Why do some founders thrive while others burn out?

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, MIT’s Steve Spear reveals the hidden keys to outlier success — and how founders can stay curious, resilient, and fully human in the process.

💡 What you’ll learn in this conversation:

• Why fast learning & problem-solving beats culture or tech
• How to protect your initial spark of curiosity as a founder
• Lessons from Toyota, MIT, and world-class organizations
• The role of humility and nurturing leadership in long-term success
• How to integrate business, health, and family without trade-offs

👉 Subscribe now for more real founder stories and practical lessons.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Intro & sponsor (Thankz)

0:31 – Steve Spear’s journey: MIT & C2 Solve

1:34 – What Japan taught the world about business

3:56 – Applying curiosity & humility to family life

6:01 – Health as energy & presence, not performance

7:14 – Cooking, travel & everyday curiosity

8:44 – Pivotal career moment: balance vs. integration

11:15 – Advice to founders: protect your spark of curiosity

13:01 – Closing: Why optimism is contagious

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LinkedIn

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Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz—co-founder of Rise25 and host of the Inspired Insider podcast—to explore how entrepreneurship, family, and health intersect in a meaningful way.

From leaving behind chiropractic work to building a thriving podcast agency, Jeremy shares his candid story of reinvention, mentorship, and the pursuit of balance. He opens up about the legacy of his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, and how that responsibility shaped his drive to create impact.

What you’ll take away:

• Why podcasting is one of the most powerful ways to build relationships and authority
• The importance of mentorship to collapse time and accelerate growth
• How to create your “Dream 200” and turn it into business opportunities
• A founder’s perspective on balancing health, family, and business (hint: it’s never perfect)
• Why consistency matters more than talent in business and life

Whether you’re a founder looking for growth strategies, or a leader seeking deeper alignment between work and life, this episode is packed with timeless advice.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:31 – From chiropractor to entrepreneur

02:35 – Building Rise25 through podcasting

05:20 – Giving first: the power of profiling others

06:49 – Balancing family, health, and work

08:17 – Pushing limits & time management

12:18 – Legacy and lessons from his grandfather

14:05 – The two things every entrepreneur needs: mentorship & consistency

17:16 – Where to find Jeremy Weisz

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring founder stories.

Learn more about Rise 25:

rise25.com

Connect with Jeremy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drweisz/

LinkedIn

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Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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In this episode of A Founder’s Life, host Leo Gestetner sits down with Amelia Forczak—founder of Pithy Wordsmithery and New York Times bestselling ghostwriter—to explore the power of books, balance, and building a business rooted in passion.

From helping CEOs and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life in published form, to creating a company that offers full publishing support, Amelia has built a career around storytelling and transformation. She shares her journey from journalism and marketing to running her own firm, and what writing 17 books has taught her about clarity, systems, and resilience.

Amelia also opens up about work-life balance as a founder, prioritizing family, and why entrepreneurship gave her the freedom to live on her own terms. Whether you’re a founder, author, or leader searching for impact, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Amelia turned ghostwriting into a thriving business
• Why books remain powerful tools for entrepreneurs and leaders
• The truth about balance vs. “ebb and flow” in founder life
• How systems and processes make scaling possible
• Family, health, and travel as pillars of a meaningful life

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & thanks to sponsor

00:32 – Meet Amelia Forczak & Pithy Wordsmithery

00:59 – From journalism to ghostwriting bestsellers

02:56 – Why family shaped Amelia’s path

03:50 – Health, CrossFit, and redefining strength

05:39 – Travel, new experiences, and balance

06:55 – What balance really looks like for a founder

08:57 – Pivotal moments in building her business

09:32 – Why systems are key to scaling

11:20 – How AI is changing writing & publishing

14:08 – Where to find Amelia

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more powerful founder stories.

Learn more about Pithy Words Mithery:

pithywordsithery.com

Connect with Amelia:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliaforczak/

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1