Burnout is a Treatable Injury

Burnout is a Treatable Injury

Author: Startups.com September 15, 2025 Duration: 39:42

Ever felt like burnout is inevitable in your startup journey? You're not alone. Burnout can feel like a silent co-founder, but it doesn't have to signal the end of your entrepreneurial story. In this episode, we discuss why burnout happens, how to diagnose it, and most importantly, how to treat it. Discover the importance of pacing yourself, the hidden costs of burnout, and why taking a break is crucial—not just for you, but for your entire team. We'll share personal anecdotes, practical tips, and the value of stepping away to recharge, so you can return stronger and more passionate than ever. Tune in to learn how to recognize the signs of burnout and create a treatment plan that works for you and your startup.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:
01:01 Personal Burnout Stories
04:46 The Hidden Costs of Burnout
08:41 Recognizing and Addressing Burnout
19:17 Recognizing Emotional Burnout
19:47 Impact of Economic Downturn on Founders
21:19 Personal Struggles and Their Impact on Work
22:13 Diagnosing and Addressing Burnout in Teams
23:04 The Importance of Personal Life in Preventing Burnout
27:32 Strategies for Treating Burnout
29:27 Finding Passion Outside of Work
32:59 Identifying and Mitigating Burnout Triggers
38:25 The Role of Leadership in Managing Burnout


Building a company is far more chaotic and personal than any business school case study lets on. Startup Therapy from Startups.com digs into that reality, moving past polished success stories to focus on the raw, unvarnished journey. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan, who have each navigated these trenches themselves, lead conversations that feel more like essential conversations between founders than a standard interview show. They tackle the specific pressures that come with trying to transform an idea into something meaningful-the financial strain, the team dynamics, the personal sacrifices, and the frequent moments of doubt that rarely make the keynote speech. This podcast operates on a simple premise: the best guidance comes from those who have been there, not from abstract theory. Each episode is a candid session, dissecting the professional hurdles and the intense emotional toll that founders manage daily. You’ll hear direct talk about fundraising fails, partnership conflicts, burnout, and the small victories that keep everything moving forward. It’s a resource for anyone in the thick of building something, offering practical perspectives and a sense of shared experience when the path gets especially tough. The dialogue is straightforward and focused on actionable insight, providing a genuine look at the resilience required to change the world, one startup at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Startup Therapy
Podcast Episodes
We Need "Unfireable" Founders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:33
Why do founders have to be “unfireable” for a startup to work? The episode argues that founding is the only job where you create the role yourself, have no real credentials, and will be wrong most of the time—yet you mus…
How to be a Horrible Startup Advisor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Ever gotten startup advice that sounded like a fact—but was really just someone’s confident opinion? This episode breaks down why so much startup advice is dangerous, especially from well-meaning advisors who lack self-a…
Which Version of Me is Coming to Dinner Tonight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:50
Ever wonder which “version of you” should show up to dinner, a board meeting, or a team update? This episode breaks down why founders feel like they’re constantly auditioning different personas—optimistic forecaster, cal…
The Death of the Technical Cofounder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:48
What if you could build a working prototype without giving away half your company? The episode argues that tools like Claude have ended the old “technical co-founder as early-stage gatekeeper” dynamic: founders used to n…
We Do What Other's Won't [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:41
What are you actually willing to do to get what you want as a founder? Using Will’s 6:00 a.m., 15-degree framing session and a dumpster-diving Bobcat mishap as metaphors, this episode breaks down what separates founders…
Everyone is a startup... Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
What happens when AI turns your hard-won moat into a weekend project? This episode argues that AI has effectively forced established companies back into “startup mode,” wiping out long-held assumptions about products, st…
Where were you when I was broke? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
Ever notice how people show up loudest after you’ve already won? This episode digs into why founders often get the least support when the risk is highest—and the most opinions once success is “de-risked.” Will shares ear…
What if I'm the Best, but don't know it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:31
What if building a company is the fastest way to find out what you’re actually capable of? This episode explores how startups don’t just get built by founders—startups build founders by forcing them into new roles like f…
Founders Don't Retire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
What if “retirement” for founders isn’t about stopping work, but finally getting relief? The conversation unpacks why builders rarely stop building: founders are wired to create, not to consume, and the fantasy of beach…
The Right Time to Start is Right Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
Ever feel like you’re “almost ready” to launch—just one more feature, plan, or credential away? This episode argues that “ready” isn’t a prerequisite for startups; it’s the result of starting and getting real market feed…