Founder Meditations

Hosted by Weiting

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Jan 2025

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About the show

Welcome to Founder Meditations! Interviews with startup founders who practice meditation, focusing on the intersection of startups, mindfulness, and spirituality. Weiting is a serial entrepreneur on a mission to introduce meditation in a secular way to help founders scale, and also to inspire spiritual seekers to be top performers in the world without living a monastic life in the mountains.

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12 recent

January 20, 2025Episode 121 hr 33 min

#012 - Alexandra Eidens - Visualizing Startup Success

Alexandra Eidens is the Co-Founder and CEO of Big Life Journal. In this episode, Alexandra shares her entrepreneurial and spiritual journey, offering insights into her visualization and manifestation techniques. She explains how these practices have helped her shape a reality filled with startup success and abundance. Some may see this as a controversial episode full of "woo-woo". However, keep an open mind and you may find our conversation deeply relevant and valuable for entrepreneurs and business owners alike. 00:00 Meet Alexandra Eidens: Co-Founder of Big Life Journal 02:18 The Journey of Big Life Journal: From Failure to Success 04:11 Social Media Master Class 10:35 The Power of Visualization and Meditation 18:24 Understanding Reality and Spiritual Practices 49:15 The Power of Belief in Startups 50:43 Rewiring Your Brain and Energy 52:31 Manifestation and Success Stories 56:59 Visualization Techniques for Entrepreneurs 01:04:26 Managing Teams with Visualization 01:12:54 Parenting with a Visualization Mindset 01:18:10 No Free Will 01:31:54 Final Thoughts and Advice for Entrepreneurs

December 12, 2024Episode 111 hr 2 min

#011 - Jason Tan - Depression, Ayahuasca, and Love-Based Startup Leadership

Jason Tan is the founder and executive chairman of Sift, a unicorn YC startup. Despite Sift's rocketship growth, Jason, as CEO, was secretly battling depression. In this episode of Founder Meditations, Jason shares candidly about struggling with depression, the pressure of success, and how psychedelics and spiritual practices helped him rediscover happiness and purpose. Jason also shares his unique approach to love-based leadership and creating a mindful, positive company culture. Whether you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and business, this conversation offers plenty of insights and inspiration. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:45 Jason’s Journey: From Immigrant to Entrepreneur 02:18 Early Career Struggles and Finding Success at Zillow 04:40 Building Sift: Challenges and Triumphs 06:24 Battling Depression 16:49 Psychedelics and Healing: LSD, MDMA, and Ayahuasca 22:44 Lessons from Jason's Psychedelic Experiences 28:40 Advice for Founders Interested in Psychedelics 35:53 Healing Trauma Through Psychedelics 38:12 Spiritual Insights from Psychedelics 41:49 Burning Man 43:41 Love-Based vs. Fear-Based Leadership 52:30 Balancing Work and Rest 59:26 Rethinking Capitalism: A More Loving Future 01:01:43 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

October 22, 2024Episode 101 hr 24 min

#010 - Dr. James Doty - Manifestation, Compassion, and a Love-Based Approach to Startup Success

Why should intellectuals care about Manifestation? As Stanford professor Dr. Jim Doty shared on this episode of Founder Meditations, manifestation is not pseudoscience and goes beyond the claims made by The Secret and the Law of Attraction. Dr. James Doty is a neurosurgeon, entrepreneur, and bestselling author. He is a professor of neurosurgery at Stanford and the founder of The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), of which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the founding benefactor. Dr. Doty is a successful inventor, entrepreneur, and NY Times bestselling author with two books: Into the Magic Shop, and Mind Magic. We dive into the science of manifestation, contrasting it with pseudoscience, and discuss the ethical obligations of wealth and leadership in tech entrepreneurship. Learn about the impact of collective intentions, the essence of true success, and how a balanced approach to life can lead to profound personal and societal change. Featuring insights from global spiritual leaders, this episode invites you to rethink conventional views on wealth, purpose, and community service. Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the journey and teachings of Dr. James Doty, a Stanford neurosurgeon and best-selling author. Discover his inspiring story of overcoming poverty and personal struggles to become a renowned figure in neurosurgery, mindfulness, and humanitarian efforts. 00:00 Introducing Dr. James Doty 02:44 Dr. Doty’s Early Life and Challenges 03:38 Into the Magic Shop 08:24 Visualization Techniques 11:00 Neuroscience Behind Manifestation 13:23 Hedonic vs Eudaimonic Happiness 22:47 From Self-Centered to Service-Oriented 30:07 Losing Everything and Gaining Spiritual Wealth 37:12 The Alphabet of the Heart 41:31 Story of the Compassion Beads 44:14 Meeting Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu 46:05 Manifesting vs. Overachieving 48:50 The Toxic Nature of Venture Capital 01:04:13 Creating a Compassionate Work Environment 01:06:01 The Importance of Collective Manifestation 01:13:57 Contrarian Views on Manifestation 01:22:54 Advice for Founders

July 31, 2024Episode 91 hr 1 min

#009 - Ryan Vaughn - Integrating Entrepreneurship and Spiritual Growth

Ryan Vaughn is a three-time startup founder turned executive coach at Inside Out Leadership. Ryan discusses the challenges tech people face in accessing spiritual concepts and introduces tools to understand the psychological development process. He shares his journey from aspiring basketball player to founder, his battles with addiction, and the profound identity crisis that led to his exploration of spirituality. Ryan talks about his meditative practices, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and practical advice for founders looking to integrate mindfulness into their hectic lives. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or a curious beginner, this conversation offers insights into aligning personal growth with professional success. 00:00 Intro 01:47 Ryan's Journey from Startup Founder to Coach 05:44 The Challenges and Transformations of a CEO 07:53 Transitioning to a New Identity and Career 11:18 Coaching Founders Through Their Journey 15:01 Exploring Spiritual Practices and Psychedelics 21:22 Interweaving Spirituality with Foundership 32:46 Integrating Meditation into Daily Life 37:02 Meditation as a Tool for Organizational Change 41:18 Resources for Meditation and Mindfulness 46:04 Authenticity in Leadership 51:29 Balancing Ego and Vulnerability 53:02 Practical Meditation Techniques for Founders 57:34 Final Thoughts and Advice for Busy Founders

July 2, 2024Episode 81 hr 4 min

#008 - Stephen Zerfas of Jhourney - Jhana as a Service

Stephen Zerfas is the co-founder & CEO of Jhourney, a tech startup scaling life-changing meditation with a data-driven approach. Jhourney's mission is fascinating. The company helps novices experience "Jhana", a life-changing meditative state akin to MDMA without the drug, in under a week. Stephen shares his personal journey from a struggling moment in life to mastering Jhanas, and explains how his company aims to make these profound states accessible to millions. Learn about the science, methodology, and real-life impacts of Jhourney’s retreats, which combine modern technology with ancient practices. 00:00 Introduction to Jhourney 03:06 Stephen's journey and Jhana experiences 17:33 Starting Jhourney 22:47 Retreat structure and techniques 27:38 Future vision and technological integration 31:33 Jhourney retreats vs others 33:21 Life-changing experiences and benefits 33:53 Working smart in meditation 36:40 Personal transformation stories 40:37 Fun anecdotes from retreats 45:06 Secularizing meditation practices 54:27 Non-Duality 56:30 Advice for founders

May 23, 2024Episode 71 hr 40 min

#007 - Henry Shukman & Jack Shukman: When a Zen Master Starts a Tech Startup

Henry Shukman and Jack Shukman are the co-founders of The Way (thewayapp.com), a meditation app designed for those seeking a deeper meditation experience. Henry Shukman is an authorized Zen Master in the Sanbo Zen lineage. Jack Shukman is the co-founder and CEO of The Way. Together, they embarked on a unique journey to create an app that offers a much more in-depth meditation practice than what is currently available. What happens when a Zen Master starts a tech startup? That’s exactly what Henry Shukman did. Together with his nephew, Jack, they launched The Way, an app that integrates Zen philosophy into its core. In this episode, we delve into the intersection of tech and meditation. Henry and Jack share how they infused Zen principles into their startup, discuss how a Zen Master would pitch to Silicon Valley VCs, and explore the importance of awakening for knowledge workers in tech. I also had the chance to ask Henry about his views on manifestation. I’m very grateful for this episode, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:00 - Why a Zen Master wants to start a meditation app 10:12 - The founding story of ‘The Way’ meditation app 17:15 - Awakening and non-duality 23:00 - “Sales pitch” for Awakening: Why should founders meditate? 32:00 - Is Awakening for everyone? 41:32 - The Way’s four zones 54:45 - Inside “The Way” the startup 01:00:30 - Mission & metrics 01:07:34 - TAM of meditation apps 01:15:18 - Awakening and its impact on entrepreneurs 01:36:34 - Manifestation and wealth: A Zen perspective 01:39:01 - Advice for busy startup founders on meditation

April 30, 2024Episode 659 min

#006 - Evgeny Shadchnev: Coaching startup founders on CEO transition and ending suffering

Evgeny Shadchnev is a founder coach and the founder & ex-CEO of Makers Academy. Evgeny is also the author of Startup CEO Succession: A Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition. In this Founder Meditations episode, Evgeny shares his work coaching founders to end suffering in the context of a busy startup life. The discussion touches on Evgeny's failed Vipassana retreats, his wild story on psychedelics, and the role of mindfulness in personal well-being and professional development. Evgeny emphasizes the power of taking full responsibility for one's internal state for achieving happiness and well-being. 00:00 Intro 01:43 Evgeny's journey as a founder 05:03 1st failed Vipassana retreat 10:01 Evgeny's spiritual journey 16:19 Transitioning from CEO to founder coach 21:57 Wild psychedelics story 25:40 Recommended spiritual teachers & resources for founders 31:08 Applying meditation in founder coaching 37:06 Insights into startup CEO succession 46:43 Evgeny's biggest insight 48:00 Coaching Elon Musk 51:36 Lightning round 57:23 Final thoughts on meditation and advice for founders

April 8, 2024Episode 51 hr 1 min

#005 - James Hu: From Fear-based Motivation to Fulfillment with Vipassana

James Hu is the co-founder and CEO of Jobscan, a profitable, globally distributed startup. In this episode, James discusses the pressure of startup culture and how this led to a moment of reckoning about what truly matters in life. James’s turning point came with a one-year sabbatical from his own company (!) and a transformative 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat, radically changing his approach to life, work, and leadership. James offers insights into the power of meditation, the importance of letting go of fear-based motivations, and how ancient wisdom can guide modern entrepreneurs toward a more peaceful and purpose-driven life. (00:00) Introduction (01:00) James’ First Startup (06:06) Founding Story of Jobscan (09:08) James’ 1-year Sabbatical (15:54) Discovering Meditation: A Journey to Inner Peace (18:52) The Profound Impact of a 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Retreat (26:41) Exploring the Depths of Pain and Equanimity (29:45) Diet and Sensory Changes Post-Retreat (32:35) Impact on Business and Management Style (33:51) Maintaining Meditation Practice and Its Benefits (35:36) Incorporating Meditation into Leadership and Decision-Making (42:23) Personal Growth and the Shift in Motivation (48:40) Finding Balance: Health as a New KPI (51:34) Advice for Founders (57:08) Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

March 21, 2024Episode 41 hr 1 min

#004 - Chandan Lodha: $1B Startup Founder on Vipassana Meditation Retreat, Mindfulness and Compassion

Chandan Lodha is the co-founder of CoinTracker, a top YC company with a $1.3B valuation. Chandan is a startup founder who exemplifies how incorporating mindfulness practices can lead to significant worldly success. In this episode of Founder Meditations, Chandan delves into his journey through a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat, highlighting the pivotal role his mindfulness practice has played in scaling CoinTracker to its status as a unicorn company. (00:00) Introduction (01:33) Chandan’s Early Years (08:02) Founding Story of CoinTracker (10:47) First Meditation Experience with Headspace (14:43) Psychedelics: A Life-Changing Experience (22:20) Chandan’s 10-Day Vipassana Retreat (27:35) Applying Vipassana Learnings to Daily Life & Business (30:09) Maintaining a Meditation Practice Post-Retreat (33:36) Recommendations for Startup Founders (34:18) Integrating Mindfulness into Startup Culture and Leadership (38:23) The Impact of Meditation on Decision-Making and Compassion (42:20) Meditation, Hiring Practices, and Team Dynamics (45:02) Correlation Between Meditation and Performance (50:24) Personal Growth and Startup Motivation Through Mindfulness (54:10) Founders losing motivation after deep meditation experiences (58:09) Lightning Round

March 10, 2024Episode 31 hr 33 min

#003 - Michael Shuffett: Human Mind as a Language Model & Concept of Self

Michael Shuffett is the founder & CEO of Compose AI, an AI startup backed by Y Combinator, Sequoia, and Craft Ventures. In this episode of Founder Meditations, Michael shares his multifaceted journey from academia and martial arts to the entrepreneurial world, emphasizing how meditation, lucid dreaming, and spirituality profoundly influence his personal and professional life. *Alert* This can be a fairly esoteric episode, as Michael & Weiting, being scientifically minded tech founders, discuss lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences. (00:00 Introduction (05:00) Michael’s Early Career and Projects (07:25) How Michael Started Compose AI (12:15) Michael’s Spiritual Journey (16:35) Exploring Lucid Dreaming and Out-of-Body Experiences (33:51) Understanding Ego and Self-Identity (49:42) Understanding Ego and Identity (50:30) Experiencing Egolessness (52:46) The Power of Fluid Identity (54:05) The Dangers of Misaligned Identity (56:28) Exploring the State of Non-Duality (56:56) The Concept of Self in Meditation (01:00:56) The Human Mind as a Language Model (01:08:25) The Impact of Meditation on Entrepreneurship (01:11:33) The Role of Morality in a Simulated Universe (01:18:40) The Importance of Meditation for Founders (01:29:49) Final Thoughts and Recommendations