{"podcast":{"title":"If/Then","slug":"if-then-6755579","podcast_index_feed_id":6755579,"rss_url":"https://rss.art19.com/if-then","website_url":"https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then","image_url":"https://content.production.cdn.art19.com/images/28/04/2b/7b/28042b7b-1c3a-4622-a740-cf59788d9267/04b3b67f15897b5741af021d8f32df36381db23142d5237a6db356c35a7b135300a21a4ae9087e646581cfdeab76f9c1a857b0df5642736720527df359593444.jpeg","author":"Stanford GSB","episode_count":57,"summary":"How do we lead with purpose, make better decisions, and navigate an uncertain future? On If/Then , Stanford GSB faculty break down cutting-edge research on leadership, strategy, and more, exploring enduring questions and the forces reshaping business and society today, from AI to geopolitics. Hosted by senior editor Kevin Cool.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-08T16:18:37.918861+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579"},"episode":{"title":"Unconventional Wisdom","slug":"unconventional-wisdom","published_at":"2026-05-06T07:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579/unconventional-wisdom","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579","url":"https://op3.dev/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/zA4xtlPBvf2K1K9zesjz/mgln.ai/e/p853501/rss.art19.com/episodes/1d60550f-b92f-4188-b699-5e44979cc90e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0","audio_url":"https://op3.dev/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/zA4xtlPBvf2K1K9zesjz/mgln.ai/e/p853501/rss.art19.com/episodes/1d60550f-b92f-4188-b699-5e44979cc90e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0","summary":"“I don’t see things like anybody else,” says Jonathan Berk, a professor of finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “And so I can see things people don't see.”  On this episode, Berk explores recent research that pushes against conventional wisdom, from questioning the utility of the debt-to-GDP ratio to asking whether regulation is actually in the best interests of the consumer.  “If you disagree with me… You have to write down a convincing theoretical model and analyze [it].” Berk admits his unique lens doesn’t always make life easy. But on the other hand, “it confers an enormous advantage” — and he believes that organizations which are able to harness the power of unconventional thinking can gain a competitive edge. “It’s allowed me to solve problems that other people couldn't solve,” he says.   Has seeing the world differently helped you resolve a conundrum? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu. Related Content: Jonathan Berk faculty profile   What If We’re Looking at the National Debt All Wrong?   Chapters: 00:00:00 The Fosbury Flop, innovation, & unconventional thinking 00:03:18 Introduction 00:04:24 Questioning conventional wisdom 00:04:57 Rethinking the debt-to-GDP ratio 00:08:21 A finance perspective on national debt 00:10:36 Why theory matters before alarm 00:12:38 Regulation, charlatans, & consumer interests 00:16:22 Licensing, certification, & competition 00:19:51 The cost of pushing back 00:21:16 Building organizations that welcome dissent 00:24:59 Conclusion If/Then, from Stanford GSB, features conversations with faculty that explore how their research deepens our understanding of business and leadership. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p…","meta_description":"“I don’t see things like anybody else,” says Jonathan Berk, a professor of finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “And so I can see things peopl…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1571,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/if-then-6755579/episodes/unconventional-wisdom/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579/unconventional-wisdom.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}