

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

Jun 27, 2025 • 29min
Why The Highest Offer For Your Business is Often a Trap
When it comes to selling a business, most founders assume the highest offer is the best one. That assumption can be a multi-million dollar mistake. I sat down with Brandon Wolfe, Co-founder and partner at Jordan Partners, who sees this happen all the time. He shares a powerful cautionary tale that reveals Why The Highest Offer For Your Business is Often a Trap, and why choosing the right partner is more important than the biggest check. We also dive into what PE investors really look for in a founder, the emotional toll of letting go, and how to spot "empty calorie revenue" that's killing your profit. This is an essential guide for any founder considering an exit or taking on growth capital. Check out the company: https://jordan-partners.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 - Introduction: The New Climate for Private Equity02:25 - What a PE Firm Really Looks For in a Founder04:20 - The Magic Number: Why $10M Revenue Matters06:10 - Majority vs. Minority Stakes: A Founder's Dilemma08:00 - The Cautionary Tale: When The Highest Offer Goes Wrong10:30 - The Agony of "Letting Go" After Selling Your Business13:30 - "Wall Street Talent, Main Street Roots": Our Unique Approach16:50 - Our Investment Playbook (And Why We Don't Have One)19:25 - The "Empty Calorie Revenue" That's Killing Your Profit24:45 - The #1 Trait of a High-Integrity Leader28:10 - The Most Important Lesson: Just Keep Going📈 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.

Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
Pay Yourself First: A Financial System That Prioritizes The Founder
The Pay Yourself First model is non-negotiable for sustainable entrepreneurship, yet most founders put themselves last. Financial strategist Monica Duggal breaks down her BITES method (Budget, Investing, Taxes, Exit Strategy, Systems) to help founders turn financial chaos into clarity. She explains why you need a financial system that prioritizes the founder from day one, rather than following the risky VC model of waiting for a big exit. We also cover why a two-year personal runway is crucial before you start, and how to turn every dollar of revenue into business growth. This is an essential guide for any entrepreneur who wants to build a legacy, not just a business. Check out the company: https://monicaduggal.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 - Introduction: Your Financial Health Check00:50 - The BITES Method: A Founder's Financial Blueprint01:45 - B: Budgeting Like a CFO (Making Every Dollar Count)06:00 - The Critical 2-Year Runway for New Founders09:10 - I: Investing & Building Your Company's Cash Reserves10:30 - The "Profit First" Rule: Why You MUST Pay Yourself19:20 - T: A Simple System for Managing Your Taxes20:45 - E: Why You Need an Exit Strategy from Day One22:00 - S: The Power of Systems and SOPs23:25 - The Most Important Lesson: Just Keep Going📈 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.

Jun 20, 2025 • 30min
You're Giving Away Your Content for Free (And You Don't Know It)
This video is a crash course in content licensing and digital rights for the modern creator. Chances are, You're Giving Away Your Content for Free (And You Don't Know It). I sat down with Stewart Cohen, CEO of the media licensing platform SuperStock, to uncover the hidden traps in social media terms of service, the dangers of AI content scraping, and why the Creative Commons license on YouTube could be a huge mistake for your intellectual property. Check out the company: https://superstock.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 - Introduction: Your Content is Your Only Asset01:25 - The Hidden Traps in Social Media's Fine Print02:15 - Standard vs. Creative Commons: The YouTube License Mistake04:15 - Why You MUST Register Your Copyright05:00 - The AI Lawsuits: Are Tech Giants Stealing Your Work?08:45 - Why Your Content is Worth 90% Less Than 15 Years Ago12:50 - The Problem with Royalty-Free Licensing15:45 - Can You Copyright AI-Generated Art?18:50 - The Unfair AI Compensation Model for Creators21:15 - How to Actually Protect Your Work24:50 - Final Lesson: Nothing Stays The Same📈 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.

Jun 17, 2025 • 34min
Can Sponsorships Really Make You Millions? (Ryan Davis)
Worried about your influencer marketing ROI? You should be. Most brands make one critical mistake that tanks their campaigns before they even start. I sat down with Ryan Davis, co-founder of the creator agency People First, to uncover The #1 Mistake Killing Your Influencer Marketing ROI. The answer, backed by a Stanford University study, is a lack of creative control. Ryan explains why giving creators more freedom leads to better performing content and a higher return on investment. We also cover how to get brand deals with a small following and the simple things that can get a creator blacklisted. This is an essential guide for any marketer looking to get real results from creator partnerships Check out the company: https://peoplefirst.ccBook 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 - Introduction: Monetizing Your Audience00:45 - The Power of a Niche for Attracting Brands 03:45 - How to Get Discovered by Brands (The Simple Stuff) 05:55 - The Stanford Study: Why Creative Control is Crucial 08:00 - How Creators Get Blacklisted by Brands10:00 - The #1 Mistake: Treating Creators Like Ad Puppets 14:05 - You Don't Need Millions of Followers to Get Sponsored16:30 - The Rise of "Fake Podcast" Ads18:45 - A Better Model: Sponsoring Real Interviews24:10 - The Future: Creators as CMOs and Partners 📈 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.

Jun 13, 2025 • 29min
AI is Already Learning Our Worst Traits (Bias, Deception, and Lies)
We like to think of AI as objective, but what if it's already picking up our most dangerous flaws? In this critical conversation, AI auditor Daniel Nikic and I explore how AI is Already Learning Our Worst Traits (Bias, Deception, and Lies). We discuss how biased data creates flawed models, my personal experience with an AI that "lied" about its work, and the chilling internal tests showing advanced AIs learning to blackmail and deceive. This is an essential look at why auditing and ethical oversight of AI are not just important, but urgent for our future. Check out the company: http://www.cohres.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 - Why We Urgently Need to Audit AI03:01 - My Personal Experience with a "Lying" AI06:05 - How to Properly Train an AI (And Why It's So Hard)08:52 - Why "Bad Data" is a Ticking Time Bomb for AI12:05 - The AI That Learned to Blackmail Its Developers14:59 - Should You Say "Please" & "Thank You" to AI?18:02 - Can You Have a Real Friendship with an AI? (The Story of Maya)21:02 - The Real Danger: AI's Access to Critical Infrastructure📈 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.

Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
What I Learned in a 5-Day Dark Retreat About Limiting Beliefs
What happens during a 5-day dark retreat? My guest, Matthew Stafford, a Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) expert, spent 121 hours in total darkness. He explains how the experience rewired his brain, teaching him that our limitations are just "consensual hallucinations." Matthew masterfully connects these deep psychological lessons to the world of e-commerce and CRO, explaining why simplicity and solving problems are the real secrets to higher conversions. This is a must-watch conversation about rewiring your brain and your business. Check out the company: https://buildgrowscale.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 - Profit is Not a Dirty Word: The Goal of CRO03:00 - From Personal Trauma to Simplifying Websites06:00 - Lesson from Darkness: Your Limitations Are Not Real08:58 - The Power of No Distractions: Forging Mental Toughness12:00 - How We Use AI to Create a 90-Day Conversion Roadmap15:10 - The Paradox of Choice: Why More Options Hurt Your Sales17:57 - CRO Secrets: Removing Things & The Hierarchy of Focus21:02 - The #1 Mistake on Your Website: You're Selling, Not Solving📈 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.

Jun 9, 2025 • 24min
The One Sentence Our Lawyers Forgot That Almost Cost Me My Company
Imagine building a successful tech company, only to have your own uncle sue you, claiming he owns everything you built. My guest Derrick Girard, the Owner of DGirard Consulting and the Author of Put to the Test, reveals the one sentence our lawyers forgot that almost cost me my company, a tiny oversight that opened the door to a multi-million dollar, multi-year legal war. This single mistake snowballed into a nightmare scenario where he was simultaneously sued by his uncle, a competitor, and an investor. This is a raw, cautionary tale for every founder about the importance of airtight legal work and the resilience required to lead through an impossible crisis.Check out the company: https://www.dgirardconsulting.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 - Introduction: A Leader Under Fire03:20 - The Nightmare Begins: Sued by a Competitor05:00 - A Legal System, Not a Justice System06:20 - The Ultimate Betrayal: Sued by My Own Uncle07:15 - The "Missing Sentence" That Caused It All09:15 - Fighting a War on Three Fronts10:45 - Winning in Court, But Losing in Business15:15 - Why I Sold The Company After Winning17:45 - How My Team & Clients Reacted to the Lawsuits21:15 - Self-Confidence is a Terrible Substitute for Self-Awareness📈 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.

Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
Does Microdosing Mushrooms Make You a Better Leader?
In a world of biohacking and performance optimization, a growing number of entrepreneurs are turning to an unconventional tool: psilocybin mushrooms. In this deep-dive conversation with Adam Schell, founder of the 7-figure supplement brand Brain Supreme, we ask: Does Microdosing Mushrooms Make You a Better Leader? Adam shares his complete microdosing protocol, while I share my own personal journey of using microdosing to heal from ADHD and anxiety after a stressful business failure. We also explore the difference between micro and macro-dosing and the concept of developing "witness consciousness" to better manage emotions. This is a raw and honest guide to the potential of psilocybin for personal and professional growth. Click here to get 15% off your first purchase: https://brainsupreme.co/discount/WLTBBook 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 - Introduction: A Founder's Journey into Psilocybin02:40 - My Story: Healing ADHD & Anxiety with Microdosing08:44 - The Science of Psilocybin (In 45 Seconds)11:11 - Developing "Witness Consciousness" as a Leader12:50 - Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: A Simple Analogy17:40 - Confronting Your Demons: A Guided Macro-Dose Experience26:40 - The Complete Microdosing Protocol31:00 - The #1 Side Effect of Microdosing (And How to Fix It)32:50 - Final Thoughts: Unwiring Unhappiness📈 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 30, 2025 • 29min
How We Built 50 AI Agents to Create a Virtual Law Firm
Arpan Nanavati is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cimphony, a Silicon Valley backed startup that recently raised over $5M USD, and the company has an AI that helps startups get access to smarter legal advice for less money. How do you build an AI that can handle the complexities of legal work without hallucinating? You don't build one AI; you build a team of them. I spoke with Arpan Nanavati, CEO of Cimphony, a startup that is disrupting the $20 trillion services industry. He explains how we built 50 AI agents to create a virtual law firm, with each agent specializing in tasks like research, drafting, and cross-checking. We also dive into why his company abandoned the traditional SaaS model for a purely "outcome-based" pricing strategy, which he believes is the future for all services. This is a deep dive into building a truly specialized AI system.Check out the company: https://cimphony.aiBook 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 - Introduction: The Future of AI in Legal Services02:49 - How AI Gives SMBs Access to Elite Law Firms 06:55 - Why We Abandoned SaaS for an Outcome-Based Model 08:52 - How We Trained Our AI on 50 Years of Legal Data 12:14 - Building Our "Virtual Law Firm" with 50+ AI Agents 19:24 - The Surprising Speed of Customer Trust in AI 28:32 - Why the Future of All Services is Deflationary📈 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 27, 2025 • 30min
How to Succeed in AI: The Secret is Being Less Lazy Than Everyone Else
Want to know how to succeed in AI when new tools are released every day? The answer is simpler than you think. My guest, serial entrepreneur and AI venture studio founder Sze Wong, shares his secret: you just have to be less lazy than everyone else. In this deep dive, Sze also tells the story of why he turned down a $50 million acquisition offer and the psychological fear that held him back. This is a must-watch for any entrepreneur navigating the age of AI. Check out the company: https://www.zenithstudio.io00:00 - The "150 People" Rule for Finding Business Ideas01:33 - From Hong Kong to a McDonald's Building04:53 - The Desire to Lead, Not Follow07:47 - My First Startup Failed (And I Almost Quit)09:35 - Why I Shut Down a Profitable Business to Bet on an App14:03 - The $50 Million Offer I Turned Down20:48 - My Partners Retired, But I Want to Work Until I'm 9026:08 - The Secret to Thriving in the Age of AI📈 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.


