What Is a Family Office—and Do You Need One?

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Family Capital Podcast, Jared Machin and Justin Brownlee unpack what a family office is, when creating one might make sense, and what families at every level of wealth can learn from J.P. Morgan’s 2026 Global Family Office Report. They explore how some of the world’s wealthiest families allocate investments, manage risk, structure their family offices, and approach wealth preservation. But the biggest takeaway goes beyond investment returns: successful multigenerational wealth requires families to prioritize values, governance, legacy, and preparing the next generation—not simply managing financial assets.

In This Episode

01:59 — Should You Start a Family Office?

06:27 — Single vs. Multifamily Offices

08:00 — Inside J.P. Morgan’s Family Office Report

13:29 — Why Family Offices Are Still in the Early Innings

19:25 — How Billionaire Families Invest

25:32 — The Biggest Risks Facing Family Offices

29:50 — Are Family Offices Prioritizing the Wrong Things?

33:37 — Preserving Family Values, Governance, and Legacy

39:46 — What Does a Family Office Cost?

42:28 — Start With Your Family’s “Why”

Mentioned

J.P. Morgan 2026 Global Family Office Report

Resources

Brownlee Wealth Management

Financial Planning for Oil and Gas Professionals Podcast

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Disclosure: This information is for informational purposes only. Nothing discussed during this video should be interpreted as tax, legal, or investment advice. If you have questions pertaining to your specific situation, please consult the appropriate qualified professional.

Why the Family Capital Podcast

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0500

We started the Family Capital Podcast because we wanted a place to explore the bigger questions surrounding wealth that extend far beyond investment returns and financial planning. In this episode, we share how our experience serving families with multi-generational wealth led us to focus on building lasting legacies through thoughtful planning, family governance, and the intentional transfer of financial, relational, spiritual, and intellectual capital. We also explain who this podcast is for—from those passing wealth to the next generation, to those inheriting it, to families navigating the family office world—and share our vision for combining practical financial strategies, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help families steward every form of capital for generations to come.

In This Episode

00:44 – Why We Started a Second Podcast

02:28 – From Wealth Management to Multi-Generational Planning

04:39 – The Fixed-Fee Difference & Serving Families with Taxable Estates

06:43 – Who This Podcast Is For

08:39 – Three Audiences: Wealth Creators, Heirs & Family Offices

11:36 – Family Capital Is More Than Financial Capital

12:22 – Justin Brownlee's Story

16:04 – Jared Machen's Story & Lessons from Serving Families

19:12 – What to Expect from Future Episodes

22:07 – Final Thoughts & What's Next

Resources

Brownlee Wealth Management

Financial Planning for Oil and Gas Professionals Podcast