Ever feel stuck as a founder—uncertain about your next move, paralyzed by fear, or second-guessing what you really want?

In this episode, Jesse Pujji and Dave Kashen unpack the hidden dynamics behind “stuckness” and how founders can transform it into growth. From reframing “I don’t know” as liberation, to uncovering fear, anger, and desire as powerful guides, they show how getting unstuck is less about finding the “right” answer and more about trusting your wants, welcoming your emotions, and embracing uncertainty.

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⏱️ Episode Guide
[00:00:00] Opening – Why this podcast is about building with heart, not just grinding
[00:01:03] 10 problems vs. 10,000 blessings: gratitude framing
[00:02:33] Why founders rarely admit when they feel stuck
[00:03:27] “Growing edge” reframing – stuckness as a sign of expansion
[00:04:21] The genius trap: frustration when things don’t come easy
[00:05:24] Expecting to know vs. embracing “I don’t know”
[00:07:03] Rick Elias’ billion-dollar lesson: “We have no clue what we’re doing”
[00:08:06] Liberation in curiosity and beginner’s mind
[00:09:36] Fear as a hidden driver of stuckness
[00:10:48] Avoidance disguised as time management
[00:12:00] Clarity, murky water, and letting stillness reveal the path
[00:15:18] The unknowable nature of “right” answers
[00:17:42] Persistence vs. letting go – when forcing success backfires
[00:21:00] Why humans cling to certainty
[00:23:06] Capacity to handle uncertainty vs. obsession with being right
[00:25:12] Founders, hedge funds, and separating “being” from “doing”
[00:27:27] Knowing what you want vs. chasing the “right” answer
[00:29:24] Rebuilding the muscle of wanting
[00:31:03] Founder desires and strategy: why “want” drives company success
[00:33:09] Founder energy as the real determinant of persistence
[00:34:21] Why people don’t trust their wants (worthiness, work ethic, trade-offs)
[00:36:54] “What would have to be true?” reframing conflicting desires
[00:40:03] Anger as a signal for boundaries and wants
[00:42:00] Welcoming fear instead of resisting it
[00:43:39] Stuckness as resisting emotion in the body
[00:46:21] Fear-based motivation and why letting go doesn’t kill drive
[00:48:00] Magical thinking: fear won’t manifest reality
[00:49:57] Final challenge – run the experiment: feel the fear fully

What You’ll Learn

• Why feeling stuck is often a sign you’ve reached your growth edge.

• How to use “I don’t know” as a catalyst for curiosity and action.

• Practical ways to build your “wanting muscle” and trust what you truly desire.

• Why resisting fear, anger, or uncertainty keeps you stuck—and how welcoming them unlocks clarity.

• A founder-friendly framework for balancing persistence with the courage to let go.

In this Heart of Entrepreneurship episode, Jesse Pujji and coach Dave Kashen dive into one of the most common but rarely discussed founder challenges: feeling stuck. They explore frameworks from conscious leadership, beginner’s mind, and emotional intelligence to show how fear, uncertainty, and suppressed wants are often the real culprits behind stagnation.

If you’re navigating tough decisions, wondering about the “right” strategy, or struggling with founder energy, this conversation will help you reframe stuckness as growth. You’ll hear stories about billion-dollar CEOs, the genius trap, and why authentic wants matter more than market math.

Perfect for anyone interested in startup strategy, leadership frameworks, founder mindset, and emotional resilience.

What’s your experience of being stuck as a founder? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear. Don’t forget to like this episode if it helped shift your perspective, and subscribe for more deep-dive conversations with Jesse, Andrew, and Dave on The Heart of Entrepreneurship.
#HeartOfEntrepreneurship #FounderMindset #ConsciousLeadership