Hug of War: Managing Polarities in Farm Families

Episode 60: Hug of War: Managing Polarities in Farm Families

In this episode, I sit down with executive coach and author Cathy Carroll for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about one of the most overlooked challenges in farm families: navigating the tension between love and logic.

Cathy, founder of Legacy Onward and author of Hug of War, shares how families can move beyond black-and-white thinking and start seeing conflict not as something to avoid but something to manage. Together, we explore the concept of polarities: two opposing but equally valuable truths, like tradition and innovation, control and trust, or fairness and equality.

We talk about why trying to “solve” these tensions often backfires, and how learning to embrace both sides can transform your family’s conversations, decisions, and leadership. Cathy also shares tools to help you create healthier dynamics, lead with clarity, and make space for both your heart and your head.

If your family feels stuck between generations, mindsets, or values, this episode will give you a powerful new lens—and the language to move forward together.

“In a family business, you’re not choosing between right or wrong; you’re holding two right answers at the same time. The challenge is not to solve the tension, but to manage it so you get the best of both worlds.” — Cathy Carroll, MBA, MCC





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