She Was Told to Give Up—Now She Funds the Startups That Change the World | Ep 255 with Erika Aquino

At 32, LD Chen was a successful CEO with over 1,000 employees—but also battling asthma, liver disease, chronic pain, anxiety, and a heart attack that nearly killed him. Nothing worked—until he discovered the ancient Taoist practice of Oneness. Now, LD is on a mission to bring this thousand-year-old healing tradition to one million people in the West. Key Discussion Points: The near-death moment that forced LD to rethink everything Why modern medicine and traditional mindfulness failed him The standing posture “genius design” that melts away stress and tension How Oneness dissolves anger and deepens compassion over time The science—and mystery—behind the practice’s power Why he refuses to dilute its authenticity for the Western market Takeaways: True transformation often comes from unexpected, ancient sources Healing the body can open doors to profound emotional and spiritual change Simplicity, presence, and consistency beat quick fixes every time Closing Thoughts:LD’s journey is proof that a thousand-year-old practice can be more relevant today than ever—especially in a world drowning in stress, distraction, and hustle culture. __________________________________________________________________________________ Get more leads and grow your business. Go to https://www.pipedrive.com/founders and get started with a 30 day free trial.

Erika Aquino opens up about her journey from a psychiatric hospital to becoming one of the most respected investors in emerging markets. Diagnosed with bipolar one disorder, cyberbullied, and a survivor of abuse, Erika refused to stay down. Instead, she built a life—and a portfolio—rooted in empathy, wisdom, and comeback power. She now writes the checks that change lives and rewrites the rules of what success looks like. Key Discussion Points: Her battle with mental health, stigma, and public shame The role creativity played in rebuilding her confidence Why she looks for pain-driven founders, not pitch-driven ones The brutal questions she asks before writing a big check How gender bias shows up in boardrooms—and how she navigates it What most founders get wrong when approaching investors Why failed founders often make the best bets Her global thesis: funding the people who rarely get funded Takeaways: Resilience isn’t a buzzword—it’s Erika’s investment criteria Emotional intelligence is as important as financials Great investors don’t just back winners—they help build them Real change happens when capital meets compassion Closing Thoughts:Erika Aquino is more than an investor—she’s living proof that our lowest moments don’t define us. They refine us. This episode will challenge how you think about leadership, failure, and the true meaning of success. Get more leads and grow your business. Go to https://www.pipedrive.com/founders and get started with a 30 day free trial.

Patrick William didn't take the safe route. In this episode, the former tech/media M&A banker turned private credit fund founder reveals how he bootstrapped Rixon Capital from a $3M cold-call raise into an internationally respected firm—all without institutional backing. From burning the boats to turning down Plan B, Patrick shares the psychology, risks, and raw reality behind building a fund from scratch. Key Discussion Points: Why starting a fund is like flying a plane with only one engine The real reason raising capital is harder than most people think Management fees, performance fees, and how fund managers actually make money What investors really want (and why they’re happy to pay for boring returns) Why most high-paying careers hold people back from entrepreneurship The “burn the boats” mindset and why it separates real founders from dabblers Capital trends in Southeast Asia—and what excites him most about the region Why patience is the secret weapon behind long-term returns Takeaways: Great ideas aren’t enough—storytelling and persistence close deals Investors aren’t just buying returns—they’re outsourcing stress “Mindless self-belief” is a founder’s most underappreciated asset Sometimes, the only way to win is to make sure there's no way out Closing Thoughts:Patrick William isn’t just building a fund—he’s redefining what smart, disciplined capital looks like in a noisy world. His story is a masterclass in conviction, patience, and making boring look brilliant. Today's Sponsor: Get more leads and grow your business. Go to https://www.pipedrive.com/founders and get started with a 30-day free trial.

Drs. Louis and Denise Joseph reveal the hidden psychological struggles of high performers—and why even the most successful people quietly suffer. From coaching billionaires and public figures to forming a groundbreaking partnership with Rolls-Royce, the Josephs share how Open Sea Institute is redefining peak performance through deep mental rewiring, personal transformation, and ethical leadership. Key Discussion Points: The two categories of elite suffering—and why success often hides emptiness Why powerful people feel trapped in the lives they built The concept of “superior human functioning” and how to achieve it without leaving your life behind The underestimated mental cost of startup leadership and fundraising How Open Sea Institute is bridging psychology and business performance The real reason suicide rates are rising—especially among high-performing men Social media, AI, and the psychological future of humanity Could Dr. Louis Joseph run for president? The surprising answer Takeaways: Even the most powerful people need help reclaiming joy, purpose, and inner peace Business transformation starts with mental transformation at the top Self-mastery and emotional intelligence are the new elite currencies Mental health isn’t a weakness—it’s the next frontier of leadership Closing Thoughts:Open Sea Institute isn’t just coaching individuals—they’re reprogramming the mental infrastructure of global power. This episode will leave you questioning how we define success, and what it truly means to lead.

Virginie Costa has quietly shaped some of the most iconic global brands from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, she reveals the hidden mechanics of luxury leadership, how to earn your seat at the table, and why the future of finance is transformational, AI-powered, and human-first. Key Discussion Points: What makes the Birkin bag the holy grail of luxury The biggest myth about retail’s death—and how luxury stores still thrive From France to the C-suite: how Virginie built her career at Hermès, Godiva, and more The real traits that define successful CEOs (it’s not what you think) What aspiring executives must do now to rise faster Why CFOs are the new storytellers in a data-driven world How to lead business transformation—and still keep empathy at the core What AI means for the future of finance (hint: it’s not job loss, it’s reinvention) Takeaways: Learn the business before leading it—always start with a listening tour Success today requires purpose, people, and the courage to transform The CFO of the future is more than a number-cruncher—they’re a change agent Great leaders build trust, drive culture, and never stop being curious Closing Thoughts:From luxury handbags to billion-dollar balance sheets, Virginie Costa has mastered transformation at every level. Her insights will change the way you think about leadership, finance, and the future of work.

Marc O. Stockli shares the untold truths behind boardrooms, exits, and ego. With over 200 board meetings under his belt and an eight-figure acquisition behind him, Marc breaks down why most founders misunderstand the role of a board—and how to turn it into your unfair advantage. Key Discussion Points: Why boardrooms are broken—and how to fix them The day 9/11 shaped his lifelong obsession with boards What every founder gets wrong about advisors and governance How to recruit high-level board members even if “you’re a nobody” When to reject VC money (and why most founders give up control too early) The true cost of a bad board—and the hidden benefit of starting early Behind the scenes of a failed exit… and the Ponzi scheme that almost derailed everything What founders must do today to prepare for a successful exit tomorrow Takeaways: A board's job isn’t control—it’s “support and challenge” Information asymmetry kills board effectiveness—solve it with proximity and culture Founders with integrity, humility, and curiosity attract the best board talent If you're not ready to spar, you're not ready for a board Closing Thoughts:This episode is a masterclass in long-game thinking. Whether you’re pre-seed or post-exit, Marc’s wisdom reframes the way you see leadership, advisors, and your own ego. Bookmark it. Study it. Revisit it before your next big decision.

Arthur Chang, a veteran tech executive and CEO of PanTerra Networks, joins us to talk about the evolution of business communications, why the future is all-in-one, and how AI—done right—frees humans to be more creative. He also shares the leadership values that helped him scale PanTerra into a cutting-edge AI-driven platform. Key Discussion Points: Building PanTerra around long-term vision, not trends Why Streams.AI is built to do it all (and why that matters) Using AI to assist, not replace, human creativity Balancing founder life without burning out How to stand out in a world of 5,000 competitors The "refine over time" mindset behind great decisions Takeaways: Passion is fuel—but balance keeps you in the game Don’t wait for perfect decisions; make good ones and improve AI won’t take your job, but it might take your repetitive tasks Founders should stop chasing trends—and breathe Closing Thoughts:Arthur Chang proves that visionary leadership is about patience, passion, and evolving with purpose. His story reminds us that the best businesses solve old problems better—by listening more than they talk.

Ken and Connor Mahoney, the father-son team behind MahoneyGPS, to unpack three decades of experience navigating Wall Street. They talk market cycles, the AI boom, crypto hype, IPOs, and why compound interest might still be the greatest secret weapon in investing. Key Discussion Points: How Ken built a 36-year Wall Street career and stayed relevant through market upheavals Why AI is still in the early innings—and where institutional money is flowing now The psychology of crypto and why Gen Z sees it as more than an asset class Father vs. son: generational differences in investing mindset and portfolio strategy Why dividend stocks may no longer be the answer for retirees The future of the dollar, global currencies, and where to stretch your money Their daily newsletter and media presence across CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Takeaways: Great companies don’t just survive—they reinvest, grow, and reward shareholders Compound interest is still the most powerful (and underused) investment tool Technology is the new infrastructure—and the market rewards those who keep up Crypto remains a high-risk, high-reward trading vehicle—not yet a true currency The U.S. dollar still reigns, despite temporary global shifts Closing Thoughts:Ken and Connor Mahoney are living proof that timeless market wisdom and forward-thinking strategy can coexist. Whether it’s riding the AI wave or challenging traditional retirement investing, they’re rewriting the rules while staying grounded in discipline and data.

Charles Gaudet shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship—from selling crayon drawings at age 4 to building and losing businesses, surviving financial ruin, and finally scaling Predictable Profits into a go-to resource for high-growth founders. He breaks down the mindset that helped him thrive in “bad” economies, why personal branding matters more than ever, and what separates strategic entrepreneurs from the rest. Key Discussion Points: Why downturns are actually fertile ground for rapid growth The “I see you everywhere” strategy for demand creation Building both a company and founder brand for exponential visibility From land development to algorithmic trading: his surprising path to success Mental clarity, fitness, and the birth of Founders Fuel The one moment he almost gave up—and the breakthrough that followed Takeaways: A bad economy punishes average thinking—and rewards strategy Brand visibility isn’t vanity; it’s leverage Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart, but those who persist win Your energy and mental sharpness are your most valuable assets Closing Thoughts:Charles reminds us that every setback can be a setup—if you have the grit to keep going. His story is a masterclass in resilience, strategic marketing, and building a brand that customers trust and remember.

Dr. Charles Ruotolo is more than a surgeon—he’s a systems thinker reshaping how we experience healthcare. In this episode, he shares how he built Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine into one of the most respected orthopedic practices in the New York metro area, while leading innovation in urgent care access, AI integration, and patient-centered longevity services. Key Discussion Points: Why most injuries after 40 stem from one overlooked mistake The mindset, repetition, and humility behind surgical mastery Building Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine like a five-star hotel The strategic rollout of Total Ortho Express urgent care locations How AI and virtual surgery are transforming the operating room and front desk Creating Total Wellness: a proactive center focused on aging and vitality Lessons on scaling a physician-first, patient-obsessed practice Takeaways: Repetition and outcome-tracking are what separate good surgeons from great ones A thriving practice puts physician well-being and patient experience at the center The best business moves in healthcare are often the most human ones Technology should empower—not replace—the doctor-patient relationship Closing Thoughts:Dr. Ruotolo isn’t just treating injuries—he’s building a new healthcare model from the ground up. One rooted in empathy, speed, innovation, and trust. In a world of waitlists and red tape, his work is a blueprint for how medicine can—and should—evolve.