ZenFounder

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 t...

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 dange...

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 sim...

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...

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 t...

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 c...

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...

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...

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 relat...

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. Want more content like this? Check out our book .

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...

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...

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 dri...

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...

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. Wan...

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 bette...

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 huma...

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. Want more content like this?...

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. Want more con...

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 psychotherap y and the breakthrough science around it. Dr. Dan Engle Want more content like...

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. Want more content like this? Check out our book .

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 h...

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 r...

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, a...

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 cont...