Changing World, New Opportunities podcast

Changing World, New Opportunities

1:15:36

In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times , former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall . We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update on his family and reflects on the profound trials and growth that come with adversity. 📌 What We Discuss: ✔️ How David and his family navigated the challenges of a serious health crisis. ✔️ The rise of political polarization and the factors driving it. ✔️ Why distinguishing between “unwise, unethical, and unlawful” is crucial in analyzing political actions. ✔️ How consuming different perspectives (even opposing ones) helps in understanding political dynamics. ✔️ The role of Christian values in politics and how they are being redefined. ⏳ Episode Highlights 📍 [00:01:00] – David French’s background and his journey from litigation to journalism. 📍 [00:02:30] – Personal update: David shares his wife Nancy’s battle with cancer and their journey as a family. 📍 [00:06:00] – How to navigate personal trials while maintaining faith and resilience. 📍 [00:10:00] – The danger of political paranoia and the pitfalls of extreme polarization. 📍 [00:18:00] – The "friend-enemy" paradigm in American politics and its influence in Christian fundamentalism. 📍 [00:24:00] – Revisiting Divided We Fall : How America’s divisions have devolved since 2020. 📍 [00:40:00] – The categories and differences of unwise, unethical, and unlawful political actions. 📍 [00:55:00] – The balance between justice, kindness, and humility in political engagement. 📍 [01:00:00] – The After Party initiative: A Christian approach to politics focused on values rather than policy. 💬 Featured Quotes 🔹 "You don't know who you truly are until your values are tested." – David French 🔹 "If we focus on the relational, we can have better conversations even across deep differences." – Corey Nathan 🔹 "Justice, kindness, and humility—if you're missing one, you're doing it wrong." – David French 🔹 "The United States has a history of shifting without repenting. We just move on." – David French 📚 Resources Mentioned David French’s Writing: New York Times David’s Book: Divided We Fall The After Party Initiative – More Info Advisory Opinions Podcast (with Sarah Isgur & David French) – Listen Here 📣 Call to Action If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion 🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media @coreysnathan: Bluesky LinkedIn Instagram Threads Facebook Substack David French: 🔗 Twitter | BlueSky | New York Times Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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In our second season of the podcast, we’re interviewing senior investment figures from large defined contribution pension schemes. We’re asking them to reflect on the investment challenges reflecting them as DC leaders. What are they excited about – and what’s keeping them awake at night? In this show, we chat to experienced members of the investment world, broadcasting their insights, as well as the ideas of the DCIF, to pension fund decision-makers in the UK and across the globe. This show is hosted by Louise Farrand, a journalist who has written about DC pensions and finance issues for over a decade and has run the DCIF for nine years. Co-hosting is Lorna Kennedy, chair of the DCIF and a partner at Baillie Gifford. To subscribe to this show and read the regular research the DCIF publishes, head to www.dcif.co.uk and follow the DCIF on Twitter (@DCIF) and LinkedIn.

31 episoder

updated for 18 dage siden

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Changing World, New Opportunities

1
Keith Ambachtsheer on Canada's pension system 41:58

for 18 dage siden41:58

41:58

This week on the podcast, we were lucky enough to be joined by pensions royalty! Keith Ambachtsheer tells Mark and Louise all about Canada's system. This episode contains all the wisdom and deep expertise you'd expect from someone like Keith, who over the years rubbed shoulders with economists like Harry Markowitz and William Sharpe. Keith tells us about his dramatic entry into the pensions world - and what he's learned from the Nobel prizewinners over the years since then. He tells us about his 40-year mission to define the characteristics of a well thought out pension system. Right up the street from this podcast! We talk about how close we are to achieving pensions nirvana.…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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New podcast episode: Sweden with Mats Langensjö 41:04

for 25 dage siden41:04

41:04

This week’s podcast is out now! In it, we take a fascinating dive into Sweden’s DC system with Mats Langensjö. First off, we find out how Sweden’s AP funds work. Mats describes one highly unusual feature of the Swedish DC system: a government-run fund selection agency which has the job of hiring and firing fund managers. How did this come about? And what criteria does it use? Mats explains all. Mats gives us a rundown of the best features of the Swedish system – and confides what worries him most about the future. He explains some of the system’s downfalls – complexity, fragmentation and adequacy fears loom large – and tells us what he would change if he could. One key point we take away from this episode is how pension systems are often born out of adversity. Mats tells us how the Swedish pension system faced great pressure to move – fast – from DB to DC in the early 1990s, when the Swedish economy was in very bad shape. Thankfully, thanks to Sweden’s collective culture, there wasn’t a backlash. But the move did create some adverse effects. Mats worries about the adequacy of the system when DC savers reach retirement age, and when there’s a rush to move quickly, there isn’t always time to think everything through – which Mats thinks could have created some of the fragmentation and complexity which is apparent in the system today. It's a great episode – enjoy!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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The USA’s DC system with Mark Iwry 40:23

for 5 weeks siden40:23

40:23

In this episode, the Godfather of auto-enrolment, Mark Iwry, tells us the story of how it was introduced in the USA. We peek inside the doors of the US government and find out how Mark and his colleagues helped employers to shape both their investment strategies and the wider DC system. The US’ auto-enrolment journey wasn’t without its tricky moments. Mark tells us of a memorable encounter with the police, and why Bill Clinton still owes him $75. We also find out how the US’ experience of auto-enrolment influenced the UK’s direction of travel – and the lessons Mark passed on to the DWP. Why does Mark think the UK improved on the US’ version of auto-enrolment? With the benefit of hindsight, Mark tells us what he’d go back in a time machine to change. We also find out what advice he would give to other regulators about building a great DC system. Finally, we explore how the US is faring on its journey to introduce more alternative and non-traditional investments into its DC system.…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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The UK’s pensions system with Steve Webb 41:18

for 6 weeks siden41:18

41:18

In this week’s episode, former pensions minister Steve Webb talks to us about defined ambition, the lessons he’s learned from international pensions systems, and why pendulums tend to swing back. Steve reflects on some subjects which are dear to our heart, including lessons he learnt from overseas, reflects on what he’s proud of and what he would go back in time to change, if he could. He tells us one important lesson he took from the Netherlands’ experience, which echoes a point last week’s guest Hans van Meerten made (spoiler alert: it’s about communication). We also talk about what’s going on in UK pensions today. Steve explains why he thinks post-retirement CDC could happen sooner than we think. He tells us where flex now, fix later came from and how it could work. Finally, we hear Steve’s verdict on the Pensions Investment Review. Many thanks!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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The Netherlands (and a bit of China) with Hans van Meerten 36:52

for 6 weeks siden36:52

36:52

This week, Mark and Louise speak to Professor Hans van Meerten about the Netherlands’ pension system. Hans is a lawyer and academic, specializing in EU and Dutch pensions law. We find out why the Netherlands is going through some big pension reforms, despite being top of the international league tables. From his legal perspective, Hans explains why he’s a critic of the current Dutch CDC model, the biggest problems in the system, and why he expects a lot of court cases down the line. We also dive into China’s pension system briefly and Hans shares some fascinating insights into how that is developing. EU Pensions Law, edited by Professor Hans van Meerten and Professor Philip Bennett, is available here: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/eu-pensions-law-9781802200218.html#:~:text='EU%20Pensions%20Law%20is%20an,pension%20novices%20and%20pension%20experts . It’s a great episode – hope you enjoy listening!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Ireland’s pension system with Jerry Moriarty 29:59

for 8 weeks siden29:59

29:59

Jerry Moriarty is the outgoing CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds. In this episode, we chat about how Ireland’s pensions system is evolving, the similarities and differences between the Irish and UK pension systems, and the feature of the Irish pensions system that Mark and Louise most envy. We hear an update on how auto-enrolment is going in Ireland and the consolidation which is happening as a result. What did Ireland learn from the UK’s recent experience? How are members’ pension contributions being invested? What aspect of Ireland’s pension system is Jerry proudest of? And if he had a time machine, what would he go back and change?…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Australia's pension system with Paul Watson 41:55

for 9 weeks siden41:55

41:55

This week on the podcast, we chat to Paul Watson about the Australian superannuation system. Paul has spent years as a senior executive in the superannuation fund world, most recently at Hostplus, one of Australia’s largest supers. We learn how the value for money debate has been ‘run and won’ in Australia, how Aussie superfunds got to grips with investing in private markets and why the Aussies are moving in the opposite direction to the Brits when it comes to retirement decision-making. Paul also offers his advice to UK policymakers as the Pensions Investment Review moves forward. Paul stresses to us that Australia’s pension system isn’t perfect, either. He tells us the one thing he would change if he were pensions minister for a day, why the Brits are arguably doing engagement better than the Aussies and offers us some great advice. We so enjoyed exchanging notes with Paul – and we hope you learn as much as we did from the conversation.…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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New Zealand's pension system with Diane Maxwell 52:29

for 10 weeks siden52:29

52:29

Welcome to a brand new season of Changing World, New Opportunities! This season, we’re chatting to international policymakers and pensions experts about their DC systems. What are the challenges? What would they change about it? And – crucially – what can we learn in the UK? Diane Maxwell kicks off the season with a bang. The former retirement commissioner for New Zealand gives us the lowdown on the country’s pensions system, the flipside of consumer engagement, how retirement works and the crucial differences between the UK and New Zealand’s tax systems – as well as the key lessons she’d pass on to UK policymakers.…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Chatting long train trips, climate change and rethinking risk with Aegon’s Tim Orton 28:20

for 1 year siden28:20

28:20

This week’s guest is Tim Orton, CIO at Aegon. We enjoyed chatting about how making the world better for his grandchildren feeds into Tim’s passion for combatting climate change. 2022 caused him to think differently about diversification, risk and members’ journeys. Plus, Tim tells us why Aegon signed the Mansion House Compact. Enjoy the episode!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Naomi Clark on USS’ private markets journey 40:32

for 1 year siden40:32

40:32

This week, Lorna and Louise really enjoyed talking to Naomi Clark, head of investment product management at USS. We find out about Naomi's long and winding road into pensions - from an English degree, via a start in shipping, to where she is today. Naomi tells us about a bumpy start to USS' private markets journey and shares the reason why USS hasn't signed the Mansion House Compact. Please note these are Naomi’s personal framings of USS’ formal positions.…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Liz Fernando on the dangers of shorthand 33:43

for 1 year siden33:43

33:43

This week, we had a great chat with Liz Fernando, CIO of Nest. We learn about why her time as a smaller companies analyst was a great training ground, why shorthand can be dangerous in investment, and what keeps Liz awake at night - where she gives us possibly the most poignant answer of the series so far. Happy listening!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Smart Pensions’ James Lawrence on the secret to engagement 29:14

for 1 year siden29:14

29:14

This week, Lorna and Louise chat to James Lawrence, head of investment proposition at Smart Pension. James shares a snapshot of what's on his agenda, as well as what he thinks the secret to engagement might be. We overcame numerous technology failures to record this episode - and we hope you agree that it's a great one!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Seeing through the eyes of the member with Emma Matthews 25:32

for 1 year siden25:32

25:32

On the podcast this week, we chat to Emma Matthews, head of investment at NOW: Pensions. We find out about Emma's career path and how it's given her a different perspective on the member experience of investment. Plus, what's on NOW: Pensions' agenda right now? And what's keeping Emma awake at night?…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Mercer’s Jane Walker on the unique challenges of DC 33:54

for 1 year siden33:54

33:54

This week, Lorna and Louise speak to Mercer's Jane Walker. We talk about why blips are inevitable in the investment world, and why she thinks members should stay in the driving seat instead of looking under the bonnet. We also find out Jane's one ask of asset managers and discover our mutual hatred of hills. It's a great episode - enjoy!…

Changing World, New Opportunities

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Julius Pursaill talks Mansion House and rethinking fiduciary duty 49:04

for 1 year siden49:04