Ripple Effect

Hosted by The Wharton School

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144

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research — but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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September 1, 20269 min

The Hidden Rules of Workplace Opportunity

The best opportunities at work do not always go to the most qualified person. Judd Kessler, Howard Marks Endowed Professor and Wharton Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, explores the hidden rules that determine who gets scarce workplace resources, from a manager's attention to high-profile assignments and professional development. He explains how employees can better navigate these systems and how leaders can design rules that are more equitable and effective. The conversation also highlights Lucky by Design: How to Navigate Hidden Markets , a Wharton Executive Education course taught by Kessler that applies these ideas to real workplace decisions. Learn more at Wharton Executive Education . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 18, 202619 min

The AI Boom Is Testing America's Power Grid

Can the United States build enough power infrastructure to sustain the AI boom? Serguei Netessine, Wharton's Senior Vice Dean for Innovation and Global Initiatives, examines the unprecedented electricity demand created by AI data centers and hyperscalers. He explains how rapid growth in computing power is testing an aging grid, reshaping infrastructure investment, and raising urgent questions about energy policy. Netessine also explores the potential role of energy storage, flexible computing, utility regulation, and industrial electricity pricing. He considers what happens when data centers build their own power supply and why coordinated action is essential for the United States to remain competitive in AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 4, 202613 min

The Psychology Behind Back-to-School Shopping

Back-to-school shopping is more than a checklist; it is a ritual shaped by identity, nostalgia, family decisions, and economic pressure. Patti Williams, an associate professor of marketing at the Wharton School, explains why the back-to-school season matters so much to parents, students, retailers, and manufacturers. She discusses how families make purchasing decisions, why this shopping period feels emotionally meaningful, and how retailers prepare for one of the most reliable moments on the retail calendar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 21, 202614 min

Why Consumers Are Still Spending Despite Inflation

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.

July 7, 202623 min

How Retailers Adapt When Growth Slows

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.

June 23, 202617 min

The Business of National Reputation

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.

June 9, 202613 min

The Hidden Psychology of Vacation Envy

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.

May 26, 202616 min

Rethinking Political Division and Media Segmentation

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.

May 12, 202615 min

Why Leadership Changes Often Backfire

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.

April 28, 202614 min

The Gaps in Financial Literacy and Why They Matter

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 the United 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.