In this episode of Warm-Blooded Founders, Chris Sherrick sits down with Zach Temer, CEO of Areas of Effect, for a raw conversation about identity, burnout, long-term vision, and the emotional side of building startups. Zach brings over 15 years of product and tech leadership into the chat, but this isn't a standard founder success story. It's about the honest, often uncomfortable truth of what it takes to lead with heart in the digital age.

They explore the idea of being “warm-blooded” as a rejection of the cold-blooded, cutthroat founder persona. For both Chris and Zach, warmth isn’t weakness—it’s the core of connection, trust, and long-term leadership. From immigrant hustle to digital identity, Zach shares how his upbringing shaped his mindset, his relationship with money, and his drive to build something meaningful.

You’ll hear stories of navigating burnout, redefining success beyond flashy exits, and building a company that aligns with your actual values. Zach opens up about choosing a startup life where personal goals and company vision aren't separate—they’re one and the same. And how trying to play a role that isn't authentically you? That just leads to exhaustion.

This episode also digs into the deeper challenges founders face: the pressure to perform, the blurred lines between personal identity and startup brand, and the tension between doing what you love and making ends meet. Zach and Chris talk candidly about money as a tool—not a trophy—and how defining your own metrics for success is the key to staying grounded.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re building in a way that’s not aligned with who you are, this one’s for you.

Key topics include: → Balancing long-term vision with short-term execution

→ The founder's evolving relationship with money

→ Mental health, burnout, and the pressure to always “be on”

→ How authenticity leads to stronger team, investor, and customer trust

→ The future of digital identity and building reputation over time

→ The role of data, ownership, and values in the next phase of the internet

Zach also shares his “act as if” philosophy—what it looks like to behave today like the founder you want to become, whether that’s with your health, your habits, or your decisions. From eating sardines and quinoa to setting a North Star that ties together business and life, it’s a conversation packed with perspective.

Whether you’re a first-time founder, a repeat builder, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away from this episode with clarity, encouragement, and a few mindset shifts to bring into your next big decision.

This isn’t a podcast about shortcuts. It’s about the long game. The human one.