Best Octus Podcasts (2025)

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EP 20 | Sonder’s Chapter 7 Meltdown, Meta’s Scam Economy & The Pluribus Hive 45:32

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17d ago45:32

45:32

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open with Sonder’s spectacular implosion, where a Chapter 7 filing and a broken Marriott integration turned hotel stays into evacuation drills. At (02:45), they unpack why guests were kicked out mid stay, how the deal fell apart, and why travel bankruptcies always hit consumers the hardest. At (12:07), they turn to …

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EP 10 | Petrofac’s Administration, Kloeckner Pentaplast’s Texas Pre-Pack, and Great British Railways 23:05

29d ago23:05

23:05

Phoebe Appenteng opens at and Katie McMahon sets the Update Corner format at (00:08). Petrofac begins at (00:52): a once solid engineering group tries to buy time under Part 26A, then loses the anchor TenneT contract and tips into High Court administration. The segment covers expected recoveries, dissenting creditors, and whether Saipem and Samsung…

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EP 19 | MTV Ridiculousness, Starlink Takes Orbit & The Recession Hot Dog 54:00

30d ago54:00

54:00

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open with the bankruptcy of MTV’s Ridiculousness, the show that turned cultural decline into a business model. Thrill Intermediate LLC is in Chapter 11 after fourteen years and forty-six seasons, and Bloomberg’s sloppy redaction reveals Rob Dyrdek earning more than thirty-two million dollars a year. The hosts break …

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EP 18 | First Brands’ $2B Vanish, Publishers Clearing House Bankruptcy & Paul Thomas Anderson’s America 50:28

2M ago50:28

50:28

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open with the kind of week that makes “crisis” sound quaint. First Brands’ auto parts empire gets gutted by a refinancing gone sideways, two billion dollars missing, and more double-pledged inventory than a payday loan strip mall. With founder Patrick James shown the door and CRO Charles Morris dragged off the bench…

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EP 09 | Merlin’s Debt Rollercoaster and Ukraine’s Corporate Resilience 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

Merlin Entertainments might be best known for Legoland and Madame Tussauds, but at 00:00:17, the magic starts to fade. Phoebe Appenteng and Katie McMahon unpack how a 2027 refinancing, falling EBITDA, and a triple C downgrade have turned the world’s second-largest theme park group into a test of financial creativity. By 00:06:55, the sale of Lego D…

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EP 17 | First Brands Collapses, Argentina’s $20B Lifeline, and Why Failure Wins 44:41

2M ago44:41

44:41

By Octus

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EP 08 | Intralot, Tullow, and the Rapid-Fire Reality of Europe’s Credit Markets 34:36

2M ago34:36

34:36

Phoebe Appenteng and Katie McMahon open with Intralot’s groundbreaking return to the primary markets, four years after executing Europe’s first aggressive liability management exercise. What began as a distressed Greek gaming company has transformed into a case study in creditor-led restructuring tactics. Nikhil Varsani, Financial Analyst at Octus,…

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EP 16 | Tricolor Collapse, QVC’s TikTok Gamble & Kawhi Fallout 57:42

2M ago57:42

57:42

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open in Dallas with the collapse of Tricolor Auto Group (02:58). Once a major subprime auto lender and used car chain catering to Hispanic communities across the Southwest, Tricolor filed Chapter 7 overnight, shuttering 65 dealerships. Allegations of double-pledged collateral, warehouse loan defaults, and immigratio…

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EP 15 | Kawhi Leonard in Bankruptcy Court, Spirit on the Brink, and Disqualified Counsel Provisions 1:12:52

3M ago1:12:52

1:12:52

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open in Los Angeles with the biggest sports bankruptcy crossover in years (02:58). NBA star Kawhi Leonard faces scrutiny over a $28 million endorsement deal with now bankrupt tree planting company Aspiration Partners (CTN Holdings). What began as a standard corporate restructuring has turned into a potential salary …

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EP 07 | Aggregate Restructuring, Prax Collapse, and Autumn Check-In 19:57

3M ago19:57

19:57

Phoebe Appenteng and Katie McMahon open with the landmark Aggregate case (02:18), where a German court ruling has cast doubt on London’s position as Europe’s restructuring capital. What began as a standard Part 26A restructuring plan has turned into a jurisdictional battle that could reshape cross-border insolvency. A Berlin-based developer’s billi…

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EP 06: Klöckner liquidity crunch and Selecta’s Dutch court battle 28:45

3M ago28:45

28:45

This week Phoebe Appenteng is joined by a fresh voice, Katie McMahon, as co-host. They open with Klöckner Pentaplast at (01:21), where a refinancing has slipped into a liquidity crisis. The German packaging group is facing €79.4 million in overdue invoices and €1.7 billion in 2026 maturities. With leverage at 8.7x and operations in decline, the deb…

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EP 14 | Uncle Nearest Fallout, Stoli Valuations, K-Pop Demons and Dad Core 48:55

3M ago48:55

48:55

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open in Tennessee with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey's court-ordered receivership. What began as a celebrated brand story has turned into missing collateral, questionable accounting, and a Martha's Vineyard real estate controversy. Fawn Weaver faces accusations of overstating barrel inventory by $21 million, transfe…

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EP 5 | The Builder’s Mindset: Jack Keck on Product, People & Process 1:06:45

3M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

What happens when a small-town kid with a pink mohawk trades the Marines for Goldman Sachs? Jack Keck, Head of Application Development at Octus, proves that unconventional paths often lead to breakthrough leadership. From sleeping under his desk during the Marcus launch to building the Apple Card infrastructure, Keck's journey challenges everything…

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EP 13 | Dolphins in Court, Vegas on the Edge, and the Mailman 56:17

4M ago56:17

56:17

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open in Florida with the bankruptcy of the Miami Seaquarium, owned by Mexico-based The Dolphin Company. What began as a typical debt-fueled acquisition has spiraled into one of the most contentious Chapter 11 cases of the year. Former CEO Eduardo Albor is accused of obstructing the current management, withholding co…

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EP 04 | How John Erban Creates Culture Where People Thrive 44:10

4M ago44:10

44:10

John Erban, our Chief People Officer, knows that culture is more than just a buzzword. His path to leadership, shaped by creativity, resilience, and personal challenges, has given him a unique perspective on how to build an environment where people truly thrive. In this episode of People in Focus, John shares: How his empathetic leadership was forg…

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EP 12 | Brightline Trains, Credit Scores & Coldplay Confusion 45:58

4M ago45:58

45:58

This week, Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt dive into the financial and legal mess behind Brightline, the private high-speed rail system that’s taken on billions in debt while becoming the deadliest passenger train in America. They explore Fortress’s role, Florida’s rail history, and why local governments are now being asked to help foot the bill (…

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EP 11 | Del Monte in the Can, Consumer Spending’s Tapped & The IP Is Out of Ideas 50:29

5M ago50:29

50:29

This week on The Octus Download, Jason and Kevin start with the bankruptcy of the week Del Monte (01:06) a 138-year-old brand now reduced to DIP fights Honorable Judge Michael B. Kaplan, and a TikTok-fueled wave of canned-fruit nostalgia. They unpack the LME-to-Chapter 11 pipeline and how the case became a referendum on DIP fees, minority lender fi…

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EP 03 | Exploring Leadership, Justice, and Journalism with Jennifer Merritt 1:02:30

5M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

What does it take to go from rural Florida to the global stage of media and business leadership? Jennifer Merritt, Octus’ Global Editorial Strategy Lead, has lived it all. This episode of Inside Octus: People in Focus explores her remarkable trajectory, where grit and determination shaped every chapter of her life. Join us as Jennifer discusses: He…

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EP 10 | Social Security, Chicken Sandwiches & $10B Lakers Math 46:49

5M ago46:49

46:49

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhart kick off with the three words haunting every American retirement plan: Social Security shortfall. They unpack the insolvency date, demographic headwinds, trillion-dollar investment fantasies, and why Twitter’s sovereign wealth fund bros need to chill (01:30). Then it’s a check-in on bankruptcy’s greatest hits Purdue,…

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EP 05: AI Takeover Credit Shakeup and the Foundever Fallout 39:46

6M ago39:46

39:46

AI isn’t knocking politely—it’s blowing the doors off European credit. Chris Haffenden and Phoebe Appenteng go deep into how generative AI is hammering the business process outsourcing sector, with Foundever and Transcom debt trading at distressed levels, and bondholders scrambling for clarity. Klarna's call center pivot? Already reversed. But the …

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EP 09 | Wildfires, Yale’s $6B Exit & the Emotional Therapy of Stick 56:39

6M ago56:39

56:39

Hedge funds are clashing with California regulators over wildfire subrogation claims and the fallout could reshape how distressed assets interact with public recovery funds. Jason and Kevin unpack the PG&E playbook, state-level backlash, and who’s really getting paid (01:30). Then Yale’s $6B endowment unwind takes center stage, as the Ivy League ti…

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EP 04: Restructurings, Tariffs, and the Rise of Rizz 33:05

6M ago33:05

33:05

In Episode 5 of Credit Lens: Europe & Beyond, hosts Chris Haffenden and Phoebe Appenteng dig into the latest wave of telecom restructurings, global tariff tensions, and the financial fallout hitting oil producers like Tullow. They break down Altice International’s debt position and ask whether Patrick Drahi is about to run the same playbook again. …

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EP 03: Designer Debt, Petrofac’s Power Play, and the Fish Doorbell of Amsterdam 19:24

6M ago19:24

19:24

In Episode 4 of Credit Lens: Europe & Beyond, hosts Chris Haffenden and Phoebe Appenteng break down how fashion, restructuring law, and unexpected animal tech are all making waves in European credit. They open with the rise and fall of high-yield fashion. From Golden Goose’s tight issuance to Isabel Marant’s sinking notes, they examine which brands…

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EP 02: LMEs in Europe, Casino’s Post-Restructuring Struggles, and the Sofa Heard Round the Village 21:15

6M ago21:15

21:15

In Episode 3 of Credit Lens: Europe & Beyond, hosts Phoebe Appenteng and Chris Haffenden tackle the big credit themes shaping European markets right now. They start with Cerba and the rising fear of LMEs in Europe, questioning whether Altice-style tactics are becoming the new normal. Then it’s on to French retail, where Casino’s failed turnaround h…

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EP 08 | Klarna Bought the Groceries, Saks Lost the Plot, TikTok Called a Recession 44:20

6M ago44:20

44:20

This week’s economy? Klarna-fried. Retail? Collapsing in real time. Streaming? Somehow deep. Let’s go. (00:57) Buy Now, Cry Later The Klarna-core economy is here. Jason and Kevin unpack how buy-now-pay-later went from sneakers to cereal—and what that says about consumer debt, regulators, and late-stage capitalism. (07:56) Debt Securitization & Swed…

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EP 02 | Inside Kent Collier 55:13

6M ago55:13

55:13

Jenny Bain sits down with Kent Collier not the CEO, not the founder, but the person. In his most personal conversation yet, Kent opens up about the weight of building Octus, the legacy of his parents, what he’s still learning as a father, and why he hasn’t taken an out-of-office in over a decade. He shares what drives him, what haunts him, and why …

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EP 01: Defaults, DPI, and Defense Budgets: Europe’s Credit Crossroads 29:46

6M ago29:46

29:46

In the premiere of Credit Lens: Europe & Beyond, hosts Phoebe Appenteng and Chris Haffenden zoom out from single-name headlines to explore the bigger themes shaping European credit. They unpack Petrofac’s restructuring chaos, decode the rise of DPI as private equity’s pressure point, and explain why IPO chatter might be more about signaling than ac…

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EP 07 | Bourbon Is Aging Poorly, Bayer’s In Trouble, and The Pope Might Be a Sox Fan 1:02:17

7M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

(01:11) Bayer is back in the headlines, and not for aspirin. Jason and Kevin dive into the $11 billion Roundup litigation mess, Monsanto’s haunting legacy, and the legal gymnastics happening in courts (and potentially Chapter 15). (12:13) Then it’s bourbon time. Patrick Mohan joins to talk about the collapse of Kentucky Owl, bourbon’s overinflated …

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EP 06 | Vegas Has an Identity Crisis and Cruise Ships Won’t Die 57:53

7M ago57:53

57:53

Las Vegas is booming on paper but something feels off. Meanwhile, cruise demand keeps soaring, and Red Dye No. 3 has entered the chat. At (00:25), Jason and Kevin break down why the Vegas Strip feels more like a branding experiment than a destination. By (10:23), they unpack how nostalgia, real estate shifts, and declining food service are reshapin…

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EP 05 | Coachella on Installments, Tariff Tumult, and My Friends and Neighbors 47:16

8M ago47:16

47:16

This week on The Octus Download, Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt tackle the financial storm building around tariffs and why they’re breaking more than just trade. At (00:57), they dig into how tariffs are freezing capital markets, stalling M&A activity, and forcing companies to shelve sale processes. By (06:00), Jason lays out why the current mome…

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EP 04 | Tariffs, LMEs, Hooters & White Lotus Walk Into a Market 52:23

8M ago52:23

52:23

In Episode 4 of The Octus Download, hosts Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt tackle a volatile week in credit markets, corporate scandals, and cultural reflections. They begin with a breakdown of the unexpected ruling in the Johnson & Johnson talc case, before analyzing the financial restructuring behind Hooters’ bankruptcy and the executive pay scan…

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EP03 | How to Kill a Company and Keep the Brand Alive 52:23

9M ago52:23

52:23

Joanne Fabrics went bankrupt. Forever 21 collapsed again. Walgreens just sold for billions. But the brands? Still alive and kicking. At [01:15], Jason and Kevin break down why profitable companies fail and how private equity pulls it off [03:50]. By [05:45], they explain how today’s retail brands survive without stores—or employees. At [12:00], the…

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EP02 | How the Rich Play by Different Rules—LME Loopholes, Purdue’s Endgame & White Lotus Realities 50:24

9M ago50:24

50:24

This episode dives into the latest Liability Management Exercise (LME) loopholes shaking up debt markets (2:14), and why the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in Serta is just the beginning of a wild restructuring playbook (5:41). We then break down the endgame for Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson’s talc saga (15:07)—are these settlements real resolutions,…

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EP 01 Welcome to Inside Octus Where People Shape the Story 23:15

9M ago23:15

23:15

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Inside Octus: People in Focus, where we dive deep into the stories, journeys, and experiences of the people who make Octus what it is today. Hosted by Jenny Bain, this series is all about transparency, culture, and growth both within the company and beyond. In this first episode, Jenny sits down with Tanya Hubbar…

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EP01 | Trumps $3T Shock, Bankrupt Brands & The Luka Dončić “Fraud” Theory—What It All Means 39:07

9M ago39:07

39:07

Welcome to the debut episode of The Octus Download, where we break down the biggest credit market stories, cut through the financial noise, and keep things refreshingly real. In this episode, we dive straight into the Trump administration’s shocking $3 trillion federal funding freeze (5:00) and its chaotic impact on Medicaid, state budgets, and the…

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UBS’ Amir Vardi on Rate Cuts, CLO Outlook, and Market Volatility 43:16

1+ y ago43:16

43:16

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Amir Vardi, managing director and head of structured credit for the credit investments group at UBS Asset Management (formerly Credit Suisse Asset Management) joins Reorg’s Hugh Minch to discuss the outlook for the CLO market in the face of a more challenging macroeconomic environment.Vardi discusses the impact …

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Jim Schaeffer on Market Volatility, Dividends & Liability Management 37:53

1+ y ago37:53

37:53

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Reorg's Katherine Schwartz speaks to Jim Schaeffer of Aegon Asset Management, where Jim is the global head of leveraged finance and serves as a portfolio manager for the various leveraged finance strategies. They discuss the recent volatility in markets, how anticipated rate changes might affect the market and M…

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Insights into European Direct Lending with Patrick Ottersbach 22:19

1+ y ago22:19

22:19

Join Oscar Laurikka, Deputy Head of Private Credit and Deal Origination at Reorg, as he sits down with Patrick Ottersbach, Head of Macquarie Capital Private Credit in Europe, to delve into the intricacies of European direct lending. In this episode, Patrick talks about the history and evolution of direct lending at Macquarie, the importance of a fl…

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Mohammed Murad of PT Asset Management: H1’24 High-Yield Munis, Deal Criteria, H2’24 Opportunities 32:03

1+ y ago32:03

32:03

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Reorg's Hoa Nguyen speaks with Mohammed Murad, director of municipal credit research at PT Asset Management about high-yield muni performance in the first half of 2024 and what to expect in the upcoming months. Hoa and Mohammed also discuss criteria for an attractive healthcare or industrial development deal and…

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SunPower's Chapter 11 Rumors, MultiPlan's Strategic Moves, and Steward Health's Hospital Closures 9:04

1+ y ago9:04

9:04

This week SunPower Corp. is preparing to file chapter 11 to pursue in-court asset sales, Steward Health plans to close two Massachusetts hospitals in the absence of viable bids, MultiPlan is working with Guggenheim Securities to explore balance sheet options because of mounting legal battles, and other interesting developments in the restructuring …

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Javier Garibay Discusses Navigating Unique Challenges of M&A and Commercial Bankruptcy in Mexico 35:02

1+ y ago35:02

35:02

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Javier Garibay, a senior associate at Mayer Brown in Mexico City specializing in M&A and restructuring, talks with Reorg's Maria Abreu about the challenges in restructuring Mexican companies that have issued bonds governed by U.S. law and are navigating commercial bankruptcy in Mexico, as well as strategies for …

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Navigating Credit Market Storms: Alex Belgrade on Covid, LIBOR, and Altice 26:11

1+ y ago26:11

26:11

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Alex Belgrade, managing partner at Valitana, joins Reorg’s Hugh Minch to discuss how CLO managers and tranche investors have reacted to periods of volatility in the credit markets. Belgrade discusses strategies that involve a combination of information asymmetry and quick reaction time, with particular focus on …

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Insights into European Direct Lending with Mike Dennis 22:01

1+ y ago22:01

22:01

Join us for an exclusive interview with Mike Dennis, the co-head of European Credit at Ares, which manages nearly €70 billion in assets. In this episode, Mike shares his insights on the current state of the direct lending market, the impact of syndicated loans, fundraising challenges, and emerging trends in private credit. Listen to gain valuable p…

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Insights with Jeremy Burton of PineBridge Investments 31:27

1+ y ago31:27

31:27

This week on The Reorg Primary View, host Katherine Schwartz sits down with Jeremy Burton, a portfolio manager on the leveraged finance team at PineBridge. Together, they delve into the current mood of the high-yield and leveraged loan markets this summer. Key topics include the impact of the upcoming election on new-money issuance, the rise of lia…

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Mastering Post-Reorg Boards with Jon Weber & Breaking Down the Purdue Pharma Ruling 32:55

1+ y ago32:55

32:55

This week, Jon F. Weber speaks with Reorg’s Jason Sanjana about how post-reorganization boards of directors differ from boards in other contexts and can be vital to a successful reorganization. Weber helps creditors manage operationally intensive investments and recently published an article on optimizing board searches, which we discuss.And as alw…

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Fisker Bankruptcy, Hertz Debt Raise, Robertshaw-Invesco Ruling, Boies Joins Jones Defense 9:40

1+ y ago9:40

9:40

Last week’s highlights include Fisker’s chapter 11 filing, Hertz’s $1 billion debt raise, a ruling in the Invesco/Robertshaw dispute over “required lender” status and David Boies joining former bankruptcy judge David R. Jones’ defense team. And, as always, we provide a preview of what’s on tap for this week. We’re taking a brief recess from our wee…

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Gregory Makoff on NY Sovereign Debt Legislation 22:38

1+ y ago22:38

22:38

This week on The Reorg Primary View, Gregory Makoff, senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School and author of Default: The Landmark Court Battle Over Argentina’s $100 Billion Debt Restructuring, talks with Reorg’s Simon Schatzberg about his view on recent proposed legislation governing sov…

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C Street’s Jon Henes: Insights into Corporate Communications in Restructuring 33:37

1+ y ago33:37

33:37

In this episode of The Primary View, senior reporter Geoff Burrows sits down with Jon Henes, CEO of C Street Advisory Group, to discuss the crucial role of corporate communications firms in the restructuring world. They explore C Street's rapid expansion, the intricacies of managing communications for liability management transactions, and the impa…

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Foundever AI Risks; Zenith Analysis; European Sustainability-Linked Debt 14:00

1+ y ago14:00

14:00

Welcome to the EMEA Core Credit Weekly podcast by Reorg. This episode covers:The risks U.S. call center operator Foundever faces from AI advancementsAn analysis of vehicle outsourcing firm ZenithRecent changes in European sustainability-linked loans and bondsWe value your feedback to help us improve the podcast experience. Please take a moment to c…

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State Tax Cuts with William Glasgall and CLO Market Outlook with Dagmara Michalczuk 51:39

1+ y ago51:39

51:39

In this special double feature, Reorg senior reporter Hoa Nguyen sits down with William Glasgall of the Volcker Alliance to discuss post-pandemic state tax cuts. Glasgall delves into the risks of budget shortfalls and the evolving tax policy landscape in a volatile year.Next, Dagmara Michalczuk, co-chief investment officer at Tetragon Credit Partne…