The Long Game Podcast: Companies Built To Last

 The Long Game Podcast, hosted by Eric Becker, author of the bestselling book The Long Game and co-founder of Cresset, launched on May 26th, with three conversations where Becker spoke to Ryan Cecil and Chase Pickering, descendants of George Vanderbilt and fifth generation leaders of the historic Biltmore Estate; Rick Rieder, CIO of Global Fixed Income at BlackRock, Dr. Cheryl McKissack Daniel, Chair of the Board, McKissack & McKissack, on how she leads one of America's oldest family-owned businesses, spanning over 230 years and five generations. 

The Long Game Podcast explores how the world's most enduring companies are built and hosts conversations with CEOs, founders, and family enterprise leaders about stewardship, generational leadership, and building businesses built to last. In addition to in-depth interview episodes, The Long Game Podcast features solo bonus episodes with Becker, where he distills lessons from the conversations and shares insights from his own four decades of entrepreneurship. Episodes are available in both audio and full video formats on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Episode one was about Biltmore Estate's Fifth-Generation Legacy. For business leaders, entrepreneurs and legacy-minded innovators, their story is a masterclass in stewardship that blends tradition, innovation and long-term vision.

In the episode, the question is asked: What does it take to preserve America's largest privately owned home for five generations? Ryan Cecil and Chase Pickering, descendants of George Vanderbilt and 5th generation leaders of the historic Biltmore Estate join Eric Becker to share the story behind one of America's most iconic families and the estate they've called home for over 130 years. From the Great Depression to World War II to COVID-19, they reveal the lessons learned across generations, the mic-drop moments that defined their family legacy, and the "can't stand still" philosophy that's made Biltmore one of the most visited historic homes in the United States. Ryan and Chase also share insights into the family's governance, offering a rare glimpse at how legacy families operate, including high-stakes decision-making, conflict-resolution and succession planning.

In the second episode, Rick Rieder, CIO of Global Fixed Income at BlackRock, joins Eric Becker to share how he approaches markets, investing, and risk at the world's largest asset management firm. From an early career mistake that reshaped his investment philosophy to overseeing trillions in assets, Rick Rieder explains why markets don't always reward being "right," and why humility, adaptability, and curiosity are critical for long-term success.

Eric and Rick also discuss leadership under pressure, what actually drives high-performing investment teams, and the essential skills investors need in the age of AI.

In the third episode, Dr. Cheryl McKissack Daniel, Chair of the Board McKissack & McKissack, joins Eric Becker to share how she leads one of America's oldest family-owned businesses, spanning over 230 years and five generations. From enslaved ancestors who were master builders to leading a firm responsible for over $50 billion in construction projects, Cheryl shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and building a lasting business legacy.

Cheryl says that for family-owned companies, business is personal, and that pressure drives leaders to take bold risks, stay agile, and never settle for mediocrity. She also emphasizes the power of owning mistakes, a mindset that has shaped the firm's culture, performance, and long-term success.

Each episode of the show offers listeners rare access into global brands and family enterprises and into the minds of founders, CEOs, and multi-generational business leaders who are building organizations designed to endure. Rather than focusing on short-term tactics, the series explores themes that matter most to founders, family offices, and long-term investors: stewardship, succession, culture, and the discipline required to compound value over decades. Drawing on insights from Becker's research into the rare "centurion companies"-organizations that survive and thrive for 100+ years--the podcast offers practical lessons for leaders seeking to build businesses that outlive their founders.

Eric Becker is Co-founder and Co-Chairman of Cresset. Alongside Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Avy Stein, Eric was one of Cresset's first two clients. He shares his extensive experience to advise founders, entrepreneurs, private equity partners, and ultra-high-net-worth families in addition to serving on the firm's leadership team. Eric is also the author of the bestselling book The Long Game.

 Across the United States, Eric is active in a range of civic and philanthropic organizations and holds multiple board positions. In 2016, Eric received the Adams Entrepreneurial Pioneer Award in recognition of exemplary leadership and demonstrated commitment to mentorship, guidance & service in the promotion of entrepreneurship from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Eric served as the Co-Chairman of Chicago Ideas Week, a premier annual gathering of global thought leaders created to provoke new ideas and inspire actionable results. He is also past Chapter Chairman of YPO Washington Baltimore Chapter and past Tiger21 member. He is a current member of R360, Peakline, Chesapeake Spice, and Karma for Cara Foundation. Eric attended The University of Chicago and studied Economics before launching his entrepreneurial career.

For stories of long-term business success, check out The Long Game Podcast with Eric Becker.