In this episode of The Family Business Podcast, we explore two closely connected ideas from the Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration — or what we might now call focus.

Mindfulness, when taught well, is a powerful three-part skill: notice, pause, change. It allows us to catch unhelpful thoughts or reactions before they spiral, giving us the space to shift into a wiser frame of mind. But Martin also highlights a crucial point — mindfulness isn’t just about being aware. It’s about being aware skilfully.

Alongside this is the practice of Right Concentration — the ability to hold your attention where it matters, without being pulled off course by distraction, fatigue, or emotion. Together, these two skills help us stay steady — whether we're in a boardroom, around the dinner table, or navigating life’s daily ups and downs.

In a world of constant interruption and overstimulation, this conversation is a grounding one — especially for those in family businesses, where clarity of mind can be the difference between reactivity and wise leadership.

Key Topics:

• Why mindfulness is more than just “being present”
• The three-step method: Notice, Pause, Change
• How to stay focused in a world full of noise
• The difference between casual awareness and skilful attention
• Practical tools to reduce mental clutter and strengthen concentration

Want to explore this further?

The Path is a mindfulness-based programme designed specifically for those in or advising family businesses. It offers practical guidance grounded in ancient wisdom, helping you build clarity, resilience, and better decision-making.

Learn more at https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

In this episode of The Family Business Podcast, we take a closer look at Right Effort — a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t happen by chance, and it doesn’t happen overnight.

Drawing from the Buddhist tradition, Martin explains that the word “Right” here means skilful. Skilful effort is steady, thoughtful, and sustainable. It isn’t about perfection or pushing yourself to exhaustion — but nor is it about giving up when things get hard.

Changing the way we think, respond, and behave — especially in the face of stress, family dynamics, or business pressures — takes practice. And that practice requires a particular kind of energy: one rooted in care, persistence, and balance.

This episode is especially useful for those who feel they’re “trying” to live or lead differently but aren’t seeing instant results. It’s a reminder that the path to clarity, kindness, and effectiveness is built one step — and one skilful effort — at a time.

Key Topics:

• What “Right Effort” really means — and why it’s not about striving
• How to avoid burnout while still committing to meaningful change
• Why mindfulness requires consistent practice to take root
• The role of patience, persistence, and balance in both personal growth and leadership
• Practical guidance for cultivating sustainable effort in work and life

Want to explore this further?

The Path is our unique mindfulness-based programme designed for those in or advising family businesses. It blends timeless wisdom with practical tools to help you live and lead with clarity and purpose.

Find out more at https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

In this episode of The Family Business Podcast, we explore Right Livelihood — a concept that feels strikingly modern, despite being taught by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago.

Today we hear terms like purpose-driven business, CSR, or ESG, but the heart of the idea is timeless: how we make our living matters. Not just in terms of profit, but in terms of integrity, impact, and alignment with our values.

Martin reflects on the Buddha’s surprisingly direct teachings to rulers, employers, and workers alike, encouraging them to avoid livelihoods that cause harm, and to pursue work that contributes positively to society.

And if we find ourselves in a role that compromises our values? The Buddha advised making amends through good deeds and conscious reflection.

For anyone in a family business, this teaching is especially resonant. How we earn, invest, and lead shapes more than just the bottom line, it shapes the legacy we leave behind. Right Livelihood is about asking not just how successful are we?, but what are we actually contributing through our work?

To find out more about The Path visit - https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

In this episode of The Family Business Podcast, we turn our attention to Right Action, one of the eight elements of the Eightfold Path, and a powerful lens through which to view our choices, habits, and impact on others.

But what does “Right” really mean? As Martin explains, it's not about being perfect or morally superior. It’s about being skilful. Making choices that are wise, kind, and constructive, even in the face of stress, pressure, or uncertainty.

Drawing on the core lessons within the Four Noble Truths, we look at how much of our unhappiness comes not from what happens to us, but from how we respond. And one of the most important responses we can cultivate is through action, what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.

This episode is particularly relevant for those working in or with family businesses, where every action, from leadership decisions to daily conversations, can ripple through the whole system. Mindfulness gives us the space to act with clarity, not just urgency. And that can be the difference between reactions that escalate tension, and actions that build trust and understanding.

To find out more about The Path visit - https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

Certainly. Here's a refreshed episode title and updated show notes that reflect the focus on communication while staying true to the content and tone of The Path:

"The Lost Art of Listening: Mindful Communication in a Noisy World"

In this re-released episode of The Family Business Podcast, we explore how mindfulness can radically improve the way we communicate — at home, at work, and within our families.

Drawing on the teachings of the Buddha and the foundational principles of The Path, Martin Stepek introduces two practical and transformative skills: mindful listening and conscious breathing. These are not abstract ideas — they are everyday tools that can prevent unnecessary conflict, deepen trust, and help us respond with thoughtfulness rather than react out of habit.

Martin begins by unpacking one of the most overlooked aspects of communication: the tendency to only half-listen. He explains how we often prepare our responses while someone else is still speaking — which means we miss their meaning entirely. With mindfulness, we can train ourselves to truly listen, to pause, and to respond with clarity and care.

We also look at the role of the breath, not just as a tool for relaxation, but as a reliable way to regulate emotion in real time. Whether it’s irritation in a meeting or tension at home, using the breath as a mental reset can prevent needless arguments and foster wiser, calmer exchanges.

Together, these two skills form the basis of what the Buddhist tradition calls “Right Speech”, communication that is considered, kind, and constructive. In a world of fast replies and constant distraction, they’re more important than ever.

If you're interested in taking these ideas further, explore The Path — our practical mindfulness programme designed specifically for those working in or with family-owned businesses.

Find out more about The Path here: https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

Right Intention: Skilful Thinking for a Better Life

In this episode, we take a closer look at one of the eight elements of the Eightfold Path — Right Intentions, sometimes called Right Thoughts.

The word “Right” here does not mean morally superior or correct in a rigid sense. It is better understood as skilful or wise. This matters because the quality of our thoughts shapes the quality of our lives.

Martin and I explore how our automatic thinking often leads to poor decisions, unnecessary stress, and reactive behaviour. By learning to notice and guide our thoughts more skilfully, we can reduce suffering and increase our clarity. This is not about controlling every thought, but about cultivating an approach to thinking that is more deliberate, more compassionate, and more constructive.

To learn more about The Path, our unique programme for individuals and families in business, visit:

https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

If you would like to get in touch, you can email me at russ@familybusinesspartnership.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Path

If you would like to find out more about the Guided and Self-Guided versions of The Path, please head to https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath

In this look at the Four Noble Truths, we turn to the most practical element — the path forward.

The Fourth Noble Truth teaches that if we want to reduce suffering and build a more peaceful life, we need to develop certain skills. These are not abstract ideas, but habits of mind and behaviour that can be cultivated through deliberate effort. This is what the Buddha’s Eightfold Path offers.

Each part of the Eightfold Path begins with the word “Right.” Here, “Right” is best understood as skilful or wise — not moralistic or correct in an absolute sense. These eight areas are:

• Right Understanding
• Right Intentions or Thought
• Right Speech or Communication
• Right Actions
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration or Focus

Together, they offer a practical framework for living with greater awareness, integrity and clarity — qualities that matter just as much in business and family life as they do in personal reflection.

To learn more about The Path, our unique programme for individuals and families in business, visit:

https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

If you would like to speak with us or ask any questions, feel free to email me at russ@familybusinesspartnership.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Path

If you would like to find out more about the Guided and Self-Guided versions of The Path, please head to https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath

The Third Noble Truth: The End of Suffering

In this episode, we continue our series on the Four Noble Truths by exploring the Third — the truth that suffering can end.

The Buddha taught that while life involves dissatisfaction and struggle, it does not have to stay that way. When we learn to understand and reduce the “thirsts” — the cravings and aversions that drive our reactions — we begin to create space for peace of mind. This is not about denying life’s challenges, but about changing how we relate to them.

Martin and I talk about how we can all develop simple but powerful skills that help us suffer less, even in difficult moments. These teachings are not abstract ideas, but practical tools for daily life — at home, at work, and in our relationships.

To learn more about The Path, our unique programme for individuals and families in business, visit:

https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath/

If you have any questions or would like to speak with us directly, you can email me at russ@familybusinesspartnership.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Path

If you would like to find out more about the Guided and Self-Guided versions of The Path, please head to https://familybusinesspartnership.com/thepath