Why are some families successful at building and sustaining their wealth, generation after generation?
Welcome to Secrets of Enterprising Families, a podcast from The Northern Trust Institute devoted to unlocking the specific strategies that multi-generational families use to transfer their values, wealth and legacy from one generation to the next.
In each episode, hosts Nikè Anani and Eric Czepyha will interview a nationally recognized expert on a different wealth planning topic, from marriage to the arrival of children to specific advice for business owners and corporate executives.
Northern Trust is a leading global financial institution that has helped families navigate the complexities of wealth for more than 130 years.
Nikè Anani is the Director of Next Gen Advisory at Northern Trust, specializing in preparing future generations for wealth ownership. Eric Czepyha is the Director of Business Services at Northern Trust and works with multi-generational business owning families on business transitions and succession planning.
Brought to you by the same team behind The Road to Why podcast, Secrets of Enterprising Families will empower you with strategies to tackle financial challenges in a way that engages each member of your family. Subscribe today.
In this episode, we explore the emotional complexities and logistical challenges of managing an estate after the loss of a loved one. Guests Jon Jackson from Northern Trust’s Estate Settlement Group and Heather Nickerson, CEO of Artifcts, share personal stories and professional insights on planning ahead, avoiding common pitfalls and communicating clearly with family.
The conversation highlights the importance of both practical steps — like organizing documents and building the right advisory team — and the more human side of legacy, like preserving family stories and navigating grief with intention.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
[05:24] The Challenges in Estate Settlement
[08:00] Practical First Steps to Get Started
[11:00] Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
[13:58] The Power of Communication
[21:19] Passing on Values, Not Just Valuables
[23:39] Creating the Right Team for You
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Jon Jackson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-jackson-12831111)
More on Heather Nickerson (https://artifcts.com/about)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll focus on building a legacy—how to define it, shape it, and ensure it lasts.
1 Jul 2025
Leading with Purpose: Executive Wealth and Retirement Planning
CPA Christian Klaas and estate planning attorney Matt Hochstetler discuss financial planning for high-level executives, including compensation, stock management, and retirement, in an interview that emphasizes early and consistent planning to preserve wealth.
1 Jun 2025
Divorce, Remarriage, and Redefining Your Financial Future
Steph Wagner, National Director of Women & Wealth at Northern Trust, examines the financial and emotional challenges of divorce and remarriage, providing strategies for navigating transitions and rebuilding financial security in this interview.
1 May 2025
Managing Wealth for Success: Planning with Purpose
In this episode, explore what it means to manage wealth effectively across generations. Whether you’re creating a new estate plan or rethinking an existing structure, wealth management is about more than tax strategy—it’s about aligning your financial assets with your personal values, goals and relationships.
Our guests bring a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Jack Terrill is an estate attorney who has spent decades helping families navigate complex legal structures and succession planning. Kate Gardner, a next-gen inheritor and leader of Magnify, shares how she’s approached her own wealth journey with purpose, stewardship and a commitment to personal growth. Together, they offer a 360-degree view of managing wealth in a way that empowers families today—and strengthens their legacy for tomorrow.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
[07:50] Goal setting and aligning wealth with your values
[12:32] Understanding estate planning essentials
[18:17] Choosing the Right Trustees
[22:35] Structuring Gifts for Responsibility
[28:04] Family office structure options
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Jack Terrill (https://www.htts.com/attorney/john-a-terrill-ii/)
More on Kate Gardner (https://www.magnifygeneration.com/about)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll turn our attention to wealth planning for executives—including how to evaluate new or expanding roles, navigate transitions, and manage the ongoing financial decisions that come with executive leadership.
1 Apr 2025
Passing the Baton (and Letting Go of It): Leadership Strategies for the Rising Generation
In this episode, we explore the critical role that the rising generation plays in a family business. Succession is not just about the strength of the current management team—it also depends on how well the next generation is prepared, engaged, and developed as future leaders, from building credibility and experience to navigating difficult family dynamics and governance responsibilities.
Our guest, Meghan Juday, Chair of the Board at Ideal Industries, brings firsthand experience navigating the challenges of stepping into governance and leadership roles within a multigenerational family business. Meghan shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, earning credibility and ensuring rising gen members contribute meaningfully—whether actively involved in day-to-day operations or as a board member, owner or trustee.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
(03:14) Preparing to Join the Family Business
(13:09) Effective Governance and Risk Management
(17:46) Challenges of Family Business Transitions
(28:02) Advice for Rising Gen Leaders
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Meghan Juday (https://meghanjuday.com/about/)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll shift the focus to managing wealth for success—exploring the key principles, strategies, and decisions that help families sustain and grow their wealth over time.
1 Mar 2025
Navigating Ownership & Succession: Planning for Your Family Business
In this episode, hosts Eric Czepyha and Nike Anani dive into the challenges and opportunities of business succession and wealth planning. They explore the complexities of ownership transitions, long-term financial planning, and the importance of engaging the next generation to ensure a business’s success across generations.
Our guest, Gina Staudacher, a tax lawyer with deep expertise in business transitions and succession planning, brings both personal experience and professional insight to the conversation. She shares strategies for structuring ownership, preparing for transitions, and balancing family dynamics with business priorities to create a lasting legacy.
In this episode, you will learn:
(04:33) Why long-term planning is essential for business owners
(11:21) Engaging the next generation
(13:53) Balancing family and business priorities
(18:29) To sell or not to sell?
(20:05) Building a strong leadership team
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Gina Staudacher (https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-gina-staudacher-24211919)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll shift the focus to the rising gen - exploring their evolving roles, how they can prepare for leadership, and what it takes to step into ownership successfully.
1 Feb 2025
Preparing Your Family for the Wealth They Will Inherit
In this episode, we delve into the essential steps families can take to prepare the next generation to inherit and manage wealth responsibly. From initiating conversations about money to fostering financial literacy and aligning values, we explore strategies to equip future generations with the tools and mindset needed to steward family resources effectively.
Our guests, Joan DiFuria and Emily Bouchard, are leaders in wealth psychology and family dynamics. Joan is the Co-Founder of the Money, Meaning & Choices Institute, specializing in helping families navigate the emotional and relational aspects of wealth. Emily, Executive Director at Blended Families Flourishing, brings decades of experience in coaching families through the complexities of wealth transitions and legacy planning. Together, they provide actionable insights for families at every stage of wealth preparation.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
[03:57] Engaging Young Children
[09:07] Guiding Teenagers
[14:02] Empowering Young Adults
[21:17] Supporting the Rising Generation
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Joan DiFuria (https://www.mmcinstitute.com/about-2/)
More on Emily Bouchard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bouchard-5a9a049/)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll explore wealth planning for business owners.
7 Jan 2025
When Children Arrive: Preparing for the Unexpected
In this episode, we explore the financial and legal steps essential for starting or expanding a family. From naming guardians to establishing education funds and creating a solid estate plan, we discuss the key strategies for protecting your family’s future.
Our conversation is guided by Stacy Singer, the National Practice Leader for Trust and Wealth Advisory Services at Northern Trust, who combines her professional expertise with personal experience as a parent of two adopted children. Together, we look at how thoughtful planning can provide security, stability, and a strong foundation for generations to come.
In this episode, you will learn:
[02:00] Essential steps to prepare for the arrival of a child
[07:32] Strategies for estate planning
[14:02] Considerations for nontraditional families
[23:06] How to provide ongoing support for adult children
Want to continue the conversation?
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families)
More on Stacy Singer (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/insights-research/wealth-management/experts/singer-stacy)
Reach out to your Northern Trust advisor
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that empower families to manage wealth across generations. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll explore creating a wealth plan.
6 Dec 2024
Entering a Marriage: Critical Conversations on Prenuptial Agreements
Northern Trust's Morgan Stogsdill shares expert insights on navigating critical financial conversations to build trust and transparency in marriage through prenuptial agreements and more.
1 Nov 2024
The Five Secrets of Enterprising Families with Jen Risher
In this episode, we discuss the five secrets that enterprising families have used to build and sustain wealth across generations. These foundational principles, based on our 130 years of experience advising families, are the backbone of the Secrets of Enterprising Families book recently published by The Northern Trust Institute.
Our guest today is Jen Risher, author of We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth. Jen knows firsthand the complexities of sudden wealth and how open communication, thoughtful planning, and addressing family dynamics head-on are essential for long-term success.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
[01:50] Secret 1: Silence doesn’t make it go away
[08:48] Secret 2: Resist the carrot and the stick
[12:24] Secret 3: Write it down and communicate
[16:16] Secret 4: Develop the financial skills to meet each family member where they are
[18:27] Secret 5: Anticipate conflict and find opportunity
Continue The Conversation:
More on Northern Trust’s Secrets of Enterprising Families (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/institute/five-secrets-of-enterprising-families?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=landingpage&utm_campaign=wm-secrets-secretspodcast-20241101&utm_content=modernfamilies)
Jen Risher’s book, We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth (https://jenniferrisher.com/book-we-need-to-talk/)
Remember to subscribe to Secrets of Enterprising Families to stay connected as we dive deeper into the strategies that support generational wealth. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll explore the unique financial challenges and conversations that come with marriage.
30 Sept 2024
Secrets of Enterprising Families
How do families build and sustain wealth across generations?
In Secrets of Enterprising Families, hosts Nikè Anani (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/insights-research/wealth-management/experts/anani-nike) and Eric Czepyha (https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/insights-research/wealth-management/experts/czepyha-eric) offer an insider's view of the strategies that successful multi-generational families have used during pivotal life events, such as marriage, the arrival of children, or the sale of the family business.
Each episode will feature an interview with a nationally recognized expert on a specific wealth planning topic and will provide actionable insights that you and your family can use at each stage of your own wealth journey.
Subscribe today.
Who has been a guest on Secrets of Enterprising Families
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Christian Klaas
Matt Hochstetler
Steph Wagner
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
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Quality
34
Social presence
0
YouTube
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Engagement
32
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