Merger Talks Podcast

Lazo Cetnik
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Merger Talks — the podcast diving deep into the world of investment banking, M&A, and dealmaking.

Episodes

  1. FEB 10

    Episode 010 - Martim Villas-Boas - How you can use AI to enhance your deal making process

    In Episode 10, we spoke with Martim Villas-Boas, founder of Pairwire, an AI powered due diligence platform for the Investment Banking market. We talk about AI; what is it and how it can be used to make the deal making process more efficientWhy 70% of M&A deals fail during due diligence and how can AI improve that number? We break down what AI products are available today The dangers of AI and how they can be avoidedWhether AI will replace Investment Banking AnalystsIf you are looking to implement AI or learn more about it, this is the episode for you. We hope you enjoy!

    17 min

  2. JAN 27

    Episode 009 - William D. Cohan - The history of Wall Street

    Episode 9 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We spoke with William D. Cohan, the award-winning financial journalist and bestselling author of The Last Tycoons. A former Investment Banker himself, he’s known for combining insider access with clear, engaging storytelling that makes complex financial worlds understandable; and fascinating. In the episode, we talk about: The history of Wall StreetHow deregulation reshaped Investment Banking in the 1980s and 1990sConsolidation on Wall StreetThe dangers of Private CreditIf you are fascinated by Wall Street and it's history, this is the episode for you!

    41 min

  3. 12/05/2025

    Episode 008 - Vitoria Okuyama

    Episode 8 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Vitoria Okuyama, who went from playing professional tennis, and being ranked 118th in the world, to working as an Investment Banking Analyst at Citi.  After 3 months of consecutive 4am finishes, Vitoria experienced burnout which eventually led to her leaving Wall Street.  In this episode we talk about burnout; how it manifests itself, how to recognise it, and also potential solutions to the problem.

    21 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    Episode 007 - Tom Lindsay

    Episode 7 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Tom Lindsay, CEO of Spayne Lindsay. Tom co-founded the firm, a Consumer focused M&A boutique, in 2004 alongside his business partner, John Spayne. Prior to setting up the firm they had both been Consumer bankers at Lehman Brothers.  We covered a variety of topics including:  The differences between the Investment Banking business model in Europe and the US.How to set up an M&A boutique for succession.Why Private Equity is less active in the consumer market today.

    25 min

  5. 09/28/2025

    Episode 006 - James West

    Episode 6 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with James West, Managing Director at Bourne Partners and former Managing Director at Lincoln International. James has worked in Investment Banking for 15 years after completing a degree in Pharmacy. He specialises in advising clients in the Life Sciences and Pharma Services industry.  We covered a variety of topics including:  - The secret to a successful pitch.  - What is it like working in New York compared to London.  - What is happening in the Pharma Services industry. - Tips to successfully run 16.5 marathons!

    25 min

  6. 08/14/2025

    Episode 005 - Yusuf Subzposh

    Episode 5 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Yusuf Subzposh, Vice President of Arcesium, a hedge fund backed FinTech. Prior to joining his latest role in Corporate Development, he worked at various Investment Banks including Jefferies, Pharus and Nomura. We covered a variety of topics including:  - How does PE and Corporate Development compare to Investment Banking? - Will AI replace Investment Banking Analysts? - Does Dubai live up to the hype? - The most common mistakes made during technical interviews We hope you enjoy the episode!

    40 min

  7. 07/24/2025

    Episode 004 - Michel Lowy

    𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 4 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Michel Lowy, co-founder of SC Lowy, a $1.3bn Hong Kong based Private Credit fund. We covered a variety of topics including: Why M&A and IPO market slowdowns are fuelling private credit deals?How he set up his own credit fund and the challenges he faced.Investor mindset. What is it and what does good look like?The differences between a career in PE and Private Credit.We hope you enjoy the episode!

    24 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Episode 003 - John Farrugia

    Episode 3 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with John Farrugia, the co-CEO of Cavendish, the mid-market Investment Bank.  We covered a variety of topics including: How to stem the flow of U.K. businesses leaving the countryWhat it takes to get to CEO and what a typical week looks likeSpending to accumulate when it comes to networkingWhy being made redundant isn't the end of the worldAnecdotes from his deal making journeyWe hope you enjoy the episode!

    21 min

  9. 06/26/2025

    Episode 002 - Jan Skarbek

    𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐 of the Merger Talks Podcast is now live! We sat down with Jan Skarbek, former Head of UK M&A at Citi and now Partner at Europa Partners.  We covered a variety of topics including the current state of the U.K. public markets, how to stand out in the competitive world of advisory, and how to build long-term relationships that result in closing billion dollar deals.  We hope you enjoy the episode!

    28 min

  10. 06/10/2025

    Episode 001 - Jean-Philippe Verdier

    In episode number 1 of the Merger Talks Podcast, we sat down with Jean-Philippe Verdier, the founder of Verdier & Co. and former Head of French Investment Banking at Jefferies. We covered a variety of topics including the current state of the market, how AI is being used to transform Investment Banking day to day, and the big question, is there such a thing as work-life balance in Investment Banking...? We hope you enjoy the episode!

    33 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Merger Talks — the podcast diving deep into the world of investment banking, M&A, and dealmaking.

Information

  • Creator
    Lazo Cetnik
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2025 Merger Talks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Merger Talks Podcast