The Secret Thoughts of CEO's Podcast

• Self Awareness & Emotional Intelligence with Stephanie Chung

  Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 138 Self Awareness & Emotional Intelligence with Stephanie Chung In this electric and eye-opening episode, Chris Yonker sits down with aviation pioneer and leadership strategist Stephanie Chung to unpack what it truly takes to lead in today’s world of diverse teams, generational differences, and ever-shifting business landscapes. Stephanie, the first African American president of a private aviation company in the U.S. and former CGO of Wheels Up, blends boardroom brilliance with neuroscience-backed leadership insight. From building trust through body language to unlocking innovation by embracing difference, Stephanie shares stories from her jet-fueled career and her newest book Ally Leadership. Whether you're a CEO, a team leader, or a parent navigating complex human dynamics, this episode will stretch your perspective on influence, equity, and modern leadership. Timestamps 01:45 - Meet Kristi Baxter and Chris Yonker: their backgrounds in family business, coaching, 01:45 – Introduction to Stephanie Chung and her aviation leadership journey 05:10 – Why we default to leading and selling in our own style - and why it limits us 07:15 – Six generations in the workforce: a communication and leadership wake-up call 09:45 – How the brain evaluates trust - and the power of facial expressions 13:00 – Ask, Listen, Learn, Act: the “ALLY” leadership model and its impact 19:00 – Dropping preconceived notions: how bias forms and how to meet people where they are 23:00 – Finding business in unlikely places: a story of jet sales and chicken farms 29:30 – Navigating generational differences around work-life values 33:00 – Meeting dynamics and how to create true psychological safety 35:00 – E.A.R.N. Model: How to truly earn allyship as a leader 39:00 – Why every team member should walk a mile in another’s shoes 44:45 – One question every leader should ask to connect personally and meaningfully 46:30 – Where to learn more from Stephanie and access her leadership resources Quotes ·       “It’s not about how you communicate. It’s about how they prefer to be communicated with.” [08:25] ·       “Bias isn’t always bad. But we must be aware of it - especially when we’re leading people who aren’t like us.” [19:30] ·       “Employees want leaders who are better communicators. Not just with words, but with presence and action.” [44:50] Websites: ·       fambizforum.com. ·       www.chrisyonker.com ·       StephanieChung.com ·       YourAllyInLeadership.com - Sign up for Stephanie’s neuroscience-backed leadership newsletter   Stephanie is not just an #1 international best-selling author; she's a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has cultivated a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities and transforming growing businesses into thriving hubs of success. In her book, Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You, Stephanie Chung provides practical strategies for leaders willing to admit they don’t have all the answers, accept that their perspective isn’t the only one, and commit to learning about people different from themselves.

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• Addison Williams

  Christian Capitalist Podcast With Rich Sanders Entrepreneurship as a Calling with Addison Williams   In this episode of the Christian Capitalist Podcast, host Rich Sanders sits down with Addison Williams, Regional Director of Community at Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor. Addison shares his powerful journey from the baseball field to the frontlines of Christian entrepreneurship, community building, and kingdom impact. Together, they explore how faith intersects with business, why excellence matters, and how even the smallest act of generosity can ripple through eternity. Addison discusses the importance of “guarding the hour,” slowing down to reflect, and cultivating meaningful community among entrepreneurs. He offers actionable wisdom on stewardship vs. ownership, finding your “why,” and making work deeply meaningful even in a world full of distraction and pressure to perform. Whether you're a solopreneur, investor, or nonprofit founder, this conversation will refocus your heart on what truly matters.   In This Episode: • 01:00 Life in Northwest Arkansas & Coaching Youth Softball • 04:00 Faith Driven Entrepreneur: Awakening the Call to Create • 08:00 From Solopreneur to Community: Breaking the Isolation • 13:00 The 12 Marks of a Faith Driven Entrepreneur • 17:00 Excellence vs. Perfectionism in Kingdom Business • 21:00 A Founder’s Heart: Fighting Human Trafficking Through Business • 26:00 Slowing Down: Why Guarding the Hour Changes Everything • 35:00 Marketplace Ministry, Elevators & Divine Interruptions • 46:00 The Call to Stewardship, Generosity & Eternal ROI • 55:30 Addison’s Definition of a Christian Capitalist    Quotes: • “We all have impact. And we need to respect the impact we’ve been given.” [42:35] • “We don't have to go overseas to be missionaries. The marketplace is the mission field.” [46:00] • “A Christian Capitalist is someone who sews everything together work, generosity, and restoration.” [57:55]   Relevant Links: ·       Christian Capitalist Website Faith Driven Entrepreneur: https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org Faith Driven Investor: https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org The Call to Create (video series): https://faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/content-library/call-to-create Join the Faith Driven Newsletter: Newsletter Signup   Books Mentioned: • Start With Why by Simon Sinek • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer • Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer • Halftime by Bob Buford  

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• Succession Beyond the Transition: Gaining confidence while strengthening leadership and family relationships with Kristi Baxter

  Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 137 Succession Beyond the Transition: Gaining confidence while strengthening leadership and family relationships with Kristi Baxter In this masterclass-style episode, Chris Yonker and Kristi Baxter deliver a powerful, holistic perspective on the complex realities of succession planning. With decades of experience working with privately held and family-owned businesses—from $1M operations to $10B enterprises—Chris and Kristi unpack the emotional, strategic, and structural dimensions of continuity planning. This session goes far beyond strategy and legal frameworks; it ventures into the inner work required for a successful transition across generations. Whether you're preparing to step back, step in, or steward a legacy across generations, this episode offers the roadmap—and reflection prompts—you need now. Timestamps 01:45 - Meet Kristi Baxter and Chris Yonker: their backgrounds in family business, coaching, and enterprise leadership 08:30 - The story of Jeff: when life changes the plan and succession gets real 13:10 - Why succession is not an event, but a journey 16:30 - The top concerns facing family businesses today 21:00 - Common succession mistakes: replacing ourselves, unequal contribution, and CEOs who won’t let go 29:45 - Should we sell or keep the business? The family-first lens on exit decisions 33:15 - Why traditional advisors aren’t enough and how to build a holistic team 38:10 - Chris & Kristi’s five-part succession methodology 43:00 - Diving deeper: self-awareness, readiness, and leadership development 49:00 - Governance, continuity, and what makes a transition successful 54:10 - Blind spots that derail transitions and how to name them 59:45 - The importance of facilitating difficult conversations in family systems 1:05:30 - Where to begin: tools, surveys, and one powerful question   Quotes ·       "Succession isn't an event, it's a journey of stewardship. And the journey starts now." [13:10] ·       "You can't build the future with the emotional weight of the past running the show." [53:45] ·       "Your organization is only as strong as the people in it. You are in the people business first." [43:15]   Websites: fambizforum.com. www.chrisyonker.com Contact Kristi: [email protected] Take the Succession Survey    

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• What if growth isn't the goal?

  Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 136 What if growth isn't the goal? with Perrin DesPortes   In this deeply reflective and energizing episode, Chris Yonker and Perrin DesPortes engage in a rare bidirectional dialogue, unpacking the hidden costs of ambition, the personal reckoning that comes with burnout, and the awakening that’s possible when business success is aligned with inner fulfillment. Perrin, founder of The Next Level Executive, shares his evolution from a high-powered career in dental distribution and M&A to building a purpose-driven coaching practice for healthcare entrepreneurs. Together, they explore the illusions of success, the cultural shifts shaping dentistry and family business today, and how to create a life, and business, you actually want to live in. This is a conversation about course correction, conscious entrepreneurship, and building legacy from the inside out.   Timestamps   02:00 - Meet Perrin DesPortes and his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship 08:45 - Chris shares his path out of 3M and into legacy-centered coaching 16:15 - Why many entrepreneurs wake up inside a life they don’t want 22:50 - Burnout, overwork, and boredom: what triggers the desire for change 29:40 - Dentistry’s consolidation, private equity, and chasing someone else’s dream 38:10 - The power of clarity: asking “What do I really want?” 44:55 - Family business succession, ego, identity, and the real work of letting go 52:35 - The sacred role of the advisor: holding discomfort and navigating emotional fire 58:00 - Partnerships, misalignment, and the silent cost of avoidance 1:04:20 - Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely: the value of coaching and counsel 1:09:00 - Resources, next steps, and how to work with Perrin or Chris   Quotes ·       "Bored people make bad business decisions because they start chasing a dream that’s not even their own."[22:50] ·       "Wherever you go, you take yourself with you."[41:35] ·       "Entrepreneurship can be a very lonely road - but it doesn’t have to be."[1:04:20]   Websites: fambizforum.com. www.chrisyonker.com The Next Level Executive https://www.facebook.com/PerrinDesPortesNLE https://www.youtube.com/@PerrinDesPortes https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetperrin/ Perrin DesPortes is the Founder of The Next Level Executive.  He is a Washington & Lee University graduate and earned his MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.  Perrin has over 25 years of experience in the business side of dentistry, having run three different business units for Patterson Dental Supply over a 15-year career.  For the last decade, he has built and exited two very successful start-ups in TUSK Partners and Polaris Healthcare Partners, both of which focus in the Group Practice Consulting and Transactional space.  Perrin is happily married with an 11 year-old daughter at home.  In his spare time, he is an avid cyclist; enjoys cooking and reading; and loves good red wine and strong coffee.   The Next Level Executive combines Perrin’s decades of experience working in Corporate America and consulting directly with healthcare entrepreneurs on their growth journey all distilled into actionable content and practical wisdom.  Next Level Executives have: ·       clarity in understanding how their business truly fits together ·       confidence in their ability to lead from a position of strength ·       an edge to make the right decisions at the right time If you’ve mastered practice ownership and are wanting to evolve from “a Clinician who owns a Practice to an Entrepreneur who leads a Business,” then you need to focus on your own professional development to become a more effective executive – and becoming a more effective executive is what The Next Level Executive is all about…  

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• Legacy in Limbo: Why So Many Leaders Avoid Succession Planning

  Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 135 Legacy in Limbo: Why So Many Leaders Avoid Succession Planning with Dr. Mohanakrishnan Raman   In this eye-opening episode, host Chris Yonker speaks with Dr. Mohanakrishnan Raman, an organizational psychologist and international expert on family business dynamics. With decades of experience consulting Indian family enterprises, Dr. Raman shares how cultural norms, succession planning, and next-gen development intersect in often overlooked ways. The conversation touches on Indian traditions, evolving gender roles, leadership readiness, and the emotional complexity of legacy handoffs. Whether you're in a family-run business or leading succession elsewhere, this episode is packed with deeply human—and highly strategic—insights.   Timestamps 02:00 – Meet Dr. Mohanakrishnan Raman 07:35 – Realizing the influence of family systems in OD work 11:55 – Cultural inheritance, COVID’s impact, and India's family business awakening 18:10 – Gender, legal reforms, and complexities in succession structures 24:00 – Case studies: sibling tension, conflicting interests, and decentralizing roles 37:15 – The 3 Capitals: Financial, Knowledge, and Social – and why they matter 42:40 – Creating learning journeys through values, mentorship, and exposure 54:10 – The tension between honoring legacy vs. pursuing personal calling   Quotes ·       "To win the relay race, you have to hand over at the right spot, at the right time, and at the right speed."[59:30] ·       "The current generation is coming from abundance. The previous one came from scarcity. Their motivations—and expectations—are fundamentally different."[53:00] ·       "When designing a succession plan, you're not just training for business. You're transferring values, identity, and a legacy of relationships."[39:50]    Websites: fambizforum.com. www.chrisyonker.com.    Resources & Links: ·       Connect with Dr. Raman on LinkedIn: Mohanakrishnan Raman      

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