The Power of Intergenerational Storytelling in Family Flourishing
Building Intergenerational Bonds Through Shared Narrative
Wealth without meaning risks becoming a source of disconnection. Family enterprises are most vulnerable to fragmentation when they fail to intentionally communicate shared values, history, and purpose¹. The rising generation may inherit assets but feel detached from the vision that created them.
Thriving families cultivate what Baumoel and Trippe call the Family Factor—a measure of family bond strength built through shared experiences, storytelling, and intentional connection². Similarly, Hughes argued that preserving human, intellectual, social, and spiritual capital is as essential as preserving financial wealth¹.
At the heart of this Family Factor is storytelling—not just recounting history, but creating a shared narrative that reinforces values, celebrates milestones, and emotionally connects generations.
What Makes Intergenerational Storytelling Different?
Think of the last time a story pulled you in so deeply that you saw yourself in it—that’s narrative transportation. Green and Brock describe it as deep emotional engagement with a story that can influence decisions and shape attitudes⁴. When families harness this, they foster empathy, resilience, and shared purpose.
We’ve seen this firsthand working with a fourth-generation family in the automotive industry. For them, storytelling isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about capturing what matters most. They’ve trusted us to document milestones across Europe, bringing everyone together. From a tuxedoed husband surprised at a private burger joint, to a Havana-themed night reflecting a matriarch’s sense of adventure, and bagpipes playing Despacito as a nod to someone marrying into the family—each moment is preserved for them to relive and for the rising generation to carry forward.
The Enduring Benefits of Intergenerational Storytelling
Strong family narratives provide lasting advantages:
- Identity & Belonging — Family stories help the rising generation understand who they are and what they stand for5.
- Conflict Resilience — Shared narratives create empathy and understanding, helping families navigate inevitable conflicts2.
- Purposeful Stewardship — Stories connect heirs emotionally to their inheritance—not just assets, but the why behind them, transforming wealth from entitlement into impact1.
- Emotional Engagement & Resilience — Through storytelling, family members internalize values, role models, and lessons, strengthening decision-making for the future4.
How Flourishing Families Use Storytelling to Thrive
For many UHNW families, real wealth isn’t just about financial assets—it’s the experiences, values, and traditions that hold everyone together. That’s why storytelling is so powerful—not just for protecting what matters, but for engaging the rising generation and putting your family’s values and purpose into action.
From what we’ve seen in our work, flourishing families go out of their way to celebrate milestones—not for show, but because those moments create lasting bonds and strengthen family culture. They recognize that qualitative capitals are as important as quantitative capital¹.
Entrepreneurship becomes a thread that links generations and shapes the family’s shared identity. Storytelling strengthens that connection, helping families see the business not just as a source of wealth, but as a reflection of their values and purpose. As Keffeler points out, flourishing families don’t leave culture to chance—they shape it intentionally, aligning traditions, decisions, and daily habits around a shared sense of purpose⁸.
We’ve seen this play out with a multi-generational family whose history spans more than 800 years. They entrusted us to capture the human side of their enterprise. Tasked with telling their story, we interviewed stakeholders worldwide to uncover the values driving their work across agriculture, food, forestry, renewable energy, and real estate. What stood out was their deep pride—not just in assets—but in the people, expertise, and purpose built over generations. Storytelling became a way to honor their entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and inspire the rising generation to lead with purpose.
In the end, intergenerational storytelling isn’t just about honoring the past. It’s an investment in staying connected, shaping identity, and making a meaningful impact—now and for generations to come.
Our Approach: The Core Stories® Framework
At Core Story Studios, we help families harness this power through our proprietary Core Stories® Framework—designed for families practicing responsible wealth stewardship.
Our process captures three essential narratives:
-
Vision Story – The WHY
Your family’s purpose. Why you choose to be a family, what you stand for, and why it matters. -
People & Culture Story – The HOW
The moments, milestones, and traditions that foster the Family Factor and emotional connection. -
Impact Story – The WHAT
How your family uses its resources—business, philanthropy, or initiatives—to create positive change.
Storytelling as an Investment in Family Continuity
Our films are created to be lasting family keepsakes—something you can return to again and again. They’re designed for private viewing, whether it’s during a family gathering or simply a quiet moment at home. More than just films, they’re an investment in keeping your family connected and your story alive for generations.
We help your family invest in what truly matters:
- Family Engagement — Without a cohesive narrative, families risk fragmentation. Core Stories® strengthens connection and shared values—the connective tissue that endures.
- Rising Generation Readiness — A fragmented story leaves heirs uncertain of their purpose. We help the rising generation connect to their heritage, preparing them for leadership and stewardship.
- Succession and Continuity Planning — When stories are lost, so is hard-earned wisdom. Our films preserve your family’s values, history, and impact—supporting governance and continuity.
Because the most enduring families don’t just pass down wealth—they pass down the story that makes the wealth meaningful.
Ready to explore Core Stories®?
- For families celebrating meaningful milestones: eleazarfilm.com
- For businesses amplifying their vision and impacts: corestorystudios.com
References
- Hughes, J. E. Jr. (2004). Family Wealth: Keeping It in the Family—How Family Members and Their Advisers Preserve Human, Intellectual, and Financial Assets for Generations. Bloomberg Press.
- Baumoel, D., & Trippe, C. (2016). Deconstructing Conflict: Understanding Family Business, Shared Wealth, and Power. Wiley.
- Villar, F. (2007). Intergenerational or Multigenerational? A Question of Nuance. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 5(1), 115-117. https://doi.org/10.1300/J194v05n01_11
- Green, M. C., & Brock, T. C. (2000). The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 701-721.
- Thompson, B., Kellas, J., Soliz, J., Thompson, J., Epp, A., & Schrodt, P. (2009). Family Legacies: Constructing individual and family identity through intergenerational storytelling. Narrative Inquiry, 19(1), 106-134. https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.19.1.07tho
- Hamby, A., Brinberg, D., & Jaccard, J. (2016). A Conceptual Framework of Narrative Persuasion. Journal of Media Psychology, 30(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000187
- Allred, S., DiFuria, J., & Goldbart, S. (2022). Building a Thriving and Connected Family of Wealth. Investments & Wealth Monitor, September/October 2022, 6-13.
- Keffeler, K. (2023). The Myth of the Silver Spoon: Navigating Family Wealth & Creating an Impactful Life. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
