Advertise on podcast: Evergreen Journal by Tugboat Institute

Leidy Klotz is a professor at the University of Virginia and the author of Subtract. His research makes the case that our instinct to add before we ever consider taking away is one of the costliest and least examined habits in business, one that only compounds the longer a company has been building. In this Tugboat Institute® Talk, Leidy traces the science behind that instinct, from a Lego bridge his son quietly improved by removing a block, to the deliberate subtraction built into games like Jenga, and makes the business case for treating subtraction as a genuine competitive advantage. For Evergreen® companies thinking in decades rather than quarters, he offers a practical way to ask not just what to build next, but what to prune along the way.

Tugboat Institute® member Cody Nath, CEO of Refined Technologies, Inc. (RTI) delivers a moving testament to the necessity of knowing and leading the whole person. In this Tugboat Institute talk, Cody shares the heartbreaking story of a beloved colleague, Barry, whose tragic loss catalyzed a fundamental shift in how RTI approaches People First leadership. Recognizing that workplace skills alone cannot sustain a healthy culture, Cody describes the creation of Imprint, a unique leadership development cohort that integrates "The Whole You" framework with immersive wilderness experiences.    By stepping away from the office and into the vulnerability of the outdoors and campfire circle, RTI leaders forge deep emotional connections through personal storytelling, resulting in a high retention rate and an internal network of connected, cultural ambassadors. Cody honors Barry's legacy by challenging fellow leaders to move beyond professional metrics and embody wholeness, and creating their version of Impact that uniquely fits their own Evergreen® company.

John Gavan, Executive Chair and former CEO of Evergreen® company KPFF Consulting Engineers, offers a roadmap for leadership development through his concept of Engineered Opportunities. John shares his 35-year journey from intern to CEO, illustrating how leaders must adapt as they progress in the organization and move from one role to the next. John outlines a four-stage career arc—Performer, Leader, Builder, and Guide—emphasizing that growth in leadership requires engineering success for those who follow, rather than just concern with moving oneself forward. Focusing on the later stages of the leadership journey, John draws on Arthur Brooks' research explaining the necessary shift from one of youthful fluid intelligence to one of wisdom arising from crystallized intelligence later in the journey. Listen to this talk and be inspired to intentionally engineer opportunities for the people you lead.

Nick Craig is the President of the Core Leadership Institute, and author of Leading From Purpose. Over the past decade and a half, he has helped thousands of leaders discover their Purpose, what Nick considers to be the unique gift they bring to the world. In this Tugboat Institute® Talk, Nick uses the world of toys, and LEGO specifically, to explore how customers deeply connect with companies that have an authentic Purpose and what happens when you depart from that Purpose. He challenges Evergreen® leaders to remain true to their company's unique Purpose, through seasons of challenge and success. Listen and be inspired to anchor yourself to your company's authentic Purpose, even when circumstances tempt you to stray.

Many people carry the belief that they simply aren't "math people," that ability is something you're born with, not something you build. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Jo Boaler dismantles that myth and makes the case for a limitless approach to learning, one that applies as much to leaders and teams as it does to students. Jo is a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University and co-founder of Stanford's YouCubed research center, which reaches educators, parents, and students in more than 160 countries. Drawing on her book Limitless Mind, she explains the neuroscience behind learning: every new challenge forms or strengthens brain pathways, and struggle is where the deepest understanding and creativity actually take root. Jo shares research on how mindset shapes performance and even long-term health, and describes how a mistakes-friendly culture, encouragement of skepticism and reasoning, and collaboration over individual brilliance can transform outcomes in the classroom. These same behaviors sit close to the core of Evergreen® leadership. Listen and reconsider the limits you may be placing on yourself, your people, and what your organization is capable of learning.

Every founder and generational leader carries an origin story. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Everett Harper invites us to consider what it means to remember that story, and how the act of remembrance itself shapes the values a company passes on. Everett is the co-founder and former CEO of Truss and a longtime champion of Purpose-driven leadership. Drawing on the history of Juneteenth, and on his own family's story, he traces the entrepreneurial spirit, community-building, and resilience that emerged from freedom. He makes a compelling case that annual rituals of remembrance, whether a national holiday or a company gathering, are how values survive and travel across generations. Watch and be inspired to honor your own origin story and to pass on the values at the heart of your company to the next generation.

Luck is the number one factor for career success, said legendary executive search pioneer Egon Zehnder to a young Claudio Fernández-Aráoz early in his career. After four decades of placing leaders at the highest levels of global business, Claudio has come to agree. But luck, he argues, is only part of the story. The factor leaders can control, and the one that separates good organizations from great ones, is the quality of their people decisions. Claudio is a top global expert on leadership and talent, family businesses, and personal growth, having personally conducted more than 20,000 leadership interviews. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, he draws on decades of experience and vivid real-world examples to explain why our brains are hardwired to make poor hiring choices, how to assess both competence and potential, and why making great people decisions is the most powerful driver of lasting organizational success, one that aligns naturally with the Evergreen® commitment to building companies that endure. Listen and be inspired to raise the standard for how you find and develop the people who will carry your company forward.

Tugboat Institute® Member Kent Johnson is the CEO of Highlights for Children, a family-led legacy brand dedicated to building a more optimistic and empathetic world for children. After an early career in physics and medical diagnostics, Kent has spent the last 20 years leading a media business centered on human development. In this Tugboat Institute talk, Kent explores how their commitment to Purpose acts as both an anchor during tragedy and an engine for innovation. He shares the history of Highlights—from its founding as a "dream child" to navigating a 1960 aeronautical disaster that claimed the lives of key leaders —and explains how the company evolved from a single magazine into a global, diversified organization. By refreshing their core mission to empower agile decision-making , Kent illustrates how a Purpose-driven culture enables a heritage brand to thrive in a subscription economy and forge impactful partnerships with tech giants. Listen and be inspired to look beyond your product to your true Purpose and to build a culture of commitment that can withstand generational trauma and the constant evolution of our ever-changing digital world.

Jim Gilmore is the co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and the co-author of The Experience Economy and Look: A Toolkit for Making Better Decisions. As a pioneer in the study of consumer experiences and observational methods, Jim has spent decades helping organizations see the world—and their opportunities—more clearly. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Jim challenges the modern habit of screen-induced tunnel vision, arguing that true innovation begins with active, intentional observation of our immediate surroundings. He introduces his "Six Looking Glasses" framework—metaphorical tools ranging from binoculars to blindfolds—designed to help leaders sharpen their looking skills and overcome confirmation bias. He demonstrates how spotting a simple detail in the everyday environment can lead to transformative breakthroughs. Listen and be inspired to reclaim the power of observation and master the art of looking as the essential first step toward strategic thinking and long-term Evergreen® success.

Larry Hofstetter is the first non-family president of the 187-year-old Schaeffer Manufacturing Company. As the steward of a business founded in 1839, Larry has mastered the delicate balance of honoring nearly two centuries of history while navigating the complexities of modern disruption. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Larry explores his framework for cultivating a "winner's mindset" that transforms unforeseen disruptive events from potential crises into strategic opportunities. Drawing on Schaeffer's historical resilience through depressions, catastrophic fires, and global wars, he illustrates how a foundation of trust enables an organization to adapt with speed and clarity. By distilling 180 years of institutional knowledge into an Evergreen® philosophy, Larry provides a roadmap for leading through uncertainty while maintaining a steadfast commitment to future generations. Listen and be inspired to view disruption as a catalyst for growth, to build deep-rooted trust within your organization, and to lead with a long-term vision that ensures your company is built to last and win for another seven generations.

Tugboat Institute® member Joe Motz, founder of The Motz Corporation, has spent nearly five decades building a legacy of innovation and integrity at one of the world's most respected turf firms. But after transitioning the company to 100% employee ownership in 2018, Joe faced his toughest finish line yet: a 70th-birthday "bucket list" adventure that would take everything he had. In this Tugboat Talk, Joe recounts his grueling 3,000-mile solo paddle to raise $300,000 for The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, an organization that creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive through sport. From the panic of a runaway boat to the mental fatigue of 20,000 strokes a day, Joe shares how he leaned on his community, and his Purpose, to Persevere. Listen to Joe's talk to learn why the hardest journeys often lead to the greatest ripple effects in leadership and life, and for the reminder to paddle on, through even the most challenging of times.

Ashley Russo is a visionary leader, award-winning journalist, and entrepreneur who bridges the gap between industrial legacy and modern storytelling. Through her dual roles as CEO of Magnaplate and President of ASR Media, Ashley has mastered the art of blending the technical precision of manufacturing with the creative vision of media. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Ashley explores the unique tension of leading two highly contrasting industries and shares how these seemingly different worlds inform one another in unexpected ways. By harmonizing her family's multi-generational heritage with her own entrepreneurial drive, Ashley provides a compelling perspective on what it means to honor a professional legacy while courageously founding your own. Listen and be inspired to blend vision with tradition, to find synergy in your own professional roles, and to lead your team with a renewed sense of purpose and innovation.

Rob Cordova is a thought leader, adjunct professor, and educator who transforms corporate learning into meaningful and inspiring experiences. Through his research on how our personal backgrounds shape our actions, Rob has developed a unique framework of reflective questions designed to help leaders step beyond their comfort zones. In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Rob challenges us to confront our natural tendency to avoid uncertainty and reminds us that in moments of ambiguity, creativity isn't optional—it's essential. By modeling the very vulnerability and courage he encourages in others, Rob provides a heartfelt perspective on how to navigate the unknown while staying true to Evergreen® values. Watch and be inspired to meet challenges with creativity and innovation, and to lead your team with newfound courage and clarity.

David Surdam is a historical economist and professor at the University of Northern Iowa who studies how organizations adapt under extreme economic pressure. In this Tugboat Institute® Summit 2025 talk, he shares the story of Major League Baseball during the Great Depression, when team owners faced one of the most challenging economic periods in American history. Their adaptation strategies not only helped them survive, but even thrive, offering timely lessons on resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring power of cultural institutions during difficult times. Listen and be inspired to consider how your own organization might adapt in the face of a major economic downturn.

Over the last several years, private equity has continued its rapid expansion, reshaping the landscape of business ownership and investment. What was once limited to a small circle of institutional investors now reaches into 401k portfolios, making PE an increasingly dominant force in our economy. While this growth has fueled opportunity for many, it also poses new challenges for Evergreen® companies whose long-term, purpose-driven approach stands in sharp contrast to private equity's short-term return model. Dave Whorton, Founder and CEO of Tugboat Institute®, revisits his 2019 talk, "The Rise of Private Equity," to explore how the private equity landscape has evolved and what its growing influence means for Evergreen leaders today. He reaffirms that private equity remains kryptonite to Evergreen businesses yet highlights examples of Tugboat Institute member companies that have found unconventional ways to engage with private equity and strategic capital while staying true to their Evergreen values. Listen and gain perspective on how to navigate the shifting capital landscape without compromising the purpose and principles that define Evergreen companies.