Evergreen Journal by Tugboat Institute

Hosted by Tugboat Institute Members & Evergreen Thought Leaders

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

184

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

CAPITALISM AT ITS BEST™ These are the stories of the Evergreen® movement. Evergreen leaders are seasoned entrepreneurs, CEOs and presidents with the vision, creativity, resourcefulness, patience and grit to build and scale a business that will stay private indefinitely. They measure success by how well they deliver on their mission and how well they embody the 7Ps: Purpose, Perseverance, People First, Profit, Private, Paced Growth, & Pragmatic Innovation. Tugboat Institute® is a membership organization that brings together Evergreen businesses across industry sectors to share best practices and unique insights, and to develop trusted bonds for their respective Evergreen paths.

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60 recent

June 16, 202613 min

The History and Relevance of Juneteenth

Every founder and generational leader carries an origin story. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Everett Harper invites us to consider what it means to remember that story, and how the act of remembrance itself shapes the values a company passes on. Everett is the co-founder and former CEO of Truss and a longtime champion of Purpose-driven leadership. Drawing on the history of Juneteenth, and on his own family's story, he traces the entrepreneurial spirit, community-building, and resilience that emerged from freedom. He makes a compelling case that annual rituals of remembrance, whether a national holiday or a company gathering, are how values survive and travel across generations. Watch and be inspired to honor your own origin story and to pass on the values at the heart of your company to the next generation.

June 2, 202622 min

Making Great People Decisions

Luck is the number one factor for career success, said legendary executive search pioneer Egon Zehnder to a young Claudio Fernández-Aráoz early in his career. After four decades of placing leaders at the highest levels of global business, Claudio has come to agree. But luck, he argues, is only part of the story. The factor leaders can control, and the one that separates good organizations from great ones, is the quality of their people decisions. Claudio is a top global expert on leadership and talent, family businesses, and personal growth, having personally conducted more than 20,000 leadership interviews. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, he draws on decades of experience and vivid real-world examples to explain why our brains are hardwired to make poor hiring choices, how to assess both competence and potential, and why making great people decisions is the most powerful driver of lasting organizational success, one that aligns naturally with the Evergreen® commitment to building companies that endure. Listen and be inspired to raise the standard for how you find and develop the people who will carry your company forward.

May 12, 202624 min

Purpose at Highlights

Tugboat Institute® Member Kent Johnson is the CEO of Highlights for Children, a family-led legacy brand dedicated to building a more optimistic and empathetic world for children. After an early career in physics and medical diagnostics, Kent has spent the last 20 years leading a media business centered on human development. In this Tugboat Institute talk, Kent explores how their commitment to Purpose acts as both an anchor during tragedy and an engine for innovation. He shares the history of Highlights—from its founding as a "dream child" to navigating a 1960 aeronautical disaster that claimed the lives of key leaders —and explains how the company evolved from a single magazine into a global, diversified organization. By refreshing their core mission to empower agile decision-making , Kent illustrates how a Purpose-driven culture enables a heritage brand to thrive in a subscription economy and forge impactful partnerships with tech giants. Listen and be inspired to look beyond your product to your true Purpose and to build a culture of commitment that can withstand generational trauma and the constant evolution of our ever-changing digital world.

April 21, 202626 min

Innovation Begins with Observation

Jim Gilmore is the co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and the co-author of The Experience Economy and Look: A Toolkit for Making Better Decisions. As a pioneer in the study of consumer experiences and observational methods, Jim has spent decades helping organizations see the world—and their opportunities—more clearly. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Jim challenges the modern habit of screen-induced tunnel vision, arguing that true innovation begins with active, intentional observation of our immediate surroundings. He introduces his "Six Looking Glasses" framework—metaphorical tools ranging from binoculars to blindfolds—designed to help leaders sharpen their looking skills and overcome confirmation bias. He demonstrates how spotting a simple detail in the everyday environment can lead to transformative breakthroughs. Listen and be inspired to reclaim the power of observation and master the art of looking as the essential first step toward strategic thinking and long-term Evergreen® success.

March 10, 202625 min

The Winner's Mindset: Leadership, Legacy, and Learning in Uncertain Times

Larry Hofstetter is the first non-family president of the 187-year-old Schaeffer Manufacturing Company. As the steward of a business founded in 1839, Larry has mastered the delicate balance of honoring nearly two centuries of history while navigating the complexities of modern disruption. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Larry explores his framework for cultivating a "winner's mindset" that transforms unforeseen disruptive events from potential crises into strategic opportunities. Drawing on Schaeffer's historical resilience through depressions, catastrophic fires, and global wars, he illustrates how a foundation of trust enables an organization to adapt with speed and clarity. By distilling 180 years of institutional knowledge into an Evergreen® philosophy, Larry provides a roadmap for leading through uncertainty while maintaining a steadfast commitment to future generations. Listen and be inspired to view disruption as a catalyst for growth, to build deep-rooted trust within your organization, and to lead with a long-term vision that ensures your company is built to last and win for another seven generations.

February 18, 202619 min

Paddle for a Purpose

Tugboat Institute® member Joe Motz, founder of The Motz Corporation, has spent nearly five decades building a legacy of innovation and integrity at one of the world's most respected turf firms. But after transitioning the company to 100% employee ownership in 2018, Joe faced his toughest finish line yet: a 70th-birthday "bucket list" adventure that would take everything he had. In this Tugboat Talk, Joe recounts his grueling 3,000-mile solo paddle to raise $300,000 for The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, an organization that creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive through sport. From the panic of a runaway boat to the mental fatigue of 20,000 strokes a day, Joe shares how he leaned on his community, and his Purpose, to Persevere. Listen to Joe's talk to learn why the hardest journeys often lead to the greatest ripple effects in leadership and life, and for the reminder to paddle on, through even the most challenging of times.

January 29, 202621 min

Founder Meets Legacy: The Power of Two Perspectives

Ashley Russo is a visionary leader, award-winning journalist, and entrepreneur who bridges the gap between industrial legacy and modern storytelling. Through her dual roles as CEO of Magnaplate and President of ASR Media, Ashley has mastered the art of blending the technical precision of manufacturing with the creative vision of media. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Ashley explores the unique tension of leading two highly contrasting industries and shares how these seemingly different worlds inform one another in unexpected ways. By harmonizing her family's multi-generational heritage with her own entrepreneurial drive, Ashley provides a compelling perspective on what it means to honor a professional legacy while courageously founding your own. Listen and be inspired to blend vision with tradition, to find synergy in your own professional roles, and to lead your team with a renewed sense of purpose and innovation.

January 8, 202620 min

Creative Leadership

Rob Cordova is a thought leader, adjunct professor, and educator who transforms corporate learning into meaningful and inspiring experiences. Through his research on how our personal backgrounds shape our actions, Rob has developed a unique framework of reflective questions designed to help leaders step beyond their comfort zones. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Rob challenges us to confront our natural tendency to avoid uncertainty and reminds us that in moments of ambiguity, creativity isn't optional—it's essential. By modeling the very vulnerability and courage he encourages in others, Rob provides a heartfelt perspective on how to navigate the unknown while staying true to Evergreen® values. Watch and be inspired to meet challenges with creativity and innovation, and to lead your team with newfound courage and clarity.

December 4, 202520 min

Baseball During the Great Depression: Owners Cope with Adversity

David Surdam is a historical economist and professor at the University of Northern Iowa who studies how organizations adapt under extreme economic pressure. In this Tugboat Institute® Summit 2025 talk, he shares the story of Major League Baseball during the Great Depression, when team owners faced one of the most challenging economic periods in American history. Their adaptation strategies not only helped them survive, but even thrive, offering timely lessons on resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring power of cultural institutions during difficult times. Listen and be inspired to consider how your own organization might adapt in the face of a major economic downturn.

November 13, 202515 min

On P.E. Redux

Over the last several years, private equity has continued its rapid expansion, reshaping the landscape of business ownership and investment. What was once limited to a small circle of institutional investors now reaches into 401k portfolios, making PE an increasingly dominant force in our economy. While this growth has fueled opportunity for many, it also poses new challenges for Evergreen® companies whose long-term, purpose-driven approach stands in sharp contrast to private equity's short-term return model. Dave Whorton, Founder and CEO of Tugboat Institute®, revisits his 2019 talk, "The Rise of Private Equity," to explore how the private equity landscape has evolved and what its growing influence means for Evergreen leaders today. He reaffirms that private equity remains kryptonite to Evergreen businesses yet highlights examples of Tugboat Institute member companies that have found unconventional ways to engage with private equity and strategic capital while staying true to their Evergreen values. Listen and gain perspective on how to navigate the shifting capital landscape without compromising the purpose and principles that define Evergreen companies.