Shows
Going Beyond the Deal28 | Eric Frankel | How Top Execs Escape Burnout and Build Something That LastsEver felt trapped by your own success, secretly craving a reboot but fearing what’s next?This isn’t just another ex-exec startup story. Eric Frankel, former Warner Bros. President turned founder of AdGreetz, sits down with J. Michael Fisher Jr. for a raw, revealing conversation on what it truly takes to leap from a billion-dollar seat into entrepreneurship, without a safety net. They dig into the hidden emotional costs, the rush of early wins, and the guts required to walk away from the familiar and reimagine what’s possible (even after 30 years at the top).If y...
2025-12-0258 minGoing Beyond the Deal27 | Earl Foote | How Creativity and Culture Drove 40%+ GrowthWhat if the secret to scaling a tech business wasn’t just strategy but soul?In this deeply human conversation, Michael sits down with Nexus IT Consultants founder and CEO Earl Foote to unpack how he’s built one of the fastest-growing managed IT and cybersecurity firms in the country, not through hustle and grind alone, but by leading with creativity, culture, and conviction.From musician to entrepreneur, Earl shares how art and architecture led him to tech, and how aligning people with purpose is now the fuel behind Nexus’ 40%+ organic growth. Whether you’re an MSP f...
2025-11-1147 min
Breaking BarriersManaging Director of DBD Investment Bank M&A and Capital Formation - J. Michael Fischer Jr.From bank teller to Managing Director of a bespoke investment bank, J. Michael Fischer Jr. (DBD Investment Bank), reveals the counter-intuitive secret to his insane career growth: give first, always. It changed everything. Subscribe for more insights and inspiration.
2025-11-0642 minGoing Beyond the Deal26 | Jeff Silbert | The Secret To Sustainable Growth With People, Process, PassionWhat if your next business opportunity wasn’t about building from scratch, but building smarter?In this conversation, Michael reconnects with longtime friend and franchise entrepreneur Jeff Silbert, co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone locations and regional developer for Moxie Salon. Jeff shares how he went from coding at Accenture to scaling membership-based wellness brands and why his sweet spot isn’t startups at zero, but businesses just past lift-off.They talk about what makes a franchise model work, how to identify scalable opportunities, and why people, process, and passion are the core of every successful expansion. Whet...
2025-10-2838 min
Tech Behind FintechThe Vitality Blueprint: Redefining Success for Today's LeadersJoin us on Friday, October 17th, 2025, at 12 PM EST for an inspiring episode of Tech Behind FinTech featuring J. Michael Fischer Jr., Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank. In a world that celebrates nonstop hustle, J. Michael Fischer challenges the traditional definition of success. In The Vitality Blueprint: Redefining Success for Today’s Leaders, he explores what it really means to lead with purpose, longevity, and vitality—without losing your edge. With years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, and advisory roles across the U.S., J. Michael brings a unique perspective that blends business acumen with human insight. His...
2025-10-2657 minGoing Beyond the Deal25 | No Asshole Rule: Refuse The Wrong People, Win Big AnywayWhat if the secret to long-term success isn’t about who you can work with but who you refuse to?In this candid solo episode, Michael J. Fischer breaks down a principle that’s shaped both his personal and professional life: The No Asshole Rule. From his early years as a “baby banker” grinding through endless networking events to his current role as Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, Michael shares how saying no to misaligned clients, partners, and even bosses became the key to protecting his energy and integrity.You’ll hear what happens when you c...
2025-10-2111 minGoing Beyond the Deal24 | Why Your 40s Might Be Your Most Important Decade YetWhat if your greatest opportunity for growth starts the moment your comfort zone ends?In this powerful solo episode, J. Michael Fischer, Jr. shares a raw, personal reflection on how personal development transformed not just his career but his identity. From working as a janitor and rebuilding alternators to becoming Managing Director at a bespoke investment bank, Michael reveals the pivotal mindset shifts that helped him rewrite his life in his 40s.You’ll hear how COVID offered a catalyst, why he traded a cushy salary for entrepreneurship, and the honest truth about what it ta...
2025-09-3011 minGoing Beyond the Deal23 | Amos Bar Joseph | How to Leverage AI for 100x Business GrowthWhat if the future of business isn’t just about hiring more people, but about creating organizations where humans and AI collaborate to unlock 100x growth?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Amos Bar Joseph, co-founder and CEO of Swan AI, a company building AI agents designed to transform go-to-market operations for modern businesses. Amos shares how his childhood in a scientific community and his early career in game theory shaped his approach to problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and building companies that scale intelligently rather than just adding headcount....
2025-09-2346 minGoing Beyond the Deal22 | Chase Ramey | How to Transition from Corporate to Startup LifeWhat would make someone leave a high-paying Big Four accounting career, take a 50% pay cut, and join a four-person startup with no systems in place? And how do you grow that business into a globally recognized health and wellness brand?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Chase Ramey, CFO of Organifi, a purpose-driven supplement company known for its high-quality, efficacious products. Chase shares how burnout early in his career pushed him to reevaluate his path, leading him to Organifi, where he rebuilt his health, career...
2025-09-1659 minGoing Beyond the Deal21 | Reggie Ford | How to Create Impact by Being Your Authentic SelfWhat happens when you achieve everything you thought would bring happiness — and still feel empty?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Reggie Ford, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction, and founder of the Vulnerability Muscle framework. Reggie shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in poverty and chaos to building a successful career in finance, only to realize that money alone couldn’t solve the deepest challenges.Through raw honesty and powerful insights, Reggie opens up about grie...
2025-09-091h 05Going Beyond the Deal20 | Blake Balsamo | How to Avoid Burnout While Reinventing Your CareerWhat does it take to walk away from a secure, successful career in commercial banking to pursue something entirely new?In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Blake Balsamo, Executive Director, Americas at i2i Logic. Blake shares how he transitioned from being one of New Jersey’s most well-known commercial bankers to helping transform the way bankers and clients interact through data-driven insights.From the challenges of leaving behind stability to embrace uncertainty, to his vision for the future of commercial banking in an...
2025-09-0252 minGoing Beyond the Deal19 | Abe Kasbo | How to Make Better Marketing Decisions TodayHow do you build a brand in the digital age without falling for hype, gimmicks, or empty metrics?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Abe Kasbo, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and author of the upcoming book Irresponsibly Digital, to unpack what’s really working in marketing today. With over two decades of experience leading successful campaigns and advising top-tier brands, Abe brings a rare blend of insight, candor, and hard-earned wisdom.From his immigrant roots to leading a business built on cl...
2025-08-2654 minGoing Beyond the Deal18 | George Alifragis | How to Leverage Private Credit for Business GrowthWhat if financing your business didn’t feel like being capped by traditional bank constraints or compromising majority control and equity? In this insightful episode of Going Beyond the Deal, J. Michael Fischer sits down with George Alifragis to explore how private credit is reshaping the world of business financing.George opens up about his personal entrepreneurial journey and how that experience shaped his view on capital, optionality, and work-life integration. He explains why certain private credit partners offer more than just funding—it provides flexibility, operational support, and relationship-driven growth partnerships. Whether you’re a founder prepar...
2025-08-1950 minGoing Beyond the Deal17 | TJ Bongiorno | How to Turn ADHD into an Entrepreneurial AdvantageWhat happens when a high-performing sales engineer with ADHD launches a nootropics company from scratch and actually makes it work?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with TJ Bongiorno, founder of Ramp Health, for a dynamic and wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, brain performance, personal development, and building a business that aligns with who you truly are. From selling knockoff sneakers in Queens to launching a science-backed supplement brand while raising a toddler, TJ’s story is equal parts hustle, experimentation, and purpose.Yo...
2025-08-1251 minGoing Beyond the Deal16 | Trent Steele | How to Choose Purpose Over Profit in Your CareerWhat does it mean to build a business around purpose instead of profit?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Trent Steele, founder of the Anti-Predator Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and sexual predators in the United States through the use of specially trained private investigators. Alongside their investigative and protective services for victims, the organization is also deeply committed to educating the public about the true scope of human trafficking across the country.Trent shares what it takes...
2025-08-0547 minGoing Beyond the Deal15 | Jeff Parnell | How to Prepare Your Business for the Next GenerationIn this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Jeff Parnell, a seasoned CEO, advisor, and author with deep expertise in helping businesses navigate major transitions. With decades of experience spanning ecommerce, consumer goods, food manufacturing, and more, Jeff shares how his work with companies of all sizes, especially family-owned and private-equity-backed businesses, has helped them achieve clarity and direction during high-stakes periods of change.Listeners will hear insights on what makes or breaks a transition plan, why succession is about more than leadership change, and how owners can build...
2025-07-2946 minGoing Beyond the Deal14 | John Carpenter | How to Optimize Vendor Contracts for Better ProfitabilityIn 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, and rethinking long-standing supplier relationships. He explains why many companies overpay, especially in high-spend areas like insurance and medical supplies, not out of necessity, but out of habit and assumption. Through this conversation, John makes a compelling case for why...
2025-07-2246 minGoing Beyond the Deal13 | Chris Murphy | How to Treat Every Role as Essential in Your FirmWhat 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 shares how he and his partners approached the firm from day one with the intention of creating something scalable, sustainable, and mission-driven. He discusses the value of running a firm like a real bu...
2025-07-1549 minGoing Beyond the Deal12 | Michael Johnson | How to Cultivate Essential Habits for SuccessWhat 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 discovery company, and now leading one of New Jersey’s top innovation engines. Michael opens up about raising capital against the odds, recognizing when to sell in a bubble, and why co...
2025-07-0846 minGoing Beyond the Deal11 | Zach Kuehne | How to Lead a Legacy Business into the FutureEver 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 Fischer Jr. sits down with Zach to explore the fascinating story of a third-generation family business in chemical manufacturing. From humble beginn...
2025-07-0153 minGoing Beyond the Deal10 | Darek Hahn | How to Build Authentic Leadership in a Tech-Driven WorldHow 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 relationships and intentional leadership can transform both company culture and security practices.Darek shares lessons from his journey as CEO of AffinIT, a company redefining the relationship between people and technology. Together, they explore why too...
2025-06-1057 minGoing Beyond the Deal09 | Buddy Valastro | How to Build a Business That’s Both Famous and GroundedWhat 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 Bakery as a teenager after the loss of his father, to navigating the early challenges of keeping a family business alive in the...
2025-06-0349 minGoing Beyond the Deal08 | Charles Scott | How to Embrace Discomfort for Personal GrowthWhat 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 journey that led him to leave a high-level corporate role at Intel to build a legacy centered around family, meaning, and transformation.From cycling across Japan with...
2025-05-2759 minGoing Beyond the Deal07 | Bill Duerr | How to Lead a Family Business into the Digital AgeIn 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-driven marketing.Bill shares his personal journey from wanting nothing to do with the family business to eventually taking the reins, applying lessons from coaching and team leadership to grow Hatteras into a na...
2025-05-2048 minGoing Beyond the Deal06 | Manuel Aczualdez | How to Build a Sustainable Brand in the Spirits IndustryWhat 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 craftsmanship.Manuel shares how he leveraged decades of experience in the spirits industry to develop a unique portfolio of premium tequila, mezcal, and gin brands. From navigating the challenges of launching a brand—fr...
2025-05-1337 minGoing Beyond the Deal05 | John Ziss | How to Transition from Family Business to Venture CapitalWhat 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 stepping away to gain outside experience was a game-changer. He also dives into his work in private equity, renewable energy, and EV infrastructure, offering insights on how businesses can scale strategically while staying ahead...
2025-05-0648 minGoing Beyond the Deal04 | Kyle Shroufe | How to Scale Your Business Without Debt or InvestorsHow 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 management to identifying a major gap in the solar industry—one that allowed him to build a company that delivers better solutions for clients. He dives into the key principles that fu...
2025-04-2948 minGoing Beyond the Deal03 | Ted Stone | How to Bridge the Gap Between Tech and Executive TeamsWhat 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 operational decisions, Ted shares valuable insights on what it takes to scale successfully.Listene...
2025-04-2532 minGoing Beyond the Deal02 | Steve Poliseo | How to Maintain High Performance in AccountingWhat 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 stories.This conversation dives deep into the value of collaboration between accountants, bankers, and other advisors, showcasing how these relationships can empower businesses to thrive. Steve discusses his role as a trusted advisor, the importance...
2025-04-2251 minGoing Beyond the Deal01 | Joe Furey | How Legacies Thrive and Soar in Modern BusinessEver 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 globally renowned architectural firm headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. With a career that began in accounting and evolved into leading one of the most prestigious names in architecture, Joe has a unique perspective on...
2025-04-2244 minGoing Beyond the Deal00 | Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal Podcast!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 that guide his life and business philosophy: legacy over ego, real relationships over transactions, discipline as the foundation for freedom, holistic growth, and the power of a give-first mentality.He also unpacks why su...
2025-04-2106 min
Business UnchainedFrom Barista to Managing Director: J. Michael Fischer Jr. Shares the Rules of the Game (S2:E10)Send us a textAbout Michael FischerJ. Michael Fischer Jr. is a financial strategist and investment banker with a passion for helping business owners navigate growth, acquisition, and exit strategies. His journey is anything but traditional—starting as a college dropout pursuing a rock-and-roll dream, he worked as a janitor, a plumber, and a bank teller before climbing his way up to leadership roles in finance. Through personal challenges, career pivots, and a transformative approach to self-improvement, Fischer has developed a methodology that integrates mindset, physical fitness, and financial acumen.Ou...
2025-02-2738 min