We sat down and unpacked the messy, unfiltered reality of being a startup CEO.

The kind no one tells you about. Not at panels. Not in TechCrunch puff pieces. And definitely not on LinkedIn.

This isn’t a “how I built this” highlight reel. It’s what actually happens when you’re juggling investors, layoffs, spin cycles, fundraising failures, and the kind of decisions that keep you up for months.

We dig into why CEO life is less “Davos and private jets” and more “burnout, pressure, and zero control.” What it’s like to be the person everyone expects answers from, even when you’re not sure yourself. And why founders need less hype—and way more empathy.

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(00:00) - Introduction
(01:44) - Inside the minds of CEOs
(06:47) - Transparency and communication
(08:37) - Dealing with the worst problems
(09:51) - Limited control and influence
(10:59) - Fundraising challenges
(15:54) - Financial realities of CEOs
(24:57) - The emotional toll
(27:24) - Decision-making pressures
(37:16) - Final thoughts

Think CEO life is easy? Here's what they're really dealing with