Ripple Effect

Episodes

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  Why Consumers Are Still Spending Despite Inflation 21.07.2026 14m

  Consumers are still spending, but their priorities are changing.Barbara Kahn, Patty and Jay H. Baker Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, explains why retail sales remain resilient despite inflation and economic uncertainty.She explores the growing demand for value, wellness, and memorable experiences, the challenges facing aspirational luxury brands, and the uneven performance of shopping malls. Kahn also discusses how retailers can respond to changing consumer behavior while managing inventory, debt, costs, and expansion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Retailers Adapt When Growth Slows 07.07.2026 23m

  What do successful retailers do when the strategies that once fueled their growth stop working?Wharton Professor Marshall Fisher discusses how successful retailers adapt when traditional growth opportunities begin to disappear. Drawing on research into the strategies of Costco, Walmart, and Dillard’s, he explains why retailers move through different phases of growth, from opening new stores to expanding online and cutting costs. He also explores why companies need to resist the temptation to force growth and instead focus on growing revenue faster than costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Business of National Reputation 23.06.2026 17m

  David Reibstein, Wharton Marketing Professor and lead researcher behind the Best Countries Report, discusses how a nation’s reputation influences investment, tourism, trade, and global influence. Drawing on data from more than 15,000 respondents worldwide, Reibstein explains why Switzerland continues to rank among the world’s most respected countries, why the United States fell out of the top 10 for the first time, how perceptions of AI differ across the globe, and why countries increasingly need to think like brands in a competitive global marketplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Hidden Psychology of Vacation Envy 09.06.2026 13m

  Why does someone else’s vacation sometimes make our own feel less satisfying? Maurice Schweitzer, Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions at the Wharton School, explains the psychology behind vacation envy and why we instinctively compare our experiences to those of others. From social media-fueled comparisons to unrealistic travel plans and dynamic pricing, Maurice explores the hidden forces that shape how we experience vacations. He also shares practical ways to manage expectations, avoid common planning mistakes, and get more enjoyment from the trips we take. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rethinking Political Division and Media Segmentation 26.05.2026 16m

  Jerry Wind, Lauder Professor Emeritus and Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, joins Dan Loney to discuss how political polarization in the United States has evolved beyond traditional party lines into a deeper ideological divide. Drawing from a marketing and segmentation perspective, Jerry explores why the country is increasingly defined by pro Trump and anti-Trump alignment rather than Democrat versus Republican identity, and how media organizations continue relying on outdated frameworks to report on political behavior.The conversation also examines the role of media, social platforms, education, and institutional trust in shaping public discourse, along with the broader societal implications of polarization, ideological segmentation, and modern political communication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Leadership Changes Often Backfire 12.05.2026 15m

  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.
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  The Gaps in Financial Literacy and Why They Matter 28.04.2026 14m

  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.
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  How to Break into the Workforce in an AI-Driven Job Market 14.04.2026 13m

  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.
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  Rethinking Tax Refunds and Financial Decision Making 31.03.2026 14m

  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.
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  The Ethics of ESG | Eric Orts 17.03.2026 16m

  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.
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  Why Women's Networks Are Stronger During Crisis | Tiantian Yang 03.03.2026 14m

  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.
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  How AI Is Reshaping Human Intuition and Reasoning | Gideon Nave and Steven Shaw 24.02.2026 15m

  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.
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  Olympic Games Advertising | Annie Wilson 17.02.2026 15m

  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.
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  Future of Finance | Joao Gomes and Itay Goldstein 10.02.2026 17m

  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.
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  Psychology of Love and Relationships in the Digital Age | Pinar Yildirim 03.02.2026 14m

  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.
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  How Should Brands Use AI? | Americus Reed 27.01.2026 16m

  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.
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  Real Estate and Housing Market Outlook | Benjamin Keys 20.01.2026 19m

  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.
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  The State of Leadership in Uncertain Times | Mike Useem 13.01.2026 18m

  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.
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  The Psychology of New Year's Resolutions | Katy Milkman 06.01.2026 17m

  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.
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  2025 Ripple Rewind 02.12.2025 31m

  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.