We Live to Build

Hosted by Sean Weisbrot

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Jun 2026

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About the show

We Live to Build is the interview series for founders who are serious about building something that lasts. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and angel investor Sean Weisbrot, the show features 300+ raw conversations with 7-9 figure founders and investors, the people who've actually done it and are willing to talk about what it really took. Every episode goes deep on networking, AI, fundraising, and the harsh realities of scaling a company. Subscribe to upgrade how you build. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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June 16, 202629 min

He Built LLMs in 2016 and Still Trusts Gut Over AI

What if the key to smarter business decisions isn't more data, but knowing when to trust yourself over the algorithm? In this episode, Sean sits down with Robert Indries, a builder and investor who was working with large language models back in 2016, long before AI became a boardroom buzzword. Robert shares why, despite his deep technical background, he still believes human intuition catches what AI cannot, especially when it comes to detecting deception during company acquisitions. You'll hear how his team uses a rigorous due diligence process of up to 170 questions to surface hidden problems before they become costly headaches, and why the best questions on that list came directly from painful past experience. Robert also breaks down how he thinks about failure tolerance in acquisitions, including why growing a company's value before a black swan event can mean the difference between a loss and getting your money back.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)──────────────────────────────────────────────────────Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network──────────────────────📋 WORK WITH ME──────────────────────▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship──────────────────────🔗 CONNECT WITH SEAN──────────────────────▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com──────────🕐 CHAPTERS──────────00:00 - Getting Sellers to Tell You the Truth01:17 - The 21-Question Due Diligence Massage Method02:38 - Building a "Should Have Asked" Backlog04:41 - Why AI Can't Catch a Liar in M&A07:07 - Human Intuition Still Beats Generated Scripts09:06 - Sean's Podcast Pitch That Turned a Rejection Around17:25 - No Industry Is Safe From AI Disruption19:52 - Protoss, Zerg, or Terran: Which Future Wins?26:53 - Learning to Love as a Daily SkillLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 9, 202635 min

He Presented from the Hip on Stage and Invented a World First in 90 Days

What does it actually take to back yourself when the whole world seems to doubt you? In this episode, Sean sits down with Travis McGregor, a technology pioneer working to reinvent how the world handles security from the cloud to the edge, including building a world-first innovation in just 90 days. Travis opens up about the defining moment at 22 years old when he froze on stage in front of a thousand people after his team changed his entire keynote without warning, and how that humbling experience shaped him into the prepared, accountable leader he is today. You'll hear how Travis learned to stop second-guessing himself, why true belief in your own ideas is a deeply personal journey, and how choosing to fall on his sword rather than point fingers became the foundation of his leadership philosophy.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)──────────────────────────────────────────────────────Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network──────────────────────📋 WORK WITH ME──────────────────────▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship──────────────────────🔗 CONNECT WITH SEAN──────────────────────▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com──────────🕐 CHAPTERS──────────00:00 - Believing in Yourself When Nobody Else Does01:44 - Choking on Stage at 22 Years Old05:22 - The Off-the-Cuff Pitch That Changed Everything09:21 - Patents Aren't What Most Founders Think12:27 - Why Your Data Is Never Really Yours14:56 - Flipping the Cloud-to-Edge Security Model23:13 - SLC's Play to Reach 600 Mobile Networks27:51 - 6G and the End of Anonymous Fraud Calls29:32 - Could SIMs Replace Broken Government SystemsLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 2, 202631 min

She Woke Up One Morning and Knew She Had to Buy A $50M Company

What does it actually take to back yourself when no one else believes in you? In this episode of We Live to Build, Sean sits down with Stacie Shifflett, a self-taught entrepreneur and subject matter expert in federal government procurement and acquisition, who shares the raw story of orchestrating a 50 million dollar software company acquisition with zero prior experience at that scale. You'll hear how Stacie walked into a boardroom, discovered her name had been left off the org chart despite a signed employment contract, and chose to stand her ground rather than go along to get along. She also opens up about one of the hardest decisions entrepreneurs face, knowing when to say no, take your money, and walk away even when others frame it as a missed opportunity. If you've ever been underestimated or felt pressure to shrink yourself in a room where you clearly earned your seat, Stacie's story will resonate deeply.────────────────────────────────--─────────────────────📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)──────────────────────────────────────────────────────Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network──────────────────────📋 WORK WITH ME──────────────────────▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship──────────────────────🔗 CONNECT WITH SEAN──────────────────────▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com──────────🕐 CHAPTERS──────────00:00 - Stacy Led a $50M Acquisition From Scratch01:00 - The CEO Who Didn't Know What to Do With Her03:28 - Leaving Money on the Table Was the Right Call05:22 - The One Time Stacy Actually Threw a Punch09:59 - Stacy Woke Up and Decided to Buy a Company15:40 - Self-Taught, No Degree, Still Outperformed Everyone26:02 - Peace of Mind Is Our Greatest Personal Asset29:22 - Know Yourself Before You Can Go AnywhereLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 202638 min

Who Are We Marketing to When 90% of White Collar Jobs Are Gone?

What happens to marketing, consumer culture, and the businesses built around them when AI eliminates 90% of white collar jobs? In this episode, Sean sits down with Zachary Rischitelli to explore how networking, relationship-building, and human connection are becoming the most durable competitive advantages in an increasingly automated world. Zachary shares how his business has sustained client relationships for over sixteen years through genuine personal investment, not transactional card-swapping, and why showing up in person still moves the needle even as LinkedIn floods everyone's inbox. You'll also hear his simple but powerful networking reframe: be interested rather than interesting, a mindset shift that cuts through small talk and builds real trust fast. If you're thinking about how to future-proof your business and your relationships before the landscape shifts beneath you, this conversation will give you a lot to chew on.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)──────────────────────────────────────────────────────Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network──────────────────────📋 WORK WITH ME──────────────────────▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship──────────────────────🔗 CONNECT WITH SEAN──────────────────────▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com──────────🕐 CHAPTERS──────────00:00 - The Networking Hack Nobody Talks About00:22 - Building a 17-Year Business Through Relationships03:46 - "Be Interested, Not Interesting" in Practice06:22 - Reading Body Language at Networking Events08:39 - Moving Past Small Talk With Strangers11:31 - What Makes Networking Events Exhausting19:07 - Pitching a Marketing Agency in the AI Era21:15 - Who Are We Marketing to When AI Wins?28:17 - The Acquisition That Only Goes Forward36:53 - Work-Life Balance Is a Founder's Hardest ProblemLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 202641 min

His Former Boss Later Became His Employee

What does it really take to break through a revenue plateau and build a business that outlasts your mistakes? In this episode, Ephraim Ebstein, an MSP entrepreneur who scaled past seven figures, shares the hard lessons he learned the long way. You will hear how developing financial literacy with the help of retired CEO mentors was the turning point that unstuck his business when it was trapped between seven and nine million dollars. Ephraim also breaks down why networking is never optional, showing you how a single spearfishing connection led to the job that taught him the entire industry and eventually the clients that made his company possible. And if you have ever wondered whether burning a bridge could cost you more than you think, his story of a former boss who later became his employee will make you rethink every professional relationship you have ever let go cold.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)──────────────────────────────────────────────────────Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network──────────────────────📋 WORK WITH ME──────────────────────▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship──────────────────────🔗 CONNECT WITH SEAN──────────────────────▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com──────────🕐 CHAPTERS──────────00:00 - Networking: Love It or Hate It?00:22 - Flying to Events to Find the Right Rooms01:08 - The One Connection That Started Everything03:49 - Retired CEOs Roasted Ephraim on Financials06:21 - Pay to Be in the Right Places11:26 - Two Takeaways, Two Relationships Per Event13:17 - Intentional Networking Beats Hoping for Luck16:00 - Never Burn Bridges Because The World Is Small21:07 - Diversifying Investments to Weather Any Storm40:00 - The Principle Behind All of Ephraim's SuccessLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 202628 min

I Bought 3 Companies, here’s the #1 Leadership Lesson I Learned

Entrepreneur Scott Meier evaluated over 100 businesses before deciding to acquire three unique brands under one roof: Budsies, Petsies, and Stuffed Animal Pros. But instead of applying a ruthless corporate "roll-up" strategy, Scott chose to become a steward of an artisan-driven brand. In this episode, we dive into the world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and the booming "kid-alt" nostalgia market. Scott breaks down the complex logistics of global plush manufacturing, how his company uses its profits to support kids in hospitals and disaster zones, and how he personally uses AI tools like Claude to automate annoying tasks so his team has more time to be human. Finally, Scott shares his ultimate leadership lesson: why the best thing you can do to build trust and solve complex problems is simply to "say less." Check out the company: https://budsies.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Evaluating 100 Companies to Buy02:50 - The Budsies & Petsies Ecosystem05:50 - The "Kidault" Market & Nostalgia08:35 - Making Artisan Products at Scale12:15 - Avoiding the Corporate "Roll-Up" Model16:20 - Pencils of Promise & The Power of Charity20:00 - Why Facebook Ads Are Creepy23:45 - Using AI to Give Us Time to Be Human26:10 - The #1 Leadership Lesson: Say LessLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 202630 min

Why Credible Investors Are Actually Killing Startups

Have you ever received terrible advice from a "successful" investor or mentor? In this episode, Igor Taber explains why taking advice from VCs who built companies a decade ago might actually destroy your startup. Because the market has drastically changed, relying on outdated experience makes these investors "credible and wrong"—the most dangerous combination in the startup world. We also dive into the insane $1.7 trillion AI investment bubble , why giving non-technical founders AI coding tools is like giving them a bazooka , and the truth about how top VC firms actually generate deal flow through cold outreach. Finally, Igor breaks down the three ways to build a venture firm and why being humble is the ultimate survival skill in a market where nobody truly knows the future. Check out the company: https://cortical.vc----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Why "Credible and Wrong" Kills Companies00:43 - The 3 Ways to Build a VC Firm02:20 - Do VCs Actually Cold Call Founders?08:00 - The $1.7 Trillion AI Investment Bubble11:00 - Vibe Coding & The Bazooka Problem17:28 - Why Outdated Founder Experience is Dangerous20:00 - How VCs Raise Their Own Funds23:50 - Angel Investing vs. VC Funds29:11 - The Most Important Lesson in Venture CapitalLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 28, 202632 min

Why Nobody Refers You (Even If You Do Great Work)

Do you do great work but struggle to consistently get referrals? In this episode, Bill Cates breaks down the exact psychology of borrowed trust and why simply doing a good job doesn't automatically make you referable. We discuss the Triangle of Trust, how to actively train your network to recognize your ideal clients, and why using 1-minute case studies is the ultimate follow-up strategy to stay top of mind. We also dive into why vague intentions produce vague results, the danger of name-dropping irrelevant big clients to win business, and why the old advice of only hire people you'd have a beer with is actually destroying your team's potential. Plus, Bill shares a legendary Vince Lombardi quote that will completely change how you manage your energy and mindset as an entrepreneur. Check out the company: https://billcates.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - The Power of Borrowed Trust 01:45 - How Sean Built a 100% Referral Business 04:47 - Should You Pay Commissions for Referrals? 08:02 - How to Actually Become Referable 11:47 - The 1-Minute Case Study Strategy 13:18 - Sean's AI Content Engine Strategy 16:25 - Why Radical Relevance is Everything 22:50 - Vague Intentions Produce Vague Results 26:46 - The Mistake of Hiring People Like You30:06 - Fatigue Makes Cowards of Us All Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 21, 202633 min

Why Traditional Networking Events Are a Massive Waste of Time

If you've ever felt drained, exhausted, or frustrated by traditional networking events, you aren't alone. In this episode, Davide Cannarozzi explains why showing up to a random event without a clear strategy is a massive waste of your time and energy. Instead of treating networking as a casual interaction, Davide reveals why the most elite networkers treat relationship-building like being a diplomat or a spy—using intense planning, research, and flashcards to connect with the right people.We break down the critical differences between "random," "utilitarian," "intentional," and "serendipity" networking, and why you must build networking as an infrastructure for your life rather than a one-off chore. We also dive into the dangers of building a business without a clear vision or a mentor, and how that exact lack of self-awareness led to a grueling half-a-million-dollar loss in my own tech startup journey. Finally, we explore how to manage Dunbar's number in a world where technology connects us to thousands, and why you must "prune" your network just like the brain prunes unused synapses. Check out the company: https://rif.ventures----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Why Networking Feels So Exhausting 04:40 - Why Sean Ignored Networking at a Recent Event 06:36 - The 4 Types of Networking Explained 09:14 - Sean’s $500,000 Startup Mistake 13:36 - The Critical Importance of Mentorship 15:08 - Using a Podcast for Intentional Networking 16:14 - Davide’s MBA Cleantech Hustle 26:50 - Technology, Dunbar’s Number, and Brain Synapses 30:46 - Why You Should Treat Networking Like a SpyLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 14, 202631 min

Why Everyone Secretly Hates "Networkers"

Have you ever been to an event where the person you're talking to is just looking past you for their next "lead"?. In this episode, Charles Lee breaks down why treating human connection like a transactional sales funnel will ultimately hold you back. We explore how genuine business flows naturally from authentic relationships, why you need to stop asking boring questions like "what do you do?", and how to cultivate deep curiosity about others. Charles shares a story of how a free, rainy-day speaking gig led to a 15-year relationship with one of his biggest clients , and we discuss the psychology of eye contact, body language, and the dreaded "resting thinking face". Finally, we tackle the ultimate question every driven entrepreneur must ask themselves: when it's all said and done, how much is enough?. Check out the company: https://ideation.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network-----------------------------------📈 WORK WITH ME-----------------------------------▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship---------------------------------------------👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN---------------------------------------------▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot▶ Inquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com---------------------------🕒 CHAPTERS---------------------------00:00 - Business Flows From Relationships 01:18 - How One Free Panel Led to a 15-Year Client 03:42 - The Power of Genuine Curiosity 06:48 - Why Remembering Names and Details Matters 09:23 - Eye Contact and the "Resting Thinking Face" 11:13 - Public Speaking and Facilitation 13:02 - Expressing Gratitude to Your Network 14:55 - Why Sean Stopped Going to Networking Events 17:37 - Making a Lifelong Mentor in China 19:34 - What Matters Most & "How Much is Enough?" Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.