What if the biggest risk in retirement planning isn’t market volatility—but believing you’re prepared when you’re not?

In Episode 38 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Renee Scherzer interviews Philip Chao on the core philosophy behind his book From Save to Safe.

Drawing on decades of fiduciary experience, Philip challenges the traditional “401(k) mindset” and outlines a path to reach sustainable retirement income.

While modern systems have made it easier than ever to save, Philip argues they have most still under save and the system has not solved for what actually matters: opportunities and distribution methodologies in generating sustainable income in retirement.

Using the Save to Safe framework, this conversation explores how “mindless participation” under the current employer sponsor defined contribution set up —combined with system design—can create a false sense of security and leave participants underprepared.

Key insights include:
• Why saving is only the first phase—not the outcome
• How the current system can create the illusion of readiness
• The hidden risks behind mindless participation
• Why fiduciary responsibility must extend beyond plan design
• How behavior and system structure together shape outcomes

📘 Get the book From Save to Safe: https://www.amazon.com/Save-Safe-Personalized-Fragility-Resilience-ebook/dp/B0FWXCMGQD

Listen to the full episode to understand why retirement planning doesn’t end with saving—and what it really takes to move from Save to Safe.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

Is the comfortable path actually the riskiest choice we can make?

In Episode 37 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes entrepreneur Lily Vittayarukskul for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the courage to step outside expected paths.

Lily’s journey began unusually early — starting college at 14 and interning at NASA as a teenager. After a family health crisis reshaped her perspective, she redirected her ambitions toward building technology solutions that address systemic challenges in healthcare.

Key insights include:

• Why comfort can disguise long-term risk
• How unconventional paths create unexpected opportunities
• The role of personal experiences in shaping entrepreneurial missions
• Why founders must embrace uncertainty rather than avoid it
• How individuals can rethink risk in careers and life

This episode explores how purpose, risk, and growth often emerge when we move beyond what feels comfortable.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

In Episode 36 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Paula Campbell Roberts of KKR to unpack the economic realities shaping American households.

With a data-driven and human-centered perspective, the conversation dives into:
• The uneven impact of inflation and why asset holders fared differently
• What rising credit card and auto delinquencies signal about consumer stress
• How wage growth, labor participation, and job switching have evolved
• Shifts in household savings post-COVID
• Why behavioral insights matter as much as economic indicators

Tune in for a grounded look at how consumers are navigating today’s economy—and what the data is really telling us.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

What does power look like in an age defined by artificial intelligence, geopolitical rivalry, and rapid technological acceleration?

In Episode 35 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Brian Wong for a compelling discussion on how AI is reshaping global order, the responsibilities of those who wield influence, and the moral frameworks needed to make sound decisions in complex systems.

Key insights include:
• How AI alters power structures between nations, institutions, and individuals
• Why moral clarity matters more than ever in high-stakes environments
• The benefits and risks of adopting AI at scale
• How leaders can balance innovation with responsibility and restraint
• Why humility, reflection, and well-defined frameworks improve decision-making
• Where geopolitical competition is headed — and what it means for markets

This episode offers a grounded, human-centered exploration of the forces shaping our future and the ethical considerations that must guide our path forward.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

What does it really mean to live longer — and how do we prepare for a future defined by extended lifespans?

In this episode of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Surya Kolluri, Head of the TIAA Institute, for an in-depth discussion on longevity, retirement planning, cognitive health, and the evolving realities of aging societies.

Key insights include:
• The rise of longevity literacy and why so few people understand their true lifespan
• How to build longevity fitness across financial, physical, cognitive, and social dimensions
• The deep connection between health and wealth — and why disparities are widening
• Why planning should focus on income stability, not just accumulated savings
• The growing threat of elder fraud and cognitive decline
• How social connection dramatically reduces mortality risk
• The emergence of age-friendly cities, intergenerational learning, and the longevity economy

Tune in for a grounded, human-centered conversation on how longer lives will reshape families, institutions, and society — and how each of us can prepare with clarity and intention.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

What does it take to retire well in a world where people are living longer, working differently, and facing new financial realities?

In Episode 33 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Catherine Collinson, CEO and President of the Nonprofit Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, to explore how individuals, employers, and policymakers can collaborate to improve retirement readiness and financial wellness.

Key insights include:

• How longevity is transforming retirement expectations
• Why financial wellness is more than savings — it’s confidence and control
• The evolving role of employers in helping workers plan for the future
• Generational perspectives on saving, investing, and aging
• What we can all do to create a more secure and purposeful retirement

Tune in for data-driven insights and practical wisdom from one of the nation’s leading voices on the future of retirement.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

What does it take to lead responsibly in today’s complex world? In Episode 32 of the Tao of Chao Podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Don Trone, founder of the Behavioral Governance Institute, to discuss the principles of fiduciary leadership and the importance of behavioral governance.

Key insights include:

• Why fiduciary duty is best understood as a standard of character, not just compliance
• How behavioral governance helps leaders align decisions with values
• The importance of ethics, accountability, and trust in financial services
• Lessons from Don’s career advancing fiduciary responsibility and governance frameworks
• Why stewardship and leadership are inseparable in finance, business, and beyond

This wide-ranging conversation is essential listening for investors, advisors, and anyone who wants to understand the deeper meaning of responsible leadership.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

Are tariffs, immigration shifts, and AI adoption quietly reshaping the U.S. economy?

In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Dr. Onsel Gulbiten, global macro strategist, for a deep discussion on the forces driving growth and inflation.

They explore:

• How tariffs and immigration policies are reshaping U.S. growth potential
• Why the economy may be settling into a new stasis of slower expansion
• The accelerating role of AI in productivity and labor substitution
• The Federal Reserve’s evolving framework
• Whether we are headed toward stagflation, or something close to it

Tune in for an expert perspective on the “new normal” of slower growth, higher costs, and shifting global dynamics.

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.