Tao of Chao Podcast

“Personalization” in defined contribution retirement arrangements such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans continues to gain momentum. This is not a fad or a marketing slogan. It is real and does improve outcomes. Shawn O’Brien at Cerulli has many years of research and “in the trenches” consulting experience, and he shares his contemporary insights on managed accounts, financial wellness, and the personalization ecosystem on the latest Tao of Chao podcast. This is an episode that HR executives, benefits professionals, plan fiduciaries, advisors, and consultants can all benefit from. We hope that you will enjoy listening to this episode.

The Department of Labor has once again proposed changes to The Fiduciary Rule to expand fiduciary application to those selling investing products and delivering advice to retirement plans. Kevin Walsh, a legal expert in this matter joins Philip Chao to discuss the reasons behind the push and what the DOL is trying to accomplish. There is no question that we need fiduciaries to serve in our best interest but will the DOL’s approach succeed in extending projection under every circumstance?

In this podcast episode, Philip Chao interviews Joy Chen, CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute. They discuss the importance of cross-cultural communication and the impact of cultural differences on leadership success. Joy shares her personal journey and how she developed cultural fluency through immersion in Western business cultures. From this personal story, Chen and Chao explore the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants in Western companies and the need to understand the unwritten rules of the game. From schooling to overcoming accent biases, they explore the concept of diversity and the need to focus on cultural diversity rather than just race.

Join Philip Chao as he welcomes Peter Scoblic to explore the fascinating world of strategic foresight. In this episode, Peter dives into how to formulate strategies under uncertainty and predict and prepare for global macro-trends that will drive change for the next 30 years. Don’t miss out — gain an advantage in your investment strategy! Peter Scoblic is the co-founder and principal of Event Horizon Strategies. He is also a professor at Georgetown University and Harvard’s Development Program, and he is currently writing a book about the history of decision making under uncertainty.

Why do central banks want to launch digital currencies? Is the Fed planning to launch a digital dollar and end money as we know it? And what do CBDC implementation mean for your privacy and freedom? Join Philip Chao as he welcomes Elliot Hentov back for an important discussion on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Elliot Hentov is the head of macro policy research and chief geopolitical strategist at State Street Global Advisors, so he’s got a unique insight into this topic. Discover why digital currency and CBDCs are growing in popularity, how central bank digital currencies differ from cryptocurrencies or other stablecoins, and what implications they have for public policy.

Welcome to Tao of Chao! Join us for this episode where Philip Chao sits down with Alona Gornick, managing director, senior investment strategist, and co-head of the Chicago office for Churchill Asset Management. Tune in as they discuss private credit and hear Alona’s insights on this powerful complement to traditional fixed income strategies. Don’t miss out on this valuable conversation about private credit!

In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao talks with Michael Cirami, managing director of Artisan Partners and lead portfolio manager of Emerging Markets Debt Strategies, as they discuss the emerging bond landscape and what kind of opportunities are available in today’s uncertain global economy. With geopolitical conflicts flaring up around the world, it can be difficult to know what investments to make. Michael provides insight into how to identify opportunities amidst uncertainty and how you can leverage emerging markets for growth. Tune in now to learn more.

In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Matthew Mintzer, Executive VP of Pentegra Retirement Services, and financial industry veteran to discuss the significance of the Fiduciary Standard under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). We live in an age where technology provides us with endless data, but how do fiduciaries navigate it wisely, and use it to advise clients on retirement planning?

Philip Chao welcomes investment strategy expert John Lunt, President of Capital Management, Inc. to the Tao of Chao podcast to explore factor investing. Learn the benefits of factor investing and how using macroeconomic and statistical factors to create an investment plan can result in greater diversification and a higher return on your investments, while mitigating risk. Don’t miss this insightful conversation — listen now!

Join us on the Tao of Chao podcast as Philip Chao welcomes Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, one of the leading experts in political demography, and author of the 2022 book, 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World. In this episode, explore the importance of studying population dynamics beyond just exponential growth – and discover how these insights can transform our understanding of politics, economics, and societal relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight from one of the leading minds in aging populations and societal trends!

Curious about carbon investing? Through the Paris Agreement and other initiatives, corporations are incentivizing CO2 reductions by buying and selling carbon credits now or through future contracts. Philip talks with Klaus Thuerbach, a carbon and commodity markets expert, and Founding Partner and Co-CIO at Klima Capital. Find out exactly what carbon investing is, including three main benefits of participating in the carbon market or trading. Learn how the carbon market can enhance your portfolio while also reducing global warming!

Join us as Philip talks infrastructure investing with Michael Underhill, the Chief Investment Officer at Capital Innovations, and an expert in quantitative economics. Michael shares his extensive knowledge and experience in infrastructure finance, highlighting the vital role it plays in society and its potential as an investment opportunity. Discover how infrastructure goes beyond roads and bridges, encompassing utilities, renewables, airports, seaports, and more. Gain insights into the diversification benefits, income generation, capital appreciation, and inflation protection offered by infrastructure as an asset class.

Join Philip Chao as he welcomes Dr. Elliot Hentov, Chief Geopolitical Strategist, and head of macro policy research at State Street Global Advisors, to discuss geopolitics and its impact on the global financial markets. From the changing dynamics between major powers to the challenges of portfolio construction in a multipolar world, should we still consider investing in foreign markets?

Visiting Lecturer at Cornell University, Stephen Shu, known for pioneering commercial behavioral economics, will become a Professor of Practice in July 2023. In this episode, Shu shares strategies for managing data overload, advocating for the slow approach from behavioral economics, and the importance of reliable sources in long-term planning like retirement investing.

Philip Chao and Jason Singer of Apollo Global Management, a leading global alternative asset management company, discuss alternative investments’ ever-evolving landscape. They define and explore how public markets differ from private ones, what factors may have contributed to their overall performance over the past 15-years, and how to democratize alternatives so they can be made available more widely to all investors.

As China’s leader, Xi Jinping has implemented numerous domestic policies which have sparked uncertainty among investors. With the second largest economy in the world now seemingly un-investable, many are wondering how to interpret these actions and safely enter the post-COVID Chinese market both short and long term. As new initiatives arise each month for containing China politically, financially, technologically and through trade with friendly countries alike; discerning a viable investment plan is no easy feat. Philip talks with Andrew Mattock, Portfolio Manager at Matthews Asia, who manages the firm’s China and China Small Companies Strategies in this podcast episode.

Philip Chao welcomes Richard Weiss, esteemed Senior VP and Chief Investment Officer of American Century Investments for Multi-Asset Strategies. Known as a leader in the field of global investments, together they explore matters such as traditional versus quantitative asset allocation, the marriage of risk and return, pitfalls to avoid when developing strategies, and setting realistic benchmarks and expectations — essential components for long-term success.