Startup Therapy

Startups.com

The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.

  1. 03/12/2025

    Are startups the future of employment?

    What will AI do to everything? In this episode, we explore how AI is set to create a surge in new startups, reshaping employment as we know it. As jobs get displaced, the concept of big employment shifts, giving rise to smaller, more agile companies using AI tools. Drawing parallels with past technological revolutions, we highlight the opportunities that lower costs and new market demands present for founders. We discuss the transformation in various sectors, from customer service to content creation, and emphasize how AI can democratize entrepreneurship globally. Finally, we delve into the exciting potential for startup growth and the role of AI as both a tool and a transformative force in the startup ecosystem. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:24 The Impact of AI on Employment01:16 Historical Parallels: Internet and Industrial Revolution02:32 The Shift from Big Employment to Entrepreneurship03:16 The Decline of Traditional Jobs05:25 Opportunities in the New Economy11:48 The Rise of the Creator Economy20:15 Macro Trends and Future Outlook23:52 The Rise of Billion-Dollar Startups24:24 Price Collapse and Premium Experiences26:01 The Impact of AI on Startups26:44 The Creator Economy and Niche Markets29:06 The Evolution of eSports31:09 The Dawn of Young CEOs33:22 The Future of Entrepreneurship39:43 Global Entrepreneurship and Accessibility45:56 The Age of the Startup

    47 min

  2. 25/11/2025

    The Founder Hard Reset

    Ever felt like vacations just aren't cutting it when it comes to startup burnout? In this episode, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter dive deep into why burnout is inevitable for founders and how quick fixes like vacations often fail to address the root of the issue. They explore how to truly recover and maintain that all-important spark in your work. Learn why it's crucial to inventory what drains and fuels your energy, and how making meaningful changes—not just taking time off—can lead to sustainable recovery. Real-life examples and practical advice make this a must-listen for any founder feeling the grind. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:34 The Misconception of Business Success and Burnout01:00 Personal Stories of Burnout02:10 The Ineffectiveness of Vacations03:49 The Importance of Meaning in Work04:11 Personal Struggles with Burnout07:27 The Real Cause of Burnout10:23 Balancing Tasks to Prevent Burnout11:59 The Battle Within: Struggles in the Workplace12:58 Startup Expectations vs. Reality13:46 Finding Energy and Avoiding Burnout15:34 The Importance of Positive Energy18:22 Active Breaks for Founders22:32 Identifying and Addressing Burnout25:31 Join the Startups.com Community

    26 min

  3. 17/11/2025

    Is there a line between Founder optimism and delusion?

    Can founders turn delusion into success? In this episode, Ryan and Will discuss the essential role of optimism in startups. Drawing parallels between founders and firefighters, the duo explores how belief against all odds drives entrepreneurs forward. They explain how maintaining optimism is not just about having a positive outlook but about creating momentum from minor wins and leveraging chaos as an opportunity. The hosts also address the fine line between optimism and dishonesty, emphasizing the importance of an 'educated wish.' Whether you're battling to raise funds or struggling to maintain morale, this episode delves into why a founder’s unyielding belief is crucial for startup survival and growth. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:07 The Delusional Optimism of Founders01:02 Creating and Living in a Fantasy02:00 Running Toward Chaos04:54 The Passion and Drive of Founders05:59 The Reality of Startup Life12:08 The Role of Belief and Proof14:31 Finding Optimism in Small Wins16:40 Persistence in the Face of Rejection18:56 The Power of Hope in Business19:52 The Role of Optimism in Startups21:41 Balancing Optimism and Honesty23:03 The Fine Line Between Optimism and Deception26:07 The Importance of Optimism in Leadership28:55 The Role of Optimism in Overcoming Challenges32:05 The Founder's Mindset: Manufacturing Optimism

    38 min

  4. 07/11/2025

    Prioritize Productivity Over Popularity

    Ever find yourself caught in the trap of confusing visibility with progress? In this episode, we'll delve into why seeking attention can often feel like momentum but doesn't necessarily translate to business traction. Will Schroter shares a cautionary tale from his own experience, revealing how his focus on brand-building and networking kept him from truly building his company. We explore the fine line between personal branding and productivity, and why many founders need to prioritize the latter to achieve real success. It's a reminder that until your product and business are fully developed, every external interaction could be costing you more than it's worth. 00:30 The Trap of Visibility: A Personal Story02:24 The Illusion of Popularity vs. Productivity06:21 The Modern-Day Equivalent: Social Media09:24 Balancing Publicity and Productivity11:23 Cautionary Tales and Lessons Learned12:55 The Importance of Focus and Balance14:48 Earning the Right to Brand Build15:29 The Pitfalls of Prioritizing Popularity Over Business16:07 The Honeymoon Period of Venture Funding17:40 The Dangers of Personal Branding for Founders18:47 When Personal Views Hurt Business21:39 Balancing Personal and Company Brand23:48 Focus on Building the Business First30:22 The Cost of External Interactions Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:

    32 min

  5. 27/10/2025

    Better is Better than Bigger

    Is getting bigger always better for startups? This episode dives into the hidden costs of scaling up and how growth can sometimes make a company worse, not better. Ryan and Will discuss the trade-offs between size and quality, using examples like Google and PayPal. They explore how rapid growth can diminish company culture, slow down decision-making, and introduce inefficiencies. The conversation also covers personal experiences in startup growth, emphasizing the importance of optimizing for better rather than just bigger. Whether it's adding more staff or raising capital, they advocate for making decisions that enhance company quality and founder life satisfaction. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:14 The Myth of Bigger is Better00:43 Examples of Companies That Grew and Suffered02:00 The Hidden Costs of Scaling05:08 Personal Experiences with Growth Challenges13:01 The Importance of Freedom and Quality17:18 The Hidden Costs of Growth17:58 Balancing Growth and Quality of Life20:39 Defining Non-Negotiables for Better Business22:33 Scaling with Soul: Maintaining Company Culture24:41 Quality Over Quantity: Making Strategic Decisions28:07 The Power of Saying No31:15 Sticking to Your Values for Sustainable Growth

    36 min

  6. 22/10/2025

    Founder Authenticity: Use with Caution

    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 your team, brand, and personal relationships. Find out why being your true self might only be great advice 6% of the time and how effective communication can save you from unintended fallout. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:01:01 The Consequences of Unfiltered Honesty01:26 Generational Differences in Professionalism02:44 The Power Dynamics of Founders04:45 Balancing Honesty and Diplomacy06:01 The Luxury of Honesty and Risk08:04 The Importance of Filtering Communication12:56 The Duality of Professional Personas15:21 The Consequences of Honesty in Leadership16:19 Balancing Honesty and Diplomacy17:10 The Importance of Empathy in Communication18:26 The Cost of Unfiltered Honesty19:51 Frameworks for Effective Communication20:55 Lessons from the Terminator: Choosing Responses Wisely22:07 The Role of Diplomacy in Leadership28:17 The Medium Matters: Hot, Warm, and Cold Communication29:56 Prioritizing Outcomes Over Authenticity

    31 min

  7. 14/10/2025

    Founders, Embrace Your Flaws

    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 how to harness these traits for success rather than trying to fix them. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, they touch on the influence of pharmaceutical marketing, the role of social media in shaping perceptions, and the importance of finding context for your strengths. This episode challenges you to rethink how you view your weaknesses and offers a fresh perspective on founder self-acceptance and leveraging inherent traits for entrepreneurial success. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:33 Founders and Their Problems01:15 Pharmaceutical Industry Insights02:36 Social Media and Problem Creation03:46 Personal Struggles of Founders05:07 Overthinking and Control Issues11:15 ADHD and Academic Challenges17:11 Harnessing Obsessiveness for Success20:40 Evaluating Self-Help Advice21:09 Struggles with Attention Span21:31 Learning Outside Traditional Education22:15 Emphasizing Strengths Over Weaknesses23:29 Founders and Their Strengths28:08 Anxiety as a Superpower34:46 The Importance of Context in Learning38:36 Self-Acceptance and Utilizing Strengths

    41 min

  8. 06/10/2025

    Is Remote Culture, Actually Culture?

    Have you ever wondered if remote work is better than being in the office? Ryan and Will dive into their experiences and how their work culture has evolved over 20 years. They discuss the pros and cons of remote work, the importance of autonomy, and how remote setups have stripped away some of the overhead, revealing who truly thrives in this environment. They also explore whether it's possible to create a strong company culture remotely and how the shift has amplified the best and worst in employees. Tune in as they break down their journey from being die-hard office goers to embracing the flexibility and autonomy of remote work. Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for:00:36 The Shift from Office to Remote Work 01:01 Challenges of Remote Work 01:57 Socialization and Remote Work 04:42 Remote Work Rituals and Failures 07:26 Digital Culture and Transactional Work 12:06 Evolving Company Culture 19:14 The Evolution of Workplace Culture 19:34 Starting Fresh: Can We Be Transactional? 20:20 The New Culture: Autonomy and Responsibility 21:37 Balancing Work and Personal Life 23:49 The Value and Challenges of Remote Culture 25:34 Autonomy: The Ultimate Compensation 26:10 Remote Work: Amplifying Strengths and Weaknesses 32:13 The Social Aspect of Work 37:22 The Future of Work: Remote vs. In-Office

    39 min
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Información

The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Startups.com
  • Años en activo
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodios
    323
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Derechos de autor
    © 2019
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Startup Therapy

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