Icons and Ideas with Peter Mallouk

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 (01:24) How early exposure to tech shaped Robert’s edge (02:44) Lessons from Wall Street that still apply today (03:50) Why enterprise software can be a durable investment (04:29) “No finish line” — the mindset behind continuous improvement (06:21) Davos takeaways that matter for markets (07:03) Using AI without giving away enterprise value (09:06) Enterprise software, explained in plain English (an insurance example) (10:51) When “mostly right” can cost you money (12:16) What investors are getting wrong about AI and subscription software (14:00) From seats to agents: what this shift means for growth and pricing (16:34) Why some software is so hard to replace (19:03) The skills that still pay off as AI reshapes services (22:40) A better way to trust your gut: test, learn, repeat (24:56) Building teams that keep up with constant change (27:00) Discipline and excellence — the advantage that compounds (28:53) Where innovation is happening now (and how to keep up) (31:43) The messy middle: what change looks like before it works (36:25) Why no sector stays safe forever — and what to do instead (39:16) The Morehouse moment — and a mindset you can use now   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! Signal or Noise Down the Middle

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)RESOURCESFollow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookFollow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookBrowse through all our episodes here.Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts!Signal or NoiseDown the Middle

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 systemsRESOURCESFollow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookFollow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookBrowse through all our episodes here:Like the Icons and Ideas podcast? Check out Peter’s other podcasts!Signal or NoiseDown the Middle

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 Introduction04:02 Why Jeremy argues stocks are the most stable asset class in the long term07:40 What bonds can be good hedges against09:16 The market, COVID-19 and the government’s response15:00 Why more than one-third of Americans are priced out of the housing market15:40 How deficit spending impacts the American economy21:10 Siegel’s take on the biggest threats to the American economy26:27 Trump’s tariffs and their impact on the economy34:53 Cryptocurrency and how it could change the U.S. payment system38:55 The shift toward private markets and equity40:17 Siegel’s take on what makes Americans exceptional RESOURCESFollow Peter on his social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookFollow Creative Planning’s social media accounts: X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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.

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.

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.