A Founder's Life

Leo Gestetner
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. Language opens doors in negotiation - Kate Liburdi - S6 - E17

    3d ago ·  Video

    Language opens doors in negotiation - Kate Liburdi - S6 - 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 – Kate Liburdi Website: https://conversifi.com Platform: https://app.conversifi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateliburdi/ What happens when a project burns through a million dollars and still doesn’t work? In this episode, Kate Liburdi, Co-Founder and CEO of Conversifi, shares one of the most valuable lessons of her career, how a failed software project became the foundation for everything she learned about leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Kate discusses building Conversifi into a platform used by more than 100 universities, helping language learners connect with native speakers around the world through authentic conversations and cultural exchange. We also talk about startups, family, productivity, focus, language learning, and why entrepreneurs often need to remove complexity instead of adding more to their business. What you’ll learn: • The leadership lesson behind a $1 million failure • Why focus is one of the most valuable entrepreneurial skills • How Conversifi is changing language learning • The importance of feedback and collaboration in product development • Why subtraction often creates more growth than addition LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    20 min
  2. Balance is about knowing when to step back - Mike Schroeder - S6 - E16

    Jun 18

    Balance is about knowing when to step back - Mike Schroeder - S6 - 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 – Mike Schroeder Website: https://roundstoneinsurance.com Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roundstone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaschroeder YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/roundstoneinsurance What does it take to build a business that lasts more than two decades? In this episode, Mike Schroeder, Founder and President of Roundstone Insurance, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a childhood fascination with business ownership to building one of the leading health insurance captive programs in the United States. Mike explains how he applied established insurance principles to healthcare, creating a model that gives employers more control, more transparency, and more savings. We also discuss family, accountability, leadership, health, travel, and why entrepreneurs must learn when to push harder—and when to step back. What you’ll learn: • Why ownership creates a different mindset • How Roundstone transformed health insurance through captive structures • Why family often becomes the driving force behind entrepreneurship • The role of fitness, gratitude, and faith in long-term success • Why entrepreneurs must get comfortable with accountability LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    15 min
  3. Second chances at life are powerful - Sarah Walker - S6 - E15

    Jun 11

    Second chances at life are powerful - Sarah Walker - S6 - 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 – Sarah Walker Website: https://nuanceinteriors.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuanceinteriors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahplattwalker/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nuanceinteriors Can your home actually improve your health, focus, and quality of life? In this episode, Sarah Walker, Founder and Principal Designer of Nuance Interior Design, shares how a life-changing car accident led her to rethink the relationship between wellness and the spaces we live in. Sarah explains how she helps families and family offices create homes that support longevity, recovery, connection, and overall well-being. We discuss sustainability, healthy living, family life, entrepreneurship, and why our environments have a bigger impact on our health than most people realize. This conversation is a fascinating look at the intersection of design, wellness, and intentional living. What you’ll learn: • How your home impacts your physical and mental health • Why wellness design goes beyond spas and gyms • The role of sustainability in modern living • How family influences business and life decisions • Why entrepreneurs should seek help sooner LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    10 min
  4. Learn from failure, don't quit - Josh Otero - S6 - E14

    Jun 4

    Learn from failure, don't quit - Josh Otero - S6 - E14

    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 – Josh Otero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshotero/ Elanah AI: https://elanah.ai Warrior GMR Foundation: https://warriorgmrfoundation.org What happens when a personal mission becomes a company with the potential to save lives? In this episode, Josh Otero shares his journey from athlete, financial services professional, CrossFit gym owner, and entrepreneur to founding **Elanah AI**, a platform focused on mental readiness and proactive support for veterans, service members, and their families. Josh explains how tragic events during COVID inspired him to launch the Warrior GMR Foundation and eventually create an AI-powered platform designed to provide confidential support when people need it most. We also discuss mental health, resilience, endurance sports, leadership, family, and why entrepreneurs must learn to keep moving forward through failure. What you’ll learn: • How tragedy inspired the creation of Elanah AI • Why mental readiness matters before crisis happens • Lessons from ultra-marathons and Ironman races • How failure helps entrepreneurs grow • Why persistence is one of the most important founder traits LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    16 min

  5. May 27

    Why Saying “No” Builds Better Businesses - Rusty Fulling - S6 - 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 – Rusty Fulling Website: https://www.fullingmgmt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustyfulling/ Company's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulling-management-&-accounting What happens when burnout lands you in the hospital? In this episode, Rusty Fulling shares how overwhelming stress and unhealthy work habits pushed him to completely rethink his career and eventually launch his own accounting and fractional CFO business. Rusty opens up about the early years of entrepreneurship, balancing faith, family, and business, and the lessons he learned about saying “no” to the wrong opportunities — even when they looked financially attractive. We also discuss running, health, purpose-driven work, mentorship, and why entrepreneurs should never try to build alone. What you’ll learn: • Why burnout can become a wake-up call • The importance of defining your ideal client • Why saying “no” can protect your business • How purpose improves health and performance • Why entrepreneurs need strong community and support systems LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    17 min
  6. Success Starts in Your Mind - Bruno Drummond - S6 - E12

    May 20

    Success Starts in Your Mind - Bruno Drummond - S6 - 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 – Bruno Drummond Website: https://drummondadvisors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdrummond/ What does it take to go from the bottom of a Brazilian favela to building multiple international businesses? In this episode, Bruno Drummond shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, from selling baked goods in high school to founding Drummond Advisors and multiple SaaS and real estate businesses across the U.S., Brazil, and beyond. Bruno opens up about growing up in difficult environments, developing a relentless growth mindset, and why learning languages and acquiring knowledge became his path forward. We also discuss leadership, parenting, health, mental resilience, and why your mind can either become your greatest ally or your biggest enemy. This is a powerful conversation about pressure, discipline, growth, and building a life with intention. What you’ll learn: • Why mindset determines entrepreneurial success • How Bruno built companies across multiple industries • Why knowledge is the key to long-term growth • The importance of family structure and intentional parenting LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    24 min
  7. Why You Must Love the Problem You Solve - Caleb Avery - S6 - E11

    May 13

    Why You Must Love the Problem You Solve - Caleb Avery - S6 - 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 – Caleb Avery Website: https://tilled.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-avery/ What does it really take to build a fintech company from scratch? In this episode, Caleb Avery, Founder and CEO of Tilled, shares his journey from going door-to-door selling payment solutions at 19 to building a company redefining embedded payments with “PayFac as a Service.” Caleb opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship, the reality of startup life, and a defining moment during COVID when he had to decide whether to go all-in on his business while supporting a growing family. We also discuss why balance may be a myth, how to be intentional with time, and why founders must choose problems they’re willing to commit to for the long term. What you’ll learn: - Why most founders misunderstand “balance” - How Caleb built a fintech company from real market needs - The importance of being intentional with your time - Why passion for the problem matters more than the idea - How to think long-term as an entrepreneur LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    16 min
  8. Believe in Yourself and Just Do It - Meredith Hirsh - S6 - E10

    Apr 29

    Believe in Yourself and Just Do It - Meredith Hirsh - S6 - 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 – Meredith Hirsh Website: meredithhirsh.com Instagram: @WorkingHealthcare Facebook: @WorkingHealthcare LinkedIn: @meredithfhirsh YouTube: @WorkingHealthcare LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithfhirsh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-healthcare/id1746629912 What happens when someone who never planned to work in medicine ends up building a thriving healthcare business? In this episode, Meredith Hirsh shares her journey from advertising and teaching to becoming CEO of the Hirsh Center for Arthritis and Sports Medicine, a 60-person independent medical practice in Florida. Meredith opens up about marriage at 21, raising three boys, balancing ambition with motherhood, flipping homes, going back for her MBA in her 40s, and the pivotal moment she realized founders can never fully walk away from their company. We also discuss confidence, health, yoga, family priorities, and why many aspiring entrepreneurs simply need to believe in themselves and start. What you’ll learn: - Why confidence is critical for entrepreneurs - How Meredith built a practice from scratch - The reality of balancing business and motherhood - Why founders must stay close to their business - How health and mindset fuel long-term success LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    30 min
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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
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Founder's Life
  • Show Website
    A Founder's Life

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