Teneo Insights Podcast

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Latest episode

Mar 2026

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About the show

Teneo Insights is a podcast that provides analysis on the of-the-moment issues that matter most to CEOs and their businesses. Each episode, moderated by Teneo’s Kevin Kajiwara, Co-President of Teneo Political Risk Advisory, features experts across business, politics, academia and media who discuss with Kevin the most pressing hot button issues and how they will impact financial markets, geopolitics and the business world.

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March 18, 202639 min

From Shockwaves to Shifts: Navigating the New Energy Market Reality

As conflict in the Middle East roils global energy markets and raises fresh concerns about supply shocks, a historic disruption is forcing leaders to confront just how fragile the system remains. In this episode of Teneo Insights, Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Dan Gabaldon, Teneo Vice Chair of Management Consulting and Head of Energy, and Emily Stromquist, Teneo Managing Director, to unpack the geopolitical and economic implications of the war with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history. Together, they explore how this crisis fits into the broader, already complex energy transition shaped by geopolitics, policy, climate and market forces and what to watch as industry leaders convene for CERAWeek.

March 3, 202654 min

Middle East Conflict: Operation Epic Fury and the Implications for Global Markets and Companies

The U.S. – Israeli military operation in Iran has triggered a volatile period of uncertainly with far-reaching geopolitical and economic implications. In this special edition of Teneo Insights, our team provides in-depth perspective and context on the latest developments in the fast-evolving conflict, examining the leadership transition in Tehran, the risks of policy fragmentation and miscalculation, and the evolving alignment between Washington, Jerusalem and key Gulf states. It also explores how other global actors are positioning themselves, and what these developments mean for global financial markets and corporations in the days and weeks ahead. Kevin Kajiwara is joined by a panel of experts including Morgan Muir and Ambassador Dennis Ross from Teneo’s strategic partner WestExec Advisors as well as geopolitical and energy markets specialist Emily Stromquist.

February 2, 202645 min

AI in 2026: From Promise to Pressure

As AI cements its place at the center of corporate strategy, how should leaders translate ambition into results? In this episode of Teneo Insights, host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Ryan Cox, Teneo’s Global Head of AI, and Sparky Zivin, Global Head of Teneo Research, to examine how companies are translating AI ambition into measurable value and why the path to returns is proving slower and more uneven than many investors anticipate. They explore how AI is reshaping operating models and the workforce, what it means to treat AI as critical infrastructure in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment, and how executives should think about risk, resilience and long-term competitiveness as the AI divide between leaders and laggards becomes more pronounced.

January 7, 20261 hr 4 min

Venezuela and the Global Outlook for 2026

With Venezuela thrust into crisis after the abrupt removal of Nicolás Maduro, what comes next and what does it signal about the world in 2026? In this episode of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Teneo Managing Directors Nicholas Watson, Carsten Nickel and Emily Stromquist, alongside Nick Zimmerman, Senior Advisor at WestExec Advisors and former White House National Security Council Director for Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs, to assess how the operating environment is evolving and what to watch across the government, military, opposition and interested international parties. The conversation then widens beyond Venezuela to consider how geopolitics and a fragmented trade environment are reshaping great-power competition, straining Europe’s strategic position and raising the stakes for democracies and corporate leaders navigating uncertainty in the year ahead.

December 15, 202527 min

Vision 2026: Optimism, Resilience — and a Big Bet on AI

As companies enter 2026 with steadier confidence but a far more complex geopolitical and technological backdrop, CEOs are reassessing how to position their organizations for durable performance in a world where strategic clarity is harder to come by. In this episode of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Teneo CEO Paul Keary to break down the results of Vision 2026: Where Is the World Going in 2026 and Beyond?, examining how executives are interpreting shifting market signals, responding to transformative technologies and navigating an environment where resilience and adaptability remain essential advantages. The report captures the views of more than 350 global CEOs and 400 institutional investors representing more than $19 trillion USD of company and portfolio value, offering a data-driven look at how leaders expect the global economy to take shape in 2026 and beyond.

December 15, 202532 min

Vision 2026: A New Board Agenda

As geopolitical tensions sharpen and the long arc of AI-driven transformation becomes harder to predict, CEOs are increasingly split on whether the turbulence shaping today’s markets reflects a passing cycle or a more permanent shift in the global order. In this special edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara sits down with Teneo Chairwoman Ursula Burns to explore the findings of Teneo’s annual CEO survey, Vision 2026: Where Is the World Going in 2026 and Beyond?, offering insight into how leaders are recalibrating expectations around growth, innovation and resilience amid a rapidly evolving business environment. The report captures the views of more than 350 global CEOs and 400 institutional investors representing more than $19 trillion USD of company and portfolio value, offering a data-driven look at how leaders expect the global economy to take shape in 2026 and beyond.

November 24, 20251 hr 2 min

The Modern Board: Corporate Governance in an Era of Change and Risk

In a world where corporate boards face unprecedented scrutiny and rapid change, how are they evolving to meet today’s challenges? In this edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara sits down with Martha Carter, Vice Chair & Head of Governance Advisory at Teneo, and Jonathan Foster, author of On Board: The Modern Playbook for Corporate Governance, to explore how boardrooms are adapting to new expectations, risks and leadership models. They discuss the evolving board–CEO dynamic, what really happens behind closed doors and how boards assess performance. From CEO succession planning and shareholder disclosures to evolving leadership dynamics, risk mitigation and performance oversight, the conversation dives into how directors can anticipate “over-the-horizon” challenges while steering long-term strategy.

October 15, 202519 min

Quick Take: Inside the Renewed U.S.–China Trade Clash

Listen now to the latest on the renewed escalation between the United States and China as President Trump threatens sweeping 100% tariffs in response to Beijing’s new export controls on critical materials. In this Quick Take edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara speaks with Wendy Cutler, former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and Principal at WestExec Advisors, and Gabriel Wildau, Managing Director at Teneo. Together, they unpack how a series of policy announcements has reignited trade tensions, what this means for global supply chains and markets, and whether upcoming diplomacy at the APEC summit can avert a deeper economic confrontation.

June 5, 202553 min

Beyond Tariffs: The Evolving U.S.-China Strategic Standoff

As U.S.-China tensions escalate across trade, security and geopolitics, both countries appear locked in a strategic competition with global consequences. In this episode, Director of the RAND China Research Center Jude Blanchette and Professor of Finance at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Zhu Ning join host Kevin Kajiwara to explore the economic and geopolitical dynamics shaping Beijing’s long-term strategy—and Washington’s response. From China’s evolving trade posture and domestic stimulus efforts to rising risks in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, this conversation examines what’s driving the relationship today and what it could mean for global markets, supply chains and long-term stability.

February 20, 20251 hr 1 min

Transatlantic Tensions and the Future of European Power

As Europe approaches a pivotal election in Germany on February 23rd, mounting tensions between the U.S. and Europe take center stage, particularly over negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine war. With shifting global power dynamics, a key question emerges: can Europe rely on the U.S. as it once did? In this episode, Teneo Managing Director Carsten Nickel and WestExec Advisors Principal and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder join host Kevin Kajiwara to examine the evolving transatlantic relationship. As Europe navigates this uncertainty, its leaders face critical decisions on security, sovereignty and alliances. This discussion unpacks what happens when the old geopolitical rules no longer apply and explores the forces shaping the continent’s future.