Going Beyond the Deal

In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. welcomes John Carpenter, National Practice Partner at ERA Group and a strategic advisor known for helping companies stop cash leakage and improve profitability through smarter expense management. John shares real-world strategies for driving EBITDA growth by optimizing vendor contracts, identifying overlooked cost centers...

What does it take to build a law firm that runs like a high-performance business—not just a legal practice? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Chris Murphy, partner and co-founder of Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset behind building a thriving, people-centered commercial real estate law firm. Chris...

What does it take to transform innovation from buzzword to impact? Michael Johnson, PhD, has built his career around bridging the gap between ideas and execution across biotech, business, and fatherhood. In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. dives deep into Michael’s remarkable career path—from his early days in a Rutgers lab to building and selling a drug di...

Ever wonder what it takes to keep clean water flowing to millions of homes—day after day, year after year? For Zach Kuehne, it’s more than a job. It’s a family legacy spanning over a century. As the president of the Kuehne Company, Zach is on a mission to modernize one of the oldest and most vital services in the world: water disinfection. In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal, host J. Michael...

How can business owners thrive in a tech-driven world without losing human connection? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with executive and cybersecurity expert Darek Hahn for an eye-opening conversation about navigating business growth, technology, and authentic leadership. Far from a typical tech talk, this episode focuses on how genuine relations...

What if the defining moment of your life came at 17, and you had to grow up overnight? In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with the one and only Buddy Valastro, a.k.a. the Cake Boss, for a deeply personal conversation about legacy, leadership, and the drive that turned a Hoboken bakery into a globally recognized brand. From taking over Carlo’s...

What if the real pivot in your life isn’t about chasing more, but choosing growth over comfort? In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Charles Scott, former Intel Corporation executive turned executive mentor, to explore what it truly means to live a life of vitality, purpose, and self-directed growth. Charles shares the deeply personal journ...

In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Bill Duerr, President and CEO of Hatteras, a leading print and packaging company with deep family roots and a strong innovation streak. What began as a bold move by Bill’s father in 1983 has since evolved into a thriving middle-market business that blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge data-...

What drives an entrepreneur to leave a successful corporate career and start something entirely their own? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Manuel Aczualdez, founder and CEO of Drink Good Spirits, to uncover the story behind his journey from working for industry giants like Diageo and Clase Azul to creating a brand that blends sustainability, authenticity, and craf...

What does it take to transition from family business leadership to venture capital, M&A, and sustainable investing? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with John Ziss, President of Coral EV, to discuss his journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic business growth. John shares how growing up in a family business shaped his leadership mindset and why st...

How do you build a multi-eight-figure company from scratch without taking on debt or investors? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Kyle Shroufe, CEO and Co-Founder at Opal Energy Group, to discuss his journey in the commercial solar industry and the strategies behind his company's massive success. Kyle shares how he went from working in real estate and project manage...

What happens when you blend the precision of engineering with the strategic thinking of finance? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Ted Stone, Managing Partner at TechCXO’s New York office, to explore how the right systems and leadership can make or break a business. From his early career as a “recovering engineer” to guiding companies through complex financial and o...

What makes a trusted advisor in accounting truly exceptional? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, Michael Fisher interviews Steve Poliseo, a partner at Citrin Cooperman and a highly regarded accountant in the New Jersey market. Steve shares his personal journey, from a blue-collar upbringing to becoming a trusted resource for business owners and an integral part of their success stor...

Ever wondered what it takes to turn an iconic architectural firm into a global powerhouse? Imagine navigating the complexities of succession planning, acquisitions, and a rapidly evolving industry—all while preserving a legacy that spans over half a century. In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Joe Furey, the President and CEO of Michael Graves and Associates, a global...

Welcome to Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, where real conversations about strategy, leadership, personal growth, and long-term success take center stage. In today’s episode, host J. Michael Fischer Jr lays the foundation for what listeners can expect from the show. Drawing from his journey from a struggling musician to Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, Michael shares the five core themes th...