Explore every episode of the podcast Icons and Ideas with Peter Mallouk
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Larry Fink: From $100m loss to building BlackRock | 30 Aug 2025 | 00:43:11 | |
Larry Fink sits down with Peter Mallouk at BlackRock’s Hudson Yards headquarters to recount his path from Southern California to Wall Street and how a $100M loss shaped BlackRock’s risk-first culture. He reflects on the mindset that separates owners from lenders, why optimism outperforms over time and how America’s “messiness” fuels innovation. The conversation weaves from deficits and private capital to crypto, AI and the enduring premium of human connection — all before turning to Fink’s legacy and vision for a firm built to last.
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| Marc Rowan: The Future of Private Credit | 22 Sep 2025 | 00:46:04 | |
Apollo CEO Marc Rowan sits down with Peter Mallouk to discuss private credit's rise, market convergence and leading a global investment giant. Their conversation goes beyond finance, revealing the personal passions and perspectives that shape Marc’s approach to building one of the world’s largest private investment firms.
At Creative Planning, we believe in looking at the full picture. That’s why these discussions — spanning the markets, leadership and life — matter.
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| Finding strategy in an unstable world: Lessons from General David Petraeus, Partner, Chairman of the KKR Global Institute and Chairman of KKR Middle East. | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:55:26 | |
Retired four-star General David Petraeus, Partner, Chairman of the KKR Global Institute and Chairman of KKR Middle East, joins Peter Mallouk for a powerful conversation on today’s shifting global landscape. From the war in Ukraine to the rise of AI-driven warfare, Petraeus offers rare insight into where power is moving — and why it matters for investors. Together, they unpack how leadership, strategy and adaptability are redefining global stability and opportunity.
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| Jeremy Siegel: Stocks, Inflation and America’s future | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:42:38 | |
Peter sits down with economist, author and Wharton School professor Jeremy Siegel for a candid conversation on the economic forces impacting Americans today. Siegel’s rigorous research and data-driven insights have long been influential in shaping investment strategies, explaining market behavior and understanding the impact of inflation on investment returns. When Siegel talks, investors pay attention. 00:00 Introduction 04:02 Why Jeremy argues stocks are the most stable asset class in the long term 07:40 What bonds can be good hedges against 09:16 The market, COVID-19 and the government’s response 15:00 Why more than one-third of Americans are priced out of the housing market 15:40 How deficit spending impacts the American economy 21:10 Siegel’s take on the biggest threats to the American economy 26:27 Trump’s tariffs and their impact on the economy 34:53 Cryptocurrency and how it could change the U.S. payment system 38:55 The shift toward private markets and equity 40:17 Siegel’s take on what makes Americans exceptional
RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | |||
| Shawn Achor: Happiness, Success and What Really Matters | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:55:34 | |
In this episode, Peter Mallouk sits down with Shawn Achor to explore what truly makes a happier, more meaningful life. They discuss why pursuing happiness isn’t selfish, how “happiness anxiety” holds many people back and why social connection is the strongest predictor of long-term well-being. They also touch on how money and success fit into a happy life. Through research, stories and practical habits, Shawn and Peter share ways to build more joy, gratitude and meaning in everyday life. (00:04) Introduction (00:20) From Divinity school to happiness research (06:07) How happiness anxiety robs us and others of joy (09:16) How extremes of optimism and pessimism lead to decision paralysis (10:34) Why social support and connection are key to happiness (13:27) How small happiness habits can reduce loneliness (16:03) How to practice gratitude and build social connections (22:39) Why practicing gratitude improves happiness (31:01) How lack of social connections increase depression (37:47) What we get wrong about happiness (42:55) Why comparison is the thief of joy (52:44) How small habits change systems RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here: Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Robert Smith: AI, Enterprise Software and the Future of Investing | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:44:21 | |
Join Creative Planning President and CEO Peter Mallouk and Vista Equity Partners Founder, Chairman and CEO Robert Smith for a conversation on AI in enterprise software and what it means for investors. They explore how AI agents are reshaping SaaS business models, why mission-critical systems must be highly accurate and how enterprise AI is shifting value from seat-based pricing to measurable outcomes. They also discuss durable value creation, market volatility and how long-term investors can stay focused when headlines move faster than fundamentals. (00:00) Introduction
RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here. Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Tony Robbins: Unshakeable Impact, Transforming Lives and Building Legacies | 23 Jan 2026 | 01:12:55 | |
Join Peter Mallouk and Tony Robbins for powerful strategies on emotional mastery, wealth building, and future-proofing your career. Discover why your emotional state controls your story, how to recognize and create patterns that drive success, and what questions to ask yourself that will transform your quality of life — no matter what's happening in the world around you. (00:03) Tony Robbins: why his work resonates and how it can impact your life (02:06) What “holistic” wealth planning means (03:25) Tony’s origin story: instability, family stress and learning emotional control (04:28) Emotional fitness, the need for challenges and what modern comfort costs us (06:07) A lesson on ego and receiving help when you need it (08:04) A simple three-step framework: focus, meaning and action (09:34) How to scale giving, from small local acts to global giving (12:15) Getting unstuck: separating your past from your future (13:28) Stress, scarcity and how gratitude and giving impact our lives (16:53) The lie people tell themselves: “I’ve tried everything” and reframing adversity (20:18) Money is emotional: what people really want (freedom, security and choice) (23:15) Investing principles: asymmetric risk, diversification and private equity (31:48) How to think clearly about markets: mentors, mental models and macro risk (36:52) How to create change: manage emotions, change your story and develop a strategy (44:25) AI disruption and how to recognize patterns in life (54:45) Living in a “beautiful state” and asking ourselves the right questions (1:03:30) Stanford research results and the Time to Rise Summit invitation (Jan. 29-31) RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here. Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Schwab CEO Rick Wurster: Crypto, AI and the Shifts Impacting How We Invest | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:28:37 | |
What’s really changing in investing — and what’s just hype? Peter Mallouk sits down with Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster to talk through the trends that matter most right now: the rise of convenience as a competitive advantage, what prediction markets actually tell us (and what they don’t), Schwab’s evolving view on digital assets, and whether AI will make financial advice faster and more personal or just harder to trust. They also dig into why the human side of planning still wins when the stakes are high and the decisions are emotional. It’s a candid look at how one of the industry’s biggest players is thinking about your money. (00:00) Schwab’s client-first approach and what it means for everyday investors (02:16) The big shifts Rick thinks will shape investors’ decisions (04:13) Prediction markets: useful signals vs. sports gambling (08:21) Digital assets: speculation, crypto and what clients are asking for (11:08) Wurster explains fee increases for its advisor referral program (15:55) Why Schwab disrupts itself and how “convenience” is changing the industry (18:03) Blockchain and stablecoins: what might actually be useful (21:34) AI and financial advice: what may get faster and more personal (and what won’t) (26:43) What Schwab is building next and why it matters for your money (27:54) Staying calm and rational as things change RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here. Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson: The Rapid Rise of AI, Access to Private Markets and Building Winning Teams | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:39:04 | |
In this episode of Icons and Ideas, Peter Mallouk talks with Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson about the current forces reshaping investing and asset management.
Johnson shares her journey from working summer jobs in the firm’s mail room to leading a $1.7 trillion global investment firm. She discusses how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, why access to private markets is expanding beyond institutions, and what investors should understand about private equity and private credit.
They also explore leadership lessons from decades in financial services, how firms evaluate acquisitions, and why culture and collaboration matter when building successful teams.
This episode includes a paid advertisement purchased by a sponsor for placement on a Creative Planning podcast. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning.
(00:47) Jenny Johnson’s path from the mail room to CEO of Franklin Templeton (03:00) Career lessons from working across operations, technology and multiple parts of the business (05:47) AI, workplace change and why companies struggle to adopt new technology (08:58) Why private markets have grown so quickly and what’s driving the shift (13:11) Expanding access to private markets and what it could mean for investors (16:53) Private credit risks and what investors should understand (21:30) Enterprise software, AI disruption and the future of major platforms (24:04) AI, blockchain and tokenization: the next wave of financial innovation (26:09) How leaders evaluate when to acquire and when to build organically (28:43) The “3 C’s” Jenny looks for in acquisitions: client focus, collaboration and continuous improvement (32:52) Creating opportunities for women in leadership roles (35:59) What success looks like for Franklin Templeton in the next decade (36:45) The challenges and benefits of being a public-facing CEO and representing a global firm RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here. Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Inside Global Power: Secretary Condoleezza Rice on Leadership and the New World Order | 19 May 2026 | 01:02:46 | |
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joins Peter Mallouk to discuss leadership, global politics, China, Russia, NATO, 9/11, artificial intelligence and the future of world power. On this episode of Icons and Ideas, Condoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State and current Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, shares how growing up during the Civil Rights Movement shaped her leadership philosophy and reflects on the high-pressure decisions made during 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan and the evolving Russia-Ukraine conflict. The conversation also explores globalization, China’s rise, artificial intelligence, democracy and the future of international relations in a rapidly changing world. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Secretary Condoleezza Rice’s childhood in segregated Birmingham shaped her leadership mindset ✅ The behind-the-scenes decisions made during the first hours of 9/11 ✅ Why China, Russia, NATO and global power dynamics are rapidly changing ✅ How globalization, AI, and populism are reshaping the future economy and workforce This episode is brought to you by BlackRock. What if your portfolio could do more than invest for returns — what if it could help you keep more of what you earn? BlackRock’s Aperio tax-managed solutions are designed to help do just that. Learn more.
Timestamps
Key Takeaways 💎 Secretary Condoleezza Rice believes leadership starts with resilience, personal responsibility and refusing to see yourself as limited by circumstances. 💎 The aftermath of 9/11 fundamentally changed America’s national security infrastructure, intelligence coordination and global strategy. 💎 China’s rise, Russia’s aggression and the breakdown of globalization are reshaping international politics and economic systems. 💎 Rice believes the future of leadership will require balancing military strength, innovation, diplomacy and global cooperation.
This episode includes a paid advertisement purchased by a sponsor for placement on a Creative Planning podcast. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning.
About the Guest Condoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State and current Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, is a political scientist, diplomat, professor and author who previously served as both United States Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush. With decades of experience in foreign policy, global security, democracy and international relations, she remains one of the most influential voices in global leadership and world affairs. Connect with Condoleezza Rice LinkedIn: Condoleezza Rice on LinkedIn
Sponsored By: This episode is brought to you by BlackRock. What if your portfolio could do more than invest for returns — what if it could help you keep more of what you earn? BlackRock’s Aperio tax-managed solutions are designed to help do just that. Learn more. Connect with Peter Mallouk• X (Twitter): @PeterMallouk • X (Twitter): @CPIWealth • Watch the Full Icons and Ideas Playlist • Watch Signal or Noise on YouTube | |||
| Inside the Frame: Platon on What the World's Most Powerful People Reveal When the Camera Clicks | 02 Jun 2026 | 01:09:32 | |
World-renowned photographer Platon joins Peter Mallouk to discuss what the world's most powerful people reveal in front of the camera and what it tells us about human connection. On this episode of Icons and Ideas, Platon, one of the most celebrated portrait photographers alive and the official photographer to presidents, world leaders and cultural icons, shares how a dyslexic kid from a Greek village became the artist JFK Jr. personally brought to New York to help change American photography. The conversation explores what it takes to disarm the world's most guarded people, why vulnerability is a form of strength and how curiosity over judgment can change any room and any relationship.
What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Platon's Greek village childhood and dyslexia shaped his fearless approach to people ✅ What Clinton, Obama, Bush, Trump and Putin are really like behind closed doors ✅ The technique Platon uses to disarm even the most powerful people in the world ✅ Why business leaders, not politicians, are the real champions of our time This episode includes a paid advertisement purchased by a sponsor for placement on a Creative Planning podcast. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning
Timestamps (00:00) Platon on growing up between London and a Greek village (02:20) Dyslexia, running away from school and the corridor of no man's land (05:30) Art school, contour drawing and discovering photography (10:10) How a camera changes the dynamic in any room (14:40) JFK Jr., George Magazine and the deal that launched a career (19:48) Photographing President Clinton — and the moment that divided a nation (28:34) Politics as the new religion and the crisis of polarization (31:36) Why business leaders are the champions of our time (33:39) Dustin Hoffman, 200 white roses and people power (39:37) Photographing Putin — intimidation, the Beatles and a subliminal message (45:20) Egypt, the Arab Spring and building a studio in Tahrir Square (49:27) The Little Rock Nine and the photograph that hangs in the Smithsonian (52:47) Clinton, Obama, Bush, Carter and Trump — the presidents compared (1:02:20) The very first shoot: Anthony Hopkins, a panic attack and the lesson that changed everything
Key Takeaways 💎 True human connection requires going first — with honesty, openness and courage — regardless of who’s in the room. 💎 Power is a social construct, and the ability to see through it is what allows Platon to capture truth on film. 💎 Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the only currency that creates real trust between people. 💎 Business leaders, not politicians, are the force most capable of pulling a polarized society back together.
About the Guest Platon is one of the world's most celebrated portrait photographers, known for his iconic images of presidents, world leaders, activists and cultural figures. Born in London and raised between England and a small Greek village, Platon studied at Central Saint Martins before being discovered by John F. Kennedy Jr. for George Magazine. His work has appeared on the covers of TIME, The New Yorker, Esquire and Rolling Stone. His portrait of Putin is classified as extremist material in Russia — and sits on Putin's desk. He’s a passionate advocate for human rights, authentic connection and the power of curiosity over judgment. Connect With Platon Instagram: @platonphoto Website: platonphoto.com RESOURCES Follow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Follow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Browse through all our episodes here. Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts! | |||
| Carlyle CEO Harvey Schwartz| Leadership and the Future of Private Markets | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:55:14 | |
The following episode contains discussions about mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Please visit nami.org for more information or to connect with a mental health professional. What does great leadership look like in today's rapidly changing world? Harvey Schwartz believes it begins with opportunity, resilience, continuous learning and investing in people. On Icons and Ideas, Peter Mallouk sits down with Harvey Schwartz, CEO of Carlyle, to discuss leadership, private markets, investing, artificial intelligence and the mindset needed to succeed in uncertain times. Harvey shares his journey from a challenging childhood to leading one of the world's largest investment firms. He reflects on the mentors and opportunities that shaped his career, lessons from Goldman Sachs and why culture, trust and disciplined decision-making drive long-term success. Peter and Harvey also explore private equity, AI, global markets and the future of investing, offering practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and anyone looking to build resilience and lead with purpose. What You'll Learn✅ The leadership lessons that helped Harvey Schwartz become CEO of Carlyle ✅ Why resilience, mentorship and continuous learning are essential for leadership ✅ How private markets, private equity and AI are reshaping the future of investing ✅ The leadership habits that help organizations succeed during uncertainty This episode is brought to you by State Street Select Sector SPDR ETFs. Invest where you see opportunity with the 11 Select Sector SPDR ETFs. StateStreet.com Timestamps
🔹 Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about building trust, making thoughtful decisions and learning through adversity. 🔹 Private markets continue to create opportunities for investors seeking diversification, innovation and long-term value. 🔹 Artificial intelligence will transform business, but human judgment, culture and leadership will remain competitive advantages. 🔹 The most successful leaders embrace lifelong learning, seek mentorship and invest in developing great teams. About the GuestHarvey Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Carlyle, one of the world's leading global investment firms. Before joining Carlyle in 2023, he spent more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs, where he served as President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Global Co-Head of the Securities Division. Harvey is also an advocate for mental health research and leadership development through his work with One Mind. He earned his BA from Rutgers University and his MBA from Columbia University. Carlyle: carlyle.com LinkedIn: LinkedIn Harvey Schwartz Sponsored By: This episode is brought to you by State Street Select Sector SPDR ETFs. Invest where you see opportunity with the 11 Select Sector SPDR ETFs. StateStreet.com This episode includes an advertisement by the sponsor. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning. Connect with Peter MalloukWebsite: Peter Mallouk - President & CEO - Creative Planning
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| Morgan Housel: “The Psychology of Money,” Wealth and What Actually Makes You Rich | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:53:28 | |
What does it actually mean to be wealthy? Bestselling author Morgan Housel joins Peter Mallouk to explore why building wealth has less to do with intelligence and more to do with behavior, independence and understanding what money is really for. What You'll Learn in This Episode ✅ Why financial behavior can matter more than intelligence when building long-term wealth This episode is brought to you by Avantis Investors. Broad diversification and thoughtful implementation. Daily oversight and low fees. You don’t have to choose. Start saying “and.” Talk to your advisor about Avantis and visit avantisinvestors.com. Timestamps
🔹Financial success is behavioral. Intelligence and financial knowledge matter, but how you behave with money can ultimately matter even more. 🔹 Wealth is about independence. Morgan distinguishes being rich from being wealthy by the freedom your financial resources give you over your time and decisions. 🔹 Not every return belongs in a spreadsheet. Peace of mind, stability, flexibility and sleeping well at night can have tremendous value even when they aren't mathematically optimal. 🔹 Lead by example with money. When teaching children about finances, Morgan believes everyday behavior can have more influence than lectures about what they should or shouldn't do. About Morgan Housel Morgan Housel is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Psychology of Money, The Art of Spending Money, and Same As Ever. His books have sold over 12 million copies and have been translated into more than 60 languages. He is a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and winner of the New York Times Sidney Award. MarketWatch named him one of the 50 most influential people in markets. He's a partner at The Collaborative Fund and serves on the board of directors at Markel. Website: https://www.morganhousel.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Morgan-Housel LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgan-housel-5b473821
Sponsored By This episode is brought to you by Avantis Investors. With strategies designed around broad diversification, thoughtful implementation, daily oversight and low fees, Avantis helps investors say “and” instead of “or.” Talk to your advisor about Avantis and visit avantisinvestors.com. This episode includes an advertisement by the sponsor. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning. Connect with Peter MalloukWebsite: Peter Mallouk - President & CEO - Creative Planning
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