Podcast Summary

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Bart Walker, Partner at McGuireWoods
Host: Scott Becker
Date: September 26, 2025
Recording Location: McGuire Woods Healthcare Growth and Operations Conference

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Scott Becker sits down with Bart Walker, the driver and founder of the McGuire Woods Healthcare Growth and Operations Conference, and a key leader of the firm’s Charlotte healthcare practice. The conversation blends professional wisdom for emerging healthcare leaders with engaging stories about leadership, family, and nurturing talent in and out of the workplace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bart Walker’s Professional Background

• Practice Focus: Bart is a partner at McGuire Woods, leading the healthcare practice in Charlotte.
  • Work Breakdown: 90% healthcare M&A (physician practices, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health systems); the rest in healthcare regulatory, day-to-day outside general counsel work.
  • [00:48] Bart Walker: "I do healthcare m and a predominantly about 90% of my practice is that in healthcare services... The rest of my practice is healthcare regulatory advice and day to day outside general counsel work."
• Career Longevity: 21 years at the same firm, attributing his career satisfaction to workplace culture and long-term relationships.
  • [01:23] Bart Walker: "I did my first project for Scott in the healthcare department... it's now turned into a 21 year career at the same firm, which I'm extremely proud of."

2. Advice for Emerging Professionals

• Always Deliver Excellence: Regardless of recognition or compensation, always do "excellent work."
  • [01:23] Bart Walker: “…always do excellent work. Whatever it takes. Whether if you're a lawyer and you... track your time and billable hours. It doesn't matter. Work off the clock if you have to.”
  • [01:23] "You never know who's watching when you're doing your job..."
• Career Path Origins: Taking initiative even for projects outside your core role can open career-defining doors.
  • [01:23] "I picked up a random healthcare project...I guess I did a good job...it's now turned into a 21 year career."

3. Career and Life Advice for the Next Generation

• Values Over Vocations: Instill values of resilience and adaptability in children rather than prescribing specific careers.
  • [02:36] Bart Walker: “Technology in the pace of AI development is changing...I think today...we try to instill in them certain values, certain principles... Those are the skills that they'll apply to whatever they do."
• Practical Approach to Career Choices:
  • Don't blindly "follow your passion." Instead, find work that pays the bills, is tolerable, fits your life, and then build your passion alongside.
  • [02:36] "People are fond of saying, follow your passion. I think that's kind of bad advice. I think you need to find something that pays the bills...and meshes with your life."
  • [03:42] Scott Becker: "If your passion is that you want to be on the beach hanging out...God bless. I don't know how to find a living doing that."

4. Family Dynamics, Support, and Talent-Nurturing

• Supporting Children's Interests: Walker emphasizes supporting his children’s pursuits 100% only if they are genuinely invested.
  • [04:20] Bart Walker: "We're not big fans of forcing kids to do things they don't want to do. We ask them every year...Do you want to continue it? Yes. Okay, then we're all in."
• Achievements: His daughters excel in Irish and Scottish Highland dance, have qualified for world championships, and performed internationally.
  • [04:20] "Our girls are really accomplished Irish dancers and Scottish Highland dancers...My one daughter has qualified for the world championships in Irish dance a number of years in a row."
• Musical Talents & Family Band: Walker’s oldest three children formed a band called Pick and Thistles, releasing their first single on streaming platforms.
  • [05:18] "One is our oldest. Three children have a band called Pick and Thistles...they just released their first studio single."
• Athletics: Several children participate in competitive alpine ski racing. Each child is supported in their individual interests (lacrosse, cross-country, bagpipes, cello, viola, etc.).

5. Large Family Structure & Homeschooling

• Family Overview: Eight children ranging from college-age to toddlers (19 months). Older children are homeschooled which provides flexibility for their activities.
  • [06:24–07:58] Bart Walker: Describes each child's interests from music to dance to sports. Highlights the collaborative and personalized approach in nurturing individual skills.
• Evolution with Younger Children: The youngest two boys will experience a different family environment as they will eventually be the only ones left at home.
  • [09:08] Bart Walker: “They're going to grow up in a very different environment than the rest of our children…these two boys will grow up as teenagers, kind of two kids in the house. We've never had that experience."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Work Ethic:

  • [01:23] Bart Walker: "Always do excellent work. Whatever it takes... You never know who's watching when you're doing your job."

• On Career Advice for Kids:

  • [02:36] Bart Walker: "You need to be resilient, you need to be adaptable. So whatever they do, do it 100%."
  • [02:36] "Follow your passion. I think that's kind of bad advice. I think you need to find something that pays the bills... and then also you can follow your passions too, but that shouldn't be the primary driver."

• On Supporting Children’s Interests:

  • [04:20] "If you're into this, we'll support you 100%. If you're not into it, then let's find something that you are interested in."
  • [05:18] "They just released their first studio single on Spotify...it was a song that was written by my two oldest daughters, Josephine and Rosemary."

• On Family Life:

  • [09:08] "These two boys will grow up as teenagers, kind of two kids in the house. We've never had that experience."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:08 — Introduction & Bart’s professional background
• 01:08–02:07 — Career advice and origin story at McGuire Woods
• 02:07–03:42 — Life and career advice for children & the next generation
• 03:42–05:12 — Family philosophy: supporting children’s activities (dance, music)
• 05:12–06:39 — "Pick and Thistles" band and showcasing child achievements
• 06:39–07:58 — Overview of all eight children’s talents and interests
• 07:58–09:28 — On younger children growing up differently; concluding reflections

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, genuine, and direct, blending industry insight with relatable family narratives. Walker’s approach is practical yet encouraging, focused on grounded values, adaptability, and individualized support—both professionally and at home.