56: The Link Between Family Business Research and Advising
Release Date: 03/12/2024
78: Compensation in Family Business: Challenges and Strategies
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Host Aileen Miziolek speaks with Gerry Meyer about navigating the complexities of compensation in family enterprises through the lens of the three-circle model. Their conversation explores the tension between fairness and equality, the importance of role-based pay and formal policies, and how remuneration differs across the business, ownership and family systems. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of . Guest bio Gerry has over 40 years of experience in all aspects...
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77: Rediscovering the Leader Beneath the Stewardship
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Host Steve Legler speaks with Executive Coach Jill Nykoliation ahead of her Keynote set for Family Enterprise Canada's upcoming Symposium in Vancouver, taking place May 25-27, 2026. The discussion covers some of the limits of a stewardship mentality, and delves into helping each family member discover their own innate drivers and talents to use in service of the family enterprise All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of . Guest bio Jill Nykoliation is an award-winning...
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76: Love, Wisdom, Money
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Host Steve Legler speaks with Buddy Thomas, the author of Love, Wisdom, Money: The Family Fiduciary's Guide to Generative Wealth. Together, they discuss the concept of a ‘Family Fiduciary’ and the importance of putting those three elements—Love, Wisdom and Money—in the right order. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of . Guest bio Buddy Thomas is the founder of Superior Planning – Family Office, specializing in customized family wealth and relationship...
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75: Cognitive Optimization for Leadership
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
In this episode, host Aileen Miziolek speaks with Celina Caesar-Chavannes about why ‘change’ can feel so difficult in family businesses. Celina explains, in simple terms, how our brains get used to certain ways of thinking and reacting—and how that affects family relationships and decision-making. She also offers practical advice and resources to help families and professionals better navigate change and work together more effectively. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent...
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74: The Best of 2025 (A Retrospective)
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Regular hosts Aileen Miziolek and Steve Legler discuss some of their favourite episodes and insights from 2025's episodes of the Let's Talk Family Enterprise podcast. Hear them share their greatest takeaways and bring back good memories while encouraging listeners to subscribe for more! All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of . Key Takeaways [0:26] Steve Legler and Aileen Miziolek come together for a year-end review for the Let’s Talk Family Enterprise podcast....
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73: Understanding ADHD in Family Enterprises
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Host Aileen Miziolek speaks with Dr. Tamara Rosier about how ADHD can show up in adults and the common misconceptions that can shape family enterprise dynamics. They explore how traits such as emotional dysregulation, risk-taking and divergent thinking influence communication, trust and generational roles within enterprising families. Dr. Rosier also shares practical ways to design systems that support neurodivergent minds, and highlights the value of coaching and self-awareness in helping families work more effectively together. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this...
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72: Navigating Complexity in Enterprising Families
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Host Steve Legler speaks with Michelle Osry about how families need to deal with both complicated issues that require specific solutions, as well as complex challenges that require different skills to navigate to help the family make progress. They discuss the challenges in getting both advisors and families to understand these distinctions and find ways to work on having each family's best outcome emerge from co-creation. Guest bio Michelle Osry works with family enterprises and offices on governance and generational transition. She draws from a broad experience and range of disciplines and...
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71: Parenting Adult Children in Family Business
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Aileen Miziolek hosts an in-depth conversation with Alyson Schafer, an acclaimed author and Adlerian family counsellor. In this thoughtful 30-minute episode, they touch on issues around over- and under-functioning children, why the notion of fair vs. equal in childhood can impact long-term family business dynamics, and how tackling the unique challenges of enterprising families requires maturity, open-mindedness and an understanding that sometimes personal responsibility is the only path forward. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the...
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70: How to NOT Ruin Your Kids With Money
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
Steve Legler speaks with U.S. estate planning attorney Mark Shiller about his book, How to NOT Ruin Your Kids With Money: Navigating the Challenges of Transitioning Wealth in Families. Together, they discuss issues around character, competence, and capacity, the maturation process, and the uniqueness of each family member, with lots of useful tidbits for parents and rising generation family members along the way. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of . Guest bio...
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69: The Skilled Facilitator
Let's Talk Family Enterprise
In this episode, Aileen Miziolek speaks with renowned facilitator and author Roger Schwarz about the critical roles facilitators and consultants play—especially in complex systems like family enterprises. Roger explores how mutual learning, clear boundaries and transparency can elevate the value professionals bring to their clients, offering practical insights and tools for navigating advisory roles with compassion and clarity. All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of ....
info_outlineAmbreen Bhaloo, Family Enterprise Advisor, guest hosts this episode and welcomes Francesco Barbera, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at The Ted Rogers School of Management for an in-depth discussion on the issue of homogeneity (all family firms are the same) vs. heterogeneity (all family firms are unique). In what ways does family governance lead to greater firm performance? Listen to this episode to find out!
Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.
All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Canada.
Guest bio
Dr. Francesco Barbera is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at The Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. His teaching and research interests encompass a wide range of topics related to family business, entrepreneurship, small business management, and family business education. Francesco is an international, award-winning author and educator and regularly presents at renowned conferences and workshops.
You can learn more about Dr. Francesco Barbera on the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Management website and on his LinkedIn.
Key Takeaways
[:26] Ambreen Bhaloo welcomes Dr. Francesco Barbera and invites him to share a little bit about his research interests and how they inform family advising.
[5:22] Dr. Barbera explains the importance of heterogeneity research when it comes to family enterprises and what this means for advisors.
[7:50] A recently published research explores how family structures impact the way governance leads to performance, Dr. Francesco shares some of the findings.
[11:07] Dr. Barbera explains what family functioning is and why it affects firm performance.
[16:11] The future of family business research looks heterogeneous; Dr. Francesco shares the areas of study he sees coming up next.
[20:23] Staying up to date on the latest academic knowledge will require work on the family advisor’s part.
[24:00] About Dr. Barbera’s work with the Family Institute.
[27:18] Dr. Francesco Barbera’s advice for advisors.
[27:48] Ambreen thanks Dr. Francesco Barbera for sharing his knowledge and closes this episode by reminding listeners about the upcoming Family Business Symposium held from May 27th to 29th in Calgary, Alberta.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can subscribe to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Please remember to share this episode with family, friends, and colleagues.
Share your thoughts with us at fea@familyenterprise.ca.
Mentioned in this episode
“Family governance and firm performance: exploring the intermediate effects of family functioning and competitive advantage”, Francesco Barbera and Tim Hasso, November 2022, Journal of Family Business Management 13(2)
The Family Business Symposium will take place on May 27‒29, 2024 in Calgary.
More about Family Enterprise Canada