While discussions of US tariff policies dominated Q2 earnings calls to an unprecedented degree, another equally important trend is bubbling just under the surface in C-suites and on trading floors: concern that the economic uncertainty caused by tariff turmoil may lead to a downturn. That’s the conclusion of the third edition of the CEO Radar—a tool to help CEOs determine which issues truly deserve their time and attention. It unpacks the leading topics discussed on more than 4,500 earnings calls worldwide in Q2 2025, enabling chief executives to compare their agendas to those of their peers, and to the market’s expectations. On this episode of the CEO Radar Podcast, Edward Adams of Bloomberg Media Studios is joined by BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser and Mai-Britt Poulsen, Global Leader of BCGs Consumer & Retail Practice, to discuss how CEOs can build their resilience.

Listen to CEO Radar: https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive-story/bcg/the-ceo-radar-q3-2025

By the year 2035, we will likely be able to utilize AI to crunch complex data sets and produce far more accurate predictions of the future, for everything from stock market fluctuations to consumer trends. Already, meteorologists are using AI to improve weather forecasting—for instance, by more accurately predicting when a hurricane will make landfall. But BCG’s Alan Iny says this does not mean that business leaders will be able to dispense with planning for multiple scenarios. Predictions will never be perfect—and everyone will have access to the same tools—so strategic planning will remain critical even as it evolves in new ways.

Learn More:

Alan Iny: https://on.bcg.com/4fCNDo5

Are Leaders as Prepared for Strategic Risks as They Think They Are?: https://on.bcg.com/3AXqw8J

BCG on Corporate Finance and Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/496c3Ek

CEO Moments of Truth: https://on.bcg.com/ITMoT

GenAI on GenAI: https://link.chtbl.com/bcg-genai-on-genai?sid=IT

CEO Digest: https://link.chtbl.com/ceo-digest-bcg-show?sid=IT

What can ancient Greek myths teach us about modern leadership?

Kirsten Rulf has spent her career at the intersection of tech, policy, and public service.

In this episode, Kirsten shares how she found clarity in moments of uncertainty, why AI presents a major opportunity for the public good, and what it was like helping shape the EU’s landmark tech legislation.

Kirsten is a Partner and Associate Director at BCG. Before joining BCG, she advised German Chancellor Angela Merkel and served as head of digital policy in the German government, playing a key role in negotiating Europe’s AI and data laws.

Listen to In Her Ellement: https://lnk.to/bcg-in-her-ellement-series-link04

[1:26] A Big Win, Then The Hard Work Follows

[05:21] Potential of AI in Public Sector

[08:56] Roots In Ovid’s Metamorphosis

[12:09] From Journalism to CyberSecurity

[14:14] A Phone Call from Angela Merkel

[13:48] Navigating Career Changes and Mentorship

[19:23] “Hope is not a strategy”

[22:16] Reflections