The Enlightened Family Business Podcast

Ep. 146: How Great Leaders Turn Challenges into Puzzles with Radhika Dutt

In this, the first episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker engages with guest Radhika, a seasoned advisor and published author, to discuss transformative strategies for family businesses. They delve into the concept of replacing traditional goal setting with a 'puzzle setting and puzzle solving' approach, emphasizing curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative learning. The discussion explores how family businesses can navigate succession, integrate innovative thinking, and balance risk while fostering clear communication and family alignment. This episode offers valuable insights for family business owners and leaders seeking sustainable growth and harmonious leadership transition.

· 00:55 The Old Model of Goal Setting

· 01:49 Guest Introduction: Radhika's Background

· 06:37 The Puzzle Setting Approach

· 07:38 The Importance of Succession Planning

· 16:52 The Problems with KPIs and Target Setting

· 21:48 Shifting from Goals to Puzzles in Business

· 23:44 Implementing Puzzle Solving in Sales

· 28:02 Collaborative Learning and Curiosity

· 33:11 Navigating Family Business Transitions

· 38:54 Balancing Risk in Family Businesses

· 41:24 Learning from Other Industries

· 43:59 Conclusion and Resources

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· OHLS Toolkit

· linkedin: @radhika-dutt

Radhika's Bio:

Radhika Dutt is the author of Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter which has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. The methodology she introduced in her first book is now used in over 40 countries. She is an entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader who has participated in five acquisitions, two of which were companies that she founded. She is currently Advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Singapore's central bank and financial regulator), and does consulting and training for organizations ranging from high-tech startups to multinationals on building radical products that create a fundamental change. Radhika has built products in a wide range of industries including broadcast, media and entertainment, telecom, advertising technology, government, consumer apps, robotics, and even wine. She graduated from MIT with an SB and M.Eng in Electrical Engineering, and speaks nine languages.

Radhika is now working on her second book – it's about why goals and targets backfire and what actually works.

Welcome to the Enlightened Family Business Podcast.

In this inaugural episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker introduces his unique approach to family business advising. Shifting focus from traditional elements like structures and finances, Chris emphasizes the importance of communication, inner awareness, alignment, and adaptive governance to create lasting legacy and harmony. Drawing on his 15 years of experience, Chris shares insights into navigating critical transitions such as generational succession and cultural shifts. Listeners are invited to explore deeper strategies for thriving family enterprises and to join the conversation through free webinars and forums hosted on chrisyoker.com.

· 00:00 Introduction to the Enlightened Family Business Podcast

· 00:54 Purpose and Vision of the Podcast

· 01:04 Host's Background and Philosophy

· 01:35 Exploring Key Themes and Frameworks

· 01:58 Call to Action and Resources

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 145

The ROI of Inner Work: Why Conscious Leaders Outperform

with Michael Brabant

In this episode of 'Secret Thoughts of CEOs and Business Leaders,' host Chris Yonker delves into a profound conversation with Dr. Michael Brabant, a PhD, who specializes in leadership and personal development. They explore the future of leadership, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and psychological safety within organizations. Dr. Brabant shares his personal journey, discussing his work on integrating higher states of consciousness into leadership and recounting his path from academia to leading meditation retreats and coaching top executives. The discussion also covers the interplay between individual and collective growth, the significance of nervous system regulation, and the transformational potential when leaders model true openness and humility. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders looking to deepen their impact and foster a more connected and empowered workplace.

· 01:01 Exploring Leadership with Dr. Michael Brabant

· 02:38 Michael's Journey and Insights

· 07:46 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership

· 15:52 Navigating Family Systems and Truth

· 25:28 Codependency and Sovereignty in Leadership

· 31:33 Inner and Outer Leadership Dynamics

· 36:41 Emergent Leadership and Consciousness

· 44:11 The ROI of Inner Work for Leaders

· 48:46 Conclusion and Resources

Quotes

·  " I think that in a world of AI and spoken wisdom that's not lived. People can try to close the gap of who they want to be and who they actually are by rhetoric and by tactics, and by complexity."[03:36]

·  "  Most people aren't vulnerable unless they have to be."[11:40]

· "  And if my sparkler is lit because I'm lit, I have a lit relationship with my wife. I have a healthy relationship with my body. I'm connected spiritually. When I'm in my leadership role, I'm catalytic. I'm spiritually contagious, and it helps to light people's sparklers.' [45:04]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· candorandcoherence.com

· Instagram: @candorandcoherence

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 144

Family Business at a Crossroads: Navigating Relationships, Governance &

with Ruschelle Khanna.

In this episode, host Chris Yonker delves into the intricacies of family business management with guest expert Ruschelle Khanna. They discuss the importance of family governance, handling narcissistic family members, and breaking cycles of resentment. Ruschelle shares her journey from therapy to working with ultra-high-net-worth families and offers actionable advice for next-gen leaders in family businesses. Listeners are encouraged to seek support and set clear boundaries to foster healthier family dynamics and long-term business success.

· 01:31 Guest Introduction: Rochelle's Journey

· 07:08 Chris Yoker's Background and Personal Story

· 08:09 Understanding Family Dynamics and Trauma

· 15:40 Navigating Family Business Challenges

· 23:49 Dealing with Narcissistic Family Members

· 28:42 Navigating Narcissistic Relationships

· 30:52 Setting Boundaries with Narcissists

· 32:32 The Importance of Family Governance

· 37:14 Educating the Next Generation

· 43:04 Addressing Family Resentments

· 49:53 Taking Action on Family Issues

Quotes

·  "I started to see this overlap between. Money and health and family patterns and how it's all, we can't separate it at all." [05:58]

·  " Do some work yourself, because you're the ripple that is gonna start impacting the rest of the family. And when you shift your whole family shifts."[19:02]

· " Yeah, because it's both, right? There's what a lot of times it's like, look, I believe you. Your family's difficult. I am not discrediting that. But you also are bringing a bunch of stuff that is probably not helpful, and that's usually what I see.' [52:09]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· ruschellekhanna.com

· LinkedIn: @ruschellekhanna

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 143

Stop Leading on Autopilot: Mastering Conscious Communication.

With Chuck Wisner

In this episode, Chris Yonker dives into the family business world and effective communication strategies, with this week's guest, Chuck Wisner. Chuck is a seasoned advisor and coach in communication and leadership. Together, they discuss Chuck's book The Art of Conscious Conversations. The discussion explores themes such as the importance of examining hidden thoughts and stories that influence our communication patterns, the process of improving listening and communication skills, and strategies for facilitating effective conversations in high-stakes environments. Chuck shares insights on the value of awareness, vulnerability, and intention in transforming how we talk, listen, and interact, both in family settings and professional teams.

· 01:31 The Importance of Conscious Conversations

· 04:27 Understanding Conversational Patterns

· 09:44 The Power of Stories in Communication

· 14:29 Navigating Communication Challenges

· 17:45 Improving Listening and Understanding

· 20:36 The Practice of Managing Triggers

· 23:27 Building Better Conversations

· 25:19 The Power of Open-Handed Communication

· 28:02 Navigating Hostility in Teams and Families

· 28:58 Facilitation Techniques for Effective Dialogue

· 30:16 The Importance of Listening and Perspective Sharing

· 33:05 Leadership and the Power of Influence

· 41:09 Self-Awareness and Changing Behavioral

Quotes

·  " I think we never were taught the ABCs of conversations, it's like, your notion about the fish and water. I use a similar quote all the time. We're like humans in conversation, not aware of the water we're swimming in, you know, we're just in it, because it's so habitual [07:58]

·  " It's this ego thing of holding onto your position tightly, having the answer. Rather than saying, can I learn something, Can I be a little humble? [26:11]

· "My basic theory is the bigger the gap between what I'm seeing out loud and what I'm thinking, the more stress we live in.' [39:33]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· The Art of Conscious Conversations by Chuck Wisner

· Chuckwisner.com

· Facebook: Chuck Wisner

· LinkedIn: Chuck Wisner

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 142

The Art of Transitions, Maintaining Harmony, and Heritage

with Scott Anderson

In this deeply revealing episode, Chris Yonker sits down with Scott Anderson, founder and CEO of Doubledare Executive Coaching and a licensed mental health therapist, to unpack the silent epidemic of burnout among entrepreneurs and executives. With personal experience as a serial entrepreneur and trauma-informed therapist, Scott shares the real definition of burnout, why high performers are most susceptible to it, and how to reverse it—quickly and permanently.

They explore the psychology behind overworking, the nervous system's role in stress addiction, and the cultural myths that keep us in cycles of burnout. Scott outlines a practical path to healing and freedom, including how to neutralize the stories that drive compulsive behavior, how to regulate stress in real-time, and what life looks like on the other side of burnout.

• 02:00 - What is burnout and how do we define it
• 04:20 - Scott's personal story: serial entrepreneurship and collapse
• 06:40 - The official definition and symptoms of burnout
• 08:30 - When rest doesn't help: signs it's not "just stress"
• 10:15 - The dangerous story behind entrepreneurial drive
• 14:00 - How childhood trauma contributes to burnout patterns
• 18:30 - Somatic stress recovery vs. "figuring it out" in your head
• 22:00 - R&R technique for real-time stress release
• 26:30 - What life after burnout looks like
• 32:00 - How to neutralize your most toxic stories

Quotes

· "Working harder and worrying more works - until it doesn't."
[09:10]

· "The most dangerous part is that burnout actually predicts financial success. That's what makes it so insidious."
[37:20]

· "Life beyond burnout is not a compromise. It's a profound upgrade."
[39:30]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· doubledareyou.us

· BurnoutBreakthrough.com – Learn more about Scott's programs and book

· FastFixCall.com – Schedule a free 15-minute triage call

· Burnout Breakthrough – Available through Scott's site

Scott's Bio:

Scott Anderson is the founder and CEO of Doubledare Executive Coaching and Consulting, and
is a licensed mental health therapist. He has been featured in both Forbes and Entrepreneur
Magazines, and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and high-performance executives break
through painful plateaus and achieve even higher levels of success and fulfillment at work and
at home.

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 141

Balancing Boardrooms and Bedrooms - When You and Your Spouse are in a Family Business Together With Gabriela Embon

In this powerful and practical episode, Chris Yonker is joined by transformational coach and author Gabriela Embon to explore what it really takes to sustain a legendary marriage—especially when love and business intertwine. Gabriela shares insights from her journey from engineer to relationship strategist and introduces the Four Pillars of Legendary Marriage from her book Becoming a Power Couple.

Together, they dive into boundaries, communication, conflict repair, intimacy, self-awareness, co-leadership, and how couples can integrate their personal and professional lives with more grace, connection, and fulfillment. Whether you and your partner work together or not, this episode is packed with real-life tools to deepen your bond while still pursuing ambitious goals.

• 02:14 – Why relationships fall apart when home gets the "leftovers"
• 07:00 – "Your spouse comes first" - navigating loyalty and family friction
• 13:00 – Creating new identities when becoming a spouse and parent
• 16:00 – When both partners are drained - how disconnection begins
• 18:30 – Presence over performance: love is not about taking
• 24:00 – Operational vs. connection rituals to run a marriage well
• 26:30 – The power of "communication on demand" and weekly planning
• 28:00 – Physical intimacy as a foundation for emotional intimacy
• 30:00 – Couples working together: blending romance with strategy
• 35:30 – How affairs and breakdowns begin: the warning signs
• 38:00 – The bedroom is the sanctuary: why sleeping apart is a red flag
• 41:00 – Resentment, indifference, and relationship repair
• 44:25 – About Gabriela's book and where to learn more

Quotes

· "Your spouse comes first—even before your children, your parents, your business partners. Nothing should come between you."[07:32]

· "When one partner feels like they're getting the leftovers, it's often because they've abandoned the co-creation of the relationship."[16:07]

· "Love is beautiful—but it's not a strategy. Commitment is. Rituals are. Showing up even when you don't feel like it is."[28:30]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

• GabrielaEmbon.com
• Gabriela's Book: Becoming a Power Couple
• Gabriela's LinkedIn
• Gabriela's Facebook
• Own Your Choices Own Your Life: The Four Pillars of a Power Couple with Gabriela Embon
• Own Your Creativity: Uncovering Truth in Conflict Gabriela Embon
• Forgive and Thrive: 179 | Essential Tools For Building A Lasting relationship with Gabriela Embon