Fragile Power: Wealth, Identity, and Mental Health with Dr. Paul Hokemeyer

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 importance of cultural competency in behavioral healthcare for high-net-worth individuals. Key topics include the challenges of managing narcissistic personalities within family systems, the necessity of setting enforceable boundaries, and the role of external support in fostering healthier family dynamics.

·       01:54 Introducing Dr. Paul Hokemeyer

·       04:50 Dr. Paul's Journey and Career Path

·       07:14 Challenges Faced by Wealthy Individuals

·       13:41 The Intersection of Wealth and Identity

·       22:48 Therapeutic Approaches and Observations

·       30:32 Hierarchies and Tribes in Human Society

·       31:13 Isolation and Wealth

·       35:31 Understanding and Treating Wealthy Patients

·       39:20 Narcissism in Family Systems

·       44:31 Dealing with Narcissistic Family Members

·       49:58 The Role of External Support Systems

Websites:

·       fambizforum.com.

·       www.chrisyonker.com

·       draysonmews.com

·       Instagram @dr_paul_hokemeyer

 

 

Dr. Paul Bio:

Dr. Paul Hokemeyer (J.D., Ph.D.) believes mental health matters for everyone, everywhere.

He is the founding principal of Drayson Mews and author of Fragile Power: Why Having Everything is Never Enough (Hazelden, 2019) and Fragile Power 2.0: Wealth, Narcissism & Mental Health (2024), the leading resources for individuals, couples, and families of wealth seeking culturally respectful and clinically effective mental health services. In addition, Dr. Paul serves as the Senior Wellness Expert to Ispahani Advisory, a London-based consulting firm specializing in multijurisdictional, ultra-high-net-worth families. He is an Associate Member of the American Association for Addiction Medicine and holds a Clinical Fellow designation with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy where he received the 2025 award for Media Excellence.

 

Prior to graduating from the Harvard Medical School’s Global Leaders in Healthcare program, Dr. Paul studied the use of digital technologies at the Yale School of Management.

In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Paul has extensive experience in the realm of philanthropy. He has stewarded over three million U.S. dollars to enhance the delivery of direct mental health services to disenfranchised communities across America, as well as through the Yale School of Public Health. Additionally, he serves as a trustee of the Palm Springs Art Museum, one of the world's premier centers for mid-century art, architecture, and design.

Dr. Paul’s research in the realm of wealth and mental health has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Wealth Management, the International Family Offices Journal, Globe Law and Business, and Lambert Academic Press. His work has been featured in a wide variety of international media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The World Economic Forum, the Johns Hopkins Newsletter, Harvard Business Review Arabia, CNN, Men’s Health, The Guardian, Tatler (where he was selected as one of the world’s top ‘problem solvers’), the Campden Club, the Institute of Private Investors, WebMD, Psych Central and others. He is on the editorial board of Middle East Business News and Magazine, a leading resource for family businesses and entrepreneurs in the MENA region.