Best Startups.com Podcasts (2025)

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Founder Authenticity: Use with Caution 31:17

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4h ago31:17

31:17

Ever wonder if being your authentic self at work might sometimes do more harm than good? The delicate balance of authenticity and diplomacy in leadership. From discussing the rare contexts where pure honesty works, to sharing personal anecdotes about navigating the consequences of unfiltered truth, this episode unpacks how transparency can impact y…

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Episode 140: Start Building Now: OpenAI’s Laura Modiano on Apps in ChatGPT, AgentKit, Sora 2 & GPT-5-pro 40:04

6d ago40:04

40:04

This is the best time to build a startup ever. To young people thinking whether to build something: Start Now.This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Laura Modiano (Startups EMEA at OpenAI) to turn her “love letter to European founders” into a build-now playbook.We break down OpenAI’s latest platform updates—Apps in …

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Founders, Embrace Your Flaws 41:29

7d ago41:29

41:29

Are you convinced that you need to fix all your flaws as a founder? In this episode, we explore why that's not necessarily true. Ryan and Will dive deep into the idea that both startups and their founders are loaded with problems, some of which aren't really 'problems' at all but hidden superpowers. From obsessive tendencies to ADHD, they discuss h…

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Episode 139: Scott Van den Berg: Founder & General Partner at HotStart VC – The New Era Of Celebrity & Creator Brands 23:02

12d ago23:02

23:02

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Scott van den Berg, founder of HotStart VC, to unpack how celebrity and creator-led brands actually win.HotStart VC's team has been involved in 55+ celebrity-founded brands, including investments in companies founded by Selena Gomez, DJ Khaled, Jake Paul, and more. They a…

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Is Remote Culture, Actually Culture? 38:39

15d ago38:39

38:39

By Startups.com

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Episode 138: Rocio Alcocer: MD at Norrsken Barcelona – Building Infrastructure for Hope 30:46

19d ago30:46

30:46

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Rocío Alcocer Magirena, Managing Director of Norrsken Barcelona — Europe’s largest hub for tech & impact startups — during Impact/Week (Oct 1–2).We dig into Norrsken’s “infrastructure for hope”, the Impact/100 2025 list (where AI tops tomorrow’s impact unicorns), and why Spain’…

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Can I Hand Off My Startup? 42:26

23d ago42:26

42:26

Ever dreamt of handing off your startup to a killer operator and sipping margaritas while the money keeps rolling in? It sounds perfect, but reality often has other plans. In this episode, we break down why passing on the reins isn't as smooth as it seems—from the slow degradation of everyday tasks to the irreplaceable instinct and urgency a founde…

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Episode 137: Sergio González: CEO & Co-Founder of Remuner – Fixing Broken Incentives with AI Sales Compensation 25:44

27d ago25:44

25:44

Most growth teams run on incentives. Most incentives run on… spreadsheets, guesswork, and disputes.In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Sergio González, CEO & Co-Founder of Remuner—the AI-powered sales compensation platform that turns commissions from confusion into a growth system. Fresh off a €5.5M Seed (l…

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Did I Just Get Promoted or Fired? 42:29

29d ago42:29

42:29

Ever wonder what happens when a founder gets 'promoted' out of the CEO role? Ryan and Will dive into the tricky terrain of founder transitions, exploring how it feels to be nudged into roles like Chief Vision Officer or Chairman—positions that often come when a new CEO is brought in. They discuss the emotions involved, the motivations of investors,…

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Episode 136: How to Pitch to Investors – Beth Susanne on Coaching Startups that Raised $10B 36:05

1M ago36:05

36:05

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Beth Susanne, global pitch coach trusted by over 3,950 startups and clients across 60 countries. She has helped entrepreneurs raise over $10 billion to date!Her work spans industries from medtech and biotech to fintech, AI, and cleantech, and she has collaborated with organisat…

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Burnout is a Treatable Injury 39:42

1M ago39:42

39:42

Ever felt like burnout is inevitable in your startup journey? You're not alone. Burnout can feel like a silent co-founder, but it doesn't have to signal the end of your entrepreneurial story. In this episode, we discuss why burnout happens, how to diagnose it, and most importantly, how to treat it. Discover the importance of pacing yourself, the hi…

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Stop Pretending You Don't Have Enough Time! 40:11

1M ago40:11

40:11

Ever feel like you need more hours in the day? Turns out, you don't. In this episode, we dive deep into time management for founders, starting with a viral Reddit post that stirred some controversy. We'll explore how compressing your timelines can lead to greater efficiency and free up your schedule for the things that truly matter. Forget the chro…

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Episode 135: Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer: CEO of EGYM – Why 80% of Gyms Don’t Work 33:59

1M ago33:59

33:59

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, Founder & CEO of EGYM, the German fitness tech unicorn transforming how the world approaches health.EGYM’s mission is simple yet bold: make fitness accessible to everyone. By rethinking the traditional gym experience and integrating fitness int…

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Episode 134: Des Traynor: Co-Founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI – Transforming a Unicorn into an AI-First Company 28:21

2M ago28:21

28:21

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Des Traynor, Co-founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI, to unpack what it takes to transform a unicorn into an AI-first company.Des shares the story of how Intercom embraced AI at its core, building Fin.AI, a customer service agent now handling millions of conversations.…

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Are Founders Aligned with Those Around Them? 40:33

2M ago40:33

40:33

The complexities of alignment among founders, employees, and even spouses. They debunk the notion that perfect alignment exists, emphasizing that often, perceived alignment is more fiction than reality. The conversation covers the inevitable differences in expectations, contributions, and risk tolerances that arise between co-founders and employees…

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Episode 133: Marco Trombetti: Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus – AI, Optimism & Naivety 23:56

2M ago23:56

23:56

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Marco Trombetti, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus. Translated provides translation services in more than 200 languages with over 500.000 professional translators working in symbiosis with the best translation AI ever create…

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Will the Payout be Worth the Sacrifice? 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

The challenging question of whether the sacrifices made in pursuit of entrepreneurial success are ultimately worth the payoff. Will retells his personal story of almost buying an expensive house in Bel Air only to realize, thanks to his wife's intervention, that it wasn't what he truly wanted. The duo explores themes of sacrifice, payoff, and how a…

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Episode 132: Joe Seager-Dupuy: Director, Investment at TRUE – From Firefighter to TRUE $1bn VC 39:35

2M ago39:35

39:35

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Joe Seager-Dupuy, Partner at TRUE, the $1bn consumer-specialist VC and innovation advisory firm that’s reshaping the retail, leisure, and consumer tech sectors.Joe shares his unique journey from a family of firefighters to venture capital, explains why brands today need a…

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How Founders Blow Their Fortunes 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

The critical do's and don’ts after a big financial win as a startup founder. They emphasize the importance of not oversharing about your wealth, shifting from an offensive to a defensive mindset, preserving your gains, and being cautious about new investments. They also explore how to handle the psychological and social challenges that come with ne…

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Episode 131: Jens Wohltorf: CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane – Scaling Luxury Mobility 26:59

2M ago26:59

26:59

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Jens Wohltorf, CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane — the premium global chauffeur service that’s transforming the way business travelers move through the world.Jens shares the journey from concept to becoming a trusted name in luxury mobility. We discuss how Blacklane scaled ac…

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When is Enough, Enough? 40:37

2M ago40:37

40:37

Ryan and will talks about a critical issue many founders face: knowing when to say 'enough is enough.' They explore the constant pursuit of growth both personally and professionally and how it can turn into a liability if not checked. They dive into the psychological roots of why founders struggle with the concept of 'having enough,' the impact of …

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Episode 130: Maxime Chareton: Head of Sales at Revolut – Inside Revolut’s Sales Machine 24:09

3M ago24:09

24:09

What does it take to build one of world's highest-performing sales teams — fully remote?In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Maxime Chareton, Head of Sales at Revolut, to explore what makes the fintech giant’s sales engine run. Revolut's powerhouse of products helps 50+ million customers get more from their …

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Can Entrepreneurship Alleviate Poverty? 47:57

3M ago47:57

47:57

How entrepreneurship can transform lives and communities? Will shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They explore whether entrepreneurship can be a means to alleviate poverty, emphasizing the importance of hope, a safety net, and access to education and mentorship. The conversation dives dee…

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Episode 129: Nikolaus Thomale: Founder & Managing Director of MYNE Homes – Co-Own Your Dream Home 23:26

3M ago23:26

23:26

Airbnb? Timeshare? Nope. This Is Better.In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Nikolaus Thomale, Founder & Managing Director of MYNE Homes. MYNE Homes is building Europe’s leading co-ownership platform for vacation homes. They make buying, owning and selling your dream vacation home more accessible and hassle-…

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Should Startups Be a Family? 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges and dynamics of blending friendship and professionalism in startups. They delve into the potential pitfalls of treating your startup team like a family, the consequences on both founders and employees, and the importance of setting clear boundaries. They highlight …

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Episode 128: Wouter Durville: Why Resumes Are Dying – TestGorilla CEO on the Future of Hiring 22:36

3M ago22:36

22:36

🎙️ Skills Over Signals: TestGorilla CEO Wouter Durville on the Future of HiringIn this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Wouter Durville, Co-Founder and CEO of TestGorilla, to discuss the shift from traditional hiring to skills-based recruitment. With over $80m in funding TestGorilla is placing people in dream jo…

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Episode 127: Inside the Media Engine: What Startups Get Wrong (and Right) About Press 27:39

3M ago27:39

27:39

In this special edition of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski is joined by the editorial team behind EU-Startups: Antonio Escarzaga (Head of Content) and David Cendon Garcia (Head of News). Together, they unpack the evolving world of startup media — from AI-generated content and traditional journalism to what actually makes a startup story…

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Can Founders be Replaced by AI? 38:05

3M ago38:05

38:05

Ryan and Will talk about the growing role of AI in startups. They explore how AI is automating traditional founder tasks like writing, coding, and analyzing data. The conversation delves into the existential threat AI poses to the founder's role and how founders can adapt to this new landscape. They argue that founders should embrace AI to focus on…

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Episode 126: Trevor Neff: Partner at Headline Growth – Helping Founders Win Bigger 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski is joined by Trevor Neff, Partner at Headline Growth, a global VC firm with offices in San Francisco, Berlin, and Paris. Headline raised $865M for its fourth growth fund, with half of it dedicated to Europe. Headline’s portfolio includes powerhouses like: Sonos, Farfetch, goPuff, Bumble…

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Episode 125: Erika De Santi: Chief Experience Officer at WeRoad – 32:09

3M ago32:09

32:09

How do you turn travel into a cure for loneliness?In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Erika De Santi, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at WeRoad. With over 125 destinations worldwide and $36m in funding, WeRoad is one of the fast-growing travel startups that's redefining what it means to explore the …

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Episode 124: Charlie MacGregor: CEO of The Social Hub - How The Social Hub Is Redefining Hospitality 32:51

4M ago32:51

32:51

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Charlie MacGregor, Founder & CEO of The Social Hub – a bold reimagination of what hospitality, connection, and community can look like in the 21st century.Starting from a personal desire to improve student housing, Charlie went on to build a hospitality powerhouse that bl…

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What if we run out of goals? 40:59

4M ago40:59

40:59

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will talk about what happens when you hit all your big goals and realize there might not be any more mountains left to climb. They discuss the complex feelings and identity crises that can emerge when success is achieved, and reflect on how to find new meaning and satisfaction beyond traditio…

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Episode 123: Mastering AI GTM: Lessons from ElevenLabs’ Carles Reina 30:29

4M ago30:29

30:29

Most AI startups don’t fail because of the tech.They fail because they don't know how to go to market.Enter Carles Reina, the first investor and GTM strategist at ElevenLabs — the voice AI juggernaut redefining what product-market fit sounds like.In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin and Carles talk about the real playbook for scaling …

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Founders, Reinvention IS your Constant! 41:06

4M ago41:06

41:06

Will and Ryan talk about the fascinating and often overlooked journey of reinventing oneself. Will shares his diverse background, from being an ad guy to becoming a multi-time startup founder, and stresses the importance of embracing various roles to build a comprehensive skill set. The duo emphasizes that becoming a founder isn't a job you get hir…

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Episode 122: Miki Yokoyama: MD & Partner at Aurum Impact - Family Money. Global Impact. 30:12

4M ago30:12

30:12

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski speaks with Miki Yokoyama, Managing Director and Partner at Aurum Impact – an investment firm working at the intersection of family offices and climate innovation.Miki breaks down the unique role family offices can play in funding a livable future and why we need to rethink how we defin…

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Founder Isolation is Getting Worse 40:22

4M ago40:22

40:22

Ryan and Will talk about the growing isolation that founders are feeling despite having more ways to connect. They delve into how the shift to remote work, the impact of social media, and the rise of AI have contributed to stripping away the humanity from our daily interactions. They share personal experiences and offer insights into why this sense…

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Episode 121: Niklas Terrahe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pick'em - How Pick'em Turned Toothpicks Into a D2C Phenomenon 34:21

4M ago34:21

34:21

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski chats with Niklas Terrahe, the CEO & co-founder of Pick’em — the D2C brand reinventing one of the most unsexy products on the market: the toothpick.It started as a student project. Now it’s chewing gum’s worst nightmare. With millions of views on TikTok, influencer shoutouts from people like …

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Forging Founder Confidence 39:22

4M ago39:22

39:22

Ryan and Will discuss the journey of becoming a confident founder. Celebrating their 300th episode, they reflect on how learning to lead and building confidence starts with curiosity. They emphasize asking questions, even seemingly silly ones, to gain knowledge and confidence. Will and Ryan also dive into the importance of challenging oneself incre…

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Episode 120: Antonia Eneh: CEO of Wave Ventures - Gen Z Is Taking Over 26:38

5M ago26:38

26:38

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Antonia Eneh, CEO of Wave Ventures, the trailblazing Gen Z-led VC fund that just launched Wave III — their boldest fund yet to invest in the world’s most ambitious Gen Z founders backed by the people behind Bolt, Slack, Wolt, and Supercell.We dive deep into what makes this generati…

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Is College a Waste of Time for Founders? 41:25

5M ago41:25

41:25

In this episode of The Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the true value of a college education for aspiring entrepreneurs. They explore whether the traditional path through higher education is the best route for those determined to start their own businesses. With personal anecdotes and economic insights, they argue that college may no…

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Episode 119: Zoltan Vardy: Creator of The Launch Code - Startup Sales Made Simple 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Zoltan Vardy, a seasoned B2B sales advisor, author, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in driving revenue growth. Zoltan has generated $2 billion in sales throughout his career, serving as a C-suite executive at major media companies like NBCUniversal International and Pr…

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Are We Preventing Our Startup From Evolving? 29:10

5M ago29:10

29:10

The realities of evolving a startup. Ryan and Will discuss how the first idea is rarely the final solution, sharing insights on how to navigate the pivoting process. Using Uber and their own experiences at startups.com as examples, they explore the dangers of clinging to an initial plan and the importance of staying open to change. They also touch …

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Episode 118: Ash Arora: Partner at LocalGlobe - From Delhi to Top VC 34:45

5M ago34:45

34:45

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Ash Arora, the youngest Partner at LocalGlobe — the #1 early-stage VC fund in EMEA and a backer of legendary companies like Wise, Canva, Twitter, Robinhood, and more.In this episode, Ash shares her journey from Delhi to leading investments in frontier tech across London and bey…

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Building a Startup That Loves You Back 31:12

5M ago31:12

31:12

Ryan and Will delve into the complexities of maintaining a healthy relationship with your startup. They discuss their personal experiences and challenges in balancing the demands of a startup with personal well-being. Will shares an incredulous story about a friend enjoying a Tuesday afternoon in the pool, leading to a broader discussion on the imp…

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Episode 117: Meiran Galis: Founder & CEO of Scytale - Think Compliance Is Expensive? Try No Compliance 29:33

5M ago29:33

29:33

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Meiran Galis, Founder & CEO of Scytale, a global leader in security compliance automation, helping companies get compliant and stay compliant with security frameworks like SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR and PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. They serve hundreds of cu…

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When Our Friends Resent Our Success 43:01

5M ago43:01

43:01

Ryan and Will discuss the surprising reactions founders often face when they achieve success. They explore how unexpected resentment from friends and peers can arise, why it happens, and how to navigate these tricky social waters. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, they delve into balancing humility and openness about success while st…

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When Our Startup Outgrows Us 25:59

5M ago25:59

25:59

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast,Ryan and Will delve into the emotional journey of startup founders who feel out of place in the very companies they built from scratch. They discuss the guilt and struggle founders experience when their roles change and they no longer enjoy their jobs. They share personal anecdotes and examine the impa…

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Episode 116: Christian Noske: Partner at NGP Capital - Europe's Wake Up Moment 27:17

6M ago27:17

27:17

This week on the EU Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sat down with Christian Noske, Partner at NGP Capital. NGP is a global VC investing in technology companies across Europe and the US. For two decades, NGP has invested in more than 120 companies, of which 19 became unicorns and 11 went on to IPO. Some of the companies NGP has backed include L…

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Episode 115: Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve: Co-Founder & CEO of Alan - Live A Longer, Better Life 37:21

6M ago37:21

37:21

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Co-Founder and CEO of Alan.Alan is your one stop health partner giving everyone access to a healthy & productive life, empowering the body and the mind. Alan's services include the most intuitive health insurance offering, Alan Clinic to navigate t…

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When Being in the 1% Feels like Failure 34:27

6M ago34:27

34:27

Ryan and Will discuss the psychological challenges founders face by constantly looking ahead and rarely celebrating their achievements. They explore how important it is for founders to practice gratitude and recognize their progress, even if their ultimate goals haven't been reached. The conversation delves into personal experiences, including Ryan…