In this powerful first installment, Chris and Steve sit down with friends Haro and Mariam Setian to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Haro, a successful entrepreneur and founder of a thriving real estate businesses, shares how his relentless drive led to burnout, identity confusion, and ultimately—a stroke. Mariam offers a vulnerable and critical perspective as a spouse and leader who watched the pressure mount and felt the toll in their home and marriage.

Together, they unpack the warning signs, the spiritual convictions, and the emotional unraveling that led to the decision to step away from it all. Part 1 sets the stage for the radical leap they took into a 9-month sabbatical—with zero business interaction.

🕑 Episode Highlights

• 0:00 – 4:45 – Introductions: Who are Haro and Mariam?
• 4:45 – 11:20 – Haro’s early signs of overwork and ignoring the rumble strips
• 11:20 – 17:40 – Identity and performance: the internal drive Haro couldn’t shut off
• 17:40 – 25:05 – Mariam’s plea for connection and the cracks in their marriage
• 25:05 – 33:30 – Confirmation after confirmation: the call to surrender and stop
• 33:30 – 42:20 – Haro’s stroke and the wake-up moment he couldn’t ignore
• 42:20 – End – Preparing for the move to Tennessee and the leap into sabbatical

🔁 Don’t Miss Part 2:

Next week, we’ll pick up with Haro and Mariam’s sabbatical story—what stepping away really looked like, what happened to the business, and how the experience reshaped their faith, family, and future.