Best Smart Group Firm Podcasts (2025)

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How I Bought 5 Businesses After Failing My First Acquisition 53:49

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1h ago53:49

53:49

Steve Lawrence, the founder of Uncomplicated Group went from middle management at a $14B manufacturer to buying five businesses in a few short years -- now running two injection-molding factories, employing 45 people, and shipping 200M parts a year. But this episode isn’t about the highlight reel. It’s about the real path: quitting his job for a de…

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Tax Deferred to Tax Free: Navigating Taxes in Retirement - Replay 17:33

1d ago17:33

17:33

In this milestone 100th episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja delves into the critical topic of managing taxes in retirement. The episode focuses on strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, especially for retirees with tax-deferred accounts facing potential hefty tax bills. Brian emphasizes the importance of sustaina…

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How Smart Buyers Create Alpha Without Cheap Debt 25:15

3d ago25:15

25:15

For the last 20 years, private equity followed a simple formula: buy with leverage, cut costs, rely on multiple expansion, exit at a higher valuation. That playbook worked incredibly well. But it no longer does. In this episode, I break down why the old private equity model is structurally broken - not just cyclically - and why a new model is emerg…

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E293: Mining, Mobility & Megawatts: SANY Group's Bold Energy Play 42:47

4d ago42:47

42:47

Description: In this episode, our guest is Stanley Choi, a dynamic leader at SANY Group Australia, a global OEM driving electrification in heavy industry and infrastructure. Stanley shares insights into how SANY is delivering complete energy and transport solutions—from electric mining trucks to autonomous factories producing EVs in under 10 minute…

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The Playbook for 50-200% Annual Company Growth 48:10

7d ago48:10

48:10

In this episode, I’m joined by John Seiffer - the person investors, company buyers and operators call when growth starts getting expensive, messy, or fragile. John has spent decades across manufacturing, software, restaurants, chemicals, and professional services, and he sees the same pattern over and over: founders are great at the product and the…

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Joshua Patrick Lawley’s Proven Strategies for Successful Real Estate Growth 5:16

7d ago5:16

5:16

In this episode, we explore Joshua Patrick Lawley’s proven strategies for successful real estate growth, highlighting how a disciplined, long-term mindset can drive sustainable wealth creation. The conversation dives into his data-driven approach to property investment, effective risk management techniques, and the importance of building diversifie…

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E292: Coal to Control: Australia's People-Led Energy Transition 50:58

8d ago50:58

50:58

In this episode, our guest is Stephanie Bashir, Founder and CEO of Nexa Advisory. With over two decades of experience in Australia's energy sector, Stephanie shares a compelling vision for a consumer-driven clean energy future. From rooftop solar and home batteries to commercial-scale renewables and regulatory reform, she unpacks the big shifts res…

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Life Planning Beyond the 3 Questions with Danika Waddell 17:29

8d ago17:29

17:29

In this episode of the Financial Behavior Thought Leaders podcast, Dr. Mary Bell Carlson welcomes Danika Waddell, CFP®, MS, RLP, a human-centered financial life planner known for her unique approach to ongoing client engagement and holistic life planning. Danika Waddell brings her heartfelt story of how she entered the world of financial planning—a…

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Are You Prepared for the Evolution of Retirement? - Replay 16:12

8d ago16:12

16:12

In this podcast episode, Brian Skrobonja takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the evolving concept of retirement. As we dive into the past, present, and future of retirement, Brian helps us unravel the complexities of this modern-day concept which, though deeply ingrained in our society, is relatively new in human history. This episode i…

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I didn't join PE to be an operator 9:25

10d ago9:25

9:25

The future of private equity talent is moving toward ownership. We explore why the traditional PE career path is breaking, why carry no longer delivers the upside it once promised, and why more professionals are choosing to build - not wait - for real equity. You will discover: 0:00 The Quiet Exodus Inside Private Equity 1:45 Carry That Never Mater…

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There Is No Path — How Elite Investors Actually Build Their Lives, Careers, and Companies 15:46

13d ago15:46

15:46

In this episode, we break down a powerful idea from Jeffrey Walker, a private equity veteran who backed thousands of entrepreneurs and watched success and failure up close. His conclusion is uncomfortable but freeing: the people who win don’t follow a path, they create one. You’ll hear why talent is overrated, why “perfect careers” quietly fail, ho…

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E291: Future of Free Electricity, Rooftop Solar and Batteries 58:20

15d ago58:20

58:20

In this episode, our returning guest is Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance, and a leading voice in Australia's clean energy transition. Tim shares a passionate and data-driven overview of how rooftop solar, home batteries, and EVs are transforming Australia's energy landscape. He discusses record-breaking renewable penetration, the gam…

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The Gifts of a Hard Year – A Holiday Special 20:03

15d ago20:03

20:03

Let’s be honest, 2025 has been tough. There’ve been some scary, challenging times both at home and around the world. So, here at The Breakout, we decided that heading into the holidays and the end of this often difficult year, we need some warmth. Right now, we need to hear from strong people who've done amazing things. That’s why, on this episode …

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The Three Retirement Mindsets That Could Have A Negative Impact On Your Retirement Plans - Replay 19:01

15d ago19:01

19:01

In this episode, Brian Skrobonja goes over the three main retirement mindsets that could negatively impact your retirement plans. He sheds light on what most retirees get wrong about retirement planning, why being confident doesn't eliminate investment risks, and what to consider when hiring a financial planner. Brian goes over three retirement min…

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E290: Power, People, and Partnership: Responsible Development 51:26

16d ago51:26

51:26

In this episode, our guest is Curtis S. Chin, former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and current Asia Fellow at the Milken Institute. With deep experience spanning diplomacy, finance, and sustainable development, Curtis shares insights on Asia's energy future, the balance of access and innovation, and why responsible development must …

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How I Quit My 6-Figure Job and Bought 9 Companies 1:07:42

17d ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Today’s guest, David Dowda (Dowda Holdings), went from burned-out insurance salesman working 80-100 hour weeks to buying his first business doing just $30,000 a year - fully seller-financed. Ten years later, he owns nine companies across multiple industries - all acquired with zero outside equity and often minimal cash down. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 How he …

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How These Firms Turn $5M-15M Companies Into 100x Returns 24:21

20d ago24:21

24:21

How these serial acquirers generate 20-40% annual returns for decades? They buy small, niche, profitable companies again and again. In this episode, we break down the strategy, the structure, and what private buyers can learn from the greatest acquisition machines on earth. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Why tiny acquisitions beat big deals 1:12 21x, 120x, 375x: …

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E289: From Cheap Solar to Green Molecule 45:37

19d ago45:37

45:37

In this episode, our guest is Massimiliano Cervo, who shares clear and practical insights on how the Middle East is approaching the energy transition. He discusses the growing role of renewables, the importance of balancing the energy trilemma, and why diversification—not a single technology—is key. Massimiliano also breaks down where hydrogen trul…

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From VC to Main Street: How AI Is Rewiring Service Businesses 51:35

23d ago51:35

51:35

In this episode, Cyrus Hessabi from Shore Capital Partners breaks down what it really looks like to build AI-enabled services, transition from VC to micro-cap private equity, and back searchers buying “boring” but powerful businesses. Cyrus has lived every chapter of the operator-investor journey: aerospace engineering, Salesforce sales, venture ca…

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Unlocking Trust and Connection: Deirdre Van Nest on Getting to the Yes Quicker 29:21

22d ago29:21

29:21

On this episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, host Mary Bell Carlson welcomes the dynamic Deirdre Van Nest, renowned keynote speaker, coach, and storyteller within the financial services industry. The conversation dives deep into Deirdre’s unique journey—overcoming a paralyzing fear of public speaking to become a sought-after speaker who s…

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Investing with Guardrails: The Rise of Defined Outcome ETFs and Structured Income Notes 41:35

22d ago41:35

41:35

Brian Skrobonja sits down with Phon Vilayoune to unpack buffered ETFs and income notes. Phon is the Founder and CEO of VETA Investment Partners, where they currently oversee over $5.5 billion in assets. They discuss the benefits of positioning your portfolio for growth and safety, how to protect your nest egg in volatile markets, and practical stra…

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Joshua Patrick Lawley: Building Property Wealth Through Smart Financial Strategy 5:47

27d ago5:47

5:47

In this episode, we dive into the strategic mindset of Joshua Patrick Lawley, a respected voice in property investment and financial planning. Known for his data-driven approach, Joshua breaks down how smart property acquisition, effective use of financing, and disciplined risk management can transform real estate into a long-term wealth-building t…

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E288: Clean Shipping with Solar & Biofuels 44:17

23d ago44:17

44:17

In this episode, our guest is Hans-Henning Judek, a German-born, Japan-based lawyer, economist, and energy innovator who has spent over two decades pioneering renewable energy solutions. From early work in maritime wind propulsion and biofuels to his recent ventures in microwave-assisted biofuel production and floating solar technology, Hans-Hennin…

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How to Find 10x MOIC, 30%+ IRR Deals (Step-by-Step) 18:40

28d ago18:40

18:40

Most people in ETA quote the Stanford Search Fund Study, but almost no one looks at what investors actually earn. In this episode, we break down new Yale data from 1,192 investor-level outcomes and shows why access, not modeling, is the #1 driver of 10x MOIC, 30%+ IRR results. You’ll learn why your portfolio will never be “the index”, how a tiny % …

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E287: The Hydrogen Illusion: Real Costs, Real Consequences 51:29

29d ago51:29

51:29

In this episode, our guest is Michael Sura, a passionate engineer and energy expert with decades of experience in gas transit and hydrogen research. Drawing from his time managing large-scale natural gas operations and early hydrogen experiments, Michael offers an honest, technically grounded reality check on the hydrogen hype dominating today's en…

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My Story - Replay 10:53

1M ago10:53

10:53

In this podcast episode, Brian shares his remarkable journey from his parents' middle-class immigrant background to achieving financial freedom through decades of learning and building businesses. He recounts his early aspiration for an opulent lifestyle and the pivotal moment when he realized the importance of creating income-producing assets. Thr…

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20 Acquisitions, 500 Investors, Zero Fund (The Private Equity Strategy No One Is Talking About) 1:02:57

1M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Sequoya Borgman has quietly built one of the most interesting retail-funded private equity machines in America. Since launching Borgman Capital in 2017, he’s acquired 20 companies across 8 platforms and raised deal-by-deal from 500+ individual investors instead of institutions. In this episode, we break down how he sources mostly off-market deals i…

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E286: Driving E-Mobility in the Philippines 1:04:47

1M ago1:04:47

1:04:47

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Jose Bienvenido Manuel M. Biona, Executive Director of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) and the Enrique Razon Logistics Institute at De La Salle University. Dr. Biona dives deep into the current state and future of electric mobility in the Philippines—from key policy breakthroughs like the…

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Growing 33% Annually with a Tech-Driven, Community-First Law Firm With Skinner Louis, Founder of The Louis Law Group 38:24

1M ago38:24

38:24

How do you grow a personal injury firm 33% per year … without relying on billboards or heavy ad spend? Skinner Louis did it by focusing on his community, speaking their language (literally), and building scalable systems that blend human empathy with automation. In this 38-minute on-demand interview, Skinner shares: How his firm serves Creole-, Spa…

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How I Retired at 30 as a Family Office Investor (Here Are the Investments I've Made) 1:00:49

1M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Akshay Ramachandran is a retired family office investor. In his last role, Akshay was the sole analyst at a New York-based single family office, reporting directly to the portfolio manager. Together they analyzed over 60 industries using a simple strategy: buy and hold great businesses run by great management teams. In this episode, he explains his…

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E285: Smart EV Policies: What's Working and Why 48:29

1M ago48:29

48:29

In this episode, our guest is Jaap Burger, a leading voice on EV smart charging and consumer energy flexibility. Based in Brussels and focused on EU policy on EVs, Jaap unpacks how electric vehicles, bi-directional charging, and automation are transforming consumers from passive users into active participants in the energy transition. We discussed:…

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Joshua Patrick Lawley’s Proven Financial Strategy for Long-Term Real Estate Success 4:03

1M ago4:03

4:03

In this episode, we explore Joshua Patrick Lawley’s proven financial strategy for achieving long-term success in real estate. We break down his data-driven approach to evaluating markets, his disciplined use of capital, and the sustainable development principles that guide his most successful projects. You’ll learn how Lawley blends financial insig…

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Scaling Smart: Heather Fortner on Transformational Growth and Leadership with Soul 32:36

1M ago32:36

32:36

In this inspiring episode, host Mary Bell Carlson welcomes Heather Fortner, CEO of SignatureFD and a featured speaker with Financial Behavior Keynotes Group. Heather Fortner shares the transformative journey of scaling her wealth management firm from $250 million to over $10 billion in assets—all while fiercely preserving the soul and integrity of …

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The 5 Key Performance Indicators To Help Measure The Health Of Your Retirement Plan - Replay 15:40

1M ago15:40

15:40

In this episode we talk about the importance of using key performance indicators beyond just investment performance to gauge the health of one's retirement plan. There are five crucial data points that form the foundation of a successful retirement strategy: passive income, effective tax rate, cash flow ratio, banking capacity, and horizontal asset…

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E284: Diesel to Electric: EV Retrofit Option 48:53

1M ago48:53

48:53

In this episode, our guest is Daisy Vardy, co-founder of ForeseEnergy, a 100% minority women-owned cleantech EPC company based in British Columbia. Daisy shares her company's inspiring journey and mission to decarbonize transportation by retrofitting diesel fleets—from mining trucks and postal vans to tugboats and cranes—with state-of-the-art elect…

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Buy 5 Companies as Fast as You Can (1-on-1 Advice From Fredrik Karlsson That Changed Everything) 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

There’s a holding company that almost no one talks about, yet it might be one of the most efficient compounding engines. RÖKO owns 29 niche, traditional businesses, runs 21% margins, generates 14.5% returns on capital and keeps acquiring new companies every quarter. And they do all of this with a headquarters team of just eight people. In this epis…

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E283: Farming the Future: Climate Tech, Youth & Agripreneurs 1:00:05

1M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Ancha Srinivasan, a veteran climate change expert and agripreneurship advocate. With decades of international experience in climate policy, precision agriculture, and energy access, Ancha dives deep into how democratizing clean energy technologies can revolutionize farming—especially for smallholders. He reflects o…

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Ian Rickwood on AI, Private Equity, Car Wash & Real Estate Investing | Henley Group 58:04

1M ago58:04

58:04

Ian Rickwood, Founder and CEO of Henley Group, has quietly deployed $4B+ across US and Europe, built and sold food chains, and is now rolling up US car washes using AI-driven site selection. We also dive into what great operator partners look like, how to handle bad deals, and what it’s really like to build a serious firm with your spouse and kids.…

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How to Win Deals Over Private Equity (Even if They Pay 10-20% More) 24:18

1M ago24:18

24:18

One of the most underrated skills in business acquisitions. Beyond financial models and deal structures, many great acquisitions happen because buyers know how to connect with sellers on a human level. #BusinessAcquisitions #DueDiligence #MergersAndAcquisitions #HoldCoBuilders #ListeningSkills #DealMaking #EntrepreneurshipThroughAcquisition #Privat…

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The War We Don’t Talk About, with Eric Donoho 32:02

1M ago32:02

32:02

“I found myself at the kitchen table, with a Glock in my mouth trying to end my life.” Eric Donoho’s story isn’t easy to hear, but thankfully it does have a great ending. A highly decorated US Army veteran, he served a grueling 14 months in Iraq, experiencing intense trauma and grief along the way. But when Eric hit rock bottom, and sat down ready …

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Certificates of Deposit: What to Consider and How to Use Them - Replay 13:20

2M ago13:20

13:20

In this episode on Certificates of Deposit (CDs) as investments, we talk about the nuanced decision-making involved in purchasing CDs and whether or not CDs are good investments, particularly in a rising interest rate environment, and we explain why interest rates are the only factor you need to consider. Wealth creation isn't solely dependent on C…

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E282: US Energy Transition: Barriers & Breakthroughs 59:02

2M ago59:02

59:02

In this episode, our guest is Candace Miller, a seasoned global development and public health expert who has spent decades leading impactful programs across Africa, with organizations like the Millennium Challenge Corporation and USAID's Power Africa. Candace shares how her hands-on experience in energy access—particularly through solar mini-grids …

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The Private Equity Bubble? | Inside a Private Equity Firm Built for What Comes Next 59:48

2M ago59:48

59:48

My guest today is Joel Mathew, Head of Originations at Woodson Equity. We discuss how his entrepreneurial path led him into private equity, Woodson’s “inch wide, mile deep” focus on diversified industrials and business services, and why they favor hands-on, control deals. Joel shares a live carve-out playbook, how he sources more than a 1,000 deals…

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E281: Sailing Without Diesel: The Battery Boat Revolution 47:15

2M ago47:15

47:15

In this episode, our guest is Angus McDonald, Co-founder and Chair of the Maritime Emission Reduction Coalition (MERC). Angus shares how battery-powered boats are reshaping marine transport, from electric ferries to outboard conversions for island fishermen. He explores the economic, safety, and regulatory challenges of maritime electrification—and…

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Joshua Patrick Lawley Talks About Turning Financial Insight into Property Growth 3:37

2M ago3:37

3:37

In this episode, Joshua Patrick Lawley talks about transforming financial insight into real property growth. Drawing from his auditing background and experience with MOSOM Group.By Joshua Patrick Lawley

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Transforming Financial Learning Through Book Studies with Andi Wrenn, AFC®, MQFP 25:37

2M ago25:37

25:37

In this episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, host Dr. Mary Bell Carlson welcomes the multi-talented Andi Wrenn, AFC®, MQFP®—an exclusive speaker with the Financial Behavior Keynote Group. With over two decades of experience, Andi is an Accredited Financial Counselor, military-qualified financial planner, award-winning educator, mentor, an…

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The Midlife Shift: How To Go from Surviving to Thriving 28:04

2M ago28:04

28:04

Brian Skrobonja talks about the hidden trap of survival mode: that quiet, familiar mindset that keeps you safe but small. He explains why so many people in midlife mistake control for security, and how shifting from a scarcity mindset to a mentality of abundance changes everything about how you earn, spend, and live. Tune in to hear what it really …

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The One System That Scaled from $3.5M to a 15-Company Portfolio (Sid Jashnani) 1:11:22

2M ago1:11:22

1:11:22

How Sid Jashnani scaled his firm into a portfolio of 15 companies and $77 million in revenue. If you’re an investor or builder, this is a masterclass in turning chaos into compounding cash flows. Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by CapitalPad, the marketplace that connects acquisition entrepreneurs with investors who want exposure to small-busin…