Latest Interviews
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Clear all filters- Milken Institute58 min
MI Summit 2013 - London: Global Overview: Is Confidence Returning?
Willem Buiter, Ann Cairns, Ed Daniels, Alexander Friedman, Tidjane Thiam, Gillian Tett, Alex Freeman
Panelists characterize the global economy as experiencing a muted recovery led by the United States' manufacturing resurgence and private sector deleveraging, while Europe remains stagnant due to banking sector constraints and political gridlock. Distinct regional dynamics highlight Asia's strategic pivot toward sustainable growth amid credit risks and Africa's demographic dividend driving unprecedented expansion, contrasting sharply with Japan's stagflationary threats. Looking forward, investment strategies prioritize innovation hubs in the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa, though experts warn of imminent banking crises and geopolitical instability in energy-dependent regions requiring urgent structural reforms.
- Milken Institute58 min
MI Summit 2013 - London: Credit Markets at a Crossroads
Richard Byrne, Tom Corcoran, Robert Kricheff, Brian Pinto, Robert Ruberton, Komal Sri-Kumar, Bob, Rob, Rich
Speakers Bob Kritches, Tom Corcoran, and other industry experts analyze a U.S. credit environment defined by soaring debt levels, compressed spreads, and regulatory constraints that have created a dangerous imbalance between buy-side assets and sell-side capital. The discussion shifts to European markets, where massive bank deleveraging and direct lending saturation have forced issuers toward high-yield bonds, while emerging market investors navigate a fragmented landscape where flexible exchange rates shield some nations but expose others to capital flight. Ultimately, the panel concludes that alpha generation now requires avoiding crowded public securities to pursue illiquid distressed opportunities and structural arbitrage strategies while anticipating a volatile multi-year normalization of global monetary policy.
- Milken Institute1h 15m
Hungry and Obese: Food and America's Well-Being
Michiel Bakker, Laurie David, Robert Egger, Nona Evans, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Lawrence Soler, Jane Wells, Skip Reimer, Michael Gerson, Kelly Meyer, Larry Soler, Carol Kretschman
A diverse panel of industry leaders from organizations including Google, the Whole Kids Foundation, and the Partnership for a Healthier America convened to address the systemic drivers of the American obesity epidemic, which currently affects one in three children and costs the economy approximately $1 trillion annually. Participants detailed strategic solutions ranging from Google's focus on teaching cooking skills and LA Kitchen's employment of marginalized populations to process "ugly" produce, alongside efforts to reshape marketing norms and implement corporate accountability through public-private partnerships. By leveraging demographic shifts among younger generations and the political influence of aging Baby Boomers, these stakeholders aim to transition the cultural narrative from fear-based messaging to sustainable lifestyle changes that integrate healthy food into schools, workplaces, and underserved communities.
- Milken Institute59 min
The Rise and Decline of Nations and Civilizations (updated)
Jared Diamond, Niall Ferguson, James Robinson, William Bennett
Historians Neil Ferguson, Jared Diamond, and James Robinson analyze the non-linear S-curves of civilization collapse through the lenses of environmental strain, health crises, and the critical distinction between inclusive and extractive political institutions. The panel assesses contemporary vulnerabilities in the United States, such as educational deficits and intergenerational debt, while projecting that China faces insurmountable demographic and resource barriers despite its current innovation surge. Divergent views on future stability emerge regarding the European Union and Japan, with experts debating whether historical precedents of institutional evolution can overcome inherent systemic flaws.
- Milken Institute51 min
Dinner Program - To Infinity and Beyond: Jeff Skoll Talks with Elon and Kimbal Musk (updated)
Jeff Skoll, Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk, Paul
At a panel introduced by Jeff Skoll, brothers Elon and Kimbal Musk detailed their divergent yet complementary ventures, ranging from early startups like Zip2 and PayPal to Elon's engineering firms SpaceX and Tesla and Kimbal's culinary and nonprofit initiatives. The discussion highlighted specific milestones such as the sale of PayPal to eBay for $1.5 billion, Tesla's launch of the award-winning Model S, and The Kitchen Community's measurable impact on childhood nutrition and school test scores. Both founders reflected on their formative years in South Africa and Silicon Valley, emphasizing a shared philosophy that combines technological innovation with social responsibility through scalable, market-based solutions.
- Milken Institute57 min
In Tech We Trust? A Debate with Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen (updated)
Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Martin Giles
Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen debate whether the U.S. economy suffers from a post-1970 technological stagnation that has stunted wage growth or is actually experiencing an acceleration masked by unmet sci-fi expectations and political interference in physical sectors. While Thiel attributes rising inequality and declining living standards to risk aversion, excessive regulation, and a cultural loss of imagination, Andreessen counters that communication breakthroughs are driving efficiency and that physical sector stalls result from massive oil subsidies and restrictive liability frameworks. Both speakers agree that government monopolies and regulations inhibit innovation in energy and transportation, though they differ on the sufficiency of the digital revolution to solve broader economic challenges.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
The Business of Sports (updated)
Todd Boehly, Jimmy Connors, Wayne Gretzky, Joseph Ravitch, Melinda Witmer, Jim Gray, Joe Ravitch
Guggenheim Partners acquired the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2.1 billion to operate as a global entertainment brand, while Time Warner Cable secured exclusive local media rights through a direct $10 billion agreement that bypasses traditional regional sports networks. Panelists including Todd Boley, Melinda Whitmer, Wayne Gretzky, and Jimmy Connors affirmed that live in-stadium events remain the premium product despite technological advancements in broadcast, citing superior fan engagement and physicality that home viewing cannot replicate. The discussion further highlighted that franchise valuations are driven by real estate potential and media scarcity rather than emotion, with experts predicting the inevitable return of an NFL team to Los Angeles and continued appreciation in major league sports assets.
- Milken Institute1h 11m
Lunch Panel: A Cure for What Ails Us: Celebrating the Impact of Science (updated II)
Nancy Brown, Francis Collins, Thomas Frieden, Andrew von Eschenbach, Michael Milken, Mike Milken, Tom Frieden, Andy Van Eschenbach, Jack Andreyka
A comprehensive analysis of global bioscience reveals a dramatic increase in life expectancy and major breakthroughs in disease eradication, such as the near-elimination of polio and HIV management through programs like PEPFAR. Despite these successes, the sector faces a critical funding crisis where declining NIH grant success rates and inflation-adjusted budget cuts threaten the pipeline of young researchers and the translation of genetic discoveries into new treatments. Strategic initiatives like the Brain Initiative, precision medicine efforts, and the shift toward prevention are now essential to address rising chronic disease burdens and sustain the bioscience industry as a primary driver of US economic growth.
- Milken Institute1h 12m
Reading the Tea Leaves: Where Are Markets Headed? (updated)
John Calamos Sr., Anne Casscells, George Evans, J. Todd Morley, John Rogers Jr., Christopher Ailman, Chris Ailman
Moderated by CalSTRS CIO Chris Ailman, a panel of prominent investment leaders including John Rogers, Todd Morley, and John Calamos debated diverging economic forecasts regarding US growth trajectories and the sustainability of current market valuations. Participants articulated contrasting strategies ranging from Ann Cassells' focus on demographic-driven deleveraging to John Rogers' prediction of a resurgence in traditional equity growth driven by pent-up housing demand. The discussion concluded with specific asset allocation recommendations, such as Todd Morley's pivot toward hard commodities and John Rogers' long positions in consumer brands, while warning against the risks of prolonged quantitative easing and sovereign debt devaluation.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Bioscience Discoveries That Will Blow Your Mind (updated)
Jack Andraka, David Baltimore, Francis Collins, Tejal Desai, Aydogan Ozcan, Margaret Anderson
Prominent figures including Jack Andraka, Tejal Desai, and NIH Director Francis Collins present breakthroughs in nanotechnology, genomics, and cellular engineering that promise to revolutionize early cancer detection, drug delivery, and precision medicine. While these innovations leverage falling sequencing costs, portable diagnostic devices, and adaptive sensor platforms to bridge the gap between molecular discovery and clinical treatment, panelists express deep concern over a 20% decline in real research funding. The collective discourse underscores an urgent need to redirect resources toward young innovators and high-risk projects to sustain the momentum of this biological renaissance.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
When Past Performance Is a Guide: Using History to Make Sense of the Post-Crisis World
Daniel Arbess, Ben Funnell, Mitchell Julis, Peter Thiel, Niall Ferguson, Mitch Julis
Peter Thiel, Mitch Julis, Ben Funnell, and Dan Arbus analyze a global economic landscape defined by stagnating technological innovation, regulatory bottlenecks, and a lack of non-IT productivity growth compared to the 1930s. The panelists converge on severe structural headwinds, including demographic shifts, deep income inequality, and a "balance sheet recession" where monetary stimuli have disproportionately benefited the top 1% without restoring broad real asset inflation. While diverging on immediate solutions—ranging from overt monetary finance to capital redeployment by legacy wealth—the group agrees that the U.S. faces a critical risk of entering a stationary state akin to Japan's predicament absent significant reforms to regulatory and innovation frameworks.
- Milken Institute1h 18m
MI Forum: Silicon Rally: L.A.'s Thriving Tech Scene (HD)
Walter Driver, Susan Feldman, Michael Jones, Dana Settle, Mike Jones
The Los Angeles tech ecosystem, known as "Silicon Beach," is distinguished by a culture of entrepreneurial hustling and rapid venture capital growth that has historically outpaced Boston, New York, and the Bay Area. Panelists Mike Jones, Susan Feldman, and Walter Driver discuss how local startups must prioritize immediate monetization due to a lack of late-stage capital and limited acquisition targets, while noting that the region faces significant challenges in talent retention and university industry connections. To succeed, founders are advised to leverage deep personal expertise and build strategic "connective tissue" with broader national communities, as the local landscape currently demands sustainable business models over high-risk visionary plays.
- Milken Institute1h 16m
Chinese Market Culture: How Well Can You Know a Company? (updated)
David Bonderman, Howard Chao, Benjamin Fanger, John Pattar, James McGregor
This panel explored the structural complexities of China's corporate landscape, ranging from the historical dominance of Township and Village Enterprises to the persistent legal ambiguities of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) structures. Participants detailed how severe challenges in financial transparency necessitate "forensic" due diligence and asset-holding strategies akin to a pawn shop to mitigate enforcement risks in a judicial system lacking full independence. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized that navigating this high-risk environment requires investors to bypass reported earnings for cash flow analysis while closely monitoring specific political reform indicators to anticipate regulatory shifts.
- Milken Institute59 min
The Big Picture for Global Media (updated)
Gale Anne Hurd, Michael Lynton, Leslie Moonves, Robert Pittman, Julia Boorstin, Les Moonves
A panel of leading media executives, including Bob Pitman, Les Moonves, Michael Lynne, and Gail Berman, convened to analyze the industry's rapid transformation driven by mobile connectivity, social media engagement, and the global dominance of streaming services like Netflix. The discussion detailed specific strategic shifts such as CBS's legal battles against Aereo, the rise of international box office revenue, and the redefinition of content creation to suit binge-watching and second-screen behaviors. While the group acknowledged the challenges of advertiser adaptation and piracy, they ultimately concluded that the core value of high-quality content remains paramount despite the volatile landscape of digital distribution and potential future consolidation.
- Milken Institute1h 24m
Investing in African Prosperity (updated)
Tony Blair, Bill Gates, H.E. Paul Kagame, Strive Masiyiwa, Rhonda Zygocki, Michael Milken
A panel of government leaders, corporate executives, and development experts convened to analyze Africa's demographic surge and its potential to become a global economic powerhouse despite significant infrastructure and financial gaps. Key speakers highlighted transformative successes in nations like Rwanda and Ethiopia, alongside private sector initiatives by Chevron and the Clinton Foundation that are leveraging mobile technology, transparent governance, and direct operational partnerships to drive sustainable growth. The consensus emphasized that unlocking the continent's future requires multi-stakeholder collaboration that treats Africa as 54 distinct markets while prioritizing human capital investment and local capacity building over traditional aid models.