The Conscious Entrepreneur | Leadership, Self-Awareness & Mindset

Eleanor Allen joins The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast to discuss the power of business to act as a force for good. It’s a culture, she says, that is formed from the top. Following her passion for environmentalism and entrepreneurship, she worked as CEO of clean water charity Water for People and while there, she attended an inner development program run by a non-profit out of Paris called the Wel...

“Entrepreneurs are in a very small category in this world, and as such, it might seem like you’re kind of nutty sometimes in your own head and that people don’t get you except for your peers.” Join us on The Conscious Entrepreneur as Rob Dube, co-founder of The 10 Disciplines, delves into the key insights of his latest book, “Shine: How Looking Inward is the Key to Unlocking True Entrepreneurial F...

“I really had to face off with myself,” says Dom Farnan, founder of DotConnect, about the courage, humility and work it took to admit that since 2019, when she transitioned from a solopreneur to leading a team of nearly 100 people, she had been acting as a toxic boss. She was controlling, deep in her ego, and helped foster a culture of drama and gossip. In 2020, however, after hiring a coach, atte...

“It’s not just outside in nature, it’s out of your comfort zone and outside of corporate norms, and doing things a little bit differently.” Shortly after moving to Boulder, CO, Bart Foster, founder and CEO of BusinessOutside, took a meeting with a fellow entrepreneur. Instead of meeting for lunch or coffee, they went for a walk. Hiking in nature, Bart found, imbued him with a sense of creativity,...

“The real source of why I’m starting this company is actually deep love–deep love for myself, deep love and a desire for connection for anybody that struggles with loneliness,” said Tracy Lawrence of founding her company Chewse. The company, which provides group format catering for offices, was founded as a response to the social isolation and bullying she experienced as a kid in school.  Througho...

Bryan Leach spent his school days and much of his early life “chasing a series of brass rings.” A self-described “anxious achiever,” he basked in the social cache of attending Harvard, Oxford University, and finally Yale Law and later clerking for U.S. Supreme Court justices and making partner at a major firm. Eventually, though, he found himself wanting to be more creative and to put something ne...

Entrepreneurship is more than a career or an identity; it's an emotional journey that demands resilience. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond invites Dr. Michael Freeman to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and entrepreneurial success. Dr. Freeman, a renowned psychiatrist and expert in entrepreneur mental health, sheds light on the unique...

"There's a people revolution," says Kendra Prospero, founder and CEO of Turning the Corner, in this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast hosted by Alex Raymond. Kendra delves into the evolving dynamics between employees and employers, emphasizing the growing demand for workplaces that genuinely respect and value their staff. Kendra discusses how leaders must adapt to this shift...

Is your definition of success conventional?  This episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast features host Alex Raymond in conversation with Dr. Srikumar Rao, celebrated author, speaker, and coach. Dr. Rao’s shares what some may consider an unconventional definition of success. He encourages entrepreneurs to seek joy and fulfillment in their work, steering away from the pursuit of material gain...

"How are venture capital firms redefining their role to support both business performance and founder well-being?" This pertinent question sets the stage for a captivating episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, where host Alex Raymond, following up on a discussion from the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit in 2023, sits down with Lisa Mikkelsen, Global Head of Human Capital at Flourish Venture...

Are psychedelics the next frontier for entrepreneurial growth and self-discovery? In this episode, Alex Raymond chats with Austin Mao, co-founder of Ceremonia, a psychedelic church in Colorado. Austin recounts his journey from a successful entrepreneur in tech and real estate to embracing the healing power of psychedelics. At Ceremonia, Austin combines elements of psychology, spirituality, science...

The Enneagram helps us see ourselves at a deeper, more objective level, and can be of invaluable assistance on our path to self-knowledge. With this insight, host Alex Raymond of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast welcomes Rudir Krishtel, a former lawyer turned transformation coach. Rudir shares his journey from a demanding legal career to discovering his true calling in coaching, guided by the pr...

In this deeply personal episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond welcomes his friend Chris Schwalbach, founder of AVL Growth Partners. Chris shares his journey of self-discovery and the pivotal decision to replace himself as CEO of his company, a choice that significantly impacted both his professional and personal life. Chris's story is a compelling tale of introspection,...

Every entrepreneur faces challenges, but what happens when those challenges become overwhelming? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Kristen Darga, Founder of Impact Founder. Kristen's journey from a simple photography exhibit to a beacon for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health issues is...

Can a simple formula transform the culture of a company and the lives of its employees? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond interviews Patty Condon, the innovative owner of FBC Remodel. Patty introduces his groundbreaking Joy Formula, a unique concept that redefines the essence of workplace satisfaction and success. Patty's Joy Formula, encapsulating the equati...

In the tech industry, where success is typically gauged by milestones and metrics, Miroo Kim introduces a wellness dimension to this conventional definition. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond explores Miroo's transition from her roles at leading tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook to establishing her own venture, People & Culture. This story is abo...

Are you tired of chasing happiness, always thinking it's just one step ahead? In this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond sits down with Ashish Kothari, founder of Happiness Squad and author of "Hardwired for Happiness." They delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of entrepreneurship: the integral role of happiness in achieving success and fulfillm...

Is it possible for your business to be a true reflection of your values? That's the question at the heart of this episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," where host Alex Raymond and Kayleigh O'Keefe, founder of Soul Excellence Ventures, delve into the intersection of personal growth and entrepreneurship. Kayleigh recounts her significant shift from a decade-long corporate career to launching her...

Imagine building a successful tech company, selling it to GoDaddy, and still feeling like an imposter. That's exactly what Brian Nolan, founder and CEO of Book Outdoors, experienced. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, Brian opens up about his journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges he faced, and how he manages imposter syndrome. He shares valuable insights on the importance...

Modern entrepreneurship demands conscious leadership. In the latest episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," host Alex Raymond sits down with Julie Penner, a seasoned startup coach and investor who has worked with over a hundred early-stage companies. Together, they discuss the evolving role of founders and the new expectations they face. Julie shares her insights on a range of “startup killer” dy...

Do you feel you are on a tightrope walk between ambition and anxiety? Jeff Benton and Brett Weinroth, the dynamic duo behind Paragon Performance Evolution, share the message we all need to hear: stress isn't dictated by what's happening around us but by our body's internal reactions. For entrepreneurs who may feel overwhelmed and dysregulated, it’s a welcome message. By mastering the art of shifti...

"Hustle culture is bullshit," says Dave Mayer. And he knows a thing or two about suffering through hustle culture.    Alex Raymond sits down with Dave, the CEO and founder of Technical Integrity, to discuss his journey from burnout and exhaustion to building a successful business with a focus on cultural fit. Dave shares his personal struggle with burnout and how he overcame it by embracing a serv...

Are you tired of the adversarial relationship between entrepreneurs and investors? Matt McCall, a seasoned VC with 28 years of experience, offers a refreshing perspective on the traditional relationship dynamics we’ve come to expect. In this episode, Matt shares his unique approach to investing, where he not only provides funding but also coaching to help entrepreneurs thrive. He believes that the...

"Entrepreneurship is a personal growth journey," says Lizelle van Vuuren.   Lizelle is a force in the Denver Startup Community, she’s founded her own companies, is an advisor and an investor, and now she’s exploring her passion for soccer and her mission to bring professional women's soccer to Denver.  On this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, Alex Raymond  is in conversation with Lizelle abo...

"How does mindfulness impact business?" In this episode, Beck Sydow delves into the heart of conscious entrepreneurship, discussing burnout, the role of emotions in business,  shadow work's transformative potential and the inverse relationship between consumption and creativity. Sharing personal experiences with burnout, Alex and Beck highlight the critical need for self-awareness and timely self-...