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.

Key insights include:
• How AI alters power structures between nations, institutions, and individuals
• Why moral clarity matters more than ever in high-stakes environments
• The benefits and risks of adopting AI at scale
• How leaders can balance innovation with responsibility and restraint
• Why humility, reflection, and well-defined frameworks improve decision-making
• Where geopolitical competition is headed — and what it means for markets

This episode offers a grounded, human-centered exploration of the forces shaping our future and the ethical considerations that must guide our path forward.

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 and why so few people understand their true lifespan
• How to build longevity fitness across financial, physical, cognitive, and social dimensions
• The deep connection between health and wealth — and why disparities are widening
• Why planning should focus on income stability, not just accumulated savings
• The growing threat of elder fraud and cognitive decline
• How social connection dramatically reduces mortality risk
• The emergence of age-friendly cities, intergenerational learning, and the longevity economy

Tune in for a grounded, human-centered conversation on how longer lives will reshape families, institutions, and society — and how each of us can prepare with clarity and intention.

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 improve retirement readiness and financial wellness.

Key insights include:

• How longevity is transforming retirement expectations
• Why financial wellness is more than savings — it’s confidence and control
• The evolving role of employers in helping workers plan for the future
• Generational perspectives on saving, investing, and aging
• What we can all do to create a more secure and purposeful retirement

Tune in for data-driven insights and practical wisdom from one of the nation’s leading voices on the future of retirement.

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 behavioral governance helps leaders align decisions with values
• The importance of ethics, accountability, and trust in financial services
• Lessons from Don’s career advancing fiduciary responsibility and governance frameworks
• Why stewardship and leadership are inseparable in finance, business, and beyond

This wide-ranging conversation is essential listening for investors, advisors, and anyone who wants to understand the deeper meaning of responsible leadership.

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 of slower expansion
• The accelerating role of AI in productivity and labor substitution
• The Federal Reserve’s evolving framework
• Whether we are headed toward stagflation, or something close to it

Tune in for an expert perspective on the “new normal” of slower growth, higher costs, and shifting global dynamics.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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.

Katrina shares actionable insights into:
- Why participant engagement remains a persistent barrier to retirement readiness
- The increasing value of employer-held data — and the ethical obligation to use it-
How managed accounts and personalized investment solutions are evolving
- The risks of failing to adapt: from liability to participant detriment
- Where financial institutions are making strides (and where they’re still falling short)

This thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for plan sponsors, advisors, and anyone navigating the future of retirement plans.

🔗 Listen now for a grounded, expert take on fiduciary strategy and the human side of retirement planning.

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Katrina Berishaj
Chair of ERISA & Employee Benefits
Stradley Ronon

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 multipolarity, and why both America and China may be their own greatest obstacles.

Brian shares deep insights into:

• Why the U.S. still commands unparalleled global influence — despite internal fractures
• How China's internal challenges and external pressures shape its strategic patience
• The critical need for safety nets, private sector revitalization, and structural reform within China
• The misconceptions about capitalism, populism, and elite influence in shaping today's global tensions
• Why no grand strategy may be steering the escalating U.S.-China tariff war

This thought-provoking conversation bridges philosophy, geopolitics, and economics to offer listeners a broader perspective on where the world might be heading — and what it means for investors, policymakers, and everyday citizens alike.

🔗 Listen now to discover the deeper forces reshaping the global landscape.

👓 Learn more about our GUEST

Dr. Brian Wong
Assistant Professor
University of Hong Kong

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Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

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 income presents unique challenges. Jessica explains how plan sponsors and financial advisors can use this holistic framework to evaluate retirement income options based on five critical dimensions: longevity risk hedge, level of payments, volatility of payments, unexpected balance depletion, and liquidity of balance.

Key Topics:

• How to balance guaranteed income with flexibility needs
• Why one-size-fits-all retirement solutions rarely work
• Using visualization tools to understand product trade-offs
• Considerations for fiduciaries when selecting retirement solutions
• Strategies for participants with existing defined benefit plans

This conversation provides plan fiduciaries, advisors, and individual investors with a powerful framework to make more informed retirement income decisions.

👓 Learn more about our GUEST

Jessica Sclafani, CAIA
Global Retirement Strategist
T. Rowe Price
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👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.