

Middle Market Growth Conversations
Middle Market Growth Magazine
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast features in-depth interviews with industry experts and middle-market dealmakers about trends impacting midsize companies and M&A. This podcast is a production of the Association for Corporate Growth. To learn more about ACG, visit acg.org. To hear more interviews with experts and thought leaders, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 13, 2025 • 28min
Inside the OBBBA's Tax Provisions
Diving deeper into the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Forvis Mazars’ Donald Rawe, partner, and Howard Wagner, managing director, join the podcast to talk through the most impactful tax provisions, from 1202 changes to bonus depreciation and more.
This episode is brought to you by Forvis Mazars, a leading global professional services network.
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Aug 21, 2025 • 48min
Unlocking AI’s Potential for Portco Value Creation
AI has been making significant inroads in PE, but the most common use cases are often based in deal sourcing or due diligence. However, new uses are emerging, including value creation for portfolio companies. Bruce Sinclair, managing partner of AI Operating Partners, joins the podcast to share how PE firms can use AI and digital twin technology to drive value in their portcos.
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Aug 2, 2025 • 27min
Unpacking the Big Beautiful Bill for the Middle Market
What changes does the One Big Beautiful Bill hold for middle-market businesses and the firms that invest in them? Michael Feuz, economist with ITR Economics, is back to talk through key provisions in the bill, what they mean for the middle market, and how businesses and investment firms should position themselves in response.
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jul 25, 2025 • 33min
Inside Enforcement in the Trump 2.0 SEC
What will SEC enforcement look like in the Trump 2.0 era? Emilie Abate, managing director at Iron Road Partners, joins the podcast to share how policy is shifting, how oversight of secondaries, AI and management fees is shaping up, and more.
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

May 9, 2025 • 23min
Taking the Temperature of Healthcare Lending
Javier Casillas, managing director and global chief credit officer with WhiteHorse Capital, and Sachin Garg, principal with WhiteHorse Capital, join the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast to talk about the environment for lending and private credit in the healthcare space and the biggest emerging risks and opportunities.
This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com.
***
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Mar 21, 2025 • 25min
The Economic Impact of Trump’s Policies
Initial pro-business sentiment following the election quieted a bit after the Trump administration issued a series of tariff announcements and retractions that roiled the stock market. With tariffs still on the table, Michael Feuz, an economist with ITR Economics, sits down with Middle Market Growth to discuss how Trump’s policies on trade, inflation, deregulation, immigration and more could impact the economy more broadly and business leaders and dealmakers specifically.
***
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Mar 13, 2025 • 21min
AI and Energy Storage: A Fresh Approach
As companies and investment firms rush to capture value via AI, more energy is needed to run the data centers that power that technology, and this rising demand is creating challenges that require novel solutions. Mark Weathers, the CEO of Energy Internet Corporation, joins the podcast to share his company’s innovative approach to energy storage and other developments in the AI/energy space.
***
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Mar 12, 2025 • 34min
Inside DealMAX: Connecting in Cabanas with Tony Hill and Chris Hebble
We’re back with another episode of our limited series, “Inside DealMAX,” where we’re joined by Trivest Partners’ Tony Hill, our 2025 DealMAX chair, and Houlihan Lokey’s Chris Hebble, DealMAX private equity committee co-chair, to discuss how the first quarter is shaping up for dealmakers, why you can’t miss this year’s DealMAX, their favorite things to do in Vegas, and more.
***
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Mar 1, 2025 • 15min
Finding Stability in an Uncertain Economic Environment
Finding stability is the name of the game as sponsors and lenders grapple with stubborn inflation. However, there are actions businesses can take now to spur growth. Betsy Booth, a partner at TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, rejoins the podcast to discuss her approach in uncertain times, which industries are particularly good at weathering instability, trends in the lending market and more. This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners.
***
The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

7 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 30min
A 2025 Lending Outlook with WhiteHorse Capital
Stuart Aronson, CEO of WhiteHorse U.S., and Pankaj Gupta, President and global head of originations, dive into the future of lending as we approach 2025. They discuss how interest rates and private equity will influence acquisition activity, highlighting a cautiously optimistic outlook. The duo also analyzes shifts in underwriting standards, potential economic challenges, and emerging credit structures in sponsor vs. non-sponsor markets. Their insights reveal a dynamic landscape with evolving risks and opportunities for investors.