Why the Fed is stuck between a rock and a hard place

This week's episode of "What's At Stake" dives deep into the high-stakes dynamics of the 2024 presidential election. Hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui are joined by Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-author of The Washington Post's Early 202 newsletter and political correspondent for The Washington Post. The crew explores the rematch between former President Trump and incumbent President Biden.Beyond the horse-race coverage, the group scrutinizes the complex policy challenges facing both candidates. Leigh Ann sheds light on the obstacles Biden must overcome, including a narrowly divided Congress and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion also examines Trump's enduring base of support and the pivotal role of swing voters in key battleground states.Stepping back, the group engages in a candid examination of the media's role in covering this high-stakes political landscape. Leigh Ann shares insights into the challenges of reporting objectively in an era marked by deep partisan divides and a pervasive sense of distrust in institutions.The episode also delves into the broader implications of the election, including the shadow of a lame-duck presidency and the potential impact of presidential appointments on the balance of power in Washington. Throughout, Ylan, Bryan, and Leigh Ann provide a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the critical issues at stake in the 2024 race.

This week on What's At Stake, Penta Partner Andrea Christianson is joined by two executives from Cognizant Technologies: Senior Vice President of Legal and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Tobi Young and Chief Technology Officer for AI Babak Hodjat. The group discusses AI in the context of the workforce and how it could help companies operate more dynamically. Additionally, they highlight how tools like generative AI are bridging knowledge gaps and democratizing tech use.Tobi and Babak also spotlight Cognizant's Synapse Initiative, a global AI upskilling pilot program. Cognizant launched the Synapse Initiative last October with the goal of preparing one million people worldwide over the next three years to become the workforce for the high-tech, AI age. Whether you're an AI skeptic or optimist, this episode promises to offer a fresh perspective on how AI is reshaping industries and empowering the workforce.

In celebration of International Women's Month and support of Penta's global DE&I efforts, join Senior Associate Lizzie Johnson as she speaks with Penta Managing Directors Ylan Mui from D.C., Louise Ford from London, and Deborah Giam from Singapore about their career experiences and advice for young women in the workforce.The group discusses how companies can support women (and all of their employees) to build a stronger workforce with opportunities including mentorship, flexibility, and paid leave for caregiving. Deborah, Ylan, and Louise also share stories about impactful mentors they've worked with over the years, and provide tips for authentic and professional networking.Tune in to hear more from some of Penta's wonderful female leaders.

This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for the American Gaming Association Joe Maloney for a special March Madness episode on the American gaming industry. They discuss the contributions of the industry including its impact on  jobs, wages, and tax revenues, as well as how casinos are becoming institutions for economic revival in communities seeking economic growth. Bryan, Ylan, and Joe also dive into gaming regulation. Beyond legalization, they look at policy advocacy and bipartisan legislation ensuring responsible growth that prioritizes consumer safety. They also address some big questions, including: How has the industry changed over the years? Who are the main stakeholders in the game now? And what does the future look like for this industry? 

This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by John Fagan and Brendan Walsh from Markets Policy Partners. In the wake of the March Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, the group dissects the potential for upcoming rate cuts and implications for financial markets. Amidst election year tensions, they also explore the nuanced interplay between monetary policy and politics. Will a June or July rate cut signal the start of an easing cycle?  What could this mean for the political landscape? Additionally, Bryan, Ylan, John, and Brendan spotlight the broader implications of governing with a divided Congress.Beyond U.S. borders, they highlight parallels with international economic scenarios, including the Bank of Japan's surprising interest rate hike and discuss how global economic policies might influence domestic financial markets. Listen now!

This week on What's at Stake, hosts Penta Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui are joined by Penta Senior Partner Kevin Madden for a special episode on President Biden's impassioned State of the Union address. They assess Biden's performance delivering a speech that spanned many different policy areas, including healthcare, the economy, and immigration—pivotal issues given this year's election. Bryan, Ylan, and Kevin also discuss how the President's adept handling of disruptors potentially temporality quelled age-related concerns as well as Katie Britt's rebuttal to Biden's speech. But more than just recapping last night's speech, the group discusses an important consideration: Does the State of the Union actually move the needle on approval ratings? As the memory of last night fades, will voters remember Biden's fiery disposition, or will his age continue to worry voters on both sides of the political spectrum? Listen now!

On this week's episode of What's At Stake, Penta Managing Partner Andy Whitehouse sits down with journalist and author Josie Cox to celebrate the launch of her new book, "Women Money Power." During their discussion, Josie recounts the journey of completing her new book, detailing the book's inspiration, research, and drafting process. Josie also shares some of her most fascinating findings, detailing pivotal moments in history that have shaped women's financial autonomy including women's entry into the workforce during WWII and the advent of the contraceptive pill.Andy and Josie also dissect contemporary gender equity concerns such as the financial intricacies of remote work, biases in promotion and compensation, and the imperative of genuine gender equity in fostering business' success. The two also emphasize the significance of diversity as a driver of innovation and organizational resilience. Josie's book "Women Money Power" is now available wherever you buy books!Join Andy and Josie as they unpack the history of female empowerment and reveal opportunities for progress in current and future workplace gender dynamics.

In this week's episode of What's At Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Tucker Warren, partners from Penta's Washington, D.C. office, welcome special guest Eleanor Hawkins, reporter and author of the Axios Communicators newsletter. The discussion explores the origins and success of Axios Communicators, Eleanor's newsletter that offers insights on the latest communication trends impacting businesses, leaders, and communicators.Eleanor shares her perspectives on emerging topics influencing corporate communications, such as the increasing value placed on soft skills by executives, the impact of AI and emerging technologies on the C-suite, and how culture wars have affected communication strategies. She also provides advice for early-career professionals on developing and leveraging soft skills and offers book recommendations for aspiring communicators.Bryan, Tucker, and Eleanor also dive into the "shrinking sidelines" in national discourse, and discuss how communicators are preparing for the upcoming election season. Eleanor also asks Bryan and Tucker for their perspective on what makes a powerful communicator and to unpack the significance of data-driven communications throughout their careers.The episode offers valuable insights for professionals in the communications field, covering key trends, strategies, and resources to enhance their understanding and approach to effective communication. Tune in! 

This week on What's At Stake, tune into another 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 discuss the fascinating ways in which AI will influence policy, and, simultaneously, how policy will influence AI.The pair touches on the impact of the EU's AI Act on companies across the Atlantic, specifically the regulations high-risk AI systems will be subject to. They express cautious pessimism about the impact of AI on elections, before turning to a more optimistic subject: the power of AI to transform and craft policies. Specifically, they discuss the City Digital Twin Pilot Project's potential impact on urban planning and Destination Earth, a digital model of our planet that simulates and predicts the interaction between human activities and our environment, ultimately helping to fine-tune policymaking. Tune in!

In this final joint episode of the Macrocast, host Ylan Mui, Managing Director at Penta, alongside co-hosts John Fagan and Brendan Walsh of Markets Policy Partners say their farewells. The Macrocast will no longer continue as a joint production. Instead, John and Brendan will be spearheading its relaunch under the Markets Policy Partners banner. This episode is not a goodbye but rather a reunion, as Tony Fratto, founder of the Macrocast and Hamilton Place Strategies, now leading communications at Goldman Sachs, joins the conversation.Reflecting on the journey since its inception in 2019, the panel discusses the economic trials and tribulations over the years, such as the impact of COVID-19, the 2020 election, and conflicts worldwide.The group also shares their favorite memories and expressions of gratitude to contributors, partners, guests, and listeners.As the Macrocast concludes its final chapter at Penta, listeners are encouraged to follow Markets Policy Partners for future episodes and can continue to engage with Penta's podcast, "What's At Stake." Ylan, Brendan, John, and Tony conclude with a heartfelt thank you to the supporters of the Macrocast over the past five years and look forward to reconnecting soon