M&A+: The Art After The Deal podcast

AI isn’t just a buzzword in deal rooms—it’s changing how due diligence, contracts, privacy, and integration actually work after close. In this episode, Lisa sits down with tech lawyer Rob Taylor to unpack what “AI risk” really means, why lawyers must understand the technology to spot legal exposure, and how companies can move fast and responsibly. Rob shares practical frameworks from hundreds of A...

Lisa sits down with litigator and tax specialist Joshua Smeltzer to unpack how Texas is positioning itself as a digital-asset hub, what the new business-court and “business judgment rule” mean for companies, and how tax and regulatory choices ripple through M&A, treasury strategy, and day-to-day operations. From plain-English explanations of blockchains and NFTs to real-world pitfalls like sta...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Tim Savage , CPA and Tax Partner at Weaver, who leads the firm’s Blockchain & Digital Assets practice. Tim shares how he built a crypto-forward tax practice inside a traditional firm, where digital assets fit in M&A due diligence, and the tax levers that quietly drive value (or risk) after close. The conversation...

In this timely and wide-ranging episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with Lee Bratcher, Founder and President of the Texas Blockchain Council, during a historic week in U.S. crypto legislation. As the GENIUS Act is signed into law and the Clarity Act gains momentum, Lisa and Lee explore what this federal progress means for Texas, how the blockchain ecosystem has ev...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott is joined by Tom Doorley , founder of Sage Partners, co-founder of Braxton Associates, and long-time advisor to top boards and billion-dollar companies. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, strategy, governance, and integration, Tom brings a rare blend of insight, candor, and playbook-level clarity to t...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with leadership expert and bestselling author Bob Tiede for a masterclass on leading with questions. Bob shares how shifting from telling to asking can radically transform leadership effectiveness, especially during times of transition, such as post-merger integration.   Drawing from his bestselling book Leading Wit...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott is joined by Michael Richards, a transformational leader with deep expertise in private equity, technology, and software. Michael shares insights from his extensive career spanning Deloitte, KPMG, and leadership roles as CFO, COO, and Chief Transformation Officer. He discusses his work as an Operating Partner at Symphony Technolog...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Don Yakulis, a seasoned M&A integration leader who has managed over 50 global deals across countries like Finland, Japan, Korea, and Malta. With executive experience at a variety of companies including:  Light & Wonder, Visa, SAP, Nokia, Cisco, and Synopsis, Don brings invaluable insights into building integ...

Welcome to M&A+ The Art After the Deal. Lisa introduces the podcast and special guest Ivan Golubic, a corporate finance and development expert, managing partner at Abbott Group. Ivan’s inspiring journey—from immigrating to the U.S. during the Yugoslavian war to becoming a leader in global M&A—sets the stage for insights into the critical gaps in M&A transitions, cultural integration, a...

In this episode of M&A Plus: The Art After the Deal, host Lisa Scott sits down with Keith Crawford, Global Head of Corporate Development at State Street, one of the world’s most respected financial institutions. With over 20 years at State Street and experience as a CFO, Keith shares valuable insights into tackling complex and high-value carve-out acquisitions and integrating them for long-ter...

In this episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, Lisa Scott sits down with Jim Buckley, a veteran in M&A integration with leadership experience at tech giants like Microsoft, PayPal, and VMware. With a career spanning over 150 integrations, Jim shares his insights on managing complex, multi-acquisition environments, working effectively with legal teams, and leveraging technology for seamles...

In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal , host Lisa Scott is joined by Brant Wilson, president of Customer Value Systems. With over 30 years of marketing and management experience across industries such as technology, healthcare, and financial services, Brant shares his journey to leading a successful marketing research firm. This episode dives into the strategic role of cust...

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Mikulsky, an expert in operations and leadership, to discuss key principles for effective leadership and operational success. We explore themes from his book, L.O.V.E. 2 Lead, discussing the importance of self-reflection and humility in leadership. Aaron emphasizes the need to focus on people's strengths and how leveraging these can create high-performing tea...

Join us on this episode of "M&A+ The Art After the Deal" as I discuss the intricate world of cross-border mergers and acquisitions with our esteemed guest, Lawrence Howorth. With his vast international experience, Lawrence brings invaluable insights into the challenges and nuances of helping US companies venture into foreign markets and assisting foreign entities in establishing a presence in...

Peter Connor, author of The T-Shaped Lawyer, shares his extensive experience transitioning from traditional legal roles into significant business-oriented positions, enhancing both legal and business outcomes. His T-Shaped Lawyer program, instrumental in over 50 workshops worldwide, advocates for a multidisciplinary skill set, preparing lawyers to work not just on the business but in it, enhancing...

 In this enlightening episode, we welcome John Troxel, a seasoned procurement expert, to discuss the critical role of procurement in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate spin-offs. John shares invaluable insights on the strategic importance of involving procurement early in the M&A process, the methodologies for extracting maximum value, and the nuances of standing up a new procurement te...

In this episode of our podcast, we're joined by John Shin, the Managing Director at RSI Security, who brings over 18 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity leadership. John discusses the critical role of cybersecurity in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process, emphasizing how advanced security measures are pivotal in safeguarding assets and ensuring a smooth transi...

In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, we're joined by Vidur Bhandari, most recently Senior Vice President of Strategy and Value Creation at Shiseido. With extensive experience in leading transformation programs and managing M&A integrations globally, Vidur shares his expert insights on the three pillars of successful integration: people, value capture, and clarity of t...

In this compelling episode of our podcast, we sit down with David Edgar, an esteemed M&A deal lawyer at the international law firm K&L Gates. David brings his extensive experience to the table, discussing the often overlooked but critical aspects of integration in the M&A process. The conversation sheds light on the pitfalls that businesses might encounter if integration isn't properly...

In this insightful episode of M&A+ The Art After the Deal, we're joined by Cliff Gardner, an accomplished M&A strategist and a visionary behind ECP Ventures. Cliff shares his extensive journey from a CPA to a leading M&A advisor, delving into the critical importance of cultural fit, strategic negotiation, and personalized advisory in mergers and acquisitions. What You Will Learn: How a...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Kevin Karlson, a unique professional with a dual background in law and psychology, to explore the intricate connections between mergers and acquisitions, leadership, and employee wellness. Dr. Kevin shares valuable insights from his recent research, discussing the real impacts of corporate wellness programs and effective strategies for enhancing employe...

Welcome back to another episode of "M&A+ The Art after the Deal," where we dive into the real-world narratives that shape mergers and acquisitions. Today, we're thrilled to host Joanne Hirase-Stacey, a powerhouse in the legal world of M&A transitions, bringing with her a treasure trove of experience and expertise. Highlights: Joanne Hirase-Stacey’s career journey and how she ventured into...

Welcome to M&A+ The Art After the Deal, where we dive deep into the strategies and stories behind successful post-merger integrations and acquisitions. In today's episode, we're joined by Phil Abraham, a noted complexity scientist, AI futurist, and a master at navigating complex transformations. Introduction to Phil Abraham Phil Abraham is celebrated for his trailblazing and innovative approac...

In this inaugural episode of M&A+ podcast, we explores the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions beyond the initial deal, focusing on the transition and integration phases. The host, Lisa Scott, emphasizes the importance of thorough contract review and early engagement in the M&A process. She shares examples of how neglecting contract terms can lead to operational hurdles and financial l...