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