{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Startup Therapy","title":"Why are we Really Building a Startup","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/8620d63d\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2023,"description":"What are you really trying to fix by building this company—and what happens when you finally admit it? The conversation unpacks how founders often default to a public “change the world” story while their private motive is something more personal like safety, control, validation, belonging, autonomy, or even revenge. When that real why stays hidden, decisions get miscalibrated and founders chase the hardest possible path (like massive VC rounds) even when a smaller outcome might satisfy the true need. They discuss how these motives “leak out,” especially after selling a company and realizing you’re no longer needed, and why success (even IPO-level) rarely erases old wounds. The key is naming the motive, right-sizing the plan to it (“minimum viable ego”), and building a deliberate version of success that fits what you’re actually optimizing for.\n00:00 Founders Lie to Themselves\n01:53 Public Why vs Private Motive\n02:58 Freudian Roots of Drive\n03:37 Will’s Safety and Control Story\n07:11 When the Why Leaks Out\n07:35 Selling and Not Being Needed\n09:57 Validation as True North\n12:01 Ryan’s North Star Revealed\n13:45 Will’s Revenge and Proving\n16:07 Steve Jobs Still Hurt\n17:57 Haters And Criticism\n18:44 Minimum Viable Ego\n19:29 Different Success Thresholds\n20:47 Stop Trying To Prove Them\n21:22 Pick The Right Vehicle\n22:05 The Villain You Invent\n23:45 Success Doesnt Fix You\n29:17 Money And Marriage Myths\n30:25 Alignment Over Ego Death\n31:03 Autonomy As The Real Goal\n32:34 Own Your Motivation\nResources:\nStartup Therapy Podcast\nhttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy\nWebsite\nhttps://www.startups.com/begin\nLinkedIn\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/\nJoin our Network of Top Founders\nWil Schroter\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/\nRyan Rutan\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/9y9tyZ-ziui558cT6TMlYq3DaFTS8yyOuY7HekWBCbM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzYzOTYvMTU3NjI4/MDk2MS1hcnR3b3Jr/LmpwZw.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}