TMIT 33: Our Biggest Takeaways from Six Months of Building Family Culture
For the past six months we’ve been deeply studying family culture, and we’re more convicted than ever that it’s The Most Important Thing.
Top 4 Takeaways
- Start from strength, not scarcity
Most parenting content starts from a place of deficit. We’re choosing a competence-first lens: you’re already doing a lot right—lean into those moments. - Parenting is management; family culture is leadership
Scripts fix moments. Culture shapes momentum. Make values explicit and lead the team, not just each child 1:1. - Rituals = culture in action
Two kinds matter:
Alignment rituals (aka “necessary and trust building”): quarterly financial check-ins, weekly standups, and problem-solving within family meetings.
Connection rituals (aka “fun on purpose”): special meals, family games. - Presence is the reward
If you’d asked us when we started this journey we would have told you it was about planning for some future state. But we’ve learned the magic is happening in real time.
If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this:
Don’t wait for the right time to start shaping your family culture — this is the right time. Pick one ritual, start small, and build from there.
1
00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,440
This family culture thing has me
shopping at Marshalls.
2
00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:04,560
It's pretty bad.
And now you have a Do you have a
3
00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:06,520
Nautica?
It's a Nautica shirt from
4
00:00:06,520 --> 00:00:08,680
Marshalls I've literally got
back.
5
00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:11,480
Your mother would be so proud.
She would.
6
00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,720
Welcome to the most important
thing.
7
00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:17,640
I'm Danielle.
And I'm Greg, and together we're
8
00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:21,000
exploring TJX and why I'm
shopping at Marshalls again.
9
00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,160
And.
And family, culture and
10
00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:27,840
leadership at home.
All right, yay.
11
00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:32,080
So happy to be here with you.
I was a Max anista before
12
00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,000
anybody.
That's amazing.
13
00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:39,960
I was more of a limited 2 girl.
Well, as we explore family
14
00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:44,800
culture, we are also exploring
outfits to wear on this podcast.
15
00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,480
That don't break the bank.
That don't exactly.
16
00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,400
Anyway, OK, so.
Taking us in.
17
00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,120
Yeah.
Well, this week marks six months
18
00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,600
since we started the most
important thing, which is really
19
00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:00,280
our exploration of family,
culture and leadership, right.
20
00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:05,720
And so we thought it would make
sense this week to take pause,
21
00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:10,000
go back to base camp, if you
will, and think about not
22
00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:13,520
necessarily the what we've
learned, but the house that we
23
00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,160
can apply to creating family
culture at home.
24
00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,200
And and what are the most
important takeaways that we've
25
00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,240
learned so far?
30 plus episodes in a half dozen
26
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:27,960
conversations, another dozen
books, and plenty of experiments
27
00:01:27,960 --> 00:01:32,120
along the way.
Yes, but first a a quick why I
28
00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:36,840
think as to just to reiterate, a
friend said to me, you know, hi,
29
00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,000
it was so weird.
I was, I was, I came home for
30
00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:44,080
lunch and I walked into my house
and I hear this man's voice
31
00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,680
coming out of out of our
bedroom.
32
00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,360
And I walk in there and I'm
like, that's Greg's voice.
33
00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:52,320
I thought that was the funniest
thing.
34
00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:56,040
Obviously his wife is listening
to Team It and is a Team it fan
35
00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,840
and shout out to them.
But one thing that he said to me
36
00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,600
really stuck with me and that
was, you know, you guys are
37
00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,400
doing this and it's because you
have this great family and you
38
00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,000
have all the answers.
And I was like.
39
00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,480
Quite the opposite.
Nothing could be further from
40
00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,120
the truth.
We have very few answers.
41
00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,080
We only have the answers that
we've lived so far and
42
00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,880
everything that we haven't
lived, we'd like to explore in
43
00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,080
public.
We'd like to explore with others
44
00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,160
and part of this journey is to
build community around that
45
00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:29,120
exploration, not preaching as to
what we think is best practice.
46
00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:34,760
Yeah, journeying together, I
think that we've this is and
47
00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:37,720
this idea of family culture is
something that we've had for a
48
00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:39,840
long time, really since we've
gotten married.
49
00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,400
But it's been in fits and starts
that we have applied ourselves
50
00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,120
to it.
And now for the past six months
51
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:50,040
and hopefully for many years to
come, we have kind of made this
52
00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,360
put the stake in the ground and
say no, this is an effort that
53
00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,640
we believe is worth dedicating
ourselves to.
54
00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,840
Yes.
So this six month interval feels
55
00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,840
like a pretty good time to check
in and take stock and take
56
00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,920
inventory of what we've learned.
And really for those of you out
57
00:03:04,920 --> 00:03:07,800
there that have been following
us along, you know the entire
58
00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:10,960
journey and those of you that
are just joining us today share
59
00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,800
what the first six months of
Team IT have meant to us and
60
00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,240
what those lessons that really
stuck and really have landed.
61
00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,800
Are yes, absolutely.
So we have 4 big takeaways that
62
00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:23,360
we'd like to share with you
today.
63
00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,840
And this isn't about how family
meetings or family movement
64
00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:30,440
changed our life, but really
what are the overarching themes
65
00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,320
that we've discovered in these
past six months?
66
00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:38,280
And so take away #4 is that
family culture is built from a
67
00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:43,360
place of strength, not scarcity.
And this is the idea that we
68
00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:47,840
really explored in episode 27,
parenting gurus in the business
69
00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,400
of anxiety.
But it's our first one because
70
00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:56,240
it is such an important
foundation that is different
71
00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,000
than what's in the zeitgeist,
right?
72
00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,800
So much of what is out there
around parenting in particular,
73
00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:03,400
is around.
This is hard.
74
00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,760
We're under a quipped and we
have to.
75
00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,000
And that is a message that
doesn't resonate with us.
76
00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:16,760
And we want to illuminate a
different way and to say that no
77
00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:21,800
family culture is something that
we can build from a place of
78
00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:27,880
confidence, from a place of
competence, and really highlight
79
00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,640
the things that we're already
doing every day and lean into
80
00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,200
what's working.
As opposed to this message that
81
00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:40,960
comes from a place of deficit or
heaven forbid, existentialism.
82
00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:45,040
Such as, like, if I don't do XY
and Z, my children are going to
83
00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,760
end up on antidepressants with
terrible anxiety.
84
00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:54,400
Fill in the blank, right?
So really this is kind of our
85
00:04:54,560 --> 00:05:00,280
movement, if you will, to bring
back parenting and family
86
00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:05,480
culture because we get to.
Yeah, I'd say that's the the
87
00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,760
foundation of it all is we need
to build from a place of
88
00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,840
competence.
We need to build from a place of
89
00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:16,200
togetherness and that we believe
that we can do it because belief
90
00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,360
comes before ability.
Yes, absolutely.
91
00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:22,600
And I would also say this is a
commitment that Greg and I have
92
00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:29,080
made to all of you is to not
rely on quick fixes or hooks and
93
00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:33,880
cheap tactics to hook you in and
make you want to listen.
94
00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:40,160
Like I, I want to make sure that
we are doing our part to have
95
00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,000
this through line, that nothing
has to be wrong in order for you
96
00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,000
to lean in.
This isn't another landmine that
97
00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,960
you need to figure out how to
uncouple, right?
98
00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:56,160
This is an opportunity.
And these are small nudges that
99
00:05:56,160 --> 00:06:00,280
hopefully have outsized impact,
which I think we've found in our
100
00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:02,600
own life.
And the feedback thus far has
101
00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,160
indicated that we can just spend
some time being intentional,
102
00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:11,200
leaning into what's already
working and have a wonderful
103
00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:12,320
time doing it.
Yep.
104
00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:15,120
Amen to that.
Yeah.
105
00:06:15,280 --> 00:06:16,840
So that's number four.
So that's number four.
106
00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:23,320
Number 3 is very much building
on #4 which is that parenting is
107
00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,160
management and family culture is
leadership.
108
00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,280
So I was thinking about this and
we were talking about it a
109
00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:34,080
little bit the other day, where
most parenting advice is
110
00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,240
targeted at one person.
It's not targeted at the family.
111
00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:41,600
It's targeted at the person that
is managing the children and
112
00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:46,880
that management of the children
requires A1 buy in.
113
00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:51,200
It's really just like, oh, this
is the script that I will use to
114
00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:56,000
get my children to comply, to
stop doing the thing that I
115
00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,440
don't want them to do.
Whereas family culture, the
116
00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:01,560
whole family needs to be bought
in.
117
00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:03,600
And it starts from the top for
sure.
118
00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,720
But it's not just about one
person.
119
00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,360
It's not just about yeah and
like.
120
00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:11,840
One script to 1.
Child, right.
121
00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,680
And, and for those of you out
there, if you're listening,
122
00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:19,120
hopefully you're sharing this
with your partner and saying,
123
00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:23,080
hey, this is a philosophy that I
think you could really get down
124
00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,880
with.
It's not about how we manage our
125
00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:27,240
kids.
It's about how we lead our
126
00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,920
family.
And I love that.
127
00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,600
I mean, like, I'm obsessed with
this idea of family as a team.
128
00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:36,520
And that's really what this
comes down to.
129
00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:40,080
We need leaders on the team.
And it's not always going to be
130
00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,600
the parents.
Oftentimes our kids are setting
131
00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,320
more examples for one another
than we are.
132
00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,600
So what are we going to do?
Have a script for every time
133
00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,600
that a kid goes off the tracks
and every time a kid copies
134
00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:55,200
another kid going off the
tracks?
135
00:07:55,200 --> 00:08:00,480
And it's it's why building from
a place of competence is so
136
00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:04,760
important in family leadership,
because if we all as a family
137
00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:08,760
believe that we are a team and
that we have the ability to get
138
00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:11,400
through anything together, then
we will.
139
00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,600
If we don't believe that we're
really going to run into a lot
140
00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,600
of issues and trouble.
So I think that coming from
141
00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:24,040
this, this foundation of we can
and we get to really rubs off on
142
00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,120
the kids.
It becomes like the energy is
143
00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:30,960
pervasive in through the entire
family, where if one of our kids
144
00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:35,919
is having a problem, the other
two are very quick to come to
145
00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:39,360
their rescue as opposed to
drumming up their own reasons
146
00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,640
why they need attention.
Sure.
147
00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,360
Yeah.
And I love this idea that we've
148
00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,760
really touched upon in some of
our more recent episodes around
149
00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:53,880
the culture of growth, cultures
of growth in episodes 29 and 30,
150
00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:57,960
because it's not just a one to
one relationship.
151
00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:02,280
It is as a leader of my family,
I really have an opportunity to
152
00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:08,080
set the mindset culture, right?
And so for me, having grown up
153
00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:14,440
career wise in a very strong
culture, that is truly what I
154
00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:19,960
want to set for our family.
I don't want to just be 5 beings
155
00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:25,680
who cohabitate.
I think that it is so much, I
156
00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:29,440
feel so much more aligned with
you and with the kids now that
157
00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,760
we've made so many of our values
explicit.
158
00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:38,240
And I think that that is really
this distinction between
159
00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:42,760
parenting and family leadership.
So we certainly in episode 25,
160
00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:45,640
Culture Eats Parenting for
Breakfast, we go into this
161
00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:51,840
distinction further, But the
idea of aligning the choices
162
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,680
that we make, like the way that
we're going to spend
163
00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:57,920
Thanksgiving this year focused
on service opportunities or the
164
00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:02,760
fact that we called our family
vacation an adventure because we
165
00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:07,240
want the vibe to be about
alignment and exploration and
166
00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,480
curiosity.
These are the things that really
167
00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:16,560
differentiate from focusing on
tantrums and bedtime habits and
168
00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,120
potty training.
No doubt.
169
00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,760
And it's contagious.
Culture is contagious.
170
00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,800
I kind of think less of
parenting, if you will, in
171
00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:28,720
general than I did six months
ago because it's really about
172
00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:32,200
the family.
It's, it's us as leaders.
173
00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:36,080
We, we can scope it out.
We can frame it out if you will.
174
00:10:36,680 --> 00:10:40,240
But if we're not explaining the
meaning, if we're not embodying,
175
00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:43,400
like going back to our episode 3
family values, like if we're not
176
00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:48,000
actually embodying the values
and making them real, there's no
177
00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,680
way that that it's going to be
internalized by our children.
178
00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,000
Absolutely right.
Absolutely right.
179
00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,920
You know, Bill Campbell, the
infamous Silicon Valley CEO
180
00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:03,640
coach, says your title makes you
a manager, your people make you
181
00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,360
a leader.
And that's truly what this is
182
00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:09,720
about.
It's like we have to lead in our
183
00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,600
families and through our
families, not just through, you
184
00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:19,760
know, scripts and management of
the of the issues that come
185
00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,080
about.
Yeah, we're seeing our job as
186
00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:27,080
mom and dad and solely mom and
dad instead of leaders of a unit
187
00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,000
that can learn and grow
together.
188
00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,680
Yeah, it's so true.
I mean, we even saw this with
189
00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,160
our interview with Cliff, you
know?
190
00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:39,920
Episode 32.
Episode 32 where we saw how his
191
00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:44,520
family modelled the leadership
of showing up for one another.
192
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:50,040
This vision of the Weitzman's at
the Thanksgiving table, working
193
00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:55,320
on everyone's college essays
before they were due as a
194
00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:57,480
family, I mean, it's
unbelievable.
195
00:11:57,680 --> 00:12:00,640
I've I've never heard of that in
my life.
196
00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,160
Yeah, but we're totally going to
do that and.
197
00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,960
Absolutely.
What else can we do that with?
198
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,920
You know, So what can we do that
with sooner?
199
00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:08,200
Really?
It's like it was so
200
00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,600
inspirational to hear that and
also to hear about how as the
201
00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,480
five kids and the two parents,
so seven members of of the
202
00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:17,760
Weitzman family that they
understand one another's
203
00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:21,200
superpowers and that it's not,
you know, especially now that
204
00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,200
they're all in their 20s and
30s.
205
00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:28,280
Mom and dad don't always lead
the charge on everything, right?
206
00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:32,920
And so it truly embodies this
idea of family as a team that I
207
00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:34,240
think starts when they're young
it.
208
00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:36,640
Really does.
It really does.
209
00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:40,560
So, so take away #3 again,
parenting is management and
210
00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,560
family culture is leadership.
And we're here to lead, and we
211
00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:44,400
are here.
To lead, yeah.
212
00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:46,760
Yeah, OK, great.
So how do we lead?
213
00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:48,920
Right.
So if if takeaways four and
214
00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:53,760
three, we're really about how we
want to show up and what mindset
215
00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:57,560
we want to have as leaders.
Take away #2 is the action.
216
00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:02,520
And so this is the idea that
rituals are culture in action.
217
00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:05,840
So I really think about, you
know, anything that we do
218
00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:07,840
repeatedly in our family becomes
a ritual.
219
00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:10,920
To me.
There are two types of rituals
220
00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:14,800
when it comes to family culture.
1 is what I'll call necessary
221
00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:18,160
evil, not because it's bad, but
because it's the type of thing
222
00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:22,240
that we don't necessarily, it
doesn't bring excitement to do
223
00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,480
like a quarterly investment
meeting, say, or the weekly
224
00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,320
problem solve that we have at
our family meeting.
225
00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,040
These are the things that you
know, they're, they can be
226
00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:36,320
difficult conversations, but
they bring alignment and trust
227
00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,720
and safety to the team.
So that is really to me that is
228
00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:45,120
such an important foundation is
that we just had our quarterly
229
00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,640
investment conversation right
And it was a lot of it was
230
00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:50,440
asynchronous.
But knowing that we are now on
231
00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:54,200
the same page, especially going
into the holidays, right and
232
00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:57,480
what our investment outlook
looks like both, both on what
233
00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,920
we're going to spend and how
we're going to how we're going
234
00:13:59,920 --> 00:14:04,080
to achieve feels so good.
So good to be on the same page.
235
00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,640
I.
Mean I, I almost wish it came up
236
00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:10,240
more frequently than quarterly,
but it's not the right
237
00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:13,040
container.
The only issue with quarterly is
238
00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:18,640
that getting started is like a
little bit of a slow start
239
00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:23,320
because there's, there's such a
time lapse between 1/4 to the
240
00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,720
other.
But once I get started on that
241
00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,480
initial first pass, I'm like, Oh
yeah.
242
00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,080
We got this.
We feel so good.
243
00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,160
And I would say the same thing
about our quarterly goals
244
00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,200
meeting.
We we kicked it by a week
245
00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,280
because it was a little bit of a
busy time, but we ended up
246
00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,600
reeling it back in and I think
it was only two days later than
247
00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,400
we had scheduled it because we
felt a bit unmoored.
248
00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:45,080
Right.
Like, without the that goal
249
00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,600
alignment conversation.
And I also see that with the
250
00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,880
kids, you know, like Jade this
week was the one that suggested
251
00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:52,600
the problem solved, she said.
Oh, it was.
252
00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:56,120
Hunter really wants to talk to
Maverick about how stop means
253
00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:00,680
stop, and it's like they know
that this is an opportunity on
254
00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,720
Sundays to have this
conversation.
255
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,640
It's amazing that container is
amazing to see them, to see them
256
00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:12,200
show up with suggestions ready
for it and like not trying to
257
00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:16,680
make it about them or about, you
know, a situation.
258
00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:17,800
Well, they do.
That too, but.
259
00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,880
Well, yeah, anyway.
OK.
260
00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,720
And then so that's what I'll
call the necessary evil rituals.
261
00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:25,680
And then there are those that
bring excitement.
262
00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,880
So for us, since starting this
journey, it is the family
263
00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,440
learning and family meeting, and
it's also what we do on Friday
264
00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,240
evenings.
So in a continuation of our
265
00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,760
popsicle ritual, we've now,
since the weather has turned a
266
00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:43,880
bit here in Florida, we've now
started having popsicles by
267
00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:46,560
candlelight.
And everyone kind of takes turns
268
00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:50,600
reflecting on their week.
And each of us, after we go, we
269
00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:52,640
blow out the candle that's
sitting in front of us.
270
00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,440
So it's just a nice little
Neufeld quirk drawing upon so
271
00:15:56,440 --> 00:16:00,040
many traditions, right?
So many the shoulders of giants,
272
00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:01,520
if you will, that stand before
us.
273
00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:03,600
But this is 1 the kids look
forward to.
274
00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,000
I mean, already Maverick has
asked me on a Monday morning,
275
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,560
when are we going to have
popsicles, right?
276
00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,920
And part of it is the popsicle,
but the other part is, I mean,
277
00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:14,600
that's that's one where both
Maverick and Jade vie to go
278
00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,560
first, right?
Because they're excited about
279
00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:19,880
it.
And so I think whatever your
280
00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:24,320
rituals may be, just having
those that are that bring trust
281
00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:27,080
and alignment and then those
that bring excitement and
282
00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,880
connection really are ways to
build culture.
283
00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:33,000
So rituals are culture in
action.
284
00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,760
They are, they are.
And then our final take away.
285
00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:42,560
So #1 and I think this one shows
up for me in so many ways.
286
00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:47,200
It's one of the hardest things
for me to be is just be present.
287
00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:52,360
But family culture has really
gotten me there and gotten me to
288
00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,000
realize that the reward of
family culture is the present
289
00:16:56,000 --> 00:17:01,320
moment, not just for me, but for
this entire family as we are
290
00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,040
spending it in that moment
together as a team.
291
00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:12,000
So when I first jumped into the
most important thing with you, I
292
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,680
would have said that we are
exploring family culture for a
293
00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:21,400
future state, for what our
children can be and how they're
294
00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,400
going to raise their kids and
how we're going to be involved
295
00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,000
as grandparents and all of these
great things ahead of us.
296
00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:28,840
Yeah, And when we started
exploring this, this was
297
00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,400
actually the question that most
of our friends wanted answered
298
00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,480
as well, which is, you know,
what do you hope that your kids
299
00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:39,040
take away from your family
culture, kind of the the
300
00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,960
Parenthood TV show, if you will,
of it.
301
00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,360
All right.
The four grown kids still
302
00:17:44,360 --> 00:17:47,960
stopping by, Mom and dad's
having dinner together every
303
00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,960
week.
That was definitely what I was
304
00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,500
after as well.
And so I think that this take
305
00:17:53,500 --> 00:17:57,760
away is actually the most
surprising of them all for us.
306
00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:00,800
It is, But the reward is not a
future state.
307
00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:02,680
The reward is the present
moment.
308
00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:07,240
It is the little things, day in,
day out, that work so much
309
00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:12,280
better and more smoothly, not to
take burden off of us, but to
310
00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:17,080
give us joy and all of the
connection that we otherwise
311
00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,600
might miss.
So this morning I was listening
312
00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:23,800
to David Senra on Tim Ferriss
and he had this great quote.
313
00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:28,120
I don't know who it's from, but
he said that life is a happy
314
00:18:28,120 --> 00:18:32,240
life, is essentially a series of
happy days strung together.
315
00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,560
And I was like, yes, David,
like, this is exactly what we're
316
00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:38,800
finding too, which is that like,
this is the time.
317
00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,640
These are the moments.
It's not some future state
318
00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:44,760
because who knows what tomorrow
will bring.
319
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:50,120
Yeah, that's exactly right.
And, you know, I had reflected
320
00:18:50,120 --> 00:18:54,520
on my parents not being around
for this time of my life, of our
321
00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:58,600
lives, of meeting the children
and spending time with them.
322
00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:04,360
And I wrote a post on LinkedIn
and Facebook talking about this
323
00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:08,040
idea that, you know, they had
missed the best parts.
324
00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:13,760
And I got a note from a family
friend who I hadn't seen in a
325
00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:17,160
very long time but who knew me
very well when we were growing
326
00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:20,200
up.
And he said, you know, I watched
327
00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:23,120
your parents during those years
when they were raising you and
328
00:19:23,120 --> 00:19:25,800
your brother.
And I have to say they did not
329
00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:30,280
miss the best parts.
The best parts is when they were
330
00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:34,280
raising you when you were
little, they loved every moment
331
00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:35,760
of it.
They lived for it.
332
00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:38,560
And that was what they were
there for.
333
00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:44,120
And that was a great reframe.
I mean, I still selfishly would
334
00:19:44,120 --> 00:19:49,080
love for them to be around and
do feel like seeing my adult
335
00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:53,960
self and what I've achieved and
all of these things, you know,
336
00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:55,520
but the part of that's the ego
talking.
337
00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:03,160
Whereas for me, like I just want
for my kids, for our kids to be
338
00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:06,960
happy and to, you know, to
strive to achieve their
339
00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:12,360
potential.
I don't really care what that
340
00:20:12,360 --> 00:20:17,000
means in the future.
And so the present moment and.
341
00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:22,800
The present state being the
reward, not any future state
342
00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:25,680
really does resonate.
I get it.
343
00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:30,440
Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
I I agree.
344
00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,200
I mean, on the one hand, I think
there are no guarantees in this
345
00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,080
life, right?
Your parents are not here with
346
00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:37,040
us.
We, we're trying to stay
347
00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:40,280
healthy, but who knows if we'll
get to that future parenthood
348
00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:44,000
state, if you will.
But I also know and I, I really
349
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,880
truly feel in my heart that life
is about climbing your own
350
00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:52,480
mountains and that this will
always be the base camp for our
351
00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,840
family.
But as our children grow, I
352
00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:57,800
really do want them to
individuate.
353
00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:02,400
And that probably doesn't mean
coming home for dinner every
354
00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:07,400
Sunday afternoon, right?
Like, I want to make sure that
355
00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:10,680
we give them a solid foundation,
but this isn't the time.
356
00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:13,080
I don't think we're going to be
building family culture with
357
00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,160
Hunter Jaden Maverick in 20
years.
358
00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,640
This present moment is when we
build the joy, the connection,
359
00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,080
the belonging that sticks with
them from year for years to
360
00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:29,520
come.
So even if Hunter is in Uganda
361
00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:35,400
on a Sunday afternoon, she can
think about, she has the values,
362
00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:40,160
she's already embodying the the
Neufeld spirit without
363
00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,840
necessarily and she's bringing
it to others and she's
364
00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:46,560
contributing and creating
meaning and purpose in her life
365
00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:50,000
that we've we've set her on that
trajectory.
366
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:55,120
We've set each of our children
on that trajectory, but that we
367
00:21:55,120 --> 00:21:57,640
have less and less involvement
as they grow.
368
00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:03,760
Yeah.
You know, as they grow and as we
369
00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:07,560
have less involvement, a lot of
the family culture building,
370
00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:09,400
it's not just for them to carry
on.
371
00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:16,240
I think it's for us to have our
own identity away from them when
372
00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:19,800
they have when as they start to
individuate, right.
373
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,760
If you and I are leaders of a
team, we can reflect on the team
374
00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:25,960
that we built.
We can build other teams, right?
375
00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:30,640
We can do other things in the
world and apply, bring that same
376
00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,840
enthusiasm of culture building
to whatever we do.
377
00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:37,800
Yes, absolutely.
But if we are stuck in this idea
378
00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:42,080
that our children are what we're
living for and that we're
379
00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,840
climbing 1 mountain together and
that mountain is for us to all
380
00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:51,720
be holding hands till the very
last day, that's just it's a
381
00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:53,520
fairy tale.
It's a dangerous place.
382
00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:55,560
It it, it, it's a dangerous
place.
383
00:22:55,600 --> 00:23:00,240
And so Hunter, we were talking
about this yesterday and Hunter
384
00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,200
was sitting with us.
She was sitting on my lap,
385
00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:03,800
right?
And she's like, but not right
386
00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:06,120
now, right?
And I'm like, no, Hunter, not at
387
00:23:06,120 --> 00:23:07,960
8 years old.
Absolutely.
388
00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:10,680
We are spending plenty of more
time together.
389
00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:13,920
But I, you know, I'll just be
honest and say that I don't
390
00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:19,640
necessarily have a mental model
or map of healthy individuation,
391
00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:25,920
but that will be, it's a huge
goal of mine with our family is
392
00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:32,360
to ensure that our children
climb their own mountains, have
393
00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:37,240
their own lives and know that we
are always here to support them.
394
00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:45,400
But know that this family isn't
what's going to bring purpose
395
00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:50,760
and meaning to their life.
It's building upon what we've
396
00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,160
created here and them
contributing to the world.
397
00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:58,600
Each of us contributing to the
world that is really going to
398
00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:03,760
create feelings of success for
them personally.
399
00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:10,120
Yeah, it also helps for me
especially to take action now to
400
00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:15,240
when we come up with ideas like
this podcast or like, you know,
401
00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:19,080
a lemonade stand on the corner,
whatever it is to actually do
402
00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:19,880
it.
Yeah.
403
00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:24,120
Instead of instead of thinking
about, oh, we'll do it someday,
404
00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:28,040
why not today?
Yeah, And that's probably the
405
00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:31,880
call to action, right, is if we
have one take away for you, it's
406
00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:35,720
that in these past six months,
just doing it has really made a
407
00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:39,600
huge difference for us.
Is that because we have the most
408
00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:43,280
important thing, we started
family meetings because we have
409
00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,760
the most important thing, we got
firmer on boundaries.
410
00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:50,640
Because we have the most
important thing, we went on a
411
00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:54,120
family adventure, not just
vacation this year.
412
00:24:54,160 --> 00:25:01,200
And so this, this exploration
has been incredibly beneficial
413
00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:05,200
to us individually, to us as
partners and to our whole
414
00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:06,520
family.
Absolutely.
415
00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,360
And I don't think that you need
to start your own podcast in
416
00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:12,520
order to do these things.
I just think that I've seen the
417
00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:16,160
inspiration that I get from
others putting out things like
418
00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:19,440
the Founders podcast, as you
mentioned, David Senra, and how
419
00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,680
I bring ideas from others into
my world and get inspired by
420
00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,240
that.
You know, I, I hope that we can
421
00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:31,040
deliver 10% of that inspiration
to other people.
422
00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:35,200
And as we're building this
podcast and doing these things,
423
00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:38,640
if you can take 10% of the
experiments and just try them,
424
00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:42,720
you're going to find that the
present moment is the reward.
425
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,240
Absolutely.
So thank you so much for
426
00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:48,840
journeying with us.
Six months down, 60 years to go.
427
00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:50,480
That's right.
That's exactly right.
428
00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:54,480
I wanted to mention one more
thing because perhaps some of
429
00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:58,560
you listening were hoping to get
the nitty gritty ideas of what
430
00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:03,080
has been the most meaningful.
And I think Greg and I can agree
431
00:26:03,120 --> 00:26:07,160
that the book The Secrets of
Happy Families by Bruce Feiler
432
00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,160
said it best when he said really
it boils down to three things.
433
00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:14,280
So if you're looking for a what
these are the three what's
434
00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:21,720
adapt, talk a lot, have fun
together, I think that says it
435
00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:23,600
all.
There are plenty of different
436
00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,800
experiments we can run, but they
all fit into that core model.
437
00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,880
So thanks, Bruce Feiler, and
we're going to continue on this
438
00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:35,600
exploration with these takeaways
as our North Star.
439
00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:38,880
We sure are.
I, as you, as you say that I'm
440
00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:41,600
realizing that we have a lot
more group conversations now
441
00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:45,040
than we used to and that might
be something about talk a lot.
442
00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:47,800
Yeah, for sure.
So the group conversations have
443
00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:52,080
really turned into a very, I
mean, this is the the ritual,
444
00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,120
right?
Our Friday evening ritual, our
445
00:26:54,120 --> 00:26:57,880
family meeting, you know, our
family play our like all of
446
00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,040
these things we're doing as a
group.
447
00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:02,000
Yes.
And we're talking as a group
448
00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:05,640
about even if it's just about
the week, like we didn't have
449
00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:08,720
those containers before.
So thank you, Bruce.
450
00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:09,920
I agree.
Yeah.
451
00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:13,720
And thank you all for listening.
Thanks for being with us on this
452
00:27:13,720 --> 00:27:14,400
journey.
Yeah.
453
00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:16,200
And thanks to Zip Recruiter, our
sponsor.
454
00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:18,840
Love you, goosey love.
You goosey.
455
00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:23,200
Hey guys, if you're still here,
you're definitely our kind of
456
00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:25,360
person.
Thanks for spending this time
457
00:27:25,360 --> 00:27:27,000
with us on The Most Important
Thing.
458
00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:30,920
If this episode resonated with
you, we'd love for you to follow
459
00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:33,280
us wherever you get your
podcasts and share it with
460
00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:35,040
someone else.
Building family culture on
461
00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:35,600
purpose.