The Deal Podcast

Joshua Wilson
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Management

Welcome to a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the human and financial side of building enterprise value. Hosted by M&A advisor and executive producer Joshua Wilson, this is The Deal Podcast, brought to you by FA Mergers. We're your front-row seat to the strategies shaping today's lower- and middle-market, from the family-run business to the multi-million-dollar portfolio. Too often, the world of mergers and acquisitions is seen as a complex, numbers-driven game. We believe it's about the people behind the deals—the bold entrepreneurs, the savvy investors, and the dedicated teams who make it all possible. Each episode, we sit down with the real players in the M&A space: from private equity sponsors and family offices to strategic buyers, serial entrepreneurs, and commercial bankers. We’ll also hear from the crucial professional teams on the front lines, including CPAs, tax and corporate attorneys, and wealth advisors, to uncover the blueprints of success. Our conversations will delve into every facet of the deal lifecycle. We'll explore the art of acquisitions, the science of scaling through bolt-ons, the complexities of divestitures, and the long-term thinking required for portfolio optimization. This podcast is more than a stage for thought leaders; it's a collaborative hub for anyone looking to build, scale, or prepare for their next chapter. Whether you’re a business owner seeking a successful exit, an investor looking to grow your portfolio, or a professional advisor supporting clients on this journey, our content is designed to be both educational and actionable. Join us as we decode the deal, one conversation at a time. Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Deal Podcast, its hosts, or affiliated organizations. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. As a trusted connector among founders, family offices, and investment platforms, Josh brings a relational, strategic lens to SPACs, IPOs, M&A, and private placements—blending insight, curiosity, and communication to spotlight the people and deals shaping the capital markets. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal, financial, or compliance advice. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, employer, or organization. Listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel, compliance professionals, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations, including those enforced by the SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory bodies. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation, offer, or recommendation of any financial products, securities transactions, or legal services.

  1. 1d ago

    Stuck in the Founder Trap? How to Free Yourself From the Day to Day with Jeff Martin

    What happens when a buyer looks at your business and says, "The owner is too involved — we can't pluck him out"? That's the moment your exit value collapses. And it's the moment Jeff Martin has spent a career helping founders avoid. In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Jeff Martin — serial entrepreneur, four-time exiter, and founder of Company Growth Academy. Jeff shares hard-won lessons from building and selling companies across real estate, paramedical services, and DNA testing (where he was a true first mover in the franchising space). Today, Jeff coaches second-generation owners and founders running service-based businesses in the $1M–$5M range, helping them push past the development stage into real growth — and building companies that are actually sellable. Jeff, Joshua, and Jude unpack owner dependency, the value-first mindset, the difference between a business and a company, and why the biggest obstacle to growth is almost always the person at the top. 🎯 What We Cover: Why business strategy starts with exit strategy — not two years before closeThe "value first" mindset and why revenue and profit followHow to spot the choke points buyers will use to devalue your companyOwner dependency, customer concentration, and other risk factors that crush multiplesThe four stages of company development — and where most owners get stuckWhy "build a business to sell a company" beats "build a business to sell"The vacation test: what really happens if you disappear for 90 daysCoaches vs. consultants vs. advisors — and why every operator needs oneLessons from being a first mover in DNA testing franchisingHow to develop your team so the company can outgrow you🤝 Connect with Jeff Martin:  🌐 https://www.companygrowthacademy.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/companygrowthtv/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@CompanyGrowthTV 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    Stuck in the Founder Trap? How to Free Yourself From the Day to Day with Jeff Martin

  2. Jul 13

    From Ministry to Real Estate: Lessons From a Career Pivot with John Ray Perkins

    He spent over two decades as a full-time Catholic minister. Then four kids, a tight bank account, and a global pandemic forced a pivot that would reshape everything. In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with John Ray Perkins, a top-producing Realtor with Keller Williams Realty of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. After 20+ years in youth and parish ministry at St. Peter's in Carencro and St. Pius X, John Ray launched a real estate side hustle in late 2019 — just months before COVID redrew the map. Six years in, he's running a growing team and rebuilding his business as a system, not a job. This is a story about identity, calling, provision, and the shift from operator to owner — told through the lens of a guy who walked it. 🎯 What We Cover: Why he left full-time ministry after 20+ years — and the surrender moment that opened the doorHustling through financial pressure with four kids and "more month than money"How COVID reshuffled both careers in the same six monthsThe Costco conversation that became a six-year client relationshipSelling a service in a relationship-driven market without leading with religionThe mindset class that rewired how he thinks, talks, and parents"You have a high-paying job — not a business" — the wake-up call from his coachBuilding systems, processes, and models so the business runs without the operatorHow he vets seller motivation before taking a listingWhy he changes coaches when he hits a plateau — and how to find the right oneQuality Time Remaining: the framework Jude uses with founders weighing an exitWhy the best businesses to sell are the ones that don't need to sell🤝 Connect with John Ray Perkins:  🌐 https://johnrayperkins.kw.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyheyitsjohnray/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/user/johnrayperkins 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    From Ministry to Real Estate: Lessons From a Career Pivot with John Ray Perkins

  3. Jul 6

    Scaling a Law Firm Without Losing the Mission with Blake David

    What does it take to scale a plaintiff's law firm to 17 attorneys across three offices — without losing the mission, the culture, or your sanity? Blake David has done it, and he's still trying cases. In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with Blake R. David, founding partner of Broussard, David & Moroux in Lafayette, Louisiana, alongside co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA, Managing Partner at FA Mergers — and Blake's younger brother. Blake is one of the most decorated trial lawyers in the country: ranked #3 on the 2026 Top 10 Louisiana Super Lawyers list out of more than 22,000 attorneys, four-time recognized lead counsel on Top 100 jury verdicts, board-certified in Civil Trial Advocacy, and a Trial Advocacy professor at the LSU Law Center. He's also an active operator — co-owner of Titus Crane Services and Stately Doors & Windows — and a force in Louisiana economic development as past Chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the business behind the practice: how Blake grew from two lawyers and a stack of files to a 17-attorney firm, why he implemented EOS, how he selects cases (and why he turns down 19 out of 20), and what it really takes to be a credible operator inside a courtroom and a boardroom. 🎯 What We Cover: Why "excellence is a habit" became the firm's operating principleHow EOS transformed a high-performing firm into a scalable oneThe mentorship model that built every senior partner at the firmHow Blake evaluates a case the way an investor evaluates a dealBuilding a referral-driven business without billboards or mass advertisingLessons from his biggest verdict — and the loss that humbled him right afterInvesting alongside his brother Jude across crane, door, and millwork businessesWhy the Louisiana Board of Regents matters to anyone investing in the stateThe Litany of Humility and what it teaches founders and dealmakersWhy honesty wins the long game in trials, deals, and partnerships🤝 Connect with Blake David:  🌐 https://bdm.law/  ⚖️ https://justiceobtained.com/ 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    Scaling a Law Firm Without Losing the Mission with Blake David

  4. Jun 29

    How Founders Use Community Foundations to Protect Their Legacy with Missy Andrade

    What if the smartest move before your liquidity event isn't talking to your banker — it's talking to a community foundation? In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea sit down with Missy Andrade, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA), to unpack one of the most overlooked tools in middle market dealmaking: the community foundation. Missy leads a 26-year-old organization stewarding more than $253 million in assets across roughly 1,000 component funds, working alongside CPAs, attorneys, and wealth advisors to turn liquidity events into multi-generational legacies. From donor-advised funds and complex asset gifts — appreciated stock, real estate, mineral rights, art collections, even ownership of operating companies — to the conversation founders should be having before they sign an LOI, Missy walks through how community foundations function as a strategic partner for entrepreneurs, families, and the advisors who serve them. 🎯 What We Cover: How community foundations actually work (and why they're like "a bank for donors")Why CPAs send clients to community foundations before a sale closesThe case for charitable planning before liquidity — not afterDonor-advised funds vs. private foundations: when each makes senseHow a billion-dollar Baton Rouge company was transferred to a community foundationComplex asset gifts: stock, real estate, mineral rights, IP, art, and moreDonor intent and how to protect a founder's legacy across generationsThe G2 and G3 succession question every fund holder should askWhy the most successful philanthropists are obsessive — and team-buildersTrust-based philanthropy and why neutrality is a community foundation's superpower🤝 Connect with Missy Andrade:  🌐 https://www.cfacadiana.org/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-bienvenu-andrade-81363b65/  🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    How Founders Use Community Foundations to Protect Their Legacy with Missy Andrade

  5. Jun 22

    Eat What You Kill: The Bet-On-Yourself Model — Mark Weber

    Mark Weber made $12,000 his first year in business. He never hired an employee. Three decades later, he's built a portfolio across life insurance, real estate, and mortgage lending — all on strategic partnerships and commission-only hustle. Mark Weber is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and CEO of Mark Weber Enterprises — a multi-layered company spanning real estate, investments, insurance, and mortgage lending. In this episode, Mark sits down with host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, Managing Partner at FA Mergers, to break down the "eat what you kill" operating model that's carried him through 30+ years of entrepreneurship without a single W-2 employee. From his first $28,000 townhouse in 1994 to co-inventing the GreatCatch soft hands trainer (licensed to Cutters Gloves and SKLZ, now sold globally), Mark shares how strategic partnerships, faith-led discernment, and old-fashioned grit built a durable boutique business — and what the next generation of dealmakers needs to hear. 🎯 What We Cover: The eat-what-you-kill model and how Mark scaled without fixed payrollHow AI is reshaping life insurance underwriting (policies issued in minutes)Strategic partnerships vs. hiring — how to structure transactional back-office supportTurning a $200 prototype into a $3.33 global retail product (the GreatCatch story)Why grit and work ethic matter more than credentials for the next generationHow faith and discernment shape Mark's go/no-go decisions on dealsThe rental property playbook that started with a single $28K townhouseTeaching kids to hustle: lessons from laying sod and cutting grassInefficient markets, value creation, and why sales skills always winWalking away from the wrong deals — and why the walk-aways matter most🤝 Connect with Mark Weber:  🌐 https://www.leadprofessionalsgroup.com/our-team  🌐 https://donedealnow.com/staff/mark-weber/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-a-weber-a220999/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@GreatCatch08 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA — Managing Partner, FA Mergers:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    Eat What You Kill: The Bet-On-Yourself Model — Mark Weber

  6. Jun 15

    Mergers and Acquisitions in the Nonprofit World

    What if the smartest growth strategy in your community wasn't being run by a private equity firm — it was being run by a charity? Kim Boudreaux and Sarah Clement of Catholic Charities of Acadiana have spent the last two decades quietly executing one of the most disciplined nonprofit roll-up strategies in Louisiana — growing from a $1.2M agency with 23 employees into a $15M, 90-person, 14-organization platform serving eight civil parishes. In this episode, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Kim Boudreaux, Chief Executive Officer, and Sarah Clement, Chief Administrative Officer and 2023 recipient of the Catholic Charities USA National Management Excellence Award, for a candid look at how mission-driven organizations apply real M&A principles — economy of scale, sub-10% administrative rates, EOS implementation, and rigorous due diligence — to expand impact rather than profit. They open up about merging six nonprofits in a single day, navigating boards, integrating cultures, and the hard call to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour before it was cool. 🎯 What We Cover: The bishop's challenge that launched a 20-year roll-up strategyWhy economy of scale matters more in nonprofits than most people thinkThe day they closed six mergers — and what they would do differently nowHow to approach a nonprofit board about a merger without bruising egosUsing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to scale a faith-based enterpriseHow they grew FoodNet 110% and Rebuilding Together Acadiana 290% post-acquisitionThe succession-planning angle that opens nonprofit M&A conversationsHiring people smarter than you — and the test Kim used to vet SarahBuilding a culture of mutual accountability, honest feedback, and "start/stop" exercisesWhy the $15 minimum wage decision changed how the whole organization operates🤝 Connect with Kim Boudreaux:  🌐 https://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-boudreaux-186094175/ 🤝 Connect with Sarah Clement:  🌐 https://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-clement-562b7913/ 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    Mergers and Acquisitions in the Nonprofit World

  7. Jun 8

    From Career to Calling: Inside Family Missions Company with Saul Keeton & Kevin Granger

    What if the Lord interrupted your career at the peak of the American dream? Saul Keeton walked away from 25 years in commercial real estate. Kevin Granger left nursing and music behind. Both said yes to something bigger. In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with Saul Keeton and Kevin Granger of Family Missions Company — the largest lay Catholic foreign missionary organization in the world — alongside co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers.  Saul and Kevin share how the Lord rerouted their lives, what it takes to run a mission organization sending 200+ missionaries into 11 countries, and how business owners and stewards of capital can become the shaft of the spear that pushes the gospel into the world's most underserved places. This is a conversation about legacy, kingdom ROI, and what happens when ambition meets surrender. 🎯 What We Cover: Why Saul left a 25-year commercial real estate career for the mission fieldKevin's journey from music major to nursing to global missionsHow Family Missions Company became the largest lay Catholic foreign missionary organization in the worldThe "tip of the spear" model — and why business owners are the shaftRunning a mission organization with 20–30 staff and 200+ missionaries in 11 countriesKingdom ROI: how to think about return when souls are the metricWhy 3.6 billion people have never heard the name of JesusGospel poverty, transparency, and how missionary funds actually flowWorking yourself out of a job — building self-sustaining missionsIdentity rooted in being a son of the Father, not a to-do list🤝 Connect with Saul Keeton & Kevin Granger:  On IG: Saul + https://www.instagram.com/saulkeeton Kevin + https://www.instagram.com/kevinjgranger Family Missions: https://www.instagram.com/fmcmissions/ Web: 🌐 https://www.familymissionscompany.com/  👥 https://www.facebook.com/FamilyMissionsCompany/  🎙️ Go You Are Sent Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3as5fmjounyu6588WGO8Ek  ▶️ Go You Are Sent (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@GoYouAreSent 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    From Career to Calling: Inside Family Missions Company with Saul Keeton & Kevin Granger

  8. Jun 1

    From Law to the Priesthood: Discerning the Call with Father Jim Brady

    What does it actually take to walk away from a thriving career at the top of your game — and how do you do it without leaving wreckage behind? In this special episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA — Managing Partner at FA Mergers — sit down with Father Jim Brady, JCL, Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Before entering the priesthood, Father Brady spent eleven years building a regional law practice as a litigation partner. He earned a BS in Accounting from Spring Hill College, a JD from the University of Mississippi, and later a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America. His story is a master class in discernment, responsible transition, and the kind of stewardship every founder, partner, and operator eventually faces. Whether you're contemplating a sale, a career change, or the next chapter, this conversation will reframe how you think about calling, exits, and what it means to run toward something rather than away. 🎯 What We Cover: How a 29-year-old trial lawyer started hearing a different callThe Holy Thursday moment that changed everythingWhy he gave his partners a full year to unwind the practice responsiblyBuilding your own succession plan before you exitThe "99% pay cut" — what's actually hard about a major career transitionHow to tell the difference between running toward something vs. running from itDiscernment frameworks that apply to founders, sellers, and career changersBringing trusted advisors into your decision instead of going it aloneRunning a large parish like a business — service, solutions, and the customer experienceWhy "small things with great love" outperform grand ambition over time🤝 Connect with Father Jim Brady:  🌐 https://stpiusxchurch.org/staff/fr-jim-brady/  📧 pastor@stpiusxchurch.org 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA:  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/ 💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/ 🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast:  🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/  💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/  ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.com Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only.  Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services. Let's Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ To Contact Us, Please Visit: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/

    From Law to the Priesthood: Discerning the Call with Father Jim Brady
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9 Ratings

About

Welcome to a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the human and financial side of building enterprise value. Hosted by M&A advisor and executive producer Joshua Wilson, this is The Deal Podcast, brought to you by FA Mergers. We're your front-row seat to the strategies shaping today's lower- and middle-market, from the family-run business to the multi-million-dollar portfolio. Too often, the world of mergers and acquisitions is seen as a complex, numbers-driven game. We believe it's about the people behind the deals—the bold entrepreneurs, the savvy investors, and the dedicated teams who make it all possible. Each episode, we sit down with the real players in the M&A space: from private equity sponsors and family offices to strategic buyers, serial entrepreneurs, and commercial bankers. We’ll also hear from the crucial professional teams on the front lines, including CPAs, tax and corporate attorneys, and wealth advisors, to uncover the blueprints of success. Our conversations will delve into every facet of the deal lifecycle. We'll explore the art of acquisitions, the science of scaling through bolt-ons, the complexities of divestitures, and the long-term thinking required for portfolio optimization. This podcast is more than a stage for thought leaders; it's a collaborative hub for anyone looking to build, scale, or prepare for their next chapter. Whether you’re a business owner seeking a successful exit, an investor looking to grow your portfolio, or a professional advisor supporting clients on this journey, our content is designed to be both educational and actionable. Join us as we decode the deal, one conversation at a time. Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the guest are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Deal Podcast, its hosts, or affiliated organizations. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. As a trusted connector among founders, family offices, and investment platforms, Josh brings a relational, strategic lens to SPACs, IPOs, M&A, and private placements—blending insight, curiosity, and communication to spotlight the people and deals shaping the capital markets. The content of this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal, financial, or compliance advice. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, employer, or organization. Listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel, compliance professionals, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations, including those enforced by the SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory bodies. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation, offer, or recommendation of any financial products, securities transactions, or legal services.

Information

  • Creator
    Joshua Wilson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Deal Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Deal Podcast

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