My guest this week is Matt Lesser. He was given his family’s oil business at just 22 years old. Things didn’t quite go to plan in the beginning, but …
Family Business
Ep #21: The Ripple Effect in Decision Making
This week, we’re talking about decision making. Are you aware of the ripple effect of being stuck in indecision? Whether it’s decisions in your family …
Ep #20: Early Engagement of the Next Generation of Family Philanthropists with Molly Stifler
I’m back with another conversation around engaging the next generation of adults in family philanthropy, this time with Molly Stiffler, the director …
Ep #19: The Yet Statement
Today, I’m talking about what I call the Yet Statement. This is one of those truly powerful ways of thinking that changes everything. So, this is a …
Ep #18: Preparing the Next Generation with Courtney Scott
Welcome back for the third installment of our series on engaging adults in family philanthropy, in partnership with The National Center for Family …
Ep #17: Engaging the Next Generation in Family Philanthropy with Tripp Frey
Welcome back to my three-part series on engaging adults in family philanthropy, based on work I’m doing with The National Center for Family …
Ep #16: Engaging New Board Members in Your Family Foundation with Theo Avery
It’s been a while, but I’m super excited to relaunch this podcast by bringing you at least a few episodes on the topic of engaging adults in …
Ep #15: Taking Back Control
So many of my clients feel lost and experience overwhelm when it comes to making decisions. And if this sounds familiar, I want you to listen in …
Ep #14: Learner’s Mindset
When I was a very young child, my family used to have game nights, and no matter what we were playing, I always wanted to win so I could tell myself I …
Ep #13: 2 Tools for Tough Conversations
Do you look forward to having those tough conversations in your family business? Very few of us do. We know they’re coming, but when we’re around the …
Ep #12: Banning the Badge of Busyness
Several years ago, I was experiencing a lot of busyness in my life, and anytime someone asked me how I was doing, I would automatically respond, “I’m …
Ep #11: Power Dynamics in Family Systems
If you’re encountering difficult and often uncomfortable power dynamics in your family systems, trust me, you are not alone. Power dynamics are at …
Ep #10: Getting Out of Other People’s Brains
I hear some variation of this from my clients on a regular basis. They’ll come to me upset and angry at somebody else, usually a family member or …
Ep #9: The Reality of Being an Entrepreneur Couple with Jake and Whit Roehl
I hear from people all the time who work with their family or significant other, that they want to be on the same page more and clash less. Well, …
Ep #8: The Truth About Confidence
Pretty much all of my clients come to me wanting more confidence. This is especially the case when they are stepping into a new role within the …
Ep #7: The Emotional Armoire
We’re talking today about one of my favorite topics: emotions. Specifically, I’m discussing processing emotions while you’re at work, which comes up …
Ep #6: Entitlement with Kim Eddleston
Kim Eddleston is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and an academic fellow who specializes in family business. She comes from a family that runs several …
Ep #4: Why Tracking and Celebrating Your Wins Matters
Today’s topic is one of the often-overlooked fundamentals when it comes to our growth as leaders, both in the culture we create around us and our …
Ep #3: The Practice of Same-Page Leadership
Last week, I spoke about the concept of Same-Page Leadership. This week, I want to share some examples in practice and how significant others working …
Ep #2: Same-Page Leadership
What I’m sharing today is so useful because a lot of you work closely with others in your family business. Whether that is your parents, siblings, or …
Episode 087: Helping the Rising Generation Flourish with Andrew Doust of Kore Venture
On the show today, I’m talking to Andrew Doust of KORE Venture. Andrew has made his life’s mission to help guide the next generation of young adults …
Episode 086: Family Business Succession w/ Steven Goodman
Family Business Succession Planning with Steven Goodman In This Episode: Steve Goodman recently wrote a book on Business Succession Planning. …
Episode 085: Family Office 101 w/ Glen Johnson
Family Office 101 with FOX's Glen Johnson NOTE: This episode was recorded at the beginning of COVID-19. In This Episode: In this episode, Glen …
Episode 084: Rising Generation Education w/ CLO Mindy Earley
Rising Generation Education with Chief Learning Officer, Mindy Earley In This Episode: "Education is omnipresent" -Mindy Earley, Chief Learning …
Episode 083: A Vibrant Family Business Vision w/ Richard Seaman
A Vibrant Family Business Vision with Richard N. Seaman, 2nd Generation Chairman In This Episode: Another business model: …
Family Business Retirement: “I am Only Leaving Feet First”
In This Episode: “I am only leaving feet first” In today’s episode, Kathy and I talk about retiring as the leader of a …
BONUS Episode: Family Business and the Seaman Family Foundation
BONUS EPISODE! Richard Seaman talks about Family Philanthropy In This Episode: "Decedents aren't all going to have a passion for the …
Episode 081: Family Business with 2nd Gen Richard Seaman of Seaman Corp
The Family Business Story of Seaman Corporation with Richard N. Seaman, 2nd Generation Chairman In …
Episode 080: Delusional Altruism with Kris Putnam-Walkerly
Become Unstoppable. In This Episode: "Together the philosophy behind these strategies constitute a mind-set …
Episode 079: Getting on the Same Page as Your Spouse at Work
In This Episode: “Everything just works better when we are on the same page.” My clients tell me being on …
Episode 078: Best Practices in Family Councils Part 2
In This Episode: After interviewing Chris, I decided to split this interview into two parts. Welcome to …
Episode 077: Getting Started with Family Councils Part 1
In This Episode: After interviewing Chris, I decided to split this interview into two parts. Here are the questions I asked during my …
Episode 076: Family Philanthropy Trends 2020
In This Episode: Nicholas Tedesco, President and CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP), returns to the podcast to talk about …
Episode 075: Get to Know NCFP’s Nick Tedesco
In This Episode: In this episode, Ellie Frey Zagel speaks with Nicholas Tedesco, President and CEO of the National Center for Family …
Best of 2019: Family Business Governance with Bruce Werner
We're looking back at the top episodes of the Successful Generations Podcast from 2019. Next up is this episode with Bruce Werner, part of the third …
Best of 2019: Entitlement? No Thanks! With Dr. John Townsend
We're looking back at the top episodes of the Successful Generations Podcast from 2019. First up is this episode with Dr. John Townsend, author of …
Episode 072: A Conversation With Julie Charlestein, 4th Generation and CEO of Premier Dental
Julie Charlestein is part of the fourth-generation of Premier Dental, where she currently serves as CEO. Premier is a 106-year-old business that …
Episode 071: The Family Business of Tharawat Magazine with Ramia El Agamy
Ramia El Agamy is the Editor-in-Chief of Tharawat magazine, the global publication for family businesses, and a product established by her family. In …
I Said No To My Dream Job
I just said "no" to the top spot in my family’s business. The position I am referring to is working for my family as the Board Chair of our family’s …
Episode 068: Family Business Governance Done Right with Bruce Werner
In this episode, Ellie Frey Zagel speaks with Bruce Werner, who is a member of the third generation of Werner Co., a ladder and climbing equipment …
Episode 065: Advice and Traditions for Strong, Successful Families from Mitzi Perdue
If anyone knows family business, it's the amazing Mitzi Perdue. Her family's first enterprise, Henderson Estate Company, got its start in 1840. Her …
Episode 064: Next Gen Leadership Development with Janice DiPietro
In this episode, Ellie is joined by Janice DiPietro, Founder and CEO of Exceptional Leaders International. Janice grew up in a family business and is …
Episode 063: The Succession Solution with Brad Franc
In this episode, Ellie interviews Bradley J. Franc, Director with Houston Harbaugh Attorneys at Law and author of The Succession Solution: The …
Episode 061: Family Business and Real Estate with Chris Prefontaine
In this episode, Ellie interviews family business owner, real estate leader, and coach Chris Prefontaine. While Chris grew up in a family business—he …
Best of 2018 #1: Taking Over the Family Business with Mitchell Kaneff
You voted and we listened. Here's the #1 Successful Generations Podcast Episode for 2018! PLEASE NOTE: there is adult language in this episode. …
Best of 2018 #3: Digging Into the Family Business Landscape with Daniel G. Van Der Vliet
You voted and we listened! Here's Best of 2018 Episode #3. In this episode, Dann Van Der Vliet and I dig into family business from the family …
Episode 050! What I’ve Learned in 50 Episodes with Guest Host Chad Zagel
We are so excited to celebrate this milestone 50th episode! In this episode, Ellie is joined by her husband, Chad Zagel for a bit of reflection. …
Episode 048: How Family Champions Lead to Success with Joshua Nacht, Ph.D.
Joshua Nacht, Ph.D. is a consultant with the Family Business Consulting Group. He recently co-authored Family Champions and Champion Families: …
Episode 046: Critical Conversations for Succession Planning with Rochelle Clarke
In this episode, we talk to Rochelle Clarke, CEO & Founder of Succession Strength and author of The 5 Critical Succession Conversations: A …
Replay: A Legacy Lost with Douglas D. Box
Do you have a strong matriarch or patriarch? Do you have more drama in your family business than is healthy? Do you know someone who has sued a family …
Episode 043: Why Hire a Family Business Consultant? with Drew Mendoza
The Family Business Consulting Group (FBCG) consistently comes up as a top resource when we talk to family business leaders on the Successful …
Episode 042: Blending Passion, Family & Business with Anne Huntington, 2nd Generation
Anne Huntington is the second generation of her family's business, Huntington Learning Center. Based in New Jersey, they have over 300 locations in 41 …
Episode 038: Standing Up in a Male-Dominated Industry with Aviation Executive René Banglesdorf
René Banglesdorf is CEO of Charlie Bravo Aviation, an Austin, Texas-based company that buys, sells and leases corporate aircraft worldwide. René and …
REPLAY: How My Parents Raised Us to Be Business Smart with Paige Cornetet
Replay? Yep, that's right, this week and next, we are working on some really big and exciting new things at Successful Generations. While we …
Episode 037: Making Your Mark on the Family Business with Cara Mackay, 2nd Generation
In this episode, we're talking with Cara Mackay—a 31-year-old dynamo who has taken her family's shed construction business in Scotland to new heights. …
Episode 034: Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein, Part 2
In part one of the interview with Dr. Michael Klein, we talked about what it means to be trapped in the family business and various the emotions that …
Episode 033: Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein
Do you feel trapped in the family business or do you think you may be contributing to a loved one feeling trapped? If so, this episode is for you. My …
Episode 028: Stories from The Family Business Podcast with Russ Haworth
My new friend, Russ Haworth, is the host of The Family Business Podcast and a contributor to many family business publications. Russ was writing a …
Episode 021: Taking Over the Family Business with Mitchell Kaneff
PLEASE NOTE: there is adult language in this episode. It's only 1-2 words, but if you are listening with little ones, you may want to use …
Episode 019: Allyn Family 2.0—After the Sale with Eric Allyn (4th Gen), Part 2
In the previous episode, Eric Allyn shared the history of his family’s business, Welch Allyn. He told us how his generation banded together to change …
Episode 018: The Welch Allyn Family Business Story with Eric Allyn (4th Gen), Part 1
Eric Allyn grew up in a family with a legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation. His great-grandfather, William Noah Allyn and Francis A. Welch …
Episode 013: Raising Children to be Amazing Business Owners with Paige Cornetet
Paige Cornetet is a fourth generation family business owner and she’s involved in her family’s council. She’s also an entrepreneur who runs her own …
Episode 011: Digging Into the Family Business Landscape with Daniel G. Van Der Vliet
In this episode, my guest Dann Van Der Vliet and I dig into family business from the family business center/academic perspective. Dann is …
Episode 008: Family, Fights and Ferry Tales with Chris Shepler
In this episode, we hear the story of a seventy year old family business in Northern Michigan. My guest, Chris Shepler, is part of the third …
Episode 002: A Legacy Lost with Douglas D. Box
Successful Generations Podcast Do you have a strong matriarch or patriarch? Do you have more drama in your family business than is healthy? …