In Episode 163 of the Scratch Agency Podcast, Stephen Turnbull and Shawn Fitzgerald sit down for a raw and honest solo conversation about entrepreneurship, burnout, work-life balance, and the challenge of truly unplugging as a business owner.

Fresh off a vacation where Sean was unexpectedly forced to disconnect after the entire island’s Wi-Fi and cell service went down, the guys dive into the reality of always feeling “on” as a scratch agency owner—and why learning to slow down might actually make you more effective.

From delegation struggles and mindset shifts, to parenting, family, team trust, and the pressure entrepreneurs put on themselves, this episode is a candid behind-the-scenes look at what it really feels like building a business while trying to stay present in life.

🔍 If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking a break, struggled to unplug, or constantly felt like you should be working harder—this episode will hit home.

🕒 Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:10 – Sean’s Vacation & The Island Wi-Fi Disaster

07:20 – Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Relax

11:15 – “I Felt Like I Was Falling Behind”

15:40 – The Power of Fully Disconnecting

20:05 – Delegation, Trust & Letting the Team Step Up

24:30 – Family, Kids & Reframing Priorities

29:10 – Why Rest Makes You More Effective

33:20 – The Mental Side of Entrepreneurship

38:05 – Scratch Agency Meetup Updates

42:10 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement for Agency Owners

💼 Sponsored by HawkSoft

https://www.hawksoft.com

A family-owned agency management system built to serve independent agencies with flexibility, transparency, and human-centered support.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📍 Scratch Agency Mastermind Meetup – July 30, 2026

🌆 New York City

🔗 https://scratchagencynyc.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thescratchagencypodcast

🎧 Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7hutxCZ5NUPqF5hRdC79Hl

🌐 Visit Our Website:

https://scratchagencypodcast.com