How to be Great at Worrying

How to be Great at Worrying

Author: Startups.com May 25, 2026 Duration: 35:55

Ever wake up at 3:00 AM convinced your startup is about to break? The conversation unpacks how founders can’t really “leave work,” and how constant vigilance can turn into fear dressed up as responsibility—endless rumination that produces stress, not decisions. Will shares decades of 3:00 AM worry cycles, the superstition that anxiety prevents disaster, and how even vacations get hijacked by disaster simulations (including getting hacked on the way to Comic-Con). They draw a line between real thinking that creates options and looping that creates suffering, then discuss practical replacements: box breathing to fall back asleep, gratitude to reset perspective, and self-talk that puts the “experienced founder” back in charge. The goal isn’t to stop worrying, but to channel that energy into small, solvable actions instead of spirals.

What to listen for:
00:41 Learning to Worry
01:21 Walk the Lot Mindset
03:28 Fear as Responsibility
05:07 Paranoia and 3AM Ceilings
06:25 Anxiety Superstition Loop
08:18 Vacation Disaster Mode
10:21 Thinking vs Rumination
13:10 Breathwork Replacement
14:14 Milestones Won't Fix It
15:53 Experience Adds Knives
18:47 Fear Makes It Worse
19:39 Worry As Energy
21:24 Productive Distractions
22:29 Finish Small Tasks
23:39 Save It For Morning
27:17 Worry Versus Solving
31:13 One Pebble At A Time
34:59 Make Worry A Superpower

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/


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: 100

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