Episode
Value Extraction is Bullsh*t | Business is Bullsh*t Ep. 18
- Podcast
- Business is Bullshit
- Published
- Jul 30, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2462
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- https://385b4acf-6355-4b46-a0c4-d76e364bf60a.libsyn.com/value-extraction-is-bullsht-business-is-bullsht-ep-18
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Summary
In this episode, we dig into how value gets pulled out of companies instead of built into them—and why that's ruining a lot of great businesses. Private equity, stock buybacks, "synergies," EBITDA... it's all part of the same game. Good companies get bought, stripped down, and flipped. The people who built them get screwed. The customers get a worse product. And somehow the ones doing the gutting still get paid. We talk through: - What value extraction really looks like (not just the theory) - How companies get worse after they're bought—and why that's usually the plan - The red flags to watch for in M&A - Firsthand stories of working inside companies that got wrecked - And why some of the worst actors are still calling the shots If you've ever worked somewhere that went downhill fast after a sale, you'll get it. This is Volume 1. We'll be back with more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. - Apple: https://bit.ly/3YOQrYT - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4lHXLzk - YouTube: https://bit.ly/42q0vtM