Episode 384: Happy Holidays DealQuest Family
About fifteen years ago, I gave up the conversation around balance entirely. The word I use instead is integration, and in this holiday episode I share why that shift transforms how entrepreneurs experience everything from year-end deal closings to family obligations.
In this holiday episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I share reflections on 2025, point to must-listen episodes, preview what's coming in 2026, and break down the integration mindset that has shaped my approach to business and life.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
In this episode, you'll discover why the balance conversation creates unnecessary stress, the four episodes from 2025 worth revisiting, what's coming in January with my partner Brian Meegan, how designing where you live and which clients you take on become integration decisions, why great mergers have integration at their core while failed ones have integration problems, and how clarity creates filters for better decisions.
MY INTEGRATION JOURNEY:
Balance frames everything as separate competing demands pulling in different directions. Integration creates a lens where choices support multiple priorities simultaneously.
Living in Marina del Rey serves integration. Fifteen minutes from LAX. Secure building. Walking my dog along the promenade during breaks. Cold brew moments on the patio before M&A negotiations. Every choice reduces friction.
EPISODES WORTH REVISITING:
Dave Hersh on Episode 381 delivered one of my favorite interviews ever, sharing hard truths about post-exit challenges through his inner board meeting framework. Bob Bush on Episode 377 told his remarkable journey from East St. Louis to founding Mutombo Coffee with the late Dikembe Mutombo. Jodi Hume on Episode 366 helps founders avoid the regrets that plague up to 85% of entrepreneurs after exits. Hikari Senju on Episode 354 offered a different lens on building AI companies through strategic bootstrapping.
WHAT'S COMING IN 2026:
January kicks off with my partner Brian Meegan joining to discuss what we're seeing in the deal landscape. Special series are planned diving deep into specific industries similar to our RIA aggregator coverage.
KEY INSIGHTS:
The great mergers and acquisitions have integration at their core. The ones that fail typically have integration problems.
Choosing podcasting over a weekly column reflects integration thinking. This format feels like an extension of who I am rather than an obligation.
When you have clarity about what integrates in your life, it creates a filter for decisions, just like whiteboarding sessions create filters for M&A clients.
Perfect for entrepreneurs feeling pulled in too many directions, business owners heading into year-end closings, and dealmakers who want to understand how integration principles apply to M&A success.
FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:
https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/holiday2025
FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/
https://www.coreykupfer.com/
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[00:00] - Introduction: Holiday wishes to the DealQuest community
[02:00] - Episode recommendations: Four must-listen conversations from 2025
[04:00] - Dave Hersh Episode 381: Psychology behind successful exits "
[05:00] - Bob Bush Episode 377: Global dealmaking and Mutombo Coffee
[06:00] - Jodi Hume Episode 366: Avoiding post-exit regret
[06:30] - Hikari Senju Episode 354: Strategic bootstrapping for AI companies
[07:00] - What's coming in 2026 with Brian Meegan
[09:00] - The integration versus balance conversation
[11:00] - Designing life for integration: Marina del Rey example
[14:00] - Integration in deals: Why great M&A has integration at its core
[15:00] - Clarity as a filter for decisions
[15:30] - Closing thoughts and gratitude
Host Bio:
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast and managing partner of Kupfer PLLC.
Show Description:
Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast reveals how successful entrepreneurs use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, this show covers the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies.
Related Episodes:
Episode 381 - Dave Hersh: The Psychology Behind Successful Exits
Episode 377 - Bob Bush: From East St. Louis to Global Dealmaking and Mutombo Coffee
Episode 366 - Jodi Hume: Founder Regret, Exit Clarity and What Money Can't Buy
Episode 354 - Hikari Senju: Building AI-Powered Companies Through Strategic Bootstrapping
Episode 328 - Richard Manders: Scale Business Growth and Personal Freedom
Episode 323 - Holiday Solocast: Taking Stock and Completing the Year
Social Media Follow DealQuest Podcast:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/
Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/
Keywords/Tags:
holiday solocast, integration versus balance, work life integration, best podcast episodes 2025, dealquest podcast, Corey Kupfer, M&A insights, post-exit challenges, deal-driven growth, Brian Meegan, 2026 preview
