The William Blair Thinking Podcast

Sharon Zackfia, head of consumer research at William Blair, shares insights from over a decade of Glassdoor data to reveal how culture, leadership, and operational models—not just pay—shape employee satisfaction and long-term brand success in the restaurant sector.

Ryan Daniels, William Blair's group head of the healthcare technology and services research sector, explores how America's rapidly growing senior population is reshaping healthcare, technology, and everyday services through the powerful trend of aging in place.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal unpacks the latest on global tariffs, inflation pressures, recession risks, and why smidcap stocks might be poised for a comeback in a shifting economic landscape. *This episode was recorded on May 28, 2025

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal breaks down a wild month of macroeconomic news, focusing on the impact of President Trump's tariff policies on the global economy, equity and bond markets, consumer confidence and corporate inventory strategies. Richard also shares his firsthand experience of Spain's recent power outage and its unexpected lessons. *Recorded April 30, 2025

Global services analyst Trevor Romeo discusses the impact of recent economic uncertainties on the staffing industry, highlighting key trends and challenges faced by companies and exploring the evolving landscape of job openings and the future of staffing.

William Blair biotech analysts Matt Phipps and Andy Hsieh discuss Andy's innovative scoring system for evaluating investigational agents in obesity treatment. This system, highlighted in Andy's report “Shaping the Future: Innovations and Trends in Obesity Treatment,” considers both weight loss and gastrointestinal side effects to provide a more comprehensive clinical assessment. Tune in to hear their insights on the future of obesity therapies, upcoming industry catalysts, and more.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal discusses the juxtaposition between weak consumer sentiment and solid economic data, exploring whether a recession is imminent and the implications of shifting inflation regimes, fiscal policy dominance, and ongoing tariff uncertainty.

Delve into William Blair's latest generative AI report, “Navigating the Boom: Confronting GenAI's Most Pressing Questions.” Featuring insights from technology analysts Jason Ader, Arjun Bhatia, and Sebastien Naji, this episode explores the current state of AI, industry trends, and the future of AI development.

Tony Frascotti, head of private shares trading at William Blair, discusses the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the private shares market, delving into the impact of macroeconomic factors, the influence of AI on investment strategies, and the resurgence of the crypto market. Tony also provides insights into the current state of late-stage investments, the role of data in driving market decisions, and the evolving landscape of private shares trading.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal reflects on February's economic narratives, including the impact of noisy data, government spending cuts, climate change, mass deportations, recent inflation data, and the evolving nature of inflation on future monetary policy decisions. *Recorded February 25, 2025

William Blair global services analyst Andrew Nicholas, CPA, discusses findings from his team's extensive inaugural survey of accounting services executives, covering industry dynamics such as organic revenue growth, technology use, and M&A trends.

In the first Monthly Macro episode of 2025, William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal recounts the numerous events that have shaped the economic landscape since the start of the year, exploring the implications of recent executive policies, the Fed's decision to hold rates steady, the unusual behavior of Treasury yields, and what these developments mean for the economy as we move further into 2025.

William Blair equity research analyst Maggie Nolan dives into the latest trends in IT services, exploring the impact of generative AI, data infrastructure, and political influences on the industry.

Ryan Daniels, William Blair group head of the healthcare technology and services research sector, discusses the latest trends in the digital healthcare marketplace, focusing on consumer-facing solutions, the rise and fall of digital health companies, and the evolving investment landscape.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal looks back at the economic highlights of 2024 and shares his insights and predictions for the U.S. economy in 2025, emphasizing resilience, consumer strength, and potential risks ahead.

Consumer analysts Dylan Carden and Phillip Blee discuss their team's latest Consumer Pulse report, including holiday shopping trends, anticipated consumer spend, the popularity of gift cards, and the resilience of value and convenience retailers. *This episode was recorded on December 6, 2024

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal and consumer analyst Dylan Carden delve into the implications of the recent U.S. election results on tariffs, the specialty retail sector, and broader economic trends. *Recorded November 21, 2024

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal discusses the latest economic trends, including third-quarter earnings, rising Treasury yields, and the impact of recent Fed rate cuts. He also delves into consumer sentiment and the paradox of strong retail sales amid a “vibecession.”

Jason Ader, co-group head of William Blair's technology, media, and communications research sector, interviews Sebastien Naji, an equity research associate specializing in semiconductors and infrastructure systems, on their team's latest report, “From Chips to Systems: How AI Is Revolutionizing Compute and Infrastructure,” which explores the shift from serial to parallel computing, the rise of AI accelerators, and the evolving landscape of semiconductor companies.

Global services sector analyst Trevor Romeo dives into his team's latest white paper on the North American waste and recycling industry, exploring key structural trends and the growing imbalance between waste generation and landfill capacity.

William Blair technology analyst Dylan Becker joins Adam Klauber, group head of the financial services and technology research sector, to discuss highlights from the seventh annual William Blair Insurance, Banking, and Wealth Technology Conference. They delve into key trends in the insurance technology space, including labor constraints, legacy modernization, and the integration of AI infrastructure.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal discusses the Federal Reserve's 50-basis-point rate cut and its implications for future monetary policy. He also explores the factors behind this decision, the muted impact of the recent tightening cycle, and what it all means for the economy moving forward.

William Blair consumer sector analyst Phillip Blee joins William Blair Thinking Presents to explore the volatile demand for furniture and home improvement projects over the past four years and provide insights into the industry's 2024 outlook, including key themes such as the housing market, deflation, rising ocean freight costs and long-term growth potential.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the behavioral healthcare industry has experienced an unprecedented surge in the need for innovation, increased access to care, and demand for services. In this episode of the William Blair Thinking Presents podcast, Ryan Daniels, CFA, partner, and group head of William Blair's healthcare technology and services sector, discusses how long-term investments in cutting-edge healthcare technology solutions can effectively address these growing needs.

William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal digs into myriad macroeconomic and market-related events from the past month, including ongoing market volatility, second-quarter earnings season, the intensifying presidential election, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's pivotal Jackson Hole speech.

The casualty side of the insurance industry is being hit by rising levels of claims and losses. In this episode of William Blair Thinking Presents, Adam Klauber, CFA, partner, group head of the financial services and technology sector, provides a framework for understanding the depth of the issue and delves into the underlying nature and causes.

Ryan Daniels, CFA, partner and group head of healthcare technology and services discusses provider burnout across the US health care market, how its creating capacity issues in the industry, and the potential for technology solutions in other workforce investments to help reduce workloads and increase access to care.

Macro analyst Richard de Chazal touches on inflation's continued downward trajectory, the recent market rotation toward small-cap stocks, and June's strong retail sales report.

William Blair group head of global services, Tim Mulrooney follows up on his last episode about the PFAS market to detail how the recent Supreme Court ruling known as Loper Bright could have far-reaching implications on all types of regulations, including environmental ones like PFAS.

In this episode of William Blair Thinking Presents, Tim Mulrooney, William Blair's group head of global services, provides insight into the recent EPA rulings on PFAS compounds, exploring their impact on public water utilities and the broader implications for industries nationwide. He also discusses the expected surge in demand for PFAS advisory, testing, and remediation services, and examines the technologies poised to address the issue.

Macro analyst Richard de Chazal walks through highlights from William Blair's 44th Annual Growth Stock Conference and explains how the event provides a window into the state of the U.S. consumer. He also dissects the latest macro data, including CPI and PPI releases, the FOMC meeting, and the impact of the European elections on the global macro landscape.

Financial services and technology analyst Cristopher Kennedy digs into his report on the banktech industry, exploring the rapid adoption of digital banking and the resulting surge in app-based consumer engagement, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the importance of technology investments for the sector.

Biotech equity research analysts Andy Hsieh and Matt Phipps join group head Tim Lugo to discuss the latest developments in GLP-1s for diabetes and obesity treatment, including the emergence of oral therapies and the profound weight loss results seen in recent data sets. The conversation also covers the commercial trajectory of drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, the potential for market growth, and the challenges of patient retention and reimbursement, concluding with a look at the future of the field, including the exploration of new mechanisms and the focus on quality of weight loss.

Macro analyst Richard de Chazal provides insight on what's happening with cyclicals versus defensive stocks, details how the Fed may be thinking about the latest CPI report, debates the economic impact of immigration, and explains his thinking about what he deems the next leg of the capex revival.

Equity research analyst Ralph Schackart breaks down findings from his team's quarterly digital advertising executive survey, including the continued improvement in confidence among advertising executives as it relates to go-forward budgeting, the increased importance of video and search in online ad strategies, and the anticipated impact that recent regulations will have on which social media platforms ad executives plan to use in the future.

In this episode of William Blair Thinking Presents, macro analyst Richard de Chazal puts inflation and Fed rates under a microscope, explains the correlation between gold prices and bond yields, and discusses the Fed's independence when it comes to policy changes during an election year. *Recorded April 24, 2024

William Blair tech analyst Jake Roberge joins the show to discuss the observability and AIOps software markets, including the increasingly important role these platforms are playing for businesses of all sizes, why they are gaining momentum over legacy monitoring tools, and some of the key trends he's seeing in the market.

Richard discusses the recent macroeconomic news for March, including the FOMC dot plot, stubborn inflation, stock markets, and the real estate pain being felt by banks.

Will consumer relationships with restaurants and fitness centers change as GLP-1s grow in popularity? Sharon Zackfia, group head of consumer research, breaks down the results of two recent proprietary surveys conducted to gain insight into whether reduced caloric consumption among GLP-1 users could lead to a sales slowdown for restaurants and provide a material tailwind for fitness companies.

Ryan Daniels, CFA, partner and group head of healthcare technology and services, discusses the impact of GLP-1 drugs on healthcare spending and care delivery, along with the need for healthcare services and digital health providers that can help employers and consumers effectively manage the emerging wave of GLP-1 drugs.

A hard, soft, or no landing? Listen as macro analyst Richard de Chazal discusses the latest in macroeconomic news, including a more hawkish Jerome Powell, a red-hot S&P 500, fourth-quarter earnings, and a hotter-than-anticipated CPI report.

As economic conditions improve, so too does confidence among advertising executives about their 2024 budget allocations. In this episode of William Blair Thinking Presents, research analyst Ralph Schackart walks through the results of his latest quarterly digital advertising executive survey, including how digital ad spending has changed in recent months and 2024 budget forecasts.

Jobs, housing, QT, and the Red Sea. Listen as macro analyst Richard de Chazal examines the current economic indicators, provides context around the potential end to QT, and offers his perspective on a possible Fed pivot, in the first Monthly Macro episode of the year. *Recorded Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Clinical case studies have sparked significant interest in the use of CAR-T for autoimmune disorders, potentially expanding CAR-Ts' utility beyond oncology. In this podcast episode of Biotech Breakthroughs, equity research analyst Sami Corwin offers an overview of the known biological underpinnings of autoimmunity and rationale for using CAR-T as a therapeutic, breaks down the CAR-T cell therapy competitive landscape and analyzes the potential market opportunity for these therapies.

Macro analyst Richard de Chazal reflects on the resilient year and expands on his 2024 Outlook's key themes, including the sticky pockets of inflation, the 3 keys the Fed needs to achieve success next year, Treasury Secretary Yellen's “Operation Twist” reboot, and more. *Recorded December 8, 2023

Software developers not only represent the early adopters who will determine the success of a particular product or project, but also have become primary influencers in software purchases. In this episode, analysts Jason Ader, Arjun Bhatia, and Jonathan Ho delve into the key trends and potential disruptions, including generative AI, in this exciting new era of coding capabilities.

Macro analyst Richard de Chazal breaks down what he believes are the three hurdles to 'higher for longer,' walks through what third quarter earnings may say about the near term future and offers his stance on where the Fed is potentially headed as we move towards a new year. *Recorded November 8, 2023

Radiopharmaceuticals are leading the way in how oncology patients are being diagnosed and treated. In this episode of Biotech Breakthroughs, Tim Lugo is joined by equity analyst Andy Hsieh and equity research associate Alex Ramsey to examine why radioisotope innovation may revolutionize treatment for millions of people in the coming years.

Housing, retail sales, and the Sahm Rule. Hear what macro analyst Richard de Chazal outlines in this latest Monthly Macro podcast, and what's in store for the markets as we near a critical FOMC meeting next month.

Tim Lugo speaks with fellow equity research analysts Margaret Kaczor Andrew and Andy Hsieh about the GLP-1 drug class and its impact on the management of obesity, including potential read-throughs to the medtech and the therapeutics sector.

Biotech equity research group head Tim Lugo explores the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on the biotechnology industry, including the ways in which AI is revolutionizing drug development, impacting valuations, and the potential risks that lie ahead.