Fearless Family Business

Adam Hill

Fearless Family Business focuses on the unique dynamics and challenges of family-owned enterprises. Hosted by Adam Hill, a fourth-generation CEO and passionate advocate for family businesses, the show aims to empower listeners by sharing insights, best practices, and personal experiences. Each episode will explore essential topics such as generational succession planning, maintaining founder values, and fostering healthy family relationships within the business context.

  1. 09/02/2025

    From Childhood Adversity to "Good Shepherd" Leadership with Peter Bissonnette

    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 developed an unwavering faith in himself and others. This faith, coupled with life lessons, fueled his rise in the corporate world without succumbing to ruthless business practices. The conversation covers the value of mentorship, the importance of a strong work ethic, and the philosophy of being a 'Good Shepherd' in leadership. Peter also touches on the importance of creating lasting legacies and the role of family trusts in supporting future generations. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone questioning their ability to lead or overcome past wounds. 00:00 Introduction to Peter Bissonnette's Journey 02:33 Early Life and Family Struggles 05:14 Boarding School Experiences 09:25 Finding Strength and Mentors 15:09 Career Beginnings and Mentorship 19:55 Transition to Family Businesses 31:55 The Influence of JR and Family Values 34:00 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Values 36:08 Leadership and Team Dynamics 38:50 Navigating Family and Business Challenges 47:33 Legacy and Generational Trust 52:05 Writing the Memoir: Count on Me 57:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections Buy Peter's book, "Count On Me: My Life, Lessons, and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications"n

    1h 2m

  2. 08/26/2025

    Navigating Conflict Through Mediation in Family Businesses with Katie Kolon

    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 settings. She emphasizes the importance of addressing conflicts early and with intention to build trust and ensure long-term success. Tune in to learn about the process of mediation, the critical role of dignity in conflict resolution, and the actionable steps that businesses can take to manage tensions and plan for smooth successions. This episode is essential for anyone involved in managing family businesses and looking to transform conflict into growth opportunities. 00:00 Introduction to Conflict in Family Business 00:19 Meet Katie Kolon: From Attorney to Mediator 02:10 Katie's Background and Early Career 05:12 Navigating Small Town Dynamics 14:05 Transition to Mediation and Conflict Resolution 18:35 The Mediation Process Explained 21:53 Challenges in Mediation 25:16 Reframing Conflict for Growth 32:01 Succession Planning and Dignity 35:54 Conclusion and Contact Information Find Katie HERE: https://www.mutual-ground.com/

    39 min

  3. 08/19/2025

    How to Build a Bulletproof Succession Plan for Your Family 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. Topics covered include placing the right people in the right roles, identifying future leaders early, creating a leadership development pipeline, documenting vision and processes, and creating a timeline for transition. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of building financial, human, structural, customer, and social capital to enhance the business's value and ensure a smooth and valuable transition. 00:00 Introduction to Succession Planning 00:34 The Importance of Succession Planning 01:14 Steps to Create a Bulletproof Succession Plan 03:33 Leadership Succession: Key Steps 10:57 Identifying and Developing Future Leaders 16:50 Documenting Vision and Values 19:01 Defining the Transition Timeline 23:11 Ownership Transition Strategies 23:47 Building Inherent Value in Your Business 26:44 The Five Capitals of Business Value 32:21 Summary and Final Thoughts

    34 min

  4. 08/12/2025

    How Servant Leadership Can Transform Your Family Business With Ed Hart

    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 that flourished due to humility and openness to outside insights. Ed shares stories from his extensive experience working with family businesses, offering valuable advice on conflict resolution, the importance of servant leadership, and preparing for retirement. The episode is a treasure trove of insights for family business leaders navigating legacy and generational dynamics, eager to strengthen love, legacy, and lifestyle within their organizations. If you're a family business leader, this episode is a must-listen. Enjoy the deep, fearless conversation that encapsulates the essence of maintaining a thriving family business. 00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence in Family Business 01:41 Welcoming Ed Hart: A Journey Through Family Business 02:34 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Family Businesses 04:26 The Importance of Emotional and Cultural Intelligence 06:11 The Role of Advisors and External Help 13:00 Generational Dynamics and Succession Planning 24:08 Conflict Resolution and Family First Philosophy 29:53 Navigating Family and Business Dynamics 30:12 Examples of Successful Family Businesses31:26 The Importance of Managing Expectations 32:15 The Pressure of Maintaining a Family Legacy33:41 The Reality of Selling a Family Business 34:09 Transitioning Leadership in Family Businesses 37:39 Preparing for Retirement and Finding New Passions 43:55 Boomer Wisdom: Lessons for the Next Generation 48:45 The Value of Intergenerational Learning 50:12 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFind Ed HERE Hart Leadership Group From the Hart Podcast Boomer Wisdom

    56 min

  5. 08/05/2025

    E:48 Is the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Bad for Family Business?

    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 implications for family businesses and society as a whole. Key points include the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis through increased immigration enforcement, the enlargement of the federal deficit, and the widening wealth gap. Adam advocates for investment in education, healthcare, and inclusion as essential pathways for sustainable economic prosperity and value creation. The episode underscores the need for family businesses to focus on innovation and long-term legacy rather than short-term gains. 00:00 Introduction: The Big Beautiful Bill 00:19 Why I Oppose the Bill 01:46 Overview of the Legislation 03:51 Impact on Social Programs and Defense Spending 06:44 Humanitarian Crisis and Immigration Enforcement 10:35 Deficit and Fiscal Responsibility 22:06 Wealth Gap and Value Creation 26:38 Conclusion: A Call to Action for Family Businesses

    29 min

  6. 07/29/2025

    E47: How Evolutionary Psychology Shapes Your Relationships and Family Business Success with Tim Ash

    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 Google, Expedia, and Facebook. But his real expertise lies in understanding the primal brain that drives all human behavior. In this fascinating conversation, Tim reveals how evolutionary psychology impacts everything from family business succession to marketing strategy to relationship dynamics. Discover why traditional family business advice might be fighting against millions of years of human evolution, how to properly initiate employees into your tribe, and why your personal purpose determines your company's success. This episode pulls back the curtain on the biological forces shaping your business decisions—whether you realize it or not. 0:00 Intro 3:14 From AI Research to $1.2 Billion in Digital Growth 6:37 Why Evolution Only Cares About Reproduction, Not Happiness 10:35 The Surprising Truth About Grandparent Investment Patterns 14:22 Why "We're All Family" May Be Sabotaging Your Business 20:26 The Fractional Executive Solution for Mid-Market Companies 26:03 Brand Voice: The One Thing You Can't Outsource 31:14 The Four Elements of Tribal Initiation in Business 39:56 Primal Dating: The Science Behind Modern Relationship Failure 44:41 Why 50% Divorce Rate Threatens Family Business Planning 51:36 The Minimum Relationship Framework for Business Partners Resources Mentioned: 📚 "Unleash Your Primal Brain" by Tim Ash 📚 "Primal Dating" by Tim Ash & Dr. Lamour Gottlieb 🌐 Tim's Executive Advisory: https://www.timash.com 🌐 Primal Dating: https://www.primaldating.com 📧 Contact Adam to request a free 90-minute EOS workshop: adam.hill@eosworldwide.com Follow Adam: IG: @theadamchill YouTube: @adamchill Shownotes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamchill

    56 min

  7. 07/22/2025

    E46: What Hollywood Can Teach Us About Running a Drama-Free Family Business

    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 movies and TV, revealing the three critical elements that could have saved them all. Drawing from his experience leading a fourth-generation company and analyzing shows like “Arrested Development” and “Schitt's Creek”, he uncovers why 70% of family businesses fail and how to build a drama-free operation that won't end up as Hollywood's next comedy. This episode is your guide to creating the kind of boring, successful family business that would never make it to the big screen—and why that's exactly what you want. 0:00 Intro 2:15 Why Family Businesses Are Hollywood's Favorite Punching Bag 8:45 Arrested Development: The Anatomy of Denial 12:30 Succession: When Power Trumps Purpose 15:20 Tommy Boy & Billy Madison: The Unpreparedness Problem 18:10 The Righteous Gemstones: Identity vs. Mission 21:45 The Three Elements That Could Save Every Hollywood Family Business 25:20 Building Accountability Through Structure, Not People 30:15 Communication: From Artificial Harmony to Healthy Conflict 35:40 Preparation: Teaching Value Creation Over Preservation Resources Mentioned: 🌐 Patrick Lencioni's Conflict Continuum: https://www.tablegroup.com/conflict-continuum 🌐 Harvard's Strategic Insights in Three Circles: https://hbr.org/2007/11/strategic-insight-in-three-circles 🌐  EOS Accountability Chart: https://www.eosworldwide.com/accountability-chart-download 📧 Contact Adam to request a free 90-minute EOS workshop: adam.hill@eosworldwide.com Follow Adam: IG: @theadamchill YouTube: @adamchill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamchill

    43 min

  8. 07/15/2025

    E45: The Way You Think About Legacy May Be Destroying Your Business

    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 watched his own family business nearly collapse under the weight of trying to preserve what was–instead of preparing what could be.  Discover why 70% of family businesses fail to transition to the second generation, how the hero's journey applies to family legacy, and the critical difference between creating mythology versus building a blueprint for the future. If you're a family business leader worried about succession, this episode will fundamentally shift how you think about preparing the next generation. 0:00 Introduction 6:45 The Legacy Trap That Nearly Destroyed Our Business 9:12 Why 70% of Family Businesses Fail by Generation Two 12:30 Preservation vs. Preparation: The Critical Difference 15:18 The Sacred Cow Problem in Multi-Generational Companies 18:45 Why Value Creation Is the True Foundation of Legacy 21:33 Individual Legacy vs. Collective Legacy 23:20 The Hero's Journey and Family Business Succession Resources Mentioned: 📚 “The Hero's Journey” by Joseph Campbell: https://a.co/d/64dkfvZ 📧 Contact Adam to request a free 90-minute EOS workshop: adam.hill@eosworldwide.com Follow Adam: IG: @theadamchill YouTube: @adamchill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamchill

    26 min
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About

Fearless Family Business focuses on the unique dynamics and challenges of family-owned enterprises. Hosted by Adam Hill, a fourth-generation CEO and passionate advocate for family businesses, the show aims to empower listeners by sharing insights, best practices, and personal experiences. Each episode will explore essential topics such as generational succession planning, maintaining founder values, and fostering healthy family relationships within the business context.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Hill
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    284
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Adam Hill
  • Show Website
    Fearless Family Business