The Enlightened Family Business Podcast

Hosted by Chris Yonker

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Nov 2026

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What if governance, succession, and leadership weren't just business strategies—but sacred opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation? Welcome to The Enlightened Family Business Podcast with Chris Yonker—author, trusted advisor to ultra-high-net-worth families, and 7th-degree black belt whose work bridges legacy with soul. This isn't your typical family business podcast. Each episode dives deep into the inner and outer dimensions of generational success—where family dynamics, conscious leadership, custom-fit governance, and soul-purpose clarity come together to shape continuity that feels as good as it looks. Rooted in Chris's Governance 2.0™ framework, the show explores: • Strategic governance aligned with family values • Transparent communication and relational repair • Mental, emotional, and physical well-being as business drivers • Personal development and transformation at every level • Succession planning that honors identity, meaning, and legacy Chris has guided some of the most complex family systems in the world—blending deep psychological insight, trauma-informed process, and spiritual intelligence. Whether you're a founder, rising gen leader, or advisor to family enterprises, this podcast will challenge, inspire, and equip you to lead with intention—and fulfill the purpose your soul came here to live. Subscribe now to discover what's possible when families align from the inside out.

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November 2, 2026Episode 17240 min

Sacred Work: Philanthropy as a Family Practice with Caren Yanis

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Sacred Work: Philanthropy as a Family Practice with Caren Yanis Episode Summary In this episode of The Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Caren Yanis, founder of Croland Consulting, former executive director of Oprah Winfrey's personal and corporate charities, and former president of Crown Family Philanthropies. Caren brings decades of experience guiding ultra-high-net-worth families through the governance and strategy of giving together across generations. She explains the inflection points that trigger family philanthropy, why families with "no natural predators" must build their own guardrails, and why she insists on consensus over majority rule at the family table. Chris and Caren explore the difference between transactional and transformational giving through the lens of Jay Hughes's five capitals, how founders can protect the rising generation's voice, and why swapping the word "philanthropy" for "purpose" can change a family's trajectory. Whether you have a family office or a few dollars and some time, this conversation offers a practical path to giving with intention and bringing your family along. Episode Chapters · 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Caren Yanis · 02:10 – How families get attuned to where they are called to give · 03:40 – Inflection points that trigger family philanthropy, and the need for a steward · 05:00 – "No natural predators": why UHNW families must build their own guardrails · 06:40 – Who sits at the table, job descriptions, and the meeting agreement · 08:50 – Consensus vs. majority rule, and what consensus really means · 10:40 – Transactional vs. transformational giving; Jay Hughes's five capitals and spiritual capital · 12:50 – DAF or private foundation? The wrong first question · 14:35 – Power imbalance: protecting the rising generation's voice · 17:10 – A year-one playbook for a family just starting to give together · 19:40 – Perpetuity vs. spend-down; unlocking capital through impact investing · 21:30 – Diligence, risk tolerance, site visits and convening grantees · 23:50 – Where philanthropy comes from: Carnegie, Rockefeller and Maimonides' ladder · 26:05 – What giving does to us; primary, secondary and tertiary benefits · 28:35 – Three questions to start with; philanthropic asset mapping · 30:10 – When to bring in an advisor; decision-making as the stuck point · 33:05 – What is "enough"? Chuck Feeney and Die with Zero · 35:10 – Substitute "purpose" for "philanthropy" · 36:20 – Final thoughts, resources and how to connect with Caren Websites · CrolandConsulting.com · National Center for Family Philanthropy (ncfp.org) · Center for Effective Philanthropy (cep.org) · The Chronicle of Philanthropy (philanthropy.com) Books · The Billionaire Who Wasn't by Conor O'Clery (the Chuck Feeney story) · Die with Zero by Bill Perkins LinkedIn · Caren Yanis About Caren Yanis Caren is a philanthropy sherpa, helping families and companies plan philanthropic journeys that unite stakeholders, ensure they have the tools they need, and prepare them for collective success. Her practice focuses on transformational governance and strategy. Caren ran the Oprah Winfrey Foundations during the period of Oprah's Angel Network and partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Oprah's school building projects in South Africa. Following that she was president of Crown Family Philanthropies in Chicago. Caren is a field builder and is a frequent keynote speaker and podcast guest. Caren chaired the board of the Poetry Foundation through a reorg until 2024. She served as Vice Chair of the Impact Guild until 2026 and served three terms as a member of the Board of Visitors at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU. She currently sits on the advisory board of the Women's Philanthropy Institute. She teaches and speaks at a variety of universities including the University of Chicago's Booth School and at the Spertus Institute. Caren understands the social change landscape. She has a passion for listening deeply, navigating challenges, and guiding people who have a commitment to purpose and the ability to change the world in effective and sustainable ways. www.CrolandConsulting.com

October 19, 2026Episode 17143 min

The Trauma-Informed Trustee with Amanda Koplin

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast The Trauma-Informed Trustee with Amanda Koplin Episode Summary In this episode of The Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Amanda Koplin, LPC — licensed professional counselor, entrepreneur, author of The Trauma Informed Trustee, and certified hostage negotiator. Amanda brings a unique and deeply human lens to the world of estate planning and trust administration, revealing how unaddressed trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges can derail even the most carefully constructed estate plans. She shares how her work with Koplin Consulting bridges the gap between behavioral health and the trusted advisor community, offering practical strategies for trustees, estate planners, and wealth advisors to better serve families navigating these complex intersections. Episode Chapters · 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Amanda Koplin · 03:30 – What it means to be a "trauma-informed" trustee · 08:15 – How addiction and mental illness show up in estate planning · 14:00 – Real stories: when trust distributions do more harm than good · 20:30 – The role of trusted advisors in supporting beneficiary mental health · 27:45 – Amanda's journey from mental health urgent care to Koplin Consulting · 34:00 – What hostage negotiation taught her about family dynamics · 40:15 – Practical tools for trustees dealing with high-conflict beneficiaries · 47:30 – Building sustainable support systems within estate structures · 53:00 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Amanda Websites · koplinconsulting.com Book · The Trauma Informed Trustee by Amanda Koplin LinkedIn · Amanda Koplin LPC About Amanda Koplin Amanda Koplin, LPC is a mental health counselor, entrepreneur and thought leader who creates innovative solutions to fill gaps in the mental healthcare system. She is also the author of "The Trauma Informed Trustee" and a certified hostage negotiator. Amanda frequently speaks to trusted advisors such as estate planners, trustees, family business offices, and wealth advisors to educate, train, and support them in understanding how addiction, mental illness, and eating disorders impact the creation and implementation of estate plans and trust administration. She is passionate about helping people achieve mental wellness and creating sustainable support systems and solutions which integrate seamlessly into real life. In 2016, she sold her first business, a mental health urgent care clinic, to create Koplin Consulting, a nationwide concierge behavioral health treatment team service. Amanda is a speaker and a nationally sought after consultant who specializes in creating unique treatment plans and recommendations for individuals struggling with psychological concerns such as addictions, eating disorders, lack of motivation, and other issues impacting mental wellness. She is particularly adept at involving trusted advisors and family members in order to create the greatest impact.

October 5, 2026Episode 17051 min

How Family Business Owners Can Address Succession Avoidance with Heidi Engel

How Family Business Owners Can Address Succession Avoidance Why do family business owners put off succession conversations—and what helps them move forward? Chris and Heidi Engel explore the fears, family roles, and relationship patterns that can stall a transition. They discuss how honest dialogue, trust, and a clearer next step can help families navigate change. In This Episode 00:00 — Understanding the family behind the business Introducing a relationship-centered approach to leadership transitions, with attention to communication, safety, and individual agency. 06:34 — Why succession conversations get avoided How fear, uncertainty, and the pressure to make permanent decisions contribute to postponement—and why succession is an ongoing process. 12:36 — Family roles, identity, and authority How longstanding family roles influence business conversations, and why recognizing the next generation as capable adults matters. 16:24 — The cost of delaying succession How repeated delays can erode trust, create resentment, and drive next-generation leaders away. Moving forward requires visible action. 22:08 — Creating space for difficult conversations Why each family needs an approach that fits its circumstances, and why relationships and communication deserve attention alongside governance. 27:33 — Bringing unspoken fears into the open Exploring concerns about ownership, responsibility, and burdening the next generation. Understanding emotions can help families identify what is blocking progress. 34:49 — Finding clarity one step at a time How future roles and structures can emerge through ongoing dialogue. Clarity can mean knowing the next step without having the entire future mapped out. 40:40 — Connecting individual values with a shared vision How personal goals and family values inform the business's direction, and how family members can contribute through different roles. 44:27 — Choosing a facilitator for complex family dynamics What to look for in someone who can create safety, work with tension, and keep people engaged when conversations become emotionally difficult. 46:54 — Why lived experience matters Why knowledge alone is insufficient—and how a guide's personal experience and ability to stay present build trust when things get challenging. Key Takeaways Treat succession as an evolving conversation. Address family relationships alongside leadership and ownership structures. Surface the fears and assumptions behind avoidance. Build trust through action and follow-through. Focus on a clear next step. Seek guidance from someone with experience navigating emotionally complex transitions.

September 21, 2026Episode 16954 min

The Decisions You Need to Make Before Succession Ever Begins

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 169: The Decisions You Need to Make Before Succession Ever Begins In this special Family Business Executive Forum episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker and co-presenter Christy walk a live audience through a pre-succession readiness framework that most families never encounter until it's too late. Rather than treating succession as a single event — the transfer of power, ownership, or authority — Chris and Christy reframe it as a multi-year process that begins long before anyone is ready to step away. Using a seven-dimension readiness scorecard, they guide listeners through an honest self-assessment of where their family enterprise stands today: shared direction, family alignment, continuity, leadership bench, governance, roles and accountability, and ownership mindset. They explore why stewardship is a fundamentally different framework than ownership, why non-family employees can read family favoritism before leadership can, why what got you here won't get you there, and why the strongest succession plans are built before succession feels urgent. Packed with real client stories, practical warning signs, and five conversations every family should begin now, this is one of the most actionable episodes in the series. Episode Chapters · 2:15 Succession Is Not an Event — It's a Process · 3:51 The Seven Readiness Dimensions: An Overview · 4:49 What Stewardship Actually Means · 6:01 The Pre-Succession Readiness Scorecard · 7:15 Dimension 1: Shared Direction — Do We Know What We're Trying to Preserve, Grow, or Change? · 12:31 Organizational Identity and DNA · 12:33 Dimension 2: Leadership Bench — Are Future Leaders Developed Before They're Needed? · 17:31 Tracking Leadership Readiness — Tools and 360s · 19:11 Dimension 3: Roles and Accountability — Are Expectations and Authority Clear? · 23:15 Dimension 4: Family Alignment — Can We Discuss Difficult Issues Without Damaging Relationships? · 26:47 The Role of a Facilitator in Holding Difficult Conversations · 29:26 Dimension 5: Governance — Are Ownership, Board, Family, and Management Decisions Separated? · 34:46 Dimension 6: Ownership Mindset — Are Future Owners Prepared to Steward, Not Merely Inherit? · 37:54 Dimension 7: Continuity — Could the Enterprise Function If a Key Person Stepped Away Tomorrow? · 41:40 What Successful Continuity Actually Requires · 44:05 How to Pull Your Advisory Team Together · 44:21 Why Plans Fail Before Transition Begins · 49:11 Five Conversations to Begin Now · 51:00 Your 30-Day Commitment · 53:14 Closing: Build the Plan Before It Feels Urgent Websites · chrisyonker.com Contact · chris@chrisyonker.com

September 7, 2026Episode 16855 min

You can't change what you can't be with A conversation with David Young

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 168: You Can't Change What You Can't Be With — A Conversation with David Young In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with David Young — somatic experiencing practitioner, collective trauma healer, co-executive director at Somatic Experiencing International, and founder of The Art of Collective Integration — for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most underexplored dimensions of human development: why intelligent, well-educated people keep repeating patterns that hurt them, and what it actually takes to change. David brings a remarkable lineage to this work — the son of an African American former Black Panther-turned-missionary and a Taiwanese mother, trained in intelligence analysis, East Asian philosophy, pastoral ministry, and somatic psychology. Together Chris and David explore why transformation isn't a cognitive event but a full-body physiological experience; why self-help books give us the cherry on top without the cake underneath; the difference between cultivating performance and cultivating wisdom; how the nervous system holds patterns that fire faster than the speed of thought; why anxiety in the rising generation is best met with co-regulation before analysis; what resilience actually means and why it's the highway to both personal and collective change; and what it looks like to raise a generation that can hold the complexity of a volatile, uncertain, rapidly accelerating world. This is a conversation for anyone who has ever wondered why knowing better doesn't always lead to doing better. Episode Chapters · 1:07 Meet David Young · 4:05 Breaking Patterns — What's Really Going On · 5:55 Developing the Rising Generation for the Future · 7:00 The Stages of Development Haven't Changed — But Everything Else Has · 10:56 Belonging vs. Becoming: The Tension Every Rising Gen Faces · 15:37 Why Highly Intelligent People Keep Repeating Harmful Patterns · 17:24 Why Self-Help Books Give You the Realization Without the Change · 22:36 Same Car, Different Engine: What Changes When Healing Happens · 23:09 Performance Culture vs. Wisdom Culture · 27:53 Pain and Pleasure Are Not Enough — The Limits of Leverage · 29:33 What the Nervous System Has to Do With Everything · 34:35 Anxiety in the Rising Generation — What's Really Driving It · 36:52 Co-Regulation: The First Step Before Asking Why · 41:14 Building Resilience: The Highway to Personal and Collective Change · 47:16 Resilience Is the Capacity to Stay in Flow With Adversity · 48:01 A Message for Parents and Family Principals · 50:28 Resources and Farewell Websites · artofcollectiveintegration.com · traumahealing.org · chrisyonker.com About David Young David Young 楊正賢, M.A., CMMT is the Co-Executive Director of Somatic Experiencing International and the founder and lead teacher of The Art of Collective Integration (ACI), a methodology for addressing collective trauma and societal polarization through somatic, relational, and systems-based practices. As a collective trauma integration facilitator, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and executive coach, David supports communities and organizations through critical transitions — helping them heal from collective trauma, navigate complexity, and enable healthy communication in polarized environments. With 20+ years of experience in leadership development, systems change, and trauma-informed consulting, David brings a unique approach that integrates somatic awareness, collective intelligence, and wisdom traditions to foster resilient, adaptive organizations. He has designed and facilitated large-scale leadership retreats and community healing initiatives in over 30 cities across the US and Europe, focusing on intergenerational leadership, cultural resilience, and conflict transformation. He is also a co-creator and co-facilitator of Attuned: Becoming Trauma Informed & Trauma Responsive in Professional Settings (accredited by the Law Society of Ontario) and The Leadership Dojo, an eight-week practice-based facilitation training. A student of collective trauma healing with Thomas Hübl, David holds multiple certifications in mindfulness, trauma facilitation, and conscious leadership, and is a teacher on Insight Timer, a global meditation app. He enjoys traveling, camping with his kids, martial arts, and hanging out in tea shops.

August 24, 2026Episode 16752 min

The One Plan Every Family Is Missing with Libby Boatwright

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 167: The One Plan Every Family Is Missing with Libby Boatwright In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Libby Boatwright — certified financial planner, former Stanford Medical Center chaplain, pastor, and author of The Last Things We Talk About — for a candid, deeply practical conversation about the one plan most families never make: an end-of-life plan. Drawing on decades of experience in palliative care, hospice work, financial planning, and pastoral ministry, Libby walks through the full spectrum of what families need to navigate when a loved one faces a serious diagnosis or decline — and why waiting until the last minute makes everything harder and more costly. Chris and Libby explore the critical difference between palliative care and hospice, how hospitals really operate and what they won't tell you, why your advanced directive is your most important legal document, the caregiving crisis quietly bankrupting American families, how to be an effective patient advocate inside a system not designed to help you, and what it actually looks like to help a loved one die well. Chris also shares his own firsthand experience navigating hospice for both parents — including a powerful story about standing up to a hospital trying to redirect his mother's care. This is a conversation every family should hear before they need it. Episode Chapters · 2:22 Meet Libby Boatwright · 4:31 What End-of-Life Planning Actually Covers · 7:29 When the Diagnosis Arrives: Legacy, Bucket Lists, and Getting the House in Order · 10:00 The Circles of Support — Who Will Be There When It Matters? · 12:44 How to Start the Conversation When Families Don't Want To · 15:00 The Advanced Directive, HIPAA, and the POLST — The Three Essential Documents · 18:32 The Caregiving Crisis: Costs, Burnout, and Family Conflict · 23:36 Alzheimer's, Memory Care, and What It Actually Costs · 26:17 Protecting Assets: Trusts, Look-Back Periods, and Planning Ahead · 28:13 Navigating the Hospital System: Case Managers, Patient Advocates, and How to Fight for Your Loved One · 35:00 Palliative Care: What It Is, When to Use It, and Why Most People Don't Know · 38:09 Hospice: Medicare's Gift at the End of Life · 41:18 Chris's Story: Standing Up to the Hospital · 46:59 About the Book: The Last Things We Talk About · 50:16 Resources and Farewell Websites · elizabethboatwright.com · chrisyonker.com Book · The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions by Elizabeth Boatwright (Bull Publishing, 2021) — available on Amazon About Libby Boatwright Rev. Dr. Elizabeth "Libby" Boatwright, BCC-PCHAC, CFP, is a chaplain, pastor, certified financial planner, and author who has spent over 30 years counseling families on end-of-life issues, loss, grief, estate planning, and the emotional and spiritual dimensions of dying. She served as a Relief Chaplain in Oncology Outpatient Palliative Care Medicine at Stanford Health Care, where she worked alongside hundreds of patients and families navigating serious illness and end-of-life transitions. In her book The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions (Bull Publishing, 2021), Libby offers a practical framework for creating what she calls the "white book" — a simple binder or flash drive of all the materials a family will need when a loved one passes — helping heirs avoid what she calls "the treasure hunt" of lost documents and unspoken wishes. Libby has lectured at universities, colleges, and medical institutions, led seminars at national conventions, faith communities, parenting groups, senior fellowships, and estate planning forums. She has published in Cancer.net, Morningstar, CSA Journal, and Barron's, and has been featured in newspapers across the country. She has also appeared on ABC Nightly News and hosted her own radio show, The Fiscal Therapist, on KAIM. Libby holds Master's degrees from UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and Fuller Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies from George Fox University, and holds certifications as a Certified Financial Planner and Board Certified Chaplain with Advanced Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care. She lives in Northern California.

August 10, 2026Episode 16659 min

Preparing the Rising Generation for Succession with Jeremy Lurey

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 166: Preparing the Rising Generation for Succession with Jeremy Lurey In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker is joined by Dr. Jeremy Lurey of Family Legacy First for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on one of the most underserved dimensions of family business succession — preparing the people, not just the plan. Recorded as part of the Family Business Executive Forum, this episode moves beyond the mechanics of who gets what and digs into the real work: the relational ecosystem, the communication structures, the identity questions, and the developmental gaps that determine whether a rising generation will thrive or fracture when the founding generation steps away. Chris and Jeremy explore why calling the next generation "now-gen" instead of "next-gen" changes everything; why the how of succession always matters more than the who; what the dashboard of a healthy succession ecosystem actually looks like; why governance without communication is just paperwork; and why the families that navigate multi-generational continuity best are the ones focused on individual flourishing, not just business continuity. They also share real client stories — both cautionary and inspiring — that illustrate what happens when families do this work and what happens when they don't. Episode Chapters · 0:00 Setting the Stage: Succession as a Process, Not an Event · 2:21 The Family Succession Ecosystem — What's Really Required · 5:31 Founder Influence and the Decision-Making Shift Across Generations · 8:00 The Relational Structure of the Rising Generation — Are We Building It? · 9:57 Fair vs. Equal: The Question That Stops Rooms Cold · 13:10 The Succession Dashboard: Eight Indicators of Ecosystem Health · 16:36 Now-Gen vs. Next-Gen: Why the Language Matters · 19:20 Leadership Development Is Intentional, Not Accidental · 23:02 How Much Input Should the Outgoing Leader Have? · 25:34 What Got You Here Won't Get You There · 28:00 Stewardship vs. Ownership — A Whole Different Framework · 30:24 Why Holistic Discovery Matters More Than You Think · 32:47 Life Happens Through Communication · 36:21 Elevating from Me to We · 38:13 When the Patriarch Won't Let Go — Real Stories · 42:07 Jay Hughes, Flourishing, and the Individual in the Family System · 44:02 Now-Gen Outside the Enterprise — A Powerful Case Study · 50:24 Parting Wisdom: Where to Start in the Next Seven to Ten Years · 54:50 Building the Multidisciplinary Advisory Team · 55:26 Resources and Farewell Websites · familylegacyfirst.com · chrisyonker.com LinkedIn · Search Jeremy Lurey or Chris Yonker About Jeremy Lurey Dr. Jeremy Lurey is the founder of Family Legacy First, a consulting practice dedicated to helping multi-generational family enterprises navigate succession, governance, and legacy planning with a focus on the human side of the process. With a background in management consulting and executive coaching, Jeremy works with families across the country on leadership transitions, family councils, retreats, and the relational dynamics that determine whether a family business survives across generations. He is a sought-after speaker and facilitator known for his practical, story-driven approach and his conviction that succession is never just about choosing the right successor — it's about building the right ecosystem for the whole family to thrive.

July 27, 2026Episode 16553 min

Rethinking Succession in Family Business with Josh Baron

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 165: Rethinking Succession in Family Business with Josh Baron In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Josh Baron — Harvard Business School faculty member, co-founder of Banyan Global, and co-author of multiple Harvard Business Review works on family enterprise — for a rich, deeply practical conversation on the topic that never gets old: succession. Josh has spent 20 years advising family businesses and teaching at Columbia and Harvard, and what he keeps finding is that families don't fail at succession because they chose the wrong person. They fail because they never built the right process. Together Chris and Josh explore why a family business CEO who's been in the seat for 30 years is not facing a job change — they're facing an identity crisis; why the how of succession is more important than the what; the critical difference between conquerors and rulers and why the next generation doesn't need to look like the founder to be the right fit; how to use the arc of succession — assets, roles, and capabilities — as a planning framework; what happens when the founding generation leaves and the next generation discovers they have no one to resolve their disputes; and why working backwards from the far future is one of the most effective tools for getting a reluctant founder to engage. They also dig into the four ownership models used by successful multi-generational family businesses and why the question isn't just who should run the business — it's whether the family should have a business at all. Episode Chapters · 3:56 Meet Josh Baron · 5:13 From Bain to Banyan: How Josh Found His Way Into Family Business · 8:00 Why Succession Is an Evergreen Problem — and Always Will Be · 10:12 What the Rising Generation Is Really Feeling · 13:12 Why G1 and G2 Struggle to See Each Other Clearly · 15:39 When Is the Right Time to Start Succession Planning? · 16:05 The Arc of Succession: Assets, Roles, and Capabilities · 20:48 Succession Is a Process, Not an Event · 22:11 The Danger of the One-Winner Moment · 24:33 Why Every Generation Needs a Different Kind of Leader · 27:50 How to Help a Founder Embrace What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There · 30:00 Grafting: How the Next Gen Should Introduce New Ideas · 31:30 Working Backwards: The Most Effective Tool for Reluctant Founders · 35:35 What Happens When the Founder Leaves and the Glue Disappears · 38:00 Should We Even Have a Family Business? The Question Nobody Asks · 40:19 The Four Ownership Models and When Each One Works · 46:09 The How Is Greater Than the What · 49:06 When to Get Outside Help — and Why You Always Need It · 53:31 Resources and Farewell Websites · hbs.edu (search Josh Baron) · banyanglobal.com · chrisyonker.com Book & Articles · The Founder's Final Act — Harvard Business Review, September–October 2025 · Search "Josh Baron HBS" for the full catalog of published work About Josh Baron Josh Baron is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, coauthor of the Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook, and a cofounder of BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors.

July 13, 2026Episode 16445 min

Unlocking Inner Potential: Tools for Sustainable Leadership with Shalin Desai

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 164: Unlocking Inner Potential: Tools for Sustainable Leadership with Shalin Desai In the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker welcomes Shailendra (Shalin) Desai, an engineer and longtime Art of Living teacher who has spent 20 years teaching breathing techniques and meditation in 64 U.S. cities, including Fortune 500 companies. They discuss shifting leadership needs, employee disengagement, and generational differences, emphasizing that calm, regulated nervous systems support trust, connection, and better decision-making. Desai explains Art of Living's SKY Breath (Sudarshan Kriya) and cites research, including a Yale study comparing outcomes with mindfulness-based stress reduction and an emotional intelligence program, noting benefits like reduced cortisol and anxiety and increased purpose. He guides listeners through a short bellows breathing (Bhastrika) exercise and brief meditation, recommends starting the day with the practice, and frames breathwork as daily "mental hygiene." · 00:54 Meet Shalin Desai · 04:25 Leadership Engagement Crisis · 08:34 Generational Leadership Shift · 11:02 Breathwork For Calm Leaders · 17:42 Why Breath Before Meditation · 21:22 Guided 12 Minute Practice · 36:02 When To Use It · 36:35 Real World Impact Stories · 42:22 Mental Hygiene Mindset · 43:20 Resources And Farewell Websites · artofliving.org · chrisyonker.com About Shalin Desai Shalin Desai is the Director of Programs for the Art of Living Foundation, one of the world's largest nonprofit organizations, whose initiatives have positively impacted over 500 million people across 180+ countries. With more than 25 years of experience teaching breathwork and meditation, Shalin is known for integrating ancient wisdom with modern leadership and well-being practices. He also serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Sri Sri Tattva, a global wellness brand offering natural and Ayurvedic products that promote holistic health through a blend of tradition and science. For over 15 years, Shalin has designed and delivered corporate leadership and wellness programs for organizations including Microsoft, Dell, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, Salesforce, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co.. His work helps leaders and teams manage stress, build resilience, and cultivate mental clarity while reconnecting with a deeper sense of purpose. Personally trained by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Shalin is among a select group chosen to train teachers of the Art of Living programs. Through his seminars and speaking engagements, he combines scientific insight with practical tools that help individuals and organizations unlock sustainable performance and well-being.He is also known for his Intuitive Life Scan, a breakthrough approach in which trained guides provide unbiased, highly accurate insights into an individual's unique situation. Using techniques that access the intuitive space—also called Absolute Intelligence—participants gain clarity and actionable guidance beyond what conventional knowledge can offer. A highly engaging speaker known for his relatable storytelling and humor, Shalin inspires audiences with practical techniques they can apply immediately to improve focus, leadership, and overall well-being. Shalin holds a degree in Supply Chain Management from the State University of New York and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two children.

June 29, 2026Episode 16339 min

Wealth Is Wellbeing: Helping Families Flourish with Susan Weingartner

Susan Weingartner has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of capital and human behavior. Although she grew up as the daughter of a wealth advisor, Susan initially chose a different path. Her career led her through philanthropy, impact investing, sustainable real estate, and capital markets, where she came to understand a powerful truth: wealth is never just financial. It carries responsibility, and when that responsibility remains unspoken, it shapes families in ways they don't expect. As a founder of a family enterprise, former CEO, investor, and leader in philanthropy and impact investing, Susan brings a rare cross-disciplinary perspective to conversations about legacy, stewardship, and the human side of wealth. Today, Susan helps families prepare the next generation for the responsibility and stewardship of wealth. Through her speaking, advising, and thought leadership, she helps families, advisors, and institutions prepare people, not just assets, for the future.