Claim OwnershipFamily Business Audiocast
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The Family Business Audiocast series is a premier podcast that brings together the foremost experts from the global family office and business ecosystem. The series has quickly become one of the leading global podcasts in its field, reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners and subscribers worldwide.
Each episode offers an exclusive deep dive into the inner workings of family businesses and single-family offices, exploring key topics such as governance, culture, corporate strategy, growth, and mission alignment.
Our conversation covers the experiences with, and the importance of, high-quality advisors, investors, partners, governance, and essential resources and vendors for family boards and owners.
Founded 2022™
Created, Produced, and Owned by R. Adam Smith
54 Episodes
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David Werdiger returns to discuss his Power of Pause Institute and the concept of time as a critical leadership asset. Drawing from his experience as a second-generation family business enterprise member and decades advising high net worth families, David explores how family enterprise leaders can create clarity through intentional pause rather than constant urgency. The conversation covers stewardship principles learned from nonprofit boards, the importance of manufactured adversity in rising generation education, and navigating binary decisions like selling versus keeping family assets. David emphasizes that family wealth office governance thrives when leaders balance strategic clarity with relational awareness and treat time as their most valuable resource.00:00 Introduction to David Werdiger 01:57 Origins of the Power of Pause 04:03 Second-generation business experience 06:07 Time as a leadership resource 08:00 Leadership styles and patience 10:15 The pause practice framework 12:30 Technology and intentional time 14:45 Decision making under pressure 16:52 Rising generation preparation 20:29 Manufactured adversity concept 22:45 Binary decisions in transitions 24:49 Learning to be good owners 26:33 Making every day intentional
Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens, leading scholar at the University of Mannheim, discusses his groundbreaking research at the intersection of family enterprise, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. As a fifth-generation family business successor, Jan brings personal insight to his academic work leading an interdisciplinary research group that combines data science with traditional business research. The conversation explores how family businesses navigate succession, governance, and digital transformation while maintaining their unique values. Jan introduces his intelligent entity view theory, examining how family wealth office structures and organizational memory influence innovation and sustainability outcomes in an evolving global economy. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens 02:00 The interdisciplinary research group 03:30 Research focus on sustainability and AI 05:00 Fifth-generation family business experience 08:00 Personal journey through crisis management 12:00 Academic research methodology approach 15:30 Big data and AI in business research 18:00 Sustainability challenges for firms 21:00 Family office management and governance structures 24:00 Innovation and digital transformation 27:30 Female leadership and board diversity 30:00 The intelligent entity view theory 34:00 Organizational memory and routines 36:00 Future of AI integration in firms
Suzanne Gyorgy, Partner at Emigrant Bank Fine Art Finance, shares her expertise on the intersection of art and wealth management. With over 35 years of experience advising collectors and institutions, Suzanne explores how family wealth office strategies incorporate art as an asset class. The conversation covers art finance fundamentals, leveraging collections for liquidity without selling, and the evolution of collecting across generations. Suzanne discusses family estate planning considerations for collectors, the growing presence of women in the market, and how Emigrant's integrated approach combines advisory, appraisals, and financing services to support families worldwide. 00:00 Introduction to Suzanne Gyorgy 02:09 Core services at Emigrant Fine Art Finance 04:21 Working with family office management structures 06:19 Evolution of art finance and lending 07:37 Leveraging collections for family financial planning 09:53 Art as collateral and succession considerations 13:04 Regulatory landscape and appraisal standards 16:07 Women collectors shaping the market 19:13 Digital transformation in art acquisition 23:20 Viewing art online versus in person 25:16 Next generation collectors and trends 27:47 Liquidity management for family estate planning 28:50 New artists and accessible price points 30:32 Final thoughts on collecting and wealth 31:35 Closing remarks
John Koeppel, partner at Lippes Mathias LLP and leader of their private equity and independent sponsor practice, joins host R. Adam Smith to explore how independent sponsors are transforming direct deal making. With over 250 transactions closed, Koeppel shares insights on why family investment office structures are increasingly backing fundless sponsors, the strategic advantages of flexible deal structuring, and the critical dynamics between sellers, sponsors, and capital partners. The conversation covers QSBS tax benefits, succession planning for family enterprise transitions, and the essential mentorship role legal advisors play in navigating complex lower middle market transactions. 00:00 - Welcome and introductions 02:17 - John's practice and client base 04:41 - Flexibility in deal structuring 06:09 - Direct deal making expansion 08:54 - Operating expertise and value 10:20 - Deal sourcing strategies 12:53 - Structure and economics 14:40 - GP commitment expectations 16:56 - Post-closing governance 18:59 - Deal timelines 20:42 - Seller rollover equity 22:29 - Exit considerations 24:35 - Common challenges 27:18 - Industry activity levels 29:27 - Seller relationship importance 31:00 - Three-party dynamics 33:22 - Mentorship and persistence 35:35 - Final thoughts and closing
Henry Brandts-Giesen, global co-chair of Dentons' high net worth group, explores the rapid evolution of private wealth in Asia and the professionalization of family office services. The conversation examines Singapore's emergence as a global wealth hub, the complexities of intergenerational transitions, and the critical role of governance in sustainable family wealth management. Brandts-Giesen shares insights on moving from founder-directed models to democratized decision-making structures, emphasizing the importance of human capital alongside financial capital. The discussion addresses philanthropy, social license, and how technology enables more sophisticated family enterprise operations across borders.00:00 - Introduction to Henry Brandts-Giesen and Dentons02:16 - Asia's wealth transformation and Singapore's rise as a hub05:38 - Generational transitions and family office management evolution09:12 - Professionalizing family wealth and governance systems12:46 - Redefining next generation succession planning15:41 - Family capital beyond financial metrics18:00 - Fundamental questions of governance and decision-making21:28 - Philanthropy, impact, and social license for family wealth office structures23:53 - Technology and the future of family business enterprise26:19 - The human element in wealth advisory28:00 - Closing remarks
Dr. Karen McNeill brings her unique expertise in history and culture to the world of multi-generational wealth advising. As founder of Verdandi and Associates and Dean of Family Stories at the Purposeful Planning Institute, she reveals how family narratives serve as strategic assets for family enterprise continuity. Karen discusses her research into women and philanthropy, highlighting figures like Phoebe Hearst who balanced significant charitable impact with savvy investing. She offers practical frameworks for integrating storytelling into family financial planning, governance, and next-generation engagement, demonstrating how shared narratives create coherence and flourishing across generations.00:00 Introduction and welcome 01:55 Karen McNeill's background in history and family wealth advising 03:19 The power of family stories as strategic assets 06:44 Best practices for documenting and preserving family narratives 10:53 Digital tools and platforms for family archives 13:02 The intersection of culture and corporate environment 15:51 Women's historical role in philanthropy 19:51 Using philanthropy to bridge generations 24:53 Expanding philanthropy's impact in America 27:19 The concept of flourishing in multi-generational families 30:19 Untapped potential of family narratives 32:33 Closing remarks
On Episode 51 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Rick Holton, a seasoned family business leader, investor, and advisor whose career spans operating companies, venture capital, and private equity. As President of Holton Companies, Rick has guided a multi-generational enterprise while also fostering growth for early-stage and middle-market businesses.In this conversation, Rick reflects on his experience at the helm of a family business, where he has balanced legacy stewardship with innovation and growth. He speaks candidly about the challenges and opportunities of sustaining an enterprise across generations, and the importance of creating environments where like-minded leaders can exchange ideas and support one another.Drawing on his years as both an operator and investor, Rick shares practical lessons on leadership, strategy, and the power of trusted networks. His perspective underscores the value of aligning vision and execution—not just within a family business, but also in the communities of entrepreneurs and executives he has helped build.
On Episode 50 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Jennifer East, Founder of ONIDA Family Advisors and a globally recognized advisor to family enterprises and family offices. With two decades of experience guiding multigenerational families across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Jennifer has built a reputation for helping family businesses strengthen governance, align across generations, and prepare rising leaders to steward both assets and values. In this conversation, Jennifer draws on her unique perspective as a second‑generation leader in her own family’s Canadian hospitality business and as co‑steward of Class Afloat, a mission‑driven school at sea with a forty‑year legacy of experiential education. She shares powerful insights on defining shared purpose, designing family governance frameworks that reflect family complexity, and equipping next‑gen members to balance individual aspirations with collective goals. A Fellow of the Family Firm Institute and Chair of Campden Wealth’s European Family Office Forum, Jennifer offers a rare blend of lived experience and professional expertise—illuminating how families can thrive together across generations.
On Episode 49 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith sits down with Dr. Kimberly Eddleston, Schulze Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Montoni Research Fellow at Northeastern University’s D’Amore‑McKim School of Business, as well as a Research Fellow with Cornell’s Smith Family Business Initiative. Named in Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists and one of Family Capital’s top 25 family enterprise academics, Kim has dedicated her career to understanding how family dynamics can spark—and sometimes stifle—innovation within family firms.In this episode, Professor Eddleston reveals her most compelling research on turning family ties into a strategic advantage: crafting family business governance frameworks that evolve with each generation, embedding creative problem‑solving into everyday culture, and leveraging human capital to drive long‑term value. Drawing on examples from her own family’s ventures in real estate, construction, business services, and hospitality, she offers practical insights for next‑gen leaders and seasoned executives alike—showing how to harness family relationships not just as a resource, but as the very engine of a family enterprise.
On Episode 48 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Roger Vincent, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Summation Capital, a new investment firm delivering endowment-style access to private equity for family wealth offices, multi-generational family businesses, and mission-driven investors. With decades of experience in private markets, Roger previously led Cornell University's $10 billion private equity portfolio, earning top-quartile performance through deep partnerships with leading GPs. In this episode, Roger unpacks the philosophy behind Summation — how he brings institutional discipline to family enterprises and family offices seeking long-term returns that preserve and grow family wealth across generations. He shares insights on alpha generation, strategic alignment, and why culture and human capital sit at the heart of private equity success for family businesses and multi-generational family enterprises alike.
On Episode 47 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes David W. Burleigh, esteemed family business expert, fiduciary, and author of Take Ownership of What You Own: Build Your Confidence to Navigate the World of Trusts and Family Enterprise. An attorney by training, David has spent his career helping multi-generational family businesses structure ownership—not just what they own, but how—through trusts, LLCs, corporations, and partnerships managing private businesses, real estate, investment portfolios, and legacy property. David brings a rare mix of technical acumen and deep understanding of family dynamics in family enterprises. David dives into the mechanics of ownership design—how legal structures influence control, succession, and unity within families managing family wealth. David's insights illuminate how thoughtful ownership frameworks build confidence, clarity, and continuity across generations for family businesses navigating estate planning and wealth preservation.
On Episode 46 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Laura Nanette Gambineri-Giese, LL.M. TEP, founder of Trusted Governance and expert in cross-border family estate planning, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), and family governance. Drawing on her experience with internationally active family enterprises, Laura shares insights on combining technical family wealth structuring with the interpersonal dynamics of decision-making, succession, and continuity in multi-generational family businesses. She covers values-based planning frameworks, key risks in cross-border family financial planning, and the need to revisit governance as laws and family needs change. The episode also highlights how rising-generation leaders are reshaping legacy with a focus on meaning and sustainability. Whether you're an advisor, family office leader, next-gen stakeholder, or interested in family business, this episode offers a look at preserving both family wealth and unity across generations.
On this episode of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes two of the world's foremost experts in family enterprise research: Luis Gomez-Mejia and Ignacio Requejo. Together, they explore the often-misunderstood dynamics of family business ownership, from the foundational role of socioemotional wealth to the ways family control affects decision-making, family office management, and long-term resilience. Drawing from decades of globally recognized research, including empirical studies on succession, legacy, and control trade-offs, Luis and Ignacio offer a deeply informed conversation on why family businesses behave differently and how those differences can be a source of strength. From olive oil cooperatives in Spain to publicly listed multi-generational family businesses, this conversation redefines what makes family enterprises sustainable in an increasingly complex world of family wealth preservation and family growth.
R. Adam Smith hosts Shelley Forsythe, Director and Family Office Lead at BMO Private Wealth. With extensive experience in family governance, Shelley advises multi-generational families on building resilient structures that balance business priorities with family harmony. She discusses how BMO's platform integrates family office services with wealth management, serving over 700 families globally. Shelley shares insights on successful advisor collaboration, creating flexible roadmaps for legacy planning, and preparing families for business succession. She emphasizes that communication is the foundation of successful family wealth succession planning, requiring ongoing practice rather than one-time discussions.
This week on the The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes back Richard Wolkowitz, founder of Xylogenesis and trusted family enterprise advisor. Wolkowitz breaks down nine critical differences between founder mentality and family mentality that impact family business succession. The conversation explores how governance structures can bridge these differences, the evolution of entrepreneurial thinking across generations, and strategies for empowering next-gen family members. Wolkowitz emphasizes that "healthy generational continuity" requires understanding each family member's unique strengths rather than expecting them to be carbon copies of the founder.
Adrienne Penta and Lane McDonald from SCS Financial Services join host R. Adam Smith to discuss the complex interplay between family wealth management, next-generation preparation, and legacy building. Adrienne shares insights on using philanthropy as a gateway for meaningful family conversations about wealth purpose, while Lane explores how emotional detachment in investing yields better outcomes. Both experts emphasize the critical importance of outsourcing alternative investments for family offices under $5 billion and building comprehensive values-based planning that connects wealth decisions to family purpose. The conversation highlights practical approaches to next-gen engagement and the essential balance between providing guidance and allowing independence.
R. Adam Smith welcomes Octavian Pilati, an investor, strategist, and founder of The Anti-Fragile Family consultancy. Born into an Austrian aristocratic family with a millennium of heritage, Octavian shares his unique journey into family enterprise leadership following a crisis. The conversation explores critical aspects of family financial planning in multigenerational contexts, including next-gen leadership preparation, the merit versus entitlement approach, and communication strategies that build trust. Octavian offers valuable insights on family wealth office dynamics, resilience building, and the importance of balancing internal family knowledge with external expertise when navigating transitions and succession planning.
In this fortieth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Judith Pearson, founder of Precision Brokers and Nomadx. As a recognized leader in fiduciary risk management, Judith shares insights on evolving trust structures and insurance innovations that protect family wealth. The conversation explores private trust companies across different states, the shift in next-generation priorities, and how family financial planning intersects with risk management. Judith draws on her extensive background in D&O liability insurance to explain how trustees and family office services can navigate complex regulatory environments while ensuring proper protection during the upcoming $70 trillion wealth transfer.
R. Adam Smith welcomes Bill Stranberg, second-generation leader and managing partner at Stranberg, a firm specializing in executive search and talent strategy for family-owned businesses. Drawing from his own experience joining his parents' firm in 2013, Stranberg shares insights on the delicate balance between honoring family legacy while pursuing evolution and growth. The conversation explores the unique family enterprise challenges in hiring external leadership, including the critical importance of alignment across family members and the difficulties in transferring power from long-tenured executives. Stranberg emphasizes that successful family financial planning requires addressing both organizational culture and family dynamics when navigating leadership transitions in increasingly complex multi-generational businesses.
R. Adam Smith welcomes Robbie Heeger, founder and CEO of Endaoment, the first blockchain-powered community foundation revolutionizing philanthropy for digital asset holders. Heeger shares how his journey began with a simple quest for tax efficiency when donating cryptocurrency, revealing the gap in the market for donor-advised funds (DAFs) that could accept digital assets. The conversation explores how DAFs serve as accessible entry points for next-generation family members looking to establish their philanthropic identity within the family wealth office structure. Heeger also discusses Endaoment's dual structure as both a technology company and nonprofit, outlining his vision for democratizing philanthropy through blockchain's transparency and community governance capabilities.
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