A Founder's Life

Leo Gestetner
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join me as I explore the powerful intersection of entrepreneurship, health & wellness, and parenthood. In each episode, I’ll be interviewing inspiring individuals who excel in one or more of these areas, sharing their stories, insights, and lessons. My goal is to provide valuable takeaways that can help you thrive both personally and professionally.

  1. Building Trust, Media, and Community at Scale - Jeffrey Hayzlett - S5 - E17

    3D AGO

    Building Trust, Media, and Community at Scale - Jeffrey Hayzlett - S5 - E17

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Jeffrey Hayzlett Website: https://c-suitenetwork.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayzlett/ Podcast: All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett What happens when an entrepreneur stops chasing plans—and starts building momentum instead? In this episode, Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chairman of the C-Suite Network, former Fortune 100 CMO, media executive, and serial entrepreneur, shares his unfiltered journey from early entrepreneurship to Kodak, Bloomberg, Celebrity Apprentice, and building one of the largest trusted executive networks in the world. We talk about leadership, time protection, media as a business strategy, family, health, mentorship, and why success comes from focusing on hearts and minds—not just scale. What you’ll learn: • Why most careers aren’t planned—and why that’s okay • How Jeffrey built and sold hundreds of companies • Why leaders must guard their time relentlessly • The shift from “spray and pray” marketing to community • How family, health, and mentors shaped his leadership ⏱️ CHAPTERS  0:00 – Entrepreneurial Beginnings & Early Wins 3:42 – Kodak, Media, and the Shift to Digital Leadership 6:30 – Building the C-Suite Network & Trusted Communities 16:03 – Family, Health & Personal Rhythms 32:04 – Mentorship, Pivotal Moments & Advice for Founders LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    32 min
  2. How to Build Businesses That Last Generations - Tim Metzner - S5 - E16

    FEB 5

    How to Build Businesses That Last Generations - Tim Metzner - S5 - E16

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Tim Metzner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmetzner Company's Site: https://www.fireroad.io/ Free daily booster shot of motivation: www.dailymo.co What does balance actually look like when you’re building companies and raising a family at the same time? In this episode, Tim Metzner, serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and co-founder of FireRode, shares his journey from early startup life to building venture-backed companies while staying deeply present as a husband and father of four. We talk about family integration, health rhythms, faith, seasons of intensity, and why building with the right people matters more than doing everything yourself. What you’ll learn: • Why balance comes in seasons, not perfection • How to integrate family into entrepreneurship • Why health and fitness must be calendar “rocks” • The power of building with the right people • How faith shaped Tim’s leadership journey ⸻ ⏱️ CHAPTERS (5 total, accurate) 0:00 – Early Startup Life & Ecosystem Building 2:51 – FireRode, Investing & Tech-Enabling SMBs 5:30 – Family Integration & Being a Present Founder 9:17 – Health, Fitness & Sustainable Energy 19:23 – Faith, Identity & Advice for Founders LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    22 min
  3. Building a Career Without Burning Your Life - Jimmy Zipursky - S5 - E15

    JAN 28

    Building a Career Without Burning Your Life - Jimmy Zipursky - S5 - E15

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Jim Zipursky Websites: www.cfaw.com and www.cfaw.com/omaha LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-zipursky-2343281/ What does a balanced life really look like after decades of entrepreneurship? In this episode, Jim Zipursky, Managing Director of Corporate Finance Associates Omaha and Chairman & CEO of CFA Worldwide, shares his unconventional path into investment banking, growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, navigating bankruptcy, building a global M&A firm, and learning over time how to slow down and enjoy life. We talk about family-first culture, long-term thinking, health, travel, and why founders don’t need to sprint forever to build something meaningful. What you’ll learn: • Why Jim says he was “the least qualified” for his role and why it worked • Lessons from family businesses, failure, and resilience • How CFA works with founder-led companies on M&A • Why family truly comes first in Jim’s life and firm • Slowing down, health, travel, and long-term balance LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    18 min
  4. Designing a Business That Supports Your Life - Stacy Ennis - E14 - S5

    JAN 21

    Designing a Business That Supports Your Life - Stacy Ennis - E14 - S5

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Stacy Ennis Website: https://stacyennis.com Podcast: Beyond Better Instagram: @stacyennis - https://www.instagram.com/stacyennis/ LinkedIn: Stacy Ennis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacylynn/ Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@UCSSBgjPbZEJyUOAYGcAoVYQ  What if hustle culture is actually working against you? In this episode, Stacy Ennis, book strategist, entrepreneur, and host of Beyond Better, shares why rest, health, and intentional living are essential for sustainable success. We talk about designing a business around life (not the other way around), avoiding burnout, and redefining productivity for the long term. What you’ll learn: • Why hustle culture leads to diminishing returns • How rest improves clarity and performance • Designing a business that supports family and health • Recognizing burnout before it forces a stop • Stacy’s approach to sustainable success ⏱️ CHAPTERS  0:00 – Hustle Culture vs. Restoration 3:02 – Stacy’s Path Into Books & Entrepreneurship 7:14 – Family, Health & Lifestyle Design 12:28 – Burnout, Balance & Sustainable Performance 17:06 – Advice for Founders Building Long-Term Success LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    19 min
  5. The Four Foundations Every Founder Needs - Darryl Heffline - S5 - E13

    JAN 14

    The Four Foundations Every Founder Needs - Darryl Heffline - S5 - E13

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Darryl Heffline Website: https://www.darrylheffline.com  Book: Shifting Gears at the Crossroads  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrylheffline/ What happens when the identity you built as an entrepreneur suddenly collapses? In this episode, Darryl Heffline, a 40-year serial entrepreneur, executive, and author, shares the moment he realized he was completely unbalanced, lost, and unprepared for disruption. We talk about career failures, reinvention, family sacrifices, health wake-up calls, and the four foundational pillars Darryl believes every founder must build around: faith, family, fitness, and finances. What you’ll learn: • Why founders often tie identity too tightly to success • How disruption can become the catalyst for transformation • The cost of ignoring family and health • Why balance is measured in time, not intention • Darryl’s framework for rebuilding after setbacks LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    23 min
  6. The Real Cost of Overworking - Vova Feldman - S5 - E12

    JAN 8

    The Real Cost of Overworking - Vova Feldman - S5 - E12

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Vova Feldman Company: Freemius Website: https://freemius.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimir-feldman/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/vovafeldman YouTube: Captain Vova What happens when a technical founder realizes that building software is easy but building a business is not? In this episode, Vova Feldman, Founder & CEO of Freemius, shares how turning a side project into a SaaS company revealed the hidden complexity of selling software globally. We talk about burnout, family, health, prioritization, and why calm, balance, and intuition matter more than constant hustle. What you’ll learn: • Why overworking eventually backfires • How Freemius was born from a founder’s pain point • The impact of family on focus and prioritization • Health, fitness, and mental clarity as a founder • Lessons from Techstars and early startup mistakes ⏱️ CHAPTERS (5 total, accurate) 0:00 – Burnout, Balance & the Cost of Overworking 1:09 – From Developer to SaaS Founder (Freemius Origin) 3:34 – Family, Kids & Reprioritizing Life 6:14 – Health, Fitness & Mental Clarity 13:22 – Pivotal Lessons, Stoicism & Advice for Founders LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    20 min
  7. Why Everyone Needs an Entrepreneurial Mindset - Aaron Edwards - S5 - E11

    12/29/2025

    Why Everyone Needs an Entrepreneurial Mindset - Aaron Edwards - S5 - E11

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Aaron Edwards Company: The Charles Group Website: https://www.thecharlesgrp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronedwards/ Personal Website: https://www.aaroncharlesedwards.com/ Entrepreneurship isn’t a title, it’s a journey. In this episode, Aaron Edwards, Founder & CEO of The Charles Group, shares his path from Manchester to New York City, how he built a global digital agency from scratch, and why he believes entrepreneurship is part of life — not an end goal. We talk about leadership, parenthood, work–life integration, health, passion projects, and the mindset required to build something meaningful without losing yourself along the way. What you’ll learn: • Why entrepreneurship is a journey, not a status symbol • How Aaron built an agency from the ground up • The difference between work–life balance and integration • How becoming a parent reshaped his leadership • Health, longevity, and priorities as a founder • His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    15 min
  8. The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

    12/17/2025

    The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – J.D. LaRock Organization: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Website: https://www.nfte.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-d-larock-j-d-ed-d-56765298/ Instagram / TikTok: @NFTE What if entrepreneurship education isn’t just about starting businesses, but about building confidence, agency, and lifelong opportunity? In this episode, J.D. LaRock, President & CEO of NFTE, shares how entrepreneurship education transforms young people from underserved communities, why confidence is often the biggest barrier to success, and how mindset development carries far beyond business ownership. We also talk about family, health, balance, and the pivotal mentors who change lives. What you’ll learn: • Why confidence matters more than credentials • How entrepreneurship education builds agency • The role family and mentors play in long-term success • How health and balance fuel leadership • NFTE’s global impact and future vision ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why Entrepreneurship Requires Support & Confidence 1:32 – J.D.’s Education Journey & Path to NFTE 4:13 – Teaching Confidence Through Entrepreneurship 8:24 – Health, Family & Living a Balanced Life 16:23 – Pivotal Mentors, NFTE’s Growth & Advice for Entrepreneurs LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    27 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join me as I explore the powerful intersection of entrepreneurship, health & wellness, and parenthood. In each episode, I’ll be interviewing inspiring individuals who excel in one or more of these areas, sharing their stories, insights, and lessons. My goal is to provide valuable takeaways that can help you thrive both personally and professionally.

Information

  • Creator
    Leo Gestetner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Founder's Life
  • Show Website
    A Founder's Life