The Mack Podcast

Hiring a private chef requires trust, discretion, adaptability, and the ability to seamlessly integrate into the rhythm of a family's life.

In this episode, Brian Adams sits down with Chris Demaillet, founder of Montclair Chef, to explore what truly separates great private chefs from great restaurant chefs. They discuss the transition from Michelin-star kitchens to private service, the importance of cultural fit, how families can make better hiring decisions, and why long-term success is built on relationships as much as culinary talent.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

Dividend investing remains one of the most debated topics in family office portfolio construction. In this panel discussion, Brian Adams is joined by Grant Jaax, CIO of Mongo Holdings, and Vadym Doroshenko, family office investment advisor and committee member, to explore how dividend strategies fit into modern wealth management. They discuss the tradeoffs between income generation and total return, the importance of goals-based portfolio construction, liquidity management, behavioral finance, and why understanding a family's unique objectives is more important than chasing any single investment philosophy.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

In this episode of The Mack Podcast, Brian Adams sits down with Kim Greene, Founder and President of Svalinn, to discuss how the security needs of ultra-high-net-worth families have evolved far beyond traditional protection strategies. Drawing on her background in international security and nearly two decades of experience working with families, Kim shares how thoughtful security planning balances physical protection, privacy, lifestyle, and peace of mind.

The conversation explores how family offices evaluate risk, the role of trusted advisors in implementing security solutions, common misconceptions about protection animals, and why long-term partnership and education are just as important as the tools themselves.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

This episode explores why Milan has become one of Europe's fastest-growing destinations for globally mobile wealth, family offices, and entrepreneurs. The discussion goes beyond Italy's tax regime to examine the combination of lifestyle, investment opportunities, talent, and infrastructure that is reshaping the country's position on the global wealth map.

The conversation also compares Milan with more established financial centers like London, Geneva, and Monaco, examines the evolution of its private wealth ecosystem, and highlights what families should consider when evaluating a relocation or investment strategy in the region.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

When should families begin talking about wealth? And what should those conversations actually look like?

In this episode, Brian Adams sits down with Ken Ude to discuss why preparing the next generation requires far more than sharing financial information. They explore how families can use storytelling, education, and intentional communication to build responsible owners who understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany wealth.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

Robotics has become one of the most talked-about investment themes, but where does the real opportunity lie?

In this episode, Brian Adams is joined by Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation; Collin Groves, Partner at BD Ventures; and Collin Sebastian, CEO of En Verite AI and former CTO of SoftBank Robotics, for a discussion on the current state of robotics investing.

They explore the realities of adoption, the impact of AI on robotics, where venture capital and family offices are deploying capital today, and the biggest challenges facing the industry—from systems integration and manufacturing to policy and talent.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

In this episode of The Mack Podcast, Brian Adams sits down with Alex Branton, Managing Partner of Nodem Capital, to explore the growing role of net asset value (NAV) financing in family office portfolio management.

As private market holding periods continue to lengthen and liquidity remains constrained, Alex explains how sophisticated family offices are using NAV financing as a strategic tool to access capital without selling high-quality assets at a discount.

Together, they discuss how NAV financing compares to secondary sales and other liquidity solutions, common use cases, key underwriting considerations, and the questions families should ask when evaluating a financing partner.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

This episode is sponsored by In Three Generations.

In Three Generations provides education and coaching for individuals and families with significant financial means, helping both leading and rising generations navigate wealth with confidence, clarity, and intention.

Learn more at inthreegenerations.com

Traditional asset allocation has long been the standard for portfolio construction, but many family offices are beginning to question whether it's the right framework for today's investment landscape. In this panel discussion, Brian Adams is joined by Musan Duric, Alex Herman, and Vadym Doroshenko to explore the Total Portfolio Approach (TPA)—an investment philosophy that evaluates every opportunity based on its contribution to the overall portfolio rather than fitting investments into predetermined asset class "buckets."

The conversation explores why more family offices are adopting this mindset, how TPA differs from traditional strategic asset allocation, the role of liquidity, governance, and risk management, and practical considerations for implementation.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

In this episode of The Mack Podcast, Brian Adams is joined by Emily Margolis, Head of Lifestyle Services within the Family Office Practice at JPMorgan Private Bank, and Karen McGee, President of Valerie Wilson Travel.

They explore how travel and lifestyle services are becoming increasingly important tools for family offices seeking to strengthen family bonds, support governance objectives, and create meaningful multi-generational experiences. The conversation examines the evolving definition of luxury travel, the growing demand for authentic and wellness-focused experiences, and how families can approach travel with greater intentionality as part of their long-term legacy planning.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

This episode is sponsored by In Three Generations.

In Three Generations provides education and coaching for individuals and families with significant financial means, helping both leading and rising generations navigate wealth with confidence, clarity, and intention.

Learn more at inthreegenerations.com

How do family office investment committees evaluate, select, and monitor investment managers? In this panel discussion, Brian Adams is joined by investment leaders Alexander Schmidt, Yehuda Spindler, and Vadym Doroshenko to explore what happens behind the scenes when family offices assess external managers and make allocation decisions.

The conversation examines the manager selection process from the initial meeting through due diligence, portfolio construction, ongoing monitoring, and eventual termination decisions. Panelists share how they identify genuine sources of alpha, evaluate competitive advantages, assess manager fit, and balance concentration with diversification. They also discuss common red flags, the importance of process discipline, and how investment committees navigate both quantitative analysis and human judgment when making investment decisions.

To learn more about Mack International, please visit www.mackinternational.com

This episode is sponsored by BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors.

Banyan works with family business owners to navigate complex decisions around succession, ownership, and long-term strategy—helping families clarify their options, align as a group, and move forward with confidence. Learn more at banyan.global.