Family Brand: Take Back Your Family

Welcome back to the podcast. With Father's Day here, I wanted to have a conversation that would cause all of us to pause and think a little differently about one of the most important relationships in our lives: the relationship we have with our dads. Today's guest is Mick Naples, author of Walking with Grizzlies, a book he wrote after losing his father and realizing there were lessons, conversations, and moments he wished he hadn't taken for granted. What I loved about this conversation is that it isn't really about fatherhood—it's about being a son or daughter and asking what responsibility we have in nurturing those relationships while we still can.
One of the things that stood out to me most was Mick's honesty. He openly shares that while he loved his dad, he didn't always appreciate him. In fact, many of the things he now treasures were the very things he overlooked when his dad was alive. As he reflected on his father's life after his passing, he began to see qualities, sacrifices, and acts of love that had always been there but that he simply hadn't fully recognized. It made me think about how often we focus on our parents' shortcomings while missing the gifts they've given us. And while none of our parents are perfect, that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of honor, gratitude, and intentional connection.
We also talked about something that we discuss often in Family Brand: relationships don't grow by default. They grow by design. As children become adults, the automatic proximity that once existed starts to disappear. We move away, build our own families, get busy with work, and suddenly years can pass without truly investing in the relationship. Mick challenged me to think differently about that. Instead of asking what our parents could be doing differently, what if we asked what role we have in strengthening those relationships? What conversations have we been putting off? What questions haven't we asked? What stories haven't we taken the time to hear?
Another part of the conversation that really stayed with me was the idea that many of the things our parents did that frustrated us as children can look very different through the lens of adulthood. As we become parents ourselves, we start to understand the weight of responsibility, the difficult decisions, and the imperfect ways people try to show love. It doesn't excuse every mistake, but it often creates empathy. And sometimes empathy opens the door to healing, understanding, and deeper connection.
More than anything, this episode felt like an invitation. An invitation to be intentional. To make the call. Ask the question. Write the letter. Schedule the visit. Have the conversation you've been meaning to have. Because one of the hardest lessons Mick learned is that sometimes "later" never comes. And if there's one takeaway I hope you carry from this episode, it's this: don't wait until a relationship becomes a memory to start appreciating it.
LINKS:
All Links Family Brand! 
stan.store/familybrand
familybrand.com/quiz
familybrand.com/retreats. 
 Links For This Episode:
walkingwithgrizzlies.com.

Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 – Introducing Mick Naples and Walking with Grizzlies
02:30 – Why Mick wrote the book after losing his father
04:00 – "If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly"
05:00 – The kind of father Mick's dad was
07:00 – Losing his dad and the regrets that followed
09:00 – Honoring parents despite their imperfections
11:00 – Why adult children share responsibility in the relationship
14:00 – Building parent relationships by design, not default
15:30 – Seeing the value in your dad
18:00 – When hard parenting is actually an expression of love
20:00 – Why proximity creates connection
22:00 – How becoming a parent changes your perspective
24:00 – Idolize, demonize, then humanize your parents
26:00 – The example we're setting for our own children
28:00 – The regret of "I'll talk to him later"
30:00 – Conversations worth having before it's too late
33:00 – Faith, legacy, and the condition of the soul
36:00 – Mick's challenge for every son and daughter
37:00 – The Walking with Grizzlies resolution
39:00 – Final Father's Day reflections

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode started with something that might seem small but actually sparked a much bigger conversation. Melissa recently hit a milestone that she's incredibly proud of—51 consecutive weeks of completing at least one workout every single week. Almost an entire year of consistency. And while the achievement itself is worth celebrating, what really got us talking was what it reveals about how meaningful change actually happens in our lives.
For years, Melissa has worked out on and off, but this season has felt different. Part of that comes from seeing the results of consistent effort—not just physically, but in everyday life. Feeling stronger. Having more energy. Being able to play volleyball, jump, run, and keep up with our kids. It's not really about a workout app or even fitness itself. It's about seeing firsthand what happens when you commit to something and keep showing up, especially on the days when you don't feel like it.
That led us into a conversation about a phrase we hear all the time: "must be nice." You know the one. Someone shares a vacation, a business success, a healthy relationship, a fitness goal, or an accomplishment, and the immediate reaction is, "Well, that must be nice." The problem is that phrase usually shuts down curiosity. It assumes the result simply happened to someone instead of asking what sacrifices, discipline, consistency, or effort may have gone into creating it. And if we're not careful, it can keep us stuck focusing on what we don't have instead of learning from people who have created something we admire.
One of the ideas we explored is that every achievement leaves clues. Instead of asking, "Why do they have that and I don't?" a more useful question might be, "What did they do to create that?" Whether it's health, finances, relationships, faith, or personal growth, the formula is surprisingly similar. Get clear on what you want, commit to it, and stay consistent long enough to see results. It sounds simple, but most of the things we admire in others are often built quietly through daily actions that nobody sees.
At the end of the day, this episode is really about personal responsibility and possibility. We all have moments where comparison creeps in or where it feels easier to become frustrated by someone else's success. But what if instead of being threatened by it, we allowed ourselves to be inspired by it? What if someone else's consistency became proof of what's possible rather than evidence of what's unfair? Because the truth is, you're capable of far more than you probably give yourself credit for. And the life you want is usually built the same way Melissa built 51 weeks of workouts—one choice, one day, and one act of consistency at a time.

LINKS:
All Links Family Brand! 
stan.store/familybrand

familybrand.com/quiz

familybrand.com/retreats. 

 
Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 – Melissa's big accomplishment: 51 weeks of consistency
02:00 – Why the Sweat app has worked so well
03:30 – The power of tracking progress
04:30 – Why consistency is the great divider
05:30 – Be a lighthouse, not a tugboat
06:30 – How identity is built through repetition
07:00 – Staying active after 40
08:00 – Pickleball with Tanner and the "special rules"
09:00 – The dangerous phrase: "must be nice"
10:30 – What successful people actually do differently
12:00 – Turning jealousy into inspiration
13:00 – The formula for growth in every area of life
14:00 – Who's responsible for how content is received?
15:00 – 100/100 responsibility explained
16:00 – Victim mentality vs. personal ownership
17:00 – Creating change instead of complaining
18:00 – Final encouragement: you're more capable than you think

Welcome back to the podcast! With summer officially here, we've found ourselves having a lot of conversations about something that many parents seem to be wrestling with right now: how do you raise hardworking, capable, confident kids without accidentally raising entitled ones? We're not coming to this conversation as experts who have it all figured out. In fact, we're right in the middle of it ourselves. As our kids get older, we're constantly asking questions about responsibility, work, money, freedom, and what it looks like to prepare them for adulthood.
One thing we've noticed is that almost every parent we talk to is carrying some version of the same concern. Are we teaching our kids enough? Have we given them too much? Are they ready for the real world? Recently we found ourselves in conversations with other parents who were expressing many of the exact same fears. And honestly, it was reassuring. It reminded us that most parents care deeply about raising great kids and are doing the best they can while trying to navigate challenges that previous generations didn't necessarily face in the same way.
A big part of this discussion comes back to the relationship between responsibility and opportunity. We've been thinking a lot about what we pay for, what our kids pay for, and how to create clear expectations around things like cars, phones, spending money, and privileges. Not because we want to make life harder for our kids, but because we've seen how powerful it is when people earn something for themselves. There's a confidence that comes from contributing, working, sacrificing, and learning that freedom is often connected to responsibility. The goal isn't to create struggle for the sake of struggle. It's to help our kids discover that they're capable of doing hard things and creating opportunities for themselves.
Another idea we've been discussing is the difference between entitlement and empowerment. We recently came across a perspective that challenged us to think differently about how families support the next generation. It raised questions about family businesses, shared resources, multigenerational living, and what intentional support could look like as children become adults. We don't have all the answers, but we do think it's worth asking the question: what kind of future are we intentionally designing for our family instead of simply drifting into?
At the end of the day, this episode isn't really about summer jobs, cell phones, curfews, or snacks. It's about intentionality. It's about deciding what values matter most to your family and then creating systems that reinforce those values. Whether your kids are five, fifteen, or twenty-five, one of the greatest gifts we can give them is the opportunity to become capable, confident, and responsible adults. And sometimes that starts by asking a simple question: are we creating conditions that help them rise—or conditions that make growth optional?
 
LINKS:
 
All Links Family Brand! 
stan.store/familybrand
familybrand.com/quiz
familybrand.com/retreats. 
 
Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 – Summer is here: parenting conversations we're having
02:00 – Are we accidentally raising entitled kids?
03:30 – The parenting dilemma: provide more or require more?
05:00 – Why parents worry as kids become teenagers
06:00 – Encouraging feedback from other adults about our kids
07:30 – Revisiting expectations around money and responsibility
09:00 – Why every family needs a clear philosophy
10:00 – When expectations are low, performance follows
11:00 – A story about earning phones, cars, and spending money
13:00 – Necessity creates action and confidence
14:00 – The hidden cost of over-providing
15:30 – A different perspective on supporting adult children
18:00 – Designing your family's future intentionally
20:00 – Family businesses, family compounds, and family vision
21:30 – Freedom and autonomy must be earned
23:00 – Real-life examples: cars, curfews, and cell phones
25:00 – Teaching kids the connection between effort and freedom
26:00 – Final thoughts on raising future leaders and capable adults

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode is a little different and honestly really special to me. I'm sitting down with my youngest brother, Taylor, for a conversation I've wanted to have for a long time. I'm the oldest of nine kids, Taylor is the youngest, and after my daughter Indy randomly asked me why Taylor had never been on the podcast, I realized this was finally the perfect time to record it.
Recently there's been a lot of conversation online around large families, especially after influencer Hannah Neeleman announced the birth of her ninth child. And watching the reactions was fascinating because people seemed split into a few camps: admiration, criticism, and curiosity. Some people thought it looked beautiful. Others questioned whether it was realistic or healthy. And then there were people who were simply fascinated asking, what is it actually like growing up in a family that big? It made me realize—we actually have a pretty unique perspective on that conversation.
One of my favorite parts of this episode was reading a paper I wrote as a teenager when my parents announced they were having their ninth baby… Taylor. And to be honest, my initial reaction wasn't exactly excitement. I remember worrying about the comments people made about our family, feeling overwhelmed by the idea of "one more," and wondering how our family could possibly stretch any further. But then I read the ending of the paper, written after Taylor was born, where I admitted something completely different: that our family felt more complete because of him. Reading it back now was hilarious, emotional, and honestly a reminder of how perspective changes over time.
Taylor shares what it was actually like growing up as the youngest of nine, and one thing I loved hearing was that what looked "crazy" from the outside just felt normal to him. He talks about how much he loved always having people around, growing up close to nieces and nephews because of our age gaps, and now becoming genuine friends with our siblings as adults. We also talked about how closeness in families doesn't just happen automatically—it comes from prioritizing each other, staying connected, and intentionally creating time together.
More than anything, this episode left me feeling deeply grateful. Grateful for siblings, for cousins, for the relationships that continue long after childhood, and especially for my parents. As we talked, I found myself reflecting on how much they gave to create the life we had. And maybe the biggest takeaway from this conversation is this: family life may not always look efficient or easy from the outside, but the relationships built inside of it can become some of the greatest gifts of your entire life.
LINKS:
All Links Family Brand! 
stan.store/familybrand
familybrand.com/quiz
familybrand.com/retreats. 
 
Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 – Introducing Taylor + why this episode happened
02:00 – Melissa and Taylor's 17-year age gap
04:00 – The online debate around large families
06:00 – Melissa reads the paper she wrote about baby #9
09:00 – "He makes our family complete"
10:00 – What it was like being the youngest of nine
12:00 – Did the older siblings resent babysitting?
13:00 – The lasting effects of having a big family
14:00 – Becoming friends with siblings as adults
15:00 – The "ingredients" that create sibling closeness
17:00 – Melissa's sisters trip to Paris
19:00 – Challenges of growing up in a large family
20:00 – How their mom raised nine kids with one arm
22:00 – "Shoutout to moms everywhere"
23:00 – Final reflections on family, siblings, and gratitude

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm sitting down with bestselling author Bruce Feiler to talk about families, transitions, rituals, and the stories that shape us. I first came across Bruce's work years ago through his article The Stories That Bind Us, and it completely changed the way I thought about family culture and the role our stories play in our kids' lives.
One of the things Bruce shares in this conversation is that strong families aren't strong because they avoid hardship—they're strong because they know how to navigate it together. He talks about research showing that children who know more about their family history tend to have greater resilience and emotional well-being. Not because they think their family is perfect, but because they understand that every family goes through challenges, setbacks, loss, growth, and reinvention. I loved this reminder that one of the best things we can do for our kids is tell the truth about our stories in age-appropriate ways. Not hiding the hard parts, but helping them see that difficult seasons are part of life—and that people can make it through them.
We also spent a lot of time talking about rituals, which is the focus of Bruce's new book, A Time to Gather. Before this conversation, I think I mostly associated rituals with formal traditions or religious ceremonies. But Bruce reframed it in such a practical and meaningful way. He describes rituals as shared acts that help people feel connected and grounded during moments of change. And honestly, the more we talked, the more I realized how much families need this right now. In a world that moves fast and constantly pulls us in different directions, rituals create space to pause, gather, reflect, and reconnect.
One of my favorite moments in the episode was when Bruce helped me think through creating a meaningful graduation ritual for my oldest son. As we talked about him preparing to leave home, I found myself emotional realizing that this season really is the end of a chapter for our family. And instead of just letting that moment pass by, Bruce showed how intentional gatherings and small symbolic acts can help families honor transitions in a way that feels memorable and grounding.
This conversation reminded me that families don't need to do everything perfectly to create meaningful connection. Sometimes the most powerful things are also the simplest: gathering around a table, telling stories, asking good questions, celebrating milestones, or creating intentional moments during seasons of change. More than anything, this episode feels like an invitation to slow down and create space for togetherness—because those moments are often the ones our families remember most.
LINKS:
All Links Family Brand! 
stan.store/familybrand
familybrand.com/quiz
familybrand.com/retreats. 
Links For This Episode:
Bruce's substack is at this link: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/
Most recent post about his upcoming book release and some other exciting announcements: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/p/its-time-to-gather-watch-me-on-cnn
A pre-order link for the book: https://greenlightbookstore.com/book/9780593656433
 
Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 – Introducing Bruce Feiler and his work
02:00 – Bruce's journey from travel writer to family expert
04:00 – Why Bruce started studying families
06:00 – The modern challenges families face today
07:30 – Why parenting advice feels overwhelming
11:00 – The Stories That Bind Us explained
14:00 – Why family stories build resilient kids
16:00 – The "oscillating family narrative"
18:00 – Why kids need to hear about family struggles
19:00 – The importance of extended family and community
22:00 – Family mission statements and values
24:00 – Bruce shares his family mission statement
26:00 – How family values shape everyday decisions
28:00 – Introducing Bruce's new book: A Time to Gather
30:00 – What rituals actually are (and aren't)
32:00 – Why rituals are disappearing in modern culture
33:30 – The rise of reinvented family rituals
36:00 – How rituals help with loneliness and transition
38:00 – Bruce shares a story about grief and gathering
41:00 – Melissa workshops a graduation ritual for her son
48:00 – Why rituals don't need permission or perfection
50:00 – Bruce's three most important pieces of family advice
52:00 – "Family is not the most important thing—it's the only thing"