Going Beyond the Deal

J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
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Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    42 | Brad Younggren – The Powerful Longevity Therapies Nobody Talks About

    What if the real breakthroughs in longevity are happening behind the scenes, hidden from mainstream health trends? This episode features Brad Younggren, CEO of Circulate Health, who’s quietly transforming how advanced therapies reach people determined to live longer, healthier lives. Together, he and Michael dig deep into the urgent gap between hyped-up longevity ideas and what’s really working, unveiling the proven therapies, innovation battles, and business models driving this high-stakes revolution. Tune in if you want more than surface-level biohacking or wellness trends. Miss this episode, and you risk being left out of the coming shift in healthcare and health investment. Listen now for an inside look you won’t find anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights00:58 – The battlefield lesson that forever changed his approach to healthcare 02:18 – The first smartphone medical device and why it shook up the system 05:07 – The real reason patients of all ages engage with health tech 06:33 – The counterintuitive truth about what “longevity” really means 08:12 – The unexpected trial that’s redefining plasma therapy’s possibilities 11:19 – Microplastics, toxins, and the radical science of removing them from your body 13:17 – Why high-powered longevity clinics are exploding and what that means for business 18:14 – The bold affiliate model changing how data drives healthcare breakthroughs 21:56 – What it costs to hack your health span (and why that might soon change) 23:47 – The explosive business opportunities few investors see coming in healthspan Mentioned ResourcesCirculate Trial (Aging Cell journal, also featured in The New York Times)Cue Health (COVID at-home testing)98.6 TechnologiesAMBAR Trial (Alzheimer’s and plasma exchange)Function HealthPrenuvo and Ezra (full body MRI brands)GLP1 peptidesUS HHS/ARPA STOMP grant for microplastics research About the GuestBrad Younggren is the CEO of Circulate Health, leading advances in therapeutic plasma exchange and data-driven longevity. A physician by background and health tech pioneer, he’s known for bridging frontline patient care with scalable medical innovation. His expertise includes clinical trials, digital health, and launching game-changing healthcare platforms. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    29 min

  2. 5 MAY

    41 | Bill Butrymowicz – How to Win Big in the Beverage Industry

    Is your approach to launching or investing in beverage brands holding you back without you knowing it? In this high-impact conversation, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with Bill Petromovich, a proven beverage industry operator and investor, to expose what really drives brand success, what keeps founders from ever breaking through, and why old-school juice could be the next billion-dollar disruption. With decades of distribution experience, from Snapple to the latest wellness startups, Bill Petromovich reveals the brutal pitfalls and smart strategies behind today's biggest wins and flameouts, including the unseen dangers of scaling too soon or chasing hype. If you've ever wondered how to spot the next breakout brand, avoid losing your shirt as an investor, or build a business worth real money, this episode gives you the inside edge almost nobody shares. Listen now before your competition does or risk missing the shifts that decide who actually wins in this crowded market. Timestamped Highlights00:55 – The unexpected story behind Snapple's rise and family business grit 05:07 – Why most founders choose the wrong brands to back and how to fix it 10:30 – The "dead" juice category with a shocking $26B white space 14:27 – From zero to Best New Brand: inside Loom’s wild first 90 days 17:18 – Brutal mistakes founders make when scaling too fast 19:15 – The hidden power of authenticity over mainstream appeal 22:05 – The undervalued secret behind massive beverage exits 30:54 – When holding on too long destroys the biggest brands Mentioned ResourcesSnappleLiquid DeathVita CocoLemon PerfectPoppiOlipopBody ArmorCelsiusKDP (Keurig Dr Pepper)New EraAEGBowery PresentsThe NIDA GroupShopRiteUnifiCahiPhish (the band)TurnstileJustice HaynesNyck HarborForbesRolling Stone About the GuestBill Butrymowicz is the CEO and Founder of Loom Brands, and a leader in beverage distribution and investment. With a legacy built on distributing brands like Snapple, Fiji, and Liquid Death, he is recognized for his industry analysis in Forbes and Rolling Stone, and for scaling fresh, culturally relevant products across the U.S. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    36 min

  3. 28 APR

    40 | Keith Zubchevich – How to Win Big in the Shocking AI Economy Shift

    Ever wonder what will separate tomorrow’s winners from the lost in an economy shaken by AI? In this urgent, eye-opening episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with Keith Zubchevich, CEO of Conviva, to reveal how AI is fundamentally rewriting the rules for business owners, advisors, and operators. If you think AI is just another technology wave, get ready to have your assumptions shattered. From the threat of white-collar job extinction to the goldmine of personalized customer experiences, they dig into how to outmaneuver disruption and build real trust (and revenue) in the agentic age. The decisions you make in the next six months will determine if you win or become irrelevant. Listen now to avoid the pain of falling behind and get breakthrough strategies you won’t hear anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The wild truth about who’s really at risk from AI (hint: it’s not who you think) [02:32] – The bold origin story: Measuring experience before “streaming” was even a word [07:18] – The two breeds of AI agents and why the difference could make or break your business [09:25] – Coming shift: Why tomorrow’s buyers will laugh at today’s e-commerce [14:04] – AI outpaces human potential. So where does that leave YOUR edge? [17:42] – The mindset pivot: The make-or-break move for business leaders (it’s not just tech) [19:18] – How slashing headcount and exploding productivity is already possible with agentic systems [21:36] – Miss this and lose your customer: The secret playbook for owning behavior data in the agentic era Mentioned ResourcesChatGPTClaudeMicrosoft CopilotNetflixDisney+ESPNNike About the GuestKeith Zubchevich is the CEO of Conviva, a pioneering leader in AI-powered experience measurement, serving global brands in digital video and beyond. With 30+ years in technology and a reputation for spotting industry shifts before they hit mainstream, he’s redefining how businesses use data, agents, and automation to drive next-level growth, personalization, and efficiency. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    39 min

  4. 21 APR

    39 | What Really Happens When You Sell Alone

    What if the biggest financial decision of your life is the one you’re least prepared for? In this solo episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr., Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, breaks down the reality most founders never see when selling their business. This is not just a transaction, it is a high-stakes negotiation against professionals who do deals every day. And if you are unprepared, the cost is permanent. Michael exposes the hidden risks, from undervalued offers and deal fatigue to broken cultures and lost wealth during diligence. He also reveals why the right advisor is not just a banker, but a process architect who creates leverage, competition, and clarity. Listen now to avoid costly, irreversible mistakes, gain insider-level deal awareness, and access the exact perspective most founders never get until it’s too late. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The uncomfortable truth, you are not just selling a business, you are negotiating your life’s work [01:15] – Why success on paper hides a dangerous reality about your wealth [02:25] – The silent trap of accepting the “market value” without real competition [03:32] – Deal fatigue, how exhaustion quietly forces founders into bad terms [04:30] – The real role of an advisor, process architect, quarterback, and emotional buffer [05:35] – How elite advisors compress years of mistakes into months of leverage [07:13] – Why diligence destroys deals, and how value slowly disappears [10:05] – The biggest myth about fees, and the real risk founders ignore Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    10 min

  5. 31 MAR

    38 | Don't lose your leverage

    Are you secretly worried your next big business move might happen to you instead of because of you? J. Michael Fischer Jr. breaks the silence on a painful reality facing founders and CEOs who wait too long to plan their exit. In this solo episode of Going Beyond the Deal, he reveals why most business owners lose their best negotiating tool—leverage—and how to reclaim it before it’s too late. He explains why high revenue is not enough, how “strategic patience” can mask costly avoidance, and what true readiness looks like when it comes to growth, diligence, and market timing. If you’re tired of the myth that great businesses automatically get great deals, this conversation is your wake-up call. The longer you wait, the less power you have and the cost can be everything you’ve worked for. Don’t gamble with your business legacy. Listen now for strategies proven to protect your options and your outcome, with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights00:00 – The Founder’s Trap: Why the first signal you’re ready to sell means you’re already late00:46 – Leverage Lost: The emotional (and financial) price of reacting instead of driving the exit process02:34 – The Quiet Shift: How founders mistake performance for strategy and what they miss05:07 – Strategic Patience or Avoidance? The business-language lie that keeps smart people stuck08:00 – Growth vs. Readiness: The dangerous myth that high revenue means a great outcome09:40 – Momentum Isn’t Control: The wake-up call that hits too late for unprepared founders12:32 – The One-Buyer Nightmare: When negotiation power vanishes and the price gets retraded15:21 – How Real Founders Win: Optionality, multiple paths, and strategic choices that protect your legacy Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    13 min

  6. 24 MAR

    37 | John Sutton – How Wine Got Too Expensive (And Can It Come Back?)

    Are you struggling with stagnation, searching for an edge that lasts beyond the next big deal? This week, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, for an unfiltered look into one of America’s largest wine companies and the unexpected journey from White House staffer to industry leader. They explore how brands survive disruption, the critical lessons behind world-famous labels, and why kindness and guts are the hidden accelerators for career and business breakthroughs. If you’ve ever doubted your trajectory or wondered what it really takes to build scale and resilience, don’t miss this episode. The old playbook is broken. Discover the proven, exclusive strategies that help leaders avoid decline and ignite next-level growth now. Timestamped Highlights01:38 – How a law career, White House experience, and a single cold call changed everything 04:26 – What happens when you get a front-row seat to history and the grit it takes to succeed 06:27 – The unforgettable advice: “Be nice to everybody on the way up…” 13:10 – The guts behind reaching out and landing a dream role at The Wine Group 15:41 – The industry’s shocking truth: Why wine lost its “on-ramp” to the younger consumer 18:31 – New marketing secrets: Turning a $15 bottle into a lifestyle and why the old story fails 22:42 – How packaging, high-alcohol trends, and Gen Z preferences are rewriting the playbook 26:30 – Spain’s curbside cafés, the power of $4 wine, and what American culture’s missing 41:39 – Why being management-owned is a game-changer and the hidden risks facing public companies Mentioned ResourcesFranziaBenzigerGlen EllenConcannonDiageoLeon PanettaClinton White HouseBuzzballsChloePaso Robles About the GuestJohn Sutton is the CEO of The Wine Group, a powerhouse in the wine industry, overseeing iconic brands like Franzia, Cupcake, and Benziger. With a uniquely varied background in law, government, and White House service, Sutton has led the business through strategic acquisitions, innovation, and the transformation of generational consumer habits. His blend of operational excellence and authentic leadership makes him an industry standout, teaching founders and executives how to thrive in turbulent markets. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    47 min

  7. 17 MAR

    36 | Ian Wishingrad – How to Love the Hustle: Lessons for Building Brands That Win

    What if the secret to lasting business growth isn’t the deal you close, but the people you connect with next? In this episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. welcomes Ian Wishingrad, Three Wishes Cereal co-founder and CMO, master connector, and longtime ad strategist, for a revealing journey through the human side of building explosive brands. Discover why getting on the shelf is only the beginning, and how authentic relationships, polite persistence, and radical self-awareness drive the hardest-won victories in business and life. Ready to skip the pain of aimless networking and wasted investments? Listen now for exclusive, actionable mindsets you won’t find on any “how I built it” thread. The shelf is crowded, your window for breakout impact is now, and this episode gives you a proven edge other founders are still Googling for. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The year-long hustle: How a “no” became a friendship with a Fortune 10 CMO [00:03:33] – The moment agency life wasn’t enough and the spark that launched Three Wishes [00:05:04] – A cereal idea ahead of its time: Real-life FOMO, big sacrifices, and getting on the shelf [00:08:13] – “Antiquing for people”: The winning (and weird) ingredient behind breakthrough connections [00:10:16] – Polite persistence decoded: How to keep doors opening when everyone else gives up [00:12:02] – Staying on the shelf: What retailers secretly care about and how Ian cracked the code [00:13:13] – Chasing the elusive marketing flywheel: Why smart teams still haven’t found THE answer [00:17:00] – Truth bomb: Why Ian will never run operations and the habit that makes him a better founder Mentioned ResourcesThree Wishes CerealAdweek’s "I'm With the Brand"Stew Leonard’sWhole FoodsWegmansCatalina CrunchMagic SpoonFairlifeBonzaSieteAllbirdsWarby ParkerGrazaFishwifeDavid ProteinRXBAR About the GuestIan Wishingrad is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Three Wishes, the fast-scaling better-for-you cereal brand disrupting breakfast aisles nationwide. Formerly the founder of the award-winning Big Eyed Wish ad agency, Ian is recognized for his high-EQ, relationship-powered approach to both brand-building and business growth. He’s hosted Adweek’s “I’m With the Brand” and is admired for his uncanny ability to turn even a “no” into a real connection. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | X Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    22 min

  8. 17 FEB

    35 | Confidentiality in a Sales Process

    Are you terrified that even considering selling your business could unleash chaos or expose your intentions to the wrong people? This episode is a must-listen for founders and owners who want to explore life-changing financial options, minus the drama. J. Michael Fisher Jr., trusted investment banker and Managing Director at DBD Partners, reveals the mindset and real-world structures behind true confidentiality in business sales, long before you commit to a deal. Learn why calm, disciplined processes protect not only your value, but your sanity and your relationships. Discover the crucial difference between brokers who push and advisors who empower, and uncover how to quietly test the waters without exposing what you’ve built. Tune in now. The biggest risks are the secrets you don’t control. Don’t wait to safeguard your legacy or your leverage. This episode off Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The secret cost behind premature deal rumors… and why the best processes never feel rushed [00:01:29] – Founders’ hidden crossroads: What really triggers the decision to sell [00:02:12] – Why your biggest risk isn’t selling, but losing control of your own story [00:03:21] – How a single loose comment can upend everything you’ve built [00:03:52] – Exposing the “NDA myth”: Why paperwork is not real confidentiality [00:04:47] – Buyer temperament exposed: Why discretion matters more than a big offer [00:05:38] – Who should protect you—partner or pushy broker—and how to spot the difference [00:06:54] – Permission granted: Why holding back is powerful, and how you can explore quietly Important LinksFeel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.Grow Your Wealth: Book a call with DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

    8 min
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About

Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2025 DBD Partners LLC
  • Show Website
    Going Beyond the Deal