ZenFounder

Episode 411: Don't Get Rid of Fear

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In this intimate conversation, Dr. Sherry Walling explores our relationship with fear and why it is not something to override or dismiss.

Drawing from both psychology and her experience as a circus aerialist, Dr. Sherry explains how fear functions as a warning system in the body signaling potential danger, asking us to slow down, and inviting attention.

Rather than treating fear as a weakness or obstacle, this conversation reframes fear as information, a signal worth listening to.

This episode is an invitation to develop a more mature relationship with fear, one that allows it to inform decisions, clarify priorities, and protect what matters most, without letting it run the show.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why fear is often misunderstood as weakness instead of wisdom
The difference between listening to fear and letting fear run the show
Why emotional fears (shame, failure, rejection) deserve attention, not avoidance
The role of fear in helping us prioritise what truly matters

#ZenFounderPodcast #DrSherryWalling #FearAsInformation #NervousSystemWisdom #EntrepreneurMentalHealth #EmbodiedLeadership #Presence

Episode 410: 4 Entrepreneurial Mindsets That Can Hurt Your Family Life (And What to Do Instead)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs are great at leading teams, making decisions, and optimizing time. But what happens when those same skills show up at home—and start to hurt your closest relationships?

In this episode, Dr. Walling shares the 4 entrepreneurial mindsets that often cause trouble at home—and what you can do differently.

Self-importance around time – why treating family moments as “below you” creates distance.
Productivity over presence – how chasing efficiency can crowd out play.
Reviewing family members like employees – why constant appraisal kills safety and connection.
Expecting instant implementation – what happens when you “CEO” at home.

And last, the best lessons you can actually learn from family life — lessons that will make you a stronger, more human leader.

Episode 409: How to Actually Integrate Psychedelic Insights into Daily Life

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs are keen to push themselves to grow and become the best version of themselves. As early adopters, they’re often open to immersive experiences that accelerate their personal and professional development.

But when it comes to non-ordinary state experiences like psychedelics, deep retreats, even personal breakthroughs, too many skip the most essential part: integration.

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling breaks down exactly what it means to integrate a transformative experience into your daily life. Whether you're navigating a psychedelic journey or simply returning from an immersive retreat, this conversation offers practical tips for slowing down, listening in, and making your growth real.

You'll learn:

How to decipher the kinds of “messages” you receive during a journey
How to build a 4-month plan around new values, habits, or intentions
Why busyness is the enemy of growth—and how to build in space for listening

Subscribe to Sherry’s newsletter: tinyurl.com/ZenFounder

#EntrepreneurMentalHealth #Founders #Retreats #InnerWork #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #Psychedelics #Integration

Episode 408: 5 Traits Entrepreneurs Share with Artists

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Is Entrepreneurship a Creative Act?

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling shares what producing a full-scale circus show taught her about the creative process of entrepreneurship. From the vulnerability of putting your work in public to the emotional risk of innovation, Sherry explores how the mindset of an artist can unlock better products, deeper audience connection, and long-term fulfillment as a founder.

#Entrepreneurship #CreativeLeadership #MentalHealth #Startups #Founders #Vulnerability #CreatorEconomy

Episode 407: Navigating Family Pain Without Shutting Down

Sherry Walling — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Did you know that 27% of Americans are actively estranged from at least one family member?
In a world where ideological division is high and screens are the most consistent recipient of our attention, our families are quietly fracturing.

In this special episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Sherry Walling reflects on the beautiful, painful, complicated terrain of family life.

Inside this episode:

– Why family can be our deepest source of pain—and our greatest opportunity for healing

– The psychological dynamics of individuation, estrangement, and reconciliation

– A radical practice for staying close: becoming a neutral observer

Whether you're in the thick of parenting, navigating loss, or redefining what family means to you, this episode is an invitation to reflect, feel, and begin again.

Learn more about the Familia circus show: https://www.touchingtwoworlds.com/familia
Read the book: https://www.touchingtwoworlds.com/free-chapters

Get support or connect with Sherry's team: https://www.zenfounder.com

Episode 406: How to Reclaim Desire

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Do you ever ask yourself what you really want?
Not what’s profitable. Not what’s a good business decision. Not what’s righteous, or best for your team.

Just… what you want.

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Sherry Walling invites you into a deeply personal—and radically freeing—conversation about desire. As a founder or leader, you’ve been trained to prioritize discipline, service, and strategy. But too often, that comes at the cost of your own longing.

Inside this episode:

Why desire isn’t hedonism—it’s data
A framework for “desiring well”
The reason most humans fear giving in to desire

Want deeper support in your founder journey? Subscribe for resources, insights, and updates from Sherry.

Episode 405: How to Regulate Big Emotions

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Ever find yourself saying things you regret in the heat of the moment? Or spiraling after a client complaint, a bad email, or your kid melting down in public?

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Sherry Walling breaks down how high performers lose control of big emotions—and how to get it back.

Inside this episode:
– What’s actually happening in your body when you get triggered
– How to catch your reaction early—before your nervous system hijacks your behavior
– Simple ways to calm your body fast (breathwork, water, scent, music)
– What past experiences may be quietly running the show when you feel attacked or out of control

Whether you’re a founder, a parent, or both—this is the toolkit for staying regulated when life gets hard.

Episode 404: How Founders Can Make Better Decisions: The Framework You Haven’t Tried

Sherry Walling — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like you’re at war with yourself?

One part of you wants to hustle, scale, dominate the market.
Another part wants to sell the business, move to the woods, and sleep 10 hours a night.
And then there’s the voice panicking about churn, cash flow, and that very unhappy customer email you can’t stop thinking about.

You're not broken. You're not alone. You're just... human.

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Sherry Walling introduces a powerful framework you probably haven’t tried: Internal Family Systems (IFS).

This psychological model helps founders better understand their competing inner voices—and make smarter, more aligned decisions.

Inside this episode: – Why some parts of you want to grow your business—and others want to burn it all down
– The real reason ignoring your “inner child” can lead to burnout
– How to recognize fear-based decision-making before it wrecks your strategy
– A practical exercise to map your Internal Founder System

#FounderLife #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #LeadershipDevelopment #InternalFamilySystems #IFS #BusinessGrowth #DecisionMaking #StartupMindset #EmotionalIntelligence

Episode 403: Feeling Alone in Business? How to Find Your People

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:19:07 +0000

Entrepreneurship is lonely—but it doesn’t have to be.

In this video, Dr. Sherry Walling dives into one of the most overlooked challenges in the entrepreneurial journey: finding your people.

Starting, growing, and even exiting a business can be incredibly isolating. That loneliness can quietly erode both your mental health and your ability to lead. In this episode, you'll learn:

The difference between networking and true friendship
Why proximity, attention, and shared play are essential to adult friendships
How relationships are foundational to both mental health and business success

Whether you’re craving deeper connections, wondering why your friendships feel thin, or simply looking to feel less alone in your work—this one’s for you.

Learn more about Sherry’s upcoming Touching Two Worlds: Familia circus show—an original performance about the power of relationships: www.touchingtwoworlds.com/upcoming-shows

Check Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation 2023 report here

Episode 402: 5 Criticisms of Traditional Therapy

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Is Traditional Therapy Failing Entrepreneurs?

Therapy is an invaluable tool—but is it always the best fit for high performers, founders, and creatives? In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling shares her honest critique of traditional psychotherapy, highlighting five key concerns:

The Pathology Trap – Why therapy often focuses on diagnosing problems instead of amplifying strengths.
It Takes Too Long – Why conventional therapy can be slow-moving and how alternative approaches, like psychedelics, may be more effective for rapid breakthroughs.
Hyper-Focus on Hurt – How therapy can make people more sensitive to pain without equipping them to move forward.
The Risk of Self-Absorption – When therapy over-validates personal experiences without placing them in a larger context of relationships and responsibilities.
The Blank Slate Issue – Why it’s hard to trust guidance from someone who hasn’t been there—and what to look for in a mentor or therapist.

Therapy is an incredibly valuable resource, and working with a skilled therapist is highly recommended. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time and financial investment.

If you’ve ever wondered whether therapy is truly helping you grow—or just keeping you stuck—this episode is for you.

Need support from a team that understands the unique mental health challenges of entrepreneurs? Reach out to us at zenfounder.com/contact

#Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #Therapy #PersonalGrowth #FounderLife

Episode 401: Why Founders FAIL at Asking for Help (And How to Fix It)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs thrive on independence, resilience, and figuring things out on their own. But when it comes to launching a book, a product, or a business—going solo can actually hold you back.

Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a growth strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling breaks down why founders struggle to ask for help, how to do it effectively, and why the success of your work depends on it.

Episode 400: 7 Factors That Shape How You Feel About Your Exit

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

You’ve built something incredible. But when it’s time to sell, are you unknowingly making your exit harder than it needs to be?

Most founders focus on the financial side of an exit—negotiating terms, securing the best deal, maximizing their payout. But what about the psychological side? If you’re not prepared, selling your business can feel like losing a piece of yourself—leading to bad deals, self-sabotage, and regret.

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling, clinical psychologist and entrepreneur, breaks down seven factor that shape how you feel about an exit, including some common self-sabotage situations and how to avoid them.

You’ll learn:
The identity trap: why over-identifying with your business makes letting go so painful
The hidden rebel: how your own psychology could push you to blow up a good deal
Why money mindset matters—and how it shapes your exit experience
The #1 mistake that makes founders rush into the next thing too soon
How to exit with clarity, confidence, and zero regrets

Selling your business isn’t just a financial transaction—it’s a psychological transformation. Make sure you’re ready.

Get the full playbook in Exit Strategy: The Psychology of When, Why & How to Leave Your Business Without Regret.
Grab your copy here: www.exitstrategybook.com

#ExitStrategy #Entrepreneurship #SellingYourBusiness #FounderLife #Scaling #BusinessExit #StartupLife

Episode 399: 5 Ways Entrepreneurial Households Support Resilient Kids

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Dr. Sherry Walling has spent years balancing life as a psychologist, entrepreneur, and parent. She’s married to a tech founder, has been immersed in the startup world for decades, and has raised two kids who’ve never known a traditional 9-to-5 household.

In this episode, she shares what she’s learned about raising resilient, adaptable kids in an entrepreneurial home—the good, the hard, and the unexpected.

She talks about:
How kids absorb resilience by watching their parents handle risk and uncertainty
Why getting kids involved in the business builds confidence and independence
The role of financial literacy in raising self-reliant kids
How to instill a growth mindset that helps them tackle challenges head-on

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household can be a gift—not something kids have to navigate. When done well, it helps them think creatively, solve problems, and develop confidence in themselves.

Watch now to hear her insights, stories, and practical tips for raising kids in an entrepreneurial world. And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on business, mental health, and family life!

Episode 398: 3 Ways Demanding Hobbies Can Revolutionize Your Entrepreneurial Mindset

Sherry Walling — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling dives into how physically demanding hobbies can revolutionize the way you approach your business and life. Whether it’s aerial arts, rock climbing, kite surfing, or long-distance running, these activities offer more than just physical benefits—they reshape your mindset.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
How embodied learning fosters better intuitive decision-making.
Why rapid feedback cycles in hobbies teach resilience and adaptability.
How to use physical challenges to master stress regulation.

From building confidence to navigating setbacks, physically demanding hobbies can profoundly influence your entrepreneurial journey, giving you tools to stay sharp, resilient, and energized.

Looking to add some physical play to your life?

Join us on May 23rd and 24th, 2025, for the Touching Two Worlds Circus Show—an awe-inspiring performance you won't forget.

And don’t miss the Circus Day Adventure on May 25th!
Experience the thrill of flying trapeze, acrobatics, and even circus horse riding. Learn more and sign up at touchingtwoworlds.com

Episode 397: The Possibility Gap: What’s Stopping You From Living the Life You Want?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Are you stuck in the gap between where you are and where you want to be?
You sense the next chapter of your life, business, or relationships calling to you—but the path forward feels unclear.

Fear of disruption, lack of mastery, and the weight of commitments often hold us back from stepping into our fullest selves.

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling shares how to navigate the space between where you are and where you want to be. She challenges you to move past fear and embrace a life of bold, embodied aliveness.

Learn how fear keeps us small—and what you can do about it.
Discover why the "perfect time" for change doesn’t exist—and how strategy and courage can bridge the gap.
Find out how to balance soul-level growth while honoring your commitments.

This episode is a must-watch if you're ready to stop holding back and step fully into who you’re meant to be.

Listen now and learn how to bridge the possibility gap.

The Poem read by Dr. Walling is "If You're Alive, Then Act Alive" by L.E. Bowman (@l.e.bowman.poetry)

#PersonalGrowth #EmbraceChange #OvercomingFear #LiveFullOut #Entrepreneurship #SelfLeadership #MindsetShift

Episode 396: 5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Stay Connected With Family

Sherry Walling — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like your work is pulling you away from your family?

For entrepreneurs and high performers, busy seasons are inevitable—whether you’re scaling a business, traveling for work, or navigating a major life transition. But maintaining deep, meaningful connections with your family doesn’t have to fall by the wayside.

In this episode, I share insights into:

The power of micro-moments
How shared rituals and hobbies can create lasting memories
Strategies for involving your family in your entrepreneurial vision—and why it matters.
Practical tools like shared calendars and outsourcing to make room for quality time.

Learn how to stay present and intentional with the people who matter most, even in the busiest of seasons. If you’ve ever felt the tension between your personal and professional lives, this episode will inspire you to build a bridge between them.

#EntrepreneurLife #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeBalance #ParentingTips #Entrepreneurship #MindfulLiving

Episode 395: Reclaiming a Bad Word: Maybe Selfish Is Good

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

What does it mean to be "selfish"? For many, the word carries a negative connotation—one of neglecting others for personal gain. But what if being "selfish" was seen as a necessary part of self-care, self-development, and living a deeply fulfilling life?

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling, clinical psychologist and mental health advocate for entrepreneurs and high performers, explores the complex relationship we have with selfishness.

She dives into:
How self-care, boundaries, and joy can fuel meaningful service to others.
The sacred responsibility we all have to craft and care for our “selves.”
Why prioritizing your own needs doesn’t diminish others—it creates abundance.

Learn why self-care is not just a personal luxury but a foundational act of love for those around you. If you’re ready to rethink what it means to be “selfish” and craft a life of intentionality and joy, this episode is for you.

Explore More:
Subscribe to Dr. Sherry’s newsletter at zenfounder.com for additional resources, programs, and updates.

#SelfCare #MentalHealth #EntrepreneurWellness #HighPerformers #Boundaries #JoyfulLiving #PersonalGrowth #Psychology

Episode 394: Am I a Good Candidate for Psychedelic Therapy?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Are Psychedelics Right for You? 5 Questions to Ask Before You Begin

Psychedelics hold incredible potential for healing, growth, and creativity—but they aren’t for everyone. In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling, clinical psychologist and expert on the mental well-being of entrepreneurs and high performers, unpacks the nuanced considerations you need to make before diving into psychedelic-supported therapy.

You’ll learn:

How to evaluate if you’re ready for the changes psychedelics can bring
The importance of intention—whether you’re healing trauma or doing a creative exploration
Why personal responsibility is crucial when stepping off traditional medical paths
Medical and psychological factors to assess
How to choose a safe and qualified guide for your journey

Psychedelics are powerful tools that demand careful thought and preparation. This episode offers a balanced perspective on how to approach them with respect, safety, and clarity.

Ready to deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you? Contact Dr. Sherry at ZenFounder.com/contact.

#psychedelics #mentalhealth #therapy #growth #healing #entrepreneurs #creativity

Episode 393: 5 Signs Your Team Needs a Mental Health Day

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Is a Mental Health Day Worth It? Absolutely. Here’s Why.

Taking a mental health day might seem like a luxury your team can’t afford—especially for small businesses or startups—but the truth is, the benefits far outweigh the costs. In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling explores how intentional mental health days can prevent burnout, build resilience, and foster a stronger, more cohesive team.

You'll learn:
Five scenarios where mental health days make the biggest impact
Budget-friendly ways to design meaningful mental health days
How to recognize when your team needs a break and what to do about it

Investing in mental well-being isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for the long-term health of your team—and, by extension, your business.

Ready to lead with intention? Connect with Dr. Sherry at ZenFounder.com/contact.

#mentalhealth #entrepreneurs #leadership #burnout #teamwork #smallbusiness #mindset

Episode 392: Is It Safe to Be Awesome?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Feeling lonely at the top? Being a high performer, your awesomeness could be isolating you. In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling discusses the unique loneliness that comes with success and how to find your tribe.

You'll learn:

How to find your tribe (even if it's uncomfortable)
How to overcome the fear of being "too much"
Three strategies to create a safe space for your awesomeness to flourish

Dr. Sherry Walling is on a mission to help you stop playing small and embrace your awesomeness! Want to connect? Reach out at zenfounder.com/contact

Leave a comment below! What are your biggest struggles with feeling lonely at the top?

#entrepreneur #loneliness #success #motivation #mindset #community

Episode 391: What is Consciousness and Why Entrepreneurs Need to Wake Up

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Does the constant hustle make you struggle to stay present in your daily life?

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling dives deep into the concept of consciousness, exploring its many layers, and explaining how practices like mindfulness, meditation, and even psychedelic medicine can help you become more aware and present.

Episode highlights:

Learn how expanding your consciousness can improve your decision-making and creativity.
Explore the connection between consciousness and emotional well-being.
Practical tips on how to start practicing presence and mindfulness.

Whether you aim to sharpen your intuition for better daily decision-making or seek to elevate your capacity for joy, this episode offers valuable insights to support you on this journey.

#Consciousness #Mindfulness #Entrepreneurship

Episode 390: Embrace Your Inner 'Freak'

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Step into the world of the circus with Dr. Sherry Walling as she explores how this vibrant community offers a sanctuary where quirks and eccentricities are not just accepted, but celebrated.

In this episode, Dr. Walling, an amateur circus artist, delves into the transformative impact of embracing our unique traits and shares how the circus provides a powerful metaphor for life, especially for those who feel like they don't quite fit into traditional molds (hello, entrepreneurs!)

If you are near Minneapolis on May 4th, join Dr. Walling in a collective healing experience, where we celebrate all that makes us different! Tickets for the May 4th show at the Luminary Arts Center are available now. Don't miss out!

Book your tickets: www.touchingtwoworlds.com/integration

Episode 389: How to Truly Disconnect: Productive Rest vs Mindless Scrolling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly pushing the limits of what we can do in a day, but what happens when we don’t know how to truly rest and restore?

In this video, Dr. Sherry Walling dives deep into the importance of rest in the cycle of high performance, revealing why it is integral to sustaining long-term productivity and avoiding the pitfalls of burnout.

What you'll learn:

Misconceptions about rest (and why scrolling on your phone doesn't count.)
The psychological and physical benefits of disconnecting, embracing nature, and nurturing your sensory experiences.
Overlooked strategies that high performers use to recharge, reset, and integrate restorative rest into your busy life.

No more excuses, entrepreneurs. You can't afford not to rest. Turn off your phone, step away from the screen, and embrace truly restorative practices that will help you thrive in business and life.

Episode 388: SSRIs vs. Psilocybin: The Impact of Depression Treatment on Your Sex Life

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Is your mental health treatment compromising your sexual well-being? Discover the nuanced impacts of SSRIs on your sex life and why psilocybin can be a groundbreaking ally in battling depression without diminishing your capacity for joy and pleasure.

In this video, we explore:

The challenge of depression and anxiety on sexual intimacy.
The often overlooked side effects of SSRIs on sexual desire and pleasure.
Insights from recent research on psilocybin vs. SSRIs and their effects on sexual experience, and how psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy could revolutionize the sex life of those struggling with depression.

For more detailed information and insights, check out the research article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-49817-4

Let's connect! If you're navigating these challenges and looking for personalized support, reach out at zenfounder.com/contact. We specialize in helping high-.performers thrive in both business and personal life.

Episode 387: 5 Signs That You Are a People-Pleasing Leader

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:42:00 +0000

In this episode, Dr. Walling explores the fine line between being an emotionally intelligent leader and falling into the trap of people-pleasing.
If you are an entrepreneur who is pouring your heart, soul, and intellect into your work, recognizing the signs of people-pleasing and taking steps to maintain your inner compass is vital. So, where do we draw the line between being a considerate leader and compromising our well-being for others' approval?
Listen to the episode to discover 5 key signs that you are a people-pleasing leader and how that affects your company's future.

Are you feeling lost in the hustle, unsure of who you are in the middle of the demands of leadership?
As one of the world's only clinical psychologists focused on the mental health of entrepreneurs, Dr. Sherry Walling blends elite research training, extensive psychotherapy experience, and firsthand entrepreneurial insight to support you. Connect with us at zenfounder.com/contact for personalized support.

Episode 386: Is Your Relationship Stuck? Psychedelic-assisted Therapy for Couples

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Are you and your partner finding yourselves stuck in the same cycle of conflicts and misunderstandings, no matter how hard you try to break free? In today's video, Dr. Walling delves into the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy for couples, especially those in the entrepreneurial space who may find their relationships challenged by the unique pressures of their lifestyle. She explores how substances like MDMA can offer a profound opportunity for couples to reconnect, communicate more effectively, and heal longstanding issues by fostering an environment of empathy, trust, and understanding.

Throughout this video, we'll discuss:

The science behind MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and how it can lower defenses, allowing for deeper emotional connections.
Benefits for couples, including those with a history of conflict or those simply seeking to deepen their bond.
The importance of professional guidance in navigating this therapeutic journey.
The current legal landscape and research status of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the US

At ZenFounder, we understand the complexities of balancing a relationship with entrepreneurial demands. If you're looking to explore new avenues to enhance your relationship, reach out to ZenFounder for a consultation. Let's work together to bring touch, love, and deeper connection back into your life

Episode 385: How to Break Free from Overthinking & Dive into Deep Thinking

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Do you often find yourself caught in the relentless cycle of overthinking, where anxiety and repetitive thoughts leave you feeling like a hamster on a wheel? In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling explores how to transform your thought process from overthinking to deep thinking: a productive, inspired state of mind that moves ideas forward with momentum.

Putting your thought process into action and actively engaging your mind in problem-solving is a powerful asset. Whether you're crafting your next big business move or navigating personal challenges, the strategies shared in this episode will teach you how to use your intellectual power effectively.

At ZenFounder, we specialize in guiding individuals out of the spiral of overthinking and into a state of flow—essential for a thriving business and a fulfilling life. Contact us and take the first step toward a more impactful and purpose-driven life.

Episode 384: The Transformative Power of Touch

Sherry Walling — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Have you ever considered how the simple act of touch can transform your mental health? Touch, an often ignored aspect of human functioning, is crucial for development, emotional regulation, and immune function.

In this episode, Dr. Walling discusses the barriers to incorporating more touch into our lives and explores why entrepreneurs often struggle with isolation and difficulty asking for and accepting touch.

Learn how to create opportunities for touch, and understand why it should be an essential part of your mental health regimen.

If you or someone you know is finding it difficult to integrate touch into their relationships, Brooke Bergman Parr, ZenFounder’s relationship expert, is here to help. She specializes in helping entrepreneur couples enhance intimacy and connection. Reach out for a consultation with Brooke and bring touch back into your life.

Episode 383: Why High Performers Need Play, Movement, and (Strange) Hobbies

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

As entrepreneurs, although we understand that a fulfilling life goes beyond work and productivity, we often struggle to make time for play. However, did you know that engaging in hobbies that energize you, rather than consume your time, can actually boost your peak performance? In this insightful episode, Dr. Walling presents powerful arguments for why play should be an essential, non-negotiable part of your life.

Key Highlights:

Learn how engaging in hobbies can be a vital tool for regulating your nervous system, ensuring a balanced state of homeostasis essential for optimal functioning.
Understand the impact of neurological diversification through play on preventing burnout and fostering a resilient, adaptable brain.
Embrace the significance of hobbies in shaping your identity beyond work and productivity.
Gain insights into how hobbies, especially those involving movement, can enrich your life, boost your creativity, and enhance your overall well-being.

Ready to see play in practice? Curious about trying out a hobby that's anything but ordinary?

Join Dr. Walling for the 'Touching Two Worlds: Integration' Circus Show + Trapeze Experience in Minneapolis on May 4th. The “Skydancer’s Package” offers you the chance to actively participate in a trapeze class and rediscover the joy of play.

Here's what you can expect:

Reconnect with your body and explore the boundaries of what you thought was possible for yourself.
Shift your focus from the mind to the body, a unique perspective that can be especially valuable for entrepreneurs.
Our world-class coaches will guide you through every step, from the moment you climb onto the platform to the exhilarating leap. It's a transformation from "I can't" to "I did it!" in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Click here for all the details and to secure your spot in this exhilarating adventure.

Episode 382: The Psychology Of Overworking: 4 Key Drivers Behind The Urge To Hustle

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Do you feel caught in the cycle of overworking? Are you constantly pushing the limits of your mind and body to get things done? In this video, Dr. Sherry Walling unpacks the complex psychology of overworking, a common challenge in the entrepreneurial world. Drawing from her professional insights and personal experiences, Dr. Walling helps you identify the signs, understand the drivers, and rethink the common narratives around overworking.

Episode Highlights:

-Do you end your days feeling as if you've climbed Mount Everest? Dr. Walling explores what emotional exhaustion means and why it's a red flag.
-Morning Energy Alert: Understanding your morning mood can be a key indicator of overworking.
-Are you driven by a need to prove your worth, or perhaps a fear of scarcity? Explore 4 common psychological drivers behind the urge to overwork.

If you feel it's time to explore a more balanced approach to work and life, contact us at zenfounder.com/contact. We’d love to be of help in your journey.

If you find this episode insightful, consider subscribing to Dr. Walling's newsletter for more content on entrepreneurship, mental health, and sustainable success: zenfounder.com/#newsletter.

Episode 381: Can Love Survive A Startup? 4 Steps To Business-Proof Your Love Life

Sherry Walling — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Join Dr. Sherry Walling in this compelling episode as she explores the often-missed connection between nurturing a romantic relationship and achieving business success. Drawing from her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist and insights from her own marriage to an entrepreneur, Dr. Walling offers a unique perspective on the challenges and strategies for keeping love alive in the demanding world of business.

In this episode, you will learn:

What happens in the brain of an entrepreneur when they think of their business.
How to avoid letting your business become a 'third wheel' in your romantic bond.
How practicing focused attention can save your connection with your partner.
The impact of mutual hobbies on enhancing your relationship.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and their partners, providing essential guidance for thriving in both love and business. Tune in to transform the way you perceive and manage your most valuable partnership!

Episode 380: Is Resentment Holding You Back?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this insightful episode, Dr. Sherry Walling dives into a vital yet often overlooked aspect of leadership: the power of forgiveness. This discussion challenges the traditional perception of forgiveness being a weakness but as a key to resilience, effective leadership, and personal growth.

Episode highlights:

Learn why forgiving someone is distinct from re-entering a relationship with them.
Discover how forgiveness is primarily an internal journey, focusing on self-healing rather than external reconciliation.
Uncover the importance of forgiving oneself as a step towards overall healing and better decision-making in business and life.

Are you navigating life feeling like there are emotional landmines buried within you, ready to be triggered at any moment? If unresolved forgiveness issues are keeping you in a state of constant vigilance, draining your energy and preventing you from being fully present and authentic in your life and work, it's time to seek change. Don't let the burdens of the past hold you back any longer. Reach out to us at zenfounder.com/contact and embark on a journey to reclaim your clarity, energy, and purpose.

Episode 379: How to Navigate an Anxiety Crisis

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Did you know that entrepreneurs typically operate in a constant high-arousal state, because of the pressure of their role? In this insightful episode, Dr. Sherry Walling unveils effective strategies for entrepreneurs and high performers to manage anxiety. She draws from her experience with veterans and high-stress professionals to offer the 'Three B's' approach: Breath, Body, and Brain.

Discover how our body and brain can misinterpret danger, leading to heightened anxiety states even in the absence of real threats, and how simple techniques like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can activate the vagus nerve, a key player in calming the body's fight or flight response.

Episode 378: How To Stop Being Your Own Worst Critic

Sherry Walling — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

How often do you find the voice in your head is your toughest critic? And can you turn it into your biggest cheerleader? In this video, Dr. Sherry Walling delves into a familiar struggle for many entrepreneurs: the harsh inner voice that often holds us back more than it pushes us forward.

What we're exploring:

How our past, particularly our upbringing and parental influences, shape our internal dialogue.
The nature of self-criticism versus self-coaching and their impact on your personal and professional life.
Practical insights on transforming that critical inner voice into a constructive, supportive coach.

If you're ready to shift your inner narrative from critical to empowering, this episode is for you!

Episode 377: Things that Freud was Right About

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling delves into the fascinating world of Sigmund Freud's psychological theories and their unexpected relevance for today's entrepreneurs. Discover how his groundbreaking contributions to understanding early childhood, internal conflict, and the unconscious mind continue to resonate in modern psychology and significantly influence our success in business and in life.

Explore how Freud's theories can be adapted and applied in today's entrepreneurial landscape to promote success, self-awareness, and mental well-being.

#FreudianTheory #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessPsychology #LeadershipDevelopment

Stay ahead in your mental health journey with Dr. Sherry Walling’s ZenFounder newsletter. Tailored for high performers, you’ll receive exclusive insights on mental wellness, bonus content from her books, and early access to upcoming events and workshops. Subscribe now!

Episode 376: The Personal is Political

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 11:21:00 +0000

Did you know your mental health and how you navigate your personal journey have immense implications for the collective well-being? In this episode, Dr. Sherry Walling explores the sense of heaviness that many of us are experiencing, not just in our personal lives but in our communities and across the globe, to question the traditional view of mental health as an individual metric, instead considering its collective impact.

Discover how individual actions contribute to alleviating global suffering and enhancing collective well-being. Gain insights on self-talk, self-care, and political activism to improve both personal and societal mental health, starting with you to uplift the collective.

#MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalIsPolitical

Episode 375: How Does Your Inner Child Shape Your Present

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Ever wondered why sometimes, as a fully grown adult, you suddenly feel like a seven-year-old again, especially in high-stress situations like a board meeting or while making an important decision? In this episode, Sherry explores the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a model that reveals how different parts of our past experiences and emotions continue to live within us and influence our present actions.

Join her as she delves into the groundbreaking work of Dr. Richard Schwartz, the creator of the IFS model, to discuss how 'Exiles', 'Firefighters', and 'Managers' within us play a significant role in our daily lives.

Key Highlights:
Understand how childhood experiences can resurface in adulthood, influencing our reactions and decisions in surprising ways.
Get a grasp on the concept of 'Exiles', 'Firefighters', and 'Managers' – parts of our psyche that interact in complex ways, shaping our behavior and emotional responses.
Plus a real-life story of an entrepreneur whose business challenges during COVID-19 revealed deeper, underlying childhood fears and motivations.

Whether you're an entrepreneur facing business challenges, a professional navigating career change, or simply curious about personal growth, this discussion will shed light on how childhood experiences can affect your emotional response today.

Episode 374: How to Navigate Holiday Grief

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In her latest episode, Dr. Sherry Walling delves into the emotional blend of joy and grief that the holidays often bring. She discusses the varying experiences of grief from year to year and the importance of recognizing that there is no universal way to handle it.

Dr. Walling also explores the idea of 'aliveness' within grief - the pursuit of joy, laughter, and connection amidst sorrow. This episode is a profound conversation about embracing the complexities of our emotions during this season.

If you or someone you know is facing grief this holiday season, Dr. Walling invites you to join this intimate discussion. She also encourages you to explore her book, 'Touching Two Worlds,' for deeper insights into her personal journey with grief and loss. A resource she hopes will bring comfort and understanding to your own path. Available now: https://a.co/d/8iRP1Up

#TouchingTwoWorlds #HolidayGrief

Episode 373: Staying Focused: How Your Gaze Shapes Your Goals

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this insightful episode, Sherry delves into the profound lesson of how your focus determines your future, especially in the challenging world of entrepreneurship. Drawing from unique experiences in circus arts, she explores the critical role of where you set your gaze and how it can shape the trajectory of your personal and professional life.

Highlights:

Learn how directing your gaze impacts your business and life goals.
Explore why not defining your focus can be more daunting than facing potential failure.
Tips on how to envision and articulate your life goals for long-term fulfillment.

Remember, your momentum goes where your gaze goes. So, where are you looking? Are you focused on what truly matters to you?

Episode 372: The Neurodivergent Founder

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sherry discusses the impact of neurodivergence on the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that these distinctive traits can serve as both assets and obstacles in our business endeavors. While neurodivergence can be considered a superpower, harnessing its benefits necessitates additional effort, deliberate attention, assistance, and training to mitigate potential challenges it may pose to the life of a company.

Episode 371: How to Respond When Overwhelmed by the Magnitude of World Crisis

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In a world seemingly inundated with the shadows of depression, worry, and loneliness, it's easy to feel like we're caught in a whirlwind of chaos. Sherry with her naturally optimistic outlook, gives some actionable antidotes to this chaos you can apply for yourself and those around you.

Episode 370: Why You Should Be Afraid of Therapy

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sherry explores the reasons why one might hesitate to embrace therapy. Many individuals harbor reservations or anxieties about delving into substantial personal development efforts. This reluctance may stem from the realization that as we evolve, our entire world undergoes transformation, necessitating a readiness for change. Therapy, albeit beneficial, can evoke trepidation. Opening up and revealing the most intimate aspects of one's thoughts and life can be daunting. Yet, there's an additional, somewhat humorous, reason to be wary of therapy—what if it actually works? Sherry sheds light on the potential upheaval and disruptions that can accompany successful therapy and change, providing insights into various possibilities and outcomes for listeners to consider.

Episode 369: Subtly Sexist Things That Happen at Business Events

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Discover the nuances of subtle sexism prevalent in various business settings like events, conferences, and dinners, often unintentional yet impactful. Gain awareness of these occurrences to ensure you're not inadvertently contributing to such behavior.

Episode 368: How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Fear

Sherry Walling — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Fear serves a valuable purpose by safeguarding us from potential threats and danger. It's essential not to eliminate fear entirely, as it plays a crucial role in our survival. However, when fear becomes excessive, it can become a hindrance, preventing us from achieving our goals and aspirations effectively. In this episode Sherry covers some ways to help you "fear less".

Episode 367: Acting Like A Child At Work

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we challenge the conventional perception of childlike behavior at work and explore the positive aspects it can bring to our professional lives. Sherry often encourages her clients to embrace childlike qualities in their work approach. Join us to uncover the unexpected advantages of integrating childlike wonder and creativity into your professional journey, enhancing productivity and overall satisfaction in the workplace.

Episode 366: When People Don't Like You

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics in the business world, especially when you encounter individuals who hold unfavorable opinions of you, whether they are employees, colleagues, or customers leaving adverse reviews about your company or product, can be one of the most demanding aspects of the corporate landscape. In this episode, Sherry provides valuable insights on how to effectively address and manage such situations.

Episode 365: What Your Sex Life Might Mean For Your Business

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

We often don't discuss matters of sexuality in the context of our professional lives, but it's important to recognize that one's intimate life can indeed exert a significant influence on their career. In this episode, Sherry delves into the significance of one's sexual well-being and its connection to their professional life.

Episode 364: Your Body and Mind Are Disconnected

Sherry Walling — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

A common observation Sherry frequently encounters in her work with entrepreneurs is a noticeable disconnect between the mind, emotional well-being, and the physical body. Sherry firmly holds the belief that our physical bodies are among the most vital assets for enhancing our mental health. Therefore, in today's episode, the focus revolves around exploring the intricate connections between the body and the various aspects of our overall well-being.

Episode 363: Superpower: Ask What You Want

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In the latest episode, Sherry delves into the art of contemplating, recognizing, and expressing our desires. This practice of discerning and vocalizing our wants holds immense value, extending its benefits not only to our professional endeavors but also to our personal lives and relationships. As driven founders, we frequently find ourselves engrossed in the hustle, seldom affording the time for deep introspection into our true desires and the things that ignite our passion.

Episode 362: Your Relationship With Your Body Is Broken - How To Fix It

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Our connection with our bodies holds immense significance. Sherry firmly advocates for nurturing a cooperative rapport with our physical selves. In this podcast, Sherry explores the holistic integration of mental health encompassing the body, mind, spirit, and relationships, offering insights into restoring a harmonious bond with one's body. This journey isn't just for personal well-being but extends its advantages to your loved ones and even the realm of business.

Episode 361: Psychedelics and Spirituality

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

For the past five to six years of her career, Sherry has harbored a profound fascination with the potential of psychedelics in the realm of mental health. She delves into how this immersion in the field of mental health has not only expanded her spiritual awareness but has also heightened it, particularly compared to her pre-psychedelic experiences. When we contemplate what thriving truly entails — giving our utmost in our endeavors, steering our businesses, and assuming the leadership roles we aspire to — Sherry asserts that such aspirations necessitate a degree of introspection into our own spirituality.

Episode 360: How to Have Better Relationship Fights

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Drawing from her prior experience aiding combat veterans grappling with PTSD, Sherry reveals a relationship tool that can keeps us from crossing the line to a place we are all vulnerable to in certain moments How can we remain anchored in patience and self-control when life feels disordered? Stay tuned to learn this very valuable technique that can be used in both our personal and professional lives.

Episode 359: 5 R's to Get Things Done

Sherry Walling — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000

At times, the essence of an idea can be swiftly conveyed. Within this episode, Sherry shares a few simple strategies you can use to trick your brain into getting more done in less time.

Episode 358: 6 Psychological Traits That Make You Seem More Confident

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry tackles the widely used mental health adage, "fake it 'til you make it." This saying finds particular relevance in bolstering our self-assurance. Given that entrepreneurs frequently navigate uncharted territories, often beyond their comfort zones, the need to cultivate confidence becomes paramount. In this episode, Sherry furnishes strategies to enhance the projection of confidence during instances or tasks where our self-assurance might waver.

Sherry’s YouTube Channel

Episode 357: Myth of the Magic Morning

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The concept of a morning routine has sparked discussions among numerous influential entrepreneurs. A prevailing belief asserts its significance in the realm of successful entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, Sherry contends that while it holds true for some, it might not universally apply. In this episode, Sherry delves into the notion of magical mornings, dismantling the myth and outlining her perspective as a non-believer.

Sherry’s YouTube Channel

Episode 356: 3 Interesting Psychological Facts About Quiet People

Sherry Walling — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Quiet individuals are undeniably worth the additional effort required to unravel their potential. Embracing more quietness within entrepreneurial circles offers compelling arguments. By fostering active listening, exercising patience, and embracing moments of pause, this episode reveres the strength of quiet people. Sherry passionately advocates how incorporating quietude can significantly benefit both your business and personal life.

Sherry’s YouTube Channel

Episode 355: MDMA Therapy Is Coming - Here's Everything You Should Know

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Psychedelic-supported psychotherapy emerges as an immensely powerful healing tool, profoundly aiding entrepreneurs in maintaining healthy functioning and overall well-being. In this episode, Sherry sheds light on MDMA's specific role in this context and enlightens entrepreneurs about essential aspects to consider with its arrival as a promising mental health option.

Episode 354: 3 Negative Stories You Tell Yourself & How To Reframe Them

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry discusses three common negative stories that entrepreneurs frequently grapple with. She identifies these stories and offers valuable strategies to reframe them. Negative stories extend beyond mere negative thoughts; they are more intricate, recurrent, and significantly impact our behavior and interactions over time.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Sh*t Together

Episode 353: STOP Anxiety Right Now with Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Sherry Walling — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The Vagus Nerve serves as a notable illustration of the integral relationship between mental health and the entire body. It profoundly influences our thoughts, physical sensations, and emotional experiences. Recognizing the significance of the Vagus Nerve, Sherry emphasizes the importance of having a fundamental understanding of its functions and learning strategies to effectively engage with it. By harnessing the power of the Vagus Nerve, individuals can cultivate the ability to remain composed in moments of heightened stress or anxiety. Sherry offers valuable insights and techniques to "hack" the Vagus Nerve, empowering individuals to navigate challenging situations with a sense of calm and control.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 352: 3 Things About Grief No One Really Tells You

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this latest podcast episode, Sherry delves into three lesser-known aspects of grief that often remain unspoken. While grief is a part of the human experience, those navigating the entrepreneurial path encounter a unique set of challenges. Enduring numerous losses and facing uncertainties beyond the typical 9-5 population, they grapple with a distinct form of grief. Drawing from her book "Touching Two Worlds," Sherry sheds light on this subject, providing valuable insights and understanding.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 351: Warning Signs of High Functioning Depression & What To Do About It

Sherry Walling — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this week's podcast episode, Sherry delves into the topic of high-functioning depression and sheds light on why entrepreneurs may be particularly susceptible to it. She explores the symptoms associated with this condition and highlights the potential challenges healthcare professionals face in identifying it among entrepreneurs, as the diagnosis of depression traditionally revolves around functional impairment. Furthermore, Sherry's expertise extends beyond the podcast, as she has also contributed an insightful article on this subject to Fortune magazine.

Fortune Magazine Article

Sherry’s YouTube Channel

Episode 350: Presence in the Wilderness

Sherry Walling — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Inspired by an off the grid trip in northern Minnesota, Sherry explores the concept of presence, highlighting its significance in fostering meaningful connections and engaging in genuine interactions. Whether it involves focusing on a single objective, engaging in relational exchanges, or capturing undivided attention while performing tasks, presence holds a profound value.

Sherry, cognizant of the entrepreneurial landscape, acknowledges the practicality of multitasking as a valuable skill. However, she also raises awareness about the potential challenges it poses in our personal relationships. To address this, she imparts practical tips on cultivating and practicing presence, enabling individuals to navigate the delicate balance between multitasking efficiency and fostering authentic connections.

Episode 349: Stop Using This Nasty Word

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry argues that "should" is an unhelpful word because it lacks specificity and carries connotations of shame and obligation. When we replace phrases like "I want to" or "I feel like it would be helpful," with “should”, we allow external influences to shape our decision-making instead of relying on our own intrinsic motivation. The word "should" is associated with guilt stemming from societal beliefs that are indirectly imposed and rooted in desires, ethics, and personal growth. Sherry challenges the notion that there is any valid use for the word "should." Drawing from the words of therapists that have come before her, do not “should” yourself and instead advocate for embracing personal choices and inner guidance.

Episode 348: The Moments Of Your Life

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 10:38:00 +0000

Inspired by the profound words of Annie Dillard: "How we spent our days, is of course how we spend our lives." Sherry, enlightens us on the importance of taking time for self-reflection and the dangers of becoming too immersed in work. We explore how the changing seasons can serve as a reminder to reassess how we spend our days and ensure they align with our deepest desires.

Episode 347: Transitions

Sherry Walling — Fri, 26 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In today's episode, join Sherry as she delves into the topic of transitions and highlights their significance in our adult lives. She emphasizes the importance of approaching transitions with thoughtfulness, as they impact both our personal well-being and our businesses. Sherry sheds light on the potential risks of neglecting transitions, such as failing to allocate time to honor them, skipping the necessary steps to internalize their effects, and overlooking the exploration of profound questions. She encourages us to prioritize transitions by carving out space for them in our calendars, recognizing their value in fostering growth and fulfillment.

Episode 346: Entrepreneurial Blind Spots

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 May 2023 10:53:00 +0000

Rob Walling hosts the podcast this week, the focus is on entrepreneurial blind spots and the crucial role of self-awareness. The episode highlights the negative consequences of being unaware of one's strengths and weaknesses, and stresses the importance of recognizing when to delegate, seek assistance, or devote extra attention to a task. Listeners will also gain insights into effective strategies for identifying and addressing blind spots in their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Episode 345: Decision Fatigue

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the podcast, Sherry reflects on the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur after returning from a spring vacation. Balancing a busy calendar and a full inbox has led her to contemplate the factors that affect our presence for those around us. As entrepreneurs, our emotional availability and presence are crucial for our teams, co-founders, and employees. It's about being able to truly listen, read between the lines, exercise patience, and show up authentically. Sherry dives into the topic of decision fatigue and how it can impact our primary relationships in today's episode.

Episode 344: The Founder Mental Health Pledge

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 22:12:00 +0000

Sherry sits down with Naveed Lalani and Brad Baum, the masterminds behind the Founder Mental Health Pledge. Their initiative encourages both investors and companies to recognize mental health treatment as a legitimate business expense. By prioritizing the mental health of founders and their teams, startups are more likely to succeed. The pledge promises to support founders in treating the costs associated with caring for their mental health, including therapy, coaching, group support, and app-based solutions. Lalani and Baum emphasize that mental health should be a top priority for every business owner. Tune in to learn more about the importance of supporting founder mental health in the startup world.

Founder Mental Health Pledge

Episode 343: Better Off Without Me and Other Dangerous Lies

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It's not uncommon for adults and adolescents to experience suicidal thoughts and feelings, but unfortunately, many people lack the necessary skills to address these sensitive conversations. Sherry sheds light on the topic of suicide and its impact on family members. She emphasizes the danger of believing the false notion that things would improve if we were no longer around and urges us to be vigilant against such thoughts. Additionally, she offers practical advice on how to seek help and support for ourselves or loved ones who may be struggling with suicidal ideation.

Episode 342: Parenting for Sexual Health with Dr. Lea Lis

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:38:00 +0000

Sherry talks with Dr. Lea Lis a medical doctor who is a double board-certified Adult and Child Psychiatrist. Dr. Lea discusses the topic of communicating with our children about sex and overcoming any feelings of shame that may arise as parents when doing so. Dr. Lea also shares tactics to empower our children with the confidence and skills to make decisions and communicate effectively about their boundaries.

Dr. Lea Lis

Episode 341: Not What I Expected

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sherry discusses one of the prevalent obstacles of entrepreneurship - unforeseen difficulties. When we undertake challenging endeavors, we do not have control over the type of difficulty we may encounter. Moreover, at times, we may not be able to predict the severity of the challenges we will face.

Expected difficulties tend to be less demanding since we can respond to them appropriately. Conversely, unforeseen challenges can be overwhelming, catching us off guard and causing us to question our competence.

Sherry also provides useful techniques for managing unexpected challenges.

Episode 340: Characteristics of Healthy Co-Founders

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about co-founder relationships and some of the strengths she sees in the best relationships that she works with. She provides numerous suggestions on aspects to emulate in your relationships with co-founders, which can also be useful in your intimate partner relationships.

Episode 339: Expanding Erotic Intelligence with Brooke Bergman Parr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:00:00 +0000

In this week's episode, relationship expert Brooke Bergman Parr dives into the topic of sex in relationships and its significance in couples therapy. It's no secret that sex is often one of the top concerns that couples address when seeking counseling. Despite being a normal part of a healthy relationship, sex can be a source of tension and confusion for many couples. However, with the right guidance and support, it can also be a source of connection and play.

Brooke shares with us the importance of addressing sexual concerns in couples therapy and provides practical tips and techniques for couples to improve their sexual relationship. She helps dispel common misconceptions about sexual frequency and provide a framework for what a healthy amount of sex may look like for different couples. Tune in to learn how to turn sex from a source of heartache to a source of connection and play in your relationship.

Episode 338: It Isn’t About You

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry focuses on the foundation for a healthy co-founder relationship and its impact on overall business relationships and mental health. Research shows that relationship quality is one of the strongest predictors of mental health and therefore, it's impossible to discuss entrepreneur mental health and well-being without touching upon relationships. The podcast delves into the key elements that make up a healthy relationship, the common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and the impact it has on business success and personal well-being. Whether you are starting a business with a partner or dealing with internal relationships within your organization, this podcast offers valuable insights and practical tips to help build strong, healthy relationships.

Episode 337: The Power of Presence

Sherry Walling — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the power of presence. The ability of being fully available to the person you are interacting with. In today's modern society, there are so many distractions vying for our attention, making it difficult to remain present. Sherry discusses some best practices you can implement to become more present in your life and to those around you.

Episode 336: Psychedelics as Medicine

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sherry talks about the conversation around how psychedelics may play a role in mental health treatment and care. With FDA approval for MDMA therapy as a treatment for PTSD possibly coming as soon as this year, she shares a personal story of what sparked her interest in the movement to integrate psychedelic medicine into mental healthcare.

Sherry’s TEDx Talk

Episode 335: The Power of the Reset

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sometimes external cues (a new calendar year, holidays), can give us the opportunity to remind ourselves to check in and evaluate. In this episode Sherry shares the process of doing a “double check” of self reflection that can help to reshape the direction of our personal and professional lives.

Sherry’s TEDx Talk

Episode 334: Home for the Holidays: Practices for Mental Health

Sherry Walling — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Brooke Bergman hosts the podcast this week to talk about families of origin, grief, and how to find hope in what can be a challenging time of year for some people. As we move into the heart of the holiday season, she helps answer the question, what do we do if being home isn’t actually restful?

Sherry Walling’s TEDx Talk

Episode 333: True Consciousness with Gay Hendricks

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In today’s podcast Sherry talks with psychologist, writer, and teacher in the field of personal growth Gay Hendricks. They talk about how he got his start in psychology in his early days at Standford University, an accidental fall on some ice that changed his proception of self, and his discovery of “pure consciousness”.

Hendricks Institute

Episode 332: To Podcast or Not to Podcast with Rob Walling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Rob Walling joins the podcast this week to help Sherry talk through the question of whether or not to continue this podcast. They discuss the advantages, disadvantages, the podcast’s legacy, and new possible options for the future.

Episode 331: Growth from the Inside Out with Dr. Steve Thayer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:46:00 +0000

A fellow psychologist, Dr. Steve Thayer joins the podcast this week. Steve also shares an interest in entrepreneur mental health and the new wave of research around how psychedelic science can help people who suffer from mental illness or want to optimize or improve performance.

Dr. Steve Thayer, Ph.D.

Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers

Episode 330: Alone Not Lonely

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Even with the holidays fast approaching, people can still feel alone this time of year. In this episode Sherry shares some reflections about the power of aloness and how to re-frame difficult interactions as an opportunity for sovereign aloness.

Touching Two World

Episode 329: Interview with Chad Conley, Green Beret: The Magic of Connection by Sharing our Stories

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Zenfounder, Brooke has a conversation with active duty service member Chad Conley, Green Beret. They discuss the ways his military service has supported his relationship skills as well as his work serving others through his non-profit, 50 for the fallen.

50 For The Fallen

Episode 328: Disconnect to Reconnect with Mike Brcic

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry talks with Mike Brcic, founder of Wayfinders, a project that seeks to facilitate connection to entrepreneurs who may be connection starved through community, challenge, and culture.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 327: Simply Be With Jessica Zweig

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry talks with author & personal brand expert Jessica Zwieg, about the challenges of putting yourself out there. Jessica shares her wisdom of how a best personal brand comes from a sense of being who we truly are and how to convey that through social media. So whether you’re building a personal brand or just an entrepreneur with some kind of public presence, there are some great tips in this episode for you.

Jessica Zweig

Episode 326: An Entrepreneur Mom's Dilemma- To College or Not to College

Sherry Walling — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In today’s episode Sherry talks about the college decision. As an entrepreneur herself people often ask her if college is really worth it for their kids. Is the time better spent developing an actually business? Sherry offers some advice on these tough decisions.

Episode 325: The Importance of Play in Love with Brooke Bergman Parr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Brooke Bergman Parr hosts the podcast this week to talk about how we can improve our relationships without using words. She discusses body language, the power of energy, the power of thoughts, and the power of play, all ways of learning to speak with our bodies.

Episode 324: Hypnotherapy for Founders with Elliot Roe

Sherry Walling — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:30:00 +0000

Episode 323: Navigating Different Parenting Styles (with Brooke Bergman Parr)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Relationship and marriage expert Brooke Bergman Parr hosts the podcast this week to talk about one of the biggest issues that plague couples. What to do when parenting styles aren’t aligned.

Episode 322: Founders You Want to Invest In (with Rob Walling)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Sherry interviews Rob Walling, Co-Founder of TinySeed, about what he’s learned about entrepreneur psychology and success in the years he has been running his startup accelerator.

Sherry’s Entrepreneur.com Articles

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 321: Chasing Healing with Mary Firestone

Sherry Walling — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Back from her vacation in Iceland, Sherry returns to the podcast to have a conversation with Mary Firestone about how healing happens. Mary talks about the traumatic experience that unraveled her and the variety of strategies she explored to find a new sense of wholeness

Episode 320: A Discussion on the Taboos of Affairs and Open Relationships

Sherry Walling — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Relationship expert Brooke Bergman hosts the podcast this week to discuss the topic of affairs and open relationships. Brooke sheds some light on attachment styles and how they relate to commitment and infidelity.

Episode 319: Touching Two Worlds Launch Day

Sherry Walling — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A book two years in the making is finally ready to launch, “Touching Two Worlds” is officially released. A work that poured out of Sherry as she processed the deaths of both her father and brother. It’s part memoir, part psychological assessment, written as a daughter and a sister but also as a clinical psychologist. In it she critiques how grief typically unfolds in western culture and offers suggestions on how we can do it better. Sherry ends this episode by reading a short excerpt from her book.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 318: Grief and Love: Navigating Love While Moving Through Loss

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Relationship expert and ZenFounder team member Brooke Bergman hosts the podcast this week to talk about love and grief. She explores how they both impact and interact with one another, how the ability to grieve well can determine the course of your love , and things to consider when one or both partners in a relationship are grieving.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 317: The 10-Year Career with Jodie Cook

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews writer, entrepreneur, and power-lifter Jodie Cook about her upcoming book “Ten Year Career”. They discuss in detail Jodie’s framework for achieving the success you want, while maintaining the freedom/life style you want, in a much shorter time frame.

JodieCook.com

Episode 316: You might need a little help. How to hire a VA with Trivinia Barber

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews author, speaker, and founder of Priority VA Trivinia Barber to answer the question “how to ask for help”? Trivina helps high performing executives, entrepreneurs , and leaders get connected to the help they need to make their businesses and lives run more smoothly.

Touching Two Worlds

Episode 315: Entrepreneurs and the Launch- Dips, Mirrors and the Power of Relationships

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Creating and sharing things are at the heart of entrepreneurship. With the release date of Sherry’s new book “Touching Two Worlds” upcoming, she talks about some of the things she’s learned from this launch. Some of the topics covered are the power of relationships, managing your own mindset, and the importance of being strategic on what feedback you let in and what feedback you should disengage with.

Touching Two Worlds: A Guide for Finding Hope in the Landscape of Loss

Episode 314: Summer of Love - 5 tips to Reboot Romance this Summer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Relationship expert Brooke Bergman hosts the podcast this week to talk about creating the summer of love. She shares tips on how to nurture, create, and ignite more passion and love in your relationship. She also shares her own unique approach to couples “date night” and what you can do to improve your routine.

Episode 313: Summer of Sanity: Dying To Be a Good Parent w/ Heather Chauvin

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks with author, TEDx speaker, and storyteller Heather Chauvin about how she reshaped her outlook on life and how she wanted to show up as a mother after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. They talk about raising teens and some core concepts on parenting from her book “dying to be a good mother”.

Heather’s Book

Heather’s Podcast

Episode 312: Psychedelics to Heal the Injuries of War with Amber Capone

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks with Amber Capone, Co-Founder of VETS: Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Inc. VETS is nonprofit providing for U.S. military veterans seeking psychedelic-assisted therapy. Amber tells the story of her husband, who is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, and his struggle of transitioning to civilian life, dealing with depression and PTSD, and the journey of fail treatments until they finally found something that worked.

VETS

Episode 311: One Company's Strategy to Support their Ukraine-Based Team, with Andrew Amann

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews Andrew Amann, CEO of NineTwoThree Digital Ventures, an agency that builds apps for mobile and web. Whats interesting about Andrew’s story is his company faced a unique challenge this past few months as 25 members of his team are based in Ukraine. He joins the podcast to talk about how his company has supported those team members and what he is learning about leadership and mental health from this experience.

NineTwoThree.co

NineTwoThree Blog

Episode 310: Changing the Model, with Marika Reese

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews Marika Reese who formed the “Community Healing Team” in Minnesota. The healing team is comprised of members of the African American community, including barbers, political activists, politicians and faith leaders focused on the mental health of their local community. Marika talks about the unique set of challenges she faces pursuing a non-conventional approach to mental health outreach.

Episode 309: The Mental Health Benefits of Performance Optimization, with Andrew Herr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews Andrew Herr, CEO of Fount, a company whose mission is designing a suite of health and performance solutions to give the mind and body what they need to perform at their best. Andrew’s vision is to figure out how to apply the science of individualized performance optimization to the population at scale. He also gives some practical tips entrepreneurs can start doing to increase cognitive performance.

Episode 308: Everything Your Ever Wanted to Know about Conflict with Brooke Bergman Parr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

One thing that can really undermine someone’s mental well-being, focus, and productivity is conflict. Conflict on the team or conflict at home has the power to disrupt even the most disciplined entrepreneur. Brooke Bergman Parr hosts this episode to talk about 3 different types of conflict (solvable, perpetual, and gridlock) and how to manage them with you or your team.

Episode 307: Running Remote with Liam Martin

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The way we work is changing. One of the biggest changes is the move away from the traditional workplace and towards a more remote setup. Sherry talks with Liam Martin, who has a book ‘Running Remote”, on this very topic. They discuss some of the best strategies for growing a remote company.

Episode 306: Breathwork and Mental Health with Robbie Bent

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Breath is the most effective strategy to calm down an anxious mind and body. Sherry interviews Robbie Bent, CEO and Founder of Othership about the transformational power of breathwork. They talk about the birth of his company and it’s community driven mission as well as the benefits of breathwork and techniques you can use yourself to get the most out of it.

Othership

Episode 305: Bad Advice about Imposter Syndrome with Rob Walling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

One common topic you hear talked about often in the entrepreneurship world is the idea of Imposter Syndrome. There is a lot of advice given around this subject and Rob joins Sherry on the podcast to give his insights on how to parse the good from the bad. They also dismantle some common tropes people give out as advice like, “fake it til you make it” and “nobody really knows what their doing”.

Episode 304: To Compartmentalize or To Integrate?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about compartmentalization and integration. The idea of how we combine different elements of our personal and professional selves or when and how we choose to separate them. This topic hits close to home for Sherry as she prepares for a book tour for her new book about grief called “Touching Two Worlds”.

touchingtwoworlds.com

Episode 303: How COVID Has Reshaped Romance with Brooke Bergman Parr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +0000

ZenFounder team member, Brooke Bergman Parr hosts the podcast this week to talk about how the pandemic has reshaped romance. She shares reflections of the state of our relationships 2 years into Covid. From her work as a relationship expert she gives her insights and hopes to change the conversation about how we love.

Episode 302: Self Awareness and Unshakable Support with Danielle Steer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In today’s episode Sherry interviews Danielle Steer, managing director at Lunar Startups about personal growth, commitment to self awareness and self reflection. They also discuss the unique challenges experienced by the founders she supports and her goal of shifting the value systems in venture capital.

Episode 301: Big Gorgeous Goals with Julie Ellis

Sherry Walling — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Sherry is joined on today’s podcast by Julie Ellis, Co-Founder of Mabel’s Labels, an award winning Canadian small business. They talk about Julie’s upcoming book, “Big Gorgeous Goals” and her early entrepreneurial endeavors and the stories that inspired her to write her first book.

Touching Two Worlds

Julie Ellis & co.

Episode 300: Celebrating Milestones and 300 Podcasts

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

To celebrate the 300th episode milestone, Rob joins Sherry to talk about the evolution of the podcast and reflect on what it has meant to them. They discuss some of their favorite episodes as well as what the future holds for ZenFounder.

Episode 299: Sensuality, Desire and Entrepreneur Relationship

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 11:51:00 +0000

This episode focuses on sensuality and sexuality, what to do when our level of desire of intimacy differs from our partner. Though on its surface it doesn’t sound like an entrepreneurial or business problem but Sherry has found in her work with entrepreneurs over the years that the ups and downs of business can have a negative effect the level of focus towards a romantic relationship. Sherry enlists the help of relationship expert Brooke Bergman to shine some light on the topic.

Episode 298: How Many Kids Do We Have?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Rob joins Sherry on the podcast to talk about a story that has to do with such a simple question, “how many kids do you have?” Despite the simplicity of the question, for Rob and Sherry the answer is quite complicated. They update you on the journey of integrating a new member into the family, a long battle fighting to keep her (legally), and the heartbreak of having to let go.

To catch up on the full backstory check Episode 146

Episode 297: Movement Mindfulness and Mental Health

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This week's episode is hosted by Brooke Bergman, a ZenFounder team member and relationship specialist. Brooke talks about some practical ways you can improve your mental health and prevent problems
before they arise. She discusses strategies and dives deep on the differences between flow state and non-flow state exercises.

Episode 296: ZenFounder Goes Live to NYC

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Due to the covid-19 landscape more people than ever have left their jobs and plan on creating their own opportunities. Having been recently contacted by Intuit Inc. to be involved in a campaign to help raise awareness around the unique challenges and needs of early stage entrepreneurs, Sherry shares her insights on the topic in this episode.

Episode 295: Video, Podcasts and the Power of Content Consistency

Sherry Walling — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Rob Walling joins Sherry on the podcast to talk about shipping content. He shares his ideas and wisdom of how to setup your life & mindset to consistently create content for yourself and business. He discusses his journey of becoming comfortable in front of the camera and shares tips on how you can do the same.

Episode 294: The Power of the Reset

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 11:19:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the importance of a reset. Sharing in the new year despite maybe some things staying the same (Covid) and being able to begin a new segment of time with fresh ideas and perspective. A reset offers the opportunity to say this time is different than last time. It is impossible to be a healthy, satisfied, connected person without having the capacity to reset.

Episode 293: Feeling Stuck? Consult the Community in Your Head

Sherry Walling — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 01:50:00 +0000

Every once in awhile a decision can cause you angst and pull you in many different directions, making it difficult to be clear on whats the best direction to go. In this episode Sherry gives you some strategies to give you more clarifaction of whats going on inside yourself when you’re in the middle of these decisions and how to get the best results.

Episode 292: Mental Health Hack- Celebrate Others

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 10:54:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the importance of being able to celebrate well with others. There is tremendous value in being in a role where you are committed to really cheering other people & supporting them in their goals. Sherry gives you 4 reasons why this can be helpful.

Episode 291: Did I Let Myself Down?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:53:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry poses the question, do you plan your life around production that meets a schedule or have some structure with the ability to to wonder as inspiration strikes. At a certain stage in your career you may have less to prove. Strict sheduling can be a recipe for success in business but could also be a recipe for anxiety, and self criticism that is not in keeping with good mental health. Sherry explores the idea of giving yourself space and acceptance to try different strategies when it comes to how you produce.

Episode 290: Surviving Son with Veteran and Entrepreneur Scott Deluzio

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 17:55:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews Scott Deluzio. Scott is an entrepreneur in the WordPress space, and army veteran who wrote a book about military life and losing his brother in Afghanistan. They talk a lot about the transition back to civilian life, coping with combat stress & the loss of his brother, and the unhealthy ways he dealt with it all.

Episode 289: Back to School Turbulance for Entrepreneurial Kids

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:00:02 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the back to school process for her kids. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, those entrepreneurial traits when they show up in kids can be tricky to navigate in day to day academic life. Going from flexibility and creativity to a more rigid schedule can cause some transitional stress and irritability. Sherry provides some tips for navigating this transitional time.

Episode 288: How to Talk to Grieving People

Sherry Walling — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:00:03 +0000

In this episode Sherry reads you a chapter from her upcoming book titled “Touching Two Worlds: a Guide to Finding Hope In a Landscape of Loss”. The chapter starts with a story from her own life that’s been a teacher about grief & loss and she concludes with a some practical takeaways about how to talk to grieving people.

Episode 287: We're Not Okay (Still)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:00:19 +0000

There is still an uneasiness that’s taken place inside of us, we as the collective are not okay. One of the things that is driving this is the general sense that the voices we hear from leadership cant really be trusted. The pandemic has really unraveled us as a societies ability to feel like our leaders are making good choices (ex.flip-flopping between covid guidelines). Trust is essential to healthy human development. Sherry talks about the importance of consciously cultivating trust, reaching out and connecting to those around you.

Episode 286: How to be Still

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 05:00:08 +0000

As an entrepreneur we tend to stay busy and the practice of stillness is not easy or natural for us. However from a mental health perspective it is very important. A recent vacation reminded Sherry of what a great gift stillness can be. Its serves as a counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of business life. Sherry describes it as letting the mind and the body have a complete break and how she made it a deliberate point of focus this time around.

Episode 285: Getting Lost in the Wilderness and other Entrepreneur Adventures

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 05:00:38 +0000

On a recent canoeing trip with some friends, Sherry found herself lost and unable to navigate using the map she was given. While in the lake the terrain she expected to see wasn’t there, none of the landmarks matched. The whole time she never questioned the map, only herself. Well it turns out that the staff member from the outfitter where she got the map marked the wrong spot. The entire trip she spent navigating a map with the wrong criteria. Sherry equates this situation to the business world in which entrepreneurs can often ignore indicators or red flags or explain it away. Questions such as do i have the right team, do i have product market fit, is this partnership working? When things aren’t adding up its important to find the actual cause and this is where an external observer (coach. mastermind, therapist) can help give a larger perspective.

Episode 284: What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Simone Biles

Sherry Walling — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:00:59 +0000

As entrepreneurs who do anything in public, we seize to be individuals in the mind of the collective(general population/customers). We become part of a public conversation, which can blur the lines of what our customers want for us and what we want for ourselves. Sherry warns entrepreneurs to be careful to listen to the ques of your minds and bodies and what its telling you. You may be tired, burned out, depressed, these may be signs to step away, sell, or do something different. No matter how loud the noise, the collective will never know whats best for you and your business better than you do.

Episode 283: The Cure For Imposter Syndrome

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:00:05 +0000

In this episode Sherry does a deep dive into Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome can be best summarized as the thought, “i don’t belong here”. It’s a gap between our self assessment and our assessment of the room were in or people around us and whether or not were qualified to be there. There’s an importance of recognizing this in yourself as it can hold you back from interactions, conversations and building deeper relationships. Sherry talks about some work arounds that can help if you’re suffering from condition.

Episode 282: When Your Business is Attacked

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 05:00:20 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about entrepreneurs and business owners being victims of cruel and untrue online attacks. Attacks that can get to the core of the credibility of a business. These type of attacks are designed to destroy your business reputation that you’ve worked so hard to build up over time. Sherry discusses the levels of dysfunction this can cause you as a person and to your business when your livelihood is threatened. She gives some tips and steps to take to prepare if you are ever faced with this kind of attack.

MINDCURE

Episode 281: Thriving in the Virtual Workplace with Bob Glazer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 05:00:13 +0000

In the past 1.5 years, people have been thrust into virtual work places due to the pandemic and the question arises, what will be the new normal? Will we stay remote or be heading back to the office, and what situation best fits the individual needs? Can there be a way to combine strategies for a more hybrid approach? Sherry attempts to answer these questions along with author, entrepreneur, and CEO of global partner marketing agency: Acceleration Partners, Bob Glazer.

Robert Glazer.com

How To Thrive In The Virtual Workplace Book

Episode 280: Rites of Passage

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:00:11 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the mental health power of rites of passage. Most of these rites of passage are ceremonies that are tied to things like education (ex.gradations). Many adult rites of passages go unnoticed or un-celebrated. The challenge for adult development is we don’t have many markers that tell us we’ve moved from one phase of development to another. Sherry tackles this topic and explores the idea of celebrating aging as a badge of honor.

Episode 279: Feedback - Take it or Leave it

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 May 2021 05:00:28 +0000

Rob joins the podcast to talk with Sherry on the subject of feedback. No matter what you’re building or putting into the world you’re going to get feedback. He brings up the question, “at what point do you react and change things based on that feedback”? They discuss how to judge whether or not the feedback is useful and what criteria to use to do so.

Episode 278: Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Sherry Walling — Fri, 14 May 2021 05:00:55 +0000

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a new(ish) form of treatment for depression, PTSD, and a variety of other mental health conditions that has been gaining popularity as of late. Sherry talks about the pros/cons, how it works, and what situations are right for it to be applied. She also shares her own individual experience of trying the treatment.

Episode 277: Speak Enneagram- How to Use Assessment Well

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 May 2021 05:00:21 +0000

Assignments are often used in teams and coaching relationships to give a quick snapshot of an individuals trends, characteristics and values. The Enneagram is a common psychometric assessment that has become widely available, in the form of books, courses, and products that help you learn more about yourself, team, and family. As a clinical psychologist, Sherry has some concerns about the ways these assignments are being used. Approaching this topic with experience in psychological testing she sheds light on the
subject as well as shares her own experiences taking some of these assignments herself.

Episode 276: Charting a Course in Changing Conditions (with Craig Hewitt)

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 05:00:33 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews Craig Hewitt of Castos, about what its been like for him and his family to living abroad in France for the past 5 years, especially as the pandemic has changed community life around the world. They also talk about the growth of his company and the ways people are using podcasts to increase the strength of connections given the new challenges.

Rogue Startups Podcast

Episode 275: For The Love Of a Dog

Sherry Walling — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:00:53 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about a new addition to the family this year, their dog Gus. There are many studies linking mental health benefits to owning a dog, including providing a sense of companionship, connection, and combating loneliness. Sherry interviews her son about some of his favorite things he loves about having a dog.

Episode 274: Updates with Mr. Rob Walling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 05:54:00 +0000

In this episode Rob returns to the podcast to give some updates on what he has been working on. They discuss the expansion of MicroConf On-Air and his podcast (Startups For The Rest Of Us) as well as the progress being made on his new upcoming book. Sherry also gives updates on her journey finding a publisher for her new book.

Episode 273: Trapeze and the Circus of Leadership

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:00:17 +0000

Layout catch

Sherry talks about what she is learning running her business/professional life and through trapeze training. For her trapeze training is her play. Play is important to how she conceptualizes well being and mental health. Play helps people feel hopeful, helps people rest, and restores motivation. In this episode Sherry gives some lessons trapeze has taught her that can be applied to your business.

Episode 272: Speaking Your Truth to Heal and Grow

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:00:28 +0000

In this episode Sherry asks the question, how do people heal in the aftermath of terrible experiences? So many of us are in the process of trying to recalibrate and reorient after a time of major upheaval, and grief. Sherry shares a personal story that she hopes can provide insight and demonstrate some key components for healing.

Episode 271: Turning Kids into Meditating Superheros with Emily Fletcher

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:36 +0000

Sherry talks with Emily Fletcher, the founder of Ziva Meditation and a leading expert in meditation for performance. They talk about Emily’s upcoming program zivaKIDS!, a new resource that helps kids learn to meditate.

zivaKIDS!

Episode 270: Leading from Anywhere with David Burkus

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:11 +0000

Sherry talks with David Burkus, author and former business school professor who holds a doctorate in strategic leadership, about his new book “Leading From Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Managing Remote Teams”. They discuss the opportunities of having a fully remote company, building culture remotely, tracking productivity and more.

David’s Book

Episode 269: Intro to Retreat Reboot

Sherry Walling — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:00:52 +0000

Today’s episode is a throwback to a pair of previous episodes that focused on the practice of taking a founder’s retreat. A retreat is a foundational practice that really helps establish mental heath and clarity that can change the tone of your both personal and professional life.

Sherry’s Retreat Book

Episode 268: A Republican and a Democrat Walk Into a Bar

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:00:14 +0000

Sherry talks about the experience of having a conversation with a friend who holds a different political view. In that conversation they touched on all the hot topic issues happening in America today. Sherry identifies three components that made the exchange meaningful. Having trust, empathy, and humility is are the key components to finding our way back to having hard, meaningful conversations politically, personally and professionally.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 267: Technology to Solve Hard Problems

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:00:03 +0000

Sherry talks with Erik Kerr, founder of LifeTraq, about his companies approach to tackling mental health conditions including addiction through wearable technology. Erik explains the types of real-time data they collect, how to gamify it, and all the different applications for this technology.

LifeTraq

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 266: Go Back to Work

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:00:42 +0000

There is real value in just getting back to work and refusing the distractions. Sherry talks about the importance of getting back to work and not being shamed for it. Just trying to buckle down and do work amidst this huge disruption that is the pandemic.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 265: Bye, Bye 2020!

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 05:00:35 +0000

In the final episode of this year Sherry talks about the importance of both looking back and setting your sights on whats to come. The ability to shift energy into the future, set intentions, and build momentum is an important mental health tool. Since change is the only constant, you must be able to enter the mental practice of change. Sherry created and gave her family members a questionnaire to help them think through their desires for the coming year. She shares some of the questions and topics of discussion.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 264: Holidays and Hunger for Connection

Sherry Walling — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 12:38:21 +0000

In this episode Sherry is joined by her friend Alon, a Toronto based entrepreneur, to talk about holiday traditions & religious traditions and the value that they have had at different times in their lives. They explore the ways traditions we had as children can shape us as adults and professionals. They also discuss the changes they will make this year to their traditions due to the pandemic.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 263: Tony Hsieh and the Myth of the Invincible Man

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 05:00:08 +0000

Sherry talks about the death of Tony Hsieh, American internet entrepreneur,venture capitalist, and CEO of Zappos. Though she didn’t know him personally she followed his work and things he did outside of business. Sherry challenges the myth that if you have wealth and fame that you’re exempt from self destruction. The truth is no amount of financial wealth, prestige, success, relationship guarantees our immunity from self destruction. With suicide rates rising, its important to not walk around with the delusion that you don’t have that capacity. Tell the truth about it so you can make sure it stays dormant and these stories will hopefully make you aware and careful of the painful places that live inside of you.

Episode 262: Trauma and Love with Jeff Banman

Sherry Walling — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:00:46 +0000

Sherry and guest Jeff Banman have a conversation about the nature of trauma. Jeff is a former solider, CIA agent , and firefighter who has a lot of experience in the subject. They discuss Jeff’s idea of trauma/PTSD as a “love wound” versus an event, as well as early life trauma and why its so important.

Operational Mindset Foundation

JeffBanman.com

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 261: Diets, Control and the Holocaust

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:31 +0000

Sherry starts a new series of episodes, with co-host Alon, that provides guidance, support, and strategies for their community of entrepreneurial friends. They talk with friend Eric Rosenberg who struggles with his weight and has recently started a new diet program. Some of the things they touch include valuing yourself, self-discipline, finding balance, taking time and energy for self-care, and the history of trauma in your DNA and how it can affect the present.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 260: Stressed and Numb-Not the Only Options

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:00:20 +0000

With the continued chaotic state of things and the US election thrown in the mix now, Sherry talks about the ways in which our bodies handle stress. The way we respond to stressors that are outside of our control is hardwired. When the body is overwhelmed it stops doing fight or flight and moves into numbing/detachment. Having done some new training in this area, Sherry is newly aware of the dangers of the numbing response. It feels good to detach in the short term but can present some dangers in the long run. She talks about how to observe what your body is doing and choose a counterbalance response.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 259: Back From Burnout

Sherry Walling — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 05:00:54 +0000

Sherry returns after a brief break from the podcast to talk about burnout. Having been feeling it herself she talks about the effects burnout can have on our neurological health and our bodies. While most people think burnout is the result of working too hard too long, it can also stem from a sense of hopelessness and meaninglessness. Sherry describes what symptoms to look for as well as some simple solutions.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 258: The Entrepreneur Personality with Michael Freeman

Sherry Walling — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 05:00:27 +0000

Sherry interviews Dr. Michael Freeman, a psychiatrist, psychologist, consultant and former CEO. Dr. Freeman has done extensive and ongoing research of collecting data on the mental health of entrepreneurs. In this conversation they talk about what he has learned over time in the mental health field about the entrepreneurial mindset. They discuss the biological and personality traits that are very common in entrepreneurs.

Research Project Survey

Touched with Fire Research Report

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 257: Sanity Strategies for the New School Reality

Sherry Walling — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 05:00:17 +0000

Covid has forced parents into a unique situation in that whether you chose to home school your kids or not, its something everyone is now dealing with. Parents now have a higher demand on their time than ever before with this new model. Sherry and Rob talk about some of the best practices surrounding the challenge of how to help support kids in school/home-school/distance learning, while trying to maintain some level of professional productivity.

Want more content like this? Check out our book.

Episode 256: Post Exit Panic with Aaron Houghton

Sherry Walling — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 05:00:41 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews successful entrepreneur Aaron Houghton. Aaron started his first business at age 17 and sold two companies to private buyers for $169M before his 30th birthday. Despite all this success Aaron realized he still wasn’t happy and in fact the years of growing his businesses took a toll on his health as well. He suffered from panic attacks, debilitating anxiety, and a cancer diagnosis in 2009. This lead to him making some drastic changes to his life. He and Sherry talk about how personal happiness and business success are not interrelated the way we think and what to do about it.

www.foundersfirstsystem.com

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Episode 255: So Much Bad News

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 05:00:04 +0000

Wildfires, hurricanes, civil unrest, Sherry asks the question: “How do we keep going when the bad news seems endless”? There is a real importance of returning and re-grounding to what is controllable to each of us. This sense of specific targeting a deep connection to your own self is a really helpful counterbalance to the unsettling world around us. She talks about how to connect with your body and space and exercises to achieve this.

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Episode 254: The Disciplinarian and The Nurturer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 05:00:20 +0000

After a brief break from the podcast to put the finishing touches on her upcoming book, Sherry returns to talk about the balance between our internal disciplinarian and nurturer. Leaning into our own self discipline is important right now because there is so much chaos and disruption in the world and in our personal lives. Organization, repetition, and execution is the model that allows us to be highly functional. As important as self discipline is, if its the only voice within us we listen to it can become problematic. To understand the toll work takes on us and create space for healing we must also listen to our internal nurturer as well.

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Episode 253: Time Travel and Mental Health

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 05:00:32 +0000

In these current times people are feeling nostalgia for a time before the pandemic, when you could give hugs, gather with friends, attend concerts, and just be in crowds. Looking back feels different than it did before covid as does looking toward the future. Sherry talks about mental health and our relationship with time. She explains how being future-past-and present oriented shapes how we relate to time and what it can mean for our well being.

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Episode 252: 5 Tools Rob Uses to Manage His Own Psychology

Sherry Walling — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 05:00:03 +0000

Rob takes over the podcast this week. He talks about 5 things he’s learned from over 20 years of entrepreneurship in dealing with his own psychology. He admits to making much more mistakes on the personal side than the business side of things and hopes this episode can be of service to anyone juggling the demands of life and business.

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Episode 251: The Courage to Be Disliked, a Conversation with Jonathan Stark

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Sherry interviews Jonathan Stark, former software developer and author who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. They discuss at length a book by Alfred Adler as it pertains to its application to entrepreneurs and mental health. The book talks about the basic theories that guide Adler’s work including the struggle between inferiority and superiority as well as social interest.

Alfred Alder Book

Jonathan Stark

Episode 144: A Conversation with Jonathan Stark

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Episode 250: On Mentors, Giving Back, and Catching Up with Rob Walling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 05:00:32 +0000

Rob joins the podcast again to talk about his current endeavors. They talk about the effect the pandemic has had on the MicroConf conferences, TinySeed batch two updates, and overall stressors. They also discuss the idea of Rob entering a different phase of his career, from scrappy builder to more well established with a deeper foundation as a businessman. This leads Rob to reflect back on one of his mentors that helped shape him into the person he is today.

Rob’s Founder Origin Story

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Episode 249: What Do You Want?

Sherry Walling — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 05:00:42 +0000

The current state of the world has caused a major shifts in our lives. There has been a shuffling of our businesses, financial situations, lively hoods, relationships and it has been leaving people feeling confused on what they want. Its a value question. what you do want? whats do you fight for? what will you leave behind? Not knowing the answers to these questions can leave you vulnerable to drift towards other peoples and/or entities desires. Knowing the answers to these questions is what can carefully keep you on track. Sherry explores the deeper meanings behind these questions.

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Episode 248: Emotional Leadership with Outlaw Pam Sherman

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks with Pam Sherman., who she met during a TEDWomen conference in which Sherry had been invited to speak. Pam is an attorney, actress, writer, and leadership consultant who teaches businesses and entrepreneurs how to be fully emotionally present within the context of their leadership. They have a in depth conversation on the importance of being an emphatic leader for your team in these unprecedented times.

thepamsherman.com

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Episode 247: The Ghosts of the Past

Sherry Walling — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 05:00:41 +0000

Sherry talks about change and the different types of change. Inside out change is change in our behavior because of our thoughts or feelings. Sometimes inside out change isn’t enough and that’s were outside in change and social pressure comes into play. This is the type of change we are seeing in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Sherry also reads an excerpt from her upcoming book about grief.

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Episode 246: White Privilege and an Open Heart

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 05:00:39 +0000

As the smoke clears and the chaos subsides Minneapolis slowly starts to return to normal. However the message cannot be forgotten as it is too easy for the well off to pick back up their daily routines and just forget. Sherry talks about the issue of privilege and she shares some personal stories in which she benefited from her own privileges. As the country moves forward and changes for the better, its important to look within yourself, recognize your privileges, prepare for change, and call out the injustices being done to others.

Episode 245: The Deep Need For Trust

Sherry Walling — Fri, 29 May 2020 05:00:12 +0000

In light of the tragic death of George Floyd, Minneapolis has erupted in protests and riots. This senseless loss of life from a psychological perspective causes grief, fear, and anger. A deep fracture of the basic sense of trust is at the heart of this type of turmoil. Losing trust in our leaders can lead to questions of safety. The fundamental question for us as entrepreneurs, as leaders, as humans, is how can we communicate our trustworthiness to others? Sherry answers this question by giving you the components of building trust.

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Episode 244: Hustle, Hotdogs and Reinvention with Sam Parr

Sherry Walling — Fri, 15 May 2020 05:00:56 +0000

In this episode Sherry interviews the founder of The Hustle, Sam Parr. Sam shares his story which has a common theme of being able to shift and pivot as times change. Themes that really hold true today more than ever. They also explore the downside of “hustle”, what it costs to your personal or family life, and the importance of balancing “hustle” with mental health.

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Episode 243: The Original Entrepreneurs- A Celebration of Mothers

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 May 2020 05:00:35 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about mothers, motherhood, entrepreneurship, mental health, and all the energy that goes into forming something or someone important. Mothers assume many different roles and shift back and forth between them in order to respond to what is needed. They are the original entrepreneurs, so take time to pause and notice and celebrate the mothers in our lives.

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Episode 242: Psychedelics and the Future of the Mind with Dr. Dan Engle

Sherry Walling — Fri, 01 May 2020 05:00:25 +0000

This week Sherry interviews Dr. Dan Engle, a Psychiatrist and Neurologist who specializes in Transformational Medicine. He is someone who is at the forefront of emerging science of plant based medicines effectiveness in treating many kinds of mental health challenges. They talk at length about MDMA assisted psychotherapy and the breakthrough science around it.

Dr. Dan Engle

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Episode 241: Guiding Toward Calm- Brain, Breath and Body

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 05:00:37 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about a challenge living in this pandemic is finding a sense of calm inside ourselves when the environment around us is not. She takes you through a guided meditation exercise to bring calm to your brain, breath, and body.

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Episode 240: Shedding Shame, A Conversation with Ronsley Vaz

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 05:00:20 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks with entrepreneur, author, and speaker: Ronsley Vaz. He is the producer of the audio documentary, The Psychology of Entrepreneurship, in which he dives deep into the unique mindset, mental habits, and perspectives of successful entrepreneurs. In this conversation, Sherry and Ronsley talk about how his work to understand others has led him to a deeper understanding of himself.

Ronsley is the founder of Amplify, the world’s first audio marketing agency and the founder of the We Are Podcast event which will be hosted virtually in May.

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Episode 239: Shelter in Place

Sherry Walling — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 05:00:55 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the importance of shelter. Shelter is a place of safety and refuge. As the government mandated “shelter in place” is in full effect, Sherry explores the idea that shelter should also be solace and comfort in the things and people around us. Unfortunately not everyone feels safe in their home for many different reasons and a lack of safety in the place where you reside is one of the most disruptive human experiences. Sherry shares some key approaches to help reestablish safety in our homes, heads, and hearts.

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Episode 238: Grief and Courage in the Time of Pandemic

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 05:00:06 +0000

In this episode Sherry talks about the topic of grief. Grief is sadness, but grief is also when things are outside of our control and disrupt our plans or intentions. We are all currently experiencing this right now as the pandemic continues and grieving over our cancelled plans, sense of well-being, and restrictions to our freedom of movement. Despite all this, grief can spark passion, purpose, and advocacy and show us what is really important in life. Grief doesn’t mean roll over, stay stagnant and do nothing. You have to face it, you have to name it.

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Episode 237: The Psychology of Toilet Paper

Sherry Walling — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 10:12:00 +0000

Sherry talks about ways to self assess and check for symptoms of internal unrest. As the global pandemic continues, and we are faced with a situation were we have limited control over things there’s in impulse to go, buy, hoard. All emotions we hold is shared with family and can be highly contagious, specifically fear and anxiety. In these times you need to be comfortable with letting go of control to benefit your mental health and your family.

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Episode 236: Mental Load and Productivity in a Time of Uncertainty with Rob Walling

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 05:00:18 +0000

As part of a MicroConf Connect live stream hosted by Rob Walling, Sherry talks about how to stay mentally healthy and productive in these unprecedented times. Managing expectations, the importance of play, giving yourself permission to work less hours are some of the topics she dives into in this episode.

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Episode 235: Calm Stability in the Crisis of Coronavirus

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 05:00:49 +0000

As the global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus continues to increase, Sherry talks about the importance of finding your own relative spot of internal stability among the chaos around us. Finding moments away from the noise and changing our exposure to the ever changing information can help us find calm. She gives some tools and tips to help turn down our body’s emergency response systems and restore clarity.

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Episode 234: Business from the Inside Out Software, Energy and Intuition with Saud Juman

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:00:44 +0000

In today’s episode, Sherry talks with software entrepreneur and Qigong healer Saud Juman. Saud tells his entrepreneurial and spiritual journey from the chaos of owning a night club in his twenties to completing 10 months of nocturnal solitude in order to find purpose. Once armed with his purpose he reveals how he entered the software world with a mission. Then ultimately how a martial arts injury lead him to find Qigong and how he became a healer.

Saud Juman

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Episode 233: Running for your life with Mixergy’s Andrew Warner

Sherry Walling — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 05:00:43 +0000

Sherry interviews Andrew Warner of Mixergy about running, money, mental, and grief. They discuss his accomplished goal of running a marathon in every continent, how he has improved as a businessman, and some personal changes that he’s experienced recently.

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Episode 232: Yes! Even you can meditate. A conversation with Emily Fletcher

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:00:25 +0000

In today’s episode, Sherry interviews Emily Fletcher, the founder of Ziva Meditation and author of Stress Less and Accomplish More. Emily make meditation accessible for busy folks and high performers. Their conversation covers 3 simple meditation strategies specifically designed for busy entrepreneurs. Emily also unveils her plans to create a medication course for children.

Ziva

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Episode 230: Death Defying Moments and Mundane Lessons with Akshay Nanavati

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:00:55 +0000

Sherry talks with Marine Corps Veteran, speaker, adventurer, and entrepreneur, Akshay Nanavati. He talks about how life experiences come from engaging in the extremes of the human condition and that darkness isn’t something avoid but to be sought after in order to appreciate the light of life. After serving in the military he was diagnosed with PTSD, not satisfied with conventional treatments he started healing himself using hostile environments and pushing his own physical limits. From cave diving to climbing mountains, he used it as a form of therapy.

FEARVANA

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Episode 229: Simple, Sane, Strategies for Eating with Irene Pace

Sherry Walling — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 05:00:50 +0000

Sherry talks with registered dietitian, author, and speaker Irene Pace, who with over 15 years of experience has been helping people think through how to eat well. Having had her own personal struggle with food in the past Irene has developed a unique way of approaching these issues and sees eating as an opportunity to practice mindfulness. She shares her steps to achieving a “nutrition reset” by identifying the types of hunger you experience and answering three simple questions.

Irenepace.ca

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Episode 228: We’re Doing Mental Health All Wrong

Sherry Walling — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 05:00:10 +0000

Sherry shares the results of a recent study that found a new intervention for some of the most complicated mental health problems we face as a society today. So what is this magical cure? If you think it comes in pill form then you would be wrong. It’s far simpler than that. It’s Exercise! Exercise as a treatment was able to help improve many of the most difficult conditions and yet it is a very uncommon diagnosis. Sherry explores the idea of changing the way her field of study approaches the mind-body connection.

Article referenced in this episode HERE.

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Episode 227: Mastering Your Story with Patrick Combs

Sherry Walling — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 05:00:19 +0000

Sherry talks with motivational speaker Patrick Combs, about the important art of telling your own story. He believes that leaders should know their story and how to tell it because in business it can create trust.

Bliss Champions

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Episode 226: Falling off a Bridge and the Case for Renewed Focus

Sherry Walling — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:00:17 +0000

Sherry experiences a close call while on vacation with her family. She slips off a suspension bridge, but thanks to her new found ninja skills (from aerial yoga), she’s able to grab a rope mid-air and avoid major injury. She uses the story as a reminder that as entrepreneurs the things we practice, the things we do repeatedly, will be available to us in a time of need. She also talks about the new year being a time for picking a theme of growth, and for her this year’s theme is focus: being more intentional and organized within her business.

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Episode 225: The Case for Hope

Sherry Walling — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 05:00:18 +0000

As the holiday season is upon us, Sherry reflects back on this past year. A year she describes for herself as being filled with darkness, grief, and loss. This has brought an awareness for a need for hope. She talks about participating in holiday traditions that mean something to you and some tips for those who aren’t feeling very joyful and merry this season.

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Episode 224: Building Greater Capacity with Robert Glazer

Sherry Walling — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 05:00:57 +0000

We don’t know what challenges and gifts life has in store, but we know that the ups and downs will come.

How do you enhance your ability to manage, embrace, battle, and cope with the tough stuff?

AND be someone who is constantly learning, growing and pressing in to an extraordinary and joyful life?

I’ve been thinking about these questions a lot.

And I like the term “capacity building” to describe the process of expanding both to cope with challenge and to build greater joy.

Robert Glazer has been thinking about capacity building for years. He’s a CEO and best-selling author. He also writes a weekly newsletter called Friday Forward which is one of the only newsletters that I actually read.

We had a great conversation about anxiety, parenting and his relentless commitment to expanding human capacity. We discuss his book, Elevate and the simple practices that are core to living a grounded yet optimized life.

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Episode 223: Diverse Voices in the Room

Sherry Walling — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 05:00:33 +0000

Following MicroConf Europe, Sherry and Rob talk about the idea of having diversity of ideas and backgrounds at events (or in communities) and what roles leaders/organizers can play in welcoming diversity.

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Episode 222: Meditation at the Shooting Range

Sherry Walling — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 05:00:36 +0000

Coping with recent losses, sparked a curiosity about how people dive deep into challenging times. Sherry has also been doing a lot of research in different forms of healing and ways to process grief. This leads us to her most recent mediation practice of mixing breathing techniques, meditation, and the shooting of guns at a gun range. She talks about the lessons she carried away from the experience.

Episode 221: The Poetry of Entrepreneurship with Adii Pienaar

Sherry Walling — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 05:00:11 +0000

Sherry sits down with Adii Pienaar, fresh off of his exit from Conversio. They talk about how entrepreneur’s identities often become intertwined with their businesses and the importance of finding something outside of that. For Adii this is a love for poetry. He shares his journey of finding poetry and also shares some of his work.

Adii’s book “Motion”

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Episode 220: The Story of my Brother’s Suicide

Sherry Walling — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:00:36 +0000

In honor of mental health awareness day, Sherry tells the story of her brother’s suicide 5 months ago. In an intensely personal episode, she talks about the isolation that this type of loss can cause, the struggle to maintain her business during this season of disruption, and trying to grapple with her own mental health in the wake of this loss.

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Episode 219: The Life-Saving Power of a Good Hobby

Sherry Walling — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 05:00:58 +0000

Sherry talks about the life enhancing power a good hobby can have. At a time of grief from the loss of family members, her own hobby aerial sling, helped her cope and balance herself. Sherry also discusses how hobbies outside of work can help sustain and protect our mental health.

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Video of an Aerial Sling performance by Sherry

Episode 218: Erotic Energy and Entrepreneurial Couples

Sherry Walling — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 05:00:01 +0000

Sherry talks with ZenFounder team member Brooke Bergman, a licensed marriage and family therapist, about specific problems that entrepreneurial couples face as well as introducing the idea of “erotic energy” and how it can be properly used in the business and in the relationship.

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Episode 217: Change is in the Air

Sherry Walling — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 05:00:44 +0000

As the seasons begin to change from summer to fall it brings new sets of challenges. Not everyone likes change or deals with it the same. These changes in an entrepreneur’s life could be a key employee leaving, adding new teams members, etc. In this episode Sherry stresses the importance of anticipating change with a sense of calm.

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Episode 216: Mental Wellness with Jordan Axani

Sherry Walling — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 14:27:15 +0000

Sherry interviews Jordan Axani of Shift Collab, about his journey into the mental health space. During a time in which he was part of a viral internet story and had high momentum professionally, personally he was at a low. He talks about how a TED Talk invitation changed his outlook and focused his energy towards mental awareness.

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Episode 215: Mind Maps and Virtual Reality with Alda Karen

Sherry Walling — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 05:00:07 +0000

Sherry talks with Alda Karen of MINDX, about how she has taken her own battle with chronic depression and turned it into a tool to help others with their mental health. Her unique approach incorporates virtual reality to help train the mind.

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Episode 214: Mister Rogers and Alter Egos to Help You in Difficult Moments

Sherry Walling — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 05:00:11 +0000

Using the example of Mister Rodgers taking off his suit jacket and work shoes when he gets home in exchange for a sweater and casual shoes in the intro of Mister Rodgers Neighborhood, Sherry talks about shifting versions of yourself. How what works with your business self will not translate to your home/family self and how to help make those transitions successful to meet the different needs of each.

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Episode 213: Success Hangover with Kelsey Ramsden

Sherry Walling — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 05:00:53 +0000

Sherry interviews successful entrepreneur, Kelsey Ramsden about life after success. Even after you’ve reached every milestone, and accomplished every goal, there still may be a feeling of emptiness. They explore how successful entrepreneurs answer the what’s next question.

Check out Kelsey’s book: Success Hangover

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Episode 212: All Success Involves Loss

Sherry Walling — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 05:00:23 +0000

Sherry talks about some of the common kinds of loss that entrepreneurs face both in their professional and business lives. She discusses the importance of grieving those losses and steps to take to grieve in a healthy way.

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Episode 211: Calm over Crazy with Jason Fried

Sherry Walling — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Sherry interviews Jason Fried of Basecamp, about some of the ways his remote company helps team members connect with each other. They also discuss other topics including burnout, sleep, what does calm mean to him, and how he has maintained a long term business partnership.

Love this conversation? Check out Jason’s latest book. It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work.

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Episode transcript:

Rob Walling:
In this week’s episode of ZenFounder, Sherry interviews none other than Jason Fried of Basecamp. It’s a really good interview. Sherry talks to Jason about all manner of things ranging from family life, to building a company slowly and deliberately. One thing that I really like about Jason is just how genuine he is. He really doesn’t have anything to hide. I met him for the first time in person at MicroConf just a few months ago. And I was struck by just how normal he is given his amazing success with Basecamp and his numerous New York Times bestsellers and everything he’s accomplished in his life. We just had a conversation about life, and about kids and family, and where we lived and just normal day to day things. And I liked that he was real and that carried on to the stage.

I hosted a moderated Q&A where I asked him questions about his history in growing Basecamp and what he thinks of bootstrapping today, and all kinds of stuff. And he just answered the questions. That sounds so simple, but so much of the time when you are around people who have had success, especially in certain circles, I’ll say startup circles are notorious for this. People are puffing up their chests and they’re saying things that make them look good, or they come up with this, you know, a theory so that they can name it after themselves or something. Or you see someone on a panel and you know that their business isn’t doing great and they’re saying all these things like they know everything. That’s not what MicroConf is about, and B, that’s not what Jason was about at all. He was just about talking from his experience, and that’s something that I really respect about him and others who I know who are successful, but they let their success talk for them. They don’t sit there and trumpet it themselves.

And so with that, let’s get started with the interview. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

Sherry Walling:
Welcome to the ZenFounder podcast. This is a place where we have conversations about mental health and entrepreneurship. We have a pretty broad conceptualization of what mental health means. Sometimes depression, anxiety, sometimes relationships or physical health. The goal here is to bring some calm into the crazy rollercoaster of ups and downs that is life for many entrepreneurs. I’m your host, I’m Dr. Sherry walling. I’m a clinical psychologist and an entrepreneur, married to an entrepreneur, live in the world of entrepreneurs, and I’m so pleased that you have joined us for this conversation.

Sherry Walling:
So, I gave a talk at a conference about a year ago and at the end of the conference people were sharing their take home and they were like, “What did you get out of these two days of content? And it made me feel good, but a number of people were like, “Sherry’s talk about sleep is the thing I’m going to take home from this $2,500 conference that I invested in for my business.” And I spent 20 minutes talking about the importance of sleep for having a sound mind that works well at work. And I know that’s something that you’ve spent, apparently, a lot of time thinking about, or you just knew intuitively, but what is the deal with sleep? Why is it so easy for people to rationalize cheating ourselves out of it?

Jason Fried:
Well, first the only reason I know anything about it, there’s two reasons… well, actually three reasons. One is, I have two young kids at home and when I was not getting sleep, like our kids sleep through the night now, so we’re okay, but when they weren’t, I was just a wreck. This is anecdotal. This is one person’s… But I know every parent deals with the same thing. You’re just a wreck. If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you are a mess.

Jason Fried:
You’re impatient, you’re difficult to deal with, you can’t think straight, you can’t remember things well, you’re not a pleasure to be around, let’s say. So that’s true when you lack sleep. And then you start to think about this thing, start to sleep better and you see that your mood changes, and everything changes, and your abilities change, and you start to be more creative and more thoughtful and put together better sentences and the whole thing. So that’s another data point.

Jason Fried:
And then you read a book. I read this book called Why We Sleep, which is probably the most important book I read last year. And it’s long, but it’s wonderful. I think the guy’s name is Matthew Walker, who wrote it, and it goes deep into the science behind sleep. And it’s really amazing, because I’m always terrible with like, remembering scientific facts, you are significantly… Let’s say you’re at a significant disadvantage if you even get only six hours a night. So, most people think about sleep deprivation, like well, four hours, five hours. No, even at six, it’s six hours which is what most people actually end up getting, you are severely impaired. Creatively, your ability to reason, your reaction times, a whole slew of things go down the drain pretty quickly. It’s just amazing. It’s six hours.

Jason Fried:
So, you read that too, and on top of your own personal experience, and you read that and the science, you’re like, “I think sleep is incredibly important.” And then, the other point that he makes, which I think it’s really interesting is that evolutionarily you think we would have phased sleep out, because it puts you at such a risk, right?

Sherry Walling:
Sure.

Jason Fried:
You’re unconscious for a third of the day-

Sherry Walling:
While the bears and tigers are prowling, by the way, every week.

Jason Fried:
… Exactly. And so you’re like, “This should not have lasted if it wasn’t valuable.” But in fact, it’s so valuable that it’s worth basically being unconscious a third of the day for the pros so far outweigh the cons. So I think that’s another interesting point about it as well. But why do people… I mean, I just [crosstalk 00:05:53]

Sherry Walling:
Yes, I’m with you. The logic is there, the science is there, I think most like relatively well informed people are aware that they probably should sleep more. It’s one of the first things that I see founders, high performers, whoever, throw away when they feel-

Jason Fried:
I think they feel like it’s wasteful. They’re like, “Why should I spend a third of my day doing nothing? Like I’m productive, I need to be doing something. I need to be reading, I need to be watching a TV show, I need to be working, I need to be doing stuff. Why would I throw away this time, and in fact, other people are sleeping. So if I’m working while they’re sleeping, I’m going to get more done.” There’s this really perverse mentality around it.

Jason Fried:
The thing is that, typically, people who are sleep deprived don’t recognize it, but everyone else does. I mean, you recognize it when you’re really sleep deprived, like when you’re really flat out tired, but if you’re moderately sleep deprived, which is what a lot of people are, they don’t notice it. Just like maybe an alcoholic might not know they have a problem. It’s a similar thing. Everyone around them knows. Or an addict or whatever. Sometimes you do know, but most of the time, you may not. [inaudible 00:06:59], “It’s fine, I can handle it, I can handle it.” Everyone else knows you can’t handle it. So I think-

Sherry Walling:
… And it’s become so common.

Jason Fried:
… It’s become common. And it’s also become like, a badge of honor for people to say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” or, “I only got three hours of sleep last night.” Why are you joking about that? Why are you joking about that in a positive way? You should be horrified, actually, about the fact that you’re unable to sleep. And you shouldn’t probably be driving, and you probably shouldn’t be making any key decisions, and you probably shouldn’t be managing other people, and you probably shouldn’t be interacting with other people if you’re like that far down on your battery, basically.

Jason Fried:
But yeah, I think it’s convenient. It’s an easy thing to eat into because it pushes back but not completely.

Sherry Walling:
Yeah. So, when someone starts working at Basecamp, how do you help them connect with the rest of the team? How does that happen?

Jason Fried:
Well, we’ve gotten better at this. We were bad at it for quite a while. One of the tricks, I’ll step back for a second. One of the tricks, one of the problems I should say that we have is that we’re remote company primarily. So, we have 54 people in the company, there’s a couple dozen of us, well, actually a dozen of us are still in Chicago. But most of the people work outside of Chicago. So if you’re brand new and you live in Tennessee and you start at Basecamp, normally you wouldn’t see anybody, you wouldn’t know anybody, it’s kind of really hard to get started that way. We used to just start people that way.

Jason Fried:
But now we bring people usually into Chicago, sometimes another city, but often in Chicago for a couple of weeks if possible, for the first two weeks. So you can get to know the people, get to know the team a little bit, get to know some people. And they’re also assigned a buddy essentially, who’s someone who they can ask any question of and look out for. And then we also typically, we use this product called know your company, which has now been renamed know your team. But there’s a really great feature called icebreakers. And when anyone joins the company, they’re asked to answer five questions. And the five questions are always the same. And they’re just social questions. And you’re free to say whatever you want, or not doing it all, of course. But whenever you answer them, they’re sent out via email to everybody else in the company, and then the person who sent them out, or who wrote them up and answer them actually gets back everyone else’s questions that they answered when they first joined the company.

Jason Fried:
So it’s a really nice way to quickly, just to set the table a little bit and go, “Here’s the people that are here, here’s some of the fundamental things.” Maybe I have this in common with this person, or that in common with this person, and then we just kind of slowly bring you in, and you always usually start working with the team of some sort, and so there’s just more video conferencing in the initial few weeks to put a face to the name and a face to the voices. It’s worked a lot better than before, we just threw people in the deep ends and figure it out, which was a big mistake of ours, we just hadn’t put any time into thinking it through.

Jason Fried:
And also, I should say, our support team really pioneered a lot of these ideas for us. They’ve been great at onboarding people when the rest of the company was not quite as good. So we follow their lead and do a lot of things that they do.

Sherry Walling:
I mean, one of the strengths, obviously, of what you all have put together is that it really protects people’s time to do their work, to be creative, to think, to engage with the tasks at hand. And as I was reading your book, which is fabulous, thank you, there were so many things about it, that I was like, “Oh, this is so good for the human mind.” But then the thing that I kept thinking in the back of my head is like, this sounds really isolating too.

Jason Fried:
It can be.

Sherry Walling:
So when you don’t have… meetings are, I appreciate, a great waste of time. But they’re also a great way for humans to see each other and connects together. So, yeah, you said it can be, it can be a little isolating.

Jason Fried:
It can be isolating, and that’s something we have to battle from time to time. We also do other things. So, there’s a feature in Basecamp 3 which is called automatic check ins. And automatic check ins will automatically ask questions of people on a regular basis. And then people write up their answers, and they’ll share back with the rest of the company. So, every Monday morning, Basecamp automatically ask everybody, “What did you do this weekend?”

Jason Fried:
Now, again, totally optional, because some people just don’t want to share their private life, fine, but a lot of people share pictures of their kids, or things they did, or concert they went to, or a show, or some Home Improvement Project they’re working on or whatever. And so every week, there’s this drip of what people’s lives are like because you don’t really get to see them, and in fact, in many ways, it actually brings you a lot closer than if you’re just in person with meetings because you wouldn’t really get to know the people necessarily. Get to know them in so some degree, but the fact that we’re like, actively asking this thing, like, “What you do this weekend?” Helps people see a little bit more into other people’s lives. And some people are very comfortable sharing, others not.

Jason Fried:
So we do that. We also once a month, Basecamp will ask everybody, “What have you been reading lately?” So people share books they’ve been reading, and they write up these nice little mini book reports. And just another good insight ans they’re like, “Hey, I don’t work with this person very often, but she just read the same book I’m reading, we have something to talk about.” Maybe I can ping her and say, “Hey, I’m really enjoying this book, that’s so cool that you’re reading it or whatever.” And you start to get to know people on a different level again. So, we’ve instituted a number of these automatic, recurring questions that are more on the social side of things.

Jason Fried:
We also do work side of things like, “What did you work on today? What are you planning on working on this week?” But we’ve layered in some social stuff, including, like, “Have you tried new recipes lately? Have you seen any movies movies lately, or what’s inspired you lately? Things like that. And you just begin to get a nice round picture of each person that’s kind of cool that way. That’s another thing we’re able to do.

Jason Fried:
We also do bring people into Chicago for a week, twice a year. So, twice a year, we fly the whole company into Chicago for like a week long meetup. And no, that’s only two weeks out of 52, but it’s nice because it’s pretty much primarily social. We all get dinner together, we all hang out together, we have guest speakers, people are free to do whatever they want. And it’s just another nice way to do the best we can given the fact that most people are scattered around the world.

Sherry Walling:
How do you make that Chicago time meaningful? Like, do you structure it? Is there a talk every morning, or is it kind of like a free for all? How do you balance work ish time and just hanging out?

Jason Fried:
Well, there’s always one talk scheduled on Monday morning, which is me and David, my business partner, we get sort of a state of the union and share some things we’re thinking about. If it’s a really important moment, we share some vision for the next year or wherever it might be. That always happens. And then we have basically a schedule inside Basecamp where anyone can post events saying like, “Hey, I’m going to be giving a talk on Wednesday at one o’clock on this thing I’m working on.” Or someone’s like, “I’m going to give the talk on skateboarding at 10 AM on Thursday. Anyone who wants to show up can show up.

Jason Fried:
So, people post their own talks on the schedule, and it’s totally up to whoever wants to show up. It’s all optional, except that first State of the Union speech, basically. We have lunch, share lunch every day, we have the company dinner on Tuesday night, we also do these things where I think it’s usually Wednesday morning, we do what we call employee recognition awards, basically, but it’s not managers, it’s peers celebrating each other. So, people get to nominate each other and say, like, “This person went above and beyond over the past six months.” Or, “I really appreciate the work this person does.” Or, “She’s doing this great, or he’s doing this great, and I don’t know if anyone’s noticed what they’re doing.”

Jason Fried:
So, they’re nominated and then we make these really nice wooden spheres, these kind of neat little things that we engrave and give to people. So people come up, they’ll nominate, we’ll make these awards, people will then come up and present to each other. And there’s usually like, a lot of hugs and some tears and stuff, it’s really a special moment actually.

Sherry Walling:
Pretty meaningful to people, it sounds like.

Jason Fried:
It is because we don’t all get together and then when we get together, like, it’s kind of like if you don’t get together with… if you haven’t seen a friend for three or four years, let’s just say a year, and you get together with them. That dinner, or hang out is very meaningful, more meaningful than if you were to get together every week. Because if you get together every week, it’s like, yeah, you’re going to get every week. But if I only get a chance once or twice a year to see somebody that I care about or that I put a lot of effort in with, it’s interesting how more meaningful these weeks become. We used to make them very more business focused, a lot more business focused, and then we dialed that back, because we realized what people really want for this week is a little bit of business, but then mostly social, because that’s what they don’t get enough of the rest of the year.

Jason Fried:
So, we’ve modified that. There’s also like, some people who live in Chicago will take people on little tours, or they’ll say, “Hey, come to my yoga studio with me,” or whatever, and they’ll kind of play host, which is nice. And that sort of thing.

Jason Fried:
One of the things actually we’ve done recently is, so we do this big company dinner on Tuesday nights, but you have dinner 54 people around a restaurant or something, it’s just hard to see everyone and really talk to everyone when there’s 54 people. So now we do, I think it’s Monday nights, there is… actually maybe it’s Wednesday. There’s small groups that you can sign up for, small group dinners of three or four people. And then there’s also Ladies Night, like all the women in the company have organized Ladies Night. I think that’s Monday night. So, they do something. There’s just like different groups decide to do different things with each other. And it’s just a really nice weekend.

Jason Fried:
But I’ll say this, though, we’re mostly introverted company, and by Friday, everyone is completely [inaudible 00:16:01].

Sherry Walling:
It’s like, “I’ll see you again in six months.” It’s enough.

Jason Fried:
Yeah, basically. They’re totally cashed out. But it’s a really important week, in our section the next one’s coming up in a couple of weeks. So, looking forward to that.

Sherry Walling:
Oh, awesome. Cool. Have you observed either in yourself or in people that you work with at Basecamp, have people struggled with burnout?

Jason Fried:
Yeah. I think everyone struggles with it from time to time. Sometimes, there’s different reasons for it. Sometimes someone’s sort of at the end of their road in terms of this particular job, or like the actual job they’re doing… the work they’re doing is no longer motivating them. It’s not like they need to go to another company, it’s that they just want out of design, or out of programming, or out of-

Sherry Walling:
Doing that set of tasks all the time.

Jason Fried:
… Yes. So, sometimes there’s that. Other times there’s people who care a little bit too much about the work, and they put in a little bit too much time, and nobody notices until it’s a little bit too late. And then we notice that they’re definitely acting like they’re burned out where their answers are shorter, they’re not maybe as pleasant as they used to be, or they’re not as patient or there’s something, something’s up and will say, “Hey, what’s going on? Notice this, notice that.” And hopefully we can catch that and give people extra time off, or get them some help, or figure out what the root causes are.

Jason Fried:
So, actually, I’ll step back. We have a sabbatical program. So every three years, everybody in the company gets a one month paid sabbatical. And one of the reasons we did this is because one of our employees was having some challenges around mental health and burnout and that sort of thing. This is a number of years ago, and we gave this employee some like, about a month to help, get sorted out, we offered some help, et cetera. And I won’t go beyond that. It’s personal. It really worked, it really was an important thing. And we realized… we noticed this about him, and he noticed this about himself. But perhaps there’s other people who aren’t bringing this up, or we don’t notice, like, let’s institute this to make sure everyone gets at least a month off every three years. And we also have a generous vacation policy.

Jason Fried:
That seem to really help quite a bit that there’s this release for everybody. But primarily what we try to do, as best we can, is maintain a calm culture. Without unreasonable expectations. We believe eight hours is enough time per day, and 40 hours is enough time per week. We shouldn’t be working on the weekends, and we shouldn’t be working at night. And there’s no ridiculous deadlines that are impossible to meet. And that everybody does have the power to cut back on the work that’s required. For example, if something’s due Friday, and it’s Tuesday, and it just doesn’t look like it’s going to get done, they have the power to say, “I’m going to do less of this work” I’m going to cut this back, versus either, like pull all nighters or push deadlines. Just like, if it’s too much work for whatever reason, come up with a simpler version of it, we’re okay with that. So, people have a lot of control over the limits of the work itself.

Jason Fried:
We also recently finally put someone in charge of people ops or HR, we’ve never really had anyone in a formal position in that role, and now we do. And she’s been wonderful helping people, she’s meeting with people more frequently. We still have this attitude, which is like, if there’s a problem, let us know. Which is a terrible attitude because most people don’t let you know, we had to mature there’s as an organization. And now we do frequent one on ones with everybody. There’s now a place to go. It used to be people would come to me or David, but coming to the owners is, it’s never a welcoming, comforting thing to do. Even if you say, “My door is always open and I’m always accessible.” It doesn’t matter. Like there’s-

Sherry Walling:
[crosstalk 00:19:26] your book, that’s a [inaudible 00:19:27] out?

Jason Fried:
Yeah, it is. It’s a total cope out. My door is always open as a cope out because there’s inherently a power dynamic here and who wants to go to the owner and complain about something. I totally get that.

Sherry Walling:
Have an issue with a co worker. Confess that there have postpartum depression. I mean, yeah, all those things get real tricky when there’s a power dynamic.

Jason Fried:
Absolutely. It doesn’t matter like how welcoming we might be, it doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t work. So, we finally have someone now in charge so a lot of people are going to her and she’s getting to give them a lot of help. There’s a lot more things were now internally to help people with those issues. But we had to grow into that, we didn’t really realize it was a problem. It’s not a deep problem for us but there’s enough of a problem when you’re 54 people, there’s certainly always going to be people who need a hand there. And now we formalize that. So I think that’s good.

Jason Fried:
And we’re still always learning about new opportunities. In fact, like we just had a new benefit recently, I think our health insurance, it’s either a health insurance or life insurance benefit has a like a mental health consulting phone number, at least, that you can call and get some help, if you don’t want to ask someone in the company because even though we have someone dedicated to that, there’s still a stigma sometimes talking about this. If someone who reports to me and they don’t maybe want someone to know, so there’s now some outside help for people can get that’s included with their benefits package.

Sherry Walling:
Do you all have, over conversations about depression, anxiety, things that fall under that mental health umbrella?

Jason Fried:
We’re beginning to. We actually have a speaker, I believe, at this next meetup who’s going to be talking about some of those things. We also have a, we have one of our Basecamp projects set up that’s called the Care Camp, which is set up by like, it’s a volunteer thing internally where people share their own methods for self care. And people can ask questions about that. And whoever is comfortable sharing is free to share. It’s been actually a really nice little corner of the company for people to go to and get help from one another if they’re struggling with something. Now, that’s not private, it’s not private because it’s open to everybody in the company. So, it wouldn’t be a place for you to go where you need to say something privately, but it’s a place to go where you want to ask for help publicly from your co workers? Or, “Hey, how does anyone cope with this? Or how do you deal with this kind of stress, or what’s your routine around breathing?” Whatever it might be, there’s no place for that.

Jason Fried:
So, people are talking about that internally, and there’s a place to turn. And we are bringing in some more people to talk about this across the company. But I think it’s super important. I don’t think you could ever really do enough. And we’re beginning to do more and I think we’ll do more and more and more in return. [crosstalk 00:21:59] one other thing… Sorry, I keep thinking as you think about these. We actually also instituted something where people used to be able to take, you’d always see people taking sick leave, or like, personal time for an illness or something, but that kind of rarely historically extended to mental illness, it was always like, well, I’m in the hospital for two weeks, because I broke my arm or whatever, you wouldn’t be in the hospital for that, but whatever.

Jason Fried:
And it was always like, well, of course, you’re in the hospital, take whatever time you need to get well or wherever it is, but if it was a mental health issue, that wasn’t really seen as as equivalent, in a sense. It was just seen as like, well, deal with it, or that’s your own time to figure that stuff out, but-

Sherry Walling:
Great. Stop being sad, get back to work now.

Jason Fried:
… Right. And we’ve changed that now. So now, any health time you need off for whatever, like it extends to any kind of health issue, mental, physical, whatever it might be. So, we’ve made that more available too. So, we’re learning and we’re doing better and better here over time.

Sherry Walling:
Yeah. I like even something like Care Camp, which is sort of crowdsourcing wisdom, and it’s de stigmatizing, and it’s de isolating the conversation from something that happens in the corners and the shadowy private, to something that you can say like, “Hey, I’m having trouble managing my anxiety. How do you all do it?”

Jason Fried:
Totally. Yeah. And of course, if you need professional help, you go somewhere else. But a lot of the times, it’s like, it is a good place to start at least. Like, “I’m finding myself having a hard time with this or that, what have you done? What have you done?” And people are so helpful. It’s amazing how helpful people are when you just admit that you need a little bit of help. I mean, everyone wants to help in that case, in that situation. So, it’s been a very, very nice thing to have in the company.

Sherry Walling:
Why is calm so important to you?

Jason Fried:
I don’t like things to be hectic around me personally, just in general. So, there’s a little bit of selfishness, I would say. I just don’t like being in that kind of [crosstalk 00:23:56] environment. Yeah, I like it that way. But mostly I think it’s important because it basically says like, we don’t need to rush through these things. What is the rush? And I’d like people to be in a good mental state and physical state and not have unreasonable expectations beating down on them when they make decisions, and when we have conversations. If you’re always high, strong, and things are always like, impossible deadlines, we call them dreadlines. If people are, the expectations are completely unreasonable, the expectations of growth, the expectations of getting things done on deadlines that are impossible, hitting targets that are completely unreasonable, it’s not a pleasant place to be. Everyone’s nervous, everyone’s scared, everyone feels like they’re going to be fired all the time. Who wants to just go into that environment every single day?

Jason Fried:
I mean, there’s certainly moments in any company, or when there’s an emergency, or there’s something truly urgent, of course, like, then you step up, and you may have to put in a couple hours here, or you may have to be more vigilant here or there. But that shouldn’t be the constant state of things. I mean, I think when the constant state of things is this idea that it’s crazy work all the time, and then I’m constantly busy, and I can’t get anything done, and I’m in meetings all day, but I’m still expected to do work. And so it’s eating into my personal life, and I’ve no weekends, it’s like, that becomes the norm. You’re just going to lose people, you’re probably not going to do great work. If people aren’t sleeping, they’re not going to be really creative and thoughtful, and they’re not going to be patient with one another, and they’re not going to listen. They tend to just to talk.

Jason Fried:
So, I think you get a whole bunch of benefits from it. Plus, it just feels like a better place to be. I know some people like the sort of boiler room, war room style thing-

Sherry Walling:
The adrenaline.

Jason Fried:
… The adrenaline. I get that. I mean, I think adrenaline is supposed to be something that you get occasionally. Fear of flight kind of situation. Like it shouldn’t be, I don’t think it should be the norm every day you walk into a hot house or just out of control. Doesn’t seem right to me.

Jason Fried:
Also, the other thing I’ll say is that, we’ve been in business for 20 years, this is our 20th year, and we want to build a sustainable company that will be your for a long time. And I think if you’re in a different path, if you’re on a different path, where you maybe go raise a bunch of money, and you’re trying to like hit it big in five years, or go bust like, in some ways, I can understand why some people would feel like you need to run as hard as you can, because it’s almost going to be over anyway. For us it’s a long, long run. It’s a marathon. I don’t want to throw the analogies in there.

Jason Fried:
But like, it’s a long thing, we hope to be in business 30, 40, 50 years, I don’t know if we can. And so if you do that you have to maintain, or you have to practice a certain discipline that you can maintain that’s sustainable, that won’t burn you out, won’t burn out your employees, because it’s hard to find good people, it’s expensive to hire new people. So, I can layer all these things into why I think it’s important to be calm.

Sherry Walling:
What does calm feel like to you in your body? And I ask because I talk with a lot of people and they forget what it feels like to be calm. Like they’ve lost the physiological framework of that.

Jason Fried:
Yeah, the number one thing is having an open day ahead of me. For example, at Basecamp, we don’t have shared calendars. So, I can’t see what everyone else is doing during the given day in terms of time blocks, and they can’t see what I’m doing. And everyone has a full eight hours to themselves by default on any given day. To me that is the beginning of calm. Because if your day is chunked up so much that you can’t even be by yourself to think for an hour or two, I think it’s very hard to maintain a sense of calm. So, for me, like having time to think and to spread out mentally is what it means to me, and not to feel like… not just to take a deep breath before I start the day. Not to feel like, “All right, here we go, this is going to suck.” Like-

Sherry Walling:
You’re jumping into a cold swimming pool. Like, brace yourself.

Jason Fried:
… Right. I just don’t want to feel that way. Physically, that’s what it is for me. Just feeling there’s space around. Physically, literally feeling there is space around me. And that space is time, and the ability to think, and that no one’s breathing down my neck and I’m not breathing down anyone else’s neck. And there’s no one unreasonable. No one has an unreasonable work schedule. Those kinds of things are really important to me.

Jason Fried:
Again, that’s not to say that, like, there are moments when I get frustrated about something or like I wish something was done a certain way and it wasn’t or whatever. I mean, those-

Sherry Walling:
You have a full range of human emotions, Jason. Is that what you’re saying?

Jason Fried:
Yeah.

Sherry Walling:
Okay. I think that’s fair.

Jason Fried:
And it’s [inaudible 00:28:27] range. Yeah. But the baseline should not be sweating. It should be [crosstalk 00:28:35].

Sherry Walling:
[inaudible 00:28:35]

Jason Fried:
Yes. And you do need those things sometimes. Like, some people will say, “You guys just do nothing all day?” Like, “No, we’re very active. We were very productive, we’re doing a lot of stuff, and there’s a lot of conversations happening. And there’s that.” But everyone’s really in control of their own time and their own day. And I think that’s almost the only way to get there. Because if your schedule and your day is determined by other people being able to make it wherever they want it to be, it’s very hard to get into a rhythm that you can calm down and think clearly.

Sherry Walling:
Yeah. You’ve had this very long working history with David, 20 years, at least.

Jason Fried:
Almost, yeah.

Sherry Walling:
Has your trust battery ever diminished with him? And if so, have you fixed it? You charged it, I should say.

Jason Fried:
Yeah. I think David and I have a unique relationship. We see 90% of the world the same way, I think. And because of that, when we battle on things occasionally, or we argue or we debate, we know that it’s not going to be a never ending situation where everything we’re going to disagree. If we disagree about everything, it becomes very taxing very quickly, and then you stop talking because you don’t want to just get into a fight every time you talk. And I know a lot of founders who have co-founders who just disagree about I think too many things. And at some level, some people think it’s good, because you have multiple viewpoints, whatever. But I really think you need to have a pretty closely shared viewpoint on most things, and it’ll leave some room for some really fundamental disagreement on a couple of things.

Jason Fried:
So, I think we’ve been able to maintain a really good working relationship for for a long, long time now, and I think it’s due to the fact that we both respect one another, we’re able to go hard at each other occasionally when necessary, but we know it’s [inaudible 00:30:30] the product. So, I don’t think we’ve had trust battery issues. I mean, you have to ask him, but I really feel like we have each other’s back and our trust level has always been, I think, very high.

Jason Fried:
Yeah, I don’t think I’ve had that… I’ve had trust battery issues with other people and people have had it with me, and we’ve had to rebuild it and to remember that it’s again… I know, there’s like some situations right now in the company where there’s some people who don’t think… Let’s see. How would I put it? They may not think I like them for some reason. Like, I’ve heard some things. And I don’t know where it came from, but we have some rebuilding to do in some situations, but I think that the key is that it takes a while to do that and to find the opportunities where you can recharge. You can’t just jump into those situations. And so I think it’s good to ultimately find a project to work on with somebody or something.

Jason Fried:
That’s how I’ve, in the past, I’ve seen people rebuild each other’s trust batteries. In fact, there’s a couple of people working on a project right now who just kind of had pretty low charges against one another. And actually, it’s funny because it wasn’t really because of anything that they did to one another, it was an absence of interaction, and then hearing about one another from other people and you begin to form a picture of somebody when you haven’t had the direct experience. So we put them together on a project, and I think it’s going to turn out really well because I think that they’re going to actually see that they see [inaudible 00:31:50] most things and their level of detail and quality is very, very similar. And I think it’s going to give them an opportunity to have a good opportunity to work together.

Jason Fried:
Another example, this actually was, so, David and Ryan. So Ryan’s a guy who’s been also here for about 15 years. He’s our fourth employee ever. And he’s still with us. And he’s fantastic. But David and Ryan used to have some real headbutt, they used to headbutt a lot. And their trust batteries were low. And it was interesting, we had to figure out why this was, because if you were to separate them and talk to them, each at the same time, like they’d actually come from similar angles, in a sense. And they really respect each other’s point of view, but they were just always arguing every time they talked.

Jason Fried:
And it turned out that what we figured out was they didn’t talk enough. And whenever they talked, so, okay, Ryan’s head of strategy here. So, whenever Ryan and David and I talk, we’re usually talking about something that’s really fundamentally core and important. Like, we’re making decisions that affect the whole company. And so they’re kind of high pressure decisions, in a sense. And the only time that David and Ryan were talking was in those situations. I would talk to Ryan all the time, because we work and design projects together and stuff. But David and Ryan only talked when we had to make a really important decision. And that’s when we were all having difficult conversations.

Sherry Walling:
So the intensity is like nine out of 10 for every conversation that they’re having.

Jason Fried:
Exactly. That’s a better way of putting it. Like there’s a point where they didn’t want to talk to each other, because it always ended in this sort of heated debate. And at some point, it becomes tiring. And we realized, well, the only reason this is happening is because you’re only talking in credibly critical moments. So therefore, that’s the only experience you have with one another. And so, we started to talk in other ways, and the relationship is completely repaired. And it just was a moment of like, figuring out what was going on there, and realizing that it was the situation. It wasn’t actually the people so much as it was the situation we were putting the people into.

Jason Fried:
Anyway, there have been moments with other people are like that and-

Sherry Walling:
And you usually address that through some kind of collaboration that’s mixing up that pattern of interaction. So, it’s more fun, a little lighter, or more serious depending on what the interaction pattern has been.

Jason Fried:
… Yeah. Or another one is actually like collaborating on something versus having one person tell someone else something to do. So, there’s been situations where someone was like, structurally superior to somebody else according to job titles, and they would ask someone to do something, and it was always just like, ask them to do something relationship. When that happens, sometimes, depending on the situation, it can feel like, “Well, I’m just being told what to do. I don’t have any say in this. I have a creative mind but I’m not being asked to be creative,” or whatever it is. And so align them on a project where they’re both equally in charge is another good way to kind of rebuild the charge essentially, where they can work together versus having that relationship of, “I give everything to you.”

Jason Fried:
That’s a long answer to say that David and I actually have a pretty, I think, have had a really strong and consistent relationship over the nearly 20 years we’ve known each other.

Sherry Walling:
Cool. What’s something that’s bringing you joy right now?

Jason Fried:
At work, in life, where do you want to go?

Sherry Walling:
Whenever.

Jason Fried:
Well, we’ve a seven month old daughter so that’s, that’s wonderful. And she’s like, just smiles constantly. And it reminds me how powerful a simple smile is, because she’s just smiling all the time. It’s almost like she’s a robot that just is set to smile. I’m like, something seems weird almost, but it’s wonderful. And so that clearly is something spring. So, as we were talking a little bit before, I’m assuming before you started recording we’re talking about because you’re in Minnesota, I’m in Chicago, it’s April, kind of not always the most pleasant month because it’s like come on already. But like I’m looking out my window and I’m seeing the beginning of spring. That this small, tiny leaf buds popping, the croak is coming out of the ground, like tiny little flowers, green poking its head through the grounder. To me this is the best time of the year.

Jason Fried:
It’s sort of the end of a long, dark winter, in a sense, and the beginning of the rest of the year, and the beginning of seeing life. Like, life come back. I think that for me, I’ve always thought like it’d be fun to chase spring across the country as a one month sabbatical. Like start… I don’t know? Actually, I mean, you probably can [inaudible 00:36:24] the West Coast, because it’s always kind of nice. But you start somewhere where it’s not nice. And you just drive, I guess you’d be driving west. Oh, no, you’d be driving east-

Sherry Walling:
North, I think.

Jason Fried:
… North. North and east perhaps. And then you’d sort of catch it as you go. I always thought that’d be a fun project or a fun thing to do. But I like spring. Spring for me is great. Then the other thing just to bring it back to work for a moment, since we’re kind of talking mostly about that so far. We’re actually working on a new product. And that’s something we said we wouldn’t do again. We said back and I think it was 2014 that we’re going to focus entirely all of our energy in Basecamp, we renamed the company Basecamp and we’ve been that way for four years now or so, five years. But there’s been something that’s been itching us for a little bit and we decided to begin to build something new.

Jason Fried:
I don’t know when it’s going to come out. We’re hoping by the end of the year, but it really reminds me how much fun it is to start something new and to be able to bring new ideas into something from scratch. Because when you have a product like Basecamp that’s used by millions of people, 100,000 companies, you have to be mindful of, major changes will upset the cart in all the wrong ways. Even if they’re better technically or whatever, like, you just can’t really shake the tree that much.

Jason Fried:
When you make something new, there are no expectations and it frees you to do something new and stretch your skills in a new way. So, from the work perspective, that’s really fun. The last thing I’ll say is like, we’re going to spend as a family, we’re going, four of us, my wife and my two kids, we’re going to go out to Amsterdam for a month this late spring. We were there a few years ago and loved it, so, we’re going to do that. I’m looking forward to that. Those are the kinds of things that I’m happy about.

Sherry Walling:
Super fun place with kids too. Like, lots of long locks and swans and ice cream and flower, it’s just lovely.

Jason Fried:
It’s beautiful, and they have so many parks there, and I just found the culture is so welcoming and warm around kids. I don’t know. It’s a special city. When we did it last time, our son was a year and a half old or something like that, and it was really magical and we enjoyed it. So, now it’s going be fun to go back with him. He’s four and a half now and our daughter’s seven months and just see the city again, and we met some people, so we’ll see some people that we got to know. Also one of our good friends from Chicago, his whole family moved there on a whim, like, for a year, and they’ve stayed there for now five years, and I think they’re permanently going to be there forever. So, it will be good to see them and anyway, that’s that.

Sherry Walling:
That’s awesome. That’s fantastic.

Jason Fried:
What about you? What’s bringing you joy? What’s so interesting for you right now?

Sherry Walling:
My kids are making creative cool things. Like, they’ve been into making this card trading game where they have selected a stuffed animal and then they make like 30 cards around that stuffed animal. So, one of them is making his cards around a fish, an anglerfish, and so he’s making a cake angler and a spider man angler and all these different anglers, but they make this like really cool art. Then they make a backstory for each of the creatures. So, I think it’s like magic, the gathering, plus stuffed animals, plus comic books, plus all this stuff. They’re super into it and they spend hours drawing on the floor, and I’m like, “This is awesome.” That’s bringing me a lot of joy to see them make things and also to sit quietly and drink tea and have [inaudible 00:39:49] in my own mind.

Jason Fried:
Absolutely, that sounds fun. It’s fun to see kids makes stuff. And it’s funny because when adults make things, the question is like, “What are you making? And how does it work??” In some ways, but when kids make things, they don’t really… It’s not about that so much. I mean, can be. Especially I’m assuming as they get older, but it’s just this moment of creation. I almost feel like they sometimes don’t really know what they’re doing and they’re totally cool with that.

Sherry Walling:
They’re doing it because it’s cool and because it brings them joy, period. There’s no other motivation to make something as a kid except that it’s cool or fun.

Jason Fried:
It’s such a good reminder. Sometimes making stuff is… I’ve always felt like if I retire or whatever, stop doing this or I’m giving it up, whatever. I think I just want to be a potter, I’d love to just throw pots or make ceramics. I just would love to do that because it’s just good to make something new. Like, you’ve an idea and get this piece of clay, this chunk or whatever, and you turn the wheel you mold it and who knows what you end up with. I’ve always liked that about that medium, but as an adult, you want to sit down and go like, “I know what I’m doing and I’m doing it for this reason.” And it’s like, sometimes just, it’s hard not to, I guess, as an adult just to make things. [crosstalk 00:41:05]

Sherry Walling:
Or to justify the time.

Jason Fried:
Yeah, perhaps that’s what it is.

Sherry Walling:
I actually wanted to ask you a little bit about that, why you and David have decided to write so much. I mean, you could just run Basecamp and do that, but you’ve decided to write about it. What about that felt important or [crosstalk 00:41:22]

Jason Fried:
Well, it feels like part of the job, actually, so, just part of our Basecamp, which is sharing as much as we possibly can, about what we’ve learned, what we know and our point of view because I we’ve always felt like there’s no reason to keep it to ourselves. If we have something to say that we think can benefit someone else, or can push the industry forward in some way or can question the industry or whatever, we might as well do that, and might as well share it.

Jason Fried:
We don’t have a schedule necessarily to write. We’ve never had a schedule on our blog. If we have something to say we write it down and we share it. There are very few things we write and just share internally, unless it’s like truly private stuff. Otherwise, it’s just blog posts, and then it seems to be every five years or so, we’ve had enough experiences to put together a book about what we’ve been thinking about, what we’ve been working on for five years. Actually we’re writing something else right now, we’re putting together. Dave and I are not, but Ryan is here, extremely detailed guide on how we work. It’s going to be free, it’s going to be a website, actually it was written as a book but we’ve decided to make it a website. It’s going to be because, we get a lot of questions, “Like, how do you guys actually do what you do on a day to day basis in terms of making products and whatnot?” And so, we’ve broken it down and we’re writing that up.

Jason Fried:
Also it serves, when we write things for the outside world, it’s also for the inside world for our own company. Like, here’s what we believe and here’s why you believe these things and here’s the things that are important to us. I’ve always been inspired by chefs in this regard. So, chefs, open restaurants, or chefs, or chefs, and they write books and their books are cookbooks. They’re recipes, they’re best at saying, “Here’s what I know how to make, here’s exactly how I make it, and I’m going to put it in a book so you can make it to.”

Jason Fried:
I’m not afraid as a chef that you’re not going to come to my restaurant anymore because I taught you how to make my togliatti bolognese or whatever. Like, “No, I want you to know how to make, what I do, and maybe you come to our restaurant and taste my food too.” And I’m also not worried about someone buying my cookbook and opening up and reading all the recipes and mastering them and opening a restaurant next to mine and putting me out of the business, I just want to share the things that I have. It helps my business, it also helps me get the word out. It helps people become better cooks, it helps people cook at home and be healthy, whatever it is, right?

Sherry Walling:
Yeah.

Jason Fried:
So they do this and I feel like we’re basically doing the same thing, we’re writing up our recipes, and we’re sharing them in these books so we see these books as actually our cookbooks, which is, of course, they’re not some food, it’s ideas on how to work. So that’s why we do it. And we also enjoy writing, just a fun thing to do.

Sherry Walling:
That creative part of you. Do you have a sense of what people misunderstand about Basecamp? Or about how you all work? What’s the mistake that folks make? Or the misinterpretation?

Jason Fried:
That’s a really good question. It’s so hard to answer that from [crosstalk 00:44:08]

Sherry Walling:
I’m asking you to get inside someone else’s mind. So I appreciate that.

Jason Fried:
Well, I mean, I would say that there’s… I’ll come at it from a few different directions. One is that for a long time, I remember people just thought, we’re a marketing company. Like, they make products, they’re really easy to make. So it’s just marketing, it’s all marketing. We don’t actually do any of that. We don’t have a marketing department, we don’t have marketing people, we don’t spend money on advertising, we just share and talk and share point of view and so we do think the products stand up for themselves, and that people talk about them. The reason our businesses has grown is because it’s grown from word of mouth, it’s not grown because we paid anyone to use our products or we’ve had to buy anyone’s attention. It spreads slowly and gradually.

Jason Fried:
So, I think, there was that earlier on that we’re just like, “We’re good marketers.” I don’t think we actually are very good marketers. I think we’re good sharers. That’s the thing. That’s not really a word, I don’t think, but you know what I mean. So there’s that. I think there’s also a notion that we don’t do what we say. So, it’s impossible to work eight hour a days. It’s impossible to work 40 hours a week or back way in the day, when you first started, you must have been doing 100 hour weeks and all nights. I was like, “No, we just have not.” Eight hours is plenty of time” In fact, as I’ve said before, if you don’t think eight hours is a long time, go get in the airplane in Chicago and fly to London. That’s eight hours. And I guarantee you, that’s a long time. You’re going to be looking at your watch like it’s almost over yet, you’re like, “Oh my god, it’s only halfway done.” Like, “What?”

Jason Fried:
Eight hours is a lot of time. And so when people don’t believe that we actually do work eight hour days and 40 hour weeks, and we don’t space out about things, and we don’t keep pushing deadlines month after month after month after month, it’s like, we can actually get work done in six weeks, and whatnot. That kind of thing. I think that they just don’t believe it’s possible and that’s because of their own expenses and I get that. I think there’s some of that. I don’t know, I’m curious, what would you think? Do you have a sense? Do you know enough about what people would say about us? I mean, I always feel like [crosstalk 00:46:09]

Sherry Walling:
I do think the [inaudible 00:46:10] are held up as this… because I obviously talk a lot with people about mental health and how to be healthy at work and how to be well at work and people will say, “Well, we want to do it like Basecamp does.” Where it’s just really calm, and we don’t have meetings, and people get a lot of work done, but also it has sort of never land feel like the last voice can do that, but not real people. I think that’s what you’re saying. It sounds so idyllic because we’ve created such a fiction around what’s necessary for success.

Jason Fried:
People think that, if you’re not busy. If you’re not feeling busy, then you’re slacking off or something. That you’re not working as hard as you could be, or whatever. It’s like, this whole idea of working as hard as you could be, I don’t really know where that needs to come from. You don’t need to work as hard as you could be. That’s not something you need to do to begin with. I think if people were able to just watch how we work, they would see that there’s actually quite a bit of conversation happening. So we do talk to each other a lot, but we talk to each other asynchronously.

Jason Fried:
So we post things to Basecamp, and there’s no expectation of immediate response. It’s like, I write an idea up, someone maybe comments on it eight hours later, or the next morning, that’s fine, versus putting everyone in the room and talking about things. When you do that, sometimes it’s valuable, certainly, there’s no question about it, but often times, I think you’re turning something that’s slow time, it could be better off handle as slow time into fast time, and everyone has to answer questions immediately and it’s not necessary.

Jason Fried:
So, I think that there’s a lot of conversations just a synchronous, I think the other thing people would see is that we actually make swift decisions. That’s one of the key things is the ability to make calls and have conviction in them and move on and go, versus, a lot of the reasons, I think a lot of things take a long time is because people, they’re not sure what to do, and they don’t know, and the answer is, “We don’t know and we’re not sure either.”

Sherry Walling:
But let’s go this way.

Jason Fried:
And we go. If it’s wrong, we can correct it later, but the idea that you can wait, that waiting will get you the right answer. Sometimes, yes, sometimes you need more information than you have and you need to do more research. Sometimes that’s true, but not about everything. I’d much rather basically make quick calls, listen, make a call and go, and get the thing going, than try and be right every single time because even when you try and do it every single time you’re not. Anyway, I think those are some of the things.

Jason Fried:
I don’t know. It’s an interesting question. I should think more about it. I would also say that on the flip side too, from the product perspective, I think that there are probably a number of people who think Basecamp is old, Basecamp is not modern, not the new kid on the block kind of thing. That’s true, we are not the new kid on the block. But we redo the product from scratch every three or four years basically, and today’s Basecamp is thoroughly modern. Ans can replace, if you use Basecamp, you don’t have to use Slack, or Trello, or Asana or JIRA, or Google Docs or a calendar, it’s all in one place. I think over the years, people have forgotten about that and or perceived us as we haven’t changed because the products been around for so long. So that’s something we have to combat as well, which is a challenge to get people to look at you again, who may have looked at you eight years ago.

Jason Fried:
Most companies that we’re competing with didn’t exist eight years ago. So, there’s an interesting challenge there, which I think maybe something that people get wrong about us. But that’s our fault. We need to figure that out.

Sherry Walling:
Yeah. Hey, I appreciate it being able to email you and say, “Hey, do you want to do this?” And you saying, “Yes. When do you want to do it?” And I sent you a couple of times and we found time and we did it. And there wasn’t like, [inaudible 00:50:03] an assistant or a team steps to get to your calendar.

Jason Fried:
Thank you. I mean, I don’t have an assistant who manages my calendar because my calendar is pretty much wide open. So I’m like, “Hey, when are you free?” Throw out a couple dates. Certainly one of those will work, let’s do it. The other thing is that, I tend not to book things very far in advance. I find that to be a bad way to go about things. Sometimes you have to travel, something like that, but I tend to be like, yeah, this sounds like it’d be fun. Let’s do it. I’m glad you were able to do it, too and we were able to find time that worked and that you asked and we got to meet up at the conference. So, that’s great. Thanks.

Sherry Walling:
Well, thank you. As somebody who cares deeply about mental health and people being well at work, I’m a huge fan and I love your work and, of course, your most recent book has, I think, become a Bible to people in my line of work who are trying to bridge the conversation between wellness, insanity, and what that actually looks like in the day to day job. So, thank you, you’ve made my job a lot easier. Now, I can go, “Jason Fried said this. Jas said this.”

Jason Fried:
Please. No one’s going to know that is in your world, I’m sure. Speaking of this, we should maybe consider having you come speak to us sometime at a future meet up. We have one in two weeks, which is too soon, because we already have some stuff going on, but perhaps in the fall, [crosstalk 00:51:26]

Sherry Walling:
I will be thrilled.

Jason Fried:
So, we’ll touch base about that.

Sherry Walling:
Save the day.

Jason Fried:
All right.

Sherry Walling:
All right. Take good care.

Jason Fried:
Thanks so much.

Sherry Walling:
Bye.

Jason Fried:
See you around. Bye, bye

Sherry Walling:
Thanks for listening. We’ll be back in two weeks with a new episode of the podcast. In the meantime, feel free to check out zenfounder.com for lots of resources about the kinds of conversations that we have on the podcast. You can get information about working with me, about maybe joining a Zen tribe. It’s like a mental health boot camp for entrepreneurs. We also have lots of content on our blog, links to resources in our courses and books for sale. So, check us out there and we hope to provide anything and everything that you might need to make the entrepreneurial life a little bit easier.