The Tao of Chao Podcast

What powers the economy of the future?   In Episode 40 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Tyler Rosenlicht for a conversation about infrastructure, energy, commodities, and the long-term trends shaping the global economy.   As artificial intelligence, electrification, and rising global demand increase the need for reliable infrastructure, Tyler explains why investors should look beyo...

How much of our potential do we leave behind simply because something feels uncomfortable?   In Episode 39 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao speaks with NASCAR driver and keynote speaker Julia Landauer about how discomfort, risk, and resilience influence long-term success.   Julia reflects on her experience in racing, where failure is frequent and recovery is essential, and how that mindset...

What if the biggest risk in retirement planning isn’t market volatility—but believing you’re prepared when you’re not?   In Episode 38 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Renee Scherzer interviews Philip Chao on the core philosophy behind his book From Save to Safe .   Drawing on decades of fiduciary experience, Philip challenges the traditional “401(k) mindset” and outlines a path to reach sustainable re...

Is the comfortable path actually the riskiest choice we can make?   In Episode 37 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes entrepreneur Lily Vittayarukskul for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the courage to step outside expected paths.   Lily’s journey began unusually early — starting college at 14 and interning at NASA as a teenager. After a family health crisis reshaped her pe...

In Episode 36 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Paula Campbell Roberts of KKR to unpack the economic realities shaping American households.   With a data-driven and human-centered perspective, the conversation dives into: • The uneven impact of inflation and why asset holders fared differently • What rising credit card and auto delinquencies signal about consumer stress • How...

What does power look like in an age defined by artificial intelligence, geopolitical rivalry, and rapid technological acceleration? In Episode 35 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Brian Wong for a compelling discussion on how AI is reshaping global order, the responsibilities of those who wield influence, and the moral frameworks needed to make sound decisions in complex systems. Ke...

What does it really mean to live longer — and how do we prepare for a future defined by extended lifespans? In this episode of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Surya Kolluri, Head of the TIAA Institute, for an in-depth discussion on longevity, retirement planning, cognitive health, and the evolving realities of aging societies.   Key insights include: • The rise of longevity literacy...

What does it take to retire well in a world where people are living longer, working differently, and facing new financial realities?   In Episode 33 of the Tao of Chao Podcast , Philip Chao welcomes Catherine Collinson, CEO and President of the Nonprofit Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, to explore how individuals, employers, and policymakers can collaborate to...

What does it take to lead responsibly in today’s complex world? In Episode 32 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Don Trone, founder of the Behavioral Governance Institute, to discuss the principles of fiduciary leadership and the importance of behavioral governance. Key insights include: Why fiduciary duty is best understood as a standard of character, not just compliance How b...

Are tariffs, immigration shifts, and AI adoption quietly reshaping the U.S. economy? In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Dr. Onsel Gulbiten , global macro strategist, for a deep discussion on the forces driving growth and inflation. They explore: How tariffs and immigration policies are reshaping U.S. growth potential Why the economy may be settling into a new stasis o...

How well do employers really know their plan participants — and are they using that data in participants' best interests? In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Katrina Berishaj, Chair of ERISA and Employee Benefits at Stradley Ronon, for a deep discussion on the evolving responsibilities of fiduciaries, especially in the defined contribution plan space. They explore...

How stable is today's world order — really?  In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Dr. Brian Wong, Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong and geopolitical strategist, to unpack the evolving dynamics between the United States and China. Together, they explore the fragile nature of the so-called unipolar world, the emerging complexities of multipolar...

Retirement income planning requires balancing competing priorities and understanding crucial trade-offs. In this episode, Jessica Sclafani, Global Retirement Strategist at T. Rowe Price, introduces their innovative five-dimensional framework for evaluating retirement income solutions.   Traditional retirement planning often focuses solely on accumulation, but converting savings into sustainable in...

Why is saving money so hard? Why is retirement planning so complicated? Gen Z and Millennials are anxious about their future, including their financial planning. Behavioral finance expert Anne Lester, author of "Your Best Financial Life: Safe, Smart Steps to the Future You Want" and former head of retirement solutions at JP Morgan Asset Management, reveals powerful insights about why we...

What's ahead for the global economy and financial markets in 2025? Let's look back at past financial policy decisions and data for indicators. Anthony Crescenzi, Executive Vice President and Market Strategist at PIMCO, shares his expert analysis of what's ahead in 2025. In this wide-ranging conversation recorded at the 2024 Spark Forum (on the eve of President Donald Trump's re...

How can advisors and plan sponsors tackle the complexities of lifetime income and retirement sufficiency? In this episode of the Tao of Chao , Philip sits down with Bonnie Treichel, Chief Solutions Officer at Endeavor Retirement, to explore the critical role of frameworks, behavioral finance, and procedural prudence in addressing retirement challenges. They discuss the importance of asking the rig...

In life, we all operate in a varying degree of ignorance or blindness when deciding the future. Information is the critical ingredient - even though the final decision is based on one’s judgment and interpretation of the information. In theory, the more relevant and accurate information we have, the higher the probability of us making the “right” decision about the future.      Even though there i...

Daniel Close, Lead Portfolio Manager for High-Yield Municipal Strategies at Nuveen, joins host Philip Chao in this episode of Tao of Chao to explore the evolving landscape of high-yield municipals. They discuss the effects of the Fed's rate cuts, differences between municipal and treasury yield curves, and the future of fixed-income solutions. Daniel shares his expert insights on municipal ma...

In this episode of The Tao of Chao podcast, host Philip Chao switches roles and becomes the guest as he sits down with Bryan Moore for a deep dive into discretionary investment management and the importance of diversification. Philip shares insights into his work advising institutions, including the nuances of behavioral finance and portfolio management in today’s financial landscape. Together, th...

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute, to discuss the complexities of immigration and migration policies globally, with a special focus on the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Dr. Selee shares insights from his extensive research, the current state of migration, and the impact of immigration on economies and societies. Tune in to...

In the 20th episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, host Philip Chao sits down with Todd Levy, a Managing Director with The Retirement Plan Company, one of the country’s leading independent providers of account recordkeeping, third-party administration, and actuarial services for qualified retirement plans. They analyze the intricate world of fiduciary responsibilities, the evolving landscape of retir...

Michael Underhill, a trained economist, investment strategist, and investor in the infrastructure space, emphasizes the urgency of two crucial policy areas for the future — energy and immigration. Michael and Philip Chao stress the need for a comprehensive energy policy to prepare for increased energy dependence and a coherent immigration policy to support the human capital demand necessary for th...

If you are a student of the market and interested in gaining insights into the cyclical and secular landscape, topics that are highly relevant in today's economic climate, please tune in to this episode of Tao of Chao . The world is always uncertain, and Dr. Onsel Gulbiten offers her view on inflation, interest rate risks, and geopolitical challenges. Michael Salm provides his perspective on...

“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. One way or another, personalization has seeped into our lives by suggesting entertainment, improving comfort in automobiles, saving time in kitchens, tailoring education, providing faster f...

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 in...