Startup culture loves extremes. Grind harder. Sleep less. Push through. Don’t complain.

And if you’re struggling, the assumption is simple: you’re not cut out for it.

In this solo Q&A episode of Not Another Podcast, Brennan Pothetes flips that narrative on its head.

After months of thoughtful DMs from founders, operators, and investors, Brennan sits down to answer the questions people usually whisper in private but rarely say out loud. Questions about anxiety, burnout, family tradeoffs, AI, ambition, and what it actually costs to build something meaningful.

This isn’t motivational fluff or hustle porn. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about what happens when you put yourself into high-pressure environments, take investor money, and try to build something that matters while still being a human.

Brennan shares personal stories from his own journey as a repeat founder, including moments he wishes he could take back, hard tradeoffs he refuses to repeat, and the frameworks he now uses to stay present, stable, and effective.

If you’ve ever wondered whether something is “wrong” with you for finding startup life hard, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Brennan covers:

• Whether startup culture creates mental illness or simply exposes what’s already there
• How anxiety shows up differently in normal jobs vs hypergrowth environments
• Why flow state matters more than hours worked
• The real cost founders’ families quietly absorb
• How to prioritize your partner and kids without tanking the business
• Why stability is an underrated competitive advantage
• Whether AI is making founders lazy or finally giving them leverage
• The biggest mistakes Brennan would’ve avoided if today’s AI tools existed earlier
• How to manage chronic anxiety without losing your edge as a founder

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to suffer to build something great.

You need clarity, presence, and the ability to regulate yourself under pressure.

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