where individuals build skills and refine their long-term direction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wendy De La Rosa, Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, explores how people think about tax refunds and why those decisions often don’t align with their financial goals. She explains why many treat refunds as “extra money,” leading to overspending and missed opportunities to save or pay down debt. The conversation also highlights inefficiencies in the tax system, where 20 to 30 percent of refunded dollars are lost to preparation costs, and shares practical strategies like pre-commitment and automation to improve financial outcomes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Eric Orts talks about his new book, The Ethics of ESG: Critically Assessing the Environmental, Social and Governance Movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When organizations face disruption, men and women respond differently to protect their professional networks. New research from Wharton reveals that women intensify their focus on existing relationships with other women during mergers and acquisitions, creating denser, more supportive networks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI is becoming a significant part of our daily lives, shaping how we work, think, and make decisions. But as we increasingly rely on AI tools, we must ask: How does this impact our decision-making processes? Wharton professor Gideon Nave and postdoctoral researcher Steven D. Shaw discuss the concept of cognitive surrender and its implications for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Annie Wilson explains how the Olympics and the Super Bowl, which happened at the same time this year, are a boon for brands that know how to capitalize on the moment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joao Gomes, senior vice dean at Wharton, joins Itay Goldstein, chairperson of the Finance Department, to discuss key takeaways from the 2026 Future of Finance Forum, an event that convened academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss digital assets, central banking, the U.S. federal debt, artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and private markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton marketing professor Pinar Yildirim explores what research reveals about modern romance, dating apps, and long-term relationship success in an era of digital connection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated and more indistinguishable from authentic work, how should brands deploy these tools ethically and differentiate themselves in a market where everyone has access to the same technology? Wharton marketing professor Americus Reed breaks down the current landscape, from early AI adoption to emerging best practices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton real estate and finance professor Benjamin Keys explains why the problems plaguing the residential and commercial real estate markets are likely to persist in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton management professor Mike Useem explains how leadership has evolved in recent years and how leaders can better handle economic uncertainty, social change, and innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton professor Katy Milkman explores the psychology behind goal-setting, why we fail, and the research-backed strategies that can help sustain new habits. She also discusses how businesses can leverage resolution mindsets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, listen to curated excerpts from this year’s Ripple Effect podcast, where Wharton professors discuss a range of trending business topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Ethan Mollick is part of a research team determining the outer limits of what AI will do when prompted, including whether it will hurl insults or help with illegal activity. This episode is part of the “Research Roundup” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best way to stop disinformation from spreading on social media is to prevent sites from sharing aggregate data, says Wharton’s Eric Clemons. This episode is part of the “Research Roundup” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOMO is real, and so is the research behind it. Wharton’s Barbara Kahn explores the business implications of the “fear of missing out.” This episode is part of the “Research Roundup” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Philip Nichols explains why AI isn’t useful for combatting corruption, at least not yet. This episode is part of the “Research Roundup” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his new book Creativity in the Age of AI, Wharton’s Jerry Wind explores ways to use AI to unlock creativity for personal and professional success. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Judd Kessler shares insights from his new book Lucky by Design, which helps readers strategize how to get more of what they want out of life. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Peter Cappelli talks about his new book, In Praise of the Office: The Limits of Hybrid and Remote Work, that examines the problems with hybrid work. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Corinne Low talks about her new book, Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grocery is one of the toughest segments of retail to turn a profit. Wharton’s Marshall Fisher and Santiago Gallino talk about the headwinds faced by both small and large grocers. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some products, movies, and songs are so bad, yet consumers can’t seem to get enough of them. Wharton’s Patti Williams explains why. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton marketing professor Z. John Zhang explains how luxury brands may actually benefit from the existence of counterfeits. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are loyalty programs worth it for retailers? Yes, says Wharton’s Peter Fader, but only if they are designed for customer lifetime value. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton's Barbara Kahn, author of The Shopping Revolution: How Retailers Succeed in an Era of Endless Disruption, explains the latest trends in retail, how AI fits into the customer experience, and what's to come for brick-and-mortar. This episode is part of the “Future of Retail” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What determines whether a cryptocurrency succeeds or fades into obscurity? In this episode, Wharton professor Itay Goldstein speaks with Shimon Kogan, adjunct associate professor of finance at Wharton and longtime instructor of Wharton’s fintech course, to explore the economic and behavioral forces behind token success. From network effects and user adoption to coordination challenges and the phenomenon of meme coins, this conversation dives into the mechanics of tokenomics and what drives value in the world of fintech.This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are at the center of a global shift in how money moves. In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein speaks with Heath Tarbert, president of Circle and former CFTC chair, about the role of stablecoins in modern finance, how they compare to CBDCs, and the regulatory frameworks needed to support their growth.This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As cryptocurrency moves further into the mainstream, regulators are stepping up efforts to define its legal and financial framework. But how far will regulation go, and what will it mean for investors, businesses, and the future of digital assets? In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein is joined by Wharton professor Jessica Wachter, recently the chief economist at the SEC, and former CFTC chair Timothy Massad to discuss crypto’s evolving regulatory landscape, the balance between innovation and oversight, and the geopolitical forces shaping crypto policy worldwide.This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment to a global financial force. But how did we get here? In this episode, professor Itay Goldstein is joined by Duke professor Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula, director of the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative, to explore the milestones that led to crypto’s rise, the forces that shaped its growth, and what the crypto landscape will evolve into.This discussion is part of a special series called “Future of Finance: The Rise of Crypto and Digital Money.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A promising collaboration between two competing firms can turn into disaster if expectations aren’t crystal clear from the start, says Wharton’s Henning Piezunka. This episode is part of the “Research Spotlight” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Marissa Sharif explains why streak rewards, like the kinds used by Duolingo and other apps, can be used to incentivize workers to meet goals. This episode is part of the “Research Spotlight” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Generative AI promises productivity and cost-cutting gains, but it also has the potential to increase employee well-being. That’s why Wharton’s Stefano Puntoni wants companies to put their workers at the center of the AI conversation. This episode is part of the “Research Spotlight” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Katherine Klein and Tyler Wry talk about their new book, An Introduction to Early-stage Impact Investing. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Barbara Kahn and Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson talk about their book, Visual Marketing: A Practical Guide to the Science of Branding and Retailing. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Peter Conti-Brown talks about his new book that traces the history of bank supervision in the U.S. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In her new book, Wharton’s Lori Rosenkopf profiles different entrepreneurs to show there’s more than one path to founding a business. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In her new book, Wharton senior lecturer Annie Wilson looks at how big brands struggle with customer segmentation and what they can do about it. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton management professors Harbir Singh and Mike Useem discuss their book Resolute Japan: The Leaders Forging a Corporate Resurgence, which explores how a new model of leadership has transformed Japan's top companies. This episode is part of the “Meet the Authors” series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Wharton’s Stew Friedman started researching work-life balance in the late 1980s, he was told it was a “women’s issue that nobody cares about.” Four decades later, the topic is top of mind for employers and employees alike. This episode is part of a series on “Wellness at Work.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Practicing mindfulness at work can bring benefits to employees and the larger organization, according to research. Wharton’s Lindsey Cameron explains. This episode is part of a series on “Wellness at Work.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Iwan Barankay sifts through conflicting research about whether workplace wellness programs improve health outcomes for employees. This episode is part of a series on “Wellness at Work.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton Deputy Dean Nancy Rothbard talks about how social media has changed office culture by giving colleagues a way to connect with each other outside of work. This episode is part of a series on “Wellness at Work.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retirement doesn’t have to mean the loss of identity or productivity. Wharton emeritus professor Stewart Friedman shares what he’s learned about leaving full-time work. This episode is part of a series on “Navigating Retirement.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wharton’s Sylvain Catherine examines how Social Security benefits affect wealth inequality and what will happen when the trust fund runs out. This episode is part of a series on “Navigating Retirement.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economists with the Penn Wharton Budget Model have calculated a way to increase retirement savings for low-income earners in the U.S. Faculty director Kent Smetters explains the research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. Wharton’s Katy Milkman explains how behavioral nudges can motivate people to put away more money for the future. This episode is part of a series on “Navigating Retirement.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Companies can benefit from the experience and flexibility of older workers, says Wharton’s Peter Cappelli. What will it take for employers to stop age discrimination and change their approach to retirement? This episode is part of a series on “Navigating Retirement.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.