Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode, David Petrou shares his journey from Google to founding Continua, exploring how AI and social agents are transforming group communication and collaboration. Discover insights on building innovative AI products, navigating startup challenges, and the future of social AI integration.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction  

(02:23) The Problem Continua.ai Aims to Solve  

(06:35) From Enterprise to Startup  

(10:55) Culture Shock and Learning Curves  

(13:05) The Advantage of Velocity in Startups  

(18:33) Current Challenges: Speed and Coherence in AI  

(25:34) Milestones in AI Development and Coding Tools  

(28:47) Leadership Growth and Self-Development  

(30:57) Connecting with Continua.ai and Future Opportunities 

Links & Resources 

• David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpetrou
• Continua AI: https://continua.ai/

Keywords 

AI, social agents, startup, innovation, group chat, collaboration, technology, entrepreneurship, Continua, Google

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode, experienced founder Matt Hudson shares insights on personalized web experiences, leadership, and making strategic decisions in startups. Discover how to leverage demand, invest in people, and navigate challenges to build impactful products.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Intro  

(05:35) The Importance of User Experience  

(08:54) Investing in People for Business Success  

(13:38) Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Wins  

(18:25) Identifying Real Demand in Product Development  

(23:22) Navigating Team Dynamics and Cultural Mix  

(28:28) Investing in Leadership Development  

(31:07) Embracing the Challenges of Startup Life  

(33:08) Choosing Your Suffering in Entrepreneurship  

Links & Resources

• Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattshudson
• BILDIT: https://www.bildit.co/
• Principle-Centered Leadership: https://a.co/d/08YJJKde
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://a.co/d/04GTQKpW
• The Second Mountain: https://a.co/d/0iAYMElG
  

Keywords 

Startups, Leadership, Personalization, E-commerce, Demand, Building Great Teams, Product Strategy, AI, Business Growth

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode, Edgar Munoz, a multi-time founder and expert in digital construction, shares insights on integrating modern tech with traditional construction, scaling operations, and the importance of resilience and effective communication in leadership.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction to Founder Real Talk  

(01:55) Modern Development: Bridging Tradition and Innovation  

(06:52) Lessons Learned: Wisdom from Failure  

(11:46) Investing in Leadership and Personal Growth  

(14:50) Learning Through Experience  

(16:30) Communicating Across Stakeholders  

(21:03) Evolving as a Leader  

(26:03) Finding Balance and Presence

Links & Resources 

• Guest contact info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-mu%C3%B1oz-121a8a51
• Moderne Dev Website: https://modernedevelopment.com/
• Oxford University Digital Systems Program: https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/teaching/courses/2025-2026/digitalsystems/
  

Keywords 

construction, digital construction, robotics, AI, scaling, leadership, resilience, innovation, real estate, startup

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode, Saeid Makmali, a tech executive and serial entrepreneur, shares insights on how startups can overcome execution challenges, the importance of cultural fit in hiring, and strategies for achieving product-market fit. Learn from his experiences in building SinonSoft and his MVP Partner Program to support early-stage founders.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Founder Real Talk

01:47 Understanding the Pain Points of Entrepreneurs

04:52 The Joys and Challenges of Entrepreneurship

06:30 Lessons Learned from Failure

09:52 Investing in Leadership Development

12:26 Narrowing Focus: Transitioning to Healthcare

15:05 Advice for Seed Stage Founders

19:27 Connecting with Entrepreneurs in Need

20:56 losing Thoughts and Future Connections

Links & Resources 

• Saeid’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saeid-makhmali
• Guest Website: https://sinansoft.com/
• MVP Partner Program: https://sinansoft.com/services/mvp-partner-program
  

Keywords 

startups, entrepreneurship, product-market fit, hiring, company culture, MVP, software development, founder journey

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode of Founder Real Talk, Josh Broward interviews Ricardo Berrios about Adhera Health's innovative use of AI in pediatric chronic care. They discuss the company's journey, challenges, successes, and the importance of family-centered healthcare solutions.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction

(03:05) The Genesis of Adhera Health

(05:17) Empathic AI in Healthcare

(08:16) Achievements and Recognition

(10:43) Lessons from Mistakes and Challenges

(13:09) Advice for Seed Stage Founders

(15:33) The Importance of Continuous Education

(17:04) Current Challenges and Future Vision

(19:28) Support and Partnerships Needed

(21:46) Reflections on the Founder Journey

Links & Resources 

• Ricardo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardocberrios
• Adhera Health: https://www.adherahealth.com/
  

Keywords

AI health, pediatric chronic care, digital health, family health, healthcare innovation, startup journey, healthcare AI awards

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this insightful interview, Ashley Parekh shares her journey from banking to fintech innovation, focusing on digital onboarding solutions for small banks and credit unions. She discusses the challenges of startup pivots, the importance of customer focus, and lessons learned from failure, offering valuable advice for aspiring founders.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction to Syntex and Its Mission

(03:09) Ashley Parekh's Journey in Banking

(05:26) Lessons Learned from Early Mistakes

(09:26) Navigating the Challenges of Startups

(15:08) Investing in Yourself

(19:54) Current Challenges and Future Goals

(23:13) Working with Syntex

Links & Resources 

• Ashley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-parekh
• Syntex: https://www.syntex.pro/
  

Keywords 

fintech, startup, banking, digital onboarding, entrepreneurship, pivot, customer focus, fundraising, failure, growth

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode of Founder Real Talk, host Josh Broward interviews Rachel Stern, founder and managing partner of GovTech Ventures. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in the GovTech space, the importance of capital and expertise for early-stage startups, and Rachel's extensive experience working with state and local governments. Rachel shares her journey of fundraising, the lessons learned from failures, and the significance of having a personal advisory board. The conversation also touches on the transition from founder-led sales to scalable processes and the value of engaging with the GovTech community.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to GovTech Ventures and Rachel Stern

02:58 The Need for Capital in GovTech

06:06 Rachel's Background and Experience in Government

08:58 The Journey of Fundraising and Building a Network

12:05 Learning from Mistakes and Embracing Failure

17:52 The Importance of Personal Advisory Boards

20:53 Investing in Professional Development

25:01 Challenges in Fundraising and Building a Fund

28:45 Advice for Seed Stage Founders

31:55 The Transition from Founder-Led Sales to Scalable Processes

36:00 Engaging with the GovTech Community

Links & Resources 

• Rachel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelstern12
• Website: https://govtechventures.com/

Keywords 

GovTech, venture capital, fundraising, startups, personal development, advisory board, failure, seed stage, founder-led sales, networking

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode, Vlad Schlossberg, CEO of Foqal, shares insights on how AI and automation are transforming support workflows within organizations. He discusses the importance of integrating with existing chat platforms, the challenges of scaling, and lessons learned from building a customer-centric product.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction to Founder Real Talk

(02:07) Understanding Focal's Core Problem

(04:04) The Importance of Integration in Workflows

(08:06) Empathy in Problem Solving

(10:31) The Journey of Building a Startup

(12:01) Celebrating Wins and Learning from Losses

(17:01) Struggles and Mistakes in Execution

(21:12) Balancing Customer Requests and Product Development

(25:51) Scaling Challenges: Navigating Growth and Marketing

(27:32) Customer Acquisition: The Lifeblood of Business

(29:17) Bootstrapping Success: Building a Sustainable Business

Links & Resources

• Vlad’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vshlos
• Guest Website: https://www.foqal.io/

Keywords

AI, automation, support workflows, chat platform integration, scaling startups, product development, customer success

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode of Founder Real Talk, host Josh Broward speaks with Giulia Eve Flores, founder of Lila Studios, about the spiritual journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of storytelling in cinema, and the personal growth that comes with being a founder. Giulia shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate job to starting her own studio, the challenges of rapid growth, and the significance of self-care and emotional regulation in her journey. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support among founders and the transformative power of cinema to inspire and uplift humanity.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) Introduction to Founder Real Talk

(01:57) The Spiritual Path of Entrepreneurship

(05:14) The Birth of Leela Studios

(07:35) Harnessing the Power of Storytelling

(12:51) Personal Wins and Growth as a Founder

(17:13) Navigating Rapid Growth and Self-Care

(27:25) The Importance of Self-Care in Business

(29:02) Embracing the Egg Principle in Business

(31:04) Trusting the Process and Non-Linear Growth

(32:52) Investing in Yourself and Strategic Partnerships

(36:52) Navigating Growth and Delegation Challenges

(39:04) Seeking Investors and Building Legacy

Links & Resources

• Giulia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-eve-flores-985243202

Keywords 

entrepreneurship, female founder, transformational cinema, storytelling, self-care, personal growth, Lila Studios, business strategy, emotional intelligence, community support

Welcome to Founder Real Talk, a podcast for founders, by founders. 

We explore the real journey of building and growing a company. Each episode, we go beyond the highlight reel to unpack the strategies, decisions, and hard lessons that shaped successful businesses, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the growth.

In this episode of Founder Real Talk, host Josh Broward engages with Chris Fitzgerald, the CEO of an AI-powered open-source intelligence company, Intrace. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by startup founders, particularly the feelings of loneliness and the struggle to normalize their experiences. Chris shares insights into his company's mission to streamline investigations for security and private investigation firms by leveraging AI technology. He explains the four pillars of their platform: graph, search, monitoring, and corpus collection, which collectively enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations across various domains.

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This episode was brought to you by Wisdom Partners. If you’re looking for more real conversations, practical resources, and honest founder stories, follow us for upcoming episodes of Founder Real Talk. We invite you to subscribe to our Substack newsletters to receive weekly articles, insights, and resources designed to support founders through every stage of the journey!

Contact us: wisdompartners.llc/contact

Subscribe to our Substack: blog.wisdompartners.llc

Chapters 

(00:00) - Introduction to Founder Real Talk

(02:00) - Understanding Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

(05:13) - Identifying Customer Needs and Market Fit

(06:58) - The Journey of Building Intrace

(09:50) - Technical Wins and Team Morale

(12:29) - Learning from Mistakes and Failures

(15:55) - Investing in Talent and Team Culture

(21:54) - Challenges in Client Management

(24:58) - Advice for Early-Stage Founders

Links & Resources 

• Chris’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzgerald-christopher
• Intrace: https://www.intrace.ai/
• Take our Free Work Well-Being Assessment! https://forms.gle/RRcQAmv3xnQyM184A

Keywords 

Founder Real Talk, OSINT, AI, cybersecurity, private investigation, startup challenges, product development, failure, investment, scaling