Who We Remember Mark Chassman on his Father-in-Law: positive masculinity, ice cream and purpose
We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?"
Today's guest: Mark Chassman, Co-Founder of Transform Capital and The Social Leadership Academy
Mark's pick: His father-in-law, Ray Clemons
Sound Bites
- "I showed up as a lost young man, uncertain of my path, and met this embodiment of strength—mind, body, and spirit. Ray shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and without saying much, showed me what it truly means to be a man."
- "Legacy isn’t just about wealth or inheritance; it’s about the values we steward and the relationships we nurture. Ray taught me that true wealth is how you show up for others and what you leave behind in their hearts and minds."
- "At 40, I hit rock bottom—a midlife crisis that forced me to realize something was missing. It was then I began to explore the spiritual side of life, inspired in part by the way Ray embodied faith and purpose in everything he did."
Summary
In this episode of Who We Remember, Jamie Yuenger hosts Mark Chassman to reflect on the lasting influence of his late father-in-law, Ray Clemons. A Navy pilot, football player, and rancher, Ray embodied strength in mind, body, and spirit, serving as a mentor to his family and others in need. Mark shares how Ray’s humility, resilience, and purposeful life shaped his approach to fatherhood, mentorship, and legacy.
Mark recounts meeting Ray and the Clemons family during a pivotal time in his life, learning from Ray’s quiet values of generosity, stewardship, and spiritual depth. Themes of fatherhood, masculinity, and integrating emotional and spiritual strength are explored, as Jamie and Mark discuss how men can redefine strength authentically. This episode celebrates Ray’s profound impact and inspires listeners to live their values with intention.
About Mark
Mark Chassman was employee number 43 at Facebook, where he worked as the VP of advertising sales. He also worked at AOL in media sales, and he is the co-founder of Transform Capital and the Social Leadership Academy. He specializes in turning ambitious visions into actionable results. And don't we all need that? His passion is on innovation and leadership development. And he has a big, big heart for equipping the next generation of socially minded entrepreneurs.
Takeaways
- Strength is Multi-Dimensional: True strength combines physical, emotional, and spiritual resilience, as Ray modeled through his actions and presence.
- Legacy is About Values: Legacy stems from the values and relationships we nurture, not just financial wealth.
- Mentorship Fuels Growth: Mentorship and a spiritual framework are key to personal clarity and purpose.
Join Us
Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats.
Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember."
Credits
Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here