Who We Remember Brian C. Adams on his father-in-law - The Gift of Struggle
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: Brian C. Adams, Partner at Mack International
Brian's pick: His father-in-law, John Morris
Sound Bites
- “He could have made things a lot easier for me—but giving someone the chance to struggle is one of the greatest gifts you can give.”
- “Imagine buying a case of brandy not for yourself, but for your descendants 100 years from now—that’s legacy thinking.”
- “He grew up in black-tie New York, with chauffeurs and champagne—but chose a life of trauma surgery in Tennessee. I’ve always wanted to understand his why.”
Summary
In this episode of Who We Remember, Jamie Yuenger speaks with Brian C. Adams about his father-in-law, trauma surgeon John Morris. What begins as a story of awe—meeting John during a college parents' weekend interrupted by a medevac emergency—evolves into a touching reflection on family, legacy, and the power of quiet influence. Brian shares how their relationship grew through shared rituals, sports, and work in the family office, revealing the depth behind John’s stoic exterior. He explores John's rich New York lineage, his decision to serve others through medicine, and the lasting impact of that choice. Brian also opens up about his own transformation—sobriety, career change, and a vision for legacy rooted in family connection. This episode is a tribute to the unspoken ways one generation shapes the next and the beauty of finding purpose through struggle.
About Brian
Brian C. Adams is a partner at Mack International, a leading executive search and consulting firm specializing in C-suite placements and human capital strategy for family offices and family enterprises. With a background in law, private investing, and real estate entrepreneurship, Brian brings decades of experience and deep insight to his work supporting generational families and their legacy-building efforts. Beyond his professional achievements, Brian is also a dedicated family man and son-in-law to Dr. John Morris, former chief trauma surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a descendant of the historically significant Morris family. As a key member of the Morris family office, Brian has worked closely with his father-in-law in stewarding the family’s private investments and legacy. Drawing on his unique perspective—both as a professional in the family office space and as someone married into a storied lineage—Brian is passionate about legacy, service, and helping families thrive across generations.
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