In this episode of the NAKED podcast, our hosts Nektarios, Vladimira, and our guest, Emmalyn Shaw from Flourish Ventures, explore the importance of prioritising psychological safety in entrepreneurship and venture capital.

The discussion centres around how Flourish Ventures prioritises mental health and well-being within their organisation and how they support their portfolio companies,

Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• The recognition of mental health and well-being in the venture capital community.

• How Flourish Ventures supports their portfolio entrepreneurs’s wellbeing.

• The role that venture capital firms can play in providing mental health support to entrepreneurs.

• Different playbooks and interventions for investors to support entrepreneurs dealing with mental health challenges.

In this episode of the NAKED podcast, our hosts Nektarios, Vladimira, and our guest, Fatin, explore the anxiety Fatin faced whilst she was building her first business.

The discussion centres on the experience of being a female entrepreneur in an emerging market, the journey towards self-awareness regarding one’s mental health, and the tools necessary for navigating life after facing such unexpected obstacles.

Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• Fatin's personal account of dealing with anxiety and its impact on her ability to function in daily work life.

• Her exploration of multiple paths to recovery, including individual therapy, group therapy and building a support system.

• The episode also touches on how she navigated her co-founder relationships at this time, highlighting the need for empathy and uncomfortable conversations to maintain a healthy business environment.

• Strategies for distinguishing one’s self-worth from one’s business achievements.

• Reflections on the entrepreneurial experience in Pakistan as a woman, offering a perspective on the challenges and rewards of building a business in an emerging market.

Join Nektarios, Vladimira, and Fatin as they discuss the intersections of entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth, offering valuable lessons and strategies for navigating the complexities of startup life in an emerging market.

In this NAKED podcast episode, our hosts Nektarios, Vladimira, and our guest, Emma, explore the complex emotions and challenges that came up for her after exiting a startup.

They discuss the importance of addressing unresolved issues from the past, understanding one’s motivations for success, and the role of mental health and self-awareness in navigating post-exit life.

Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• The unexpected emotional impact and identity crisis following a startup exit.

• The journey of self-discovery and the importance of reconnecting with personal values, friends, and interests.

• Strategies and toolkits for rebuilding oneself and integrating self-care and wellness practices into daily life.

• The significance of acknowledging and addressing mental health struggles that may arise after significant life changes.

• Reflecting on the entrepreneurial experience and its lessons for personal growth and future endeavors.

Join Nektarios, Vladimira, and Emma as they discuss navigating the aftermath of a startup exit, the path to personal recovery, and the strategies for building a fulfilling life beyond entrepreneurship.

In this NAKED podcast episode, our hosts Nektarios, Vladimira, and our guest, Lottie, discuss her breakdown and how it took her by surprise.

They discuss learning to look out for signals, the importance of introspection and self-awareness and how to get better by integrating wellbeing into one’s life.

Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• What does the experience of a breakdown look like?

• Understanding one’s own needs and starting with small steps to meet those needs.

• Integrating routines into a busy life and making them non-negotiable.

• The importance of sleep and exercise

• Planning for when you sense it might be happening again

• The role of a sharing with people for support and accountability

Join Vladimira, Nektarios, and Lottie as they discuss breakdowns, strategies for getting better and integrating wellbeing into the demands of a founder’s life.

#NAKEDPodcast #foundershealth #mentalhealth #empowerment #podcast #entrepreneurship

In this NAKED podcast episode, our hosts Nektarios, Vladimira, and our guest, Eia, discuss neurodiversity, coping with depression and trauma, and the importance of vulnerability and ongoing growth.

They also discuss tactics for communicating diagnoses of neurodiversity and navigating societal perceptions while operating in a team or co-founding relationship.

Through Eia's experiences and insights, they offer advice for individuals starting their mental health journeys while working in the entrepreneurial space. Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• Neurodiversity and its impact on individuals' lives

• Coping with depression, suicidal ideation, and trauma

• Seeking the right kind of support and being open to new experiences

• The importance of vulnerability and the ongoing process of learning and growth

• Communicating diagnoses of neurodiversity, such as ADHD and autism, with the outside world

• Navigating societal perceptions and self-acceptance of neurodiversity traits

• Strategies for operating in a team or co-founding relationship while being aware of one's mental health needs and neurodiversity traits In addition, they discuss the following questions:

1. How do individuals communicate their diagnoses of neurodiversity, such as ADHD and autism, with the outside world, especially in the context of leadership roles and team dynamics?

2. What are the challenges and strategies for operating in a team or co-founding relationship while being aware of one's mental health needs and neurodiversity traits?

3. What are the experiences of individuals who have been diagnosed with conditions like ADHD and autism, and how do they navigate societal perceptions and self-acceptance?

4. How can individuals use creativity as a tool for self-exploration and personal growth in the context of entrepreneurship?

Join Vladimira, Nektarios, and Eia as they discuss neurodiversity (including ADHD & Autism), coping with depression, trauma, and the challenges of leadership and team dynamics in entrepreneurial settings. #NAKEDPodcast #foundershealth #mentalhealth #empowerment #podcast #entrepreneurship

In this NAKED podcast episode, serial entrepreneur Hardi shares with us how he would start a company and struggled two years in, each stage spurred by difficulties due to a reluctance to face responsibilities.

The conversation unfolds to reveal Hardi's pivotal moment when burnout, both physically and mentally, led to both his body and his relationships collapsing.

His way to deal with this was to avoid addressing the underlying issues and to numb himself with substances. Vladimira and Nektarios enquire about the signs Hardi ignored, the impact of his behaviour on his team, and his exploration of psychedelic-assisted therapy to comprehend childhood traumas influencing his behaviour.

Specific topics covered in the episode include:

• Starting companies and then leaving them

• Patterns and avoidance of responsibilities

• Experience of burnout

• Coping mechanisms during burnout

• Impact on relationships and team dynamics

• Seeking help through mentorship and coaching

• Exploration of psychedelic-assisted therapy

In addition, they discuss the following questions:

1. What signs of burnout did Hardi recognize as an entrepreneur, and how did they affect him?

2. How did burnout impact his personal and professional relationships?

3. How would he define burnout, and how did it manifest for him?

4. Why did he follow a pattern of leaving businesses and avoiding responsibilities?

5. How was his journey seeking help through mentorship?

6. How did psychedelic-assisted therapy contribute to his personal growth?

7. In what ways did childhood traumas influence his adult behaviours as an entrepreneur and person?

Join Vladimira, Nektarios, and Hardi as they delve into the complexities of entrepreneurship,burnout, and self-discovery in this NAKED podcast episode.

#NAKEDPodcast #foundershealth #mentalhealth #empowerment #podcast #entrepreneurship

*Please be advised that this episode contains content related to suicide.* Suicidal ideation among entrepreneurs: let’s talk about it. In this episode, Vladimira and Nektarios engage in a conversation with their guest, Juliette Devillard, delving into her personal experience with suicidal ideation. The discussion explores common challenges faced by entrepreneurs, such as impostor syndrome, fear of failure, and the constant rejection inherent in startup life.

Juliette shares the steps that helped her navigate these struggles, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and prioritizing mental health. Michael Freeman's insights on mental health being like a sport, requiring practice for improvement, add depth to the conversation. Juliette's wellbeing management strategies, including a checklist for signals and the Beyond Resilience initiative, contribute to her journey toward healing and resilience. Specific topics covered in the episode include: • Juliette's personal experience with suicidal ideation. • The gradual buildup of thoughts and patterns leading to dark moments. • Common challenges faced by entrepreneurs: impostor syndrome, fear of failure, and constant rejection. • Recognizing and prioritizing mental health in the entrepreneurial journey. • Insights from Michael Freeman on treating mental health like a sport. • Juliette's strategies for managing her wellbeing, including a checklist for signals. • Beyond Resilience initiative: Bringing learnings and techniques to the entrepreneurial world. In addition, they discuss the following questions: 1. What were the contributing factors that led to Juliette's suicidal thoughts? 2. How did she recognize the need to prioritize getting better? 3. What small and big steps did Juliette take to navigate her struggles? 4. How does Michael Freeman's perspective on mental health resonate with Juliette's journey? 5. What strategies does Juliette employ to manage her wellbeing and look for signals? 6. How has her experience led to the creation of the Beyond Resilience initiative? Join them in this conversation as they delve into the topic of mental health in entrepreneurship, featuring Juliette Devillard's journey from suicidal ideation to resilience, offering essential insights for prioritizing well-being in the startup landscape. #NAKEDPodcast #foundershealth #mentalhealth #empowerment #podcast #entrepreneurship

In this episode of the NAKED Podcast, Vladimira and Nektarios focus on co-founder dynamics through the lens of stress research and therapeutic practices. They explore a powerful conflict resolution tool known as "constellations" and emphasize the importance of communication among co-founders. The conversation extends to the impact of stress on entrepreneurs, drawing insights from Dr. Ute Stephan's mental health research specifically on entrepreneurs. The episode also sheds light on the paradox of finding fulfilment amidst entrepreneurial stress and addresses the challenges of social isolation, particularly for solo founders. Specific topics covered in this episode include:

• Co-founder dynamics and unity.

• The constellations exercise for conflict resolution.

• Communication within co-founder teams.

• The impact of stress on entrepreneurs.

• Dr. Ute Stephan's research on mental health.

• The relationship between fulfilment and stress in entrepreneurship.

• Loneliness and social isolation among founders.

• Supportive community building.

In addition, they discuss the following questions: • How can co-founders strengthen their unity?

• What is the constellations exercise, and how does it work?

• What are the implications of stress for entrepreneurs?

• How does Dr. Ute Stephan's research relate to personal entrepreneurship experiences?

• Can entrepreneurs be both fulfilled and stressed simultaneously?

• What challenges do solo founders face in terms of loneliness/isolation?

• How can founders build a supportive community for themselves? Join them in this conversation as they delve into conflict resolution, co-founder dynamics, and the impact of entrepreneurship on mental health.

#NAKEDPodcast #foundershealth #mentalhealth #empowerment #podcast #entrepreneurship