In this episode of the Secret Expert Podcast, we sit down with Stephen Phillips, a veteran restructuring lawyer and the Founder of FreiLibertas Law. After 25 years as a partner in elite "Big Law" firms like White & Case and Orrick, Stephen stepped away to launch an independent, conflict-free firm dedicated to helping distressed companies navigate their darkest hours.

We dive deep into the misunderstood world of Distressed Debt, debating whether funds are predatory "vultures" or pragmatic partners who provide the new money needed to survive. Stephen also exposes the problem of "Sponsor Designation" (where Private Equity firms force lenders to use specific lawyers) and explains why independent counsel is critical when directors find themselves in the "maelstrom" of competing interests. Plus, we take a history lesson on how the UK Scheme of Arrangement was pioneered during the high-yield bust of the early 2000s.

🔗 Connect with Stephen Phillips:

• Firm: FreiLibertas.com

• LinkedIn: Stephen Phillips

  
  

  
  

Hashtags

#StephenPhillips #FreiLibertas #RestructuringLaw #Insolvency #DistressedDebt #PrivateEquity #TurnaroundManagement #CorporateFinance #BusinessRescue #Podcast

In this episode of the Secret Expert Podcast, we sit down with Eugene Tymchenko, a seasoned product leader and the Founder of PlusVibe, an AI implementation consultancy for mid-market companies. Eugene shares his journey of being the "First Product Hire" at four different startups that scaled 5x to 12x, managing the chaos of rapid growth, and why simply buying software like Apollo or Clay isn't enough.

We dive deep into why AI is neither a "silver bullet" nor "useless" it requires a human-in-the-loop strategy to actually work. Eugene explains why most companies fail at AI adoption (hint: they treat it like plug-and-play SaaS), how to build a holistic AI strategy without a 2-year PDF plan that goes obsolete in a month, and why future tech roles will shift from "executors" to "supervisors" of AI agents.

🔗 Connect with Eugene Tymchenko:

• LinkedIn: Eugene Tymchenko

• Company: Plus Vibe

Hashtags

#EugeneTymchenko #PlusVibe #AIImplementation #ProductManagement #MidMarketGrowth #AIStrategy #BusinessAutomation #StartupScaling #FutureOfWork #Podcast

In this episode of the Secret Expert Podcast, we sit down with Michael Plansky, the Founder and CEO of You're With Us!, a nonprofit revolutionizing disability inclusion. Michael shares the deeply personal story of his son, Max, who has cerebral palsy, and how a connection with the Northeastern University basketball team transformed Max from isolated to thriving.

We dive deep into why "college students" are the untapped superpower for disability support (Michael has 180 of them on payroll!), the true etymology of the word "Coach" (it's not what you think), and how he built a sustainable model where everyone wins, students get mentorship experience, and individuals with disabilities get a real community. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a nonprofit leader, this episode offers a masterclass in turning personal pain into a scalable solution.

🔗 Connect with Michael Plansky:

• Website: yourewith.us

• LinkedIn: Michael Plansky

Hashtags

#MichaelPlansky #YoureWithUs #DisabilityInclusion #CerebralPalsy #NonprofitLeadership #Mentorship #CollegeSports #SocialImpact #InclusionMatters #Podcast