Zero Decks Given by Astha | Personal branding without the BS

WrittenlyHub
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The podcast for founders who refuse to be bullet points. Here's what they don't tell you about personal branding: The best stories happen in the spaces between who you were and who you're becoming. I'm Astha. I build brands, chase ideas, and probably own too many notebooks. My life doesn't fit into one neat category and I've stopped trying to make it! This isn't another "10 steps to LinkedIn fame" show. It's for founders who know their story is bigger than a bio. 40 minutes of unfiltered truth about building authority, finding your voice, and what it means to be seen without losing yourself.

  1. Aug 26

    The perfect 50-50 balance is a lie- Here's how to spot burnout | Zero Decks Given by Astha

    On paper, Astha had the perfect 50-50 life. It was one of the worst phases she'd ever felt. Full college schedule, a startup team, friends, and a long-distance relationship across a 12-hour time difference, balanced by the numbers, broken underneath. In this episode, Astha Verma (founder of WrittenlyHub) and co-host Raabia break down how to actually tell when your work-life balance is off, the burnout signals nobody names, why 12 hours means nothing on its own, and the one question that matters more than any schedule: can you still feel your life? If you're a founder or high-performer wondering whether you're just having a hard week or slowly burning out, start here. Key takeaways: Why a "perfect 50-50" life can still be your worst phase The 3 signs your balance is off: resentment, numbness, and avoidance Why 12-hour days aren't the problem, feeling nothing is The real burnout tell: forgetting the last time you wanted to show up How to treat balance like a check-engine light for your life Hard week vs. broken life: how to tell the difference Chapters 00:00 The "perfect 50-50" life that was secretly the worst 02:51 Welcome back, is there a perfect work-life balance? 03:43 How to know when your balance stops working 04:09 The physical signs your body gives you first 05:38 What burnout actually looks like 06:23 Why 12-hour days mean nothing on their own 08:12 The everyday tell most people miss 09:12 The 3-signal checklist: resentment, numbness, avoidance 10:53 Why avoidance is the hardest one to catch 12:12 Redefining balance as a check-engine light 13:03 The one question to ask yourself about your life 13:28 Hard week vs. broken life: how to tell them apart About the show Zero Decks Given is the podcast where founders say what they actually think but rarely admit out loud, real talk on building a company, building a personal brand, and staying human while doing both. Astha Verma, helping founders and early-stage leaders build a personal brand that sounds like them. Want help shaping your founder story? Find her on LinkedIn or click the link in the channel description. New episodes weekly. Subscribe so you catch the next one. Find me being unhinged: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-av/ #Burnout #WorkLifeBalance #FounderLife #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #FounderTips #ZeroDecksGiven #PersonalBranding #FounderLedMarketing

  2. Aug 24

    Work-life balance is a lie someone else wrote for you | Zero Decks Given by Astha

    Someone told Astha that being a founder is a 9-to-5, you start Monday 9am and end Sunday 5pm. It sounded like a hostage situation. To her, it sounded like freedom. In this episode, Astha Verma (founder of WrittenlyHub) and co-host Raabia unpack what work-life balance actually means when you're building a company and why the "perfect 50-50" you're chasing was designed for a 1950s suburban household, not your life. If you're a founder, freelancer, or anyone tired of forcing yourself into someone else's definition of balance, this is your permission slip to build your own rhythm. Key takeaways: Why "founding is a 24/7 job" can feel like freedom, not a slow death How the standard 9-to-5 actually originated (and why it may not fit you) Why you can't copy someone else's work-life balance, you have to define your own Control your bedtime even when you can't control your wake-up Where founder ideas really come from (rarely at a desk) The warning sign that your balance is off and how to reset it Why a life that looks 50-50 on paper can still be the worst phase of your life CHAPTERS 00:00 Is being a founder really a 9-to-5, Monday to Sunday? 02:32 What "work-life balance" actually means 03:48 Why Astha felt like a failure building a company in college 04:49 Stop fitting into someone else's work-life balance mold 05:35 Do founders work well under pressure? An honest answer 08:35 What a founder's day-to-day actually looks like 10:15 How to build your own version of work-life balance 12:12 Where the 9-to-5 came from (and why it's outdated) 13:34 Remote work, freedom, and rethinking office hours 15:34 Where founder ideas actually come from 16:51 How to protect your sleep and morning rhythm 19:29 The real takeaway on balance 19:58 Why a 50-50 life on paper isn't always a good one ABOUT THE SHOW Zero Decks Given is the podcast where founders say what they actually think but rarely admit out loud, real talk on building a company, building a personal brand, and staying human while doing both. Astha Verma is the founder of WrittenlyHub, helping founders and early-stage leaders build a personal brand that sounds like them. Want help shaping your founder story? Find her on LinkedIn or click the link in the channel description. New episodes weekly. Subscribe so you catch the next one. Find me being unhinged: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/ #WorkLifeBalance #FounderLife #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #FounderTips #ZeroDecksGiven #CompanyCulture #PersonalBranding #FounderLedMarketing #Productivity

  3. Aug 22

    Hiring is like dating: The 5 phases every founder gets wrong | Zero Decks Given

    Hiring is like dating with the same butterflies, overthinking, and constantly checking your phone to see if they replied. And most founders get every stage wrong. In this episode, Astha Verma (founder of WrittenlyHub) breaks hiring into 5 phases that mirror a relationship, from writing the job description to earning real trust. She explains why the most polished candidate rarely lasts, why character beats skills, and why your best people quietly quit in month 2 but don't leave until month 6. If you're a startup founder or hiring manager learning how to hire, interview, and retain the right people, start here. Key takeaways: Why a boring job description attracts boring applicants What "tell me about yourself" really tests in an interview Why Astha never asks the 5-year-plan question Character over skills: what to actually screen for The honeymoon-phase trap that sets new hires up to fail Why employees quit in month 2 and leave in month 6 How founders learn to delegate and let go Find me being unhinged: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-av/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Why hiring is like dating 01:48 Phase 1 — Writing a job description that attracts the right people 02:31 Why a boring JD attracts boring applicants 05:00 Phase 2 — How to interview: reading past the performance 06:04 Why the 5-year-plan interview question is useless 06:55 Character over skills: the story that got Raabia hired 08:45 Phase 3 — The first 30 days: the new-hire honeymoon trap 10:16 How new employees should actually show up in month 1 11:27 Phase 4 — Months 2–3: the reality check every team hits 12:46 Why employees quit in month 2 but leave in month 6 13:21 Phase 5 — Building trust and commitment after month 4 14:45 How founders learn to delegate and let go 15:53 The one hiring lesson that actually lasts ABOUT THE SHOW Zero Decks Given is the podcast where founders say what they actually think but rarely admit out loud, real talk on building a company, building a personal brand, and staying human while doing both. Astha Verma is the founder of WrittenlyHub, helping founders and early-stage leaders build a personal brand that sounds like them. Want help shaping your founder story? Find her on LinkedIn or click the link in the channel description. New episodes weekly. Subscribe so you catch the next one. #Hiring #StartupHiring #FounderTips #HowToHire #EmployeeRetention #ZeroDecksGiven #StartupLife #FounderLife #CompanyCulture #PersonalBranding

  4. Aug 20

    Casual, not careless: What real professionalism actually means | Zero Decks Given

    "Be yourself at work" sounds great until someone walks in at 11:30 on a Thursday and tells you they were out drinking the night before. So where's the line? In this episode, Astha gets honest about what actually separates real professionalism from the performance most of us were trained to put on. Astha Verma, CEO and co-founder of WrittenlyHub, sits down again with Raabia to redefine professionalism from the ground up. They talk about the culture rules her team actually wrote down, why boundaries matter more than dress codes, and the four things that build real trust at work. If you've ever wondered how to be professional without faking it, how to give honest feedback without being harsh, or how to handle a workplace mistake the right way, this conversation is for you. What we get into: Why "be yourself" needs guardrails, and the rule "casual not careless" How to give straight feedback without leaving someone hurt for days Staying friendly with coworkers while keeping healthy boundaries Astha's own unprofessional moment and how she owned it The four things real professionalism comes down to: reliability, communication, respect, and accountability Why reliability beats flashy every single time Treating everyone well, from the founder to the person at the front desk How to handle conflict without going passive aggressive What to actually do the moment you mess up Why your online presence shapes how people read you before you even speak Find me being unhinged: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-av/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:25 Why "being yourself" wasn't enough 03:00 WH's Ground rules 05:25 Have you ever crossed the line? 08:15 Owning the mess and repairing it 11:15 Real definition #1: Reliability 12:48 Real definition #2: Communication 15:00 Real definition #3: Respect (and ditching hierarchy) 18:17 Real definition #4: Accountability and ownership 20:45 Being honest in interviews 23:40 Team dynamics and flattening hierarchy 24:50 Handling conflict without passive aggression 28:40 The one takeaway and why online presence matters ABOUT THE SHOW Zero Decks Given is the podcast where we say the things founders actually think but rarely admit out loud. Real talk on building a company, building a brand, and staying human while doing both. Astha Verma is the founder behind WrittenlyHub, where she helps founders and early-stage leaders build a personal brand that sounds like them. Want help shaping your own founder story? Come find her on LinkedIn or visit the link in the channel description. New episodes weekly. Subscribe so you catch the next one. #ZeroDecksGiven #Professionalism #WorkplaceCulture #StartupLife #Leadership #FounderLife #CompanyCulture #PersonalBranding #FounderLedMarketing #TeamCulture

  5. Aug 18

    Stop hiring the most polished person in the room | Zero Decks Given by Astha

    Most founders are hiring for the wrong thing and have no idea they're doing it. They're selecting people who can perform a 45-minute interview really well. Then wondering why those same people burn out by week three, check out by month two, and quietly stop caring sometime after that. In this episode of Zero Decks Given, Astha sits down with Raabia Khona, Senior Project Manager at WrittenlyHub, to have the conversation most hiring managers avoid. What does real professionalism actually look like? When did we start confusing it with performance? Chapters - 00:00- Wait, you hired them? 03:24 -The costume we all wore 05:46 - When polish becomes a problem 06:49 - Hiring the performance, not the person 09:17 - The questions that break the script 13:41 - The night suit story 15:35 - Intent over outfit, always 17:27 - Asking weird questions About the show Zero Decks Given is the podcast where founders say what they actually think but rarely admit out loud, real talk on building a company, building a personal brand, and staying human while doing both. Astha Verma, helping founders and early-stage leaders build a personal brand that sounds like them. Want help shaping your founder story? Find her on LinkedIn or click the link in the channel description.New episodes weekly. Subscribe so you catch the next one. Find me being unhinged:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-av/

  6. 09/17/2025

    How to Build a Personal Brand as a Founder (+ Strategy Framework) | Zero Decks Given by Astha EP 9

    I lost a six-figure client to an agency with worse work than mine. They had a prettier website, better LinkedIn presence, more noise. I had better results, better strategy, five years of proven experience. But guess who got the deal?After 5 years of running a marketing agency and thinking "my work should speak for itself," I'm finally building my personal brand. Not because it's trendy. Because I'm tired.What we talk about:→ Why the loudest person gets opportunities (not the most qualified)→ The "Right People Pipeline" vs chasing clients who want to be entertained→ How I'm turning 5 years of hidden stories into visible authority→ The Story Audit framework to find your content goldmine→ Why founder-led marketing beats influencer theaterThe brutal truth: Your best work is invisible if no one can see it. Being the best-kept secret is just being irrelevant.This isn't about becoming an influencer. It's about attracting clients who are hungry to grow instead of prospects who want to be pursued.FRAMEWORK SHARED: The 4-Step Story AuditFind me being unhinged:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-avPS: If you're looking for "post consistently and the algorithm will love you" advice, this isn't it. This is for founders who are tired of losing to louder competitors.CHAPTERS:0:00 The six-figure loss that changed everything1:14 Why I'm finally building my brand4:57 Who wins the best business opportunities?8:22 Feeling like a tired founder now10:18 My "Right People Pipeline" strategy to get clients14:46 Storytelling to build personal brands16:26 Why you should be your own brand ambassador18:13 The business case for personal branding19:15 Helping other founders build their personal brand20:28 The Story Audit framework - Strategy to start building your personal brand24:43 Closing - Your story won't tell itself

  7. 09/10/2025

    The 3 AM Thoughts Everyone Has (But Won't Admit)| Founders Edition | Zero Decks Given by Astha EP 08

    Why does your brain save the deepest, most brutal thoughts for 3 AM?And why do we all pretend these midnight spirals don't happen?I documented my actual 3 AM thoughts and turned them into this episode. Plot twist: they're not actually problems to solve! They're your brain's way of checking if you're still paying attention to your life.What we talk about:→ "Am I too authentic for anyone to relate to me?"→ "Why everyone else seems to have a secret life plan"→ Do penguins have knees? (yes, this matters) :P→ The brutal reality of comparing bank accounts→ Choosing work over relationships: worth it or just avoiding?The takeaway: Your 3 AM thoughts aren't signs you're broken, they're signs you're building something that matters.This isn't productivity advice or a guide to morning routine optimization. This is for people who lie awake wondering if they're doing life completely wrong while everyone else seems to have the manual.MENTIONED: 3 AM anxiety, imposter syndrome, authenticity vs relatability, comparison culture, work-life balance, penguin knees.Find me being unhinged:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-avPS: If you've never had a 3 AM existential crisis, this episode might not be for you. But if you've ever stared at the ceiling questioning everything, welcome home.CHAPTERS:0:00 What are we upto today? - Setting the mood and brain1:50 The 5 brutal questions and vulnerability behind it5:33 Question 1: Am I being too authentic, thus invisible?9:36 Question 2: Am I the only one with no 5-year plan?16:31 Question 3: Do penguins have knees?19:10 Question 4: Why am I broke when my peers are out there buying houses?22:07 Question 5: Am I always prioritizing work over relationships?25:21 Why 3 AM thoughts get smaller in daylight

  8. 09/04/2025

    When Your Brain Goes Blank, Do This | Dealing With Creative Block | Zero Decks Given by Astha EP 07

    4 Things to Try When Your Brain Feels Completely Empty | Creative Block Solutions That Actually WorkYour brain isn't broken. You're just asking it the wrong questions.In this episode, I break down 4 real-time experiments to generate ideas when you feel completely stuck - using nothing but pen, paper, and conversation. No phones, no AI, no waiting for inspiration to strike.What We Cover:→ The Annoyance Audit - Why your daily frustrations are creative goldmines→ Random Object Connections - Training your brain to spot patterns everywhere→ The Question-Question Game - Turning vague problems into specific idea-generators→ The Worst Idea Challenge - How terrible ideas rebel into brilliant onesWhy This Works:Most people treat creativity like weather - something that happens TO them. These methods give your brain specific jobs to do instead of hoping inspiration shows up.Inspired by Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist" and the power of analog thinking in a digital world.---CHAPTERS:0:00 - Setting the premise of the episode1:59 - Bloopers time!2:26 - The Annoyance Audit8:30 - Random Object Connections12:00 - The Question-Question Game20:30 - The Worst Idea Challenge28:00 - What to do next---Perfect for founders, creators, and anyone who's tired of staring at blank screens waiting for ideas to happen.---Find me being unhinged:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asthaonbrand/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/astha-verma-av ---More creative experiments and founder insights coming weekly.#creativity #contentcreation #founders #personalbranding #ideageneration

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The podcast for founders who refuse to be bullet points. Here's what they don't tell you about personal branding: The best stories happen in the spaces between who you were and who you're becoming. I'm Astha. I build brands, chase ideas, and probably own too many notebooks. My life doesn't fit into one neat category and I've stopped trying to make it! This isn't another "10 steps to LinkedIn fame" show. It's for founders who know their story is bigger than a bio. 40 minutes of unfiltered truth about building authority, finding your voice, and what it means to be seen without losing yourself.

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