How Companies Use Bankruptcy as Strategy, Not Last Resort episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 2, 2026 · 12 MIN

How Companies Use Bankruptcy as Strategy, Not Last Resort

from The Invisible Hand · host Emma Reid

Corporate bankruptcies just hit levels we haven't seen since 2008, but here's the kicker: most of these companies aren't actually failing. Emma Reid breaks down how bankruptcy became the new business strategy, and why that 61% spike in filings isn't about companies going under. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why interest rates jumping from 0% to 5% made bankruptcy filings explode by 61% in just one year • How private equity firms use bankruptcy as a profit strategy, making their companies 10x more likely to file • The real reason 70% of bankruptcy cases are small businesses, and what that means for your local economy • Which warning signs to watch for when your employer or investment might be heading for "strategic" bankruptcy 👤 Perfect for: anyone who wants to understand what's really happening when companies file for bankruptcy, especially if you're an employee, investor, or small business owner wondering how this affects you. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Emma Reid explains why bankruptcy isn't what you think anymore [01:45] The 61% spike that has nothing to do with business failure [03:30] How rising interest rates turned debt into a 5x bigger problem overnight [06:00] Private equity's bankruptcy playbook (and why they love Chapter 11) [08:30] Small business reality: why 70% of filings come from Main Street, not Wall Street [11:00] Red flags to spot before your company pulls the bankruptcy trigger 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow The Invisible Hand on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: corporate bankruptcy, business strategy, interest rates, private equity, small business economics Get new episodes at The Invisible Hand --------- Keywords: economic policy, money decisions, corporate finance, interest rates, investment tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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