Free Daily Podcast Summary
Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick: Daily Summaries Delivered
by CNBC
‘Executive Decisions’ is a CNBC podcast offering a rare window into the minds of top decision-makers. Hosted by seasoned financial journalist Steve Sedgwick, each episode explores the pivotal choices that shape the careers and legacies of influential business leaders and policymakers. Through candid conversations about risk, doubt and conviction, the series reminds us that even the most powerful face uncertainty and trade-offs.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago35 min
Finding Room to Grow: Morningstar CEO Kunal Kapoor
Kunal Kapoor faced a choice early in his career: accept a higher-paid job in banking or join a little-known investment research firm called Morningstar. Despite encouragement from those closest to him to take the more secure option, Kapoor trusted his instincts and chose Morningstar. Nearly three decades later, he's still there — having risen through the ranks to become CEO. In the latest episode of Executive Decisions, Kapoor tells CNBC's Steve Sedgwick why he believes it's important to find opportunities for personal growth, how his approach to leadership has evolved and what he learned from hiring mistakes earlier in his career. He also discusses Morningstar's expansion into private markets, the challenges of leading through technological change and why AI is forcing businesses to rethink how they operate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 weeks ago36 min
It Never Hurts to Have a Conversation: e.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin
Tarang Amin wasn't looking to run a cosmetics company when the opportunity to invest in e.l.f. Beauty came his way. He thought the category was crowded, fragmented and lacked differentiation. But Amin followed a rule that had served him throughout his career: “It never hurts to have a conversation.” That conversation changed his mind. After looking more closely at e.l.f., Amin saw a digitally native brand with a strong value proposition, an unusually close relationship with its consumers and exceptional performance at retail. He decided to invest his own family's money and become CEO. In this episode of Executive Decisions, Amin tells Steve Sedgwick how his family's immigrant experience and motel business shaped him, why curiosity remains central to his leadership style and how listening to e.l.f.'s community drives the company's product innovation. He also explains why he believes diverse teams are a competitive advantage — and the leadership philosophy behind his approach: “When people are looking at opportunities, I'm looking at strengths.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Sep 29, 202631 min
You Can’t Engineer the Timing: Ron O’Hanley
Ron O’Hanley was on track for a successful career at McKinsey when Mellon Bank offered him the chance to leave consulting and run a business. He initially turned it down — only to reconsider the decision three months later.In this episode of Executive Decisions, the State Street CEO tells Steve Sedgwick why changing his mind turned out to be “the best thing I ever did” and shaped a career lesson he still shares with others: opportunities can be engineered, but their timing often cannot.O’Hanley also discusses the curiosity that has guided his career, navigating the global financial crisis, leaving Fidelity without another job lined up and why an unexpected move to State Street eventually led to the biggest role of his career.He also reflects on mistakes, leadership, responsibility and why even the most experienced CEOs should never believe they have everything figured out.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Sep 15, 202640 min
Take the Reckless Path: Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters
Bill Winters planned to become a diplomat. Instead, a job at J.P. Morgan led him into banking and eventually to a pivotal early-career decision: move into the emerging derivatives business despite knowing little about it.In this episode of Executive Decisions, the Standard Chartered Group CEO tells Steve Sedgwick why that experience helped shape a career philosophy he still shares with younger colleagues: when rare opportunities arise, sometimes you should “take the reckless path.” For Winters, that doesn't mean being careless; it means being prepared to choose the less conventional route when it offers more to learn.Winters also reflects on his 26 years at J.P. Morgan, the lessons of the global financial crisis and what it was like to be fired by Jamie Dimon. He explains why he subsequently ignored advice not to join the UK's Independent Commission on Banking and why, six years after leaving J.P. Morgan, he returned to mainstream banking to become CEO of a troubled Standard Chartered.He also discusses the decisions behind Standard Chartered's turnaround, mistakes he made along the way, leadership, AI and why he believes ambition can sometimes become a curse.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Sep 1, 202643 min
Face the Music: Anthony Scaramucci
Anthony Scaramucci’s career has included high-profile successes and setbacks. In this episode of “Executive Decisions,” the SkyBridge Capital founder reflects on leaving Goldman Sachs to build his own business, why insecurity led him into the wrong job early in his career and the pride and ego that influenced his decision to join the Trump administration. After being fired from the White House after just 11 days, Scaramucci was advised to disappear from public life. Instead, he chose to face his critics - a decision he says became part of a wider reckoning with his mistakes, his relationships and himself. He also discusses being fired and rehired by Goldman Sachs, the lessons he learned from market downturns, rebuilding SkyBridge and the fallout from its relationship with Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. Through it all, Scaramucci says the lesson has been the same: own your mistakes, face the music and keep going. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Aug 18, 202634 min
Run Toward the Hard Problems: Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp
Bettina Orlopp took over as CEO of Commerzbank as the German lender was pushing ahead with a multiyear turnaround — and as UniCredit was building a stake that raised the pressure on the bank's leadership.In this episode of Executive Decisions, Orlopp explains how she has approached leading through that pressure: staying calm, speaking candidly about difficult change and relying on trusted teams to deliver the bank's strategy.Orlopp also reflects on the path that brought her there, from nearly two decades at McKinsey to taking on Commerzbank's compliance function, becoming CFO just before the Covid-19 pandemic and later stepping into the CEO role.She discusses how takeover pressure accelerated Commerzbank's strategy work, the challenges of restructuring and why she believes leaders need to be direct about what change will require.Note: This interview was recorded on May 12, 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Aug 4, 202633 min
Go Where You’ll Learn More: Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker
Steve Hasker never followed a formal career plan. Instead, the Thomson Reuters CEO says his biggest decisions were guided by one question: Would he learn more by saying yes than by staying where he was?In this episode of “Executive Decisions,” Hasker reflects on the childhood experiences that taught him resilience, the mentors who shaped his leadership and why the people around you can matter more than the role itself.He discusses leaving McKinsey for Nielsen after an unexpected pitch from former GE executive Dave Calhoun, the lessons he learned from early career mistakes and why surrounding yourself with talented people can accelerate growth as a leader.Hasker also recalls becoming CEO of Thomson Reuters on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading 25,000 employees through a period of uncertainty and helping transform the company into an AI-powered technology business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Jul 21, 202639 min
Success Isn’t the Finish Line: DSM-Firmenich CEO Dimitri de Vreeze
After more than three decades at science-based firm DSM, Dimitri de Vreeze faced what he calls the hardest decision of his career: selling the materials business where he had grown up professionally. In this episode of “Executive Decisions,” the DSM-Firmenich CEO reflects on why the decision made strategic sense, even as it felt deeply personal, and how it shaped his view that success is not a finish line. De Vreeze discusses joining DSM with plans to stay only a few years, the family values and rebellious streak that shaped his leadership, and why he believes leaders should keep challenging what is already working. He also discusses ending a half-billion-dollar biofuels project, serving as co-CEO, leading the merger that created DSM-Firmenich and why treating assumptions as facts can be one of the biggest risks in decision-making. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Leading By Example: Executives Making An Impact
Executives share pivotal moments and personal experiences that shaped their leadership and decision-making in real-world business environments.
Choiceology with Katy Milkman
Explores how behavioral science and real-life decisions reveal ways to improve judgment and make better choices.
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Raw, unfiltered conversations with influential figures and experts exploring personal growth, mindset, and the realities of success.
King Dems Podcast
Discusses leadership, AI, and business growth with CEOs and entrepreneurs through practical insights on strategy, innovation, and mindset.
One Decision
Former intelligence leaders and journalists examine high-stakes decisions that shaped global events.
Everybody's Business
A weekly look at business news from Wall Street to unusual ventures, with insights from Bloomberg Businessweek journalists.
David Senra
David Senra hosts conversations with the greatest living founders.
The Real Eisman Playbook
A legendary investor analyzes markets, economic trends, and financial crises with candid, no-nonsense commentary.
HBR IdeaCast
Features leading thinkers in business and management discussing key ideas and trends.
One Part Lion - One Part Lamb with Stephen Scoggins
Leadership advice for founders balancing success, integrity, and faith through interviews with entrepreneurs.
Leaders with Francine Lacqua
Francine Lacqua interviews CEOs and industry leaders about leadership, success, and navigating change in global business.
Bloomberg Talks
Conversations with influential figures in finance, politics, technology, and culture from Bloomberg News.
About Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick
‘Executive Decisions’ is a CNBC podcast offering a rare window into the minds of top decision-makers. Hosted by seasoned financial journalist Steve Sedgwick, each episode explores the pivotal choices that shape the careers and legacies of influential business leaders and policymakers. Through candid conversations about risk, doubt and conviction, the series reminds us that even the most powerful face uncertainty and trade-offs.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by CNBC.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick release new episodes?
Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick cover?
Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick covers topics including Business. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.