Octus Podcast Network

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Channel • 3 Shows

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Business

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Investing

Every two weeks
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Monthly

22 APR

EP 05 | Coachella on Installments, Tariff Tumult, and My Friends and Neighbors

This week on The Octus Download, Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt tackle the financial storm building around tariffs and why they’re breaking more than just trade. At (00:57), they dig into how tariffs are freezing capital markets, stalling M&A activity, and forcing companies to shelve sale processes. By (06:00), Jason lays out why the current moment feels more like 2007 than 2008, backed by a war story from the Lehman era. At (11:00), Kevin proposes a bold strategy: using Chapter 11 as a pricing reset. By (13:00), they’re deep in the weeds of EBITDA rewrites, tariff add-backs, and the brutal math of restructuring when goods can’t clear customs without cash. At (20:00), the conversation shifts to LME optimism versus bankruptcy realism. By (23:30), they’re dissecting My Friends and Neighbors, a suburban fever dream of Westchester angst. TikTok’s recession indicators show up at (30:30), including Coachella on installment plans, empty Starbucks, and Club 33 advertising for members. By (36:00), it’s Gen Z sobriety and the absurd economics of six-thousand-dollar couches. They wrap at (42:00) with gym Google reviews, questionable sauna etiquette, and a strong case for never wearing street shoes into a steam room. ---more— Hosted by: Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Edited by: Tanya Hubbard Produced by: Tanya Hubbard A Production of: The Octus Podcast Network

22 Apr

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47 min
12 MAR

EP02 | How the Rich Play by Different Rules—LME Loopholes, Purdue’s Endgame & White Lotus Realities

This episode dives into the latest Liability Management Exercise (LME) loopholes shaking up debt markets (2:14), and why the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in Serta is just the beginning of a wild restructuring playbook (5:41). We then break down the endgame for Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson’s talc saga (15:07)—are these settlements real resolutions, or just high-priced damage control? But that’s not all—are vacations the new luxury investment? (39:22) We analyze why high-net-worth consumers are ditching designer goods for exclusive getaways, and how White Lotus perfectly captures the financial elite’s twisted world (42:05). Stick around for our most unhinged sponsor ad yet (47:53)—because nothing says financial markets like a totally not addictive 24-hour performance pill from the makers of, well, you already know.

12 Mar

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50 min
13 AUG

EP 09 | Wildfires, Yale’s $6B Exit & the Emotional Therapy of Stick

Hedge funds are clashing with California regulators over wildfire subrogation claims and the fallout could reshape how distressed assets interact with public recovery funds. Jason and Kevin unpack the PG&E playbook, state-level backlash, and who’s really getting paid (01:30). Then Yale’s $6B endowment unwind takes center stage, as the Ivy League titan quietly tests the secondaries market with Project Gatsby, raising questions about long-term conviction and short-term liquidity (13:20). Kent and Julian return (25:15) to explain why Clear Lake’s sponsor tactics are showing up across multiple LMEs and what the data tells us about repeat offenders, CLO constraints, and creditor fatigue. Closing it out: we head into the world of Stick on Apple TV+ (34:43) part golf drama, part emotional softboy therapy session to explore what the show says about masculinity, generational rewiring, and why Happy Gilmore might’ve done it better. Plus, a little talk about personal happy places, ice lakes in Sweden, and sainthood (49:00) ----more---- Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Segment Guests - Kent Collier, Julian Bulaon Produced and edited by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

13 Aug

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57 min
26 AUG

EP 14 | Uncle Nearest Fallout, Stoli Valuations, K-Pop Demons and Dad Core

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt open in Tennessee with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey's court-ordered receivership. What began as a celebrated brand story has turned into missing collateral, questionable accounting, and a Martha's Vineyard real estate controversy. Fawn Weaver faces accusations of overstating barrel inventory by $21 million, transferring assets improperly, and violating gag orders through Instagram posts. Patrick Mohan, whiskey correspondent, joins (04:12) to discuss how premium spirits brands navigate financial distress and whether Uncle Nearest can survive its founder's social media strategy. From there (21:27), the conversation shifts to Stoli's rare full-blown cram down fight against Fifth Third Bank. Once standard bankruptcy practice, dirt-for-debt scenarios have become extinct in modern Chapter 11 cases. Stoli wants to hand over Kentucky Owl bourbon inventory to satisfy secured debt, but the parties remain deadlocked on valuation after five days of confirmation hearings. The hosts debate whether Houston's debtor-friendly reputation can overcome fundamental secured creditor protections. This episode's unofficial sponsor (34:45), the Brazil-Miami Pipeline, makes its case. The tongue-in-cheek ad skewers cross-border restructuring complexity before Jason and Kevin pivot to Oi's unprecedented Chapter 15 termination request, weighing jurisdictional chaos against practical solutions. The show closes with Dad Core (36:37), where K-Pop Demon Hunters dominates Netflix streaming charts. The animated film's sincere treatment of Internet fandom culture sparks discussion about girl-dad dynamics and content that bridges generational gaps. The hosts reflect on modern parenting through pop culture that doesn't demonize social media engagement. Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Guest: Patrick Mohan (Whiskey Correspondent) Produced and Edited by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

26 Aug

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49 min
13 AUG

EP 08 | Klarna Bought the Groceries, Saks Lost the Plot, TikTok Called a Recession

This week’s economy? Klarna-fried. Retail? Collapsing in real time. Streaming? Somehow deep. Let’s go. (00:57) Buy Now, Cry Later The Klarna-core economy is here. Jason and Kevin unpack how buy-now-pay-later went from sneakers to cereal—and what that says about consumer debt, regulators, and late-stage capitalism. (07:56) Debt Securitization & Swedish Financial Trust How Klarna’s securitized burrito model mirrors the U.S. Treasury and why nobody’s ready for what happens when the music stops. (13:06) Saks Is in Trouble Octus Senior Distressed Debt Analyst Krishan Sutharshana joins to explain Saks' collapsing bond prices, vendor pullouts, and whether 3G’s debt-fueled luxury empire is headed for restructuring. (28:18) Streaming Therapy: Netflix’s Sirens Is it patriarchy in linen? Trauma-core prestige TV? Or just weirdly good? Jason and Kevin dig into gender, power, and why Kevin Bacon still has it. (38:51) TikTok Recession Indicators Frozen pizza, self-checkout scams, tipping fatigue, Klarna memes, and churches locking their doors. Honestly? The vibes are right.----more---- Hosts: Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Guest: Krishan Sutharshana (Octus Credit Research) Produced and Edited by: Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

13 Aug

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44 min
13 AUG

EP 06 | Vegas Has an Identity Crisis and Cruise Ships Won’t Die

Las Vegas is booming on paper but something feels off. Meanwhile, cruise demand keeps soaring, and Red Dye No. 3 has entered the chat. At (00:25), Jason and Kevin break down why the Vegas Strip feels more like a branding experiment than a destination. By (10:23), they unpack how nostalgia, real estate shifts, and declining food service are reshaping the city’s core. Then it’s all aboard: At (11:24), Jason reports back from a 10-day cruise and explores why ships that were once on bankruptcy watch are now overbooked. By (20:00), the duo dives into the bizarre culture of cruise loyalists—towel clips, door magnets, and all. At (29:09), they reveal this week’s sponsor: the controversial Red Dye No. 3. That leads into a discussion at (31:10) about food regulations, American nostalgia, and why Kraft mac & cheese doesn't exist in Sweden. Then, in Let Me Explain: LMEs at (36:23), Kent and Julian take over to explore how AI is being used (and misused) in LME analysis, what AI still gets wrong about credit agreements, and where lawyers remain indispensable. Finally, at (51:22), they turn to Star Wars because Andor might be the best metaphor we’ve got for institutional collapse.

13 Aug

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58 min
13 AUG

EP 07 | Bourbon Is Aging Poorly, Bayer’s In Trouble, and The Pope Might Be a Sox Fan

(01:11) Bayer is back in the headlines, and not for aspirin. Jason and Kevin dive into the $11 billion Roundup litigation mess, Monsanto’s haunting legacy, and the legal gymnastics happening in courts (and potentially Chapter 15). (12:13) Then it’s bourbon time. Patrick Mohan joins to talk about the collapse of Kentucky Owl, bourbon’s overinflated valuation, and why the industry might be aging out of relevance. Tax issues, oak risk, and a distillery theme park. It’s a lot. (27:47) Let Me Explain: LMEs returns. Kent Collier and Julian Bulaon break down how Hertz is rewriting the LME rulebook with a sophisticated revolver amendment. Is this LME 3.0? And did Octus see it coming? (36:36) “Made in the USA” gets the treatment it deserves. From tariffs to Etsy-core nationalism to Doc Martens pricing strategies, this segment cuts through the nostalgia and manufactured scarcity(51:22) Andor might be the best metaphor we have for late-stage institutions and bureaucratic decay. The guys reflect on why it hits harder now than any Jedi ever could. (57:10) We wrap with the new American Pope, Chicago sports drama, and Ryan Murphy’s upcoming legal show starring Kim Kardashian. There’s screaming. There’s tight outfits. There’s a $25K GoFundMe just to watch the pilot. ----more---- Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Segment Guests - Kent Collier, Julian Bulaon, Patrick Mohan Produced and edited by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

13 Aug

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1h 2m
13 AUG

EP 11 | Del Monte in the Can, Consumer Spending’s Tapped & The IP Is Out of Ideas

This week on The Octus Download, Jason and Kevin start with the bankruptcy of the week Del Monte (01:06) a 138-year-old brand now reduced to DIP fights Honorable Judge Michael B. Kaplan, and a TikTok-fueled wave of canned-fruit nostalgia. They unpack the LME-to-Chapter 11 pipeline and how the case became a referendum on DIP fees, minority lender fights, and the illusion of urgency in modern restructurings. Then Octus Head of Credit Research Mark Fischer joins to break down the latest consumer spending data (15:00) why people are buying one Labubo and nothing else, why couches and pet care are quietly collapsing, and how Amazon Prime Day became a showcase for dish soap over big-ticket goods. It’s a trade-down economy built on vibes and necessity and it’s showing up everywhere from cruise bookings to non-accrual rates in private credit. The episode closes with a look at Jurassic Park’s latest IP bloat (35:58), the emptiness of modern blockbusters, and why legacy franchises are just as tired as the consumers they’re trying to entertain. ----more---- Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Guest: Mark Fischer (Head of Credit Research, Octus) Produced and Edited by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

13 Aug

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50 min
13 AUG

EP 10 | Social Security, Chicken Sandwiches & $10B Lakers Math

Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhart kick off with the three words haunting every American retirement plan: Social Security shortfall. They unpack the insolvency date, demographic headwinds, trillion-dollar investment fantasies, and why Twitter’s sovereign wealth fund bros need to chill (01:30). Then it’s a check-in on bankruptcy’s greatest hits Purdue, Stoli, Hooters, and Red Lobster and how restructuring isn’t the end, it’s just a second act in crab-stuffed limbo (20:26). Next: the definitive showdown on fried chicken economics. Wendy’s vs. Chick-fil-A vs. the nostalgic train wreck that is Burger King’s original chicken sandwich (27:45). Why brand loyalty, franchise models, and P/E meddling make your lunch a proxy battle for the U.S. consumer. Then it's legacy leverage and Lakers math (37:12): would the Buss family have made more money just buying the S&P 500 in 1979? Maybe. But would Jack Nicholson have sat courtside at your Vanguard index fund? Doubt it. Closing out with Caitlin Clark, Sophia Cunningham, and the WNBA’s surging franchise value [42:00] — plus why we might need a bodyguard segment every week. And yes, there's a fake ad for AG1. You're welcome. ----more---- Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Produced and edited by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

13 Aug

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47 min
8 APR

EP 04 | Tariffs, LMEs, Hooters & White Lotus Walk Into a Market

In Episode 4 of The Octus Download, hosts Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt tackle a volatile week in credit markets, corporate scandals, and cultural reflections. They begin with a breakdown of the unexpected ruling in the Johnson & Johnson talc case, before analyzing the financial restructuring behind Hooters’ bankruptcy and the executive pay scandal brewing at Macy’s. Market volatility sets the backdrop for these events, raising questions about investor confidence and business model sustainability. The core of the episode features “Let Me Explain: LMEs”, a deep dive into liability management transactions led by Octus Founder & CEO Kent Collier and Head of Liability Management Julian Bulaon. Together, they unpack the nuances of Omniblockers, the critical role of deal size, and the rise of consensual LMEs, offering a masterclass on how these transactions are reshaping modern credit strategies. To close, the conversation shifts gears with a cultural lens, reflecting on the moral complexity and wealth dynamics in The White Lotus finale—and how prestige TV sometimes mirrors the drama of the financial world. ----more---- Hosted by Jason Sanjana & Kevin Eckhardt Segment Guests Kent Collier, Julian Bulaon Edited by Tanya Hubbard Produced by Tanya Hubbard A Production of The Octus Podcast Network

8 Apr

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52 min

Welcome to the Octus Podcast Network, your premier source for sophisticated insights into credit markets, finance, and global economic trends. Our programming brings together industry leaders, market experts, and Octus professionals to deliver comprehensive analysis and unique perspectives on today's financial landscape. Through thoughtful discussions and expert commentary, we explore critical market developments, share valuable insights, and bring clarity to complex financial topics. Whether you're a financial professional, market participant, or simply passionate about understanding global markets, our content goes beyond the headlines to deliver substantive, actionable intelligence. Subscribe now to join our community of informed listeners and gain fresh perspectives on the forces shaping modern finance. New episodes released regularly.

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Octus Podcast Network

Top Shows

EP 05 | Coachella on Installments, Tariff Tumult, and My Friends and Neighbors

EP02 | How the Rich Play by Different Rules—LME Loopholes, Purdue’s Endgame & White Lotus Realities

EP 09 | Wildfires, Yale’s $6B Exit & the Emotional Therapy of Stick

EP 14 | Uncle Nearest Fallout, Stoli Valuations, K-Pop Demons and Dad Core

EP 08 | Klarna Bought the Groceries, Saks Lost the Plot, TikTok Called a Recession

EP 06 | Vegas Has an Identity Crisis and Cruise Ships Won’t Die

EP 07 | Bourbon Is Aging Poorly, Bayer’s In Trouble, and The Pope Might Be a Sox Fan

EP 11 | Del Monte in the Can, Consumer Spending’s Tapped & The IP Is Out of Ideas

EP 10 | Social Security, Chicken Sandwiches & $10B Lakers Math

EP 04 | Tariffs, LMEs, Hooters & White Lotus Walk Into a Market

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