Geri Cramer discusses the medical device industry's structure, innovation requirements, and global commercialization challenges. She explores the rigorous FDA approval process, reimbursement complexities with Medicare and private insurers, regulatory differences across international markets, and emerging AI applications in device development and patient diagnosis.

About the guest: Geri Cramer is Director of Health Economics and Market Access for the Endoscopy Division at Boston Scientific. She holds a PhD in Population Health from Northeastern University, an MBA from UMass Amherst, and began her career as a registered nurse. Her work focuses on translating medical research into practice and guiding innovative healthcare technology development.

$300 billion has already migrated from traditional banks into stablecoins, threatening the credit system through fractional reserve dynamics—but DeFi's rapid growth comes with serious vulnerabilities. From the $120 million Balancer hack to stolen private keys and the ironic centralization of “decentralized” platforms, security failures are costing billions while regulators scramble to prevent another 2008-style crisis. Professor Ravi Sarathy examines how banks are fighting back, why DeFi's biggest threat may be its own security flaws, and what regulatory frameworks can balance innovation with systemic stability.

ABOUT THE HOST: Ravi Sarathy is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business and author of “Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain” (MIT Press). A crypto enthusiast who follows the industry closely, he brings academic rigor to understanding blockchain's business implications and systemic risks.

Decentralized finance is processing over $50 billion in transactions monthly—without a single bank involved. DeFi uses blockchain technology and smart contracts to eliminate intermediaries, enabling peer-to-peer financial services that are faster, cheaper, and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Professor Ravi Sarathy breaks down how it works, from digital wallets and $300 billion in stablecoins to decentralized exchanges and automated lending that's bringing financial services to 1.4 billion unbanked people worldwide.

ABOUT THE HOST: Ravi Sarathy is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He is the author of “Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain” from MIT Press and an expert in global strategy, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. A self-described crypto enthusiast, he follows the industry closely and brings academic rigor to understanding blockchain's business implications.

In this episode, Professor Ravi Sarathy explains how stablecoins work, what the GENIUS Act changed, and why USDT and USDC now control $300 billion in market cap. He also explores the risks: What happens if everyone tries to redeem at once? Is it healthy for two companies to dominate global digital payments? And why don't stablecoin holders have the same protections as bank depositors? Whether you're a business leader evaluating cross-border payment options or an investor trying to understand the stablecoin landscape, this episode cuts through the complexity.

RESOURCES: Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain (MIT Press): https://mitpress.mit.edu D'Amore-McKim School of Business: https://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu

ABOUT THE HOST: Ravi Sarathy is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He is the author of “Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain” from MIT Press and an expert in global strategy, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. He is currently working on a new book on global payments.

Whether you're an investor evaluating crypto assets or a business leader exploring blockchain applications, this episode maps out where Ethereum fits in the digital currency landscape. RESOURCES: Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain (MIT Press): https://mitpress.mit.edu D'Amore-McKim School of Business: https://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu ABOUT THE HOST: Ravi Sarathy is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He is the author of “Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain” from MIT Press and an expert in global strategy, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. He is currently working on a new book on global payments.

In this episode, Professor Ravi Sarathy breaks down the three motives for holding money—transaction, investment, and speculation—and explains why Bitcoin succeeds at some and fails at others. He also explores why Bitcoin's 21 million cap matters, what Fidelity's cycle analysis reveals about where prices are heading, and whether digital currencies can truly hedge against government debt and currency devaluation.

RESOURCES: Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain (MIT Press): https://mitpress.mit.edu D'Amore-McKim School of Business: https://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu ABOUT THE HOST: Ravi Sarathy is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He is the author of “Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain” from MIT Press and an expert in global strategy, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. He is currently working on a new book on global payments.

Professor Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra examines the global shift toward state capitalism, exploring how governments use prices, mandates, and ownership to control economies. He discusses the pendulum swing between regulation and deregulation, national champions and sovereign wealth funds, China's economic model, and strategies for multinationals competing against state-owned enterprises in an era of increasing government intervention.

About the guest: Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra is the CEM Chair of Global Sustainability and Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. A fellow of the Academy of International Business and editor of The Oxford Handbook of State Capitalism and Firm Strategy, his research examines how institutions and government ownership impact internationalization and firm performance.

Whether you're a supply chain executive navigating tariff uncertainty, an international business professional tracking trade policy shifts, or a student studying global governance, this episode reveals how international law actually works behind the scenes—and why 2025's trade tensions may ultimately strengthen global cooperation

About the guest: Sonia Rolland is Professor of Law and Business at Northeastern University School of Law and the D'Amore-McKim School of Business. Her research focuses on international economic law, sustainable development, and global governance, earning her Northeastern University's award for Excellence in Research and Creative Innovation. She is the author of three books, including “Development at the WTO” (Oxford University Press) and “Emerging Powers in the International Economic Order” (Cambridge University Press), and serves as editor of ASIL Insights for the American Society of International Law.

Learn more about Sonia Rolland: https://law.northeastern.edu/faculty/rolland/ Sonia Rolland's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Powers-International-Economic-Cambridge/dp/1107569753 International Law: 100 Ways It Shapes Our Lives (ASIL): https://www.asil.org/resources/100Ways

Four Northeastern professors discuss major business disruptions of 2025 and critical predictions for 2026. They examine whether massive AI investment constitutes a market bubble, how China's efficient AI models challenge Western companies, workforce transformation as middle management erodes, unprecedented supply chain volatility from tariffs and geopolitical tensions, and why human skills become more valuable as AI advances.

About the panel: Paula Caligiuri specializes in global leadership and cultural agility. Ravi Sarathy focuses on blockchain and biotech innovation. Nada Sanders is a supply chain expert and author of the forthcoming Supply Chain Management with AI for Managers. Kwong Chan is Executive Director of the DMSB AI Strategic Hub and co-author of Break the Wall.

Professor Kwong Chan discusses practical AI implementation strategies for businesses, including the build versus buy decision for AI systems, leveraging proprietary data for competitive advantage, understanding AI bias, and the shift from technology adoption to problem-solving approaches. He shares insights from the DMSB AI Strategic Hub on empowering employees through experimentation and developing AI capabilities through local computing resources.

About the guest: Kwong Chan is Academic Specialist in Marketing and Executive Director of the DMSB AI Strategic Hub at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He holds a PhD from Michigan State University, previously worked at Nielsen, and has consulted with Samsung, Goodyear, Visa, Nike, and General Motors. He co-authored Break the Wall: Why and How to Democratize Digital in Your Business.