{"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.00:00 Founders Lie to Themselves01:53 Public Why vs Private Motive02:58 Freudian Roots of Drive03:37 Will’s Safety and Control Story07:11 When the Why Leaks Out07:35 Selling and Not Being Needed09:57 Validation as True North12:01 Ryan’s North Star Revealed13:45 Will’s Revenge and Proving16:07 Steve Jobs Still Hurt17:57 Haters And Criticism18:44 Minimum Viable Ego19:29 Different Success Thresholds20:47 Stop Trying To Prove Them21:22 Pick The Right Vehicle22:05 The Villain You Invent23:45 Success Doesnt Fix You29:17 Money And Marriage Myths30:25 Alignment Over Ego Death31:03 Autonomy As The Real Goal32:34 Own Your MotivationResources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://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}