Each episode of How the Deal Was Done podcast will lead the listener through a fun, interesting, sometimes wild and wooly situation guests have experienced during their time as a deal-maker.
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work | The Boss Whisperer with Stephen Tolfree
In this special episode of How the Deal Was Done, Laura Queen dives into the intriguing world of "The Boss Whisperer" with executive coach Stephen Tolfree. As part of our Love at Work series, Stephen shares his journey and insights into transforming abrasive leaders into compassionate ones. We explore the concept of boss whispering, a practice gaining traction in the UK, and how it aims to rehabilitate leaders by addressing their lack of empathy and high anxiety. Stephen discusses the importance of creating a work environment rooted in love and empathy, and how these qualities can lead to healthier, more productive teams. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of coaching and the potential for redemption in leadership.
3 Aug 2026
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work (Unplugged) | The Human Capital Factor with Bart Houlahan
In this special episode of How the Deal Was Done, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Bart Houlahan, co-founder of B Lab and current partner at Irrational Capital. We explore the concept of "Love at Work" and its transformative impact on business. Bart shares his journey from scaling And1, a basketball footwear company, to pioneering the Certified B Corporation movement. We discuss the importance of putting people first and how this approach not only fosters a strong company culture but also drives long-term business success. Bart reveals how his experiences have shaped his belief in the power of human capital and its measurable impact on equity performance. Join us as we delve into the intersection of purpose, profit, and the human element in business.
26 Mar 2026
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work | The Human Value Driver featuring Stuart Woollard
Kicking off season two of our special series, we explore whether love in the workplace truly creates value. Stuart Woollard shares insights from his extensive career, including his work with the Maturity Institute, focusing on quantifying human value in organizations. We discuss how love and care can transform workplace dynamics, moving beyond traditional financial metrics to foster sustainable performance. Stuart also highlights examples of companies that prioritize human-centric models, demonstrating how they outperform their peers. Join us as we unravel the potential of love as a powerful driver of value in the business world.
26 Jan 2026
How The Deal Was Done- Mark Thielmann
In this episode of How the Deal Was Done, I sit down with Mark Thielmann to explore the intricacies of deal-making in today's economic climate. We delve into the complexities of navigating business transitions, focusing on the lower middle market and the rise of mega deals. Mark shares insights on the importance of transaction readiness, particularly in financial diligence, and the evolving landscape of private equity. We also discuss the impact of current economic conditions on baby boomer-owned businesses and the growing interest in ESOPs as an alternative to traditional exits. Join us as we uncover the challenges and opportunities in the world of mergers and acquisitions.
29 Oct 2025
SPECIAL SERIES - Love at Work | Conviction with Anthony Onesto
In this special episode of How the Deal Was Done, I sit down with Anthony Onesto, former Chief People Officer at Suzy Inc. and current product executive at FifteenFive, to explore the concept of love in the workplace. We delve into the paradox of balancing care and challenge, drawing insights from Kim Scott's Radical Candor. Anthony shares personal experiences and discusses the importance of creating a compassionate yet high-performing work environment. We also tackle the need to connect human capital strategies to business performance, emphasizing how empathy and understanding can drive economic success. Join us as we navigate the complexities of leadership, love, and the evolving expectations of modern workplaces.
5 Sept 2025
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work (Unplugged) | The New ROI featuring Dave Bookbinder
Your most valuable assets go home at 5 p.m.—so how do you turn their energy into enterprise value? Valuation expert Dave Bookbinder joins Love at Work to unpack “The New ROI: Return on Individuals.” We connect the dots from leadership and empathy to engagement, discretionary effort, and—yes—higher revenue, profit, and valuation. From Ocean Tomo’s 90% intangibles era to investable “Human Capital Factor” strategies, Dave shows how people practices move the numbers for public and private companies alike. We talk practical playbooks (trust, no-jerks policies, culture you can feel), radical fandom, and why purpose at work is a competitive advantage. If you’re ready to turn culture into cash flow, this one’s for you.
27 Aug 2025
Episode 10: Mastering Technology Change Management in Modern Workplaces
In this episode of How the Deal Was Done, I sit down with Mike Elliot, a seasoned expert in customer experience and leadership. We explore the evolving landscape of work, focusing on the delicate balance between automation and authenticity. Mike shares insights from his diverse career, from logistics to HR, highlighting the intricate connection between employee satisfaction and customer experience. We delve into the impact of AI and automation on operational effectiveness and human loyalty, discussing the importance of alignment between company actions and values. Join us as we uncover strategies for building trust and adapting to technological advancements while ensuring that both employees and customers feel valued and understood. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on navigating change in today's dynamic work environment.
5 Aug 2025
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work | ANALYTICS featuring Fiona Jamison
Think data can’t capture love? Think again. In this episode, Dr. Fiona Jamison reveals how people analytics—done right—uncovers the heart of an organization. From predicting turnover to amplifying employee voice, Fiona shares how metrics can fuel empathy, trust, and culture change. If you believe love has no place in business, this conversation will challenge everything. It’s time to make love measurable—and put it to work.
17 Jul 2025
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work: Empathy featuring Patricia Bravo
Is empathy dead? Not even close. In this special episode of How the Deal Was Done: Love at Work, Caroline Trudeau and I sit down with Patricia Bravo—empathy expert and founder of Bravo For You—for a conversation that reclaims empathy as a powerful, strategic tool for modern leaders.
Together, we explore how empathy, when practiced with intention, fuels trust, clarity, and performance—and how it can deepen professional intimacy without crossing personal boundaries. Patricia breaks down the myths, introduces the "platinum rule," and maps empathy on a continuum from superficial to transformational.
Whether you’re leading a team through change or seeking to connect more deeply with your people, this episode is your reset. Empathy isn’t soft. It’s smart leadership—and it might just be your next competitive edge.
🎧 Tune in and discover how leading with empathy is another way to lead with love.
25 Jun 2025
SPECIAL SERIES: Love at Work | LEADERSHIP
Dr. Katie Desiderio discusses the transformative power of love in the workplace, sharing insights on leadership, performance, and human connection in an interview with Laura Queen and Caroline Trudeau.
17 Jun 2025
Episode 9 - Navigating Employee Benefits In M&A
Tom Ingelsby of Birch Benefits informs Laura Queen about navigating employee benefits during mergers and acquisitions, highlighting data importance and innovative solutions in this interview.
21 May 2025
Episode 8: Developing a Comprehensive Human Capital Strategy for Competitive Advantage
Laura Queen and colleagues Marc Prine and Matt Lane explore developing a comprehensive human capital strategy for competitive advantage, emphasizing leadership's role in value creation in this interview episode.
19 Mar 2025
The Value of Intangibles in Mergers & Acquisitions
Attorney Andrew Sherman discusses the overlooked value of intangible assets like human capital and culture in mergers and acquisitions, highlighting their impact on company valuation in an interview with the host.
25 Jul 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 6: Mark Gaeto, Falcon Capital
Investment banker Mark Gaeto discusses preparing for business deals, emphasizing the importance of planning and execution to achieve optimal outcomes for middle-market business owners in this interview.
3 Jun 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 5: Joe Feldman, Joe Feldman Associates
Joe Feldman, President of Joseph Feldman Associates, discusses how role-playing and considering different perspectives can improve deal-making strategies, emphasizing clear communication and insightful questioning in this interview.
7 May 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 4: Meryl Unger, Katsky Korins LLP
Meryl Unger, partner at Katsky Korins LLP, shares her expertise in developing creative solutions for complex business issues, including mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning, in this interview.
25 Apr 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 3: Joanne Murray, Antheil Maslow & MacMinn
Joanne Murray from Antheil Maslow & MacMinn shares a story about how the ghosts of owners almost derailed a deal, highlighting the unexpected challenges in business transactions in this interview.
19 Apr 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 2: Thomas Lindberg, Upstream Capital
Thomas Lindberg, Partner at Upstream Capital, recounts his extensive deal-making experience, highlighting the importance of perseverance and strong relationships in closing complex transactions in this interview.
30 Jan 2019
How The Deal Was Done - Episode 1: Mark Thielmann, KB Financial
Mark Thielmann, Managing Director at KB Financial, shares insights on avoiding common pitfalls during deal closings, including managing stress and respecting the business, in this interview episode.
Who has been a guest on How the Deal Was Done
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Katie Desiderio
Tom Ingelsby
Andrew Sherman
Mark Gaeto
Joe Feldman
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about How the Deal Was Done
Who hosts How the Deal Was Done?
Laura Queen host the show. Published by 29Bison.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does How the Deal Was Done take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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