Penta pop: The Taylor Swift economy

In this episode of What’s at Stake, Penta partner Bryan DeAngelis and managing director Stephanie Walstrom dive into one of the fastest-growing threats to U.S. economic and national security: fraud and scams. They’re joined by Kate Griffin and Erin Borġ of the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program, co-authors of United We Stand: A National Strategy to Prevent Scams and leaders of the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention. Kate and Erin unpack Aspen’s development of a coordinated, whole-of-ecosystem approach to combating scams, bringing together government agencies, law enforcement, industry, and civil society actors. They walk through the report’s major recommendations, from building stronger interagency mechanisms to modernizing data sharing and strengthening private-sector accountability. Together, they explore why scams must now be understood as a national security issue, how early federal responses (like DOJ’s new Strike Force on Cryptocurrency Scams) signal growing momentum, and what meaningful progress looks like in both the near and long term. They also discuss how a more integrated national strategy could ultimately reshape the everyday experience of consumers navigating an increasingly complex digital and financial landscape. You can read the United We Stand report here: https://fraudtaskforce.aspeninstitute.org/nationalstrategy

In this episode of What’s at Stake, Penta Partners Bryan DeAngelis and Andrea Christianson explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the agricultural and agri-food supply chain. They’re joined by Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO of Helios AI, a company using advanced machine learning and global data integration to forecast prices, manage supply risk, and anticipate weather-driven disruptions. Francisco shares how his own journey led him to tackle one of the most complex challenges in global commerce: building more predictable, transparent, and resilient food supply chains. Together, they discuss the role of AI in price forecasting, the challenges of adaptation facing farmers worldwide, and how governments, businesses, and innovators can work together to secure the future of food.

In this episode of What's at Stake, Penta Partner and Head of the D.C. office Bryan DeAngelis is joined by two of Penta's Senior Partners based on the West Coast—Dan La Russo and TJ Kelly—for a timely discussion on why cyber risk is now stakeholder risk. Drawing from Penta's latest white paper and research study, the trio unpack findings from an analysis of over 4.8 million global mentions across six industries to explore how cyber threats ripple through markets, boardrooms, and public trust. Their conversation covers: Why cybersecurity has evolved from an IT challenge to a reputation-defining issue. How different industries handle breaches—and what distinguishes the organizations that recover quickly from those that struggle to regain trust. The role of transparent leadership and cross-functional coordination in managing crises. The growing intersection between cybersecurity and geopolitics, and what it means for corporate affairs and policy teams. The strategic imperatives every leader should adopt to prepare for the next cyber event. You can access the white paper and request the full research study by visiting pentagroup.com/cyber25

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake examines the challenges and opportunities in rebuilding America’s education-to-employment (E²) pipeline. Penta Managing Directors Ylan Mui and Felicia Wasson welcome Emily M. Dickens, J.D., Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs at SHRM, to discuss SHRM’s new E² Initiative and its mission to connect employers, educators, and policymakers. Their conversation covered: -Why SHRM is repairing the current “leaky, broken, and busted” education-to- employment pipeline. -How the E² initiative delivers national convenings, shared projects, and playbooks that provide real examples for creating job opportunities. -The role of partnerships in expanding access to untapped talent to fill vacant jobs. -SHRM’s vision for scaling real-world solutions to the employment gap nationwide. You can learn more about SHRM and its initiatives by visiting https://www.shrm.org/ and https://www.shrm.org/advocacy/e2-initiative.

In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, host Ylan Mui dives deep into the evolving role of the Federal Reserve and its implications for the U.S. economy under President Trump. Joined by Heather Long, Chief Economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, they discuss the historically apolitical nature of the Fed and how it has come under unprecedented scrutiny from the White House. Heather shares insights on the Fed's independence, the potential impact of interest rate changes, and the broader economic landscape, including the challenges facing middle-class Americans. Tune in for an engaging exploration of how political dynamics are reshaping monetary policy and economic stability in the United States.

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake dives into the details of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and its impact on the national debt and deficits. Marc Goldwein, senior vice president and senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to discuss the tax changes, budget gimmicks and long-term fiscal consequences. Their conversation covered: - Whether this is really the largest tax cut in history - Why spending cuts don’t offset the $4 trillion in added debt - How tariffs, interest rates, and economic growth factor into the administration’s math - Signals of a potential debt crisis - If fiscal discipline will ever return to Washington

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.

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.

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

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/