Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Intel’s recent stock surge, pointing to two key drivers: major alliances with the U.S. government and NVIDIA, and the launch of its highly praised Panther Lake processors.

In this episode, Amber Walsh, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, discusses trends shaping hospital M&A, private equity activity, regulatory headwinds, and why many leaders expect renewed momentum in the year ahead.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares 5 perspectives on whether a market crash is coming, including why the odds remain relatively low.

In this episode, Annie Yatch, Founder of North Star Leadership, shares how she helps founders and executives transform trauma driven survival patterns into clear, centered, and effective leadership. She discusses purpose driven leadership, nervous system regulation, and the skills leaders need to build thriving businesses without sacrificing health or relationships.

In this episode, Scott Becker outlines 13 core lessons on building strong businesses, including customer focus, team building, execution, and smart growth decisions.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses rebuilding his golf swing, bombing spectacularly on the course, and firing a therapist who dared suggest quitting the game.

In this episode, Dylan and Brett Werner share how they built Elevate Talent Advisors from the ground up, navigating early uncertainty, relying on relationships, and refining a people-first recruiting model. They also offer advice for employers and job seekers on finding the right fit, pursuing passion, and building sustainable careers in a changing market.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the 5 stocks that make up 65% of Berkshire Hathaway’s holdings Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca Cola, and Chevron.

In this episode, Scott Becker offers a brief message of gratitude for the friends and colleagues whose support fuels progress through both wins and challenges.

In this episode, Chris Papin, CPA & Attorney, Owner & Operator, Papin Speaks, shares insights on leadership, time management, and clarity, including how high performing business owners use their “168 hours”, balance execution with reflection, and stay disciplined through growth, setbacks, and change.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines the planning spectrum acting with no plan, minimal plans, or overly complex plans arguing that most success comes from intentional 80–90% planning followed by action.

In this episode, Rachel Axelrod, Speaker Coach, Event Producer, Attorney, Axelrod Consulting, LLC shares her journey from attorney to speaker coach and explains how storytelling, focus, and clarity help leaders connect more deeply with audiences.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down five key private equity trends, including softer fundraising, uneven exit activity, the rise of mega funds, and more.

In this episode, Scott Becker covers Berkshire Hathaway’s succession, 3 AI stocks to watch, and the lasting leadership impact of Lou Gerstner at IBM.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares a sports inspired story about performing under pressure, highlighting how Scott Levy delivered in a high stakes moment when it mattered most.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down why condo prices and sales are declining while the broader housing market holds up.

In this episode, Scott Becker explores the difference between being generous and being nice, and between being charming and being genuinely kind.

In this episode, Scott Becker takes a quick look at why Microsoft and Costco stand out as long term holdings and which tech giants could be first to reach a $5 trillion market cap.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses setting personal goals for 2026.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses the power of setting a small number of clear, simple goals, especially at the start of the year, and explains why narrowing your focus can lead to better execution and stronger results.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines what went wrong for names like Lucid, CarMax, Restoration Hardware, and MicroStrategy as they head into 2025.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the current economic landscape, highlighting strong stock market performance alongside rising unemployment, persistent inflation concerns, and the growing risks tied to record federal debt levels.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines Larry Ellison’s aggressive push to back a potential Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.

In this episode, Mike Harris, Chief Information Officer, and Erik Lyon, CEO of Feather River Tribal Health Center, discuss how their organization leverages AI and automation to streamline workflows, reduce provider burnout, and improve patient outcomes. They share lessons learned, early challenges, and the critical role of provider buy-in as they adopt tools that enhance both clinical efficiency and community health.

This episode is sponsored by NextGen Healthcare.

In this episode, Saurabh Bhansali, Partner at Health Velocity Capital shares how his firm identifies and scales market leading healthcare companies, highlights emerging investment themes like AI enabled services and revenue cycle management, and explains what he looks for in founders who thrive through disruption.

In this episode, Scott Becker explains how debt and leverage erased vast wealth in the case of billionaire Gary Winick, offering a cautionary lesson on financial risk.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses why investors are increasingly valuing Tesla for its broader platform including robotaxis rather than just its core EV business.

In this episode, Liz Hutson, Principal Consultant and Owner at EGH, LLC, shares why intentional rest is essential for effective leadership, especially in fast paced, high performance environments.

In this episode, Scott Becker looks at Nike’s recent stock decline and why the company needs a new star to reignite growth.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down this week’s biggest market and business developments, including rising unemployment, volatility in tech and AI stocks, Oracle’s sharp pullback, and more.

In this episode, David Pivnick, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, joins Scott Becker for a wide ranging conversation on MLB free agency, NBA roster building, NFL trade risks, and comeback stories.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses the rise in unemployment to its highest level in more than 4 years.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines Oracle’s recent stock decline and what it may signal about AI investment, data center spending, and broader market risk.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Ford’s nearly $19.5 billion writedown on its electric vehicle program and why the market has largely shrugged it off.

In this episode, Jeff Freedman discusses building strong teams, balancing strategy with daily execution, and the habits that drive long term success for CEOs and senior leaders.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines Elon Musk’s personal valuation crossing $600 billion, driven largely by SpaceX’s rising private market value and expectations for a future IPO.

In this episode, Holly Buckley, Chair of Healthcare at McGuireWoods LLP, shares insights on the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, goal setting in a changing market, and what she is watching across healthcare and private equity. She also previews the upcoming McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity Conference and discusses priorities shaping dealmaking in the year ahead.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the realities of consulting services, outlining when they truly add value, when they fall short as packaged products, and when they become costly and ineffective.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines whether Nvidia may still be undervalued despite being the world’s highest market cap company, strong free cash flow, and rapid revenue growth.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Alphabet’s standout performance and also highlights their lesser known SpaceX investment.

In this episode, Scott Becker explores Roomba’s sudden bankruptcy filing.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Robinhood’s sharp slowdown in November, with equity and crypto trading volumes dropping significantly despite the stock being up over 200% year to date.

In this episode, Scott Becker explores Carvana’s rapid rebound from its near bankruptcy in 2022.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the current trends, risks, and opportunities in private equity investing in healthcare.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews the Fed’s recent 25 basis point rate move.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Lululemon’s sharp decline in performance, the exit of CEO Calvin McDonald, and ongoing struggles with U.S. sales and merchandising.

In this episode, David Pivnick, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, discusses how he assesses talent, the importance of work ethic and leadership, and how to coach high performers while managing team dynamics.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Oracle’s sharp stock drop after a year of soaring AI driven gains.

In this episode, Amber Walsh of McGuireWoods, breaks down the current healthcare private equity landscape, including deal activity, value creation strategies, clinician alignment, and more.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses SpaceX’s potential trillion and a half dollar IPO and why its massive valuation is capturing market attention.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights the importance of fire starters, the high-drive innovators whose energy and focus push new ideas and companies off the ground.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the week’s top stories, including the bidding battle for Warner Brothers Discovery, IBM’s Confluent acquisition, expected Fed rate cuts, Medline’s $55 billion IPO, and Magnum’s $9 billion valuation as it spins out from Unilever.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews Medline’s move to go public on the NASDAQ.

In this episode, Stacy DiStefano, CEO of Consulting for Human Services, shares insights on scaling mission driven organizations, the rising sophistication of nonprofit M&A, and the leadership practices that help teams navigate rapid change with clarity and resilience.

In this epiosde, Scott Becker explains how IBM is working to reestablish itself as a major tech player by shifting deeper into AI and cloud.

In this episode, Lori Beth Irvin, Founder and CEO of LBIngenuity, shares lessons from her self-taught leadership journey, offering insights on building strong teams, fostering mentorship, shaping culture with intention, and managing risk while launching her own business.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses Zuckerberg’s approach to bold pivots and rapid course corrections shows how Meta continues to reinvent itself and drive long term growth.

In this episode, David Pivnick, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, shares how leaders can navigate complexity, build trust, and make sound decisions in a highly regulated healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Netflix’s ambitious plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, exploring how the deal could reshape its business model, strengthen cash flow, and reduce reliance on hit driven subscriber swings.

In this episode, Holly Buckley, Chair of Healthcare at McGuireWoods, discusses margin pressures, deliberate leadership, evolving state regulations, and the growing impact of AI as key forces shaping healthcare and private equity heading into 2026.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares 6 insights on today’s top market cap leaders, including the rise of Alphabet and Nvidia, Amazon’s challenges, and the companies poised to become the next generation of mega caps.

In this episode, Scott Becker reflects on team leadership, shares thoughts on building strong group culture, and closes with a brief stock update on Microsoft and Amazon.

In this episode, Brian Taylor, founder and CEO of Thinkspan, discusses building a groundbreaking platform for personal information management, the deep tech behind private on-device AI, and the leadership lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey from Kernel Seasons to Thinkspan.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the five essential stages of building a successful business, from idea and product development to revenue, profit, and scale.

In this episode, Jim Feinstein, CEO of ENT Partners, shares core leadership principles, lessons from decades in physician practice management, and strategies for balancing investor expectations, physician engagement, and sustainable growth in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the five largest market cap companies and offers five key observations on their recent performance, competitive pressures, and innovation needs.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down how high leverage on foreign exchanges turns small Bitcoin price moves into major gains or losses.

In this episode, Tom Mallon, General Partner at Perpetuate Capital, discusses his journey from founding Regent Surgical to pioneering ESOP based financing models, the long term value they create for employees, and how Perpetuate Capital helps founders transition their companies while preserving culture and strengthening future growth.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down 10 principles for starting and scaling successful companies, from finding product market fit and choosing the right niche to building strong teams and evolving as a founder.

In this episode, Scott Becker explains why mastery requires more than just logging hours, and emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice, expert feedback, and periodic course correction to truly improve skills and achieve meaningful progress.

In this episode, Howard Klieger, Founder and Managing Partner of Walled Lake Planning and Wealth Management, discusses his path from broker to planner, the psychology behind investing, and the importance of clear family communication and thoughtful portfolio design.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights why Alphabet stands out as the 2025 company of the year, pointing to its resilience in AI, soaring stock performance, and more.

In this episode, Scott Becker explains Apple’s steady gains driven by rising iPhone sales, a powerful ecosystem, and its place on Dan Ives list of top technology stocks to own.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Palantir’s continued rise as a leading AI driven government tech company.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights Dan Ives list of 10 standout technology stocks.

In this episode, Amber Walsh of McGuireWoods shares how innovation in healthcare, legal practice and firm leadership is reshaping the industry and energizing her work.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses how Tesla’s stock remains up despite falling car sales.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Google’s 68% year to date surge.

In this episode,Scott Becker highlights Urban Outfitters’ sharp rebound.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses how NVIDIA & Carvana are raising concerns over customer financing practices and whether their growth is truly sustainable.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Apple’s surge toward a $4.1 trillion valuation, NVIDIA’s recent losses, Google’s rapid rise in the chip market, and more.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares quick update on a strong market surge driven by big gains in Tesla and Google, plus more.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down a strong market surge, Google’s rise to the 3rd largest company by market cap, and a sharp jump in Tesla shares.

Scott Becker reflects on why many highly accomplished leaders are surprisingly accessible while some less accomplished individuals guard their time.

In this episode, Scott Becker argues that overspending on gifts is an unnecessary flex that can strain personal finances.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights 3 business news stories.

In this episode, Scott Becker reflects on the importance of self improvement and the power of simply starting again, even after setbacks, as a reminder that progress is always possible.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights the sharp pullbacks in both Oracle and Bitcoin.

In this episode, Scott Becker reflects on perseverance, seizing opportunity, and why the American Dream remains alive despite economic and societal challenges.

In this episode, David Pivnick, Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, discusses DOJ enforcement priorities, deal market momentum, how government slowdowns affect clients, and Chicago sports.

In this episode, Scott Becker covers the surprising 11% surge in Restoration Hardware’s stock.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses Walmart’s jump after raising guidance, Abbott’s $21 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, and Verizon’s plan to lay off 13,000 employees.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down the year to date performance of the Magnificent 7.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down a sharp market pullback driven by disappointing reactions to strong Nvidia earnings, weakening momentum among the Magnificent 7, and more.

In this episode, Liz Hutson of EGH, LLC discusses how leaders can address team misalignment, when to make a final attempt at realignment, and how to decide when it is time to part ways to protect team performance and morale.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down reasons physicians sell their practices to private equity; the need to cash out, hopes for stronger management, and situations where financial trouble forces a sale.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down several fast moving business and market stories including NVIDIA earnings, the continued Bitcoin slide, a proposed taxpayer payment tied to tariffs, and more.

In this episode, Paula Avenaim, broker and real estate expert at Baird and Warner, shares how authenticity, deep market knowledge, and resilient leadership have shaped her career in both Illinois and Florida.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses Bitcoin’s recent 12% slide.

In this episode, Scott Becker explores why the popular idea of early retirement is often misguided.