Startup Jazz #2: From Burnout to Breakthrough — The Founder's Survival Kit

In this 88-minute deep dive, George and Michelle tackle the question every founder struggles with but rarely admits: How do you level up as a leader when you're drowning in execution? We break down six game-changing frameworks from First Round Review's leadership playbook—from Chris Holmberg's "It/We/I" reflection practice to Adam Grant's techniques for embracing tough feedback. Then we follow Tim Chen's brutally honest journey from scrappy NerdWallet founder to CEO of a 300-person company, revealing the painful mindset shifts required to scale. Plus: Sweetgreen's secrets for "scaling intimacy," why a VC firm rescued Lemonaid from 23andMe's bankruptcy, how AI is upending SaaS product roadmaps, Findem's $36M bet on AI-powered hiring, and the debate around artificial superintelligence. You'll learn: • The 15-minute daily practice that prevents founder burnout • How to use the Trust Equation to diagnose broken relationships • Why "toward vs. away from" communication can make or break your team • The prioritization matrix that lets you say "no" without guilt • How to build a "challenge network" that tells you the truth Whether you're leading your first startup or scaling your third, this episode is your permission slip to invest in yourself—not just your company.