Tao of Chao Podcast

In Episode 39 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao sits down with professional race car driver, keynote speaker, and NASCAR strategist Julia Landauer for a conversation about discomfort, risk, and personal growth.

In Episode 37, Lily Vittayarukskul joins Philip Chao to discuss the idea that comfort itself can be one of the greatest hidden risks in life and career decisions. Lily’s path has been far from conventional. Beginning college at fourteen and interning at NASA as a teenager, she initially pursued aerospace engineering before a family health crisis reshaped her perspective. The experience ultimately led her to focus on building technology solutions that address challenges within healthcare systems. Their conversation explores how people often mistake familiarity for safety, and why meaningful opportunities frequently exist outside traditional paths. Lily reflects on how early responsibility, adversity, and curiosity helped shape her entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to challenge existing systems. This episode reflects the spirit of the Tao of Chao — embracing complexity, questioning assumptions, and finding clarity through thoughtful dialogue. Learn why comfort may be the greatest hidden risk — and how embracing uncertainty can lead to purpose, innovation, and growth.

In Episode 37, Lily Vittayarukskul joins Philip Chao to discuss the idea that comfort itself can be one of the greatest hidden risks in life and career decisions. Lily’s path has been far from conventional. Beginning college at fourteen and interning at NASA as a teenager, she initially pursued aerospace engineering before a family health crisis reshaped her perspective. The experience ultimately led her to focus on building technology solutions that address challenges within healthcare systems. Their conversation explores how people often mistake familiarity for safety, and why meaningful opportunities frequently exist outside traditional paths. Lily reflects on how early responsibility, adversity, and curiosity helped shape her entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to challenge existing systems. This episode reflects the spirit of the Tao of Chao — embracing complexity, questioning assumptions, and finding clarity through thoughtful dialogue. Learn why comfort may be the greatest hidden risk — and how embracing uncertainty can lead to purpose, innovation, and growth.

Paula Campbell Roberts, Managing Director at KKR and Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, joins Philip Chao for a data-driven exploration of the modern household economy — from inflation and wages to consumer behavior and financial resilience. Together, they uncover how rising prices, shifting labor dynamics, and evolving household balance sheets are shaping confidence, spending, and economic wellbeing across the country. Learn how the combination of macroeconomic insight and human behavior can help leaders, investors, and policymakers better understand today’s economy — and make more balanced, informed decisions for the future.

Brian Wong joins Philip Chao to examine the evolving relationship between power, artificial intelligence, and morality. As technological capabilities accelerate and geopolitical tensions rise, leaders face new challenges in understanding not only what is possible — but what is responsible.

Surya Kolluri, Head of the TIAA Institute, joins Philip Chao to explore the forces reshaping longevity, retirement readiness, and the future of aging. Together, they discuss how longer lifespans impact financial planning, cognitive health, social connection, and quality of life — and why understanding longevity literacy is essential in today’s world. The conversation also highlights the growing importance of income stability, the risks surrounding elder fraud, and the emerging “longevity economy” influencing public policy, education, and community design. Learn how health, wealth, and purpose intersect to support a fulfilling life across a longer lifespan, and what individuals and institutions can do to prepare for a century defined by aging populations.

Catherine Collinson, CEO and President of the nonprofit Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, joins Philip Chao to discuss how longevity, financial wellness, and evolving workforce trends are redefining retirement. She shares insights from decades of research on how individuals, employers, and policymakers can collaborate to build a more sustainable and fulfilling retirement system. Learn why retirement today is about more than savings — it’s about purpose, preparedness, and adaptability in a changing world.

Don Trone, founder of the Behavioral Governance Institute and a longtime leader in fiduciary standards, joins Philip Chao to discuss what true fiduciary responsibility means in practice. He explains how governance frameworks can guide better decision-making, why leadership is as much about values as rules, and what it takes to be a responsible steward in finance, business, and beyond. Learn how behavioral governance provides a roadmap for integrity-driven leadership in today’s complex environment.

Global macroeconomist Dr. Onsel Gulbiten, former Director of Global Macro Strategy at Franklin Templeton, unpacks how tariffs, shifting immigration policies, and the rapid adoption of AI are reshaping the U.S. economy. She reveals why growth is slowing, how inflation may remain elevated, and what a “stagflation-lite” future could mean for households, policymakers, and investors. Learn how structural shifts are creating a new economic normal — and what it takes to navigate it.

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 employers and advisors can meet their fiduciary obligations more effectively — not just by offering plans, but by understanding their participants’ needs, behaviors, and goals.

In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Dr. Brian Wong, Associate 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 multipolarity, and why both America and China may be their own greatest obstacles.

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.

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 struggle with saving and investing – and shares practical solutions to overcome these challenges. Learn why your brain resists long-term financial planning and discover proven strategies to build wealth effortlessly.

Philip Chao is thrilled to host Bonnie Treichel for an engaging discussion on guaranteed lifetime income within defined contribution retirement plans. Drawing from her consulting experience and legal expertise, Bonnie clarifies common misconceptions, such as the difference between in-plan and retail annuity products, emphasizing, “this is not your father’s annuity anymore.” The conversation delves into the importance of a strategic, education-focused framework rather than a product-driven approach. This episode offers invaluable insights into a critical yet misunderstood topic in retirement planning.

In life, we all operate in a varying degree of ignorance or blindness when making a decision about the future. Information is the critical ingredient – Philip’s discussion with Will Kinlaw at State Street Bank introduces what State Street is doing about collecting more real-time information so that asset allocations, asset owners and asset managers can make better informed decisions.

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 market growth, supply-demand dynamics, and what makes today’s high-yield municipal bonds different from the past. Don’t miss this deep dive into the opportunities and risks of municipal investing!

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, they explore how tactical adjustments can protect clients from market volatility while also seizing new opportunities.

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 understand the challenges and opportunities in managing migration and the future of immigration policies.

In this episode, Philip Chao and Todd Levy discuss fiduciary responsibilities and retirement planning. Learn about transparency, client trust, and the impact of new regulations.

In this episode, Michael Underhill and Philip Chao discuss the critical importance of comprehensive energy and immigration policies to support the U.S. manufacturing revival, driven by significant government and private investments, while addressing challenges such as strategic mineral sourcing and skilled labor shortages.