The ROI of Inner Work: Why Conscious Leaders Outperform with Michael Brabant
The Enlightened Family Business Podcast
Release Date: 10/20/2025
The Enlightened Family Business Podcast
The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 159: The Story Only Your Family Can Tell with Roy Moëd & Yvette Conn In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Roy Moëd and Yvette Conn, co-founders of Lifebook Memoirs, for a rich conversation about why documenting the stories of family business founders may be one of the most underutilized tools in the entire legacy planning space. Roy’s journey into this work began with a deeply personal moment — repeatedly shutting down his blind father’s stories until it was almost too...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 158: You Can’t Lead the Next Generation If You’re Not Around For It — Dr. Mark Su on Longevity In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Dr. Mark Su, functional and longevity medicine physician, founder of RootSeek Health and True Wellness Clinic in New England, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it actually means to take authority over your own biology. Dr. Su breaks down the three-category framework he uses in his longevity practice — age-related diseases, cellular root...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 157: The Conversation Your Family Needs to Have Before You Die — with Attorney Don Ford In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Don Don Ford III, estate planning attorney and founding partner at Ford Bergner in Texas, for a candid conversation about the estate planning conversations most families are actively avoiding — and what it costs them when they do. Drawing on over 30 years of working with high-net-worth families and business owners, Don shares the real-world consequences of...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 156: The Hollow Win: What a mid-eight figure Exit Taught One CEO About Money, Purpose, and What Actually Matters with Nate collins In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker, interviews Nate Collins, of Raymond James on why family businesses should prepare for a potential sale even if they have no intention to sell. Collins shares his experience taking over a 170–180-year-old New York City licensing company owned by 16 families, receiving an unsolicited offer, and completing a financially strong but...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 155 - Stop Reacting, Start Strategizing with Patrick Thean Host Chris Yonker introduces the Enlightened Family Business Podcast and interviews Patrick Thean, a bestselling author and early contributor to scaling-up methodologies, on practical planning and execution for small to mid-sized (especially family) businesses facing succession or sale. Patrick shares his journey from Singapore to the U.S., training as an electrical engineer, working at Oracle, founding and selling a transportation logistics software company, and discovering a calling to...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 154 - How a Family Turned a Passion Project into a Resilient Brand With Jodi Scott In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker welcomes Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo. Together, they discuss the unexpected path her family took into the family business, which led to their product being distributed in over 150,000 retail locations. Jodi shares insights into their family dynamics, the influence of her parents, and the valuable lessons learned from their upbringing in a military household. The...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 153 - A Family Built Startup Story From The Kitchen Table with Mehmet Tascioglu In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker interviews Mehmet Tascioglu, the Gen Z founder of Mosaic Cakes, a unique family business based in the Detroit area. Mehmet shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his family's experience during the Great Recession, through his initial ventures like Connect Me Tutoring, to the establishment of Mosaic Cakes. The discussion delves into the values instilled by Mehmet's...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 152 - Preparing Next Gen Family Leaders for 2030 and Beyond with Amit Egan Datwani In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker introduces Amit Egan Datwani, an advisor and consultant in the ultra high net worth space. They discuss the transformative changes affecting the commercial real estate industry, particularly influenced by the pandemic. Datwani shares insights on the importance of deep personal work, spiritual and emotional development for the next generation, and how these factors contribute to...
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 151 - From Daughter to CEO - Navigating Family Business Transitions with Amanda Osmer In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker talks with Amanda Osmer of Grappone Automotive, a New Hampshire-based family business rooted back to 1924. Amanda shares her journey growing up in a family business, how she eventually decided to be part of it, and the challenges she faced during the transition phase. The conversation touches on the significance of clear communication, inner awareness, and flexible governance....
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The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 150 - Fragile Power: Wealth, Identity, and Mental Health with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker talks with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, an expert in family business governance and mental health, about the complexities of wealth and psychological well-being. They delve into how societal perceptions of wealth impact individuals and families, leading to feelings of isolation, mistrust, and hyper-agency. Dr. Hokemeyer shares his journey from law to clinical psychology and discusses the...
info_outlineSecret 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:
· Instagram: @candorandcoherence