What if your biggest source of stress… is your own mind?
In this episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse and Dave unpack the concept of ego—not as arrogance, but as the mental identity we all unconsciously carry. They explore how identifying with your thoughts creates suffering, limits your potential, and keeps even successful founders from feeling fulfilled. If you’ve ever found yourself anxious despite "winning," this episode is for you.
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⏱ Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – What ego really means (not just arrogance)
02:00 – Ego as “sense of self” and why it feels limiting
05:00 – How ego creates internal conflict and suffering
09:00 – The mind as a storyteller obsessed with problems
14:30 – Identity, impermanence, and the illusion of control
20:00 – The founder trap: tying self-worth to startup success
26:00 – Why even after $10M exits, founders feel unfulfilled
33:00 – The ego's role in chasing happiness vs. feeling it
39:00 – “You are not your thoughts” — the essential self
42:00 – Meditation, awareness, and ego detachment tactics
48:00 – Identifying and disarming ego patterns in real time
52:00 – The founder archetype without ego-driven stress
56:00 – Final story: Playing business like a game (Monopoly mindset)
💡 What You’ll Learn:
• A deeper definition of ego as your mental “self-concept”
• How ego shapes your suffering, even in success
• The science and spirituality of detaching from identity
• Meditation tips for founders (that actually work)
• Practical frameworks to see your thoughts clearly and respond with presence, not reactivity
• How top founders stay grounded, calm, and joyful—even in chaos
Keywords:
ego and entrepreneurship, startup mindset, detaching from ego, founder identity, mental clarity, spiritual growth for business, mindfulness for founders, coaching for entrepreneurs, startup success mental health, playing the game of business, mindfulness practices, dealing with startup stress, inner critic awareness, founder therapy, meditation for productivity, mental mastery
Let us know in the comments:
👉 What ego pattern do you most relate to?
If this helped you shift your mindset, like & subscribe for more grounded conversations on building and leading from the heart.
#HeartOfEntrepreneurship #FounderMindset #EgoAndBusiness
Anger as a Compass: How Founders Can Use Emotion to Set Clearer Boundaries and Make Better Decisions
Most entrepreneurs are taught to suppress anger—or worse, use it as a weapon. But what if anger isn’t something to avoid… but something to listen to?
In this episode of The Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse and Dave explore how anger, when processed healthily, becomes one of the most powerful tools a founder can access. From radical candor to ruinous empathy, they break down why many leaders either over-express or completely shut down their anger—and how that blocks clarity, boundaries, and momentum.
Whether you’re the type to explode or the type who “never gets mad,” this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why anger is an important topic for founders
01:12 – Steve Jobs archetype vs modern leadership norms
02:00 – Jesse’s personal journey with expressing anger
03:00 – Radical Candor framework: Obnoxious Aggression vs Ruinous Empathy
05:00 – Why most leaders are stuck in the “too nice” trap
06:00 – Cultural beliefs around anger and being “uncivilized”
08:00 – Dave’s relationship story: what healthy anger actually looks like
10:21 – What is anger, really? Anger as the energy of boundaries
13:00 – The difference between disappointment and anger
16:00 – Repressing vs expressing: how anger leaks out when suppressed
18:00 – Safe, healthy ways to move anger through your body
20:00 – Teaching kids how to work with their own anger
22:00 – Why anger is often directed at others (and how to break that pattern)
24:00 – When anger is misused: violence, fear, and repression
26:00 – Depression as repressed anger at self
27:00 – Jesse and Dave’s personal examples of using anger constructively
30:00 – Anger as a signal for boundaries and internal clarity
32:00 – Healthy boundaries that help you keep your heart open
34:00 – A founder’s guide to anger: what to do instead of blowing up
35:00 – Why anger helps you know what you actually want
38:00 – Clarity comes from letting anger move
39:00 – Wanting a high-commitment culture? You need anger to get clear
41:00 – Step-by-step: how to feel, welcome, and express anger
44:00 – Sadness vs anger: different repressions, different fears
46:00 – For those who explode: how to stop projecting and start revealing
49:00 – Leaders: why simply saying what you want is so powerful
51:00 – Final takeaway: anger is your compass for knowing what you truly want
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
• The 4-step process for working with anger (identify → welcome → express → set a boundary)
• Why founders who repress anger often feel unclear or indecisive
• The difference between expressing anger at someone vs revealing it responsibly
• Practical ways to process anger without harming relationships
• How anger helps you access clarity, confidence, and leadership alignment
Anger isn’t the enemy—it’s a message. And for founders building from the heart, it can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough. Listen in to learn how to use it wisely.
👍 If this resonated, give it a like.
💬 Share your experience with anger in the comments.
🔔 Subscribe for more emotionally intelligent leadership conversations.
#emotionalintelligence #foundermindset #leadershipdevelopment
How to Follow What Makes You Feel Alive (Even If It Makes No Logical Sense)
You’ve probably heard advice like “follow your passion” or “do what lights you up”—but how do you actually do that in practice as a founder? And how do you know when you’re following aliveness vs fear or performance?
In this episode, Jesse and Dave dive into the deeper layers of what it means to follow your aliveness—the felt sense of energy, joy, and presence that can guide your most aligned decisions in work and life.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: What does “aliveness” actually mean?
01:30 – Jesse’s obsession with a new idea and Dave’s cliff-jumping retreat
04:00 – Defining aliveness as a physical, felt experience
06:00 – Are you living half-dead? The cost of ignoring your aliveness
08:00 – Jesse’s examples: business creation, childbirth, deep meditation
10:00 – Flow state, spiritual presence, and the power of “now”
13:00 – Connection, awe, and presence in small everyday moments
15:00 – Anti-patterns: what blocks aliveness in founders
17:00 – Jesse’s client story: heroing the team vs. enjoying the job
19:00 – Survival patterns vs authentic action
21:00 – Why we fear feelings more than outcomes
23:00 – Dave’s coaching distinction: “the right answer” vs. “what feels right”
25:00 – The trick of discerning fear from intuitive truth
27:00 – Why overthinking is a signal you’re disconnected from self
29:00 – Conscious Leadership’s 4 pillars of integrity (unfelt feelings, unkept agreements, etc.)
32:00 – How unspoken truths and misaligned agreements leak energy
34:00 – Redefining empowerment: authenticity despite consequences
36:00 – The difference between fear as fuel vs. fear as signal
38:00 – Shame, guilt, and the hidden drivers of success
41:00 – Outcome detachment + aliveness = surprising success
43:00 – Can you follow joy and succeed wildly?
44:00 – Final question: What are you willing to risk for your full aliveness?
🎧 What You’ll Learn:
• How to recognize and follow your sense of aliveness
• Why fear and shame often block flow and authenticity
• The “invisible” cost of ignoring your body’s signals
• Practical ways to get back into alignment when you’re stuck
• How founders can lead and build from presence, not pressure
This conversation is for any founder, creator, or leader who’s ready to live and work in deeper alignment. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or disconnected from your spark—this episode is a must-listen.
💬 What makes you feel most alive? Drop it in the comments. And don’t forget to like & subscribe for more grounded, no-BS conversations on leadership, growth, and inner work.
#foundermindset #emotionalintelligence #authenticleadership
Ever feel stuck as a founder—uncertain about your next move, paralyzed by fear, or second-guessing what you really want?
In this episode, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen unpack the hidden dynamics behind “stuckness” and how founders can transform it into growth. From reframing “I don’t know” as liberation, to uncovering fear, anger, and desire as powerful guides, they show how getting unstuck is less about finding the “right” answer and more about trusting your wants, welcoming your emotions, and embracing uncertainty.
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⏱️ Episode Guide
[00:00:00] Opening – Why this podcast is about building with heart, not just grinding
[00:01:03] 10 problems vs. 10,000 blessings: gratitude framing
[00:02:33] Why founders rarely admit when they feel stuck
[00:03:27] “Growing edge” reframing – stuckness as a sign of expansion
[00:04:21] The genius trap: frustration when things don’t come easy
[00:05:24] Expecting to know vs. embracing “I don’t know”
[00:07:03] Rick Elias’ billion-dollar lesson: “We have no clue what we’re doing”
[00:08:06] Liberation in curiosity and beginner’s mind
[00:09:36] Fear as a hidden driver of stuckness
[00:10:48] Avoidance disguised as time management
[00:12:00] Clarity, murky water, and letting stillness reveal the path
[00:15:18] The unknowable nature of “right” answers
[00:17:42] Persistence vs. letting go – when forcing success backfires
[00:21:00] Why humans cling to certainty
[00:23:06] Capacity to handle uncertainty vs. obsession with being right
[00:25:12] Founders, hedge funds, and separating “being” from “doing”
[00:27:27] Knowing what you want vs. chasing the “right” answer
[00:29:24] Rebuilding the muscle of wanting
[00:31:03] Founder desires and strategy: why “want” drives company success
[00:33:09] Founder energy as the real determinant of persistence
[00:34:21] Why people don’t trust their wants (worthiness, work ethic, trade-offs)
[00:36:54] “What would have to be true?” reframing conflicting desires
[00:40:03] Anger as a signal for boundaries and wants
[00:42:00] Welcoming fear instead of resisting it
[00:43:39] Stuckness as resisting emotion in the body
[00:46:21] Fear-based motivation and why letting go doesn’t kill drive
[00:48:00] Magical thinking: fear won’t manifest reality
[00:49:57] Final challenge – run the experiment: feel the fear fully
What You’ll Learn
• Why feeling stuck is often a sign you’ve reached your growth edge.
• How to use “I don’t know” as a catalyst for curiosity and action.
• Practical ways to build your “wanting muscle” and trust what you truly desire.
• Why resisting fear, anger, or uncertainty keeps you stuck—and how welcoming them unlocks clarity.
• A founder-friendly framework for balancing persistence with the courage to let go.
In this Heart of Entrepreneurship episode, Jesse Pujji and coach Dave Kashen dive into one of the most common but rarely discussed founder challenges: feeling stuck. They explore frameworks from conscious leadership, beginner’s mind, and emotional intelligence to show how fear, uncertainty, and suppressed wants are often the real culprits behind stagnation.
If you’re navigating tough decisions, wondering about the “right” strategy, or struggling with founder energy, this conversation will help you reframe stuckness as growth. You’ll hear stories about billion-dollar CEOs, the genius trap, and why authentic wants matter more than market math.
Perfect for anyone interested in startup strategy, leadership frameworks, founder mindset, and emotional resilience.
What’s your experience of being stuck as a founder? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear. Don’t forget to like this episode if it helped shift your perspective, and subscribe for more deep-dive conversations with Jesse, Andrew, and Dave on The Heart of Entrepreneurship.
#HeartOfEntrepreneurship #FounderMindset #ConsciousLeadership
Can you build a wildly successful company without sacrificing heart?
In this episode, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen dive deep into the Sedona Method—a powerful practice for letting go of the endless chase for security, control, and approval. They share personal stories about money, identity, and ambition, and explore how founders can build businesses rooted in love, freedom, and authenticity rather than fear and scarcity.
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⏱️ Episode Guide
[00:00:00] Opening thoughts – Why Jesse and Dave love doing the podcast
[00:01:30] Recap of last week’s conversation with Gagan Biyani (Udemy, Maven, Sprigg)
[00:03:00] Defining success: impact vs. numbers
[00:04:03] Ambition with heart – what kind of world are we building?
[00:05:24] AI, consciousness, and the future of leadership
[00:06:00] Jesse’s story: life after Ampush and unexpected anxiety
[00:07:21] Introducing the Sedona Method
[00:08:42] Security, control, and approval – the “big three” human needs
[00:12:09] Why external success doesn’t create inner security
[00:16:12] Jesse’s exit story: wealth, scarcity, and the Aston Martin dilemma
[00:18:27] The elusive feeling of “enough”
[00:21:00] What we’re really talking about when we say “security”
[00:23:15] Control, presence, and the Serenity Prayer
[00:27:27] Wants vs. needs – the Range Rover story
[00:30:00] Impulse vs. compulsion in entrepreneurship
[00:34:30] Play vs. seriousness – how attachment kills creativity
[00:35:15] Practice: Can you enjoy the wanting?
[00:36:00] Guided Sedona Method practice – welcoming security, control, and approval
[00:43:39] Self-improvement vs. self-discovery
[00:45:00] Head vs. heart – acceptance through presence
[00:46:12] Essential self vs. identity
[00:47:15] Closing thoughts & resources on the Sedona Method
What You’ll Learn
• Why chasing money, status, or influence rarely leads to true safety or fulfillment.
• The difference between authentic wants and compulsive attachments.
• How the Sedona Method helps founders let go of fear and reconnect with their essential self.
• Practical ways to approach business with both ambition and heart.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about scaling fast and hitting milestones—it’s also about how you build. In this conversation, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen unpack the Sedona Method and the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, linking them directly to the realities of startup life. From exits and scarcity mindset to identity and approval, they reveal why many founders never feel “enough”—and how to break free of that cycle.
If you’re exploring branding 101, conscious leadership, or building a startup strategy rooted in wellbeing, this episode is for you. It’s a masterclass in balancing ambition and authenticity, growth and groundedness, and success and soul.
We’d love to hear your reflections—have you ever chased security or approval in your entrepreneurial journey? Drop a comment, like the video if it resonates, and don’t forget to subscribe for more deep-dive conversations with Jesse, Andrew, and Dave on The Heart of Entrepreneurship.
#HeartOfEntrepreneurship #ConsciousLeadership #FounderMindset
What does it take to build, lose, and rebuild as an entrepreneur—while staying true to yourself?
In this conversation, host Dave Kashen sits down with Gagan Biyani (co-founder of Udemy, Sprig, and Maven) to explore the emotional and practical realities of entrepreneurship: co-founder dynamics, letting go of team members, navigating failure, and moving beyond pain-driven motivation.
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⏱️ Episode Outline
[00:00:00] Intro – Dave opens with gratitude and sets up Gagan’s journey
[00:01:57] Gagan’s early story: middle-class upbringing, parents’ split, first business at 13
[00:04:12] Lessons from speech & debate and bootstrapping a youth camp
[00:05:24] Frustration with education system and early path to entrepreneurship
[00:07:03] Founding Udemy – excitement, clashes, and a painful co-founder exit
[00:09:00] The reality of co-founder departures and why they’re more common than people admit
[00:12:00] Founder guilt and the challenge of letting go of employees
[00:16:03] Why firing faster often strengthens culture and execution
[00:19:03] Baseball as a metaphor for hiring “batting averages”
[00:23:06] Pain-driven motivation, control, and lessons from Sprig’s collapse
[00:29:33] Building and losing control: Sprig as an early “ghost kitchen”
[00:36:45] Macro risk, timing, and luck in startups vs. smaller businesses
[00:44:06] Comparison traps—Bezos, Chesky, and the illusion of “proving it”
[00:49:30] Shifting the burden of proof and redefining success after failure
[00:52:51] Relief after shutting down Sprig and finding freedom
[00:56:06] Travel, self-discovery, and learning to separate identity from achievement
[01:05:06] Learning to love yourself without external labels
[01:08:06] Resisting joy and gratitude as much as pain
[01:11:06] Why inner work matters for founders—and how it changes execution and team retention
[01:15:00] Closing reflections on investing in personal growth
💡 What You’ll Learn
📌 About This Episode
This is not just another “startup success” story—it’s a raw, honest look at the heart of entrepreneurship. Gagan and Dave dig into the messy human side of building companies: the guilt of firing, the relief of shutting down, the burden of comparison, and the deep work needed to move from proving yourself to living authentically.
If you’re a founder, this conversation blends practical insights on leadership and hiring with emotional wisdom about resilience, identity, and growth. Think of it as both startup strategy and personal development 101.
🙌 Stay Connected
If this episode resonated, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear this.
#HeartOfEntrepreneurship #StartupLessons #FounderJourney
Ever find yourself stuck in a cycle of self-discipline, shame, and yo-yo habits? In this episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse and Dave dive deep into the psychology behind personal growth—and why punishing yourself into change doesn’t actually work. From fitness routines to leadership patterns, they explore how to unlock lasting behavior change without guilt and willpower battles.
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⏱️ Episode Outline
00:00 – Intro: Jesse’s fitness journey and “yo-yo” behavior
03:00 – The guilt loop and resisting change
06:30 – Counter-will: why we rebel against ourselves
10:00 – Shame, guilt, and the myth of “just push harder”
13:00 – Why external success doesn’t equal lasting happiness
17:00 – Experiment: letting go of needing things to change
20:00 – The trap of “when I have this, then I’ll feel good”
24:00 – Cultural roots of shame and self-discipline
27:00 – Shame as the blocker of emotional flow
29:00 – Dave’s “ice cream loop” and welcoming shame
32:00 – Find the emotion behind the habit
33:00 – Using cost-benefit analysis for self-awareness
35:00 – Breaking out of binary thinking (micromanager vs. hands-off)
39:00 – Why shame blocks real change
43:00 – Childhood patterns that carry into adulthood
45:00 – 3 tools for real change:
• Welcome the shame
• Identify the underlying emotion
• Run small, discipline-free experiments
49:00 – Behavior design: making it easier to do the right thing
53:00 – Funny story: the “ice cream safe” (and surprise savings bonds!)
55:00 – Final recap and takeaways
🎧 What you’ll learn:
• Why “shoulding” yourself leads to burnout and inconsistency
• How shame secretly keeps bad habits in place
• The difference between willpower and true choice
• How to make meaningful change through experiments, not extremes
• Why welcoming your feelings (even shame) opens up freedom
If you’re a founder, leader, or anyone trying to break free from burnout loops, this episode will give you mindset tools to grow from love, not fear. A must-listen for anyone navigating growth, ambition, and self-acceptance.
💬 Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments, and don’t forget to like & subscribe!
#entrepreneurship #selfgrowth #heartofentrepreneurship
Why You Resist Feeling Bad (And How It Holds You Back as a Founder)
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00:00 – Intro + today's topic: “shadows” and the parts we deny
01:30 – Jesse’s shadow: the victim
03:00 – Why founders avoid “weak” emotions like sadness, shame, helplessness
05:00 – What’s the point of all this inner work? (Andrew challenges the premise)
06:30 – Peace vs. success: what are founders really after?
08:00 – Resistance is what drains you, not action
09:30 – Integration vs. high: wholeness as the goal
11:30 – “If you can’t be happy now, you won’t be happy then”
12:30 – The cost of repressing emotion: risk aversion, stuckness
15:00 – “Who would I be if I weren’t afraid to fail?”
17:00 – The loser shadow: Dave’s story
18:30 – How founders self-limit by avoiding identity threats
21:00 – What is a shadow? (The theory)
23:00 – Projection, judgment, and your hidden parts
25:00 – Accepting reality vs. resignation
27:00 – Reality distortion field vs. future vision
29:00 – Why fear of being a fraud stops growth
30:30 – How acceptance leads to effective action
33:00 – The power of admitting doubt
34:30 – Jesse’s pitch vs. Andrew’s pitch: truth builds trust
36:00 – Authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership
37:00 – Self-awareness is a prerequisite to shadow work
38:00 – Self-discovery vs. self-improvement
40:00 – How to find your shadow: what irritates you in others?
42:00 – Andrew’s trigger: negativity and complaining
44:00 – What to do with your shadow (practical exercises)
46:00 – Persona party, exaggeration, and expression
48:00 – Final thoughts and experiment: 5 daily complaints
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, Jesse, Dave, and Andrew dive deep into the uncomfortable but transformative topic of shadow work—the parts of ourselves we deny, repress, or judge.
Through personal stories, coaching insights, and practical tools, they explore how repressed emotions and rejected traits can silently run the show—impacting leadership, risk tolerance, decision-making, and personal peace.
You’ll learn:
This episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship breaks down the hidden patterns that affect how founders lead, relate, and create. Through the lens of shadow work, Jesse, Dave, and Andrew unpack how repressing emotions like fear, sadness, shame, or doubt keeps entrepreneurs stuck in reactive cycles and blocks real growth.
They cover concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS), offer real-life founder coaching examples, and deliver a toolkit for building emotional resilience, behavioral flexibility, and founder authenticity.
Whether you’re exploring emotional intelligence, recovering from burnout, or trying to take your leadership to the next level, this episode is both raw and actionable.
Thanks for listening. If this resonated, leave a comment with your own shadow, hit like, and subscribe for more honest conversations about what it really takes to grow as a founder.
#shadowwork #founderjourney #emotionalintelligence
7 Inner Shifts That Make You a Better Leader (Without Forcing It)
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00:00 – Intro: Dave’s coaching lineage + the Groundbreakers retreat
01:30 – Why even high-performing founders need constant inner work
03:00 – Dave’s perspective on “problems” vs. learning patterns
04:30 – First breakthrough: befriending the voice in your head
06:30 – How feelings unlock clarity (not block it)
08:00 – Why exercises over just insights in personal growth
09:30 – “Unfelt feelings are the glue” – Tara’s insight on stuck patterns
11:00 – Dave’s top takeaways from Joe Hudson’s Masterclass
12:30 – The 7 core mindset shifts explained:
15:30 – Real-life sales example: Jesse on objections and trust
18:30 – Dave’s “motorboat vs. sailboat” analogy for leadership energy
21:00 – Kids, walking, and letting life flow (vs. over-managing)
23:30 – Enjoying even hard tasks (like taxes!)
25:00 – Tactical tip: open your heart to feel more joy now
27:00 – Emotional decision-making vs. rationalization
29:30 – Spouse fights, ice cream, and clarity after feeling
32:00 – Jesse’s Growth Assistant story: AI direction driven by want
34:00 – How trusting your team’s authentic wants creates better outcomes
36:00 – Radical idea: you don’t need to improve to grow
38:30 – What you’d have to give up to feel peace without improving
40:30 – The power of authenticity, empowerment, and openness
42:30 – Final thoughts and reflections
What You’ll Learn:
In this powerful episode, Jesse and Dave go deep into the 7 mindset shifts from Joe Hudson’s Art of Accomplishment masterclass—principles that can radically reshape how you lead, decide, grow, and relate to others.
Whether you’re burned out from over-managing, stuck in self-improvement loops, or craving more ease in your entrepreneurial journey, this conversation offers a grounded, embodied approach to leadership and growth.
You’ll learn:
This episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship is a masterclass in founder mindset transformation. Drawing from Joe Hudson’s Art of Accomplishment, Jesse and Dave unpack how to lead from a place of presence, authenticity, and emotional intelligence—rather than fear, pressure, or performance.
They explore core principles like “Enjoy over Manage” and “Connection over Perfection,” using real-life examples from sales, coaching, and company building. You’ll hear how emotional awareness, internal alignment, and letting go of control can actually make you more effective—and more fulfilled.
Whether you're deep into self-awareness practices, building a startup, or leading a team, these mindset shifts will challenge and inspire you.
Like this episode? Comment with the shift that resonated most with you. Don’t forget to hit like and subscribe for more grounded conversations on growth and leadership.
#foundermindset #emotionalintelligence #leadershipskills
The Personas Playing You: How Founders Get Trapped in Drama & Identity
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Show Notes:
00:00 – Intro + why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be painful
01:30 – What is a persona? (And why we mistake it for our true self)
04:00 – The firefighter, the hero, the nice guy, the newscaster mom
06:00 – Playing your persona vs. letting it play you
08:00 – Drama Triangle: Victim, Villain, Hero explained
10:00 – A real founder example: sales team missed quota
12:00 – Why “saving the day” undermines growth
14:00 – How founders create crises just to play hero
16:00 – Resentment: when saving others starts to backfire
18:00 – How these patterns cycle inside one person’s mind
21:00 – Recognizing victimhood, blame, and savior energy
23:00 – Identifying your default persona
25:00 – The lie of “that’s not me” and the power of discomfort
28:00 – Internal Family Systems (IFS) explained
30:00 – The parts inside you: protectors, exiles, managers
32:00 – A real-world IFS coaching example (part of me wants to sell…)
35:00 – Jesse’s parts: anxious achiever, the sad boy, and the protector
37:00 – What every part really wants: safety
39:00 – Embracing the shadow: liar, judge, and critic
42:00 – Self-love and reclaiming “ugly” parts
44:00 – Why entrepreneurs avoid emotions with packed calendars
46:00 – Behavioral flexibility = leadership power
48:00 – The awareness cure: why sunlight heals shadows
50:00 – Practical ways to break the drama loop
52:00 – Jesse’s story: “Mr. Unsatisfied” and naming your personas
54:00 – Final exercise: ham up your persona to break its spell
What You’ll Learn:
This episode dives deep into the mental and emotional patterns that silently run the show for most founders—and shows you how to reclaim your power by becoming aware of them.
Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen unpack the concept of personas and the Drama Triangle (Victim, Villain, Hero), then go further with Internal Family Systems (IFS), exploring how parts of us form in childhood to keep us safe—and later, hold us back.
You’ll learn:
• What personas are and how they limit your leadership
• How the Drama Triangle silently fuels resentment, chaos, and sabotage
• The connection between fear, avoidance, and distorted decision-making
• How to identify your own go-to personas and unconscious patterns
• Practical tools to bring awareness, clarity, and freedom
• The surprising power of “naming the part” (e.g., Mr. Unsatisfied)
In this episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse and Dave explore the hidden mental frameworks that drive how founders lead, react, and self-sabotage.
From the Drama Triangle (victim, villain, hero) to IFS-inspired founder mindset coaching, they explain how our internal personas shape everything—from decision fatigue to leadership blind spots. If you’ve been looking for a framework to build more emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and behavioral flexibility, this episode is a masterclass.
Whether you're working on releasing limiting beliefs, improving conflict resolution, or building a more conscious company culture, this episode gives you the tools to break free from reactive patterns and step into clarity and presence.
Enjoyed the episode? Like, comment with the persona you’re working on, and subscribe for more real-talk on leadership, growth, and the emotional side of entrepreneurship.
#foundermindset #leadershipgrowth #emotionalintelligence
What Are You Resisting? How Founders Block Growth by Avoiding Emotion
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Show Notes:
00:00 – Intro + recap: resisting emotions, what it means for founders
02:00 – Why emotions feel unsafe (and how that started in childhood)
06:00 – “I’m not an angry person” and other signs of repression
08:30 – Judging others = a sign of emotional resistance
11:00 – Conscious vs. unconscious resistance patterns
13:00 – How emotions physically manifest in the body
15:00 – Jesse's empty calendar anxiety & shame around not being busy
17:30 – Why repressing feelings blocks clarity and reinforces false beliefs
20:00 – Welcoming vs. resisting: the energetic shift
23:00 – The illusion of “fixing” feelings vs. fully allowing them
26:00 – Getting started: how to actually feel your feelings
29:00 – Mapping physical sensations to specific emotions
31:00 – Live guided practice: check in with your body
33:00 – Emotion + resistance vs. emotion without resistance
35:00 – Expressing emotions physically: cars, bats, pillows, and yelling
38:00 – Why adults need temper tantrums too (just healthier ones)
41:00 – Gender bias and feeling shame at work
43:00 – Making emotions safe in work cultures
46:00 – Why “I’m stressed” is just code for fear
48:00 – The emotional gym: building strength through feeling
What You’ll Learn:
If you’ve ever thought “I’m just not an emotional person,” this episode is for you.
Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen break down how founders unknowingly block their growth, clarity, and power by resisting key emotions—like anger, fear, sadness, and shame. They explore how childhood patterns shape adult reactions, and offer a practical roadmap to help entrepreneurs reconnect with the full range of human feeling.
You’ll learn:
In this episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse and Dave explore the invisible ways founders resist emotions—and how that resistance sabotages performance, leadership, and personal growth.
They cover the neuroscience and psychology behind emotional repression, how to identify suppressed emotions through physical sensations, and why expressing feelings (not fixing them) is the key to unlocking clarity and presence.
This episode is a must-listen for founders working on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, or unblocking limiting patterns in both their work and life.
Like what you heard? Drop us a comment with your reflections, like the episode, and subscribe for more raw, practical conversations about what it really takes to grow as a founder.
#emotionalintelligence #entrepreneurshipgrowth #foundermindset
Emotions Are Not the Enemy: Unlocking Leadership, Clarity & Decision-Making Through Feeling
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Most entrepreneurs think their emotions get in the way. But what if they’re actually your greatest untapped superpower?
In this no-fluff conversation, Jesse and Dave explore how emotional awareness is directly tied to clearer thinking, better leadership, and faster decision-making. Drawing from real-world founder coaching, this episode dives into emotional intelligence for leaders, how to identify suppressed emotions, and why your resistance to feelings like fear or shame might be holding you back.
If you’ve ever said “I’m just not a feelings person,” this one’s for you.
Show Notes:
01:00 – Why Jesse wanted to talk about emotions this time
03:00 – What emotions really are (energy in motion)
04:30 – Emotions vs. logic: the brain injury case study
06:00 – Manufactured emotions vs. present-moment feelings
07:30 – Fear isn’t dirty fuel… resistance is
09:00 – Why your whole life may be built around avoiding 1 or 2 feelings
10:30 – What are the core emotions? (Dave’s 7-emotion framework)
12:00 – Inside Out, Pixar, and understanding emotional intelligence
14:00 – Are emotions intelligent? Can they help you?
15:30 – Anger as boundary energy: why leaders need to feel it
17:00 – Setting real boundaries at home and work
19:00 – Why founders avoid firing people (the sadness trap)
22:00 – Jesse’s example: how repressed sadness led to 5 costly years
24:00 – Emotions you can’t feel will distort your decision-making
26:00 – The fear of feeling vs. the feeling itself
27:00 – I’m not emotional = repression in disguise
30:00 – Excitement is fear without resistance
33:00 – Can you love every emotion? (The “white light” theory)
35:00 – Jesse on how he actually learned to feel
37:00 – What most people are doing when they say they’re not emotional
39:00 – Personality as a defense mechanism, not identity
42:00 – Clarity lives on the other side of feeling
44:00 – Leadership superpower: feeling your team’s real emotions
46:00 – Closing practice: get out of your head and into your body
48:00 – Teaser for next week: Resistance
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode of Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen dismantle the myth that emotions are a liability in business. They argue the opposite: your inability to feel key emotions like anger, sadness, or fear could be the very thing sabotaging your clarity, leadership, and decision-making.
You’ll learn:
Like this episode? Let us know in the comments, hit that like button, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, personal growth, and entrepreneurship.
#emotionalintelligence #leadershipdevelopment #foundermindset
Why do some goals drain you while others inspire action?
In this powerful conversation, Jesse Pujji and executive coach Dave Kashen unpack a core concept at the heart of entrepreneurship: the Desired Future State (DFS). They explore how clean motivation, grounded in acceptance and vision—not fear or lack—can transform the way you lead, strategize, and scale your company.
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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / AGENDA
00:00 – What is DFS (Desired Future State)?
02:00 – How most people use “dirty fuel” (lack/fear) for motivation
06:45 – Why judgment and self-criticism lead to yo-yo results
10:00 – The power of accepting reality before setting goals
14:00 – The “missed flight” analogy for emotional relief
18:00 – Acceptance vs. resignation: what's the difference?
22:30 – Above-the-line vs. below-the-line leadership
25:00 – How to define YOUR DFS (not what’s “right”)
29:00 – Why tuning into what you really want matters
34:00 – The danger of compromising your vision prematurely
36:00 – Rubber band theory: healthy vs. unrealistic tension
39:00 – Specificity: Why your DFS must be detailed and vivid
41:00 – Jesse visualizes his own DFS for Gateway X
44:00 – How to apply DFS across teams, roles, and projects
45:00 – Avoiding “fear fuel”: point positive, not negative
47:00 – Coaching tool: ask “What’s your DFS?” when problems arise
48:30 – JFK, the moon landing, and declaring bold futures
51:00 – Final thoughts on vision, leadership, and inspiration
🎯 What You’ll Learn
The psychological mechanics behind lasting motivation
How to shift from hustle/grind into creative flow
Why specificity, desire, and presence matter when leading a team
How to apply DFS to your business, team, and personal goals
The difference between dirty fuel (lack/fear) and clean fuel (creative tension)
🚀 If you're navigating strategy, leadership, or scaling in a startup or bootstrapped business, this is a must-watch. Learn how to stay grounded in reality while still dreaming big—and help your team do the same.
💬 Drop your DFS in the comments. What are YOU building?
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations from real entrepreneurs.
#Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupMindset
You're Not Your Inner Voice: Meditation, Spirituality, and Mental Clarity for Founders
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00:00 – Jesse introduces the topic: spirituality for entrepreneurs
01:00 – What does spirituality actually mean (and why should you care)?
04:00 – You're not your thoughts: the voice in your head isn’t you
06:00 – The meditation misconception: you don’t have to quiet your mind
08:00 – Science vs. spirituality: where they’re already merging
10:00 – What meditation really trains: non-reactivity
13:00 – Why most inner voices are harsh critics—and how to shift them
16:00 – Who am I if I’m not my mind or body?
20:00 – The trap of chasing money, goals, and identity
23:00 – Above-the-line vs. below-the-line living (for leaders)
25:00 – Real-life example: Andrew pulls back during a tough meeting
28:00 – The sacred pause: how meditation builds better relationships
31:00 – How to treat thoughts like toddler tantrums or noisy strangers
32:00 – Meditation and resilience: the founder’s secret weapon
34:00 – How to meditate: Dave’s simple starter method
36:00 – Best meditation apps and routines Jesse recommends
38:00 – Mysticism vs. myth: experiencing truth directly, not through dogma
41:00 – Unconditional love vs. conditional thinking
44:00 – Why pressure isn’t the only path to success
46:00 – Final reflections on choice, peace, and self-awareness
What You’ll Learn:
This episode challenges how you think about yourself, your goals, and that nonstop inner dialogue most founders have. Andrew Warner, Jesse Pujji, and Dave Kashen explore the deep but practical benefits of meditation, spiritual awareness, and non-reactivity—without fluff or woo.
You’ll learn:
What it really means to be spiritual (hint: not religious)
Why your inner voice isn’t you—and how to create space from it
How meditation improves decision-making, resilience, and leadership
Why chasing money or goals might be masking deeper needs
Practical ways to begin meditating (even if you hate sitting still)
What “above-the-line” behavior looks like—and how to get there more often
In this episode of the Bootstrapped Giants podcast, we go beyond business strategy into founder mindset, self-awareness, and spiritual growth. Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen join Andrew Warner to explore how meditation can unlock higher performance by reducing reactivity and increasing presence.
This is not just “woo”—we get tactical about how to meditate, why it works even if you’re not spiritual, and how it directly impacts your entrepreneurial leadership, mental clarity, and relationships. If you're looking for more resilience, focus, or just a break from the pressure of building a company, this conversation will offer practical tools and deep insights.
If this resonated with you, like the video, leave a comment about your own experience with meditation or mindset, and subscribe for more candid founder conversations.
Most people think they struggle with fear or failure. But the truth is, we’re often more afraid of love, joy, and being fully seen.
In this episode, Dave Kashen, Jesse Pujji, and Andrew Warner uncover the hidden ways we resist appreciation, connection, and fulfillment—without even realizing it. They break down why receiving acknowledgment can feel so uncomfortable, especially for high achievers, and how this subconscious resistance affects success, relationships, and self-worth.
Jesse shares a powerful story about a leadership retreat that started as an awkward exercise and transformed into one of the most emotional, game-changing experiences of his life. Dave explains why we often block love and joy, even when we deeply crave them, and recounts the personal breakthrough that allowed him to finally feel his father’s love.
Andrew wrestles with his own discomfort around appreciation and recognition, uncovering the deep-seated beliefs that hold so many people back from embracing their own value. They also explore how shifting from a mindset of entitlement to appreciation can create more ease, flow, and unexpected success—without forcing it.
If you’ve ever downplayed your wins, brushed off praise, or struggled to accept love, this conversation will make you rethink how you show up in the world.
____________________________________________
Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com/
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/
Inner Game community and coaching:
https://newsletter.davekashen.com/inner-game-community
____________________________________________
Show Notes:
00:00 - Jesse’s secret story revealed
01:04 - The exercise that changed everything
03:05 - Why we resist acknowledgment
06:33 - The fear of love & joy
07:17 - Healing isn’t what you think
11:00 - Dave’s breakthrough with his dad
19:24 - Billion-dollar founders crave this
26:36 - Why we block appreciation
27:47 - “What you appreciate, appreciates”
29:08 - The trap of never enough
31:47 - How entitlement blocks fulfillment
37:53 - Why success feels uncomfortable
46:31 - Achieving more by doing less
What if the key to creating your dream life and business isn’t about working harder—but about taking radical responsibility for your entire experience, including the belief that it has to be difficult?
In this episode, Jesse Pujji, Dave Kashen, and Andrew Warner reveal how entrepreneurs unknowingly create their own overwhelm by holding onto limiting beliefs about struggle and success. They explore why resistance to emotions leads to suffering, how blame keeps you stuck, and why reframing responsibility is the ultimate power move for building a life and business you love.
You’ll walk away with practical tools to let go of resistance, rewrite the stories holding you back, and take control of your path in 2025. If you’re ready to move past the mental blocks that have been weighing you down, this conversation will inspire you to step into the next chapter of your life with clarity, freedom, and purpose.
_______________________________
Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/
_______________________________
Show Notes:
00:00 – How Family Patterns Shape Us
02:10 – What Judging Others Reveals About You
07:25 – Resistance vs. Emotional Flow
10:30 – Overwhelmed? Here’s What You’re Missing
15:00 – The Power of Radical Responsibility
20:35 – Why Blame Blocks Progress
25:40 – Practical Tools to Overcome Overwhelm
33:15 – Why Presence Dissolves Stress
36:00 – Scarcity Is Just a Story
40:20 – Design a Life You Love
48:10 – Reflecting on the Year Ahead
What if the emotions you’ve been avoiding are the key to making better decisions and unlocking your true potential?
In this episode, Jesse Pujji, Dave Kashen, and Andrew Warner dive into how emotions like fear, anger, and sadness can guide you to clarity and alignment—if you let them. They explore why resisting emotions creates stress and confusion, while embracing them leads to better decisions, deeper flow, and authentic success.
Discover how to stop reacting impulsively, process emotions effectively, and use them as a compass to navigate your entrepreneurial journey with greater ease and fulfillment.
_______________________________
Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/
_______________________________
Show Notes:
00:00 - Why Mindset Shapes Business Success
02:22 - Is Your Inner Voice Helping You?
07:42 - How Self-Awareness Beats Self-Improvement
09:50 - Identifying Your True Self
12:40 - Why Emotions Influence Decisions
15:30 - Recognizing Feelings to Avoid Reactivity
18:05 - The Secret to Responding, Not Reacting
21:40 - Why Entrepreneurs Resist Letting Go
25:10 - The Cost of Avoiding Sadness
27:55 - How Authenticity Unlocks Flow
33:10 - The Power of Embracing Anger
36:55 - Five Core Emotions Explained
42:26 - How Resistance Blocks Your Joy
47:34 - Feel Everything, Gain Clarity
53:10 - Why Resistance Feels Painful
55:00 - Experimenting with Feeling Your Emotions
No matter how big your goals are or how much you’ve already achieved, you might have an 'upper limit problem' quietly holding you back.
In this episode of The Heart of Entrepreneurship, Jesse Pujji, Dave Kashen, and Andrew Warner dive into the hidden barriers that limit success—even for high achievers. Together, they explore how unconscious beliefs and self-sabotage can prevent you from reaching your potential.
They share practical strategies for breaking through these limits, discovering your 'zone of genius,' and designing a life that balances fulfillment with success.
If you’ve ever felt like something invisible is holding you back, this conversation will give you the tools and insights to push past your limits and unlock your next level.
Entrepreneurs often chase success by pushing harder and striving for more, but what if the real key lies in rethinking the stories we tell ourselves?
In this episode, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen share practical exercises to help entrepreneurs separate facts from narratives, freeing them from the things that hold them back––like guilt, regret, and burnout.
Joined by Andrew Warner, they dive into the challenges of letting go of old beliefs, embracing the present, and finding fulfillment beyond the relentless pursuit of 'bigger and better.'
In this episode––Jesse, Dave, and Andrew have a conversation about what it looks like to question the limiting narratives you've been telling yourself and offer a fresh perspective for anyone looking to build success without sacrificing well-being.
Jesse Pujji sold a big piece of his company, Ampush. He should have felt "safe" and happy and more productive.
It didn't work.
He hired Dave Kashen to coach him.
That was a huge unlock. It led him to build multiple companies, have a happier family life and embrace his love of teaching.
This podcast shows why that happened. And why they're launching a new podcast with the word "heart" in it, even though it's terrible for SEO. I mean really, which entrepreneur is searching the podcast app for the word "heart"? They'd have done better to stick "AI" in the name, but...
I should introduce myself. I'm Andrew Warner, the moderator of this first interview. I'm new to coaching, so this was my place to ask all the skeptical questions I could about it.
I think you'll love this episode as much as we loved recording it for you.