Episode Overview: In this enlightening episode, Kristen Heaney shares her journey as a “rising gen” navigating generational wealth, family dynamics, and the importance of creating a meaningful life aligned with personal values. Kristen opens up about the impact of her father’s passing, the responsibilities tied to inheritance, and her mission to foster connection and growth among financially successful families. Together, Kristen and Jake explore the evolving landscape of wealth stewardship, the power of peer cohorts, and the personal definitions of success and legacy.
00:00 - Defining Wealth Beyond Numbers
Kristen shares her passion for redefining the financial industry to include the human side of wealth. She highlights the importance of bringing empathy and connection to wealth management and the journey of aligning financial decisions with values.
00:20 - Introducing Kristen Heaney
Jake introduces Kristen, discussing her background as a coach and facilitator for families dealing with generational wealth. Kristen’s personal experience as a rising gen and inheritor fuels her work in guiding others through complex family dynamics.
01:02 - Kristen’s Inheritance Journey
Kristen recounts her father’s passing during college and the unexpected responsibility of stewarding family wealth. She describes her initial struggle with this new identity and the emotional impact of her inheritance.
04:00 - Balancing Wealth with Identity
Kristen opens up about the “cognitive dissonance” she faced after inheriting wealth, feeling the pressure of her new roles while staying true to her desire for a meaningful life. She reflects on finding a balance between family legacy and personal identity.
06:27 - Integrating Legacy into Daily Life
Jake and Kristen connect over shared experiences of loss and discuss the ways these experiences shape their approach to family, life, and legacy. Kristen emphasizes the impact of “living your legacy” with intentionality.
09:38 - The Value of Community and Support Systems
Kristen talks about her early career choices in social work and the value of community. She highlights her unique experience working in a church setting, where her financial resources enabled her to pursue meaningful work and spend quality time with her family.
12:23 - The Power of Peer Cohorts
Kristen explains how peer cohorts became a cornerstone of her work. She shares how bringing together people facing similar life challenges provides a powerful support system and helps participants navigate their roles with empowerment and agency.
15:00 - Finding Resources for Rising Gens
Kristen recalls her early efforts to seek mentorship and resources as a young inheritor. Her journey led her to write In Three Generations, a parable-style book offering insight into family dynamics and wealth stewardship.
18:00 - Defining Success as a Rising Gen
Jake and Kristen discuss the pressure to “prove worth” as inheritors. They reflect on the balance between ambition, making a positive impact, and maintaining meaningful relationships. Kristen highlights the need for intentionality to avoid getting lost in external achievements.
24:00 - Building Agency in Family Systems
Kristen discusses the importance of agency within family systems, helping her clients find empowerment even in restrictive family environments. She emphasizes the value of embracing one’s reality and taking ownership of personal growth.
29:16 - Embracing Individuality and Legacy
Jake and Kristen dive into the importance of individuality within family legacies, discussing the tension between honoring family values and building one’s own path. Kristen shares her journey of self-acceptance, learning to both honor and redefine the legacy her father left.
36:00 - Passing the Baton to Rising Gens
Using the metaphor of “driving the sports car,” Kristen talks about the empowerment that comes from giving rising gens agency to make their own decisions. She shares her belief in balancing generational differences to create a holistic approach to family wealth.
42:00 - The Tangled Motivations of Giving Back
Kristen reflects on the “tangle” of motivations in using her wealth to make a difference. She discusses her ongoing journey of ensuring her desire to contribute to society is balanced with prioritizing relationships with her family.
45:00 - Redefining Success Through Presence and Connection
In closing, Kristen redefines success as showing up with love and presence for the people in her life. She emphasizes that focusing on the journey and connection with others brings authentic success in every phase of life.
48:00 - Final Thoughts & How to Connect
Jake and Kristen wrap up by discussing the importance of continual growth, mindful legacy, and staying true to one’s values. Kristen invites listeners to connect with her through her website and social media.
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