Brad Feld on OCD, Depression, and the Courage to Be Honest

Stigma loses its power when leaders tell the truth. In this episode, venture investor and Techstars co-founder Brad Feld shares why he went public about depression and OCD, how a 2013 crash led to a decade of deep therapy, and why aligning what you feel, say, and do is a leadership advantage. We talk about the “inappropriate anxiety spikes,” the trap of calling mental health a “superpower,” and the difference between passive and active avoidance. Brad also breaks down a simple dashboard for monitoring burnout, practical somatic cues to watch for, and clear guidance on when to hire a coach versus a therapist. Get ready to rethink performance, protect your team from collateral damage, and lead with courage, clarity, and real agency. Check out our sponsors: Northwest Registered Agent - Protect your privacy, build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes! Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/achieverfree In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why did you choose to speak openly about mental health? 09:00 How stigma and shame create a negative feedback loop for founders. 14:30 The irrational links between thoughts and actions that drive compulsion. 18:00 How reframing failure helps you find grace in what doesn’t work out. 20:00 The concept of “passive avoidance” and how it quietly erodes relationships. 26:00 What are the two ways anxiety shows up in leadership? 30:15 How absurdism brings comfort amid uncertainty. 33:30 Why performative passion often hides real insecurity. 37:45 The “anxiety spikes” that jump from 2 to 11 in seconds. 43:00 How ACT therapy helps you feel, accept, and act instead of suppressing emotion. 46:00 The dashboard of green–yellow–red lights to watch your energy in real time. 50:00 Advice to leaders who want to understand how their behavior impacts others. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Brad: @bfeld