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In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by Lihi Be, a pioneering breathwork, movement, and somatic practitioner whose journey traverses the worlds of mindfulness, tech hustle, and the realities of reclaiming self-worth. Lihi unpacks what it means to truly be in a culture defined by output, shares the radical importance of rest and vulnerability (especially in the LA tech scene), and tells raw stories of heartbreak, transformation, and surviving a near-death experience in the wild. If you're a driven LA tech builder ready to reconnect with your own humanity, this one will hit home.
The Cost of Hustle: Why driven people in tech so often abandon their own well-being for productivity, and how reclaiming self-connection actually increases clarity and output 01:16.
Defining Breathwork: Lihi Benisty shares her transition from yoga to breathwork as a pillar of life and healing 04:17.
Reframing Healing: Ditching the "guru" complex and why real transformation is about reclaiming your autonomy—not outsourcing it to a healer 16:18.
Vulnerability in Tech: Why showing up honestly, even with anxiety or heartbreak, is a strength—not a weakness—for leaders and builders 46:40.
The Power of Boundaries: The liberating effect of saying "no," practicing somatic awareness, and communicating personal needs—even when it feels risky 49:01; 01:05:10.
How to Rest Without Guilt: Rest is not a reward for burnout but a necessity for creativity and productivity. Get three-breath practices to reset before high-stress moments 01:01:21.
Lihi’s Own Reclamation Journey: From depression to a near-fatal encounter with bears, a breakup, and finding new life on Kauai, Lihi keeps it transparent about growth, loss, and realignment 26:00.
Building Community & Integrity: Tips for identifying who’s really “for you” in your network or team—and the value of friends who just sit in the mud with you 55:13.
Leadership: How founders and tech leaders can integrate breathwork, self-inquiry, and community values into their startups for healthier, more effective teams 01:02:08.
Lihi Benisty aka "Lihi Be"
Breathwork, movement, and somatic practitioner
Retreat leader, poet, and Substack creator
Former founding teacher at Open (Venice, CA); now based in Kauai
Find her: lihibe.com | Instagram: @lihi_be
Poetry book: The Self Reframed in the Realm of Raw (Amazon)
Book: Sum by David Eagleman — Short stories with a creative take on the afterlife 01:06:08
Poetry Inspiration: David Whyte
Upcoming Retreats: Esalen in Southern California, Omega Institute in New York, Brazil
Virtual Workshops: Regularly offered — sign up via Lihi’s site or Instagram DM
Every “no” is one step closer to a “yes.”
The truest autonomy is saying no without excuses 01:05:10.
Three conscious breaths can shift your state before any high-stakes meeting or tough conversation 01:02:03.
Share, subscribe, and leave us a review! Connect with the vibrant LA tech community at wearelatech.com.
Listening to WeAreLATech means championing LA’s builders—one breath at a time.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The conversation focused on returning to work following a significant personal hiatus. The discussion explored the reasons behind the recent delay in podcast production, highlighting the importance of prioritizing personal well-being, even amidst the fast-paced startup world. Several points were raised, including the experience of encountering unexpected, life-changing events and the journey of returning to work with new perspectives and renewed energy.
Prioritizing Well-Being:
Perspective on Being a 'Good Person':
The Power of Choice:
Setting Boundaries:
Support and Vulnerability:
Micro-Wins and Self-Acceptance:
Reframing Productivity and Resilience:
Book: Transurfing Reality — A daily practice of choosing one's perspective and authoring one’s own reality was recommended as an influential tool
Podcast: Don't Be a Jerk — Highlighted as a podcast that explores both the human and business sides of leadership
Breathwork: Lihi Be Mentioned as a daily grounding method, specifically referencing short guided sessions for nervous system regulation
The episode concluded with anticipation for a renewed commitment to both the podcast and broader LA tech community. The conversation encouraged listeners to embrace their own journeys authentically and to find strength in self-love, support, and the power of choice.
Thank you for joining this deeply personal and reflective episode. Stay tuned for upcoming interviews and insights from leaders shaping Los Angeles’ tech landscape.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This part 1 episode is focused on transparency, vulnerability, and the realities behind the production pause in the WeAreLATech podcast. It's an inside look into the personal and professional challenges faced behind the scenes, illuminating both the rewards and the demands of running a mission-driven show. This episode marks the first of a two-part share, offering deeply personal reflections on burnout, boundaries, and the importance of prioritizing well-being in the pursuit of empowering community.
Unexpected Transitions & Production Delay
Burnout and Mental Health in Creative Work
Boundaries and Grace
Purpose and Impact of the Podcast
The Value of Authenticity
Enjoying the Journey
For more information on upcoming episodes and ways to get involved, visit the podcast’s website or follow on social media. @wearelatech
Thank you for supporting WeAreLATech, and for being a part of my ongoing journey of empowerment, resilience, and transformation.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, we sit down with Clayton Lengel-Zigich, a seasoned developer, Founder at LaBounty Labs, and proud girl dad. Clayton shares his approach to launching projects quickly, how he stays inspired in a fast-paced tech world, and the frameworks he uses to manage projects without getting stuck in over-planning.
💡 What You’ll Learn:How to structure your workflow for fast, iterative launches
Where developers and product teams can find fresh inspiration
Clayton’s favorite project management frameworks
The unexpected ways fatherhood has influenced his leadership style
Why done is better than perfect—especially in early-stage tech
Whether you’re a founder, engineer, or team lead, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world wisdom.
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Episode sponsor: Go to porkbun.com/LAVIP to get a .PRO domain for only $1 for the first year at Porkbun
_____
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
“Building Fast, Leading Thoughtfully: Clayton Lengel-Zigich on Frameworks, Fatherhood & Fast Launches”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club http://wearelatech.club
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://x.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Clayton Lengel-Zigich
https://claytonlz.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonlz
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Clayton Lengel-Zigich
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Featured Guest: Matt Farley – Product Designer at Side Ventures
Topics Covered:
💡 Build vs. Buy: Matt’s process for deciding whether to acquire a small project or start from scratch
🖌️ Logo Design vs. Logo Creation: How to approach branding, and what it’s like collaborating with a designer
🚀 Getting Into Design: How Matt broke into product and logo design, and his advice for aspiring creatives
🌐 Domain Hosting Tips: What to consider when launching your next digital venture
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Episode sponsor: Go to porkbun.com/LAVIP to get a .PRO domain for only $1 for the first year at Porkbun
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Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
Welcome to WeAreLATech's Los Angeles Tech Community Spotlight!
“The Designer's Toolbox: Behind Logo Creation and Design with Matt Farley”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club http://wearelatech.club
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Matt Farley
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-farley-32526014
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Matt Farley
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Guest: Dave Kang — Founder of Octopus Way, a movement that empowers creatives to live with clarity, curiosity, and flow.
🎧 In this episode, you'll learn:
🐙 How Dave Kang structures his life to manage 8+ projects
🔍 A peek into the current projects he's building
🎯 Why the Ikigai lifestyle isn’t as effortless as people think
🛠 Actionable tools for managing complexity and staying energized
💡 Tips to reclaim control and thrive as a multi-passionate creator
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Episode sponsor: Go to porkbun.com/LAVIP to get a .PRO domain for only $1 for the first year at Porkbun
----
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
Welcome to WeAreLATech's Los Angeles Tech Community Spotlight!
“Mastering the Octopus Life with Dave Kang”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club http://wearelatech.club
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Dave Kang
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekang
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Octopus Life
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
🎧 This episode features: Daniel Vassallo, Founder of Small Bets
Daniel left a high-paying job at Amazon to pursue a life of experimentation, leading to the creation of Small Bets—a global community that helps creators and indie founders launch micro-projects with purpose and sustainability. Recently his community was acquired by Gumroad for $3.5 Million! In this episode, Daniel breaks down:
Why “small bets” beat big leaps
His personal journey from corporate to creator
How the Small Bets community helps people build freedom-first businesses
Resources, tools, and frameworks that helped him succeed
Whether you're just starting out or looking for a smarter way to scale, Daniel’s insights are packed with practical wisdom and thoughtful strategies to build on your own terms.
Episode sponsor: Go to porkbun.com/LAVIP to get a .PRO domain for only $1 for the first year at Porkbun
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
“Indie Success: Daniel Vassallo's Small Bets Community Journey to $3.5M Acquisition”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club http://wearelatech.club
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://x.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Daniel Vassallo
https://dvassallo.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvassallo
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Small Bets
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
Welcome to WeAreLATech's Los Angeles Tech Community Spotlight!
“Garvan Kuskey and Garvin Chen of SendKits: Better Sales Follow Up”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
To support our podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/believe
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Garvan Kuskey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvank
Guest,
Garvin Chen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvinchen
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1
Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: SendKits
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
Welcome to WeAreLATech's Los Angeles Tech Community Spotlight!
“Ryan Robinson of Right Blogger: Content Tools for Creators”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
To support our podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/believe
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest,
Ryan Robinson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theryanrobinson
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1
Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Ryan Robinson
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Don't miss out on the next WeAreLATech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://wearelatech.com/podcast
Welcome to WeAreLATech's Los Angeles Tech Community Spotlight!
“Gregory Ugwi and Mariyam Shamshidova of Wefranch: The Unexpected Millionaire-Maker Model”
WeAreLATech Podcast is a WeAreTech.fm production.
To support our podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/believe
To be featured on the podcast go to http://wearelatech.com/feature-your-la-startup/
Want to be featured in the WeAreLATech Community? Create your profile here http://wearelatech.com/community
Host,
Espree Devora
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guests,
Gregory Ugwi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-ugwi
Mariyam Shamshidova
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariyam-sh/
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
To further immerse yourself into the LA Tech community go to http://wearelatech.com/vip
Resources Mentioned:
People Mentioned:
Credits:
Short Title: Gregory Ugwi and Mariyam Shamshidova, Wefranch
Step into the vibrant heart of Los Angeles's tech community with WeAreLATech 'Experience' Club, crafted by Espree Devora, an "artist of human connection."
Since 2012 this connective club has united the brightest in tech—from engineers to investors, product people to designers to founders— for extraordinary in-person activities.
Move beyond standard mixers to connect through unique experiences such as horseback riding, clay pigeon shooting, rooftop cocktails, and luxury beach picnics.
The Club prioritizes deep, quality connections within a strong, curated culture, offering dynamic settings to expand your professional network. Embrace the opportunity to forge lasting memories and invaluable partnerships within LA's tech ecosystem.
Discover more and join our journey at www.wearelatech.club, and gain further insights on the WeAreLATech Podcast.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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