What happens when you burn out while building a burnout prevention product?

In this episode, Sophie speaks with Austin, tech founder, writer, and systems thinker who created a burnout solution inside Slack, only to hit burnout himself. Together, they explore the complexity of purpose-fueled exhaustion, the invisible weight founders carry, and how productivity culture often disguises suffering.

Austin shares powerful reflections on energy management, journaling, self-worth, and why recovery isn't a clean break, it’s a series of course corrections. He also introduces a moving metaphor: the blister of burnout, a warning to those who jump back in too soon.

If you're a builder, leader, or anyone trying to do meaningful work without losing yourself this one’s for you.

📌 Key themes:→ Purpose-fueled burnout→ Energy & wellbeing debt→ The myth of balance vs. polarity→ Journaling as a healing tool→ Community as medicine

Connect with Austin here:

• LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-drabik/
• Personal website / blog — https://www.austindrabik.com/
• Conjuring Culture — https://conjuringculture.com/