Zero to Something

Most founders don’t define success. They inherit it.And that’s why so many people feel behind even when things are improving.This episode is about how startup success actually works in early stages, why comparison distorts it, and what real progress looks like when you’re building something that hasn’t fully clicked yet.

Perfect routines don’t survive startup life.This episode is about why founders over-optimise their habits, why that doesn’t work, and what actually helps when things get chaotic.Instead of chasing the ideal version of a routine, we talk about building a minimum one that keeps you stable through stress, long hours, and unpredictable weeks.

You don’t build anything meaningful without believing in it before it’s real.This episode is about that edge. The space between shrinking and blind confidence, and how founders navigate it in practice.We talk about what “main character energy” actually means, where it helps, where it breaks things, and how to stay grounded while still moving with conviction.

If you’re always busy but nothing is really moving, this episode is for you.We talk about why founders end up doing too much at once, how that kills momentum, and why this is often less about strategy and more about avoiding commitment.If you want to go deeper into structuring your work and setting priorities, I also talk about planning in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FhfLVSHjr8ZhPEg9yABKP?si=SPRT6ZfzSKSa8GulfhrHFQPick one thing. Let the rest wait.

Hiring is where founders either grow or expose every insecurity they have.In this episode, we break down the three biggest hiring mistakes founders make, from avoiding delegation to sabotaging great hires through control issues and chaos.If you’re stuck doing everything yourself, this is the uncomfortable conversation you probably need.

A conversation with Melody Sinclair-Brooks, co-founder of EspyGo, about remote work, leadership, and becoming a founder after years in marketing and agency roles.We talk about managing without an office, people-pleasing in leadership, and what actually changes when you move into a founder role.Learn more about EspyGo:https://espy-go.com/

Sometimes power isn’t taken from youб it just slides past you.In this episode, we talk about invisible power dynamics, micro-dismissals, and what happens when founders get overlooked in subtle ways. Plus: how to respond calmly, confidently, and without shrinking yourself.

Startup planning isn’t about control, it’s about sanity.In this episode, I share how founders can plan smarter, align their teams, and stay agile without burning out. Because chaos might be part of startup life, but unplanned chaos? That’s just self-sabotage.

Your attitude toward risk didn’t start with your startup. It started at home.In this episode, we unpack how family stories and culture shape how founders handle risk, make decisions, and face uncertainty. Because before you fix your business model, you might want to understand the one you inherited.

Toxic clients. Manipulative investors. Draining co-founders.In this episode, I talk about the dark side of startup relationships: how to spot toxic patterns early, protect your boundaries, and walk away without burning yourself out. Because “early stage” shouldn’t mean “emotionally destroyed.”

Founders optimize everything - except themselves.In this episode, we dive into why therapy might be the most underrated startup growth tool. Why founders avoid it, how it helps prevent burnout, and what it really means to ask for support without feeling weak. Because therapy isn’t about fixing you, it’s about giving your brain the clarity it needs to build better.

That task you’ve been avoiding? It’s not laziness. It’s your brain protecting you from rejection, failure, or shame. In this episode, I break down why founders procrastinate, how avoidance shows up in startup life, and what to do when you’re stuck staring at your pitch deck.

Did you know your startup reveals your attachment style? In this episode, I break down how founder psychology and attachment theory explain micromanaging, ghosting investors, burnout, and team conflict.This isn’t therapy (though you might feel called out). It’s a founder’s guide to building healthier leadership, stronger resilience, and better startups by understanding your own patterns.Because startup leadership starts long before the pitch deck - it starts with who you are.

Ever feel like your startup is you? When metrics = your mood and fundraising feels like a swipe on your self-worth, you’re deep in founder identity fusion. In this episode, I share why it’s risky and how to step back before burnout takes over.Sarah Massey said it best: “My startup might fail, but I’ll be okay. I am not my company.” 👉🏻 Watch our conversation here

Sarah Massey doesn’t do boring. She’s built media companies, queer-safe tech platforms, and helped visionaries launch businesses with meaning, all while staying true to joy, purpose, and radical self-trust.In this episode, we talk about pivoting like there's no tomorrow, building in punk mode, and what it really means to queerify your business (and possibly life). There’s drag, and there’s disruption, and there’s a reminder that your startup doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.💌 Sarah Massey (she/her) is a serial entrepreneur on a mission to spread queer joy.Massey Media works with social change organisations on their marketing and helps small businesses to launch and grow.Get in touch: [email protected]🎧 Hit play if you're into business that breaks the rules, in the best way of course.

You know this. Everything’s on fire, your co-founder’s avoiding eye contact, and you’re saying “I’m fine” like a startup war cry.In this episode, we talk about the dysfunction founders normalize way too early: overworking, ghosting feedback, hiring the wrong people (and keeping them), and saying that chaos = “just how we operate.”If you’ve ever skipped lunch (or sleep) and called it strategy… this one’s for you.—🔗 Follow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZerotoSomethingwithPolina🧠 More raw founder talk every week. Subscribe & regret nothing.

Kendra Caruth didn’t plan to be a founder, but when constant no-shows kept derailing her schedule, she and her co-founder built Sure Attend, a tool that sets clear expectations for online meetings.Just a few months into building, Kendra opens up about leading without a roadmap, navigating decision overload, finding confidence in a male-dominated space, and staying grounded through early-stage chaos. This one’s about courage, clarity, and all the things no one tells you when you're just starting out.👩‍💼 Connect with Kendra on LinkedIn: Kendra Carruth🚀 Join the Sure Attend waitlist: sureattend.com🔗 Follow Sure Attend: LinkedIn Page

You spent weeks on that one feature… but does anyone actually need it?In this episode, I break down the sunk cost fallacy — the psychological trap that keeps founders clinging to ideas, features, and even entire directions long past their expiration date. I’ll share our own pivot story, how we finally let go, and why moving on helped us grow.🎧 Missed the previous episode on shiny object syndrome? Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XzlGCHfRWkcBCr51Bs0z6?si=AC4Xu6CYRza_2v-IYu6OFAGet ready to kill some darlings.

If you’ve ever felt pulled toward the next shiny idea instead of sticking with what’s working, this one’s for you. Shiny object syndrome is one of the most common startup traps — especially when things get hard. In this episode, I unpack how this shows up for founders, why it feels productive, and why it often isn’t. I also I share how it’s shown up in my own startup journey and tools and mindset shifts that have helped me stay focused (even when I really didn’t want to).

In this episode, we dive into the toxic myths of hustle culture and what it really costs startup founders. You’ll hear a personal story from launch week chaos, explore how overworking can backfire, and learn how to spot the early signs of burnout in yourself and your team.Plus: practical tools, mindset shifts, and reflection questions.

Why do capable founders still feel like they don’t belong?In this solo kickoff episode, Polina breaks down the psychology of imposter syndrome in startup life, why even successful founders feel it, and how to move forward without faking it. Expect mindset tools, real stories, and a new way to look at self-doubt.