Podcasts about Diligence

This week, we tackle the alarming rise in financial scams targeting retirees and their hard-earned savings. With insights straight from the FBI and real-world examples of scam attempts, I break down the key tactics used by fraudsters and reveal the subtle ways they can gain access to your retirement accounts. From sophisticated account takeovers to fake invoice emails, you'll learn the warning signs to watch for—and, most importantly, practical strategies to protect yourself and your financial future.    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] How financial scams work and what listeners can do to protect themselves [03:27] Recognizing scam tactics and risks [09:38] Recognizing fake invoice scams [10:36] Email scams and malware threats [16:30] Adding verbal passwords for security [17:28] Avoiding financial scams   Why Retirees Are in Scammers' Crosshairs Retirees often represent an attractive target to scammers, thanks to years of diligent saving and sometimes less familiarity with new scam techniques. With the Federal Bureau of Investigation noting a surge in financial fraud, understanding the mechanics of modern scams is essential. Scammers rely on a proven formula: Use of a trusted-looking sender Creation of a sense of urgency Sufficient believable details to seem legitimate   When you recognize these methods, retirees and their families can more easily spot fraud attempts and prevent the devastating loss of hard-earned assets.   Four Scams Every Retiree Needs to Know 1. The Account Takeover Arguably, the most damaging scam involves fraudsters masquerading as your bank or investment firm. It starts innocuously: a text asks if you authorized a transaction. Replying prompts a phone call from a supposed representative. Thanks to massive data breaches, these scammers may already know your personal details — they just need one missing piece. They'll convince you to read out a "security code" sent by your institution. Handing over this code gives the scammer direct account access, allowing them to transfer funds instantly. Importantly, because you authorized the transaction, financial institutions like Charles Schwab often won't reimburse the loss.    2. The Debt Collector Text Message Here, you get a text from a "debt collector" referencing a fictitious account, amount, or government agency. Designed to provoke fear and haste, these messages trick recipients into calling the number provided or clicking a link — both of which compromise your security or lead to unauthorized payments.   3. The Unpaid Toll Notification You receive an alert for a small, believable toll charge. With such a trivial amount, many people click the link and pay without thinking, handing over payment info to scammers who make larger, unauthorized withdrawals.   4. The Fake Invoice Email Sophisticated emails may claim to be from reputable companies like Microsoft, complete with realistic logos and urgent language about an outstanding invoice. The danger here is twofold: opening the attachment can load malware or ransomware onto your device, or responding to the invoice sends money straight to a crook. Always verify the sender before clicking links or attachments.   Great Habits for Scam Prevention This is my seven-point toolkit to keep you one step ahead of scammers. Practice these habits consistently to stay safe:   Slow Down: Scammers exploit urgency. Pause, breathe, and verify requests. Don't Answer Unknown Numbers: Let unfamiliar calls go to voicemail, especially those spoofing local area codes. Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Always visit official websites or use verified contact numbers when responding to alerts or billing issues. Guard Your Personal Information: Never share sensitive info like PINs, passwords, or codes unless you started the interaction. Use Authenticator Apps: These offer extra security beyond SMS-based codes, which can be intercepted. Add Verbal Passwords to Accounts: Financial institutions often allow this as an additional security measure. Assume It's a Scam: When in doubt, err on the side of caution and reach out to institutions through official channels.   Diligence is Your Best Defense Scams will continue to evolve, but the best protection comes from vigilance and skepticism. Always vet instructions that involve your money, pause before acting, and confirm legitimacy through direct contact. Your savings represent a lifetime of work; protect them fiercely so they'll serve you for years to come.   Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Charles Schwab Fidelity Vanguard EPIC - Equifax Data Breach    Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact Subscribe to Retire With Ryan  

This week, we step into an important new next phase of

As leaders, we have two jobs: to set the vision and to remove obstacles. Use "The 3D Fix:" Discernment, Discipline, and Diligence.

"Companies are bought, not sold."That single line from Yves Frinault reframed the entire conversation on our first-ever Exited Founder Acquisition Roundtable.We sat down with four construction tech founders who collectively sold their companies for hundreds of millions:✅ Yves Frinault (Fieldwire → Hilti) ✅ Dustin DeVan (BuildingConnected → Autodesk, $275M cash + $40M stock) ✅ Mo Akbari Hochberg (HoloBuilder → FARO, ~$36M) ✅ Zach Scheel (Rhumbix → Autodesk, fresh off the deal)Tune in to find out:✅ Why Hilti told Fieldwire "we'll never acquire you" four years before acquiring them ✅ The one negotiation tactic Dustin says every founder should use against corp dev teams ✅ Why an acquisition is a "one-way door" once you walk in, and how to know you're ready ✅ The QSBS detail that decides how much of the exit you actually keepFull episode on Spotify and YouTube now.#aec #construction #constructiontech #bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #ai #vct Our Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comChapters00:00 Intro00:46 Introduction to the Acquisition Round Table03:25 Founders' Experiences and Lessons Learned 06:31 Understanding the Role Post-Acquisition 09:40 The Importance of Timing in Acquisitions 09:56 Sponsors 12:57 Fundamentals for Being an Attractive Acquisition Target 31:06 The Exit Journey: Building Value Before Acquisition 33:14 Business Fundamentals: Attracting Strategic Acquirers 36:04 Diligence and Documentation: Preparing for Acquisition 38:56 Revenue and Customer Love: Key Acquisition Drivers 41:13 Understanding ARR: Acquisition Thresholds and Market Dynamics 48:53 Negotiation Strategies: Preparing for the Table 54:46 Lessons from Exits: Growth as a Founder 01:00:45 Defining Success Beyond Numbers 01:02:42 Mindfulness in Leadership During Transitions 01:04:22 The Importance of a Strong Executive Team 01:05:20 The Shift in Perspective Post-Acquisition 01:06:11 Reflections on Founding and Structuring Companies 01:08:37 Creating Value Over Tax Strategy 01:11:21 The Reality of Startup Success Rates 01:11:54 Choosing the Right Company to Join 01:14:48 The Value of Collaboration and Shared Experiences

In God's call of sanctification, we as believers learn to love our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. We seek each other's good in Christ and seek to live a quiet life pleasing in His sight. What does it mean to aspire to live quietly? We see this area unpacked in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12!

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Don Penland | Operating Partner | Knox Capital  What actually happens after a deal closes—and what do buyers wish founders had done before?  In this Buyer's Corner episode, Don Penland, Operating Partner at Knox Capital, shares a hands-on view of how private equity evaluates, acquires, and then improves software businesses.  Don breaks down what makes a company attractive from an operator's lens, where founders create risk without realizing it, and what typically gets fixed immediately post-acquisition—from financial visibility to go-to-market execution.  If you're building with an exit in mind—or want to understand how buyers think beyond the pitch—this episode gives you a clear, practical view of what happens on the other side of the deal.  Key takeways:   • What private equity buyers prioritize beyond growth  • Where founders create risk before a deal  • What gets fixed in the first 90 days post-acquisition  • How to position your company for a stronger exit    00:00 – Introduction & Don's background    01:20 – How PE firms evaluate software companies    03:30 – What makes a company attractive to buyers    06:00 – Diligence priorities beyond the numbers    08:30 – Common operational gaps founders miss    11:00 – What gets fixed post-acquisition    13:30 – Advice for founders preparing to sell    15:30 – Closing thoughts   

If you've been pushing yourself to do more, research more, and try more when it comes to your health — this episode is for you. Today we're going back to the original Hebrew to uncover what Solomon actually meant when he used the word "diligent" in Proverbs. And it's not what most of us think. This isn't a try-harder message. This is a work-smarter, trust-God, move-with-precision message — and it has everything to do with how you approach your healing journey. This episode is for the Christian woman who is done spinning her wheels, confused by every new health trend, and ready to move forward with clarity, faith, and real direction. --- What Does "Diligent" Actually Mean in Proverbs? Most of us grew up thinking diligent simply meant hardworking and persistent. But when you go back to the original Hebrew, the word used in Proverbs — charuwts — paints a completely different picture. According to Strong's Concordance, charuwts means incisive, decisive, and sharp. It's the same word used to describe a threshing sledge — a heavy agricultural tool with iron teeth, dragged across grain to separate what's valuable from what isn't. Sometimes a person would sit on top of it to increase the weight and effectiveness. This is not a passive word. This is a precise, relentless, purposeful word. And here's what Proverbs says about the diligent woman: • Proverbs 12:24 — the diligent will rule • Proverbs 13:4 — the soul of the diligent will be richly supplied • Proverbs 21:5 — diligence leads to abundance --- Work Smarter, Not Just Harder Here's the shift that changes everything: the threshing sledge wasn't just powerful — it was efficient. It had a specific purpose and it executed that purpose with precision. Jesus said in Matthew 11 that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. That doesn't mean life won't require effort. But it does mean we're not called to frantic, scattered, exhausting effort. We're called to sharp, intentional, God-directed effort. In 2026, distraction is one of the biggest enemies of diligence. When we don't know what our goals are, when we haven't sat with God long enough to hear what He's asking of us, we can't be relentless — because we don't even know what we're running toward. James 1 puts it plainly: the double-minded person, the one who asks but doubts, is like a wave tossed by the wind. Unstable. Unsteady. Unable to receive. --- Why Your Holistic Health Journey Feels So Overwhelming If you're dealing with chronic fatigue, autoimmune symptoms, or trying to figure out what your body actually needs — the noise is overwhelming. Every doctor says something different. Every health guru has a different protocol. Every natural remedy promises to be the answer. But the Hebrew definition of diligent isn't "research everything." It's be precise. Be decisive. Be sharp about what God is showing you. This is what a faith-centered approach to holistic health actually looks like in practice: • Going to God first for wisdom about your body, not just Google • Receiving direction and then actually following through — not second-guessing every step • Recognizing that every part of your life shapes your health: your relationships, your schedule, your commitments, your alignment with your calling • Letting go of the supplement overload and leaning into the foundational things — rest, alignment, peace, and purpose When the busyness of life pulls us away from who God created us to be, that disconnect creates a mental and physical load that affects our health in ways no supplement can fix. Christian wellness isn't just about what you eat. It's about how you live. --- Time-Stamped Highlights • 0:00 — The Hebrew word for "diligent" in Proverbs and the threshing sledge picture • 0:29 — Three key Proverbs about diligence and what they promise • 1:22 — What charuwts actually means: incisive, decisive, sharp, relentless • 3:18 — Why this points to working smarter, not just harder • 4:15 — Distraction as the enemy of diligence in 2026 • 4:42 — James 1 and the danger of being double-minded • 5:42 — How this applies directly to your autoimmune healing and health journey • 7:08 — The turning point: when healthy eating wasn't enough and God showed a better way • 8:07 — How living out of alignment with your calling affects your health • 9:03 — A direct invitation to act on what God has already been showing you --- Key Takeaways • The Hebrew word for "diligent" in Proverbs means far more than hardworking — it means precise, decisive, sharp, and relentless, like a threshing instrument with a specific purpose • Distraction is one of the biggest barriers to true diligence — it's hard to be relentless when you don't know what you're pursuing • God calls us to seek His wisdom and then obey it — not to keep searching indefinitely while doubting every step • Holistic health isn't just physical — your relationships, schedule, purpose, and alignment all shape your body's ability to heal • You can acknowledge your feelings — the tiredness, the discouragement, the lack of hope — and still choose obedience anyway • This is not about doing more. It's about doing what God has already shown you, with precision and trust --- Ready to Move Forward with Precision? If this episode stirred something in you and you're ready to stop guessing and start moving forward with real focus — the More Energy & Peace Session was built for you. This is for the woman who hears truth and acts on it. The one who is done being overwhelmed and ready to bring sharp, intentional focus to her health and her life. Book your More Energy & Peace Session at herholistichealing.com/peace.   This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. 

Diligence isn't something you can shortcut—it's faithful, consistent effort in the things God has given you to do. In this episode, Sarah and I talk about what diligence truly is, where Scripture calls us to practice it, and why it feels so difficult in a world of constant convenience and distraction. We unpack how modern life often replaces meaningful work with decision fatigue and delay, and why putting things off only makes life harder. The truth is, we all “choose our hard”—and diligence leads to a more fulfilling, faithful life. Ultimately, there is no hack. Diligence is built through a right relationship with the Lord and lived out in daily faithfulness.   Scriptures Referenced: Deuteronomy 4:29; 6:5–7 Psalm 90:12 Proverbs 4:23; 13:19; 23:1–2; 27:23; 31:27 Ecclesiastes 9:10 Jeremiah 29:13 Hebrews 11:6 1 Corinthians 4:2 Colossians 3:23–24   Resources Referenced: Watch the interview on YouTube https://youtu.be/5lsemk_Q84k  Follow Sarah on Substack https://faithfulandflourishing1.substack.com/    Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org Subscribe to the NHC email at www.nohighercalling.org 

Proverbs 6:6-11 April 29, 2026 PM.Pastor Lorch preaches about laziness. He follows the passage in Proverbs 6 by giving a lesson from an ant and a farmer, followed by the consequences of laziness, and finally an explanation of the attitude of a lazy person.

Generative AI is reshaping the way investors evaluate opportunities and replacing much of the manual work involved in completing an outside-in diligence. Firms that adapt the fastest during this transition have the most to gain. To discuss how the deployment of gen AI in diligence can give organizations an investment edge and explore the shift from traditional diligence to AI-enabled, outside-in analysis we’re joined by David Pralong, a senior partner and the global leader of our Transformation Practice, William Bundy, a partner in our Washington D.C office, Chase Covington, a partner based in our New York office, and Laura Borton, a consultant also based in our New York office. Related Insights From potential to performance: Using gen AI to conduct outside-in diligence Creating Value in Portfolio Company Operations: A Practical Guide to Growing Cash Flow in Business Wave: Your path to unprecedented performance McKinsey insights on transformation McKinsey insights on Strategy and Corporate Finance McKinsey Transformation on LinkedIn McKinsey Strategy and Corporate Finance on LinkedInSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Due diligence has become tougher, deeper, and more demanding than ever before—especially in today's fast‑paced tech M&A and private equity environment. Buyers now apply higher standards, deploy specialized diligence teams, and scrutinize every aspect of your business.   In this special report, we walk through 12 critical steps every CEO must take to survive due diligence—and protect deal value. From preparing your data room and managing disclosures to controlling working capital and hiring the right advisors, this video outlines the real‑world land mines that derail deals and how experienced sellers avoid them.   Whether you're actively pursuing an exit or planning ahead, these best practices will help you meet buyer expectations, maintain leverage, and get through diligence with confidence.   Key Takeaways -Due diligence today is not just document review—it's a full‑company stress test -Private equity firms now set the gold standard for diligence expectations -Preparation before LOI dramatically improves outcomes and leverage -Poor timing of disclosures can erode trust and kill deals -Working capital surprises are one of the most common last‑minute deal breakers -Strong advisors and intermediaries can be the difference between closing—or collapsing—a deal   Chapters 00:00 Why Due Diligence Is Harder Than Ever 01:30 Step 1: Understand the Buyer's Due Diligence Checklist 01:58 Step 2: Prepare Your Data Room in Advance 02:43 Step 3: Fix Accounting Issues Before Due Diligence 03:03 Step 4: Control the Timing of Disclosures 03:37 Step 5: Run Parallel Due Diligence and Contract Processes 04:08 Step 6: Get a Draft Agreement Early 04:43 Step 7: Appoint a Due Diligence Coordinator 05:03 Step 8: Inform Only Key Employees 05:28 Step 9: Watch Working Capital Closely 06:02 Step 10: Use Your Accountants Effectively 06:22 Step 11: Hire Experienced Tech M&A Legal Advisors 06:52 Step 12: Choose the Right M&A Intermediary 07:16 Why Experience Matters Most in the Final Mile of Diligence

Mitch Lamb, PharmD, joins Over the Counter to discuss pharmacy accreditation hurdles and why staying consistently proactive can mean the world for a pharmacy's bottom line.

Navigating the legal job market can feel like a full-time job, but you don't have to do it alone. In this episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, hosts Todd Berger, Eve Albert, and Nayeli Diaz learn more about the world of legal recruiting by revisiting the ABA Young Lawyer Rising's Montana Funk's conversation with Gianne Falvo Mangiro, Producing Director at LHH.Gianne, a former practicing attorney, pulls back the curtain on how recruiters act as personal career advocates at no cost to the candidate. We explore exactly when a law student or young associate should seek out a recruiter, how to uncover unposted job opportunities, and the best ways to handle tricky counteroffers.The conversation also dives into essential tips for 3Ls navigating the "noise" of job portals, how to evaluate a law firm's culture through their billable hour requirements, and the growing field of "JD-Plus" careers. Whether you are prepping for your first year-end review or looking to pivot your practice area, this episode provides a foundational guide to building a successful career arc.Special thanks to the ABA Young Lawyers Division and the ABA Young Lawyer Rising Podcast.(00:00) - – Intro: The Challenges of the Legal Job Market (00:53) - – Networking and LinkedIn Connections (02:15) - – Why Law Students Need Foundational Knowledge of Recruiting (03:13) - – Introducing Gianne Falvo Mangiro and Young Lawyer Rising (04:21) - – From Practice to Recruiting: An Entrepreneurial Career Pivot (06:37) - – How Recruiter Agreements and Law Firm Fees Work (07:59) - – The Benefits: Resumes, Interview Prep, and Advocacy (09:04) - – When to Use a Recruiter: Junior Associates vs. New Graduates (09:58) - – Full-Service Support: Scheduling and Confidence-Building (12:40) - – The Initial Call: Understanding Experience and Personality (13:47) - – Personality Matches and Casting a Wide Net (14:54) - – Pivoting Practice Areas and Independent Searches (15:37) - – Researching Recruiter Credibility and Diligence (16:33) - – Navigating Negotiating Representation (17:44) - – Salary Ranges and State Disclosure Laws (18:29) - – Interview Etiquette: When to Discuss Numbers (19:43) - – Understanding Lockstep Salary Models (20:35) - – Appropriate Counter-Offering and Risks (22:29) - – Evaluating the Full Compensation Package: Benefits and PTO (23:30) - – Negotiating Non-Salary Terms: WFH Flexibility (24:33) - – Strategies for Negotiating Raises at Your Current Firm (26:55) - – Red Flags: Identifying Misconduct in Recruiting (27:49) - – Recruiter Support for Pivoting Outside of Practice (28:47) - – Recruiting Considerations for Judicial Clerks (29:30) - – Overview of Professional Recruiting Services (31:40) - – Host Debrief: Key Takeaways from the Interview (32:57) - – Navigating the Noise of Job Portals as a 3L (35:31) - – Tips for Handling Direct Outreach from Recruiters (38:19) - – Gauging Law Firm Culture Through Billable Requirements (42:24) - – Why Attorneys Make Credible Recruiters (45:12) - – Alternative JD-Plus Career Paths and Dual Degrees (46:03) - – Closing and ABA Law Student Division Resources Click here to view the episode transcript.

Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 shifts from confidence in God's ordered seasons to an honest wrestling with injustice and mortality. Solomon observes a world where wrongdoing often prospers and righteousness goes unrewarded, exposing the fragile gap between expectation and reality. Human behavior can slip into something beastlike when power overrides compassion, and the deepest wounds often come from those closest. This tension crescendos in the question of death itself—whether life ends in silence or if something of the human soul endures beyond the grave. From there, the sermon explores competing views of what comes next, showing how beliefs about eternity shape how people live now. While some perspectives lead to despair or detached living, biblical hope anchors itself in God's justice and the promise of resurrection. Solomon models a response of preaching truth to his own heart: though doubt is real, God will ultimately make things right. Through Christ, the promise of resurrection and final judgment transforms fear into courage, freeing people from bitterness and grounding them in hope, culminating in remembrance of that redemption through communion.

As practitioners conserve, elevate, and purify their energies through ethics and patient discipline, they need to enact and direct such forces for the edification of theirs and others' spirituality. Such empowered efforts amplify benefit for oneself, community, and world through the laws of karma: cause and effect. By understanding such dynamics in oneself, it becomes possible to cultivate the real virtues of a bodhisattva, since generosity, ethics, and patience set the stage for ennobling everyone's quality of mind. See how through an exploration of the prior paramitas; the nature of joyful action, its opposites of sleep and inattention; the inevitability of death and how it can inspire urgency to practice; essential practices of cultivating a spiritual work ethic (exchanging self and other within Tibetan Buddhism); the different types of defeatism and how to overcome them; the true spiritual qualities of self-confidence as opposed to arrogance; the distinct characteristics of self-observation, awareness, attention, and self-remembrance; the problems of a lazy consciousness versus a hyperactive body; the powers of mindfulness and meditation; and much more. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/diligence-conscious-action-on-the-bodhisattva-path

Send us Fan MailGrand plans, untested by careful and God-seeking submission, can march confidently in the wrong direction. Proverbs 16:3: Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.Support the show

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Why are more agencies selling right now? If this trend has made you think about selling, is it because the market is hot… or because you've outgrown your role? If you're seriously thinking about selling your business, you should know that it'll ultimately come down to whether it can survive without you, and whether you want it to. Today's featured guest breaks down what's really driving the surge in agency acquisitions right now. He goes beyond surface-level multiples and unpacks what buyers actually look for, why most founders sabotage deals during diligence, and how AI is quietly separating premium agencies from the rest. This conversation will challenge how you think about growth, ownership, and your role in the business. Azim Nagree leads M&A Origination at Herringbone Digital, a private equity-backed platform acquiring and scaling digital marketing agencies. Originally trained as an M&A lawyer in Australia, Azim quickly realized he didn't enjoy the legal side of deals, but loved the strategy and deal-making behind them. Over the past 5–6 years, he's focused exclusively on agency acquisitions, working with founders navigating exits, partnerships, and scale. He brings an operator-meets-investor perspective, understanding both what founders want and what buyers actually value. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why are PE firms interested in agencies? 3 filters most agencies won't pass. The silent deal killer Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Herringbone Digital: If you're thinking about exiting now, planning a few years ahead, or just want to understand your options, you should know about Herringbone Digital. They're not a typical financial buyer. They're operators who actually understand what it takes to build and scale an agency because they've done it themselves. Their approach is simple: invest in great founders, protect what's already working, and help agencies scale faster. Go to https://www.herringbonedigital.com/swenk and start the conversation. The Real Reason Agencies Are Getting Acquired Right Now There's a massive misconception in the market that agency acquisitions are happening because agencies suddenly became more attractive. That's not the full picture. What's actually happening is a capital problem, not an agency problem. Private equity is sitting on over $1 trillion dollars of unallocated capital. That money has to be deployed. And agencies, when structured correctly, check a lot of boxes: recurring revenue, strong margins, and fragmented markets ripe for consolidation. That's why you're seeing more deals. Not because every agency is valuable, but because capital is aggressively looking for places to go. However, you can't assume that just because deals are happening, your agency is ready to be bought. It's likely not. Buyers aren't just looking for revenue. They're looking for structure, predictability, and independence from the founder. If your business still relies on you for sales, delivery decisions, or client retention, it's not an asset. It's a job with revenue attached. And buyers know the difference immediately. 3 Filters Every Serious Buyer Uses Most founders think deals come down to valuation. In reality, every serious buyer is evaluating three things before they even care about price: 1. Strategic Fit Why does this deal exist? If there's no clear reason, new market, new capability, better economics, it's dead on arrival. Buying (or selling) just because it "feels like the right time" is how bad deals happen. 2. Cultural Fit This is the one founders underestimate the most. You're not just selling a business. You're entering a relationship that could last years. If there's friction early, it doesn't get better later. And forcing alignment for the sake of a deal almost always ends badly. 3. Financial Reality This is where the truth shows up. You can't "position" your way past bad numbers. Buyers will find churn issues, margin leaks, and unstable revenue during diligence. Trying to hide it just wastes months, and kills trust. The strongest sellers aren't perfect. They're transparent. The Silent Deal Killer: Founder Behavior During Diligence Here's something most people won't tell you: Deals don't usually fall apart because of numbers. They fall apart because of founder behavior during the process. Diligence takes 3–6 months. And during that time, many founders mentally check out. They assume the deal is done and take their foot off the gas. They start thinking in terms of "their problem soon, not mine." That's where things break, clients churn, and revenue dips. Key employees sense uncertainty and start looking elsewhere. And suddenly, the business the buyer evaluated is not the business that exists anymore. From the buyer's perspective, that's a red flag. The rule is simple: Run the business like you're never selling it, even when you are. Ironically, that's what makes it sellable in the first place. The Real Question: Should You Sell? Selling isn't just a financial decision. It's also a personal one. The best founders who sell have clarity on two things: What they want to do next Whether they've truly outgrown their current role  Regarding the first one, there's no wrong answer. Some buyers are looking to transition the founder out of the business in just 3-6 months. Some are looking for founders who want to stick around for a few years. The important thing is to be honest about your plans. Without that clarity, selling often creates more problems than it solves. Because removing yourself from the business doesn't automatically create purpose. AI Isn't Increasing Valuations. Bad Thinking Is Lowering Them A lot of PE firms are buying agencies based on their use of AI. Now, what these firms are looking for is AI as strategy, and using ChatGPT for content is not a strategy. That's a tool. Buyers don't care if you use AI tools. They care if AI shows up in your business fundamentals. This means that effective use of AI would show up in: Higher margins  Lower cost of delivery  Increased retention  Better client outcomes  Faster execution  If AI isn't impacting those metrics, it's irrelevant. The agencies commanding higher multiples right now aren't "AI agencies." They're system-driven agencies using AI to enhance leverage. They've embedded AI into workflows, decision-making, and delivery, not just content creation. A powerful example shared in the episode: One agency built a custom AI model for every client using all available data, sales conversations, onboarding insights, business goals. That model informs everything: Campaign strategy Reporting Communication style Execution  The result is that every client feels like the only client, without increasing workload. That's leverage. And that's what buyers pay for. Ultimately, most founders understand they need to wrap their heads around the use of AI as a strategic advantage. Whether they're really doing it or not is another issue. So ask yourself if, other than requiring your team to use AI, you're actually investing in it, whether through training, creating roles centered on AI experimentation, or providing resources to support that learning curve. If not, you won't actually affect the metrics that matter. The Bottom Line on Agency Acquisitions The agencies that sell well aren't lucky. They're structured. They've built: Predictable revenue  Strong margins  Low founder dependency  Systems that scale  Selling is just a byproduct of that. Want to Know If Your Agency Is Actually Sellable? If you're thinking about selling, or just want to build a more valuable, less dependent agency, you need to understand where your bottlenecks actually are at a structural level. If you want to map that out with real numbers, real operators, and a proven sequence, the next step is simple: Join a room where this is the standard, not the exception. Check out Herringbone Digital to start a conversation. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

There is much more to come! Jesus is our First Fruits and you will follow in His footsteps in your own resurrection, and in the mean time between now and your resurrection, you are required to be diligent. What is it, who has it, how can I get it? All this and more coming your way in this message, that will encourage, empower and enlighten you to rejoice in Jesus. Get your bibles to the book of Proverbs, something to take notes on, and make sure to share this message.

Proverbs 4:20-23 – Keeping Your Heart Focus on Proverbs 4:20-23. Verse 20: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.” Verse 23: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The Enemy’s Attack The enemy is after every heart, saved or lost. Yielding to the enemy leads to destruction of oneself and family. The enemy will tear down everything you love and leave you with nothing. Personal Responsibility There is a responsibility to keep our heart. Not keeping oneself, but guarding the heart from the enemy’s attacks. Need help from the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the church. This does not relieve the personal responsibility to pray and keep your heart according to the Word of God. Letting your guard down allows the enemy to ruin your testimony and steal your joy and peace. Importance of Heeding God’s Word Pay attention to God’s word to avoid a high price from the enemy. Focus on and remind yourself of the adversary. The adversary seeks to devour and can tear up your home, family, and work. This happens when we open our heart and don’t keep it with all diligence. Personal Responsibility and Holiness Importance of personal responsibility in serving God, walking right, and living right. God has called everyone to righteousness and holiness. The only way to please God is to do what He says. The Heart as the Source of Issues Every issue comes from the heart. Mark 7:21-23: Out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man. The heart is capable of both good and evil. Luke 6:45: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things. The heart needs attention and care. People are often more careful about their flesh and mind than their heart. When something not of God is in your heart, it will manifest one day. The Example of David David’s failure as an example of not guarding the heart. David saw Bathsheba and lusted after her because his heart had not been guarded. He should have been with his men in battle, but he was idle in the king’s castle. If you’re going to guard your heart, you better be where you’re supposed to be. If you’re in a place you ain’t supposed to be, you need to get out of there. David didn’t wake up wanting to commit adultery, but he didn’t keep his heart. If he had kept his heart, he would have been with his people and not in a position where the enemy could tilt his heart. The suffering David endured after his sin wasn’t worth it. If your heart is leaning toward something, make sure you’re keeping it with all diligence. Introspectively look and see where you’re at with God. Every evil thing starts in the heart. Giving attention to the flesh leads to being in a mess like David. It took a year for David’s heart to get right with God after Nathan’s message. David’s actions after getting Bathsheba pregnant. Calling on Joab to send Uriah home. Writing a letter for Uriah to carry, which was his death warrant. David thought he had fooled God, but Nathan revealed his sin. God spared David’s life but took the life of the child. The sword would never depart from David’s house. David recognized the problem started in his heart. Psalms 51:10: “Create within me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” He fell to the snare of the enemy because something was hidden and neglected in his heart. God restored David, but it cost him his son’s life and Uriah’s life. David showed up at the temple, but still fell. Diligence and Focus on the Heart Keep your heart with all diligence. Diligence means being focused and having all your attention pointing to it. Focusing on the flesh will lead to a road that will cost you dearly. Prayer is essential for keeping your heart. Commitment to prayer, getting serious with God, and opening yourself before Him. Let the Holy Spirit look in you. David asked God to search him and see if there was any wicked way in him. If you’re not praying, you’re leaving the door wide open for the devil. God helps every time you pray, either strengthening you, blessing you, or giving you what you need. Make time for prayer. You don’t have time not to pray. Our ancestors had a commitment to prayer. The Word of God is full of truth and stands against the lies of the world. Hide the Word in your heart that you might not sin against God. Give attention to the Word of God. The Word of God shines into our heart. Need to get focused on our heart and honest before God. Ask God to cleanse and purge your heart. The Word of God, prayer, and the Holy Spirit of God work together to fortify, restore, protect, and keep your heart. Three Key Actions for the Heart Love God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6). Love Him more than the world, your husband, your wife, or your children. Seek God with all your heart (Psalm 119:2). Blessed is the man that keepeth his commandments, and seeketh the Lord with all of his heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3). Loving, seeking, and trusting God with all your heart provides help. Consequences of Neglecting the Heart If they had kept their focus on their heart, they wouldn’t have failed. David would have gone back and done things differently if he could. He would have gotten out of the castle and back to where he was supposed to be. Need help to protect our heart from the world, its wickedness, deception, and lies. There is too much at stake to fall. Issues of life, good or bad, come from the heart. Romans 10:10: With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. God saved the invisible part, the soul. We ought to do our part. Need the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and prayer every day to build fortification around us. When the heart falls, the flesh quickly falls. God is a God of second chances. Confess your sin, and He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Each person has a responsibility to keep their heart and an opportunity every day to love God, seek God, and trust God. If you don’t keep your heart with all diligence, the enemy will exploit that weakness. Take this message into your heart and remind yourself every day to ask for God’s help to focus on your heart. Final Encouragement Every person is important and precious in the eyes of God. God has given us prayer, His Word, and the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit will help you when you look over the fence or off the terrace like David did. The enemy wants to destroy you, your family, and every opportunity of salvation they might get by making you fall. Do what David did: go back to God. David begged God for seven days to spare the child. David knew he had lost his heart and prayed for forgiveness. When the child died, David got up, cleaned up, ate, and went to the house of God and worshiped. David began to focus on his heart again that day. There are issues of the heart that will get you. Do everything you can to guard your heart. If you need to pray, come pray. If you haven’t prayed about your heart in a while, get started. Give up whatever you have to in your life to get back to focusing on your heart.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Julia Wu and Anuj Saigal from Spark AI and Patrick Chandler from Standard Solar about how artificial intelligence is transforming solar project development, diligence, and acquisition. They explore how AI powered tools are enabling developers and asset owners to move significantly faster, reduce manual work, and improve decision making. The conversation also highlights a real world case study of how Standard Solar is using Spark AI to streamline project acquisition and diligence processes. The discussion expands into the broader impact of AI on energy demand, data centers, and the future of solar and storage development.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.   About the Guests   Julia Wu is the CEO of Spark AI, an AI powered platform helping developers and asset owners accelerate project development and diligence. She previously worked at Microsoft and Apple, building large scale data systems.   Anuj Saigal is an advisor to Spark AI with a background in startups, energy, and AI. He previously worked at the Department of Energy, SunEdison, and EVgo, and founded a Y Combinator backed AI company.   Patrick Chandler is a senior project manager at Standard Solar, a Brookfield company that owns and operates distributed generation solar assets across the United States. He leads project acquisition, diligence, and execution efforts.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/   Julie Wu Website:  https://www.spark.ai/     Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/wu-julia/   Anuj Saigal Website:  https://www.spark.ai/     Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anujsaigal/   Patrick Chandler Website:  https://standardsolar.com/ Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-chandler-ii-1b6b47206/   Solar Maverick Podcast Updates In this episode, Benoy Thanjan shares key updates with the Solar Maverick community, including upcoming events, speaking engagements, and ways to stay connected. Benoy is hosting the Summer Solstice Fundraiser on June 4th in Jersey City at Hudson Hall, bringing together the clean energy community for an evening of networking and impact. The event supports Let's Share the Sun, a nonprofit delivering solar and energy storage solutions to underserved communities in Puerto Rico, including families with critical 24 hour energy needs. The event will run from 6 PM to 10 PM and includes food, networking, and a special program at 8 PM featuring insights from the Let's Share the Sun team, delegation participants, and event sponsors.  This will be Benoy's third delegation in the past year, and he highlights the importance of meeting beneficiaries firsthand and seeing how solar is transforming lives. Those interested in attending or sponsoring are encouraged to reach out directly or register here:  https://luma.com/jl734ggi   On April 28, Benoy will be at the MSSIA Insight Conference in New Jersey, where he will be participating in discussions alongside some of the greatest minds in AI. He will also be recording a live Solar Maverick Podcast interview at the event. More details can be found here:  https://whova.com/web/9I7SOtGH70LucVmeo0%40vp6bW2LE6IfIeHa%40QWl72RaE%3D/   On May 14, Benoy will be speaking at the ACORE Finance Forum 2026 in New York City on a panel focused on scaling behind the meter solar and storage for commercial and industrial and digital infrastructure. The discussion will explore the growing demand for energy driven by AI and data centers. https://acore.org/events/finance-forum/   Listeners can also visit www.solarmaverickpodcast.com to explore recent episodes and insights from leaders across the solar, storage, and energy industries.   Please provide 5 star reviews      If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.    Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:38 – Introduction: Marcel opens the episode by introducing Peter Lang as an entrepreneur, investor, and operator deeply focused on mergers and acquisitions. 01:00 – 02:13 – From Holding Company to Teaching M&A: Peter explains that he now runs a holding company, invests in assets including agencies, and is focused on teaching other founders how to acquire and grow businesses. 02:41 – 06:09 – How an Agency Owner Became Obsessed with Acquisitions: Peter shares how an early interest in corporate finance, investing, and business ownership evolved alongside accidentally building a digital agency. 06:34 – 09:23 – The First Deal and the Power of a Motivated Seller: Peter recounts the unusual acquisition that pulled him into M&A, showing how urgency, creative deal structure, and downside protection shaped his first major transaction. 09:44 – 12:25 – Why Buying Can Be Faster Than Building: Peter reflects on completing 21 transactions and argues that acquiring existing cash flow is often easier than spending years building the same result organically. 12:34 – 15:13 – Why More Founders Still Do Not Pursue Acquisitions: Marcel and Peter discuss the real barriers to M&A, including fear, lack of information, false beliefs, and the failure to consistently make time for acquisition work. 15:20 – 18:28 – Risk Versus Risky Behavior in M&A: Peter explains the difference between unavoidable business risk and reckless decision-making, emphasizing that preparation, education, and structure are what reduce exposure. 19:07 – 23:19 – Diligence, Integration, and What Buyers Are Really Acquiring: The conversation shifts to best practices in deals, with Peter stressing that due diligence and post-close integration matter more than the excitement of signing the deal itself. 23:19 – 28:12 – How to Evaluate Culture Before an Acquisition: Peter outlines why cultural fit must be measured, not guessed, using tools like NPS, eNPS, personality frameworks, and manager-role alignment to avoid poor integrations. 28:12 – 32:00 – The Great Wealth Transfer Creates a Major Opportunity: Marcel and Peter discuss how retiring owners and succession gaps are creating a historic supply of businesses that need buyers over the next two decades. 32:00 – 36:21 – How AI Is Changing Seller Behavior and Buyer Strategy: Peter explains that AI is accelerating uncertainty for agency owners, which may push more founders to sell while also reshaping what makes a business attractive to buyers. 36:38 – 45:45 – Why AI-Forward Agencies and Programmatic Buyers Will Win: Marcel and Peter close by exploring why service businesses remain resilient, why agencies still have a future, and why buyers who combine acquisitions with AI adaptation will likely outperform. Show Notes Connect with Peter via LinkedIn Website: Scale your agency with Mergers & Acquisitions Love the Podcast Leave us a review here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jonathan Prescott offers a 4-step method for practicing Right Diligence. This talk caps The Anacortes Mindfulness Community's practice period, celebrating everyone's diligent efforts and inviting the Sangha to balance that effort with enjoyment and ease. The handout can be downloaded here: https://www.wisecaregiving.org/uploads/1/4/8/7/148725901/right_diligence_handout.pdf

In this final episode of our series on preparing your RCM business for an exit or higher valuation, host Chanie Gluck shares invaluable insights on exit readiness. Drawing from her extensive experience in the medical billing industry, she emphasizes the importance of being prepared on your timeline rather than reacting to external pressures. Discover how to assemble the right advisory team, what buyers expect before a deal, and the essential steps to take in the next 90 days to enhance your business's value. Tune in for actionable advice that will empower you to navigate your exit strategy with confidence!   Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (00:30) The Importance of Exit Readiness (01:15) Assembling Your Advisory Team (02:00) Pre-LOI Preparation (03:15) Understanding Buyer Motivations (04:00) Preparing for Diligence (05:30) Exit Readiness Scorecard (06:00) Conclusion   Start With Clarity: Download the Exit Readiness Scorecard https://info.4dglobalinc.com/is-your-rcm-business-built-to-exit   Sponsors: https://4dglobalinc.com

An 86-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner in Singapore shares her 30-year cultivation journey. She highlights the importance of tolerance, perseverance, and letting go of attachments to gains and losses. She also emphasizes the significance of validating the Fa, even in challenging circumstances, and the benefits of group cultivation and helping fellow practitioners. This and other experience-sharing from the Minghui website.Original Articles:1. [Fahui] An Elderly Practitioner's 30 Years of Perseverance and Diligence in Cultivation2. Driving Thousands of Miles to Save Others and Cultivate Myself To provide feedback on this podcast, please email us at feedback@minghuiradio.org

“A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.”- ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In a world that often celebrates ease, comfort, and instant results, Proverbs 19:15-18 calls the believer back to a life shaped by discipline, diligence, and intentional direction. It confronts the quiet danger of spiritual and practical laziness, revealing that passivity is not neutral—it is costly. The one who folds his hands does not simply rest; he drifts. Yet in contrast, the one who keeps God's commands preserves his soul, the one who shows kindness to the poor participates in the economy of Heaven, and the one who disciplines with purpose invests in a hopeful future. This passage presses the reader to see that a fruitful life is not accidental; it is cultivated through consistent, God-honoring effort.

Let's get practical. For most of us, the largest portion of our waking hours is spent working in one way or another to support ourselves and our household. Whether we are in a trade or at a desk, whether we are engaged in a service or retail or farming, building, manufacturing or raising children or going to school or freelancing, most of us are tied to the responsibility of investing time into our physical care. Now, if we are truly dedicated Christians, we know our primary responsibility is to God through Christ. How do we make these seemingly contradictory investments of our time work in perfect harmony? How do we fully live our Christianity while involved in spiritually mundane activities? What does my Christianity look and sound like when I am simply taking care of business? One way to best frame the answer to these questions is to lay out what it looks like for a Christian to be an ideal employer or employee. By using the word “IDEAL” as an acronym, we can appreciate the guidelines we should strive for. I.D.E.A.L. Integrity, Diligence, Excellence, Attitude, Leadership—These attributes are a framework for living out faith at work. Integrity is described as wholeness and consistency. Integrity is not an idea; it is a decision. Diligence builds on integrity by turning conviction into sustained action. It is “urgent devotion,” not passive effort. Christian workplace diligence comes from seeking God's will first! Excellence is not just an ideal; it is an attainable reality and can be achieved even when the conditions of our work environment are lacking. Jesus is our example of excellence, and he should be ever present in our minds while we work. Attitude is not just an emotional state; it is a driving force. The prophet Daniel is a powerful example of a godly attitude while he positively served the kingdom he was a captive of for his entire life. Leadership is not just for those in front; it can be a privilege for all! When we work with Integrity, Diligence, Excellence and Attitude, we ARE leading by example! Faith at work is revealed not primarily through words but through character—how we show up, how we treat others, how we handle pressure, and how we honor God in the mundane.  Key Takeaways: Integrity is being the same person in every setting. Diligence is action, not emotion Excellence comes from always truly applying our best efforts Attitude is a powerful force that can change an environment Leadership is a result of all these things in action Faith at work begins internally, with Scripture, discipline and purpose.

summaryJoin Anu and Heidi Sturrock, a seasoned paid search expert with 24 years of experience, as she shares invaluable lessons from her career, including a major mistake with broad match campaigns, the evolution of search engines, and the role of AI in PPC. This episode offers practical insights for marketers looking to master performance marketing and navigate industry changes. Key topicsThe evolution of search engines from Yahoo to GoogleA major mistake with broad match campaigns and its silver liningThe role of quality and trust in search engine successHow to handle and learn from campaign mistakesThe impact of AI and automation in PPC strategiesChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility03:35 Heidi's Fun Fact: From 1999 to Google Dominance08:11 The Mistake: Broad Match Campaign Gone Wrong10:11 The Silver Lining: Turning Mistakes into Opportunities12:27 Diligence in Campaign Setup and Negative Keywords17:06 Controlling Spend and Managing Disgruntled Customers19:08 Lessons from Campaign Launch on a Friday24:27 Ownership and Transparency in Mistakes27:46 Adapting to Industry Changes and Embracing AI30:12 Common Mistakes in Account Audits36:11 The Biggest Mistake in AI Adoption38:21 Mastering AI Max for Search and Campaign Setup41:28 Closing Remarks and Future Events49:02 Outro.mp3Resources:Heidi Sturrock on LinkedIn - HeidiSturrock.com - SMX Advanced 2026 PPC Live The Podcast features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.Go to PPC Live for ⁠early bird ticket sale⁠Join us on ⁠⁠Slack⁠⁠Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Banking as a service and embedded finance get a practical breakdown as Academy Bank's David Robinson explains how a family-owned Kansas City institution built a BaaS program from the ground up. Tedd Huff, CEO of fintech advisory firm Voalyre and founder of Fintech Confidential, and co-host Stephen Bishop sit down with David to unpack what it takes to launch, staff, and scale an embedded banking practice at a community bank.Find out more at fintechconfidential.comAcademy Bank, a subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corporation, operates alongside Armed Forces Bank with roughly $4.8 billion in combined assets and a stated goal of reaching $6 billion. David walks through why the bank chose Treasury Prime as its middleware provider, how it integrated Lithic for card processing, and why keeping compliance and BSA functions in-house was a non-negotiable. The conversation gets specific about due diligence red flags, deals that fell apart mid-process, fee income versus deposit economics, and what changed internally when embedded banking finally showed up in every team's annual goals.1️⃣ Prepare for bank meetings like an earnings call; anticipate every compliance question before the first conversation.2️⃣ Build your AML, BSA, and fraud monitoring team before approaching a sponsor bank, not after.3️⃣ Bring your operations and compliance leads to early bank meetings, not just the founder.4️⃣ Treat banker feedback as a data point; show how you tested it and what you changed.5️⃣ Ask your bank partner if embedded work appears in the annual goals of their compliance, risk, and legal teams.GUESTDavid Robinson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmrembeddedbanking/COMPANYAcademy Bank: https://www.academybank.comAcademy Bank BaaS: https://www.academybank.com/business/banking-as-a-serviceFINTECH CONFIDENTIALPodcast: https://fintechconfidential.com/listenNotifications: https://fintechconfidential.com/accessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechconfidentialX: https://x.com/FTconfidentialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fintechconfidentialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fintechconfidentialSUPPORTERSSkyflow: Build fast without breaking privacy. A zero-trust data privacy vault delivered as an API. Visit https://skyflowsecure.com Under: Streamline your application and underwriting process by turning PDFs into smart, signable forms. Get started free at https://under.io/ftcHawk AI: Real-time payment screening, AML transaction monitoring, and dynamic customer risk rating to fight fraud and financial crime. Sign up for a demo at https://gethawkai.comABOUTGuest: David Robinson is Director of Fintech and Embedded Banking at Academy Bank. He brings over 20 years of financial services experience across State Street, UMB Bank, and now Academy Bank, where he built the embedded banking practice from the ground up starting in December 2022.Company: Academy Bank is a full-service community bank under Dickinson Financial Corporation, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Named one of Fortune's Most Innovative Companies in 2023, it operates over 70 branches across Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri.Host: Tedd Huff, CEO of fintech advisory firm Voalyre and founder of Fintech Confidential. The show is produced by DD3 Media and brings you the people, tech, and companies that change how you pay and get paid.CHAPTERS00:00 Episode Highlights01:24 Skyflow Sponsor Read02:26 Meet the Hosts03:39 Introducing David Robinson04:37 Defining BaaS and Embedded Finance05:29 Academy Bank Growth Strategy06:56 Rapid Fire: This or That08:11 Choosing Treasury Prime09:22 Future Programs and Segments09:53 What Stays In-House12:42 Managed vs. Bank-Owned Compliance14:35 Marketplace Shift and Multi-Platform16:53 Partnerships Are a People Business18:26 Under Sponsor Read18:56 How Banks Vet Fintech Fit19:25 Diligence and Fit20:21 Regulators and Scale21:30 When Deals Fall Apart23:23 Greenlights and Redlines24:23 Advice for Fintechs26:12 Why Academy Bank27:49 Top Tips and Misconceptions29:38 Fees vs. Deposits30:46 Internal Shift and Speed35:47 Crystal Ball and Closing36:54 Final Advice for Founders38:51 Wrap Up39:23 Hawk AI Sponsor Read40:09 Disclaimer

Get my new book: https://bronsonequity.com/fireyourselfDownload my new special report - How to Use Inflation to Your Advantage - www.bronsonequity.com/inflationIn this webinar replay of the Mailbox Money Show, Bronson Hill hosts an expert panel exploring the explosive growth of private credit as banks pull back. The discussion covers merchant cash advance, real estate debt, litigation finance, medical receivables, and how investors can access 10–16%+ yields with strong collateral and velocity of money. Learn underwriting strategies, risk mitigation, operator alignment, and why private credit offers diversification and liquidity in today's market.Panelists:Patrick Grimes — Founder of Passive Investing Mastery and Invest on Main Street, specializing in recession-resilient private credit across real estate debt, litigation finance, and medical receivables.Dave Wolcott — Founder of Pantheon Investments, focused on merchant cash advance and business growth financing with daily/weekly repayments and strong diversification.Steven Pesavento — Managing Partner at VonFinch Capital, expert in multifamily syndication and private credit notes backed by real estate collateral.Sam Silverman — Principal at Silverman Capital, delivering private credit solutions for small businesses with emphasis on speed, alignment, and low defaults.TIMESTAMPS0:37 - Welcome to the Rise of Private Credit Webinar3:02 - Panelist Introductions4:56 - What is Private Credit and Why It Exists7:05 - Speed and Flexibility in Private Credit vs Banks8:18 - Risk Assessment and Underwriting in Private Credit9:37 - Poll: Familiarity with Private Credit10:16 - Dave's Fund: Underwriting, Default Rates, and Returns12:59 - Sam's Structure: Zero Fees, Preferred Returns, and Liquidity13:08 - Audits and Third-Party Reviews for Funds14:05 - Alignment of Incentives and Sponsor Vetting15:05 - Using ChatGPT for Deal Analysis16:28 - Diligence, Recourse, and Risk Mitigation22:43 - Poll: Desired Returns in Private Credit23:00 - High Returns vs Risk in Merchant Cash Advance24:06 - Default Management and Repeat Customers25:37 - Leverage and Revenue-Based Repayment27:03 - AI's Role in Private Credit and Business28:34 - AI Impact on Jobs and Real Estate Resilience32:23 - AI Workforce Changes and GDP Growth34:45 - Poll Results on Returns35:25 - Announcement of Next Event and Giveaway38:00 - Bronson's Book Giveaway and Strategy Calls39:02 - Billboards as Private Credit Opportunity41:21 - Billboards Sourcing and Zoning44:34 - Opportunity Zones and New Rules46:59 - Upcoming Panels and Resources52:03 - Connect with the PanelistsJoint the Wealth Forum: bronsonequity.com/wealthConnect with the Guests:Patrick Grimes:Website: https://passiveinvestingmastery.com/Email: patrick@passiveinvestingmastery.comDave Wolcott:Email: dave@pantheoninvest.comWebsite: https://pantheoninvest.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wolcott-863306/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pantheoninvest/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/pantheoninvestSam Silverman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samalterantiveinvestments/Steven Pesavento:Website: https://www.vonfinch.com/Email: steven@vonfinch.com#PrivateCredit#PassiveIncome#AlternativeInvesting#CashFlow#RealEstateDebt#MerchantCashAdvance#WealthBuilding

Shepherd encouraged us to work with our own hands to enjoys the harvest

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Marcia Mitchell joins Earnest and Alexa to trace her path from FF Venture Capital to New York Ventures and now Mesa Lane Capital, a GP-seeding fund focused on emerging managers. She shares how her time in government shaped a broader, more responsible view of innovation and capital allocation, and discusses the increasingly crowded emerging manager landscape and where capital is still being overlooked. Marcia also breaks Mesa Lane's differentiated model of large anchor checks, follow-on commitments, co-invest pools, no carry at the FoF level, and hands-on support, positioning the firm as a true co-builder. The conversation closes with how parenthood reshaped her approach to focus, boundaries, and investing in people who energize her. Highlights from this week's conversation include: Welcoming Marcia Mitchell to the Show (0:22) Moving Into Public Sector Allocations at New York Ventures (3:39)   Are We Capped Out on Emerging Managers in Today's Market? (7:33)   How Mesa Lane Differentiates Its Fund of Funds Model (9:49)   Facilitating Direct Relationships Between GPs and LPs (12:07)   How Engaged Are LPs With Direct Deals and Co‑Investments? (13:22)   Radical Transparency and Hands‑On Support in Diligence (14:42)   Shifts in Founder Boards, Equity, and Employment Terms (17:54)   Power Dynamics and “Prenup” Mindset in Founder–Investor Negotiations (19:46)   Drafting Around Founder Entrenchment and Board Deadlock (20:57)   Why Rebecca Joined Sidley and the Firm's Venture Platform (22:14)   What a Mesa Lane GP Looks Like (24:16)   Industry Maturation, Hedge Fund Parallels, and Co‑Opetition in Venture (26:07)   Back Office Platform, Service Provider Discounts, and AI in Operations (28:46)   How Parenting Changed Marcia's Perspective and Boundaries as an Investor (30:42)   Prioritization, Structure at Home, and Investing in Energizing People (33:11)   Who Mesa Lane Wants to Hear From: Ideal Fund Size and Stage of GPs (35:46)   Sector Focus, Crypto Caveats, and Thoughts on Solo GPs (37:10)   Mesa Lane Capital is a $300M emerging manager investment platform backing early-stage VCs. The firm makes $20M anchor-style fund commitments and offers operational support across legal, tax, admin, and HR functions. Mesa Lane is not a traditional FoF: they offer access to their LP network and prioritize transparency and value-add. Founded by Scott Sherman (ex-Blackstone, Tiger) and Mark Friedman (hedge fund builder), they blend Wall Street rigor with venture approachability. Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies.  The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calvary Live is an outreach ministry of GraceFM at Calvary Church in Aurora, Colorado.If you like what you hear on Calvary Live – don't forget to follow us, and share it with your friends and family!

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”- ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[2 Peter 1:12-13] Remember the cross and be diligent. Diligence is that consistent, focused effort for a specific goal. We need reminding even though we know, are established, and the truth is present with us! Peter at his restoration was instructed by the resurrected Christ to strengthen (establish) the brethren. He says it is right to remind them of "these things" as long as he lives, rousing them to remember the truth he has taught them.

Message from Jefferson Tokurah on March 7, 2026

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I'm joined by Artem Fokin, Founder and Portfolio Manager of Caro-Kann Capital, to reflect on more than a decade of running a concentrated small- and micro-cap strategy focused on finding multibagger opportunities. Artem shares how his bottoms-up approach centers on deeply understanding a handful of businesses, engaging thoughtfully with management teams while maintaining the discipline to stay objective—what he calls being “friendly, but not friends.” We also discuss why due diligence should extend beyond the CEO to the entire leadership bench, why microcaps remain one of the best training grounds for investors despite structural market changes, and how avoiding intellectual rigidity—while embracing tools like AI for research—can help investors continuously adapt and improve their decision-making. We mention several companies and sectors during this conversation, and I'm not a shareholder in any of them. For more information about Caro-Kann Capital, please visit: https://caro-kann-capital.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:06 Investment Philosophy and Strategy 06:19 Engaging with Management Teams 09:06 Reflections on 2025 12:09 Building Relationships with Management 14:04 Best Practices for Engaging Management 16:58 Evaluating Management Teams 17:59 Diligence and Fair Game Questions 24:26 Leveraging LinkedIn for Management Insights 25:43 Understanding Investment Edge 31:11 The Importance of Execution in Investing 32:31 The Value of Microcaps in Investment Training 40:07 Fears of Intellectual Rigidity in Investing 46:53 Lessons Learned Over 11 Years 48:45 Looking Ahead: The Future of Investing Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

In Part 1 of this 3-part series on Level Up Your Money, Paul Jamison dives into Chapters 1–3 of his new book, sharing biblical wisdom and practical steps for knowing the true condition of your finances through budgeting and tracking, cultivating a strong work ethic that invites divine favor and opportunities, and building a reputation of trust that shapes long-term financial success.

2 Peter 3 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin discuss how a maturing Christian must grow in grace and knowledge. They have a special emphasis on what it means to grow in grace.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24507The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

In This Episode The length of the sales cycle in financial services is legendary. Slow decisions, endless diligence, and constant risk reviews are practically an industry meme. To be fair, the stakes are real. When money moves, it has to arrive; when deposits sit in a bank, they have to be safe. Somewhere along the way, caution turned into paralysis. Banks ask more questions, add more steps, delay commitment, often increasing the risk by avoiding learning, accountability, and real-world feedback. In this episode of Breaking Banks, Jason Henrichs connects with Lindsay Borgeson, President of Core Bank’s Partner Banking Division, and Kalyani Ramadurgam, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Labs. They discuss the dynamics of decision-making in banking, the importance of defining the problems to be solved, the role of proof of concepts, and the hurdles of implementation. By sharing the Core Bank and Kobalt Labs partnership journey, Lindsay and Kalyani offer practical strategies for navigating these processes more effectively. For financial institutions, speed doesn't require cutting corners. For fintech providers, strong partnerships can be built by proving value early and enabling clients to make decisions based on real operational impact. Whether you are a financial institution seeking to modernize your technology stack or a fintech company looking to accelerate enterprise adoption, this conversation offers experience-based guidance for making faster, high-confidence decisions without sacrificing risk discipline. Listen now, share with your colleagues, and please reach out to share your feedback.

Welcome to the ThrivetimeShow.com Cleaning Business Podcast Series. During this 100 episode business coach podcast series Clay Clark teaches how you can achieve success in automotive repair, carpet cleaning, dog training, grooming, home building, home cleaning, home remodeling, manufacturing, medical, online sales, podcasting, photography, signage, skin care, and other industries. #CleaningBusinessPodcast   Where You Find Thousands of Clay Clark Client Success Stories?  https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/    Breaking Down the 1,462% Growth of Stephanie Pipkin with Clay Clark: An EOFire Classic from 2022 - https://www.eofire.com/podcast/clayclark8/    Who is Clay Clark?  Clay Clark is the co-founder of five kids, the host of the 6X iTunes chart-topping ThrivetimeShow.com Podcast, the 2007 Oklahoma SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2002 Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year, an Amazon best-selling author, a singer / song-writer and the founder of several multi-million dollar businesses.  https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/clayclark/    Where Can You Learn More About Clay Clark? https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/need-business-coach/#coaching-about-founders    Where Can You Read Clay Clark's 40+ Books? https://www.amazon.com/stores/Clay-Clark/author/B004M6F5T4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1767189818&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true    Where Can You Discover Clay Clark's Songs & Original Music?  https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZdE8VDS6PYQgdilQ1vWTP?si=Am65WUlIQba4OLbinBYo1g

Welcome to the ThrivetimeShow.com Cleaning Business Podcast Series. During this 100 episode business coach podcast series Clay Clark teaches how you can achieve success in automotive repair, carpet cleaning, dog training, grooming, home building, home cleaning, home remodeling, manufacturing, medical, online sales, podcasting, photography, signage, skin care, and other industries. #CleaningBusinessPodcast   Where You Find Thousands of Clay Clark Client Success Stories?  https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/    Breaking Down the 1,462% Growth of Stephanie Pipkin with Clay Clark: An EOFire Classic from 2022 - https://www.eofire.com/podcast/clayclark8/    Who is Clay Clark?  Clay Clark is the co-founder of five kids, the host of the 6X iTunes chart-topping ThrivetimeShow.com Podcast, the 2007 Oklahoma SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2002 Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year, an Amazon best-selling author, a singer / song-writer and the founder of several multi-million dollar businesses.  https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/clayclark/    Where Can You Learn More About Clay Clark? https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/need-business-coach/#coaching-about-founders    Where Can You Read Clay Clark's 40+ Books? https://www.amazon.com/stores/Clay-Clark/author/B004M6F5T4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1767189818&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true    Where Can You Discover Clay Clark's Songs & Original Music?  https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZdE8VDS6PYQgdilQ1vWTP?si=Am65WUlIQba4OLbinBYo1g

Ask Joni a question here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.