Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Esther Calling - I’m Afraid of Losing More Than Just the Business
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Sep 15, 2025 A co-founder grapples with the unraveling of her company, wrestling with guilt and anger while trying to protect her family relationships. The conversation dives deep into the emotional turmoil of merging professional and personal dynamics, addressing feelings of sadness, accountability, and the desire for individual growth. They explore how to communicate struggles with family, the intricate dance of empathy in high-stake decisions, and the importance of emotional ties amid business challenges. Authenticity and openness become key themes in navigating these complex relationships.
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Founding, Stepping Back, And A Failing Company
- The caller explains she co-founded a company ten years ago and later stepped back into a non-executive role while keeping directorship and shares.
- Over the last two years the company faltered, relationships broke down, and she now faces possible sale or closure while feeling responsible and ashamed.
Work Roles Mirror Family Roles
- Esther notices the caller's workplace role mirrors a family role: the same responsibilities and relational patterns overlap between family and business.
- That superposition shapes expectations and complicates accountability inside the company.
Protect Your New Life—Don't Reassume Operations
- Do not return to a full-time operational role if it sacrifices your sanity and new fulfilling work.
- Keep boundaries: stay hands-on only when necessary and protect the life you created outside the company.