Foundations Before Acceleration - a Planning Aces Episode
In this Planning Aces episode, three CFOs—Kevin Rubin (Zscaler), Bruce Schumann (Universal Technical Institute), and Rizak Jalloh (Flowcast)—share how disciplined, foundation‑first approaches to planning and AI adoption drive growth and decision speed. Rubin emphasizes a centralized AI governance function that treats AI projects as a capital‑allocation portfolio, avoiding tool sprawl. Schumann stresses the need for solid data governance and ERP consolidation before layering AI, highlighting the CFO‑CIO partnership in redesigning business processes. Jalloh adds a platform‑first perspective, underscoring the importance of aligning AI tools with strategic finance objectives.
Automated, Insightful, and Connected: The Future of Finance with Hari Sankar, SVP of Applications Development at Oracle
In this episode, Oracle SVP Hari Sankar discusses how finance is evolving toward automation, AI‑driven predictive insights, and seamless connectivity. He explains that finance has been slower to adopt new tech due to its high standards for accuracy, governance, and...
#272 How to Move From Finance Leader to CFO, Richard Turner, GrowCFO Mentor
In this episode, Richard Turner, a seasoned finance professional and new GrowCFO mentor, shares his 40‑year, multi‑industry journey from accountant to CFO, highlighting how humility, core finance fundamentals, and curiosity enable successful sector transitions. He outlines the universal finance leader...
Avoid the Trap of Golden Handcuffs After You Sell
In this episode, Jacob Oros interviews serial entrepreneur James Gardner about his experience selling a manufacturing business and staying on as part of the acquiring company—a situation he describes as "golden handcuffs." Gardner shares how the post‑sale transition felt restrictive,...
When Lower Inflation Hurts
In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bonson examines the current U.S. economic landscape, focusing on the paradox of disinflation that may arrive in 2026 but could be economically painful. He breaks down recent data—including a weaker-than-expected GDP...
Software Update: AI Saas Scare Haunts Capital Markets
Recent AI upgrades, notably Anthropic’s Claude Co‑worker agent, are unsettling SaaS valuations and complicating IPO plans for many software firms. The devaluation of SaaS‑related loans is eroding the collateral base of collateralised loan obligations, with similar pressures hitting chemical‑sector loans....
The British Stock Riding the SpaceX Boom
The episode examines why the UK stock market is outpacing the US in 2026, highlighting insider trades at Raspberry Pi and M&S, and a surprising AI prospect in a Japanese toilet firm. Charlene Young warns listeners about fake celebrity investment ads...
Viva Loans Vegas: Blackstone's $3bn Re-Up for The Cosmopolitan Signals High-Tier CMBS Conviction
The episode examines Blackstone’s $3.05 billion CMBS refinancing of The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, highlighting the surge in high‑quality hospitality securitizations and the city’s enduring appeal to institutional investors. Guests Randy Plavajka and Shihao Feng explain how post‑pandemic destination resilience and a growing...
ETF State of the Union with Fidelity’s Craig Ebeling
In this episode, Nate Geraci discusses the current landscape of ETFs, highlighting trends such as fee compression, the rise of thematic and ESG funds, and the growing importance of technology-driven ETF solutions. He shares insights on how advisors can effectively...
Stop Falling in Love with the Deal: Guardrails for High-Volume Acquisitions with Birgitta and Lars Elfversson
In this episode Birgitta and Lars Elfversson share hard‑earned lessons from building and governing multiple roll‑up platforms, emphasizing the need for disciplined guardrails in high‑volume acquisition programs. They explain why small pipelines create decision pressure, how subtle drift can reshape...
Raj Parekh (Monad Foundation) on Stablecoins and The Next Era of Fintech (EP.702)
In this episode, Raj Parekh, Head of Stablecoins and Payments at Monad Foundation, discusses how enterprises can integrate stablecoins into their operations, weighing the prospects of building private corporate blockchains versus using existing networks. He explores whether the market will...
Employee Ownership as a Search Fund Advantage, Turner Wyatt of Small Capital
Turner Wyatt, founder and CEO of Small Capital, funds self‑funded searchers who embed employee ownership from acquisition day one. He argues that search fund deals can address income inequality while enhancing business performance by giving employees a stake. Small Capital’s...
1164: From Boardroom Lens to Operator Reality | Alex Melamud, CFO, Engine
In this episode, CFO Alex Melamud of Engine discusses how he brings a boardroom and private‑equity perspective to day‑to‑day operations, starting his day by reading customer NPS feedback before any financial metrics. He explains the evolving CFO role—from traditional governance...
37 | Why Retention Is Now Driving Software Company Valuations
In this episode, managing director Mike Lyon and senior associate Sarabeth Sandweiss discuss how retention metrics have become a pivotal factor in software company valuations, detailing the heightened scrutiny buyers now apply. They explain the investor framework for assessing retention,...
Private Equity Deal Teams and the Discipline to Win
In this episode of Best But Never Final, Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney break down the anatomy of a private‑equity deal team, outlining the typical roles—from associates and analysts to VPs, principals, and managing directors—and how responsibilities shift...
Greatest Hits: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Fractional CFO with Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group Limited
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group, explains how fractional CFOs give fast‑growing entrepreneurs access to senior finance expertise without the expense of a full‑time hire. She identifies the $2‑3 million revenue threshold as...
The Next Chapter After 400 Episodes
In this solo episode, host Kison Patel updates listeners on M&A Science’s evolution after reaching 400 episodes and nearly 100 founding members. He explains the shift of new episodes to Thursdays, details how the Intelligence Hub operates and why it...
1163: The Discipline Behind Transformational AI | Sue Vestri, CFO, CRIO
In this episode, Sue Vestri, CFO of CRIO, shares her journey from learning the clinical‑trial lexicon at Greenphire to scaling multiple growth‑stage companies, emphasizing the importance of disciplined finance embedded in the business. She recounts how she helped Greenphire expand...
🎥 AGM Unscripted: Goldman Sachs' Jeff Fine - An Investor’s Guide to Private Markets
Goldman Sachs Partner Jeff Fine discussed private markets and wealth channels on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast, recorded at the 2025 Alternatives Summit. He outlined the evolving landscape, the role of product specialists, AI’s impact, and the growing participation of...
379. Squaring the Macro Circle, The Retail Rationalization, Multifamily Recalibration, & Lodging Capital Rotation
The episode dissects the widening gap between strong headline macro data and underlying economic softness, highlighting flat retail sales, surprisingly resilient job numbers, and BLS revisions that erased roughly 900,000 jobs. It examines a wave of retail store closures—including Eddie...
Accounting for Sports Complexes (#390)
The episode breaks down the complex accounting landscape of a multi‑use sports complex, covering capital‑intensive asset acquisition, varied depreciation schedules, and the nuances of distinguishing capital improvements from routine maintenance. It explains revenue recognition across diverse streams—memberships, lesson packages, rentals,...
290. Tim Koller Reflects on Three Decades of Valuation at McKinsey
Tim Koller, co‑author of the seminal textbook *Valuation*, joins Andy West and Dago Diedrich to trace the book’s 30‑year journey from a simple three‑ring binder to a global standard for measuring corporate worth. He highlights enduring valuation principles—cash‑flow focus, risk‑adjusted...
Market View: Grab’s Profit Pivot, Budget 2026 Bets & The AI Crosscurrents
The episode examines Grab’s turnaround from losses to a US$268 million profit, its US$500 million share buyback, and investor concerns about growth and the US$425 million Stash Financial acquisition. It also breaks down Singapore’s 2026 budget, highlighting AI initiatives, tighter CDC payouts, and...
Surviving the Refinance Wall: Lessons From an $8B Portfolio with Sarah Esler, Managing Director of Mortgage Investments at AIMCo
In this episode, Sarah Esler, Managing Director of Mortgage Investments at AIMCo, walks listeners through the dynamics of an $8 billion institutional mortgage portfolio spanning Canada, the U.S., and Western Europe. She explains how pension‑backed capital is coping with historic spread...
Credit Crunch: Investor Survey 1Q - Fed, Earnings, Tech Supply
In this episode, Mahesh Bhimalingam of Bloomberg Intelligence and Ashwin Palta of BNY Investments discuss the Bloomberg Intelligence 1Q26 Investor Survey, highlighting the continued resilience of credit and high‑yield markets despite recent tariff shocks and rate volatility. They examine why...
🎥 AGM Unscripted: Goldman Sachs' Kristin Olson - The Evolution of Alternatives: Bridging Private Markets and Wealth
Goldman Sachs hosted its 2025 Alternatives Summit, spotlighting the integration of private markets into mainstream wealth management. In a podcast interview, Kristin Olson, Global Head of Alternatives for Wealth, outlined how the firm’s platform is scaling access to private equity,...
PETER LEWIS'MONEY TALK - Wednesday 11 February 2026
In this episode, Peter Lewis discusses Japan’s post‑election economic challenge: reviving growth without reigniting inflation that has already driven staple prices, like rice, to double. He is joined by Richard Harris of Port Shelter Investment Management and Tony Nash of...
🎥 AGM Unscripted: Goldman Sachs' James Reynolds - From Mezzanine to Moats: Over a Quarter-Century of Goldman Sachs Private Credit
In this episode, Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s global co‑head of private credit, James Reynolds, reflects on 25 years of building the firm’s private credit franchise, emphasizing a culture of disciplined underwriting, selective origination, and leveraging Goldman’s broader banking ecosystem. He explains...
#270 Why Almost Every New CFO Feels Like a Fraud, Alan Scholnick, GrowCFO Mentor
In this episode, Kevin Appleby talks with seasoned finance leader and GrowCFO mentor Alan Scholnick about why imposter syndrome is almost universal among newly appointed CFOs, especially during finance transformations. Alan draws on his 30‑year career at IKEA and his...
Why European Real Estate Credit Looks Safer than Equity in the New Cycle
In this episode, Clark Coffee, CIO of AllianceBernstein’s European commercial real estate debt business, explains how the European real estate market is transitioning after a reset in values and the end of ultra‑low borrowing costs. He argues that debt now...
M&A Earnouts for VC-Backed Companies
In this 30‑minute episode, the hosts break down how earnouts can bridge the valuation gap for VC‑backed companies during M&A transactions, emphasizing the need for solid legal structures rather than verbal promises. They walk listeners through the key clauses that...
Money and Me: S-REITs Are Back - But Not All Recoveries Are Equal
The episode examines the resurgence of Singapore REITs (S-REITs), highlighted by the iEdge S-REIT Leaders Index posting a 16.3% gain in 2025—the strongest performance since 2019. Host Michelle Martin and REIT specialist Kenny Loh discuss which property sectors are leading...
1159: Decision Velocity: The Hidden Advantage of Top-Performing Organizations | Dean Neese, CFO, Placer.ai
In this episode, Dean Neese, CFO of Placer.ai, discusses the concept of decision velocity—the ability of top‑performing organizations to make twice as many major decisions annually as their peers. He shares a pivotal moment early in his consulting career at...
The Messy, Tricky, Hairy Task of Economic Forecasting
In this 7‑minute episode, host David Brancaccio explores the reliability and usefulness of economic forecasting, debating whether such predictions are valuable or merely speculative. He discusses how fast‑moving news cycles can quickly render forecasts obsolete, yet argues that they still...
CFO EQ: How Leadership Takes Shape
In this 31‑minute episode of CFO Thought Leader, hosts explore how CFOs develop true leadership not through authority or technical skill but through moments that demand emotional intelligence. Interviews with leaders like Shelagh Glaser, John McCauley, and Joe Euteneuer reveal...
How Finance Shows Its Value Beyond Being the “No” Department | Maria Izurieta
In this episode, CJ interviews Maria Izurieta, CFO of Huntress, about redefining finance as a connective, people‑first function that unblocks growth rather than saying "no." Drawing on her experience across VC‑backed, PE‑owned, and public firms, Maria explains how she balances...
1157: From Deal Advisory to Operator: Learning the Hard Parts | Toby Driver, CFO, Ideagen
Toby Driver shares his journey from an apprenticeship in accounting to becoming CFO of Ideagen, highlighting how early hands‑on experience in audit and deal advisory taught him to dissect businesses quickly but left a blind spot about integration complexity. Moving...
American Friction
The episode examines the fallout from escalating tariff disputes between the United States and Europe, which have prompted investors to sell U.S. assets and trigger a sell‑off in global markets. It highlights Japan’s bond market stress as yields climb to...
How New Finance Leaders Navigate Transition and Build Confidence with Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO
In this episode, Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, guides new CFOs through the critical first hundred days, emphasizing the cultural shift from finance director to strategic leader. He outlines a structured onboarding plan, tactics for overcoming imposter syndrome,...
#267 Why Nonprofit Finance Is 10 Years Behind and How to Close the Gap with Ilana Esterrich, GrowCFO Mentor
In this episode, host Kevin Appleby talks with nonprofit finance veteran Ilana Esterrich about why nonprofit finance lags a decade behind for‑profit practices and how to modernize the CFO role. Ilana stresses that “no money, no mission,” urging nonprofits to...
Where Has Market Volatility Gone?
In this episode of Currency Exchange, host Brian Daingerfield and FX strategist Paul Robson examine why foreign‑exchange markets have become unusually calm despite major geopolitical headlines. They explore the pound’s recent outperformance versus the euro, the upcoming UK economic releases,...
The CFO Case for Probabilistic Forecasting With AI | Bruno Annicq
In this episode, CFO Bruno Annicq of Wellhub shares how he transformed the company’s forecasting by adopting an AI‑driven probabilistic ensemble model, moving the finance team beyond single‑scenario planning. He outlines his EMPOWER planning framework, emphasizing cash discipline, sustainable growth,...
286. The Cigna Group’s Brian Evanko on Improving Affordability and Prevention in Healthcare
In this episode, Cigna Group President and COO Brian Evanko discusses the twin challenges of healthcare affordability and prevention, emphasizing the disproportionate spend on chronic care in the U.S. He outlines how Cigna’s two growth platforms—Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth—are leveraging...
Could a Cap on Credit-Card Rates Really Hurt Consumers?
The episode examines President Trump's proposal to impose a temporary 10% cap on credit‑card interest rates, exploring the arguments from big banks that such a limit could restrict credit availability and disproportionately affect vulnerable borrowers. It also touches on soaring...
1155: Scaling Growth Without Sacrificing Outcomes | Bruce Schuman, CFO, Universal TechnicalInstitute
In this episode, Bruce Schuman, CFO of Universal Technical Institute, shares how his 27‑year finance career—shaped by Intel’s culture of "constructive confrontation"—taught him to frame decisions around customer impact and outcomes. He argues that FP&A should be an active player...
Market View: Profits, Premium Seats & a Check-In Button
In this episode, Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang dissect the paradox of strong earnings reports—JPMorgan Chase’s higher revenue but lower profit and Delta Air Lines’ premium‑travel‑driven profit surge—yet both stocks fell as market expectations outpaced results. They also examine notable...
#266 The CFO’s Secret Weapon Behind Higher Business Valuations: The Data Cube with David Whitcombe, Founder and Managing Director, Data...
In this episode, Kevin Appleby and data‑analytics expert David Whitcombe explain how a "data cube"—a unified, governed layer that pulls together ERP, CRM, and operational data—gives CFOs a single source of truth that drives higher valuations in private‑equity exits. By...
Goldman Sachs Exchanges: Outlook 2026 | Episode 1: The Big Picture
In the inaugural episode of Goldman Sachs Exchanges: Outlook 2026, senior economists Jan Hatzius and Dominic Wilson outline the macroeconomic forces expected to shape global growth and financial markets through 2026. They highlight three key trends: a gradual deceleration of...