We’ve been sold a lie about what it takes to build something meaningful.

That working harder is always the answer.
That extreme hustle is a badge of honor.
That betting the house is courage — not laziness.

In this episode, former VC turned operator Kiran Mehta dismantles some of the most dangerous myths in startup culture and replaces them with something far more uncomfortable: clear thinking.

We talk about how founders quietly trap themselves through confirmation bias, why perceived risk is often far more terrifying than actual risk, and how businesses rarely fail from one bad decision — but from hundreds of small ones left unexamined.

Kiran shares what he learned from years in venture capital, why he ultimately walked away, and how working closer to the action reshaped his understanding of leadership, calm, and responsibility.

This is a conversation about making decisions when the data is incomplete, the pressure is high, and the consequences feel personal. About why the calmest person in the room often holds the most power. And why success without clarity eventually collapses under its own weight.

🎙️ Listen if you’re building a company, navigating uncertainty, or questioning whether the way you’re working is actually serving the life you want.

Get in touch with Kiran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiranmehtakhm/