The Founders Truth

Carlo Mahfouz
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A podcast diving into the realities of unconventional founders and builders, including corporate founders (i.e., product managers & technologists👊), bringing you real-time insights of the messy middle that gets edited out from success stories. If you are struggling to share your message when it’s a foreign concept that’s too innovative to be accessible yet. Or struggling to position yourself when you still don’t know who your audience will be. Or even struggling to live through all of that without losing the passion and drive that got you on this path in the first place. This podcast is for you. Every episode brings this to life, not expressed only in words but in the tension the dialogue creates. We discuss the unspoken challenges, the nuance that's rarely highlighted, and the in-between stages not to resolve or fix but to recognize, understand, and accept to move forward. In the space of ambiguity, absurdity, and aliveness, you will experience firsthand the founders truth in its uncertainty, discomfort, and fragility, so that when you encounter it on your own journey, you won’t be a stranger to it. Created by the author of The Founders Truth Trilogy, Carlo Mahfouz.

Episodios

  1. #01 Beyond Self-Made: The Power of Team and Ecosystem with Vjera Orbanic

    EPISODIO 1

    #01 Beyond Self-Made: The Power of Team and Ecosystem with Vjera Orbanic

    In this inaugural episode of "The Founders Truth," join Carlo Mahfouz and guest Vjera Orbanic as they delve into the paradox of the self-made founder. Explore the essential pillars of ambiguity, absurdity, and aliveness that define a founder's journey. Discover how embracing these elements can lead to personal growth and success, while challenging the myth of individual achievement. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the collective power of teams and the role of technology in shaping our reality. Tune in to uncover the truths that lie beneath the surface of entrepreneurship.

    27 min
  2. #02 Exploring the Self: Technology's Role in Our Reality with Vjera Orbanic

    EPISODIO 2

    #02 Exploring the Self: Technology's Role in Our Reality with Vjera Orbanic

    In this episode, Carlo Mahfouz and Vjera Orbanik delve into the intricate relationship between ambiguity, presence, technology, and language. They explore how these elements shape our understanding of reality and the role of founders in navigating these complexities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being present, the impact of technology on society, and the power of language to create and interpret our realities.Takeaways Ambiguity often serves as the foundation for clarity.True presence can lead to a sense of disappearing the self.Technology has the potential to close the gap between individuals and society.Language is not just a tool for communication but shapes our reality.Our perception of reality is influenced by our experiences and thoughts.Being present requires letting go of the self and ego.The relationship between founders and society is evolving with technology.Vulnerability is key to effective communication and connection.Reality is both what is and what we perceive it to be.

    36 min
  3. #03 From Technical Skills to Conversational Mastery with Dave Van Bennekum

    EPISODIO 3

    #03 From Technical Skills to Conversational Mastery with Dave Van Bennekum

    In this episode, Carlo Mahfouz and Dave Van Bennekum explore the journey from technical skills to conversational mastery, discussing the challenges and rewards of this transition. They delve into the role of technology and AI in facilitating communication and the importance of bridging different disciplines. Takeaways Transitioning from technical skills to conversational knowledge is challenging but rewarding.AI can help bridge the gap between analytical and creative thinking.Effective communication requires understanding and adapting to different disciplines.Technology can both confine and liberate our thinking.The journey to conversational mastery involves embracing discomfort.Interdisciplinary approaches enhance problem-solving and innovation.AI can translate complex ideas into simple, communicable concepts.The onboarding process for change is often underestimated.Cultural and psychological hurdles can impede change.Engaging with diverse perspectives enriches communication.

    29 min
  4. #04 AI, Communication, and the Hard Realities of Change with Dave Van Bennekum

    EPISODIO 4

    #04 AI, Communication, and the Hard Realities of Change with Dave Van Bennekum

    In this continuation of our conversation with David Van Bennekum, author of the first self-help book on national security, we explore how AI and technology can bridge communication gaps, the power of playfulness in creating common ground, and the difficult but rewarding journey of extending beyond our comfort zones. We discuss why comedians are masters of vulnerability, how adults create self-imposed limitations, and why transformation is never a solo journey. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:• How to use AI to translate between technical jargon and storytelling• Why absurdity and playfulness create space for genuine connection• The Steve Martin approach to building unignorable confidence• How modern systems optimize confidence out of young people• Why vulnerability is universal across all professions and backgrounds• The importance of community and ecosystem in any transformation journey• How to embrace reality's fragility as its greatest beauty

    36 min
  5. #05 Bridging Technology, Humanity, and Art: A Conversation on Innovation and Identity with Monica Coronel

    EPISODIO 5

    #05 Bridging Technology, Humanity, and Art: A Conversation on Innovation and Identity with Monica Coronel

    In this episode, Carlo Mahfouz and Monica Coronel delve into the complex, intertwined relationship between technology, human experience, and creativity. They explore how societal boundaries are dissolving, the importance of embracing uncertainty, and ways to foster inclusive innovation in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Key Topics: The intersection of technology, art, and human experience, and how embracing ambiguity enhances understandingThe risks and opportunities of AI and digital innovation in bridging societal divides and increasing accessibilityThe importance of adaptable governance, policies, and moral frameworks to keep pace with technological evolutionHow collective dialogue and consumer influence can drive organizational and global changeThe role of vulnerability, creativity, and art in cultivating resilience and redefining successStrategies for building inclusive infrastructure that bridges the digital divide for marginalized communitiesThe importance of living, evolving agreements in morality, governance, and societal normsThe comparison between organizational and national frameworks, and the potential for a "digital age" consensus

    34 min
  6. #06 AI Won't Kill Creativity — Here's Why Human Nature Always Finds a Way with Monica Coronel

    EPISODIO 6

    #06 AI Won't Kill Creativity — Here's Why Human Nature Always Finds a Way with Monica Coronel

    In this thought-provoking continuation of their conversation, Monica Coronel and Carlo Mahfouz dive deep into the tension between structure and flexibility in how we organize society, companies, and creative work. They explore why operating on principles rather than rigid rules creates more adaptive systems, discuss the inevitable shift toward decentralized, founder-driven ecosystems, and offer a surprisingly hopeful perspective on AI's impact on human creativity. Key Insights The Principle vs. Rules Framework: Operating on principles allows for interpretation and adaptation, while rigid rules require constant updating and restrict movement. The challenge is that people need to be equipped to work with ambiguity.The Founder-Driven Future: As technology accelerates, we'll see more decentralized problem-solving through multiple founders rather than consolidated organizations. Speed demands distribution.Creativity as Resistance: Just as impressionism emerged as a response to photography, human creativity will find new forms and expressions in response to AI—perhaps even more meaningful ones.Embracing Loss as Part of Change: Rather than trying to prevent loss, we should optimize our systems to work with it, cradle it, and manage transitions so people don't suffer unnecessarily.AI as a Creative Tool: The process of using AI in creative work still involves deep human choice, curation, and expression—the tool doesn't diminish the human element.

    34 min
  • 6 episodios

Información

A podcast diving into the realities of unconventional founders and builders, including corporate founders (i.e., product managers & technologists👊), bringing you real-time insights of the messy middle that gets edited out from success stories. If you are struggling to share your message when it’s a foreign concept that’s too innovative to be accessible yet. Or struggling to position yourself when you still don’t know who your audience will be. Or even struggling to live through all of that without losing the passion and drive that got you on this path in the first place. This podcast is for you. Every episode brings this to life, not expressed only in words but in the tension the dialogue creates. We discuss the unspoken challenges, the nuance that's rarely highlighted, and the in-between stages not to resolve or fix but to recognize, understand, and accept to move forward. In the space of ambiguity, absurdity, and aliveness, you will experience firsthand the founders truth in its uncertainty, discomfort, and fragility, so that when you encounter it on your own journey, you won’t be a stranger to it. Created by the author of The Founders Truth Trilogy, Carlo Mahfouz.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Carlo Mahfouz
  • Años en activo
    2 mil
  • Episodios
    6
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © 2026 Carlo Mahfouz
  • Sitio web del podcast
    The Founders Truth