Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: Becker Business

Host: Scott Becker
Episode: 7 of the Worst Run Companies in America
Date: August 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses the "Seven Worst Run Companies in America" according to AI-generated research. He makes it clear throughout the conversation that this list is not based on his personal opinions but is sourced from artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Grok. The episode explores each company's current challenges, exploring factors like leadership, financial performance, and recent strategic problems.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction and AI Sourcing

[00:00] Scott Becker opens by clarifying that the list was sourced from an AI-generated search, not his own evaluations.
- "This list comes out of me doing this search. It was either in Grok or ChatGPT… these are not my thoughts. These come from artificial intelligence, so don't shoot the messenger." — Scott Becker (00:10)
He emphasizes the criteria often related to stock performance, leadership challenges, and recent developments.

The Seven Companies Identified

1. Boeing

Top of the list due to repeated safety and quality issues, financial struggles, and questionable leadership.
- "Boeing topped the list for safety and quality issues, financial performance issues, leadership issues and a lot more." — Scott Becker (00:36)

2. Tesla

Included for management concerns and prior periods of volatility, although Scott notes a significant recovery in the current year.
- "Tesla ranked up there in a lot of these things, although it's recovering significantly this year." — Scott Becker (00:48)

3. Intel

Featured because of several challenging years and missed opportunities but is cited as actively attempting to improve its situation.
- "Intel, which has been on the ropes for a few years, also featured prominently in the worst run companies, though again trying to improve." — Scott Becker (00:55)

4. Centene

Highlighted for a notably poor recent track record, despite earlier explosive growth in the Medicaid managed care space.
- "Centene's having a horrible, horrible track record the last 52 weeks, but until then it had grown like crazy as the leading Medicaid managed care company in the country." — Scott Becker (01:04)

5. Deckers Outdoor

Owner of popular brands (e.g., HOKA) but struggling significantly as a parent company, regardless of some brands’ current popularity.
- "Deckers is the owner of HOKA and a lot of other big brands notwithstanding how much a lot of us, we're those brands. They are struggling tremendously..." — Scott Becker (01:14)

6. Walgreens

Facing continued struggles, with some recent signs of improvement as private equity becomes more involved.
- "Walgreens has been struggling tremendously. It's taken a little bit better now as private equity starts to buy it, but Walgreens has been struggling tremendously." — Scott Becker (01:22)

7. CVS/Aetna

Cited as having major challenges both on the pharmacy retail side and the insurance side, compounded by recent difficulties with PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Management).
- "CVS again, another company that is, that has been having a horrible time as of late. It's got the big, big pharmacy chain retail side, it's got the big payer in Aetna. Then it's got the PBM, but again comes down and it is listed as one of the worst run companies." — Scott Becker (01:31)

Reflections and Disclaimers

Scott repeatedly distances himself from the list to remain objective and avoid personal criticism.
- "Again, not my thoughts. Those are the thoughts that come out of the AI tool that I plugged that request into." — Scott Becker (01:47)
- "I don't mean to be such a wuss by just constantly clarifying not my list, but that's the deal." — Scott Becker (01:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Scott’s AI Disclaimer
"These are not my thoughts. These come from artificial intelligence, so don't shoot the messenger." (00:10)
On Boeing’s Problems
"Boeing topped the list for safety and quality issues, financial performance issues, leadership issues and a lot more." (00:36)
On Tesla’s Mixed Performance
"Tesla ranked up there in a lot of these things, although it's recovering significantly this year." (00:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:00] – Introduction & AI disclosure
[00:36] – Boeing’s issues highlighted
[00:48] – Tesla’s challenges and recovery
[00:55] – Intel’s ongoing struggles
[01:04] – Centene’s recent downturn
[01:14] – Deckers Outdoors discussion
[01:22] – Walgreens’ situation
[01:31] – CVS/Aetna’s multifaceted troubles
[01:47+] – Reiterate: This is an AI-generated list, not Scott’s opinion

Tone and Language

Scott maintains a conversational, slightly cautious tone to clarify that these insights are AI-curated, frequently reminding listeners not to attribute the list to his own judgment. His language is direct and accessible, with occasional humor and self-awareness (e.g., calling himself a "wuss" for repeated disclaimers).

Wrap-Up

The episode provides a concise review of current corporate woes according to AI analysis, targeting key companies facing scrutiny in the American business landscape.
Scott invites listeners to treat the list as a thought-provoking reference rather than a definitive assessment.

This summary enables listeners—whether familiar with the companies or not—to understand the episode’s central points, AI-sourced methodology, and Scott Becker’s perspective and approach.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Private Equity. In the Becker Business podcast, today's discussion is seven of the worst run companies in America. So here's the deal and here's the caveat. This list comes out of me doing this search. It was either in Grok or ChatGPT. What are 7 or what are several of the worst run companies in America? These are not my thoughts. These come from artificial intelligence, so don't shoot the messenger. But here's the story and what we got out of AI as seven of the worst run companies in America. And again, this is not my opinion, but a lot of this has to do. What's going on, their stock, the thoughts about their leadership and a lot more. I'm going to give you the 7. In one of these AI searches, Boeing topped the list for safety and quality issues, financial performance issues, leadership issues and a lot more. Six of the others that came up as some of the worst run companies in America. And again, bear with me, Tesla ranked up there in a lot of these things, although it's recovering significantly this year. Intel, which has been on the ropes for a few years, also featured prominently in the worst run companies, though again trying to improve. Centene comes up prominently in the list of worst run companies. Again, Centene's having a horrible, horrible track record the last 52 weeks, but until then it had grown like crazy as the leading Medicaid managed care company in the country. Next is Deckers Outdoors. Deckers is the owner of HOKA and a lot of other big brands notwithstanding how much a lot of us, we're those brands. They are struggling tremendously, so they come up in that. Next is Walgreens again. Walgreens has been struggling tremendously. It's taken a little bit better now as private equity starts to buy it, but Walgreens has been struggling tremendously. Next is cvs, Aetna, CVS again, another company that is, that has been having a horrible time as of late. It's got the big, big pharmacy chain retail side, it's got the big payer in Aetna. Then it's got the pbm, but again comes down and it is listed as one of the worst run companies. So I thought that was interesting to watch. Those are seven of the worst run companies in America. Again, not my thoughts. Those are the thoughts that come out of the AI tool that I plugged that request into. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private equity podcast. And I don't mean to be such a wuss by just constantly clarifying not my list, but that's the deal. We hope you find it interesting. Thank you for listening.