Family Business Matters

The Science of Sustainable Leadership with Dr. Mike Christian

In family businesses, leadership isn’t just about performance, it’s about endurance, relationships, and legacy. But what if sustaining yourself as a leader wasn’t about pushing harder?   In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Dr. Mike Christian, award-winning researcher and expert in human energy and resilience, to explore a different approach: energy crafting.   Together, they unpack why the traditional narrative of grit and burnout falls short, especially in family enterprises where leaders carry overlapping roles and emotional demands. Mike shares how energy, physical, cognitive, and emotional, is not fixed, but something leaders can actively generate, direct, and renew. You’ll learn: * Why resilience is really a story of energy, not endurance * How your personal energy directly shapes your team and culture * Practical ways to identify hidden “energy leaks” and make small, meaningful shifts This conversation reframes leadership capacity as something you can intentionally design, not just sustain. In Notes:   * Usual Get Connected Link * Mike Christian [https://mikechristian.web.unc.edu/] * 6 “Ms” of Energy Crafting * Motion and Rest * Mastery Experience * Making Connections * Meaning * Mindfulness * My Choice * 3 Cs of Hardiness * Commitment * Control * Challenge

Family Enterprise Fundamentals: Three Questions Every Business Family Must Answer with Cooper Biersach and Steve Miller

Where should we start? How do we manage conflict? How do we help the next generation find purpose and avoid entitlement? In this episode of the The Family Enterprise Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/27247152/admin/dashboard/], host Cooper Biersach is joined by Steve Miller, co-founder of the Family Enterprise Center and former president of the Biltmore Estate, to explore the three foundational questions business-owning families ask most often as they think about continuity across generations. Drawing on decades of experience working with family enterprises, and Steve’s research on next-generation leadership development, this conversation offers practical, accessible insights for families at any stage of their journey. Together, Cooper and Steve discuss: * * Why shared purpose is the true starting point for family enterprises * How families can move from avoiding conflict to managing it productively * How early responsibility, communication, and intentional preparation help the rising generation develop purpose, accountability, and stewardship Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of family enterprise fundamentals and at least one concrete idea or question they can apply immediately within their own family or organization. Whether you are an owner, family member, advisor, or next-generation leader, this episode provides a thoughtful framework for strengthening both the business and the family behind it. Links  Get Connected [https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56gqEnjBUkSNe1o]

Student Voices: The Power of Community and Belonging at Carolina with Molly Malek

This Student Voices episode spotlights the undergraduate experience at Carolina through the lens of Molly Malek [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymalek/], a driven student leader whose journey has been shaped by the Family Enterprise Center and the Family Business Club. Molly reflects on her path to UNC, her family business background, and the donor‑supported programs that have helped her find direction, community, and career clarity.   Perfect for prospective students, families, and supporters, this episode captures the heart of what donor generosity makes possible. Join us as we celebrate Molly’s story and look ahead to Giving Day.             Chesney Maniaci [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesney-maniaci-7b1424122/] Family Enterprise Center Website [https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/family-enterprise-center/team/]

From Anxiety to Curiosity: Tools from Bowen Systems Theory with Dr. Kathleen Smith

Families are powerful systems, and sometimes, they’re anxiety‑creating machines. In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooperbiersach/]sits down with therapist and bestselling author Dr. Kathleen Smith [https://kathleensmithwrites.com/] to explore how Bowen Family Systems Theory can transform the way we understand ourselves, our families, and our roles in family enterprises.   Kathleen breaks down how anxiety moves through a family, why we repeat automatic patterns, and how even small shifts in our behavior can change long‑standing dynamics. Together, Cooper and Kathleen discuss real-world examples, including a multigenerational family business scenario, to illustrate how concepts like triangles and differentiation show up in everyday work and life.   Listeners will walk away with: * A clear, conversational introduction to Bowen Theory * Practical ways to observe and interrupt reactivity * First steps for applying these ideas in your family or family enterprise   Whether you’re leading a family business, navigating complex relationships, or simply curious about how families operate, this episode offers tools to help you respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically. Books Everything Isn’t Terrible [https://kathleensmithwrites.com/books/everything-isnt-terrible/] True to You [https://kathleensmithwrites.com/books/true-to-you/] Family Enterpise Center Links The Family Enterprise Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/27247152/admin/dashboard/] Get Connected [https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56gqEnjBUkSNe1o]

How to Invest in Your Rising-Gen with Bess and Jamie McLawhorn

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Chris Maslin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-maslin/] sits down with father–daughter duo Jamie McLawhorn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mclawhorn-24859150/] and Bess McLawhorn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bess-mclawhorn/] of Marsh Properties for a candid conversation on what it really takes to prepare the rising generation for leadership in a family enterprise. Together, they share their personal journeys, the intentional steps their family has taken to develop next‑gen talent, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From growing up around the family business to navigating formal development structures, the McLawhorns offer practical wisdom, honest reflections, and stories that bring their experience to life. Listeners will walk away with insights on: * Why rising generation development matters now more than ever * The long‑term outcomes families should aim for * Structures and practices that reduce conflict and create clarity * What they wish they’d done differently, and what’s working well today Whether you're part of a multigenerational family business or supporting one, this conversation invites you to reflect on your own family's learning journey and consider one meaningful step you can take forward. Tune in, learn alongside our community, and take your next step toward strengthening your family enterprise. Get Connected [https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56gqEnjBUkSNe1o]