
Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo
Safe Space is a podcast for Family Business Leaders and Next Gens exploring the financial, human and social capital of family businesses.
In each episode, trusted advisor Francesco Lombardo, will share a conversation with a diverse range of guests, offering you practical tools and guidance to help you navigate the unique familial relationships within family businesses.
Latest episodes

Sep 24, 2024 • 33min
Challenges in Family Communication with BJ Radomski
BJ Radomski, an expert in communication and family dynamics based in Thailand, shares insights on the crucial role of internal dialogue in family communication. He emphasizes how self-talk shapes our interactions with others. They discuss overcoming communication barriers within families and highlight the significance of emotional awareness, especially in navigating complex dynamics. Practical strategies for improving rapport and understanding are also provided, making it a valuable listen for anyone seeking to deepen family connections.

Sep 10, 2024 • 31min
Family Health - Protecting Family Legacy From The Inside Out with Andrew Keyt
With almost 20 years of working with families as the executive director of the Loyola University Chicago Family Business Center and in his private consulting practice, there’s not much that Andrew Keyt hasn’t come across. But it is his personal journey of overcoming challenges as a next-generation business leader that makes his perspective so unique. In this episode Francesco and Andrew discuss many of the unspoken issues that exist within family business relationships, such as the importance of vulnerability, the need to address mental health issues and how generations can learn valuable lessons from one another. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORM TO NOT MISS ANY FUTURE EPISODES!

Aug 27, 2024 • 24min
Which Version of the Truth with Don Phin
Like so many of my guests, Don Phin has led an extraordinary life. Growing up in the Bronx, his journey has taken him from being a former trial lawyer to starting a HR company to now coaching CEOs. Don has gone on to use the lessons he learnt in the courtroom and specifically draws on his experience of how different versions of the ‘truth’ can cause a breakdown in communication. As a recently trained Veritage coach, Don works with a preventative approach and believes that listening and encouragement are critical to engaging the next generation and to building healthy lasting relationships. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

19 snips
Aug 13, 2024 • 34min
Why Effective Communication is an Internal Job with BJ Radomski
BJ Radomski, an executive coach and facilitator, shares his transformative journey from personal struggle to helping others achieve fulfillment. He emphasizes the crucial role of open communication in leadership and the need for a holistic coaching approach that combines science and psychology. The conversation delves into the dynamics of family businesses, highlighting the challenges of generational communication and the psychological barriers that arise. BJ advocates for mentorship and creating safe spaces for dialogue to bridge these gaps and enhance mutual understanding.

Jul 30, 2024 • 34min
A Legacy of Survival with Armen Alajian
In this conversation, I speak with Armen Alajian, the owner of ARTO, Southern California's artisanal brick and tile manufacturer. Armen and his brother Vod took over the business after their father Arto died in 2014, and in this moving conversation Armen shares how he navigated the emotional and practical difficulties he faced. If you are interested in learning more about how to create a healthy family culture and why investing in the people in the business is the key to success, then this episode is for you. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational • https://veritage.ca

Jul 23, 2024 • 21min
Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success with Eva Fischer
Despite the recent progress in gender equality, many women still face obstacles in securing senior leadership positions within their family business. In this episode, Family Business owner, Eva Fischer emphasizes the importance of belief in oneself and urges women to avoid falling into the trap of emulating their male counterparts. Eva's insights and experiences offer valuable perspectives and strategies for women entrepreneurs in family businesses on how to cultivate personal fulfillment. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca

Jul 16, 2024 • 25min
How and Why I Changed the Course of My Life with Jonathan Goldhill
It was 1986 and Jonathan Goldhill had just witnessed the closure of his family’s company, which was also the country’s largest men’s suit manufacturer. Not wanting other entrepreneurs and family businesses to follow the same fate, Jonathan decided to use his experience to help families navigate a smooth transition. In this intimate conversation, Jonathan shares why our early childhood experiences can shape our adult lives, and how through the discovery of emotional safety, we can all find our true meaning and purpose. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca

Jul 9, 2024 • 29min
The Human Gap with Heather Falcone
The role that advisors play in helping family businesses to fulfill their goals cannot be underestimated and is why my guest this week is Heather Falcone. A second-generation family business member and CEO of Thermal Vac Technology, Heather has more than 20 years of experience, centered in business concepts and is passionate about helping companies and individuals be outspokenly different. Together Francesco and Heather discuss the components of a successful relationship between the family and advisor and discuss how advisors can serve as a valuable bridge between the founder and the next generation. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca

Jul 2, 2024 • 26min
Progress is never Linear - with Chris Yonker
Working with family enterprises and business owners, Chris Yonker helps them navigate the intricate and unique aspects of both being related and owning a business. Combining his own personal experience and professional work with entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and celebrities, Chris has created a process inspired by eastern philosophy to preserve continuity. In this episode, Chris offers his advice for both next-gen and senior-gen family business leaders on how to create a safe space to effectively communicate with one another. He also discusses the impact of childhood trauma and why progress is never linear, highlighting that it begins with an internal evaluation of who we really are, why we are here and what we want to do in the world. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca

Jun 25, 2024 • 31min
Purpose, Play, and the Legacy of 'Highlights': Building a Business That Nurtures the Next Generation with Kent Johnson
Kent Johnson, is the CEO of the company that his great-grandparents founded in 1946. In a little two-room office above a car dealership, Highlights magazine was born and today it remains as true to its core as ever. A magazine encouraging children to discover their creativity and imagination, Kent explains why he believes that childhood is the critical foundation for developing happy and healthy children. A company that has embraced the concept of a Chief Purpose Officer, Kent shares why and how inclusion helps to connect everyone in the company to the mission and purpose. This episode is for anyone looking for the tools and techniques to unlock the power of curiosity and humor, so that their business can continue for generations to come. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca