Advertise on podcast: The LFI Levered Lines Podcast

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast!  This episode explores how opportunistic credit is reshaping private markets as higher rates, elevated entry valuations, and longer private equity hold periods drive demand for more flexible capital solutions. Krista Giovacco speaks with Ashwin Krishnan about how private credit has expanded beyond traditional direct lending, and how structured and hybrid capital strategies are being used to help companies return capital to LPs while preserving upside value.   They also discuss the implications of a “higher for longer” rate environment, the growing role of bespoke capital solutions, and how changing market dynamics are influencing supply, demand, and investment opportunities across the asset class. Tune in for clear, practical insights to help investors better navigate today’s evolving private credit landscape.

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast!  In this episode, Steve Miller speaks with Gretchen Lam about the outlook for leveraged finance markets and the evolution of Octagon Credit. They discuss trends in M&A activity, direct lending, broadly syndicated loans, and CLO issuance, as well as how market technicals, investor demand, and liability management transactions are shaping credit opportunities and risks.   The conversation also explores the impact of AI on the software sector, credit selection, and investment decision-making, alongside Gretchen’s perspective on leading Octagon through its next phase of growth. This episode offers valuable insights for credit investors looking to better navigate market risks, identify opportunities, and understand the forces driving leveraged finance today.

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast!  In this episode, Steve Miller is joined by Chris Wood to discuss the evolving leveraged finance landscape, Huntington Bank’s growth strategy, and key trends shaping private equity and capital markets. They explore activity in the pro rata lending market, the challenges facing M&A, the changing role of direct lenders, and how banks are adapting to shifting market conditions.    The conversation also examines how AI is transforming investment banking, improving productivity, and changing the skills needed for future finance professionals. Packed with practical market insights and forward-looking perspectives, this episode offers valuable takeaways for investors, lenders, and leveraged finance participants.

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast!  In this episode, Krista Giovacco speaks with Beverley Caen about how executive coaching is shaping outcomes in private credit, particularly during periods of leadership transition, private equity backing, and organizational change. They explore how coaching supports founders and executive teams as they prepare for investment, manage stakeholder expectations, and navigate the shift from founder-led to sponsor-backed structures.  The conversation also highlights challenges around CEO succession, team integration, and cultural alignment during acquisitions, as well as how structured coaching frameworks and assessments can strengthen communication and decision-making under pressure. Tune in for practical insights on enhancing leadership performance and driving successful growth in evolving private credit environments.

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines podcast!    In this episode, Kerstin Kubanek speaks with Paul Brodie about how AI is transforming the private credit landscape, from origination and underwriting to data collection and transparency. They explore how AI is already enhancing investment processes through cost optimization and improved decision-making, while also discussing key differences between the more mature US market and the fragmented European market.     The conversation highlights growing opportunities in sponsorless lending, as well as rising demand for private credit in sectors like defense and AI infrastructure. Tune in for practical insights on how technology is reshaping credit investing and unlocking new opportunities

Welcome to the LFI Levered Lines Podcast!    In this episode, Steve Miller speaks with Bob Post of Blackstone Credit and Insurance about the evolving leveraged loan and CLO markets. They discuss Blackstone’s CLO growth strategy, market bifurcation, private credit dynamics, and the widening gap between stronger and weaker credits affecting pricing and liquidity.   They also cover capital flows between BSL and private credit, credit fundamentals, the outlook for defaults and recoveries, the growing use of liability management exercises, and how AI is improving efficiency and influencing investment decisions.   Tune in for practical insights on navigating today’s leveraged finance market.

This episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast explores how private credit is evolving through changing investor demand, liquidity solutions and greater use of technology as markets remain volatile. Kerstin Kubanek speaks with John Anderson about continued insurance capital interest in private credit through structured access vehicles, the rise of credit continuation vehicles as tools for liquidity and duration management, and the expanding role of NAV financing across fund structures. They also examine how AI can strengthen portfolio monitoring, underwriting discipline and transparency without replacing core credit judgment. Tune in for practical insights into the structures, risks and opportunities shaping the next phase of private credit.

In this episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast, the discussion explores how the loan market is evolving amid rapid growth, expanding private credit, and increasing demands on market infrastructure. Steve Miller speaks with Sean Griffin about key market‑wide themes including transparency in private credit, the role of data and digitization, and the challenges of scaling a trillion‑dollar trading market. They also examine how technology, AI, and changing investor expectations are shaping market structure, efficiency, and future decision‑making. Tune in for thoughtful insights into where leveraged finance is headed and what it will take to support its next phase of growth.

In this episode of the LFI Levered Lines Podcast, the discussion explores how private credit managers are navigating structural change, platform consolidation, and emerging risk as markets evolve. Kerstin Kubanek speaks with Allison Davi about the rationale behind integrating Alcentra into Benefit Street Partners, building a global private credit platform, and sharpening strategic focus across Europe and the US. They also examine investor concerns around AI, software exposure, and semi liquid products, separating headline noise from fundamental credit risk. Tune in for clear insights into how private credit is repositioning for the next phase of growth and risk management.

This week on Levered Lines, host Kerstin Kubanek and guest Mark Bickerstaffe examine the outlook for private credit in 2026, with a focus on M&A activity, valuations, and deal quality across European markets. They discuss the rebound in primary buyouts, disciplined leverage and loan‑to‑value levels in direct lending, and the growing role of refinancing and capital solutions where valuation gaps persist. The conversation also explores sector trends, including healthcare opportunities and the implications of AI for software portfolios and risk assessment.

An In-depth discussion with Carlyle Partner, Lauren Basmadjian This week on Levered Lines, host Steve Miller speaks with Carlyle’s Lauren Basmadjian to explore major themes shaping global liquid credit and CLO markets as 2026 unfolds. They examine platform evolution at Carlyle following substantial reinvestment reset activity and discuss expectations for deal flow amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and a growing roster of large-scale transactions emerging in the pipeline. The dialogue highlights shifting dynamics between private credit and syndicated markets, relative funding costs, and how borrower migration continues to influence liquidity and capital availability. Additional focus areas include CLO spread behavior, discount-driven portfolio construction opportunities, transatlantic corporate performance trends, and differences in restructuring frameworks driving divergence in default rates. Key topics span the impact of software sector volatility, AI-driven competitive pressures and operational adoption inside investment teams, elevated but stable default environments aided by LME activity, steering committee participation strategy, covenant erosion, and guidance for early-career professionals navigating a rapidly evolving credit landscape.

This week on Levered Lines, host Krista Giovacco speaks with Brian Garfield and Lucas Weiss from Lincoln International's Portfolio Valuation and Opinions Practice to discuss private credit market dynamics heading into 2026. They discuss deal making momentum with transaction multiples exceeding 2021 peak levels and the outlook for continued M&A activity alongside robust refinancing volume. The conversation covers portfolio company fundamental performance with over half growing EBITDA, borrower-friendly market conditions driven by substantial private credit dry powder, spread compression trends, and junior debt capital stack normalization. Key themes include the impact of withdrawn leverage lending guidelines on bank and direct lender competition, AI's potential influence on software underwriting dynamics, management team optimism with 8-10% growth projections, tactical positioning in subordinated debt markets, and challenges addressing underperforming companies and aged portfolio exits in sponsor funds.

Join Dagmara Michalczuk at the European Private Credit Conference on Direct Lending 23 February 2026 | The Landmark Hotel | London, U.K. Dagmara will be speaking at this event. Register here: https://hubs.la/Q042jP1D0 This week on Levered Lines, host Kerstin Kubanek speaks with Dagmara Michalczuk, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Tetragon Credit Partners, ahead of the Deal Catalyst European Direct Lending Conference. They discuss CLO market dynamics in 2026, including spread compression reaching post-financial crisis tights and the outlook for refinancing and reset activity. The conversation covers CLO equity arbitrage opportunities, tactical positioning strategies, loan repricing trends, and portfolio quality amid micro cycles in the market. Key themes include sector-specific concerns around software and AI disruption, chemicals, autos, building products, as well as evolving restructuring trends, liability management exercises, cross-border litigation developments, and challenges in manager selection.

This week on Levered Lines, host Krista Giovacco speaks with Kyle Brown, CEO of Trinity Capital, about the outlook for private credit in 2026. They discuss Trinity’s internally managed BDC model, record investment activity, and why lower middle‑market lending continues to generate attractive returns. The conversation covers underwriting discipline, loss mitigation, liquidity concerns in private credit, and valuation transparency, as well as key growth themes including AI, robotics, reshoring‑driven CapEx, data centers, and energy.

This week, host Kerstin Kubanek and Michael Carruthers of Blackstone delve into the outlook for private credit and M&A activity in 2026, exploring deal flow momentum, valuation resets, spread dynamics, sector trends, and geopolitical influences on financing. The conversation covers improving market conditions, margin pressures, the role of liquid versus private credit, and the growing importance of sectors such as software, business services, healthcare, and AI‑driven infrastructure. They also touch on retail investor access and evolving fund structures. Tune in for insights that will help you navigate the shifting private credit landscape in 2026.