The Enlightened Family Business Podcast

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 168: You Can't Change What You Can't Be With — A Conversation with David Young In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with David Young — somatic experiencing practitioner, collective trauma healer, co-executive director at Somatic Experiencing International, and founder of The Art of Collective Integration — for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most underexplored dimensions of human development: why intelligent, well-educated people keep repeating patterns that hurt them, and what it actually takes to change. David brings a remarkable lineage to this work — the son of an African American former Black Panther-turned-missionary and a Taiwanese mother, trained in intelligence analysis, East Asian philosophy, pastoral ministry, and somatic psychology. Together Chris and David explore why transformation isn't a cognitive event but a full-body physiological experience; why self-help books give us the cherry on top without the cake underneath; the difference between cultivating performance and cultivating wisdom; how the nervous system holds patterns that fire faster than the speed of thought; why anxiety in the rising generation is best met with co-regulation before analysis; what resilience actually means and why it's the highway to both personal and collective change; and what it looks like to raise a generation that can hold the complexity of a volatile, uncertain, rapidly accelerating world. This is a conversation for anyone who has ever wondered why knowing better doesn't always lead to doing better. Episode Chapters · 1:07 Meet David Young · 4:05 Breaking Patterns — What's Really Going On · 5:55 Developing the Rising Generation for the Future · 7:00 The Stages of Development Haven't Changed — But Everything Else Has · 10:56 Belonging vs. Becoming: The Tension Every Rising Gen Faces · 15:37 Why Highly Intelligent People Keep Repeating Harmful Patterns · 17:24 Why Self-Help Books Give You the Realization Without the Change · 22:36 Same Car, Different Engine: What Changes When Healing Happens · 23:09 Performance Culture vs. Wisdom Culture · 27:53 Pain and Pleasure Are Not Enough — The Limits of Leverage · 29:33 What the Nervous System Has to Do With Everything · 34:35 Anxiety in the Rising Generation — What's Really Driving It · 36:52 Co-Regulation: The First Step Before Asking Why · 41:14 Building Resilience: The Highway to Personal and Collective Change · 47:16 Resilience Is the Capacity to Stay in Flow With Adversity · 48:01 A Message for Parents and Family Principals · 50:28 Resources and Farewell Websites · artofcollectiveintegration.com · traumahealing.org · chrisyonker.com About David Young David Young 楊正賢, M.A., CMMT is the Co-Executive Director of Somatic Experiencing International and the founder and lead teacher of The Art of Collective Integration (ACI), a methodology for addressing collective trauma and societal polarization through somatic, relational, and systems-based practices. As a collective trauma integration facilitator, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and executive coach, David supports communities and organizations through critical transitions — helping them heal from collective trauma, navigate complexity, and enable healthy communication in polarized environments. With 20+ years of experience in leadership development, systems change, and trauma-informed consulting, David brings a unique approach that integrates somatic awareness, collective intelligence, and wisdom traditions to foster resilient, adaptive organizations. He has designed and facilitated large-scale leadership retreats and community healing initiatives in over 30 cities across the US and Europe, focusing on intergenerational leadership, cultural resilience, and conflict transformation. He is also a co-creator and co-facilitator of Attuned: Becoming Trauma Informed & Trauma Responsive in Professional Settings (accredited by the Law Society of Ontario) and The Leadership Dojo, an eight-week practice-based facilitation training. A student of collective trauma healing with Thomas Hübl, David holds multiple certifications in mindfulness, trauma facilitation, and conscious leadership, and is a teacher on Insight Timer, a global meditation app. He enjoys traveling, camping with his kids, martial arts, and hanging out in tea shops.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 167: The One Plan Every Family Is Missing with Libby Boatwright In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Libby Boatwright — certified financial planner, former Stanford Medical Center chaplain, pastor, and author of The Last Things We Talk About — for a candid, deeply practical conversation about the one plan most families never make: an end-of-life plan. Drawing on decades of experience in palliative care, hospice work, financial planning, and pastoral ministry, Libby walks through the full spectrum of what families need to navigate when a loved one faces a serious diagnosis or decline — and why waiting until the last minute makes everything harder and more costly. Chris and Libby explore the critical difference between palliative care and hospice, how hospitals really operate and what they won't tell you, why your advanced directive is your most important legal document, the caregiving crisis quietly bankrupting American families, how to be an effective patient advocate inside a system not designed to help you, and what it actually looks like to help a loved one die well. Chris also shares his own firsthand experience navigating hospice for both parents — including a powerful story about standing up to a hospital trying to redirect his mother's care. This is a conversation every family should hear before they need it. Episode Chapters · 2:22 Meet Libby Boatwright · 4:31 What End-of-Life Planning Actually Covers · 7:29 When the Diagnosis Arrives: Legacy, Bucket Lists, and Getting the House in Order · 10:00 The Circles of Support — Who Will Be There When It Matters? · 12:44 How to Start the Conversation When Families Don't Want To · 15:00 The Advanced Directive, HIPAA, and the POLST — The Three Essential Documents · 18:32 The Caregiving Crisis: Costs, Burnout, and Family Conflict · 23:36 Alzheimer's, Memory Care, and What It Actually Costs · 26:17 Protecting Assets: Trusts, Look-Back Periods, and Planning Ahead · 28:13 Navigating the Hospital System: Case Managers, Patient Advocates, and How to Fight for Your Loved One · 35:00 Palliative Care: What It Is, When to Use It, and Why Most People Don't Know · 38:09 Hospice: Medicare's Gift at the End of Life · 41:18 Chris's Story: Standing Up to the Hospital · 46:59 About the Book: The Last Things We Talk About · 50:16 Resources and Farewell Websites · elizabethboatwright.com · chrisyonker.com Book · The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions by Elizabeth Boatwright (Bull Publishing, 2021) — available on Amazon About Libby Boatwright Rev. Dr. Elizabeth "Libby" Boatwright, BCC-PCHAC, CFP, is a chaplain, pastor, certified financial planner, and author who has spent over 30 years counseling families on end-of-life issues, loss, grief, estate planning, and the emotional and spiritual dimensions of dying. She served as a Relief Chaplain in Oncology Outpatient Palliative Care Medicine at Stanford Health Care, where she worked alongside hundreds of patients and families navigating serious illness and end-of-life transitions. In her book The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions (Bull Publishing, 2021), Libby offers a practical framework for creating what she calls the "white book" — a simple binder or flash drive of all the materials a family will need when a loved one passes — helping heirs avoid what she calls "the treasure hunt" of lost documents and unspoken wishes. Libby has lectured at universities, colleges, and medical institutions, led seminars at national conventions, faith communities, parenting groups, senior fellowships, and estate planning forums. She has published in Cancer.net, Morningstar, CSA Journal, and Barron's, and has been featured in newspapers across the country. She has also appeared on ABC Nightly News and hosted her own radio show, The Fiscal Therapist, on KAIM. Libby holds Master's degrees from UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and Fuller Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies from George Fox University, and holds certifications as a Certified Financial Planner and Board Certified Chaplain with Advanced Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care. She lives in Northern California.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 166: Preparing the Rising Generation for Succession with Jeremy Lurey In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker is joined by Dr. Jeremy Lurey of Family Legacy First for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on one of the most underserved dimensions of family business succession — preparing the people, not just the plan. Recorded as part of the Family Business Executive Forum, this episode moves beyond the mechanics of who gets what and digs into the real work: the relational ecosystem, the communication structures, the identity questions, and the developmental gaps that determine whether a rising generation will thrive or fracture when the founding generation steps away. Chris and Jeremy explore why calling the next generation "now-gen" instead of "next-gen" changes everything; why the how of succession always matters more than the who; what the dashboard of a healthy succession ecosystem actually looks like; why governance without communication is just paperwork; and why the families that navigate multi-generational continuity best are the ones focused on individual flourishing, not just business continuity. They also share real client stories — both cautionary and inspiring — that illustrate what happens when families do this work and what happens when they don't. Episode Chapters · 0:00 Setting the Stage: Succession as a Process, Not an Event · 2:21 The Family Succession Ecosystem — What's Really Required · 5:31 Founder Influence and the Decision-Making Shift Across Generations · 8:00 The Relational Structure of the Rising Generation — Are We Building It? · 9:57 Fair vs. Equal: The Question That Stops Rooms Cold · 13:10 The Succession Dashboard: Eight Indicators of Ecosystem Health · 16:36 Now-Gen vs. Next-Gen: Why the Language Matters · 19:20 Leadership Development Is Intentional, Not Accidental · 23:02 How Much Input Should the Outgoing Leader Have? · 25:34 What Got You Here Won't Get You There · 28:00 Stewardship vs. Ownership — A Whole Different Framework · 30:24 Why Holistic Discovery Matters More Than You Think · 32:47 Life Happens Through Communication · 36:21 Elevating from Me to We · 38:13 When the Patriarch Won't Let Go — Real Stories · 42:07 Jay Hughes, Flourishing, and the Individual in the Family System · 44:02 Now-Gen Outside the Enterprise — A Powerful Case Study · 50:24 Parting Wisdom: Where to Start in the Next Seven to Ten Years · 54:50 Building the Multidisciplinary Advisory Team · 55:26 Resources and Farewell Websites · familylegacyfirst.com · chrisyonker.com LinkedIn · Search Jeremy Lurey or Chris Yonker About Jeremy Lurey Dr. Jeremy Lurey is the founder of Family Legacy First, a consulting practice dedicated to helping multi-generational family enterprises navigate succession, governance, and legacy planning with a focus on the human side of the process. With a background in management consulting and executive coaching, Jeremy works with families across the country on leadership transitions, family councils, retreats, and the relational dynamics that determine whether a family business survives across generations. He is a sought-after speaker and facilitator known for his practical, story-driven approach and his conviction that succession is never just about choosing the right successor — it's about building the right ecosystem for the whole family to thrive.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 165: Rethinking Succession in Family Business with Josh Baron In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Josh Baron — Harvard Business School faculty member, co-founder of Banyan Global, and co-author of multiple Harvard Business Review works on family enterprise — for a rich, deeply practical conversation on the topic that never gets old: succession. Josh has spent 20 years advising family businesses and teaching at Columbia and Harvard, and what he keeps finding is that families don't fail at succession because they chose the wrong person. They fail because they never built the right process. Together Chris and Josh explore why a family business CEO who's been in the seat for 30 years is not facing a job change — they're facing an identity crisis; why the how of succession is more important than the what; the critical difference between conquerors and rulers and why the next generation doesn't need to look like the founder to be the right fit; how to use the arc of succession — assets, roles, and capabilities — as a planning framework; what happens when the founding generation leaves and the next generation discovers they have no one to resolve their disputes; and why working backwards from the far future is one of the most effective tools for getting a reluctant founder to engage. They also dig into the four ownership models used by successful multi-generational family businesses and why the question isn't just who should run the business — it's whether the family should have a business at all. Episode Chapters · 3:56 Meet Josh Baron · 5:13 From Bain to Banyan: How Josh Found His Way Into Family Business · 8:00 Why Succession Is an Evergreen Problem — and Always Will Be · 10:12 What the Rising Generation Is Really Feeling · 13:12 Why G1 and G2 Struggle to See Each Other Clearly · 15:39 When Is the Right Time to Start Succession Planning? · 16:05 The Arc of Succession: Assets, Roles, and Capabilities · 20:48 Succession Is a Process, Not an Event · 22:11 The Danger of the One-Winner Moment · 24:33 Why Every Generation Needs a Different Kind of Leader · 27:50 How to Help a Founder Embrace What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There · 30:00 Grafting: How the Next Gen Should Introduce New Ideas · 31:30 Working Backwards: The Most Effective Tool for Reluctant Founders · 35:35 What Happens When the Founder Leaves and the Glue Disappears · 38:00 Should We Even Have a Family Business? The Question Nobody Asks · 40:19 The Four Ownership Models and When Each One Works · 46:09 The How Is Greater Than the What · 49:06 When to Get Outside Help — and Why You Always Need It · 53:31 Resources and Farewell Websites · hbs.edu (search Josh Baron) · banyanglobal.com · chrisyonker.com Book & Articles · The Founder's Final Act — Harvard Business Review, September–October 2025 · Search "Josh Baron HBS" for the full catalog of published work About Josh Baron Josh Baron is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, coauthor of the Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook, and a cofounder of BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 164: Unlocking Inner Potential: Tools for Sustainable Leadership with Shalin Desai In the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker welcomes Shailendra (Shalin) Desai, an engineer and longtime Art of Living teacher who has spent 20 years teaching breathing techniques and meditation in 64 U.S. cities, including Fortune 500 companies. They discuss shifting leadership needs, employee disengagement, and generational differences, emphasizing that calm, regulated nervous systems support trust, connection, and better decision-making. Desai explains Art of Living's SKY Breath (Sudarshan Kriya) and cites research, including a Yale study comparing outcomes with mindfulness-based stress reduction and an emotional intelligence program, noting benefits like reduced cortisol and anxiety and increased purpose. He guides listeners through a short bellows breathing (Bhastrika) exercise and brief meditation, recommends starting the day with the practice, and frames breathwork as daily "mental hygiene." · 00:54 Meet Shalin Desai · 04:25 Leadership Engagement Crisis · 08:34 Generational Leadership Shift · 11:02 Breathwork For Calm Leaders · 17:42 Why Breath Before Meditation · 21:22 Guided 12 Minute Practice · 36:02 When To Use It · 36:35 Real World Impact Stories · 42:22 Mental Hygiene Mindset · 43:20 Resources And Farewell Websites · artofliving.org · chrisyonker.com About Shalin Desai Shalin Desai is the Director of Programs for the Art of Living Foundation, one of the world's largest nonprofit organizations, whose initiatives have positively impacted over 500 million people across 180+ countries. With more than 25 years of experience teaching breathwork and meditation, Shalin is known for integrating ancient wisdom with modern leadership and well-being practices. He also serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Sri Sri Tattva, a global wellness brand offering natural and Ayurvedic products that promote holistic health through a blend of tradition and science. For over 15 years, Shalin has designed and delivered corporate leadership and wellness programs for organizations including Microsoft, Dell, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, Salesforce, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co.. His work helps leaders and teams manage stress, build resilience, and cultivate mental clarity while reconnecting with a deeper sense of purpose. Personally trained by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Shalin is among a select group chosen to train teachers of the Art of Living programs. Through his seminars and speaking engagements, he combines scientific insight with practical tools that help individuals and organizations unlock sustainable performance and well-being.He is also known for his Intuitive Life Scan, a breakthrough approach in which trained guides provide unbiased, highly accurate insights into an individual's unique situation. Using techniques that access the intuitive space—also called Absolute Intelligence—participants gain clarity and actionable guidance beyond what conventional knowledge can offer. A highly engaging speaker known for his relatable storytelling and humor, Shalin inspires audiences with practical techniques they can apply immediately to improve focus, leadership, and overall well-being. Shalin holds a degree in Supply Chain Management from the State University of New York and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two children.

Susan Weingartner has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of capital and human behavior. Although she grew up as the daughter of a wealth advisor, Susan initially chose a different path. Her career led her through philanthropy, impact investing, sustainable real estate, and capital markets, where she came to understand a powerful truth: wealth is never just financial. It carries responsibility, and when that responsibility remains unspoken, it shapes families in ways they don't expect. As a founder of a family enterprise, former CEO, investor, and leader in philanthropy and impact investing, Susan brings a rare cross-disciplinary perspective to conversations about legacy, stewardship, and the human side of wealth. Today, Susan helps families prepare the next generation for the responsibility and stewardship of wealth. Through her speaking, advising, and thought leadership, she helps families, advisors, and institutions prepare people, not just assets, for the future.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 162: You May Be Making Decisions in the Dark — Jacques Santucci on Financially Preparing Your Business for the Future In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Jacques Santucci, President of Opus Consulting, for a grounded, practical conversation about one of the most underutilized levers in family business: financial leadership. Jacques brings a rare combination of international business experience — from Ernst & Young in France to CFO roles in the US — and 17 years of consulting to privately held and family-owned businesses across New England and beyond. Together, Chris and Jacques break down the critical differences between a bookkeeper, controller, and CFO; why so many family businesses are making major decisions with months-old data; what the early warning signs of financial trouble actually look like before an owner recognizes them; and why the fractional CFO model has become one of the most accessible and high-impact resources available to growing family firms. They also explore what a meaningful financial education pathway looks like for the rising generation — not to make them accountants, but to ensure they can read a P&L, understand a balance sheet, talk to a banker, and make decisions grounded in fact rather than gut feeling. Episode Chapters · 4:10 Meet Jacques Santucci · 7:12 From France to Maine: A CFO's Unlikely Journey · 11:04 Bookkeeper, Controller, CFO — What's the Difference and Why It Matters · 17:12 The CFO's Real Job: Looking at the Future, Not the Past · 19:25 When Is It Time to Bring In a CFO? · 21:33 Financial Reporting: What to Measure, How Often, and Why · 25:31 Early Warning Signs Your Business Is Heading for Trouble · 29:16 Customer Mix, Profit Margins, and Strategic Decision-Making · 30:16 A Real-World Case Study: Seasonal Business, Six-Week-Old Data, and What Changed · 31:47 Clean Data: Why Accuracy Is the Foundation of Every Good Decision · 35:20 Developing the Rising Generation's Financial Acumen · 40:08 What Every Next-Gen Leader Needs to Understand About the Numbers · 42:16 The Fractional CFO Model: Full Expertise at a Fraction of the Cost · 46:05 Resources and Farewell Websites · opuscg.com · chrisyonker.com About Jacques Santucci Jacques Santucci is the President and Founder of Opus Consulting, a nationally recognized full-service business advisory firm supporting companies from start-up to turnaround, and offering management and fractional C-suite services to unlock performance. Jacques is particularly skilled in helping businesses navigate complex inflection points and difficult industries, with over 20 years of experience in turnarounds and restructurings. He frequently serves as a restructuring officer, court-appointed receiver, or turnaround advisor — bringing disciplined execution and a practical, hands-on approach to each engagement. In his capacity as a fractional CFO, Jacques utilizes his strategic and financial expertise to help companies improve fiscal controls, cash flow, and align financial operations with long-term goals. From his frontline perspective in restructuring and turnarounds, he is keenly aware of the financial decisions and factors that lead companies into distress — and works with business leaders to avoid those pitfalls earlier in the business lifecycle. Jacques built his career as a strategic finance leader, holding senior roles at Ernst & Young and Universal Pictures in Paris, France, before bringing his expertise to privately held and family-owned businesses across the United States.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 161: AI Is Coming Fast — What Family Businesses Should Do Now with Jack Potvin In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker is joined by AI product builder Jack Potvin for a fast-moving, practical conversation about artificial intelligence and what privately held and family businesses need to do — right now — to stay competitive. Jack built his AI foundation working on one of the world's first computer vision models for sports before the rise of large language models, and now dedicates his work to helping independent businesses harness this technology before the window closes. Chris and Jack make the case for why family businesses — historically outperformers — are at a critical inflection point: large corporations are pouring tens of billions into AI adoption, and the playing field will not stay level for those who wait. Together they explore what AI actually is, the two core value drivers of efficiency and capability expansion, where to start when your team is at zero, why governance policies matter more than most owners realize, which specific tools deliver immediate value, and what AI genuinely cannot replace — deep domain expertise, broken process diagnosis, and nuanced human judgment. They also dive into real-world case studies from a beverage manufacturer and an insurance agency that have completely transformed their operations through AI, and close with a grounded, practical framework for family business leaders ready to take their first meaningful steps. Episode Chapters · 0:00 Welcome and Framing the Opportunity · 1:00 Meet Jack Potvin — From Sports AI to Family Business Adoption · 4:06 Why Family Businesses Are at a Competitive Inflection Point · 7:28 What Is AI? Defining LLMs, Efficiency, and Capability Expansion · 13:18 Should Your Company Have an AI Policy? · 16:04 Addressing the Fear: Job Loss, Data Privacy, and the Real Risks · 22:10 Where to Start: Daily Drivers, Existing Tools, and Filling the Gap · 26:54 Best AI Tools Right Now: Read AI, Whisper Flow, Notion, Gamma · 30:29 Operational Efficiency, Analytics, and Business Development · 31:11 Two Real-World Case Studies: Beverage Manufacturer and Insurance Agency · 35:23 What AI Is Great At — and Where Humans Must Lead · 40:40 AI for Business Development, Outbound, and CRM Automation · 45:59 Strategic Planning, Knowledge Bases, and Building Your Company's AI Brain · 50:20 Q&A and Closing Resources Websites · businessautomation.com · chrisyonker.com About Jack Potvin Jack Ryan Potvin is an entrepreneur and AI strategist focused on helping businesses adopt practical artificial intelligence solutions that improve efficiency, decision-making, and competitive positioning. As the founder of Business Automation, Jack works with companies to integrate AI into everyday business operations — from automating workflows and improving internal knowledge systems to enhancing marketing, sales, and strategic insight. Jack specializes in translating rapidly evolving AI capabilities into practical tools that business leaders can implement today, without requiring large technical teams or massive technology investments. He is particularly passionate about helping family-owned and employee-owned companies adopt AI in ways that strengthen their long-term competitiveness while preserving the leadership values and culture that make these businesses successful.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 160: The Family Factor: Why Some Families Survive Conflict and Others Don't with Doug Baumoel In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Doug Baumoel, Founding Partner of Continuity Family Business Consulting and co-author of Deconstructing Conflict, for a deeply honest conversation about what actually tears family businesses apart — and what it takes to hold them together. Doug's path into this work is personal: he grew up as heir apparent in a thriving multi-generational family business that ultimately collapsed under the weight of poorly managed conflict, despite multiple consultants attempting to help. What he learned from that experience led him to develop the Conflict Equation Methodology, a systems-based framework rooted in the science of identity-based conflict — the kind of conflict that can't be mediated, negotiated, or governed away. In this conversation, Doug and Chris explore the critical distinction between disagreements, disputes, and true conflict; the concept of the Family Factor and why it's the single most important variable in any family business engagement; why governance overlaid on top of unresolved conflict is like pouring gasoline on a fire; and how trust is rebuilt not through warmth or wishful thinking, but through predictability. They also dig into early warning signs of passive and active conflict, why the first phone call from a prospective client can make or break an engagement, and what it really means to sacrifice for family. Episode Chapters · 8:48 Meet Doug Baumoel · 11:00 Growing Up as Heir Apparent — and Watching It Fall Apart · 14:00 Why Most Family Business Consultants Made Things Worse · 16:30 The Conflict Equation: A Systems Engineering Approach · 19:00 Identity-Based Conflict vs. Civil Dispute · 22:10 How Families Show Up: Stuck, Worried, or In Crisis · 23:22 The First Phone Call and the Bias Trap · 27:38 Family First or Business First? · 31:08 The Family Factor: Compromise, Forgiveness, and Care · 35:09 Are We Wired to Care for Each Other? · 39:00 Early Warning Signs: Passive vs. Active Conflict · 49:20 Why Governance Is Not a Conflict Solution · 52:44 Building the Family Factor Across Generations · 56:34 Resources and Farewell Websites · continuityfbc.com · chrisyonker.com Book · Deconstructing Conflict: Understanding Family Business, Shared Wealth, and Power — available on Amazon About Doug Baumoel, MBA Doug Baumoel is the Founding Partner of Continuity Family Business Consulting, where he specializes in conflict management and leverages his extensive expertise in family business, family office operations, and governance. He draws from over 25 years of business experience — including starting and managing businesses in both the U.S. and Europe, where he established and led the European offices of his second-generation family enterprise — to develop a robust process for analyzing the key variables that influence family business conflict. He co-authored Deconstructing Conflict: Understanding Family Business, Shared Wealth, and Power with Continuity Managing Partner Blair Trippe. His insights have been featured in Family Business Magazine, Thomson West's Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Guide, Private Company Director magazine, and Harvard's Negotiation Journal. A nationally recognized speaker, Doug has presented at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, Cornell University's Smith Family Business Initiative, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the Family Firm Institute, the American Bar Association, Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE), and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). He serves as a board member of One Family Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit supporting families facing homelessness, and sits on the boards of a private foundation and a technology firm. Doug holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. He is a Fellow of both the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), a Practitioner Scholar with Cornell's Smith Family Business Initiative, and a recipient of FFI's 2023 Interdisciplinary Award. Outside of work, he is an avid fingerstyle jazz guitarist who occasionally performs at charity events and jazz venues.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 159: The Story Only Your Family Can Tell with Roy Moëd & Yvette Conn In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Roy Moëd and Yvette Conn, co-founders of Lifebook Memoirs, for a rich conversation about why documenting the stories of family business founders may be one of the most underutilized tools in the entire legacy planning space. Roy's journey into this work began with a deeply personal moment — repeatedly shutting down his blind father's stories until it was almost too late — and evolved into a global enterprise that has now chronicled over 20,000 lives across the world. Yvette, with her background in financial markets and business commentary, brings the lens of the family enterprise: how the unrecorded stories of founders get distorted over generations, how family myths quietly become sources of division, and how a book chronicling the origin of a family business can give an entire management team a living framework of values to build on. Together, they explore why so many people believe their story isn't worth telling, what it actually looks like to capture a 100-year-old family business history, the surprising emotional and relational benefits that emerge when stories are finally put to paper, and why a book — not a video — remains the most powerful medium for preserving a family's truth. This is a quietly profound episode for any family business leader who has ever wondered whether the story of how it all began still matters. Episode Chapters · 5:28 Meet Roy Moëd and Yvette Conn · 6:07 The Genesis: A Blind Father and a Secretary Who Listened · 9:34 From Memoir to Family Business Stories — How Lifebook Evolved · 11:07 Who Am I to Have My Story Written? The Self-Worth Question · 13:00 The Aha Moment: Why Every Story Is Worth Telling · 17:42 The Value to the Reader — Not Just the Subject · 19:00 How Founders' Stories Give the Next Gen Permission to Try and Permission to Fail · 20:40 Passing On Values, Not Just Value · 22:08 When the Family Story Gets Distorted — and Why It Causes Division · 24:46 Capturing Stories of Founders Who Are No Longer Alive · 27:21 You Can't Ensure Your Memory, But You Can Ensure Your Memories · 30:42 How This Work Has Enriched Their Own Lives · 37:11 What Families Ask: How Much Time Does This Actually Take? · 39:46 Using the Book Project as a Legacy Role for a Retiring Founder · 42:39 Why a Book Beats a Video · 43:40 Resources and Farewell Websites · lifebookmemoirs.com · chrisyonker.com About Roy Moëd Roy Moëd is the co-founder of LifeBook Memoirs, which he launched in 2010 alongside his wife Yvette following extensive research at the Toronto Brain Health Institute. The company officially launched in October 2011 and secured venture capital funding in 2012. Today, over 20,000 people worldwide own a LifeBook. Roy's entrepreneurial journey began in 1978 with the founding of Pourshins Limited, which he built — starting with just £4,800 — into an international enterprise employing over 600 staff across four factories in four countries. He later re-engineered the company into a global virtual logistics and BPO provider before selling it to gategroup in 2007. Beyond business, Roy is a passionate philanthropist and advocate: he founded a polo club in Windsor, participated in the London to Sydney air race to raise money for charity, volunteered with Crisis at Christmas, and assisted with refugee relocation efforts at the Polish-Ukrainian border. He has been an active YPO member since 1991 and is deeply involved in the Parenting Community, creating forums and events focused on ageing parents. About Yvette Conn Yvette Conn co-founded LifeBook Memoirs in 2011 after a distinguished career in financial markets. After earning her Economics degree from the University of Bath, she entered the City of London — then still heavily male-dominated — and rose through the ranks at Laurie Milbank and later Investec, becoming one of the first female partners in the City and a member of the London Stock Exchange. Today, alongside her role at LifeBook, she leads the company's prestigious OPUS Division, which works with individuals, families, and founders to capture their life journeys and preserve their legacies for future generations. Yvette's rare combination of financial rigour and emotional intelligence allows her to guide clients through the storytelling process with warmth, discretion, and authenticity. As she puts it: "While a balance sheet tells you what a family owns, a story tells you who they are."

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 158: You Can't Lead the Next Generation If You're Not Around For It — Dr. Mark Su on Longevity In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Dr. Mark Su, functional and longevity medicine physician, founder of RootSeek Health and True Wellness Clinic in New England, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it actually means to take authority over your own biology. Dr. Su breaks down the three-category framework he uses in his longevity practice — age-related diseases, cellular root causes of aging, and lifestyle factors anchored by muscle health — and explains why your biologic age matters far more than your chronological one. They explore the groundbreaking science behind epigenetics, telomere health, biologic age testing, and VO2 max, and why moving just one category in your VO2 max ranking is statistically more protective than quitting smoking or eliminating heart disease. Dr. Su also tackles the overwhelm of the longevity information landscape, the critical role of self-advocacy in healthcare, the underappreciated connection between trauma, ACE scores, and chronic disease, and where AI fits — and doesn't — in helping individuals prioritize their health. A conversation for driven family business leaders who are ready to invest in their most important asset: themselves. Episode Chapters · 4:40 Meet Dr. Mark Su · 8:07 Why Longevity Is Having a Moment · 12:03 Genetics vs. Epigenetics: How Much Authority Do You Have? · 17:29 The Three Categories of Longevity Medicine · 27:36 The Four Horsemen: Age-Related Diseases · 29:00 Cellular Root Causes of Aging: Telomeres, Biologic Age, and Immunity · 32:00 Muscle as Your Longevity Organ and the VO2 Max Breakthrough · 35:47 Testing: What's Available, What's DIY, and What Requires a Doctor · 41:44 Trauma, ACE Scores, and the Stress-Longevity Connection · 47:38 How to Find the Right Practitioner · 53:00 The Role of AI in Personalizing Your Health · 57:37 Hyperbaric Chambers and Emerging Treatments · 58:46 Resources and Farewell Websites · drmarksu.com · rootseekhealth.com · truewellnessclinic.com · chrisyonker.com About Dr. Mark Su Dr. Mark Su is a functional and longevity medicine physician with over a decade of practice experience in New England. He is the founder of RootSeek Health, a virtual practice specializing in chronic inflammation and longevity medicine with no geographic boundaries, and a co-founder of True Wellness Clinic, a brick-and-mortar longevity clinic offering in-person procedural treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV ozone. Trained at Tufts and deeply influenced by the pioneering biological age research of his wife, Dr. Jessica Su of Harvard, Dr. Mark Su brings a systems-level, root-cause approach to helping patients understand where they are biologically — and what they can actually do about it. His work bridges chronic disease, longevity science, and the belief that every person deserves a clear map for living their healthiest, fullest life.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 157: The Conversation Your Family Needs to Have Before You Die — with Attorney Don Ford In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Don Don Ford III, estate planning attorney and founding partner at Ford Bergner in Texas, for a candid conversation about the estate planning conversations most families are actively avoiding — and what it costs them when they do. Drawing on over 30 years of working with high-net-worth families and business owners, Don shares the real-world consequences of leaving heirs unprepared, how to think objectively about your children's attributes when designing an estate plan, and why putting the wrong people in the wrong roles can unravel decades of wealth building in a courtroom. They explore the danger of co-beneficiary trusts, the $88–$125 trillion great wealth transfer underway through 2045, and how the next generation can have respectful conversations with aging parents about the future. Don also offers practical guidance on how to select and vet your advisory team — and why introducing your kids to your advisors now may be the most important wealth transfer move you make. Episode Chapters · 2:01 Meet Don Ford · 4:45 What Actually Keeps Families Together · 7:42 When Wealth Lands Without Warning · 11:04 The Burden Nobody Asked For · 15:49 Fair vs. Equal: The Executor Trap · 19:00 When the Board Destroys the Business · 22:11 Trust Structures That Blow Up Later · 25:43 The $125 Trillion Transfer · 31:21 What Wealthy Families Actually Look Like Up Close · 33:54 Advice for the Patriarch or Matriarch · 36:46 What Next Gen Should Be Asking · 40:02 Build Your Advisory Team · 43:44 Resources and Farewell Websites · fordbergner.com · chrisyonker.com About Don Ford Don Don Ford III is an estate planning attorney and founding partner at Ford Bergner, where he has spent over 30 years advising high-net-worth families, business owners, and multi-generational family enterprises across Texas on estate and trust planning, wealth transfer, and family governance. A graduate of accounting with a law degree focused on estate and trust work, Don brings both technical precision and a deeply human perspective to some of the most complex and emotionally charged decisions families face. He is a frequent advisor on trust litigation, family board disputes, and the design of governance structures built to last beyond the founding generation.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 156: The Hollow Win: What a mid-eight figure Exit Taught One CEO About Money, Purpose, and What Actually Matters with Nate collins In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker, interviews Nate Collins, of Raymond James on why family businesses should prepare for a potential sale even if they have no intention to sell. Collins shares his experience taking over a 170–180-year-old New York City licensing company owned by 16 families, receiving an unsolicited offer, and completing a financially strong but imperfect exit due to limited preparation and lack of independent board oversight. They discuss reducing key-person risk, documenting processes, upgrading accounting and systems, strengthening management teams, and regularly revisiting future org needs as markets change. Collins emphasizes clarifying business, personal, and financial goals; using advisors as investments; and starting with an exit planner to coordinate M&A, legal, tax, and wealth planning. He also addresses post-exit purpose, community, and wellbeing, and offers a free quarterly exit planning workshop. · 02:35 Meet Nate Collins · 03:59 Running a Multi Family Firm · 05:53 The Unplanned Sale Lessons · 09:40 Build to Be Transferable · 15:45 Succession Org Planning · 18:28 Next Gen Reality Check · 23:00 Assemble the Exit Team · 26:04 Wealth Without Ruin · 29:53 Purpose After the Exit · 37:46 Resources and Farewell Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · Raymondjames.com · Linkedin: @nate-collins Nate Bio: Nate is a former CEO who managed a successful exit to a large, PE-backed media company. He now works with a limited number of business owners, CEOs, and their families to help ensure they are achieving their financial goals. As a Financial Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he provides in-depth tax mitigation and estate planning strategies, as well as financial planning and investment management. Nate helps owners understand exit readiness and options, wealth transfer, gain family alignment, and prepare for "life after exit."

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 155 - Stop Reacting, Start Strategizing with Patrick Thean Host Chris Yonker introduces the Enlightened Family Business Podcast and interviews Patrick Thean, a bestselling author and early contributor to scaling-up methodologies, on practical planning and execution for small to mid-sized (especially family) businesses facing succession or sale. Patrick shares his journey from Singapore to the U.S., training as an electrical engineer, working at Oracle, founding and selling a transportation logistics software company, and discovering a calling to help CEOs succeed. They discuss establishing an annual strategic planning rhythm, including SWOT/aspirations and specific "winning moves", quarterly 13-week execution plans, limiting priorities to three to five objectives, and balancing strategic vs. operational initiatives based on whether the business is in crisis. Patrick emphasizes using facilitators and outside-industry perspectives to overcome blind spots, avoiding overreliance on benchmarking, and reframing accountability as support for commitments, clarity, and agreed consequences. · 03:06 Meet Patrick Thean · 03:36 From Engineer to Founder · 07:11 Selling and Finding Purpose · 08:17 Helping CEOs Succeed · 10:43 Family Business Transitions · 14:33 Annual and Quarterly Rhythm · 18:04 Three to Five Priorities · 19:18 Strategy vs Firefighting · 23:44 Small Tweaks Win · 25:12 One Permanent Improvement · 31:41 Let the Pro Lead · 35:12 Blind Spots and Tunnel Vision · 38:36 Accountability as Support Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · Patrickthean.com · linkedin: @patrickthean · Instagram: @rhythmsystems Patrick Bio: Patrick Thean is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and world-renowned strategy execution expert. He is the creator of the Think Plan Do® process and co-founder of Rhythm Systems®, helping CEOs achieve breakthrough results and scale with clarity. A seasoned CEO coach and speaker, Patrick has empowered thousands of leaders to turn vision into execution and boost company valuations along the way.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 154 - How a Family Turned a Passion Project into a Resilient Brand With Jodi Scott In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker welcomes Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo. Together, they discuss the unexpected path her family took into the family business, which led to their product being distributed in over 150,000 retail locations. Jodi shares insights into their family dynamics, the influence of her parents, and the valuable lessons learned from their upbringing in a military household. The conversation dives into the challenges they faced, including a major setback that led them to buy back their company. Jodi emphasizes the importance of communication, proactive support, and mentoring in maintaining a healthy family business environment. The episode concludes with Jodi offering advice for other family-run businesses and recommending Green Go products, notably the versatile first aid ointment and skin repair cream. · 00:54 Jodi Scott's Journey into Family Business · 02:28 Early Life and Influences · 07:31 The Birth of Green Go · 12:52 Sisterly Bond and Business Dynamics · 19:32 From Farmer's Market to Full-Fledged Business · 22:27 Challenges and Seeking Guidance · 24:42 Establishing Trust and Roles in Family Business · 27:34 Implementing Family Employment Policies · 29:05 Expanding to Retail and Online Markets · 30:07 Navigating Military Market and Retail Challenges · 34:09 Facing and Overcoming Business Crises · 39:16 Rebuilding and Future Plans · 42:57 Advice for Family Businesses Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · Greengoo.com · Instagram: @greengoohelps Jodi's Bio: Jodi Scott is the Founder of Green Goo and CEO of Spry Life, a family-owned portfolio of plant-based wellness brands. She co-founded Green Goo with her mother and sister in a small farmhouse kitchen, hand-crafting herbal salves that grew into a nationally distributed plant-based first aid brand carried in over 120,000 stores. With a background in biology, pre-med studies, and a Master's in Health Psychology, Jodi bridges traditional herbal medicine with modern science, focusing on clean healing, nervous system resilience, and reducing everyday endocrine disruptors. Her work emphasizes how small, thoughtful inputs compound over time, in health, leadership, and family systems. Jodi has lived every role inside a family business: product formulator, order packer, marketer, executive, and daughter. After selling Green Goo and later navigating a complex buyback to reclaim the company, she brings rare firsthand insight into continuity, conflict, trust, and alignment across generations. Today, Jodi works alongside her family running operations from their Colorado farm while mentoring other founders on building values-driven businesses that prioritize people, purpose, and long-term resilience. Her work sits at the intersection of wellness, entrepreneurship, and conscious family leadership.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 153 - A Family Built Startup Story From The Kitchen Table with Mehmet Tascioglu In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker interviews Mehmet Tascioglu, the Gen Z founder of Mosaic Cakes, a unique family business based in the Detroit area. Mehmet shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his family's experience during the Great Recession, through his initial ventures like Connect Me Tutoring, to the establishment of Mosaic Cakes. The discussion delves into the values instilled by Mehmet's father, the significance of family collaboration, navigating decision-making, and the challenges of introducing a new product to the market. Mehmet offers insights on the importance of mentorship, the influence of cultural heritage, and his vision for Mosaic Cakes as a symbol of the American melting pot. The conversation also explores generational differences, the role of tradition and innovation in family businesses, and the aspiration to build an ethical and impactful brand. · 00:54 Meet the Gen Z Founder: Mehmet Tascioglu · 03:14 The Origin Story of Mosaic Cakes · 05:38 Building a Business During the Pandemic · 09:10 The Unique Appeal of Mosaic Cakes · 13:24 Family Dynamics in Business · 18:24 Leadership and Decision Making · 19:08 Defining Family Business Values · 20:21 Family Influence on Business · 25:23 Generational Perspectives and Challenges · 32:12 The Importance of Mentorship · 34:24 Future Plans for Mosaic Cakes Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · Linkedin: @mehmet-tascioglu · Instagram: @mosaic_cakes · Tiktok @mosaiccakes Mehmet's Bio: Mehmet is Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mosaic Cakes. Prior to starting Mosaic Cakes, Mehmet founded the nonprofit Connect Me Tutoring in 2020, which has since grown into the nation's largest youth-run free tutoring service, providing over 40,000 sessions. Mosaic Cakes is a Michigan-based gourmet dessert company pioneering an entirely new category in the American market. Founded by Mehmet (Stanford MS&E), his mother Senay, and his brother Emir, the company transforms a cherished family recipe into handcrafted premium triangular cakes featuring crushed butter cookies folded into signature chocolate sauce with fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, or other premium ingredients, creating a stunning mosaic pattern in every slice. What began as a beloved family tradition—a dessert the founders grew up enjoying at birthday parties, family gatherings, and celebrations—has become a thriving direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. Throughout their lives, the family witnessed how even the pickiest eaters absolutely loved these cakes, validating that this exceptional flavor experience deserved to be shared with communities across America. At its core, the company's mission centers on positivity, inclusivity, and courage, helping Americans discover a dessert experience unavailable anywhere else in grocery stores, bakeries, or restaurants while building a values-driven business that celebrates family heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 152 - Preparing Next Gen Family Leaders for 2030 and Beyond with Amit Egan Datwani In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker introduces Amit Egan Datwani, an advisor and consultant in the ultra high net worth space. They discuss the transformative changes affecting the commercial real estate industry, particularly influenced by the pandemic. Datwani shares insights on the importance of deep personal work, spiritual and emotional development for the next generation, and how these factors contribute to innovation and family business continuity. They also touch on the roles of creative intelligence and adaptability in navigating the evolving real estate market. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for families to address inner dysfunction to ensure sustainable business success. · 00:54 The Changing Landscape of Commercial Real Estate · 01:25 Meet Amit Egan Datwani: A Journey in Family Business and Real Estate · 04:22 Amit's Personal and Professional Evolution · 09:47 The Direction Amit's Work is Evolving · 12:38 Helping Families Find Alignment · 16:37 The Importance of Inner Work and Innovation in Family Businesses · 19:04 How to Know if Your Business Needs to Make a Change · 27:03 The Importance of Personal Development for Next-Gen Leaders · 44:22 The Future of Real Estate and Family Business Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · globalconsultingorganization.com · linkedin: @aedgco Amit's Bio: Amit is the Founder and Chief Consultant of Global Consulting Organization (GCO). GCO is an internationally positioned Project-Starting Firm that's Visioning, Branding, and Marketing the Neighborhoods, Communities, and Cities of the Future —with particular expertise in Office Building TRANSFORMATION to SUPERCHARGE today's unsustainable Central Business Districts into Profitable and Purposeful Places of the Future. GCO is leading the movement for Real Estate's first TRULY-INTEGRATED Project Development Model: DESIGN|BRAND|BUILD . Amit showcases this innovation and keen mindset for Transformational Development as the engaging host of GCO FutureCast Episodes and as a headlining speaker or guest collaborator at Premier Experiences nationwide . With these credits, he is an influential C-Suite Advisor on the Future of Office Buildings , offering evolutionary perspectives about the vital power of Branding & Marketing in Commercial Real Estate, as well as how the concept of " Central Living Districts " will RE-imagine the Industry for 2030 and Beyond . As the leader of the GCO Collective , Amit ACTIVATES Best-in-Class creative talent from inside and outside the Real Estate Industry to LAUNCH Development Projects with a Unified Creative Vision . Using this VISION as a Project's lead facilitator, he's the driving force behind the movement to ELEVATE "The Human Experience" through the Built Environment, an essential commitment of the DESIGN|BRAND|BUILD Model. With two decades of experience working in & with Family Businesses in Real Estate (and previously the Apparel Industry), Amit also advises Multigenerational and Family Office Clients on how to integrate diverse perspectives into a cohesive, purposeful VISION that delivers superior outcomes. Amit is trilingual, proficient in English, Spanish, and Hindi. Leading with his Visionary Spirit , he mentors NEXT-GENERATION talent, including work with students at George Washington University's Center for Real Estate & Urban Analysis and at the Dwight-Englewood School. Amit enjoys spending time with his wife (a Writer and longtime Yoga Teacher), 27-year-old stepson (a New Jersey State Trooper and Personal Trainer), and 15-year-old son (who dreams of playing in the NBA). They love playing pickleball, boating, and exploring everything that South Florida has to offer. For inspiration, Amit LOVES reading, practicing yoga, and taking long walks around cities, ALWAYS thinking about TURNING IDEAS INTO REALITY .

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 151 - From Daughter to CEO - Navigating Family Business Transitions with Amanda Osmer In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker talks with Amanda Osmer of Grappone Automotive, a New Hampshire-based family business rooted back to 1924. Amanda shares her journey growing up in a family business, how she eventually decided to be part of it, and the challenges she faced during the transition phase. The conversation touches on the significance of clear communication, inner awareness, and flexible governance. Amanda also discusses the importance of building a strong leadership team, handling multiple successions, and maintaining business integrity. Listeners gain insights into Amanda's dedication to community, the values driving her leadership, and her thoughts on keeping the family business resilient amid industry changes. · 01:29 Amanda Osmer's Journey in the Family Business · 03:14 Growing Up in a Family Business · 07:17 Sibling Dynamics and Family Business Covenant · 10:10 Amanda's Commitment and Vision for the Future · 16:22 Navigating Family Business Transitions · 23:02 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries · 26:07 Implementing the EOS System · 29:56 Family Employment Policies · 35:21 Commitment to Community and Integrity · 39:34 Documenting Family Business History Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · "Grappone Automotive: The Founding" Book at Gibson's Bookstore · Grappone Audiobook on YouTube Amanda's Bio: Amanda Grappone Osmer is the fourth generation of her family to own and help operate Grappone Automotive, established by her great-grandparents as a single gas station in 1924. Today Grappone represents four new car manufacturers with sales, service, and retail and wholesale parts departments. They employ about 350 Team Members and are located in Bow, NH. Team Grappone operates in an environment in which the whole person is asked to show up and participate at work with the company's mission in mind: to build lifelong relationships with team members, guests, and the community by serving with integrity, kindness, and respect. In 2017 Amanda launched Leadership Grappone, a program that seeks out the company's emerging leaders and challenges them mentally, emotionally, and physically over a nine-month period with the goal of uncovering their true leadership potential. Faith and volunteer work are central to Amanda's life purpose, and she has served on many nonprofit and advisory boards in her career. One project near to her heart is the co-founding of The Dewey School, a nature-based preschool located at Canterbury Shaker Village. She lives in Sanbornton, NH with her husband, a high school coach and all-around amazing human being, their three children, dog and other critters, and fruit and veggie gardens.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 150 - Fragile Power: Wealth, Identity, and Mental Health with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker talks with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, an expert in family business governance and mental health, about the complexities of wealth and psychological well-being. They delve into how societal perceptions of wealth impact individuals and families, leading to feelings of isolation, mistrust, and hyper-agency. Dr. Hokemeyer shares his journey from law to clinical psychology and discusses the importance of cultural competency in behavioral healthcare for high-net-worth individuals. Key topics include the challenges of managing narcissistic personalities within family systems, the necessity of setting enforceable boundaries, and the role of external support in fostering healthier family dynamics. · 01:54 Introducing Dr. Paul Hokemeyer · 04:50 Dr. Paul's Journey and Career Path · 07:14 Challenges Faced by Wealthy Individuals · 13:41 The Intersection of Wealth and Identity · 22:48 Therapeutic Approaches and Observations · 30:32 Hierarchies and Tribes in Human Society · 31:13 Isolation and Wealth · 35:31 Understanding and Treating Wealthy Patients · 39:20 Narcissism in Family Systems · 44:31 Dealing with Narcissistic Family Members · 49:58 The Role of External Support Systems Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · draysonmews.com · Instagram @dr_paul_hokemeyer Dr. Paul Bio: Dr. Paul Hokemeyer (J.D., Ph.D.) believes mental health matters for everyone, everywhere. He is the founding principal of Drayson Mews and author of Fragile Power: Why Having Everything is Never Enough (Hazelden, 2019) and Fragile Power 2.0: Wealth, Narcissism & Mental Health (2024), the leading resources for individuals, couples, and families of wealth seeking culturally respectful and clinically effective mental health services. In addition, Dr. Paul serves as the Senior Wellness Expert to Ispahani Advisory, a London-based consulting firm specializing in multijurisdictional, ultra-high-net-worth families. He is an Associate Member of the American Association for Addiction Medicine and holds a Clinical Fellow designation with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy where he received the 2025 award for Media Excellence. Prior to graduating from the Harvard Medical School's Global Leaders in Healthcare program, Dr. Paul studied the use of digital technologies at the Yale School of Management. In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Paul has extensive experience in the realm of philanthropy. He has stewarded over three million U.S. dollars to enhance the delivery of direct mental health services to disenfranchised communities across America, as well as through the Yale School of Public Health. Additionally, he serves as a trustee of the Palm Springs Art Museum, one of the world's premier centers for mid-century art, architecture, and design. Dr. Paul's research in the realm of wealth and mental health has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Wealth Management, the International Family Offices Journal, Globe Law and Business, and Lambert Academic Press. His work has been featured in a wide variety of international media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The World Economic Forum, the Johns Hopkins Newsletter, Harvard Business Review Arabia, CNN, Men's Health, The Guardian, Tatler (where he was selected as one of the world's top 'problem solvers'), the Campden Club, the Institute of Private Investors, WebMD, Psych Central and others. He is on the editorial board of Middle East Business News and Magazine, a leading resource for family businesses and entrepreneurs in the MENA region.

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 149. When Families face Echoes of the Past with Steve Legler In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker is joined by Steven Legler, an experienced family business advisor. Together, they delve into the complexities of family business dynamics, focusing on the impact of past events such as divorces, lawsuits, and separations on current relationships and decision-making processes. Chris and Steven discuss the essential components for creating sustainable continuity, including clear communication, inner awareness, family alignment, and evolving governance. They emphasize the necessity of addressing deep-rooted issues through awareness and professional guidance, highlighting the importance of conflict management, personal development, and the role of external advisors in facilitating effective family meetings. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for families looking to build a cohesive and thriving multi-generational business. · 02:44 The Importance of Awareness in Family Systems · 05:07 Steven Legler's Background and Expertise · 08:46 Echoes of the Past: Family Blowups and Their Impact · 10:33 Identifying and Addressing Family System Symptoms · 18:50 The Role of Advisors in Family Dynamics · 22:06 Building Family Councils for Future Decision Making · 25:42 Creating Awareness and Addressing Artificial Harmony · 32:22 Handling Addiction in Families · 39:01 Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue · 41:07 Challenges in Family Meetings · 42:27 Generational Trauma and Stress Websites: · fambizforum.com . · www.chrisyonker.com · stevelegler.com