🎧 Best Business Buying & ETA Podcasts: Complete 2026 Guide
Looking for the best business acquisition podcasts to accelerate your ETA journey? Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship through acquisition, searching for your first deal, or scaling your acquisition strategy, the right podcast can be your secret weapon.
We’ve analyzed dozens of business buying podcasts, interviewing hosts, analyzing episode catalogs, and gathering feedback from successful acquisition entrepreneurs. Here are the top-ranked shows that will transform your understanding of buying, growing, and exiting businesses.
🏆 Top 10 Business Acquisition & ETA Podcasts (Ranked)
1. Acquiring Minds
Host: Will Smith, acquisition entrepreneur and community builder
- Episodes: 150+ episodes
- Format: Interview-style with acquisition entrepreneurs sharing deal stories
- Episode Length: 45-60 minutes
- Running Since: 2021 (3+ years)
- Best For: First-time business buyers and small business acquisition enthusiasts
- Listen: acquiringminds.co
Why It’s #1: The community aspect sets this apart – with thousands of acquisition entrepreneurs in their network, you get real stories from real buyers. Will Smith’s interviewing style draws out practical lessons from each guest’s acquisition journey.
Unique Value: Focus on smaller deals ($500K-$5M) that are accessible to individual buyers, not just institutional investors.
2. Acquisition Anonymous
Host: Bill D’Alessandro, serial entrepreneur and acquisition expert
- Episodes: 150+ episodes
- Format: Solo commentary and interview style
- Episode Length: 30-45 minutes
- Running Since: 2021 (3+ years)
- Best For: Online business acquisition, SaaS and e-commerce deals
- Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
What Makes It Special: Bill’s experience acquiring multiple 7-figure online businesses brings a unique perspective to digital asset acquisition. Great for understanding e-commerce, SaaS, and content site valuations.
Strength: Detailed financial analysis and due diligence processes for digital businesses.
3. Built to Sell Radio
Host: John Warrillow, bestselling author of “Built to Sell” and founder of The Value Builder System
- Episodes: 520+ episodes
- Format: Interview-style with successful entrepreneurs and acquisition experts
- Episode Length: 25-35 minutes
- Running Since: 2014 (10+ years)
- Best For: Business owners planning exits and acquisition entrepreneurs looking for deal insights
- Listen: builttosell.com
Why It’s Essential: John Warrillow’s decades of experience in M&A, combined with his ability to extract actionable insights from every guest, makes this the gold standard for business acquisition podcasts. Each episode delivers tactical advice on valuation, negotiation, and deal structure.
Standout Episodes: Interviews with entrepreneurs who’ve sold businesses for 8-9 figures, plus deep dives into valuation methodologies and acquisition strategies.
4. The Search Fund Podcast
Hosts: Various Stanford GSB-affiliated hosts and search fund practitioners
- Episodes: 180+ episodes
- Format: Interview and case study format
- Episode Length: 35-50 minutes
- Running Since: 2018 (6+ years)
- Best For: Search fund practitioners, MBA students, institutional ETA
- Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Why It’s Essential: The definitive resource for search fund methodology. Deep academic rigor combined with practical case studies from successful search fund entrepreneurs who’ve raised capital and acquired businesses.
Key Topics: Fundraising from investors, deal sourcing strategies, post-acquisition value creation.
5. Think Like an Owner
Host: Alex Diehl, business acquisition consultant and former investment banker
- Episodes: 120+ episodes
- Format: Educational deep-dives and case studies
- Episode Length: 40-55 minutes
- Running Since: 2019 (5+ years)
- Best For: Understanding ownership mindset and long-term value creation
- Listen: Available on major podcast platforms
Unique Angle: Alex’s investment banking background provides sophisticated financial analysis while keeping content accessible. Excellent for understanding valuation multiples, deal structures, and post-acquisition optimization.
Best Episodes: Series on due diligence checklists and negotiation tactics.
6. The ETA Podcast
Hosts: Various ETA practitioners and business school faculty
- Episodes: 90+ episodes
- Format: Academic interviews with practical applications
- Episode Length: 25-40 minutes
- Running Since: 2020 (4+ years)
- Best For: MBA students and career changers considering ETA
- Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
Academic Rigor: Strong theoretical foundation combined with real-world case studies. Excellent for understanding the strategic frameworks behind successful acquisitions.
Target Audience: Business school students, consultants transitioning to ETA, and first-time searchers.
7. How2Exit
Host: Ron Higgs, M&A advisor and exit strategy consultant
- Episodes: 200+ episodes
- Format: Interview-focused with exit strategy experts
- Episode Length: 30-45 minutes
- Running Since: 2019 (5+ years)
- Best For: Understanding the seller’s perspective and exit strategies
- Listen: Available on all major platforms
Seller’s Perspective: While focused on exits, provides valuable insights for buyers on what sellers are thinking, how they value businesses, and what motivates them to sell.
Key Value: Understanding seller psychology and structuring win-win deals.
8. Action Academy Podcast
Host: Brian Luebben, acquisition entrepreneur and business coach
- Episodes: Daily (Mon-Fri)
- Format: Educational content with guest interviews
- Episode Length: 35-50 minutes
- Running Since: 2021 (3+ years)
- Best For: Actionable strategies and implementation tactics
- Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Implementation Focus: Brian’s coaching background shows in the practical, step-by-step approach to business acquisition. Great for turning podcast learning into actual action.
Standout Content: Detailed walkthroughs of deal processes and post-acquisition integration.
9. Invest Like the Best (Business Episodes)
Host: Patrick O’Shaughnessy, investor and author
- Episodes: 400+ total (50+ acquisition-focused)
- Format: Long-form interviews with business leaders
- Episode Length: 60-90 minutes
- Running Since: 2016 (8+ years)
- Best For: High-level strategic thinking and investment frameworks
- Listen: Investlikethebest.com
Investment Perspective: While broader than just acquisitions, Patrick’s interviews with serial acquirers and business builders provide sophisticated frameworks for evaluating businesses.
Notable Guests: CEOs of major acquirers and investment professionals who’ve overseen hundreds of deals.
10. SMB Twitter/X Spaces (Weekly)
Hosts: Various small business acquisition community members
- Episodes: Weekly live sessions (100+ archived)
- Format: Live Q&A and community discussion
- Episode Length: 60-120 minutes
- Running Since: 2021 (3+ years)
- Best For: Real-time community support and deal discussions
- Listen: Twitter/X Spaces, some archived on YouTube
Community-Driven: The most interactive format on this list. Real-time Q&A with active deal makers, deal sharing, and troubleshooting acquisition challenges.
Unique Value: Live community support and ability to ask questions directly to experienced acquirers.
📚 What Makes These Podcasts Essential for Business Buyers?
🎯 Skill Development
Each podcast develops specific acquisition skills:
- Deal Sourcing: Acquiring Minds and Action Academy excel at sourcing strategies
- Due Diligence: Think Like an Owner provides detailed DD frameworks
- Valuation: Built to Sell Radio offers sophisticated valuation insights
- Negotiation: How2Exit teaches seller psychology for better negotiations
- Financing: The Search Fund Podcast covers institutional financing approaches
🎪 Format Variety
Different learning styles benefit from different formats:
- Solo Educational: Acquisition Anonymous provides focused learning
- Interview Style: Built to Sell Radio extracts expert insights
- Case Studies: The Search Fund Podcast analyzes real deals
- Live Community: SMB Twitter Spaces offers real-time interaction
- Academic Depth: The ETA Podcast provides theoretical frameworks
🎯 How to Use These Podcasts for Maximum Learning
For Beginners (New to Business Acquisition)
- Start with Acquiring Minds for foundational understanding
- Move to Built to Sell Radio for advanced insights
- Join SMB Twitter Spaces for community support
- Use Action Academy for implementation guidance
For Experienced Practitioners
- The Search Fund Podcast for institutional strategies
- Think Like an Owner for sophisticated analysis
- Built to Sell Radio for ongoing deal insights
- How2Exit for seller perspective
For Digital/Online Business Buyers
- Acquisition Anonymous for online business focus
- Built to Sell Radio for general M&A principles
- Acquiring Minds for smaller deal strategies
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which podcast is best for complete beginners?
Acquiring Minds is ideal for beginners. Will Smith’s interviewing style draws out practical, actionable advice from guests who’ve bought their first businesses. The community aspect also provides ongoing support as you start your acquisition journey.
Are these podcasts only for large deals?
Not at all! Most focus on small-medium business acquisitions:
- Acquiring Minds: $500K-$5M deals
- Acquisition Anonymous: $100K-$2M online businesses
- Action Academy: $500K-$10M traditional businesses
- Built to Sell Radio: All sizes, but many episodes cover sub-$20M deals
Do I need an MBA to understand these podcasts?
Absolutely not. While The Search Fund Podcast and The ETA Podcast have academic elements, most are designed for practical learners. Start with beginner-friendly shows like Acquiring Minds and Action Academy.
How often should I listen to stay current?
We recommend:
- Weekly: 2-3 episodes from your top 3 preferred shows
- Monthly: Sample episodes from all shows to stay broad
- Live Events: Attend SMB Twitter Spaces when possible for community
Can podcasts really teach me to buy a business?
Podcasts provide excellent education, frameworks, and motivation, but they’re part of a complete learning ecosystem. Combine podcast learning with:
- Reading acquisition-focused books
- Networking with other buyers
- Getting hands-on experience with deal analysis
- Working with experienced advisors
What’s the difference between ETA and regular business acquisition?
ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) specifically refers to individuals who acquire a business to run as their primary career move, often with investor capital. Regular business acquisition can include strategic buyers, financial buyers, or serial acquirers. The ETA-focused podcasts (The Search Fund Podcast, The ETA Podcast) focus on this career-change approach.
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🎯 Conclusion: Your Podcast-Powered Acquisition Journey
The business acquisition podcast landscape offers incredible depth and variety. Whether you’re drawn to Built to Sell Radio’s sophisticated M&A insights, Acquiring Minds’ community-driven approach, or The Search Fund Podcast’s institutional strategies, there’s a show that matches your learning style and acquisition goals.
Start with 2-3 podcasts that match your current level and acquisition focus. As you develop expertise, expand to shows that challenge your thinking and expose you to new strategies.
Remember: podcast education is most powerful when combined with action. Use these shows to inform your deal analysis, guide your due diligence process, and connect with the broader acquisition community.
The best time to start your acquisition education was yesterday. The second best time is right now.
Last Updated: February 2026 | Written by acquisition experts | Part of the GoSBA Loans Resource Library
