The Conscious Entrepreneur

Success on paper can hide a mountain of stress, as Andrew (Andy) Johns reveals in this episode how a seemingly perfect startup career left him barely holding it together, and what he learned about reclaiming resilience through nervous system mastery.     Why do so many entrepreneurs push themselves to the brink without realizing the cost? Andy, a Silicon Valley veteran, joins Alex Raymond to open up about the burnout that forced him to reevaluate everything and shares the tools that helped him recover. From the power of breathwork as the “remote control to your nervous system” to the impact of routines, sunlight, and even thermogenesis, he explores practical ways to protect your body and mind.     How can you create habits that prevent stress from becoming burnout? Andy’s insights offer simple yet transformative steps to help entrepreneurs build resilience, thrive under pressure, and take control of their well-being.   Quotes “When the body activates those superpowers because part of the nervous system perceives a threat, it floods the body with stress hormones, like adrenaline. These hormones are meant to be temporary, helping us respond to immediate danger before the body returns to a rest-and-digest mode. But the body wasn’t designed to sustain that heightened state of activation. Increasingly, research shows a direct link between sustained psychological stress and chronic illness, both mental and physical.” (13:12 | Andrew Johns)“It’s not just that we might be eating unhealthy food—we are. And it’s not just that we’re less physically active than we used to be—we are. It’s also that we’re living under constant psychological stress.” (14:43 | Andrew Johns)“We need to be wise in understanding the complicated and nuanced nature of the pros and cons of the environment we’ve crafted for ourselves.” (16:48 | Andrew Johns)“Okay, your career is in tech. You may be asking yourself, well, is this good for me in the long run? Maybe, maybe not. Everyone’s different. Certain people have different resilience characteristics. I know some folks where, myself included, are very, very sensitive to the environment around me. And so, I would absorb all of these psychological stressors and the moods of my employees around me. Other people I know, they’re not like this, but to the question of like, what do we do about it?” (17:04 | Andrew Johns)“You have the mechanisms built into you to feel calm and clear and in a state of peace. Your body has evolved those mechanisms, and you may just need to experiment to find your way back to those things. You don’t need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to search and discover the tools or the techniques or the experts. It’s the inherent wisdom of the vitality of the human body, and that’s really all we're encouraging. If you tap into its inherent vitality, your resilience will be remarkable.” (46:03 | Andrew Johns)   Links Connect with Andrew Johns: Website: https://cluesdotlife.substack.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“In the context of entrepreneurship, ADHD can be an advantage, but it surely can be a disadvantage in life,” says Dr. John Torrens, an accomplished entrepreneur, professor of entrepreneurial practice at Syracuse University, and author of “Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win.” Joining Alex Raymond in this episode, he discusses how traits like impulsivity and hyperfocus often associated with ADHD can fuel entrepreneurial success but require careful management to avoid burnout and personal setbacks.   Dr. Torrens shares his work on ADHD and its interesting connection to entrepreneurship. From his university course on entrepreneurial well-being to his research with the Young Presidents’ Organization, he uncovers how many high-performing CEOs share ADHD traits. Could this be a hidden “superpower” for innovation and decision-making in entrepreneurship?   Join Alex and Dr. Torrens’ discussion to learn actionable strategies for maintaining health, building strong support networks, and achieving resilience. Dr. Torrens offers a fresh perspective on how prioritizing well-being can lead to sustainable success in both business and life.   Quotes “Why work so hard for your company that you can’t even enjoy the fruits of your labor? I’ve seen it in myself and my peers—they push so hard that, in their final years, they can’t even enjoy what they’ve built. They’re dealing with chronic diseases that could’ve been prevented or struggling with mental health issues. Some focus everything on the business and acquiring things, only to find themselves spiritually bankrupt. What better place to address this than at an institute of higher education, where we’re teaching people about entrepreneurship?” (04:25 | John Torrens)“The reality is that stress is a real part of entrepreneurship, but you can manage it if you’re proactive.” (11:11 | John Torrens)“When you dive deeper and you start to look at impulsive and hyperactive ADHD and the traits that are associated with that, you see a pretty clear link with entrepreneurial success... It’s really two sides of the coin. On one side, it really works well for you, but on the other side, if you’re not managing it, it could be seriously detrimental... It’s the context. In the context of entrepreneurship, ADHD can be an advantage, but it surely can be a disadvantage in life.” (23:49 | John Torrens)“People with ADHD often don’t choose conventional paths. What we’ve figured out is that they choose entrepreneurship because other pathways don’t always feel accessible to them.” (25:23 | John Torrens)   Links Connect with John Torrens: Website: https://whitman.syracuse.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-staff-directory/details/jtorrens   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Resting requires a stillness and a surrender that is uncomfortable.”   Alex Raymond is joined by Tovi Scruggs-Hussein, a visionary leader and healer, to explore how meditation and emotional intelligence can reshape how we live and lead. Tovi shares her journey from a life of high achievement to one grounded in mindfulness and self-awareness. How can rest, ease, and intentionality bring flow into our lives, especially in a culture that glorifies hustle?   Tovi discusses the role of “beingness” in leadership and challenges the constant drive to “do” with a more self-aware and compassionate approach. She also touches on the power of racial healing as she explains how a deeper connection to ourselves can create more inclusive spaces and interrupt ingrained biases.   If you’re an entrepreneur trying to overcome the pressures of leadership, this episode offers an invitation to rethink success. What would it mean for us to embrace ease without guilt? Tovi’s insights remind us that real growth begins with stillness.   Quotes “Sometimes, as leaders, we are the trigger for our staff. We’re the trigger for our teams. But if we don’t know how we’re triggering to others, if we’re not fully aware of what’s happening in us as we’re being engaged with others, then it limits us as leaders.” (11:57 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein) “We absolutely act and behave from who we be. That’s what influences and impacts our doing. So, if we’re not conscious of who we be and say we want to be a more inclusive leader, if we’re not conscious of what needs to be healed and transformed within us—where we’re not inclusive—then how do our policies and practices create inclusion?” (14:52 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein) “I believe that we burn out because we make our living and leading so difficult. It’s like going against the grain of who we are, almost like grinding a clutch or gears, instead of finding flow, smoothness, and alignment.” (16:06 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)“If we want to be a certain kind of leader, we have to invest in that beingness. We have to invest in ourselves as how we want to be experienced. And that can look different for a lot of different people. It can mean that you need some energy work for a while. It can mean that you need some consciousness work. It could mean that you need to meditate or go on a silent retreat. It can look like different things for different folks.” (44:34 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)   Links Connect with Tovi Scruggs-Hussein: Website: https://www.ticiess.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Happiness is a choice, but also happiness is a skill set. And if we do certain things on a consistent basis—not once or twice, but on a daily basis—then I promise you and I guarantee you that you will live a happy and fulfilled life,” says Dr. Elia Gourgouris, known as the Happiness Doctor. In this episode, he joins Alex Raymond to discuss how happiness is an essential foundation for both personal and professional success.   Dr. Gourgouris challenges the idea that happiness comes after success, pointing out that it’s something we build from the start. He shares simple, impactful strategies—like practicing self-care, gratitude, and forgiveness—to help listeners make happiness a daily habit. Self-forgiveness, Dr. Gourgouris explains, is a transformative act of self-compassion that quiets the inner critic and lightens the emotional burdens we carry.   The episode also covers happiness in the workplace. What happens when happiness becomes part of organizational culture? Dr. Gourgouris makes the case that happy employees are more engaged, creative, and loyal, which directly benefits business outcomes. He encourages leaders to model honesty, openness, and transparency, creating an environment where teams can thrive.   The takeaway? Don’t put off happiness. Dr. Gourgouris reminds us that by living joyfully today, we not only enrich our own lives but inspire others to do the same. So, how will you prioritize happiness in your journey?   Quotes “Happiness is a choice, but also happiness is a skill set. And if we do certain things on a consistent basis—not once or twice, but on a daily basis—then I promise you and I guarantee you that you will live a happy and fulfilled life.” (05:01 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)“Happy leaders equal happy teams. If we want our business to grow and succeed, the benefits of having happy and engaged employees are so many.” (28:24 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)“Happy employees are the greatest marketing tool your company will ever have because they begin to recruit great talent simply by sharing their testimony of what a great culture the company has.” (30:01 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris) “We live in a world right now—a post-pandemic world—where authenticity, with a capital ‘A,’ is a must for a leader.” (31:12 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris) “Do not procrastinate your happiness… Forget all the ‘whens.’ There are no guarantees any of us will be alive tomorrow—none. We know that. People just go just like that. So live your best life now, and don’t procrastinate your happiness.” (39:45 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)    Links Connect with Elia Gourgouris: Website: https://www.dreliagourgouris.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Live authentically, as much as possible, and as soon as possible.” This is the advice from entrepreneur Travis Luther, who joins Alex Raymond in this episode to explore the weighty themes of mortality, regret, and pursuing a life true to oneself. Having spent the past year interviewing terminally ill entrepreneurs, Travis brings forward the moving insights he’s gathered on what truly matters when life’s timeline suddenly feels finite. Reflecting on his own personal loss, he contrasts the difference between a life driven by passion and one on autopilot—a common struggle for entrepreneurs who often trade present joy for future security.   Travis and Alex dive into the regrets most commonly voiced by younger people unexpectedly confronted by mortality—health, personal fulfillment, and the need for real connections. What fears keep us from pursuing what we truly want? How much time are we willing to risk on things that don’t matter? Travis challenges listeners to live intentionally, guided by what truly drives them. By sharing a glimpse into his upcoming book, “What We Learn When We Learn We’re Dying,” he leaves us with a reminder: make choices today that you won’t regret tomorrow.   Quotes “What is going on in your unlived life or on your unlived path? And if there’s something that you can take away that’s a universal truth that doesn’t have anything to do with personal regret, it’s this idea that the sooner we can bring our lived and unlived lives together, the sooner we can live as our authentic selves and in harmony, the happier we’re gonna be.” (23:56 | Travis Luther)“When we disconnect ourselves from our mortality, we lose that sense of urgency that’s necessary to also do the things that are going to be personally fulfilling to us, and to avoid the regret or the time spent not living as our authentic selves.” (27:07 | Travis Luther)“I think what people at the end of their lives realize is that the accomplishment itself is not the thing that releases that stress and anxiety and everything that’s boiling inside of you. It is the lack of trying.” (31:32 | Travis Luther)“If I tried to consolidate all this information into one simple saying… it would be: live authentically, as much as possible, and as soon as possible.” (39:44 | Travis Luther)   Links Connect with Travis Luther: Website: https://travisluther.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Effective leadership in times of uncertainty hinges on trust, especially when chaos is in play. Retired Brigadier General Tom Kolditz joins Alex Raymond to share leadership insights drawn from his military experience and his book, “In Extremis Leadership.” Tom explains how startup founders, like military leaders in crisis, often face overwhelming uncertainty. And for him, the key to guiding a team through it is trust.   Tom urges entrepreneurs to focus outward and shift their attention from their own anxieties to the needs of their teams. He talks about the importance of both mentorship and coaching in leadership, and expounds that mentors offer advice from experience, while coaches are skilled in guiding leaders to grow.    Tom warns that excessive self-interest can undermine trust within teams, especially in high-pressure moments. He encourages leaders to engage their teams, rather than pulling back, when the going gets tough. Building a culture of shared risk and accountability fosters resilience and trust. Tune in to learn how great leadership, especially in times of crisis, relies on emotional intelligence, personal growth, and a solid support system.   Quotes “What makes dangerous circumstances truly dangerous is living with uncertainty… The principles and lessons we learn from leaders in dangerous contexts apply almost perfectly to the uncertain, chaotic set of circumstances that most startup CEOs go through.” (04:03 | Tom Kolditz)“If you’re living with uncertainty, you tend to not have the information that you might have in a more stabilized, older company. And what that means is that your influence as a leader is not through management. It’s through trust.” (05:46 | Tom Kolditz)“It’s very important that leaders not pour their emotions into their people when those emotions are negative like fear, anger, frustration.” (10:40 | Tom Kolditz)“It’s a very bad idea to think that crisis leadership is different from the leadership that you did the week before. You have to be in the same mode all the time because otherwise it’s too late. Crises come like that. And if you don’t have money in the bank, if you don’t have preparation for that, it’s going to be very difficult for you.” (46:09 | Tom Kolditz)“If professional baseball players who are at the top of their game still need coaches, then certainly those of us in leadership roles can benefit from having a good coach as well.” (47:18 | Tom Kolditz)   Links Connect with Tom Kolditz: Website: https://tomkolditz.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Our fundamental belief is that what we currently understand as these conditions that are treatment-resistant or intractable, we will have ways to treat them such that people can not just get to their baseline, but actually ultimately flourish. And that’s really, I would say, a huge focus of ours,” says Greg Kubin, as he refers to conditions like depression and PTSD. He discusses the future of mental health solutions and the role PsyMed Ventures plays in driving this change.   In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky, partners at PsyMed Ventures, to talk about the intersection of psychedelics and venture capital. What does it take to invest in breakthrough therapies that could transform mental health care? Greg and Matias walk us through their mission to fund startups that tackle mental illness, from psychedelic medicine to neurotechnology, and explain why they believe healing, ethics, and profitability can align.   They also talk about the shifting landscape for psychedelics, especially with potential FDA approval for MDMA on the horizon, and how this could be a game-changer. How do these investors spot the right opportunities in such a complex and evolving field? And why is founder resilience so important in ventures like these? Tune in for an insightful discussion on how VC is driving real change in mental health.   Quotes “For me, investing is a means to an end. It’s a vehicle through which we have a positive impact… How we think about it is that we don’t get to choose between great returns and great societal impact. Without great returns, there’s no chance to keep on doing this for many, many more decades. And without societal impact, it’s like, why are we even focusing on this? What’s the point?” (09:23 | Matias Serebrinsky) “Our fundamental belief is that what we currently understand as these conditions that are treatment-resistant or intractable, we will have ways to treat them such that people can not just get to their baseline, but actually ultimately flourish. And that’s really, I would say, a huge focus of ours.” (13:40 | Greg Kubin)“Psychedelics definitely helped, and it helped scientists and researchers understand better how our brain works and what are the receptors that elicit certain behavioral changes and feelings and emotions.” (18:38 | Matias Serebrinsky)“At the end of the day, I think if you're going to introduce a new technology or way of operating into the world, there’s just so much status quo that you need that larger-than-life individual.” (24:03 | Greg Kubin)“In order to be supportive in that capacity, I think you first need to really establish a relationship that's based in trust and transparency and vulnerability.” (30:40 | Greg Kubin)   Links Connect with Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky: Website: https://psymed.ventures/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“For me, every time I fasted, the goal was to gain clarity on a specific aspect of the entrepreneurial journey—like the calling, who I understood God needed me to be,” says Samella Watson, tech entrepreneur and founder of BLCK. She joins Alex Raymond in this episode to share how faith and spirituality have been key to her growth, both personally and in business. Fasting, in particular, has been her way of quieting the external noise to gain focus and reaffirm her purpose as an entrepreneur.   Samella opens up about how this practice helped guide her during pivotal moments, such as the decision to shift BLCK from a short-term rental model to a membership-based home exchange platform—an approach that reflects her belief in making travel more accessible. How can aligning a business with deeper values, grounded in faith, create lasting impact? Samella believes it’s essential and shares how building a community of like-minded entrepreneurs has been a core part of that journey. Her story encourages us to think about how our own spiritual practices can shape both personal and professional growth, connecting our work to a larger sense of purpose.   Quotes “The reason I fast is to turn off the outside noise of the world because it’s loud—very loud. When you’re trying to do something that’s not physically in your face and you don’t know how to do it, it can be intimidating. For me, every time I fasted, the goal was to gain clarity on a specific aspect of the entrepreneurial journey—like the calling, who I understood God needed me to be. I needed clarity on that, and the best way to gain that clarity was to shut the world off as much as possible and be fully present, ready to receive insights.” (16:29 | Samella Watson)“I believe that because we’re in a climate where people are becoming more aware of the ‘bleasure’ lifestyle, it’s something that BLCK really wants to focus on. We don’t have to work our fingers to the bone or stay on this hamster wheel to be great, add value, and do awesome things.” (29:17 | Samella Watson)“Another area that I have focused on is mindset shifting. I had to dig through that with the spiritual part of it, but a lot of times, we don’t challenge our choices. We just assume we think a certain way for some reason. But once you start asking, ‘Why do I think that way? Where is this coming from?’ you can clarify things and become more authentically yourself. So, mindset shifting is huge.” (31:11 | Samella Watson)   Links Connect with Samella Watson: Website: https://samellawatson.com/ Website: https://theblck.io/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Mattering is our inherent need to feel significant and to feel significant to the people around us,” explains Zach Mercurio, an expert on mattering and its crucial role in creating meaningful and engaging workplaces. In his conversation with Alex Raymond, Zach stresses that mattering is more than just a feel-good concept—it’s a fundamental human need that can transform motivation, productivity, and overall well-being. When people feel like they don’t matter, it often leads to disengagement or even quiet quitting.   Zach explains how crucial it is for leaders to make their teams feel noticed, affirmed, and needed. Why? Because when employees believe their work contributes to a larger purpose, they find deeper meaning in their roles. By fostering an environment where individuals feel valued and connected to the organization’s mission, leaders can inspire greater engagement and long-term success.   Quotes “Mattering is our inherent need to feel significant and to feel significant to the people around us. And it’s three primary things. It’s a fundamental human instinct. So, for everyone listening, the first thing you did when you opened your eyes was tilt your head upward. You looked for a caretaker, then reached out your hands and grasped for significance. And so, your very survival as a human, depended on you procuring mattering to someone else, enough to keep you alive. It’s a basic survival instinct. It’s a fundamental need for motivation. When we look at motivation in life and work, it is almost impossible for anything to matter to a human being who doesn’t believe that they matter.” (02:47 | Zach Mercurio) “It’s hard for anything to matter to someone who doesn’t believe that they and what they’re doing matters.” (03:47 | Zach Mercurio) “Meaningful work is doing what matters to us and what matters to the world. It’s mattering by default.” (05:47 | Zach Mercurio)“Mattering is really at the core of these concepts: it’s I feel valued and I know how I add value.” (06:07 | Zach Mercurio)“Feelings of not mattering either result in acts of withdrawal or acts of desperation. What’s an act of desperation? I matter more than you think. Complaining, blaming, protesting. A lot of difficult employees are, in my practice, the most difficult employees are employees who feel the most unseen, unheard, unacknowledged, and misunderstood.” (08:16 | Zach Mercurio)   Links Connect with Zach Mercurio: Website: https://www.zachmercurio.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The main lesson I’ve learned is to distinguish what’s like the E=mc² of culture—simplifying something extremely complex. And what I see is that the simplification of culture rides on trust, but the currency of trust is really in agreements,” Robert Richman shares as he reflects on his research while writing his book The Culture Blueprint: A Guide to Building the High-Performance Workplace.   As a former employee of Zappos, Robert shares insights into the company’s renowned culture under Tony Hsieh, where trust was built through clear agreements and a commitment to values. He introduces the concept of “culture hacking,” which refers to small but powerful changes that can significantly transform a workplace. How can businesses adopt this mindset to make meaningful improvements? Drawing from Zappos’ success, Robert points out the importance of hiring for values rather than just skills, and how a thoughtful onboarding process creates accountability and commitment. Is culture really just a luxury in challenging times, or is it essential to long-term success? Robert argues that by building explicit agreements and continuously gathering employee feedback, companies can create cultures that stand the test of time.   Quotes “The main lesson I’ve learned is to distinguish what’s like the E=mc² of culture—simplifying something extremely complex. And what I see is that the simplification of culture rides on trust, but the currency of trust is really in agreements.” (07:02 | Robert Richman)“So how clear are our agreements and are agreements upheld? You don’t just say, ‘Yeah, I agree to uphold the values.’ You literally sign a contract and you swear an oath to uphold them. So that's a very, very clear agreement. Most companies' cultures suffer because they don’t articulate the agreements well, and don't get an opt in for those agreements, and then hold people accountable to those agreements. I think that, especially with corporate culture, that’s really the currency of a great culture.” (07:24 | Robert Richman) “I think what most companies need, and are missing, is some sort of Director of Communication, because that’s where culture lies. It’s all in the communication—how you’re relating these things, how you’re sharing them, and how you’re getting the message out. So I’m less about having a Head of Culture, because I believe the CEO really needs to own that role as the head of culture.” (21:28 | Robert Richman) “Engagement is how connected to the task somebody is, how much passion they have for it, how much energy they’re putting toward it, right? Whereas empowerment has to do with authority. What level of authority do I really have? That’s what people are actually talking about when they mean empower.” (25:03 | Robert Richman)    Links Connect with Robert Richman: Website: https://robertrichman.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“This is ancient knowledge and cutting-edge technology brought together into a product that is helping thousands of people all over the world,” says Anna Gudmundson, the CEO and co-founder of Sensate. She sits down with Alex Raymond in this episode to explore how Sensate is transforming stress management with its innovative technology. Sensate’s device combines sound and infrasonic therapy to help users regulate stress and anxiety, and Anna breaks down how it works on a physiological level, particularly its role in improving vagal nerve tone—a key factor in managing stress and enhancing overall well-being.   Anna also talks about her current fundraising strategy, highlighting Sensate’s crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder. What makes crowdfunding such a powerful tool? It isn’t just about raising capital; it’s about building a community of engaged users and investors who are truly passionate about Sensate’s mission. By opening up investment opportunities to everyday people, Sensate is creating a supportive ecosystem that democratizes access to the company’s growth. Anna’s approach blends traditional venture capital with crowdfunding, showing how a diverse investor base can be built while driving the company forward.   Anna reflects on her personal journey as a leader and the unique challenges of running a wellness startup. How can stress management be woven into the fabric of a company’s culture? Anna shares her strategy of fostering mindfulness and resilience within her team, ensuring that Sensate’s core mission is reflected not only in their product but also in their workplace.    Quotes “I think stress is part of life, but many of us have a bit too much of it. So, it’s really important to have a way to self-regulate.” (04:56 | Anna Gudmundson) “The reason this is really helping so many people is that they are feeling calm and relieved. They actually enjoy the experience, which makes it accessible even when people are feeling quite wound up. I think that’s a really important part because then we begin to self-care, taking out our Sensate and using it when we need it. It’s so important in life to be able to self-regulate during stressful moments.” (05:58 | Anna Gudmundson)“We are accepting money from VCs. We have several VCs that are already in, but we have also tried to allow our customers to invest as well. So our customers, practitioners, partners, and people who really care about the product are able to invest via the SPV on WeFunder under exactly the same terms. That’s important, and it is very much part of our ethos.” (14:32 | Anna Gudmundson) “The nice thing about adding crowdfunding is that it democratizes around. Typically, at this stage, when we’re at an $18 million valuation, it’s usually larger investors who are able to participate. But this allows smaller investors to come in and really diversifies the cap table.” (15:02 | Anna Gudmundson)    Links Connect with Anna Gudmundson: Website: https://www.getsensate.com/ Website: https://wefunder.com/sensate   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I love helping entrepreneurs shift into focusing on their ‘inner game,’ because then they get to both have a better experience—more joyful, less stressful, more enlivening, more playful—and more likely to succeed,” says Dave Kashen, a highly regarded leadership coach in Silicon Valley. He shares how embracing life as it unfolds, instead of clinging to rigid expectations, can help entrepreneurs tap into creativity and find peace, leading to more sustainable success.   In this episode, Dave talks with Alex Raymond about the “inner game” and conscious leadership. When entrepreneurs stop chasing external validation and focus on internal awareness, they can lead from a place of resilience and authenticity. Dave believes that by practicing presence, responsibility, and vulnerability, leaders can build stronger connections with their teams, which not only enhances personal fulfillment but also drives business success. Could this shift in perspective change the way you approach leadership?   Quotes “There are two primary games that people tend to play in life. One is, ‘Can I get life to match my mind’s idea of how life should be?’ The other is, ‘Can I just be with life as it is and relax my mind’s idea of how life should be?’ Most people are playing the first game and it’s a really challenging game. Even when you win, the joy, peace, and contentment don’t last very long. Because life is dynamic and our mind tends to be a bit more rigid, it’s really hard to get them to match.” (02:47 | Dave Kashen)“I realized at some point that the richer, more well-workable game—a game you could actually win—is the other game, where I can more and more relax my mind’s idea, or let go or disconnect from my mind’s idea of how things should be, so I can just be present with life as it is.” (03:31 | Dave Kashen) “The irony is that entrepreneurs are dreamers. So, we’re great at dreaming up some future, but then we collapse the desired future into the present, wishing we were already there, and just create suffering for ourselves and drain our energy.” (19:07 | Dave Kashen)“I believe the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most conviction.” (45:58 | Dave Kashen) “I think a leader’s primary function is to serve… Leadership is the art of discernment. There’s never like a one way and one rule, but can you discern moment to moment what best serves—what best serves our vision, what best serves people? And I find the more you’re present, above the line, the clearer you are about what best serves.” (47:53 | Dave Kashen)    Links Connect with Dave Kashen: Website: https://www.davekashen.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“A lot of people are lonely and they don’t even really know it until they find a connection, until they find that sense of community and involvement,” says Sadie Lincoln, co-founder of barre3, a fitness franchise that blends strength, cardio, and mindfulness. In this episode, she joins Alex Raymond to share her personal journey—from feeling isolated as a new parent to building a global community that empowers women entrepreneurs and fosters real connection.   Sadie delves into how barre3 challenges the fitness industry’s harmful messaging, which often promotes shame and an unhealthy relationship with exercise. By integrating mindfulness, barre3 encourages people to honor their bodies and stay present, transforming fitness into something life-affirming rather than just a means to an end. She explains how barre3’s inclusive community prioritizes relationships just as much as the workouts themselves. This sense of belonging became especially crucial during the pandemic when connection was needed more than ever.   Sadie also highlights barre3’s unique business model—194 studios, all owned and operated by women. What drives its success? She credits collective wisdom, local ownership, and core principles like enlightened hospitality and creating workplaces where people truly thrive.   As a leader, Sadie reflects on her growth and leadership style, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, maintaining high standards, and creating space for her team to learn and grow.    Quotes “There is nothing like starting your own business and scaling it to learn about yourself. This has been the most humbling journey of my life. It continues to humble me.” (32:21 | Sadie Lincoln) “I’m in an environment wherein, within closed doors or in a more public setting, I can share when I failed or when things didn’t go well and what I learned from it because that’s the culture. The culture is just like in a barre3 class. If you choose to do a move that doesn’t serve you and it’s giving you pain in your joints, maybe on all fours you’ve got a knee injury and you’re hurting your knee on all fours waiting on the floor, recognize, ‘Oh, this isn’t working for me. I’m going to modify it. I’m going to stand up and do this at the barre instead to honor that pain in my knee but still move my fitness forward.’ That’s a real metaphor for being a leader.” (41:46 | Sadie Lincoln) “I think even in a team setting, what’s even more powerful is to have respect and understanding for other people, where they are, and where their strengths are. That way, we’re not projecting onto other people and expecting everybody to operate the same way we do as individuals.” (44:20 | Sadie Lincoln)    Links Connect with Sadie Lincoln: Website: https://barre3.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Psychological safety is the belief that you can speak up without fear of humiliation or punishment. It’s essentially an environment where candor is expected. It’s not comfortable, it’s not easy, and it’s not an environment free from negative feedback. It’s a learning environment, and it’s being misused,” says Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor at Harvard Business School. This week, Amy joins Alex Raymond to discuss how creating psychological safety within a team enables risk-taking, learning from mistakes, and driving entrepreneurial success.   What does it mean to foster psychological safety? Amy introduces the idea of intelligent failures—those critical moments where mistakes become opportunities for learning, especially in new ventures. She clarifies that psychological safety isn’t about making everyone comfortable; it’s about promoting honest communication and openness. Leaders can cultivate this environment by modeling vulnerability and encouraging a problem-solving approach, shifting the focus away from blame.   This episode also covers how to sustain psychological safety in remote work settings. Amy discusses the importance of structure and intentional engagement to keep teams connected. She shares practical advice on resilience, reminding us that failures should be seen as valuable lessons rather than personal defeats.   Quotes “Part of the discipline of getting this right, of failing well, is to truly pause and appreciate what you are up against. Be realistic, even scientific about it… Failing well looks like being very thoughtful about the next risk you take and having good reason to believe it will pan out, which I think most entrepreneurs can identify with. Then, graciously acknowledging when that turns out to be wrong—that’s okay. That’s valuable new knowledge that you simply couldn’t have gotten any other way.” (04:38 | Amy Edmondson) “Psychological safety is the belief that you can speak up without fear of humiliation or punishment. It’s essentially an environment where candor is expected. It’s not comfortable, it’s not easy, and it’s not an environment free from negative feedback. It’s a learning environment, and it’s being misused.” (18:06 | Amy Edmondson) “You must connect with the very real truth that the failure of a company doesn’t make you a failure; it means you had a company that failed. That means you are wiser than you were right before that. That means you have a new, little bucket of knowledge that you lacked before. That’s a treasure—value it. Value it enough to, in fact, share it with others.” (39:02 | Amy Edmondson)   Links Connect with Amy Edmondson: Website: https://amycedmondson.com/ Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

"DEI is often seen as something off to the side—something we can easily discard because people still don’t always see its benefits,” says Ericka Hines, founder of Black Women Thriving. This week, she joins Alex Raymond to shed light on the vital role of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Drawing on over 14 years of experience, Ericka shares insights from her Black Women Thriving Report, which explores the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace and provides actionable recommendations for creating environments where they can truly flourish.   Ericka emphasizes the need to move beyond traditional DEI training to foster genuine cultural change. She introduces the concept of thriving—a state of vitality and learning at work—as the ultimate goal once diversity and inclusion are achieved. A striking finding from her report is that 88% of Black women experience burnout, often due to a lack of personal time and negative workplace environments. Ericka advocates for organizational policies that prioritize well-being, such as implementing rest periods between meetings and discouraging after-hours emails.   For entrepreneurs, Ericka advises embedding DEI principles into their businesses from the outset by tailoring them to their industry and integrating them into daily strategies and practices. She cautions against relying solely on unconscious bias training and stresses the importance of a comprehensive approach to building an inclusive culture. Ericka urges entrepreneurs to lead the charge in evolving workplaces to meet the expectations of millennials and Gen Z, who place a high value on diversity and inclusion.   Quotes “There are definitions of DEI, and you should have a shared language about those. But what I’m saying is, if we understand that diversity means we want different perspectives, lived experiences, and identities, right? What does that mean in the context of the business or industry I’m in? What does that mean to us? Once you have those operational definitions, I think the strategies and knowledge you need will flow from that.” (27:35 | Ericka Hines) “As an entrepreneur, I think DEI work should become one of the pillars of your business. In doing so, you want to embed it across operations, how you hire, how you conduct performance reviews, and how you choose vendors.” (29:24 | Ericka Hines)"DEI is often seen as something off to the side—something we can easily discard because people still don’t always see its benefits.” (40:20 | Ericka Hines) “People who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, trans, gay—we’re not going away in the workplace. So, yes, it’s still a good time to do this. To me, it doesn’t make sense not to be doing this. And this really isn’t from a place of, ‘Oh, this is my business.’ It’s more like, look at who’s in your workplace. Why would you not try to make it a place that people want to work in?” (41:25 | Ericka Hines)    Links Connect with Ericka Hines: Website: https://everylevelleads.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I worked for people who have achieved a lot but didn’t seem all that happy in life,” shares Jim Barnett, a seasoned CEO with leadership roles at Wisq, Glint, and LinkedIn. This realization sparked a 35-year journey into happiness and consciousness, leading Jim to explore meditation and conscious leadership.   Introduced to meditation by a monk in Los Angeles, Jim’s daily practice has since become a cornerstone of his personal and professional life. Through YPO and transformative retreats, he deepened his commitment to conscious living, eventually partnering with Diana Chapman of the Conscious Leadership Group. Her teachings on the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership impacted his approach to leadership.   Jim discusses how shifting from a stress-driven mindset to one focused on awareness and intentionality transformed not just his well-being but also the culture within his organizations. He also highlights the potential of AI to fill gaps in traditional HR, offering accessible coaching and support to managers and employees.   For entrepreneurs, Jim emphasizes the importance of building a strong company culture from the outset. His advice? Prioritize actions that reflect thoughtfulness, inclusion, and collaboration to create a workplace where happiness and success can thrive.   Quotes “I’m so dedicated to helping people be happy and successful at work that I see this as a way of being of service to humanity, rather than trying to achieve a specific business outcome.” (17:33 | Jim Barnett) “I think the role of a manager is to be a guide for the team and the people on the team in all areas. The challenge is that a lot of managers don’t have the skill set required to be a good manager. Typically, what we do is find the highest performer, and that performer then becomes the manager.” (25:53 | Jim Barnett)“I would say one cheat code for approaching anything consciously is to approach it with curiosity. If you come from a place of “I’m right, they’re wrong,” that’s not likely to lead to the best outcome.” (32:48 | Jim Barnett)“Don’t just talk about culture. Let your actions show how important culture is. Dedicate yourself to creating a culture of thoughtfulness, inclusion, empowerment, responsibility, communication, and collaboration. Be very thoughtful and purposeful about it. I think it’s super important.” (42:51 | Jim Barnett)    Links Connect with Jim Barnett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-barnett-a5312/ Website: https://www.wisq.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Leadership isn’t about doing certain things; it’s about being a certain type of person,” says Ryan Gottfredson, a professor and consultant specializing in leadership development. In this episode, Ryan, the author of “Success Mindsets” and “The Elevated Leader,” sits down with Alex Raymond to explore vertical development—a powerful approach to growth that goes beyond just acquiring new skills.    Ryan’s journey into this field started back in high school when a sports psychology class ignited his passion for personal development. That passion eventually led him to pursue a Ph.D. in organizational behavior and human resources, where he noticed a gap in traditional leadership research. Most studies focused on what leaders should do, rather than who they need to become. This insight redirected his work toward helping leaders and entrepreneurs focus on their way of being, not just their actions.   The three stages of vertical development are key to understanding this approach: the first stage focuses on safety and comfort, the second on standing out and advancing, and the third on contributing to the greater good. How do we shift from a mindset of self-protection to one of value creation? Ryan explains that while most people operate at the first level, true transformation happens when we move beyond it, advancing to stages where the focus shifts to making a meaningful impact.   Courage plays a critical role in this journey. Transitioning from one level to the next means letting go of certain needs and embracing new ones, which requires significant bravery. Ryan shares practical tips for entrepreneurs to start this transformation, like daily affirmations, journaling, and adopting growth-oriented mindsets.   This episode offers a deep dive into vertical development, providing actionable insights for entrepreneurs who want to move from survival mode to making meaningful contributions. By focusing on who they are, and not just what they do, listeners will learn strategies to overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and achieve transformative growth in both their personal and professional lives.   Quotes “Leadership isn’t about doing certain things; it’s about being a certain type of person.” (04:19 | Ryan Gottfredson) “It’s one that’s very rare for people to take, but as I mentioned, it’s transformational. This path is what we call vertical development. Vertical development isn’t about adding apps to our iPad; it’s about upgrading our internal operating system so that we think and strategize at a higher level than we currently do.” (09:13 | Ryan Gottfredson)“Our mindsets are the most foundational aspect of everything that we do. How we see our world shapes how we think, how we learn, and how we behave. And we all have mindsets, and they are all driving our unconscious thoughts and processes. Most people think that they have good mindsets, but most people actually don’t even know the quality of their mindsets.” (33:47 | Ryan Gottfredson)   Links Connect with Ryan Gottfredson: Website: https://ryangottfredson.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Traditional corporate hierarchies are being replaced by dynamic, self-managing organizations that embrace wholeness and evolutionary purpose, as explained by Frederic Laloux in this week’s episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur. Frederic, the author of Reinventing Organizations, joins Alex Raymond to mark the 10th anniversary of his influential book and discuss its impact on modern organizational management.   With an MBA from INSEAD and a successful career at McKinsey, Frederic was well-acquainted with conventional business paradigms. However, personal experiences and a transformative coaching session led him to question traditional corporate structures. Influenced by Ken Wilber’s developmental theories, Frederic introduced a color-coded framework showing the evolution from rigid hierarchies to adaptive, purpose-driven “teal” organizations.   Frederic outlines three key principles of teal organizations: self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose. Self-management eliminates traditional hierarchies, replacing them with flexible systems where decision-making is distributed based on competence and interest. Wholeness encourages individuals to bring their full selves to work, fostering creativity and authenticity. Evolutionary purpose shifts focus from profit maximization to a mission that aligns with stakeholders’ values and aspirations.   This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders on the future of work. Frederic’s perspectives provide a compelling vision of how businesses can evolve to meet modern complexities while creating humane and fulfilling work environments, urging entrepreneurs to embrace these innovative paradigms.   Quotes “When we redesign the organization, we create a blueprint. It’s all of that engineering language because fundamentally we view an organization as a machine. This was a very successful model… But now we’re reaching the limits of that model. The world has become so much more complex, but we’re still trying to run it in that way with the good old pyramid structure.” (13:20 | Frederic Laloux) “If I was really honest with myself, behind closed doors with leaders, I had these amazing conversations... The structures were so unhealthy that, once I left, the same thing happened during sessions with executive committees. We would finally discuss the taboos, the power relations, the politics, the lack of trust, and everyone would feel relieved that these issues were being addressed. However, once I left the room, the same behaviors would resurface. What I realized was that it wasn’t a lack of capacity on their part. It was the system, the structures, and the pyramid—how we’ve set up things—that naturally pushed people to behave in those ways.” (26:01 | Frederic Laloux) “The term self-management is both great and frustrating. As soon as you mention it, people often imagine it means no structure, that everyone can do whatever they want, and that decision-making is done by consensus, requiring everyone’s input on every decision. But it’s actually the opposite of that.” (35:51 | Frederic Laloux)   Links Connect with Frederic Laloux: Book: https://www.reinventingorganizations.com/ Video Series: https://thejourney.reinventingorganizations.com/ The Week: https://www.theweek.ooo/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Can startups truly innovate by partnering with corporate giants, or as Dr. Shameen Prashantham puts it, “dancing with gorillas”? In this episode, Dr. Prashantham, professor of International Business & Strategy at the China Europe International Business School, joins Alex Raymond to share his research on corporate-startup partnerships. They explore how these collaborations have evolved, emphasizing the shift towards equity-based models and the critical role of non-equity partnerships in fostering innovation.   Dr. Prashantham stresses the importance of startups balancing optimism and caution when engaging with large companies. He advises focusing on core expertise and being strategic about revealing information to maintain leverage. Success stories like Techstars-backed Sphero’s partnership with Disney to create the BB-8 droid and Microsoft’s rise in the startup ecosystem illustrate the power of these collaborations.   The episode also delves into the democratization of partnerships, highlighting sustainability and positive impact initiatives. Dr. Prashantham underscores the necessity of complex arrangements involving city governments, NGOs, and United Nations agencies to tackle societal challenges. He showcases how startups can drive meaningful outcomes through innovative solutions, leveraging their unique strengths to create a global positive impact.   Quotes “Essentially, the insight was that you could bring together managers from big companies and entrepreneurs from startups to achieve something beyond what either could do on their own. Having studied many companies in different parts of the world and different industries, I realized that, knowingly or unknowingly, they were addressing what I call the paradox of asymmetry. On one hand, you have a potential win-win situation between these two different sets of companies, each having something the other lacks. Startups, for example, have agility, while big companies have scale.” (09:51 | Dr. Shameen Prashantham) “The big advantage of working with a large company is leveraging economies of scope to build partnerships across different units and regions. By being proactive and seeking introductions, startups can gain champions within the corporation. Many have benefited, but it’s crucial to keep future options open.” (27:54 | Dr. Shameen Prashantham) “For me, the idea that very different, asymmetric actors and nontraditional partners can come together is key. In terms of startups, particularly those leveraging digital technology, this is making a huge difference in many areas, helping people who are not privileged enough to have access to real-time information.” (39:26 | Dr. Shameen Prashantham)   Links Connect with Dr. Shameen Prashantham: Book: https://www.gorillascandance.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Courage means choosing growth despite uncertainty. How can entrepreneurs adopt this mindset? Joshua Steinfeldt, a renowned coach and host of “The Courageous Life” podcast, joins Alex Raymond to discuss the psychology of courage, fear, and personal growth.   Joshua’s coaching journey began during the 2008 economic downturn when he noticed fear as a prevalent challenge. This led him to explore courage deeply, culminating in his master’s thesis on its four key components: choice, fear, risk, and a worthwhile goal. He emphasizes aligning actions with core values and regularly reassessing motivations to stay true to oneself.   Joshua’s research highlights that effective coaching requires courage—honest feedback, self-awareness, and empathy are essential. He distinguishes coaching from therapy, noting that coaching focuses on future goals without diagnosing clinical issues. Entrepreneurs must clarify their goals and approach coaching with openness and vulnerability.   Community and support are also crucial. Joshua debunks the lone hero myth, stressing the importance of feeling connected and supported. Alex reinforces this, sharing feedback from the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit about the desire for deeper connections.   This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs looking to navigate their journeys with courage, authenticity, and community. Joshua Steinfeldt’s insights provide a clear roadmap for overcoming fear, staying aligned with values, and leading with bravery.   Quotes “So often, living well, leading well, or doing what we really want to do in life requires some degree of risk. There might be fear around it, and often there’s a sense of courage, whether small or big. This is the centerpiece of what I tend to focus on.” (07:19 | Joshua Steinfeldt)“As entrepreneurs, we want to provide value for customers and clients. That’s such a natural thing… And I think, to work through some of that, being able to continually ask for feedback from a client, and to be able to receive it—to be able to hold that, take it in, and learn, ask questions to get better—I think there’s courage in that, as there is in leaders asking their team for honest feedback. And not shaming your team members, but really making it safe, and taking those learnings and putting them into action to get better, to grow.” (25:10 | Joshua Steinfeldt) “I think coaching is more about working. It’s a very collaborative process, working more to kind of help the client find their own answers in many ways.” (31:43 | Joshua Steinfeldt)“To be a leader right now is so hard. You have to be with uncertainty, which is so human, but people like control too. There has to be a part of you that’s willing to let go and be willing to go with it to some degree, like relaxing into uncertainty. I think that is the superpower of our time—being able to deepen and relax into uncertainty, to be with it. That takes courage because the natural response for so many people is to want to control it.” (36:49 | Joshua Steinfeldt)   Links Connect with Joshua Steinfeldt: https://www.practicingcourage.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm