The Ario Kavousi Experience

Are you happy in your job? Your relationship? Your life? Most people aren’t — but they stay anyway. Afraid of quitting. Afraid of breaking up. Afraid of pivoting. But here’s the truth: 👉 Money can be recovered. Time cannot. 👉 Regret is the only thing in life with no cure. 👉 If you don’t walk away from what’s wrong, you’ll carry that regret forever. In this episode I break down: Why we cling to...

Someone new enters your space. They shine. You feel small. You have a choice: stress or level up. This episode is about choosing the latter. Real stories. Real advice. For everyone who wants growth, not comparison.

Want a team that moves mountains—not just does tasks? This episode dives deep into building a culture where your team isn’t just loyal—they love you. Why transparency > blind loyalty How to handle raises with empathy and clarity Why hiring for heart isn’t soft—it’s smart The “manager vs. mentor” mindset shift The culture-defining moment: when you walk in, do they smile? This one’s not just for...

We all do it — miss opportunities, waste time, let other people’s judgments control us. This episode is about acting now before “later” turns into never.

Partnerships make or break your business. I’ve learned the hard way: it’s not about locking clients in with contracts — it’s about building relationships they never want to leave . In this episode, I share my raw lessons on: Why honesty beats “polished lies” every time. Walking partners through agreements (and why the paper means less than you think). Handling mistakes with humility instead of hid...

Early-stage hiring can make or break your startup. In this episode, I share the real mistakes I made : skipping the hard talks, putting people in the wrong roles, firing in anger, and moving too fast. If you’re building a startup, these lessons will save you time, money, and sanity.

If you’re under 20, this episode might save you years of pain. I share the biggest mistakes I made — losing over 100K on taxes, trying to be a one-man show, ignoring time management, crab mentality, and more. These are the lessons I wish someone had told me when I was younger. Not theory. Not “LinkedIn motivation.” Just raw, real mistakes I lived through. 👉 Shoutout to Podcast. Today— they featur...

You can’t build a startup by just watching YouTube or listening to podcasts. You have to do the work. In this episode, I share the raw truth about what really happens when you jump into entrepreneurship unprepared – How I got crushed by taxes and insurance– Why hiring too early almost killed my company– Why ego kept me from finding a co-founder– How watching smart content isn’t enough — you have t...

In the early days of a startup, hiring feels exciting—but it can become your biggest mistake. No budget. No brand. No structure. And yet you need people. But who do you hire when you can’t afford A-players? How do you fire fast when it’s not working? And why do most early hires end up killing your momentum? In this raw episode, I break down: How I hired and fired in the early days Why most resumes...

There were at least five moments when I could’ve given up. I was broke, coming from Iran, rejected by banks, ignored by investors and VCs, blocked by the system, and stuck during a pandemic. But I didn’t quit. I kept executing. Today, TheList operates in 3 countries, with 1,500+ high-end venues and global users. This episode breaks down the 5 critical moments where it all could’ve ended — and how...

Two restaurants. Same revenue. One lives in chaos, the other lives in peace. In this episode, I break down the art of building smart businesses vs. stressful ones — and why so many founders pick the hard road. One of my partners runs a flashy, high-end sushi fusion spot in Brickell. DJs, influencers, staff issues, low margins, and daily fires to put out. The other sells eggs and juice out of a chi...

Most people don’t take action because they’re scared of one thing: judgment . They stay quiet. They play small. They avoid risk—not because they can’t do it, but because they’re afraid of what others will think if they fail. But here’s the truth: No one’s really watching. And the people you’re afraid of impressing? They don’t care. This episode is your reminder to stop living for other people’s op...

Most people don’t fear failure—they fear judgment. And because of that fear, they live a life that’s not even theirs. They work jobs they hate. Stay silent. Play it safe. All to impress people who don’t actually matter. A palliative care nurse once documented the top regrets of people on their deathbeds. The #1 regret? “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself—not the life others exp...

Most people aren’t stuck; they’re scared. Scared of being judged. Scared of failing. Scared of what someone else might think. They don’t post. They don’t start. They don’t wear what they want. They don’t speak their truth. Why? Because they care more about impressing strangers than living for themselves. In this episode, I break down: Why fear of judgment controls your life How to stop living for...

Your team doesn’t care unless you do. This episode is a raw breakdown of startup management in the early days—when it’s just you, chaos, no money, and a team that needs direction. I share the mistakes, the painful truths, and how to stay sane when everyone around you is dropping the ball. Topics covered: – Time blindness and bad culture – Why you MUST calendar everything – Building accountability...

In this special episode, I sit down with Reza Kavousi for a real, unfiltered conversation. We talk about: The brutal reality of startups and founding a company Why being a CEO isn’t as sexy as people think How loneliness, chaos, and sacrifice come with the territory Why 9-5 isn’t a failure—and sometimes, it’s the smarter move The mental cost of chasing a dream no one sees but you This is the side...

Most people say “I don’t have time.” What they really mean is — “I don’t know where my time goes.” In this episode, I break down: • How bad time management destroys your day • Why you need to calendar every damn thing (yes, even grocery runs) • How managers and founders become dictators without realizing it • Why 5-minute tasks actually take 45 mins • How to structure your energy and tasks smarter...

Everyone wants to be a founder. No one talks about what it really takes. This episode is not motivational—it’s the f*cking reality: • You’ll lose friends, break up, go broke • You’ll work with no pay, no sleep, no support • You’ll question yourself every day • And most of the time, no one gives a sh*t So why do we do it? Because we’re crazy enough to love the pain. Because we’re not in it for the...

Most people ruin their own life by constantly comparing themselves to others. In this episode, I talk about: • The toxic side of comparison and social media • Why comparison creates depression and kills confidence • How to build a healthy competition with yourself • The dangers of regret and living in the past • Why “live in the moment” doesn’t mean “be dumb about the future” You don’t need to be...

This is not a theory lesson. This is real startup work. In this episode, I hit record on a live sales training with my support team, as we build our outbound sales strategy for TheList. We go deep into: • Cold calling mindset • Rejection handling • Real call scripts for restaurants • How to open strong & keep them on the line • Follow-up via SMS, WhatsApp & email • Handling objections like...

You’re still making fun of AI? Saying “Oh, that’s just ChatGPT”? Cool. You’re already behind. In this episode, I go all in on why AI is the biggest shift since the internet —and how it’s already outperforming humans in almost everything. I talk about: • Why AI is my best employee • Why it’ll soon be your most trusted advisor, partner & secret-keeper • Why most people will miss the wave—again •...

You can’t lead, grow, or build anything real if you don’t understand people. In this episode, I talk about the power of empathy —how it can change the way you lead your team, handle your relationships, and deal with everyday chaos. Whether you’re a founder or just someone trying to be better, this one’s for you. In this episode, I break down: • Why real leaders do the job before judging it • How e...

Sales is the most important skill— in business and in life. You can have the best product, best team—but if you can’t sell, you’ll fail. Period. And it’s not just business. Everyday life is sales. Want that job? You’re selling yourself. Want that girl’s number? You’re selling yourself. People with less money and status win because they know how to talk, connect, and sell. In this episode: • Why sa...

Your company’s culture is a direct reflection of YOU. If you’re stressed, toxic, and disorganized, your team will be too. Want a winning company? Build a winning culture. In this episode, I break down: • Why ego is killing your leadership • How your personal life affects company culture • Why a toxic team = startup failure • How to create a happy, high-performing environment Culture is everything—...

Most startups fail—not because the idea is bad, but because founders waste time on the wrong things. I lost 24 months to these mistakes. Here’s how you can avoid them: • Get a technical co-founder if you can’t code. • Don’t waste money on tools devs don’t actually need. • Keep communication organized —WhatsApp, Slack, Jira, and email will destroy your workflow. • Ignore time-wasting emails & m...