

We Live to Build
Sean Weisbrot
We Live to Build is the raw, no-fluff interview series for high-performance founders and CEOs who are scaling 5+ figure businesses and want to grow faster without burning out.Hosted by serial founder and angel investor Sean Weisbrot, each episode delivers tactical conversations with battle-tested operators, unpacking the mental models, systems, and automation strategies that drive sustainable success.If you're obsessed with scaling smart, optimizing for mental resilience, and building teams and products that don’t rely on your constant presence, these interviews were recorded for you.Expect honest talk about leadership, delegation, AI tools, cost reduction, psychology, and how to stop being the bottleneck in your business.We’re not here to inspire, we’re here to equip.Subscribe and upgrade how you build. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 25, 2023 • 41min
My First Project for Elon Musk: Making a Music Video for SpaceX
What was it like to work at SpaceX during the early days? This video shares a rare, behind-the-scenes story: My First Project for Elon Musk: Making a Music Video for SpaceX. Jeremy Lasman, one of SpaceX's first ~100 employees, reveals how after the critical launch that saved the company from bankruptcy, Elon Musk personally tasked him with making a "rad music video" to make rockets cool again . This is a first-hand look at what it's like to work directly with Elon on a creative project. This story serves as a gateway to a deep dive into the future of humanity, covering everything from a simple explanation of quantum computing to how a Star Trek replicator could actually work, and the reality of becoming a multi-planetary species. Check out the company: https://universalimagination.orgBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - My First Project for Elon Musk After The Launch That Saved SpaceX 03:25 - Why "Passion" is The Most Important Skill in the Age of AI 13:27 - A Simple Explanation of Quantum Computing (It's Accessing Parallel Universes) 17:50 - Why the Future of AI Depends on Quantum Computers 24:50 - How a "Star Trek Replicator" Could Actually Work 28:15 - The Multi-Billion Dollar Business of "Destroying Scarcity" 31:54 - What It's Like to Hear Elon Musk's Vision for Mars In Person 35:08 - What Kind of Person Would Actually Volunteer to Go to Mars? 📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 2023 • 42min
How Bitcoin Mining Can Solve Climate Change
It’s the biggest criticism leveled against Bitcoin, but what if it’s completely wrong? This video makes the bold case for How Bitcoin Mining Can Solve Climate Change. William Szamosszegi, CEO of the renewable energy mining company Sazmining, presents a powerful, counter-intuitive argument that flips the mainstream narrative on its head. You'll learn how Proof of Work creates a "capitalist incentive" to capture methane pollution (which is 84x worse than CO2), why he believes Ethereum's celebrated "green" update was a "huge mistake" for the environment, and how the entire Bitcoin network is on a path to becoming carbon negative. Check out the company: https://sazmining.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Biggest Misconception About Bitcoin's Environmental Impact02:59 - How Bitcoin Mining Incentivizes Renewable Energy06:01 - The "Capitalist Incentive" to Capture Methane Pollution08:58 - Why the Bitcoin Network Will Soon Be Carbon Negative11:58 - A Founder's Battle with Caffeine Addiction18:15 - Intermittent Fasting & My One-Meal-a-Day Diet24:39 - How Diet & Exercise Drastically Impact My Quality of Life30:56 - Why Most Crypto Projects Will Go to Zero36:42 - How to Mine Bitcoin for Passive Income (As a Beginner)📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 9, 2023 • 48min
My Co-Founder Staged a Hostile Takeover
Aldo de Jong is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded the Startupbootcamp in Spain and is now currently a Founder in Residence at Antler Canada, a VC fund. His upcoming company is called Paddio, which seeks to reduce the complexities of home ownership, for example energy efficiency. Check out the company: https://startupbootcamp.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - How Coaching Helped Me Separate Myself From My Company06:31 - The 11th Hour Betrayal: My Co-Founder's Hostile Takeover 09:51 - The Aftermath: "Losing My Company Felt Like Losing a Child" 13:24 - The Best Friend's Advice That Saved Me 16:49 - How 4 Therapy Sessions Helped Me Rebound from Rock Bottom 19:58 - The Moment I Realized Our Values Were Mismatched 26:21 - Discovering Your "Motivated Skills" (What You're Good At vs. What You Love)35:58 - Why My Therapist "Fired Me" (And Why It Was a Good Thing) 📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2023 • 25min
A VC's Guide to the Next Frontier of Technology
What is the next frontier of technology, and where is smart money being invested? This video is A VC's Guide to the Next Frontier of Technology. Dr. Daniel Reese, an investment manager at the deep tech venture capital firm UVC Partners, pulls back the curtain on the technologies that will shape our future. Learn what "deep tech" actually is, with real-world examples in quantum computing, fusion energy, and advanced mobility. This is an essential briefing for any founder or investor who wants to understand the brutal realities and massive opportunities in the world's most innovative sectors, including why a deep tech return on investment is not a sprint, but "10 marathons." Check out the company: https://uvcpartners.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - What is "Deep Tech"? A VC's Definition 03:25 - The Next Frontier: Quantum Computing & Fusion Energy 06:38 - The #1 Thing We Look for in a Deep Tech Founder09:23 - The Critical Question Founders Should Ask Their Investors 12:12 - What to Do When Your Investor Tries to Hijack Your Vision 15:03 - Beyond ChatGPT: The Future of AI Integration18:21 - The Hidden "Woke" Bias in AI Systems 25:02 - The Brutal Reality of a Deep Tech ROI (It's "10 Marathons")📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2023 • 38min
Your Ego Will Help or Destroy You
What is the one trait that fuels both massive success and catastrophic failure? This video is a masterclass on why Your Ego Will Help or Destroy You. Glenn Gardone, a 30-year consumer goods veteran and President of Red Chocolate, breaks down the double-edged sword that every founder must learn to manage. This is a deep dive into the psychology of leadership, explaining why you need a healthy ego to take risks, but how an unchecked ego will ensure you make the journey alone . Learn the brutal but necessary advice he received from a mentor—"Slow down. You're not that important"—and how to find the critical balance between confidence and humility. Check out the company: https://red-chocolate.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - Ego: The Double-Edged Sword of Every Founder 03:01 - How a 4-Hour Meeting Led Me to a Global Chocolate Company08:53 - You Need Ego to Drive You, But Humility to Lead 14:40 - A Mentor's Brutal Advice: "Slow down. You're not that important." 17:44 - How to Check Your Ego at the Door as a Leader20:42 - Our Rule: Everyone Has a Seat at the Table 23:44 - A Story of Ego Inflation (And the Humbling That Followed)26:51 - The Wake-Up Call That Deflates Your Ego33:08 - The Final Lesson: Find the Balance📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 2023 • 46min
The #1 Skill You Need for the AI Revolution
The AI revolution is here. Do you have the one skill you need to survive and thrive in it? This video is an urgent guide to The #1 Skill You Need for the AI Revolution. Tech CEO Henri Huselstein, who has been deeply exploring ChatGPT, breaks down why the ability to properly prompt and control AI is the single most important new skill of our time . This conversation goes beyond the hype to explore the hidden dangers of AI bias, the risk of a global "singular belief system," and the future of human-AI collaboration. Learn why, as Henri says, "if you cannot use it in your favor, you're probably going to have it used against you." This chapter list turns the interview into a clear narrative about mastering a revolutionary new technology, from understanding its power to navigating its dangers. Check out the company: https://aucta.ioBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - We're Living Through a "Before and After" Moment for AI 06:16 - Prompting: The #1 Skill You Need for the AI Revolution 09:30 - Inside the Race to "Break" ChatGPT and Find Its Limits 18:31 - How AI Can Automate "Inhumane" and Monotonous Work 21:32 - The Hidden Danger of AI's "Confidence" in Wrong Answers 27:33 - Why "Media Competency" is More Important Than Ever33:58 - The Greatest Danger of AI: A "Singular Belief System" 42:37 - Will We End Up in an AI-Governed "Westworld"?📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2023 • 58min
The 3 "Revenue Ceilings" That Stop Most Businesses From Hitting $10M
Is your business stuck at a revenue plateau you can't seem to break? You're likely hitting one of three predictable "revenue ceilings." In this masterclass, Jeff Mains—a serial entrepreneur who has scaled and sold four 8-figure companies—breaks down The 3 "Revenue Ceilings" That Stop Most Businesses From Hitting $10M. This is a step-by-step playbook for sustainable growth. Jeff reveals the specific bottleneck at each stage and the exact solution required to break through: The $1M Ceiling: The Founder is the Bottleneck, The $5M Ceiling: Your Processes are the Bottleneck, The $8M Ceiling: Your Leadership is the Bottleneck. Learn how to evolve from a founder who does everything to a leader who manages through people and builds a company that can scale. Check out the company: https://championleadership.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Secret to Scaling: It's About the Order of Operations06:20 - Ceiling #1 ($1M): The Founder is the Bottleneck19:10 - Forget MVP. You Need a "Minimum Sellable Product."28:36 - The Hiring Mistake That Cost Me $5 Million32:01 - Ceiling #2 ($5M): Your Processes Are the Bottleneck38:30 - Ceiling #3 ($8M): Your Leadership is the Bottleneck41:39 - Why You Must Hire for Culture Fit Before Skill54:12 - How to Reach "Escape Velocity" at $10 Million📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 5, 2023 • 36min
Why I Quit Being a VC to Become a Founder (Again)
Why would anyone leave the lucrative, powerful world of venture capital to return to the grind of being a startup founder? This video answers that question. Why I Quit Being a VC to Become a Founder (Again). Ishan Rakshit shares his unique journey from entrepreneur to an investor at a top-tier fund, and back to the founder's chair with his new company, Shopflo. This is a candid look at both sides of the fundraising table. You'll learn what being a VC taught him about startups (including a "stupidity filter" for new ideas), why he believes being a founder is an "irrational choice" driven by having "tasted blood," and his number one metric for hiring a team you can trust. Check out the company: https://shopflo.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - From Founder, to VC, and Back Again06:42 - How We Use India as a Test Market for Our US Product10:09 - The Moment We Realized India Wasn't Our Real Market16:48 - The VC "Winter": A Look at the 2023 Fundraising Climate20:09 - Why I Left the "Cushy" Life of a VC23:31 - Being a Founder is an Irrational Choice ("You've Tasted Blood")26:44 - How Being an Investor Gave Me a "Stupidity Filter"30:05 - My #1 Hiring Filter: "Can I Trust Them More Than Myself?"📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 2023 • 43min
The Secret to Fundraising: Only Ask for Money When You Don't Need It
It’s the central paradox every founder needs to understand. This video reveals The Secret to Fundraising: Only Ask for Money When You Don't Need It. Nick Spiller, a Venture Principal at Capital Factory, pulls back the curtain on the world of venture capital, explaining why investors are most attracted to companies that are not desperate for cash. This is an insider's guide to the investor mindset. You'll learn the three "buckets" VCs use to value every startup (cash flow, data, and technology), why building deep trust is more important than your pitch deck, and the "possessive" founder mentality that signals to an investor that you're a bet worth making. Check out the company: https://capitalfactory.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - A VC's Perspective on What Makes Startups Succeed03:23 - The Hard Truth: Why VCs Push for 100x Growth06:49 - A VC Reveals the 3 "Buckets" of Startup Valuation10:24 - The Fundraising Paradox: VCs Fund Startups That Don't Need Money13:40 - It's Not Your Metrics, It's Trust16:53 - Your Investor's #1 Responsibility (It's Not to You)20:15 - The "Possessive" Founder Mindset That VCs Love23:36 - The #1 Mistake Founders Make Before an Investor Meeting27:02 - How Deep Tech Startups Can Win Military Contracts41:07 - Advice for 2023: Become a "Wartime" Founder📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 2023 • 41min
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of a Bad Hire
Ever hired someone you were excited about, only to be disappointed by their performance? The problem might not have been them—it might have been you. This video breaks down a toxic cycle called The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of a Bad Hire. Business strategist Daniella Genas explains how a founder's lack of trust leads to a lack of systems, which in turn causes new hires to underperform, "proving" the founder's initial fears were right. This is an essential guide for any "maxed-out" founder struggling to build a team. You'll learn the powerful analogy of why elite athletes have coaches but entrepreneurs don't, why you must build processes from day one, and her actionable "VISA" framework (Vision, Innovation, Strategy, Systems, Accountability) for creating a business that can scale beyond you. Check out the company: https://bethebossintl.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - From a Failed Business to a Thriving Consultancy03:21 - The Universal Mistake I See in Every Business (From 1 to 30 Years Old)06:44 - The Real Reason Founders Don't Trust Their Team09:51 - How You Create a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy with Bad Hires12:44 - The Generational Clash: Managing Gen Z Expectations18:55 - Why You Must Build Systems From Day One25:29 - The #1 Emotion That Kills Founder Progress: Frustration31:49 - The First Step to Breaking the Cycle: A Clear Vision35:06 - The "Missing Link": Why Usain Bolt Has a Coach (But You Don't)38:05 - Why Founders See Coaching as a Cost, Not an Investment📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


