The Informed Board

Skadden is routinely ranked as the top M&A law firm in the world, and The Informed Board gives you direct access to how their partners think about corporate governance, deal strategy, and boardroom decision-making. Hosted by Ann Beth Stebbins, an M&A partner at the firm, the podcast is aimed at corporate directors but is equally valuable for deal lawyers, in-house counsel, and anyone advising boards during transactions. With 16 episodes published since 2022 and a perfect 5-star rating, the show prioritizes substance over volume. Each episode runs 17 to 27 minutes and tackles a specific governance challenge: when and how to replace a director, how boards should respond to activist investors, whether companies should consider reincorporating outside Delaware, and how political and geopolitical uncertainty affects board oversight. The Skadden pedigree means guests are not just informed -- they are the people who actually advise Fortune 500 boards on these exact issues. A recent episode featured Mick Mulvaney discussing government involvement in the private sector, while another had Stebbins walking through the practical implications of a Delaware court decision that sent shockwaves through the M&A community. The show complements Skadden written directors newsletter, and both resources together form a remarkably useful governance toolkit. The production avoids legal jargon in favor of clear, actionable guidance. For board members navigating M&A decisions, or the lawyers preparing them to do so, this podcast packs more insight per minute than almost anything else in the space.