Advertise on podcast: Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Family business succession often collapses without early communication and emotional safety. FBA CEO Catherine Sayer reveals how to navigate succession challenges and preserve your legacy. Family businesses make up 70% of all enterprises across Australia and New Zealand, forming the backbone of the economy. Yet, despite their immense scale, many founders face the exact same silent struggle: navigating succession while managing shifting government policies and intense personal dynamics. When communication breaks down, succession planning becomes a source of deep anxiety rather than a celebration of continuity. In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Catherine Sayer, CEO of the Family Business Association (FBA). With extensive leadership experience across agribusiness, food manufacturing, and corporate boards, Catherine brings a grounded perspective on why family enterprises need both structural advocacy and relational health to thrive across generations. We address the core challenges threatening modern family enterprises, from policy changes to the crucial need for early, transparent communication. Catherine shares how creating emotional safety within the family allows founders and successors to discuss hard truths before a crisis hits. We explore how community support, peer forums, and dedicated advocacy empower families to step out of isolation and protect both their businesses and their relationships. Whether you are navigating an upcoming ownership transition or trying to build a safer environment for honest family dialogue, this conversation offers practical, human-centered insights. Learn how to combine proactive governance with emotional safety to ensure your family enterprise remains resilient, connected, and built for the future. 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

Introducing Ep. 2523 - Here’s the Real State of the Senate — Race by Race from The Ben Shapiro Show. Follow the show: The Ben Shapiro Show We keep hearing that a Democratic tsunami will wipe out Republicans in the Senate... but that may be a demoralization op; Vice President Vance cracks down on Microsoft for immigration violations they may not have committed; and actor Sebastian Stan says a rational thing. Also, actor Gary Sinise joins the show to discuss his new book "Graceful Warrior" about his son Mac. Ep. 2523 "Graceful Warrior: The True Story of a Son, a Father, and a Family Who Carried Each Other Through" will be released on November 10th. You can pre-order a copy here: https://a.co/d/0hltTeUg - - - Today's Sponsors: Policygenius - Head to https://policygenius.com/SHAPIRO to compare life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save. Kalshi - Visit https://kalshi.com/shapiro to see live prediction markets and sign up today to trade on the outcomes that matter most to you. Trade 25 win up to 500. Code is SHAPIRO - - - DailyWire: Become a Daily Wire Member and watch all of our content ad-free: https://get.dailywire.com/infidels 40% off annual plans with code FIGHT 🍿 Watch Run Hide Fight: Infidels https://www.dailywire.com/videos/run-hide-fight-infidels 📲 Download the free Daily Wire app today on iPhone, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung, and more. 📰 Follow me on the Daily Wire app or DailyWire.com to read my daily articles and receive my Friday newsletter. 📘 My book "Lions and Scavengers: The True Story of America (and Her Critics)" is available here:  https://dwplus.shop/LionsandScavengers 👕 Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://dwplus.shop/BenShapiroMerch - - - Socials: YouTube — https://youtube.com/@BenShapiro Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/officialbenshapiro Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/officialbenshapiro Snapchat — https://www.snapchat.com/officialbenshapiro TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@real.benshapiro X — https://twitter.com/benshapiro - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Even the best international tax structures fail without emotional governance. Private wealth expert Charlie Sosna reveals how to fix governance pitfalls and secure your family legacy. High-net-worth families often spend millions on complex trusts, tax structures, and international asset protection. Yet, even the most pristine estate plan can shatter if the human foundation underneath it fractures. When family succession ignores emotional dynamics, self-awareness, and relational health, financial wealth becomes a source of deep conflict rather than lasting stability. In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Charlie Sosna, Partner and Head of Private Wealth and Tax at Mishcon de Reya. Ranked by Chambers HNW as one of the world's leading private client advisors, Charlie brings decades of expertise navigating complex international tax matters, UK-US planning, and ultra-high-net-worth structures across the globe. However, Charlie's deepest takeaway goes beyond numbers and legal agreements: structural planning is only half the battle. We dive into the hidden pitfalls of governance, exploring why emotional intelligence and behavioral governance are the true keys to legacy preservation. Charlie shares how establishing clear roles, setting healthy expectations, and addressing unsaid family dynamics protect multi-generational continuity far better than legal trusts alone. Learn how to move past rigid corporate frameworks, cultivate genuine self-awareness within your family enterprise, and align your financial wealth with lasting emotional health. 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

How do you protect a family legacy across generations? Val Montagnana-Wallace reveals how authentic storytelling and shared family narratives solve deep succession challenges and foster connection.  Building a multi-generational legacy requires more than a flawless estate plan—it requires a shared identity. When family businesses transition to the next generation, facts and figures are easily forgotten, but the emotional narratives and foundational stories endure. Without a clear internal narrative, successors often struggle with their place in the family history, leading to succession friction and a lost sense of purpose. In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Val Montagnana-Wallace, CEO of the family-owned creative agency Hyphen – Stories, Well Told. Val transitioned from a primary school teacher to leading a business founded by her husband and brother, giving her a uniquely human perspective on managing complex family dynamics. She explains why uncovering and sharing your family's authentic history is the ultimate tool for emotional governance and lasting unity. We explore how the stories we tell ourselves—both internally and externally—shape the future of the family enterprise. Val shares how leaning into vulnerability allows families to bridge generational divides, heal unspoken conflicts, and foster genuine connection. By crafting meaningful narratives, founders can pass down their true legacy, ensuring the next generation feels anchored in their roots rather than burdened by rigid expectations. Whether you are navigating a difficult generational transition or simply want to document your family's journey before it fades, this conversation provides an actionable roadmap. Learn how authentic storytelling transforms family business transitions from purely structural handoffs into deeply connected, purpose-driven 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

How do we prepare the next generation to handle family legacy? Scott Feld reveals how to reprogram default beliefs and build inner confidence in future family business stewards.  Building a lasting multi-generational legacy isn't just about financial inheritance or structural governance—it starts with the emotional health of the children who will one day carry it. Without genuine self-worth and resilience, even the most pristine estate plan can collapse under the weight of self-doubt, fear of failure, and the intense anxiety of stepping into big shoes. In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with youth mindset expert, award-winning author, and founder of The Power-UP Experiences, Scott Feld. Drawing from over 30 years of coaching kids, teachers, and young entrepreneurs, Scott reveals how family business owners can help the next generation unlock their inner superpowers before they ever step into the boardroom. We tackle the core root of succession anxiety: default beliefs. Scott explains how the subconscious programming formed in early childhood shapes how future leaders handle high-pressure responsibility, personal failure, and internal pressure. Through practical visualization tools, positive self-talk, and purpose-driven parenting, Scott demonstrates how to protect young successors from imposter syndrome and help them build lasting confidence from the inside out. Whether you are a founder preparing your children for future leadership or a parent wanting to cultivate emotional governance in your family system, this conversation delivers human-centered tools to align personal growth with generational continuity. Learn how shifting focus from external performance to internal empowerment transforms anxious heirs into grounded, self-aware stewards capable of thriving on their own terms. 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

Protect your generational wealth by building a stronger foundation. Author Buddy Thomas shares his 50-year roadmap for holistic planning and active family estate planning that unites your legacy. Leaving an inheritance is easy. Passing on a sustainable, thriving legacy is incredibly difficult. Most wealthy and aspirational families spend millions on legal structures and tax loopholes, yet completely neglect the emotional and relational capital required to keep that wealth from dissolving across generations. In this episode of Safe Space, we are joined by veteran wealth strategist and author of Love Wisdom Money, Buddy Thomas. With over five decades of hands-on experience working directly with trustors, trustees, and beneficiaries, Buddy has witnessed firsthand why traditional financial planning fails. He reveals why placing love and wisdom ahead of the actual currency is the only way to meet both your legal and moral responsibilities as a family fiduciary. In this conversation, we solve for: The Currency Disconnect: Why passing down money without passing down the family values that gave it meaning creates a destructive legacy. The Power of Holistic Planning: How to engage in deep financial and estate planning that actively protects your family's relational health. Continuous Family Engagement: Practical frameworks to keep the next generation involved in ongoing conversations about wealth, fostering true alignment and cohesion. If you are a "Family Champion" or a leader managing a family office, Buddy's grounded, story-driven guidance provides a blueprint for true succession planning. It's time to stop looking at your legacy as a math problem and start building a generative ecosystem that safeguards your family's true wealth for decades to come. 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

Stop letting self-criticism ruin your family business dynamics. Leadership coach Massimo Backus explains how self-compassion and emotional intelligence create a more resilient succession plan. Why do so many family business leaders feel like they have to choose between being a "strong boss" and a "loving family member"? Often, the pressure to maintain a multi-generational legacy leads to a culture of overcontrol and self-pressure that actually stifles growth. In this episode of Safe Space, we sit down with leadership strategist and author of Human First, Leader Second, Massimo Backus. With a deep background in organizational psychology, Massimo helps us dismantle the internal narratives and inherited behaviors that often plague family enterprises. We move past the technical side of governance to look at the "inner work" required to sustain a healthy family office. In this conversation, we solve for: The "Overcontrol" Trap: Why founders struggle to delegate and how to shift from controlling the work to developing the people. Emotional Resilience: Using mindfulness and self-awareness to navigate high-stakes family dynamics without burning out. Building a Flourishing Culture: How replacing self-criticism with self-trust allows the next generation to step into their own leadership with confidence. Whether you are navigating a difficult succession or simply trying to improve family relationships within the business, Massimo's story-driven approach offers a practical roadmap. It's time to stop doing the work for your people and start leading with the clarity and humanity that your legacy deserves. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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