Fearless Family Business

In this episode, Adam welcomes Peter Bissonnette, former President of Shaw Communications and author of 'Count On Me: My Life Lessons and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications.' Peter shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to leading a multi-billion dollar family business. Despite facing emotional hardships and growing up in humble beginnings, Peter develo...

In this episode, we dive into the world of conflict mediation with Katie Kolon, who transitioned from an attorney to a mediator to help businesses, especially family-owned ones, navigate their conflicts before they escalate into costly litigation. Katie shares her journey, insights, and practical strategies for handling disputes, fostering understanding, and strengthening relationships in business...

In this episode of Fearless Family Business, the focus is on succession planning from various perspectives: passing the business to the next generation, selling it to another entity, and everything in between. Adam emphasizes the importance of having a succession plan regardless of the business's current situation and shares key steps to ensure seamless leadership and ownership transitions. To...

In this episode, host Adam sits down with Ed Hart, a family business expert, host of the 'From the Heart' podcast, and co-author of 'Boomer Wisdom.' They delve deep into why emotional intelligence is a crucial yet underrated element in family businesses. The conversation covers the significant impact of seeking external help for sustained success across generations, with examples of businesses tha...

The True Cost of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on Family Business In this episode of Fearless Family Business, Adam critically examines a recent piece of legislation—referred to as Donald Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill'—that entails multi-trillion dollar tax cuts, program cuts, and spending increases. Adam argues that while some may benefit financially in the short term, the bill has dire long-term...

What if everything we believe about family, legacy, and love is just a cultural illusion layered over millions of years of primal instinct? Tim Ash, executive advisor, bestselling author, and evolutionary psychology expert, forces us to wrestle with this uncomfortable question. As CEO and co-founder of a digital optimization agency, Tim helped create over $1.2 billion in value for companies like G...

Why do family businesses always end up as the punchline in Hollywood? From “Billy Madison” to “Succession”, from “Tommy Boy” to “The Righteous Gemstones”, family businesses are entertainment gold because of their dysfunction. But behind all that chaos lies a blueprint for what NOT to do—and more importantly, what TO do instead. Adam Hill breaks down the most iconic family business disasters in mov...

What if the very thing you think is preserving your legacy is actually destroying it? Drawing from his experience as a fourth-generation leader of a 100-year-old company, Adam Hill reveals why the traditional focus on preservation is creating a "legacy trap" that's dooming families to the three-generation curse. This isn't just theory. It's hard-won wisdom from someone who wa...

What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted in your 20s…but feel completely unfulfilled? Cathy Christen, founder of Elevated You, co-founder of GoBundance Women, and bestselling author of "Life as a Masterpiece," thought she had it all figured out by 25. Multiple six-figure income, broken records, outward success—but inside she was lonely, exhausted, and questioning e...

How do you transform from the family business's biggest skeptic into its most passionate advocate? Kevin Tsao, Chief Sustainability Officer of Eno Brands, a fashion jewelry manufacturing company, didn't just resist the family business—he rejected it outright. But sometimes our strongest resistance reveals our deepest calling. In this powerful conversation, Kevin shares his transformation f...

What happens when a fourth-generation family business leader finds himself drowning in anxiety despite outward success? Franklin Swann, CEO of the 130-year-old Swann's Furniture and Design, shares his raw journey from overwhelming self-doubt to thriving leadership. He reveals how implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) didn't just save his business during the pandemic—it tr...

What if the secret to building wealth wasn't working harder, but building better systems? Jay Bourgana shares his remarkable journey from an impoverished childhood in Morocco to building a $350 million real estate empire. He reveals how curiosity-driven pattern recognition, strategic system building, and the discipline to "fire yourself" from every role can create both financial free...

Balancing a thriving real estate empire with family life and full-time jobs…is it even possible?  Logan and Bostyn Brodine share their journey from purchasing their first investment property to building a portfolio of six single-family homes in just two years. They reveal strategies for maintaining a strong relationship while working together, discuss their new venture into gym franchising, and of...

Wondering how to thrive in the unique dynamics of a family business? In this episode, Adam sits down with Taylor Gandy, a third-generation CEO, to unpack his journey of stepping into leadership and the game-changing impact of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). They dive into how clearly defined core values can shape hiring decisions, why community involvement matters, and what it really t...

How do family-owned enterprises overcome resistance to change and other dysfunctions, setting a course for success from generation to generation?   Join Adam Hill as he talks with seasoned CEO and family business advocate, Rob Ferguson, about the dynamics of family-controlled entities. They discuss the importance of leadership, implementing proper governance, facing change, and how to prioritize f...

How can you ensure your family's wealth is preserved and wisely managed across generations?  Adam Hill talks with international speaker and founder of Generational Wisdom, Julia Myers, about the vital importance of passing on not just generational wealth, but wisdom, to our children.  Julia shares the transformative journey that led her to discover how financial acumen must be wedded to wisdom...

How does a decades-old family business adapt and survive despite modern challenges?  Join Adam Hill as he chats with Ben Hertzman, president of Progress Luv2Pak, about the company's rich history, the transition between generations, and their innovative steps in domestic manufacturing and sustainability. From his Procter & Gamble days to launching Gather Packaging, Ben reveals how sustainabilit...

Curious about how to successfully transition a family business while preserving its legacy?  In this episode, Adam chats with Andrea Carpenter, a seasoned expert in family business succession who shares her personal experiences growing up in a family business and the critical role that open communication played in her formation, while exploring how both family business leaders and next-generation...

Ever thought about using an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) as a way to transition your business?  In this episode, Adam Hill sits down with ESOP expert Kelly Finnell to break down how these plans work, why they’re the best move for some family-owned businesses, and what it really takes to put one in place. They’ll cover how ESOPs can protect your company’s culture, reward your team, and offe...

Join Adam Hill in exploring the journey of Andrew Cohen as he navigates the ownership transition of Moosylvania, the legendary advertising agency his father started. Andrew candidly shares the challenges of taking the reins, the dynamics of working alongside his father, and how his leadership role has unfolded over time. Discover how Andrew is embracing creativity in the face of AI advancements (i...

Adam and Marie Hill explore the intricate dance of balancing love and business. From setting boundaries to fostering open communication, the Hills offer insights into creating a supportive environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth.  They share personal stories and practical strategies for maintaining a thriving partnership while managing separate businesses. Tune in and disco...

Join Adam Hill as he chats with Joey Goone, president of Utopia Experience, about the dynamic journey of running a legacy business.  Explore how his events company evolved–especially during a time when in-person events ground to a sudden halt!–and learn about Joey's core value of leading with love.  Joey shares his unique approach to leadership, emphasizing positivity and personal growth. This epi...

Unlock the key to success in family businesses by mastering the balance between Vision and Execution. Host Adam Hill dives into the classic “chicken or egg” debate—what truly comes first (and why does it matter)? Get ready for a fresh perspective that challenges conventional wisdom, helping your family business break through stagnation, build a future-focused vision, and honor its legacy. 0:00 Int...

Discover how strategic planning can elevate your business's worth and ensure a smooth transition–unlike a shocking 70% of business owners who try to sell but can’t! Explore the transformative journey of exit planning with Renee Russo, an expert in creating business value and personal energy management. Renee shares her insights on balancing leadership with self-prioritization, emphasizing the...

Explore the transformative power of separating Visionary and Integrator roles in family businesses with host Adam Hill. Discover how this strategic division can prevent burnout, enhance accountability, and drive sustainable growth.  Drawing from personal experiences and proven business frameworks, Adam offers actionable insights to help leaders assess their strengths and implement effective role s...