Becker Business Podcast — "10 Quick Notes 8-20-25"

Host: Scott Becker
Date: August 20, 2025
Episode Theme:
A rapid-fire update from Scott Becker, covering market movements, business news, upcoming speaking and conference events, and notable contributors in the healthcare, business, and private equity spheres. The episode focuses on key trends, shout-outs to community members, event announcements, and opportunities for community engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Update & Tech Bubble Softness

• Markets Down:
  • U.S. stock markets were down yesterday and are pointing down again.
  • Noted that there’s a sense of "the air is being taken out of the tech bubble."
  • Quote [01:00]:

    "A little bit of the ear is being taken out of the tech bubble. We'll see how that goes." — Scott Becker

2. Stock Movements: Peloton & Palantir

• Significant Drops:
  • Both Peloton and Palantir experienced considerable declines.
  • Palantir has been down five days in a row; Peloton is down year-to-date.
  • Notorious short seller is targeting Palantir.
  • Memorable Moment [01:26]:

    "Try and say that five times quickly: A notorious short seller is shorting Palantir. I won't do it, but that's hard to say, you know, let alone say it five times in a row." — Scott Becker

3. Positive Momentum: Premier, Intel, Softbank

• Rising Companies:
  • Premier had its best quarter in a long time in both revenue and earnings.
  • Intel is bringing in new outside investment.
  • SoftBank also noted as "on the rise."
  • Quote [01:55]:

    "Premier had its best quarter of revenues and earnings in a long time. Intel is bringing in an outside investor. Softbank seems to be on the rise too." — Scott Becker

4. Upcoming Speaking Engagements

• ASC Trends Talks:
  • Becker is speaking about healthcare and ASC (Ambulatory Surgery Center) trends at the Georgia State ASC meeting (this Thursday in Atlanta).
  • He will give a similar talk at the Becker’s Healthcare ASC Conference in October.
  • Offers his phone number to listeners for further connection.
  • Quote [02:30]:

    "I'm very excited to speak health care and ASC trends at the Georgia State ASC meeting ... I'm also thrilled to give a similar talk at the Becker's Healthcare ASC Conference in October." — Scott Becker

5. Conference Participation: Maguire Woods Growth & Operations

• Recording On-site:
  • He’ll be recording podcasts at the Maguire Woods Growth and Operations Conference in Charlotte (Sept 16–17).

6. Podcast Recording: Leadership Focus

• Leadership Interviews:
  • Discussions with Maguire Woods legends Hallie Buckley & David Pivnick spotlighting strong leadership qualities.

7. Healthcare IT & Revenue Cycle Conference Roles

• Moderator Duties:
  • Will moderate eight sessions at the Becker’s Healthcare Health IT, Digital Health, and Revenue Cycle Management Conference.
  • Recently interviewed Nick Warfield of Ziglar about revenue cycle trends.
  • Praises AI in revenue cycle management, calling Ekasa* and its founders “fantastic leaders and people.”
  • Quote [04:10]:

    "The godfather of AI and revenue cycle is really Ekasa and their cofounders Malika Waliade and Benjamin Beetle Ribby, fantastic leaders and people." — Scott Becker

8. Founders, Leaders, and Investors Series: Real Estate Webinar

• Announces a new commercial real estate webinar; solicits topic ideas by text.

9. Health IT Conference Expansion

• Panel of Notables Added:
  • Steve Klasko (General Catalyst), Venkat Mokurla (Midstream founder), Manav Sivak (Memorial Health founder), Mahool Mehta (Fairy Health founder) added to the Founders, Leaders, and Investors series at the Health IT conference.
  • Quote [05:10]:

    "Brilliant founder of Memorial Health and finally Mahool Mehta, founder of Fairy Health. Fantastic." — Scott Becker

10. National Medical Fellowships Gala

• Company will have a table at the NMF Gala (Oct 3) which supports underprivileged individuals' access to medical school.
  • Recognizes leaders like Michelin Davis and Derek Fish, honoree Dr. Moot Tomlinson, board member Lloyd Dean.
  • His children will attend, highlighting personal and professional overlap.
  • Quote [06:00]:

    "NMF helps underprivileged people go to med school. We're a huge fan of Michelin Davis and Derek Fish. Thrilled to see them." — Scott Becker

Notable Shout-Outs & Sponsor Recognition

• New Podcast Sponsors:
  • Michael Weiss: “A brilliant lawyer and long-term colleague.”
  • Travis Guerra: “Brilliant person in the search business. ... Fantastic person.”
• Event Organizers:
  • Ginny EGC, Jessica Cole, and team at Becker’s Healthcare.
• Industry Leaders Highlighted:
  • Hallie Buckley, David Pivnick, Nick Warfield, Malika Waliade, Benjamin Beetle Ribby, Steve Klasko, Venkat Mokurla, Manav Sivak, Mahool Mehta, Michelin Davis, Derek Fish, Dr. Moot Tomlinson, Lloyd Dean.

Engaging and Memorable Quotes

• [01:26] Scott Becker:

  "Try and say that five times quickly: A notorious short seller is shorting Palantir. I won't do it, but that's hard to say, you know, let alone say it five times in a row."

• [04:10] Scott Becker:

  "The godfather of AI and revenue cycle is really Ekasa and their cofounders Malika Waliade and Benjamin Beetle Ribby, fantastic leaders and people."

• [06:00] Scott Becker:

  "NMF helps underprivileged people go to med school. We're a huge fan of Michelin Davis and Derek Fish. Thrilled to see them."

Useful Timestamps

• 00:00–01:00 — Podcast & sponsor introductions
• 01:00–01:55 — Market/stock updates (Tech, Peloton, Palantir, Premier, Intel, SoftBank)
• 02:00–02:45 — Speaking engagements (Georgia State ASC, Becker’s Healthcare ASC)
• 03:00–03:40 — Upcoming conferences & podcasts
• 03:50–04:25 — Revenue cycle trends, AI, and leadership interviews
• 04:30–05:10 — Commercial real estate webinar, Health IT conference, notable panelists
• 05:40–06:30 — NMF Gala, philanthropy mentions

Summary Tone & Takeaways

Scott Becker delivers this update with his trademark brisk, optimistic style, weaving together news, gratitude, and industry insights. The focus remains on actions and opportunities within the business, investment, and healthcare IT worlds—with personal touches illustrating community and long-term relationships. His open invitation for dialogue, frequent acknowledgment of colleagues, and humor (notably regarding tongue-twister stocks) keep the atmosphere both professional and approachable.