Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Francesco Lombardo
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Safe Space is a podcast for Family Business Leaders and Next Gens exploring the financial, human and social capital of family businesses. In each episode, trusted advisor Francesco Lombardo, will share a conversation with a diverse range of guests, offering you practical tools and guidance to help you navigate the unique familial relationships within family businesses.

  1. 1D AGO

    Unlocking Procrastination: Emotional Roots and Family Strategies

    Stop letting procrastination stall your family business succession. Dr. Moira Somers explains the neuroscience of avoidance and how to master emotional regulation for better family governance. Why do the smartest families avoid the most important conversations? Whether it's succession planning, wealth transition, or conflict resolution, the "fault lines" in a family business usually aren't financial—they're neurological. In this episode of Safe Space, we sit down with neuropsychologist and family wealth consultant Dr. Moira Somers. As the author of Advice that Sticks, Moira has spent her career studying why high-net-worth families often know what to do, yet fail to do it. We dive deep into the psychology of procrastination and avoidance, moving past the "just do it" advice to understand the fear and anxiety that keep families stuck. We solve three core problems in this conversation: The Avoidance Trap: Why your family "forgets" to talk about the future and how to break the cycle of procrastination. Facilitating the Hard Stuff: A pragmatic roadmap for hosting difficult family conversations without ending in emotional shutdowns. The Trust Factor: How emotional regulation and behavioral economics can be used to build a stronger foundation for family enterprise governance. If you are a "Family Champion" or a leader in a family office struggling with a stalled transition, Moira's grounded approach offers a way to bring about positive change. It's time to move from "misconduct" and "fault lines" to a future built on trust and strategic clarity. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    40 min

  2. APR 14

    Inheriting a 70-Year-Old Family Business: Embracing Change with 3rd Gen Leadership

    How do you modernize a 70-year-old family brand without losing its soul? Marshall Rabil, CEO of Hubs Peanut Company, joins Safe Space to discuss family business succession, co-create a family legacy and innovation strategy. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    30 min

  3. MAR 31

    Stewardship, Values, and Reconciliation

    In this episode, Francesco Lombardo sits down with Karen Alko, a fourth-generation steward of ABC Recycling and her role as a "family champion" for governance and legacy. As a 2025 Transformational Women in Family Business Award recipient, Karen discusses how she integrates core family values into long-term strategy and the importance of next-generation planning. The conversation explores her efforts in fostering community relations and social impact, including her leadership in Indigenous reconciliation and staff education. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    27 min

  4. MAR 17

    The Relentless Family Champion

    In this episode, Francesco Lombardo interviews Anthony Contrucci, a fifth-generation member of a family business, Centier Bank. They discuss the concept of a 'family champion'—a person who plays a crucial role in preserving family legacy and navigating the complexities of family dynamics. Anthony shares his personal journey, the challenges he faced, and the importance of emotional cohesion and governance in family enterprises. He emphasizes the need for passion, support, and continuous learning for those stepping into the role of a family champion. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    30 min

  5. MAR 3

    The Emotional Landscape of Parenting

    In this episode, Francesco Lombardo speaks with parenting expert Manu Brune about the complexities of parenting, especially in wealthy families. They discuss the challenges of navigating emotional intelligence, entitlement, and the importance of compassion in parenting. Manu emphasizes the need for parents to teach their children how to handle uncomfortable emotions and the role of grandparents in fostering emotional development. The conversation also touches on reframing guilt and shame in parenting, highlighting that relationships can heal through presence and awareness. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    28 min

  6. FEB 17

    Intentionally Investing in Family Closeness

    In this episode of Safe Space, Kunal Amalean shares insights on the dynamics of family businesses, emphasizing the importance of closeness among family members. He discusses how his family maintained strong relationships despite geographical distances and the intentional efforts made to ensure emotional intimacy across generations. Kunal highlights the return on investment of fostering closeness, not only in terms of family harmony but also in business success. He concludes with advice for future generations on the significance of understanding oneself and others within the family context. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    31 min

  7. FEB 3

    Passion and Stewardship in Winemaking with Véronique Sanders

    In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo welcomes Véronique Sanders, the steward of Château Haut-Bailly, a prestigious Bordeaux winery with a rich history dating back 800 years. Véronique shares about the complexity of her family's history with the business, emphasizing the emotional connection she has with the land and the importance of passion in winemaking. She discusses the responsibilities that come with being a custodian of the estate, highlighting the need to preserve its legacy for future generations while adapting to modern challenges such as climate change and shifting consumer habits. Throughout the conversation, Véronique reflects on the evolving landscape of the wine industry, particularly the changing drinking habits of younger generations. She believes that while studies suggest a decline in wine consumption among youth, personal experiences reveal a different narrative. The episode concludes with Véronique offering valuable advice to both current and future generations, urging them to stay curious and authentic while embracing their roles as stewards of their family legacies. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    26 min

  8. JAN 20

    Navigating Family Dynamics: Beyond Binary Thinking

    In this episode of Safe Space, Daniel Trimarchi and Francesco explore the often-unspoken complexities of family dynamics, particularly the tendency toward binary thinking (right or wrong, in or out, success or failure) that can quietly limit relationships within enterprising families. Daniel challenges this mindset by inviting families to recognize the "gray space," where nuance, curiosity, and empathy create room for deeper connection, better decision-making, and unexpected opportunities. Drawing on more than 16 years of global experience advising business families, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, Daniel shares how governance frameworks, clear communication, and accountability can help families navigate complexity without losing trust or emotional safety. As National Lead for Family Dynamics & Governance at KPMG Australia and a member of KPMG's Global Centre of Excellence for Family Business, he brings a rare blend of academic insight and practical application to conversations about change, conflict, and continuity. Throughout the episode, Daniel emphasizes that embracing complexity—rather than avoiding it—can unlock creativity, strengthen relationships, and support more sustainable family enterprises across generations. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

    21 min
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5
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7 Ratings

About

Safe Space is a podcast for Family Business Leaders and Next Gens exploring the financial, human and social capital of family businesses. In each episode, trusted advisor Francesco Lombardo, will share a conversation with a diverse range of guests, offering you practical tools and guidance to help you navigate the unique familial relationships within family businesses.

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