Courageous Conflict

Join us on a remarkable journey as we listen to the story of Tam Nguyen and the indomitable spirit that led his family from war-torn Vietnam to the foundation of Advance Beauty College in the United States. Tam's parents' incredible saga of escape, separation, and reunion underpins the very values that have turned their beauty education business into an institution that's cultivated ov...

Unlock the secrets to successful leadership transitions in family businesses with insights from our guest Megan Lynch, CEO of Six Point Strategy. Discover the importance of strategic succession planning, stewardship, and the delicate balance of preserving legacy while embracing new leadership. Megan shares her unique journey from a non-family business background to becoming a trusted advisor, high...

Join me  as I sit down with Brent Novoselsky, a former NFL player who has transformed his career into behavioral finance advising. Brent shares how the discipline, preparation, resilience, and teamwork from his football days seamlessly transitioned into his new role, helping clients make financial decisions that reflect their core values. We discuss his personal journey from growing up in a middle...

Growing up in a family business with roots stretching back a century, Adam Hill never imagined the weight of legacy would be so entwined with personal struggle. His battle with alcoholism and an anxiety disorder not only shaped him but also transformed his approach to leadership. Discover how Adam harnessed his recovery journey to rejuvenate his family business during a challenging era marked by d...

Join us for an insightful exploration into the dynamics of family-run businesses with our special guest, Ryan Gracyalny, Director of Training and Development for the UTEC Group. Ryan brings a wealth of experience from growing up in a second-generation metal fabrication enterprise. His unique journey, from doing grunt work as a child to returning as a professional to transform the company culture,...

Join me as I explore the multifaceted world of family-run enterprises alongside my insightful guest, Christy Maxfield, founder of Purpose First Advisors. Christy shares her unique perspective, shaped by her upbringing in a family business, and how it has informed her career in succession and exit planning. Together, we unpack the challenges of balancing personal and business life, and the complex...

Transformational leader and business builder Louis Gump shares his captivating journey from his roots in Johnson City, Tennessee, to key roles at media giants like the Weather Channel and CNN. As a partner in the Executive Operations practice at TechCXO and an accomplished author, Louis reveals how his early experiences in his family's wholesale pharmaceuticals business gave him a unique persp...

Dr. Donna invites you to explore the fascinating realm of family-run businesses and the transformative power of inclusive conflict with special guest Diana Greene, founder of Defyne LLC. Diana's journey from a large family to becoming a pioneering conflict strategist offers a unique perspective on harnessing tension for innovation. Her experiences at a biotech company inspired her role as an o...

Unlock the transformative power of emotional intelligence by exploring the unique dynamics of blending family and business life with the Mischio family. As the driving force behind the digital marketing agency Winbound, founder and CEO Greg Mischio opens up about his journey of welcoming his son Sam into the business as a Customer Success Manager. With his wife Sharon, a former teacher-turned-pare...

What happens when family dynamics intersect with business operations? Join us with Debra Roberts, a licensed clinical social worker and the genius behind the Relationship Protocol, as we break down communication in family-run enterprises. Debra illuminates the profound impact of ingrained family relationships on workplace interactions and offers her unique perspective on cultivating effective comm...

Join us as Sandi Bragar, Chief Client Officer at Aspiriant, and Cammie Doder, Chief Marketing Officer and partner at Aspiriant, unravel the intricate world of finances within family-run businesses. Sandi takes us on her personal journey from the technical side of financial planning to embracing the emotional discussions about money that often go unspoken. Meanwhile, Cammie Doder shares her reflect...

Ever wondered how unresolved family dynamics can affect a business? Join me, Dr. Donna, alongside Yael Sivi, the insightful co-founder of Collaborative Coaching, as we explore the fascinating intersection of psychology and family-run businesses. We're breaking down the complexities of these unique environments and showing how psychological insights can foster emotionally intelligent and collab...

Join us as we embark on an insightful journey into the world of family-run enterprises with our special guest, Catherine Sayer, CEO of the Family Business Association in Australia. Catherine shares her compelling story, starting from her origins in Adelaide, South Australia, through her experiences in marketing, consulting, and governance, which ultimately led her to her current influential role....

What happens when family ties extend into the boardroom? Join me, Dr. Donna, as we welcome Jill Hofmans, the executive director of the Conway Center for Family Business, to unravel the complexities of family-run enterprises. Jill's personal journey from Southern California to Ohio, driven by family circumstances, sparked her passion for the nonprofit sector, leading her to the Conway Center. T...

Episode Summary: Can avoiding conflict actually harm your business more than aggressive behavior? Join me, Dr. Donna, as we unravel this hidden dynamic in family-run enterprises. Diving deep with business owners, experts, and employees, we explore how embracing diverse thoughts and fostering healthy conflict can pave the path for longevity and innovation. While aggressive and passive-aggressive st...

Episode Description:  What if maintaining family harmony could be the key to your business's success across generations? Join us as we bring you an engaging conversation with Stephanie Larscheid, Executive Director of the Prairie Family Business Association, who knows family businesses from the inside out, having grown up on a family farm herself. Stephanie shares her unique insights into the...

Episode Description:  Have you ever wondered how a family business can survive and thrive across multiple generations despite historical challenges? Join me, Dr. Donna, along with our special guest Lisa Bronner, as we unravel the incredible history of Dr. Bronner's soap empire. Born out of a century-old soap-making tradition in Laupheim, Germany, the Bronner family saga is one of resilience an...

Episode Description:  Unlock the mysteries of human interactions with Steve Utech, the visionary behind illumix. As someone who transitioned from a background in chemistry and family therapy to shaping organizational culture, Steve shares his unique journey and profound insights into cultural dynamics within businesses. Hear how stepping away from his family enterprise allowed both his personal gr...

Growing up in a household teeming with entrepreneurial spirit, Jenny Dinnen and Katie Rucker never imagined they would one day steer their father’s company. Yet here they are, co-presidents of a boutique firm that thrives on customer insights and market research. Join me, Dr. Donna, as I chat with these dynamic twin sisters about their unexpected journey into the family business. We delve into the...

Episode Description:  Join us on a journey into the dynamic world of family-run businesses, where I am thrilled to welcome Adam Pankoff, a seasoned sales leader at Semler Industries. With over 14 years of experience in a third-generation family business, Adam shares his inspiring transition from the corporate sphere to a more intimate company setting. He reflects on the unique sense of belonging a...

Episode Description:  What if you could redefine success on your own terms, balancing business ambitions with personal fulfillment? Join Dr. Donna and our special guest, Ken Schmitt, founder and CEO of Turning Point Executive Search, as we explore the intriguing world of family-run businesses and entrepreneurship. Discover how Ken's journey, as detailed in his book "The Practical Optimist,...

Dr. Donna welcomes Meaghan Ziemba, a passionate industrial tech writer and advocate for women in manufacturing, to share her compelling journey. Meaghan opens up about the societal pressures she faced in high school to take the traditional college path and how she discovered her true calling in manufacturing and technical writing. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of exploring alt...

How does a family business sustain its legacy across generations? Join us as we uncover the secrets with Charlie, a seasoned expert in the realm of family-owned enterprises, who brings a wealth of experience from his C-suite roles, board positions, and consulting work. In our conversation, Charlie introduces his book, "The Power of Legacy," and outlines the six pivotal elements crucial for...

Episode Description: Ever wondered how to blend family life with a thriving business? Jamie and Kevin White, a dynamic husband-and-wife entrepreneurial duo, share their unique insights on maintaining harmony while navigating the complex world of family business. Jamie’s journey from growing up in a family business to recognizing the importance of setting limits and seeking help offers invaluable l...

Episode Description: Ever wonder how missed opportunities can shape a successful family business? Hear how Aaron Nosek and his family turned a basement operation into an industry leader despite passing on the chance to invest in Nike. This episode uncovers Keson's remarkable journey from humble beginnings, starting with Aaron's grandfather's career switch from foundry work to innovativ...