Advertise on podcast: Family Office Success

Host Christi Van Rite interviews Rick Waggoner, founder of the Family Office Forum of Texas, a confidential peer-to-peer community that has grown from three families to 125 families in nine groups plus a virtual group, designed to reduce isolation and share practical solutions (including an anonymous “queries” program). They discuss why distribution policies sit at the intersection of wealth management, governance, and family dynamics, and why relying solely on trust language or HEMS standards can lead to “dependents, not beneficiaries,” urging flexibility, context, guardrails, and a baseline-plus-exceptions approach that avoids exceptions becoming the rule and reduces power imbalances. Rick shares that members estimated family financial literacy is in the single digits, arguing basic financial understanding is essential for trust and engagement. He contrasts technical expertise with true advisory skill, shares contact details for the Forum, and previews an upcoming topic on next-generation alignment and trust. Connect with Rick: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-waggoner-ba08a11/ Email address: [email protected] Phone: 972.571.1299

Christi welcomes listeners to the Family Office Success Podcast and interviews professional coach Michèle Soregaroli about how practitioners can show value and avoid disconnects between the value they believe they deliver and what clients actually perceive. Michèle explains that mismatches come from limited communication about what each party wants and the “filter” clients use to judge value beyond technical expertise. She recommends asking better questions about what a successful relationship would look and feel like, what clients have liked or found frustrating before, and why the service matters, emphasizing that clients are buying an experience as much as an outcome. Using restaurant and “steak” analogies, they discuss differentiation, aligning offers to client values, and the business costs of taking mismatched clients, as well as the integrity and referral benefits of identifying fit early. Connect with Michèle: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msoregaroli/ Website: https://www.transformationcatalyst.ca Email address: [email protected]

Christi Van Rite interviews Amanda Koplin about how trustees can better interact with beneficiaries, drawing on Koplin’s background as a licensed professional counselor, certified hostage negotiator, and fiduciary consultant. They discuss the “arranged marriage” dynamic between trustees and beneficiaries, reframing conflict from “what’s wrong with this person?” to “what happened to this person?” and using practical language to de-escalate and build trust through consistent “small moments.” Koplin explains how trauma, mental health, and money histories shape behavior on both sides, and emphasizes empowerment, voice, choice, and financial literacy. She shares tools like pausing escalation, clarifying foundational assumptions with a “same page chart,” and setting structured touchpoints to reduce burnout. Koplin’s book, "The Trauma-Informed Trustee," is expected mid-to-late July, and she offers consulting and training via koplinconsulting.com. Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-koplin-lpc-3a67a13a/ Website: https://koplinconsulting.com Email address: [email protected]

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, host Christi Van Rite talks with Sonya Weisshappel about helping families inventory what they own—across multiple homes and storage, so tangible assets become visible, valued, and properly managed alongside financial assets. They discuss how incomplete balance sheets, missing documentation, and reactive decision-making create insurance, tax, estate, and family-conflict risks, especially during crises or at end of life. Sonya outlines her process for organizing, room-by-room inventorying, photographing, measuring, and coordinating appraisals, then delivering results to trusted advisors for insurance and planning updates, with ongoing maintenance. They also emphasize capturing the stories behind meaningful items - often via simple phone videos -so the next generation understands context, preserves legacy, and avoids disputes over objects large and small. Connect with Sonya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyaweisshappel/ Website: https://www.seriatim.net Email address: [email protected]

In this episode, host Christi Van Rite sits down with Dr. Tracy Gapin, founder of Peak Launch, to explore why health is the most overlooked asset in high-performance leadership. Dr. Gapin, a board-certified urologist turned precision performance medicine specialist, shares how traditional medicine falls short for leaders experiencing subtle decline. The conversation covers advanced testing, hormonal balance, cortisol management, gut health, and early disease prevention. A compelling reminder that your energy, focus, and decision-making capacity directly impact your family office's success - and that proactive health management is non-negotiable for sustainable leadership.

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, host Christi Van Rite speaks with entrepreneur and podcaster Chris Reynolds, who has interviewed hundreds of founders, including over 40 billion-dollar entrepreneurs. They explore the mindset shifts required at each stage of business growth, the importance of focusing on one core business, and hiring top-tier talent. Chris shares stories of persistence and success, including those of Abercrombie & Kent's founder. The conversation draws parallels between scaling businesses and managing family offices, emphasizing intentional growth, strong communities, and evolving networks as essential tools for long-term success. Listen in for a truly insightful conversation with someone whose network is unparallelled. Chris’ Websites: www.thebusinessmethod.com and www.M3.club Chris’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisreynoldslive/

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, host Christi Van Rite and Michelle, Lead Family Relationship Manager at White River Consultants, pull back the curtain on bill pay within family office services. They explore when to add bill pay, common pitfalls like duplicate invoices and uncashed checks, and the value of strong vendor relationships. The conversation highlights the critical role of structured processes, proactive follow-up, and clear communication. They also share practical insights on using Bill.com, including onboarding challenges and platform limitations, offering actionable guidance for family offices looking to deliver seamless, trustworthy bill pay services. www.whiteriverconsultants.com

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, host Christi Van Rite speaks with Terry Pham of Superpowers about when entrepreneurs and families should seek help and delegate tasks. Terry introduces the "fire extinguisher" analogy, explaining how entrepreneurs become bottlenecks by handling everything themselves. He outlines five common delegation roadblocks, including time concerns and the belief that "nobody else can do this." Terry also describes how Superpowers pairs entrepreneurs with proactive, anticipatory executive assistants through a rigorous vetting and onboarding process, helping clients reclaim time, reduce stress, and focus on their unique strengths. This episode is insightful in a way that may make you see how you operate in a different light. Website: superpowershq.com Terry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-pham-31b73321/ Visit WhiteRiverConsultants.com for more resources on integrative and administrative family office services.

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, Christi Van Rite continues the philanthropy series with Joshua Chadajo of JEC Philanthropy to discuss helping families get to the “why” behind their giving and align gifts with clear priorities. Josh shares his background running nonprofits and explains why many donors lack organization and strategy, often giving defensively amid constant requests. He describes his approach, including a philanthropic audit of recent gifts, creating a living giving plan, and serving as a “fractional executive director” for a family’s philanthropy by tracking, budgeting, coordinating with advisors, and partnering with nonprofits on outcomes. They discuss practical examples such as avoiding misdirected gifts, using challenge grants, and a story where $950 prevented a student’s career plans from derailing. Josh emphasizes year-round planning, avoiding autopilot giving, documenting intent, and seeking expert support. CONNECT WITH JOSHUA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuachadajo/ Website: www.jecphilanthropy.com Email address: [email protected]

Listen in as host Christi Van Rite speaks with Kerrie Mitchell, Managing Partner of FSO Partners as they talk about integrating philanthropy intentionally into family wealth strategies. Kerrie emphasizes starting with a family's "why" before selecting giving vehicles like donor advised funds (DAFs) or foundations. She highlights a common pitfall: over $326 billion sits idle in DAFs, with families treating them as "set it and forget it" tools. The conversation covers the differences between DAFs and foundations, the importance of revisiting philanthropic goals as families evolve, and viewing generosity as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time decision. Learning more about the “how” to give will certainly help as you put your “why” into practice. Website: https://www.fsopartners.com/ Kerrie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrie-mitchell/

Join host Christi Van Rite in conversation with estate planning and insurance experts Norman Ross and Harold Unger as they share real case studies that reveal what happens when families ignore sound advice - and what's possible when they take action. In this episode, you'll hear: • The $200M+ estate heading toward a "fire sale" because decades of advice went unheeded—and how proper planning could have prevented adopting "Uncle Sam and the State" as additional heirs • The remarkable story of $80,000 that grew to $40 million, and the strategic planning that protected it from estate taxes across multiple generations • Why bringing ALL your advisors to the table together creates dramatically better outcomes than working in silos • The "financial fire drill" technique that reveals gaps in estate plans before it's too late • How changing tax laws (written in "pencil with big erasers") mean your 15-year-old estate plan might be costing your family millions. Norman and Harold bring decades of experience working with ultra-high-net-worth families, combining insurance strategy, tax planning, and trust structures to help families preserve wealth across generations. Their storytelling approach makes complex concepts accessible and entertaining. Key Takeaway: Estate planning isn't about death- t's about not adopting additional children (the IRS and state tax authorities) and keeping more wealth in your family. Connect with Norman Ross and Harold Unger: Harold M. Unger J.D., LL.M. President, The Unger Company, Ltd. (t) 212-755-4777 x100 https://UngerLtd.com Norman E. Ross The Ross Companies Direct 212-397-2314 [email protected] www.rosscompanies.com www.linkedin.com/in/normaneross Visit WhiteRiverConsultants.com for more resources on family office services.

Exploring Citizenship and Residency by Investment with Simon Gabbay of Henley & Partners. In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, host Christi Van Rite talks with Simon Gabbay from Henley and Partners about citizenship and residency by investment programs. They discuss the rising interest in these programs, especially among American families, and the factors influencing such decisions, including political, economic shifts, and tax reforms. Simon explains the differences between citizenship and residency programs, the documentation required, and the due diligence involved. They also discuss trends, such as the increasing due diligence standards and the emergence of merit-based programs. This episode is packed with insights for families and advisors considering expanding their global mobility through second citizenship or residency. Website: henleyglobal.com Simon’s Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-gabbay-663195120/ Passport Status page: https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-power

When it comes to dividing family collections and heirlooms, the challenges go far beyond financial value. Michelle Castro, VP of Trust and Estates at Heritage Auctions, breaks down why tangible personal property creates some of the most complex issues in estate planning. In this clip, Michelle discusses: ✓ Valuation challenges - determining actual worth ✓ Emotional attachment and sentimental value ✓ Distribution issues - who gets what? ✓ Lack of knowledge about collections ✓ Missing documentation and provenance "You can't cut a painting in half" - Michelle's memorable insight captures the unique complexity of dividing art, jewelry, collectibles, and other tangible assets among family members. Whether you're managing a family office, planning your estate, or advising clients with significant collections, understanding these challenges is crucial for avoiding family disputes and ensuring smooth wealth transfer.

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, Christi Van Rite explores the world of auction houses with Kathleen O'Brien, Director of Trust and Estates at Bonhams. Kathleen discusses her background in the art world, Bonhams's acquisition of Skinner, and the scope and operations of the auction house. They delve into market trends, focusing on the shift from fine art to luxury goods, and the evolving tastes across generations. Kathleen explains the auction process from consignment to final sale, emphasizing Bonhams's global reach and local approach. This episode offers valuable insights into how auction houses operate, the appraisal process, and the transparency and accessibility of auctions.

In this episode of the Family Office Success podcast, Christi Van Rite hosts Caroline Baker Smith, Vice President and Senior Director at Freeman's Auction House. They discuss how families can choose the right auction house, demystify the auction process, and the specific niche Freeman's fills in the auction market. Caroline shares her extensive background in the auction world, Freeman's history, and their broad range of specialties including fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorative arts, and even niche categories like sports memorabilia and vintage firearms. The conversation covers the importance of appraisals, maintaining records, and how auction houses often collaborate to serve clients' diverse collections. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in navigating the complex world of auctions.