Learning to Rest Without Feeling Like a Failure | OnlyFounders

Is AI really the threat we're being told it is, or are we overlooking the human decisions behind how it's being developed and used?In Episode 2 of The Culture of AI, Anne Gillaspie welcomes software engineer, artist, and entrepreneur Sayre Blake for a candid conversation about artificial intelligence, human responsibility, and the culture forming around this rapidly evolving technology.Sayre breaks down the controversial Hugging Face AI agent incident, explaining how poor security decisions, flawed testing, and a lack of human oversight contributed to a situation that was later framed as an example of AI becoming dangerous. She challenges the tendency to blame the technology without examining the people who designed, deployed, and controlled it.The conversation also explores what AI is revealing about the workplace. From creative professionals and journalists to software developers and business owners, AI is exposing questions about quality, expertise, human contribution, and the value of work that often goes unseen.IN THIS EPISODEThe Hugging Face AI agent incident and what actually happenedWhy AI safety depends on proper testing, security, and human oversightHow companies can use fear around AI to shape public perceptionThe human decisions behind AI-generated content and technologyWhy quality, creativity, and craftsmanship still matterHow AI is changing jobs and exposing the value of human expertiseWhy AI can automate tasks without replacing the deeper work of software developmentThe opportunity for smaller businesses and independent creatorsHow AI can reduce administrative work and make more room for creativityWhy parents need to think carefully about children's access to AI toolsThe importance of ethical leadership, safeguards, and accountabilityWhat the future of AI could look like when humans remain involvedPULL QUOTES“A bubble isn't some force of nature, it's just people making decisions.”“It can't set itself off.”“Trust your instincts as a person of does this look like it was made with care and craft and love?”“AI makes you more human.”“It's all people at the end of the day.”“Architecture is that connection to the people, to the world, to the problem we're trying to solve.”Quotes are taken from the supplied transcript. Check against the final edited audio before publishing.ABOUT THE GUESTSayre Blake is a software engineer, artist, and entrepreneur with experience in the video game industry and software as a service. She runs Skillsage, a training software company focused on helping people develop the human skills that make them better at what they do.Her perspective brings together technical experience, creative work, and a strong focus on the human side of technology.CONNECT WITH SAYRE BLAKEGuest website and social links should be added once the exact URLs and preferred profiles are confirmed.ABOUT ANNE GILLASPIEAnne Gillaspie is the host of OnlyFounders, an international keynote speaker, private life mentor, and brand expert. Through honest conversations with founders, creators, and entrepreneurs, she explores the human side of business, leadership, identity, and personal growth.Website: https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/LISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders is a podcast about the human side of business. Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show features honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and creators about the experiences behind building something meaningful. Beyond the polished success stories, OnlyFounders explores the challenges, decisions, relationships, and personal realities that shape the people behind the business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for more real conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the human experience.#CultureOfAI #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanCenteredLeadership

What happens when a business you spent years building becomes the thing you need to walk away from?In this episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie sits down with Stephen Somers, founder of Marketplace SuperHeroes, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, business failure, founder identity, and the personal challenges that don't always show up in the success story.Stephen shares how he went from being broke in Dublin and working a job he didn't enjoy to learning e-commerce from the ground up in a warehouse in Northern Ireland. That experience eventually helped him build a successful Amazon business and launch Marketplace SuperHeroes, an online education company.But the journey wasn't all growth. Stephen opens up about a freight business that faced enormous financial pressure during COVID, the difficult end of a 13-year business partnership, and the emotional impact of questioning whether he could succeed on his own.He also talks about working with a therapist, discovering his ADHD, overcoming his fear of the future, and learning to build a business around his actual strengths rather than trying to do everything himself.Anne and Stephen get into the realities of co-founder relationships, evolving as an entrepreneur, using AI as a practical tool, and why a successful business doesn't have to come with a flashy lifestyle.This is a conversation about the parts of entrepreneurship we don't always put in the highlight reel: the mistakes, the uncertainty, the relationships, and the work of finding your way forward.ABOUT STEPHEN SOMERSStephen Somers is the founder of Marketplace SuperHeroes, an online education company that has helped more than 10,000 people build side incomes selling on Amazon and Whatnot.After leaving a 9-to-5 job in Dublin, Stephen built a multi-seven-figure Amazon business from scratch. He later expanded into online education, helping aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to build and grow e-commerce businesses.More recently, he led the Marketplace SuperHeroes team into live-stream selling Pokemon cards on Whatnot, generating $400,000 in seven months.Stephen is focused on helping people create new opportunities through e-commerce, practical education, and entrepreneurship.CONNECT WITH STEPHENInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenjsomers/Website: https://marketplacesuperheroes.com/startYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketplaceSuperHeroesofficialABOUT ANNE GILLASPIEAnne Gillaspie is the host of OnlyFounders, an international keynote speaker, private life mentor, and brand expert. Through honest conversations and founder stories, she explores the human side of business, leadership, identity, relationships, and personal growth.CONNECT WITH ANNEWebsite: https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/Speaking: https://theannegillaspie.com/speakingLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders is a podcast about the human side of business. Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show brings founders and entrepreneurs together for candid conversations about the experiences behind building something meaningful.Beyond the wins and polished success stories, OnlyFounders explores the failures, relationships, challenges, personal growth, and honest realities of being human while building a business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for more conversations that go beyond the business highlight reel.#OnlyFounders #FounderStories #BusinessFailure

What happens when the identity you've spent years building no longer feels like who you are?In this solo episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie explores identity, imposter syndrome, burnout, and what she calls a midlife awakening. She reflects on how easily we become attached to titles, roles, and expectations that were often given to us by other people, and what happens when those identities no longer fit.Anne shares her own experience of moving away from a long-standing identity as a CEO, founder, and brand executive while stepping into new work as a keynote speaker, life mentor, and truth disruptor. She talks honestly about the grief that can come with changing direction, questioning your ambitions, and letting go of a business or role that once defined you.The conversation also goes deeper into childhood conditioning, faith, motherhood, and breaking generational cycles. Anne reflects on recognizing unhealthy patterns in her parenting, doing the work to change them, and creating space for a more honest relationship with herself and the people around her.Whether you're a founder questioning your next chapter, a leader experiencing burnout, or someone who no longer recognizes the life you've built, this episode is an invitation to pause and ask: Is this who I actually want to be?You have permission to change your mind. You have permission to change your identity. And you don't have to keep performing a life that no longer feels true.IN THIS EPISODEWhy identity can become tied to job titles, money, and external validationThe difference between a midlife crisis and a midlife awakeningLetting go of an identity you've spent years buildingAnne's transition from CEO and brand founder to keynote speaker and life mentorThe grief that comes with changing your purpose and directionWhy you don't have to stay inside one professional or personal identityChildhood conditioning and the identities we carry into adulthoodBreaking generational cycles and changing unhealthy parenting patternsReconnecting with your truth, intuition, and personal faithRecognizing burnout and questioning a life you once worked hard to createCreating safe spaces for honesty in your relationshipsWhy you have permission to change your mindABOUT ANNE GILLASPIEAnne Gillaspie is the host of OnlyFounders, an international keynote speaker, private life mentor, and brand expert. Through honest conversations and personal reflections, she explores the human side of business, leadership, identity, relationships, and personal transformation.Her work creates space for people to question old patterns, tell the truth about their experiences, and make decisions that reflect who they are becoming.CONNECT WITH ANNEWebsite: https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/Speaking: https://theannegillaspie.com/speakingLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527Subscribe on YouTube and leave a written review on Apple Podcasts to help more people discover OnlyFounders.ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of business through honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders. Beyond the polished success stories, we talk about identity, relationships, ambition, uncertainty, burnout, and the real experiences behind building a business and a meaningful life.#OnlyFounders #FounderIdentity #MidlifeAwakeningPLAYLIST RECOMMENDATIONSOfficial OnlyFounders – Full EpisodesAdd this episode to the main playlist of all full-length episodes.Anne’s Solo EpisodesThis is an Anne solo episode and belongs in the dedicated solo playlist.Founder IdentityStrong topic match for the discussion about professional identity, changing direction, and redefining success.Founder Burnout + Mental HealthAlso relevant because Anne discusses burnout, exhaustion, and questioning a life or career that no longer feels right.YOUTUBE TAGSAnne Gillaspie, OnlyFounders, founder identity, identity crisis, midlife awakening, midlife identity, founder burnout, imposter syndrome, entrepreneur mental health, personal growth, finding your identity, changing direction, career change, authentic leadership, generational cycles, breaking generational patterns, truth telling, founder journey, human connection, honest conversations, life purpose, personal transformation

Do you really need a massive audience to build a successful business? Olivia Sautereau believes you don't.In this episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie sits down with Olivia Sautereau, founder of Leader d’Elite, to explore what it takes to build a successful business through influence, meaningful relationships, and focused leadership.Olivia shares how she moved from teaching yoga and meditation into online business mentoring, built a multi-million-euro business without relying on a huge following, and created a life in which she became the primary income earner for her family while her husband focused on home and family life and they chose to homeschool their son.The conversation goes beyond revenue and social media numbers. Olivia explains why serving clients and selling are both essential, why business owners shouldn't tie their self-worth to sales results, and how simplifying your business can create more room for meaningful growth.Anne and Olivia also explore feminine leadership, ambition, money, marriage, faith, personal identity, and the importance of building influence without constantly performing for an audience. Olivia shares her perspective on knowing when client relationships have run their course, letting go without guilt, and balancing a long-term vision with practical daily action.This episode is a reminder that a bigger business doesn't always require a bigger audience. Sometimes, the real work is becoming clearer about what you offer, who you serve, and the kind of life you want to build.IN THIS EPISODEHow Olivia transitioned from yoga and meditation teaching into online business mentoringBuilding a multi-million-euro business without depending on a massive social media followingWhy serving clients and selling are both essential parts of businessSeparating personal worth from sales results and business performanceBuilding influence through meaningful relationships rather than chasing numbersThe role of feminine leadership, ambition, and personal freedomHow Olivia and her husband approach family life, homeschooling, and different prioritiesWhy business owners can become addicted to complexitySimplifying your business and focusing on the actions that matterKnowing when a coaching relationship has reached its natural conclusionCombining a long-term vision with practical, step-by-step leadershipPULL QUOTES“You don't need to be in big cities. You just need to own where you are and be so proud of it.”“You have a problem, I have the solution and we need to make it visible.”“Serve your client and sell.”“I never focus on quantity but quality.”“We are not here to be perfect leaders. We are learning to be leaders.”“It's not my identity.”“I think that people are addicted to complexity.”“I have like a lot of humility also. And that humility is just I'm learning, you know?”Please verify final wording against the published edit before using these as on-screen or promotional quotes.ABOUT OLIVIA SAUTEREAUOlivia Victoria Sautereau is the founder of Leader d’Elite, an international movement for women who want to build more money, influence, and freedom.After beginning her professional journey as a yoga and meditation teacher, Olivia moved into online business mentoring and built a multi-million-euro business. Her approach challenges the idea that a large audience is a requirement for meaningful business growth. She emphasizes influence, quality relationships, serving clients, and creating a business that supports the life you want to live.CONNECT WITH OLIVIAInstagram: @leaderdelite_worldwideTelegram: https://t.me/+RcJ5YMiJmbZjODFkPodcast: https://www.leaderdelite.fr/podcast-secret-eliteLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ANNE GILLASPIEAnne Gillaspie is the host of OnlyFounders, an international keynote speaker, private life mentor, and brand expert. Through honest conversations with founders and entrepreneurs, she explores the human side of business: the decisions, relationships, identity, pressure, and personal experiences behind building a company.Connect with Anne:Website: https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/Speaking: https://theannegillaspie.com/speakingABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of business through honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders. Beyond the success stories, we talk about the real experiences behind building a business: identity, relationships, ambition, uncertainty, leadership, and what it takes to create a life that feels meaningful along the way.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for more conversations that go beyond the highlight reel.#OnlyFounders #WomenInBusiness #FeminineLeadershipOlivia Sautereau, Leader d’Elite, women in business, feminine leadership, business mentorship, entrepreneur mindset, business growth, building influence, online business, business without a big audience, women entrepreneurs, OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie, founder podcast, entrepreneurship podcast

What happens when achievement becomes an addiction, and no amount of success ever feels like enough?In this solo episode of OnlyFounders, host Anne Gillaspie gets honest about the pressure to keep achieving, earning, growing, and becoming more. She explores how performance culture can teach us to associate achievement with love, attention, acceptance, and safety, leaving us exhausted by the constant need to prove ourselves.Anne shares her own experience of navigating a difficult financial year, building a new business identity, and trying to keep moving forward while recovering from illness. Although she has experienced meaningful professional successes, including speaking opportunities and growth for OnlyFounders, she reflects on how easy it is to overlook those accomplishments when your attention is always fixed on the next goal.This conversation challenges founders and entrepreneurs to reconsider what success actually means. Is it a financial milestone, a bigger audience, or a growing business? Or could success also mean doing meaningful work, having time to rest, supporting others, and feeling content with where you are today?Anne explores the value of curiosity, play, intuition, gratitude, and giving yourself permission to pause when the future feels uncertain. She also shares why rest can create space for new possibilities and why a season of uncertainty does not automatically mean you are failing.If you constantly feel behind, struggle to celebrate your progress, or find yourself chasing the next achievement before appreciating the last one, this episode is an invitation to slow down and reconsider what you are measuring your worth against.Sometimes, the next step is not doing more. It is recognizing what you have already accomplished and allowing yourself to be enough right now.IN THIS EPISODEWhy achievement can become tied to love, attention, and acceptanceThe connection between performance culture and founder burnoutWhy external success does not always feel fulfilling internallyNavigating financial uncertainty and building a new business identityRethinking money, visibility, growth, and traditional measures of successUsing curiosity and play when the future feels unpredictableLearning to listen to your intuition and recognize what you needWhy rest and slowing down can create space for new possibilitiesThe role of gratitude in finding contentment during difficult seasonsRecognizing success beyond financial milestones and professional recognitionGiving yourself permission to exist without constantly proving your worthCelebrating the person you are today instead of always chasing the next version of yourselfPULL QUOTESVerify the exact wording and punctuation against the final edited audio before publishing.“At what point are we happy with enough?”“You can still exist in the unknown.”“I need to be a safe space for my truth.”“The truth is, I shouldn't be doing anything. I should be resting.”“And knowing that you are achieving by simply being here. That is enough.”ABOUT ANNE GILLASPIEAnne Gillaspie is the host of OnlyFounders, a speaker, life mentor, and brand expert who explores the human side of business, leadership, identity, and personal growth.Through candid conversations and solo reflections, Anne challenges founders and entrepreneurs to look beyond external measures of success and examine the experiences, relationships, and beliefs shaping their lives. Her work encourages honest conversations about ambition, uncertainty, leadership, and what it means to build a business and life that feel meaningful.CONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Speaking:https://theannegillaspie.com/speakingInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of entrepreneurship and what building a business does to the person building it.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show goes beyond polished founder stories to explore leadership, identity, relationships, mental wellbeing, ambition, fear, and the messy realities of building a business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for honest conversations about the people behind the titles, the decisions behind the businesses, and the human experiences that shape how we work and live.#OnlyFounders #FounderBurnout #EntrepreneurMindset

What happens when the people who help you rebuild your life inspire you to become that person for someone else?In this episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie sits down with Michael Morgan, founder and CEO of Magical Journey Network, a nonprofit connecting adults facing difficult life transitions with mentors who have walked a similar path.Michael’s journey into mentorship is deeply personal. After years of struggling with addiction, difficult choices, and the consequences of his past, he began rebuilding his life through recovery, accountability, and service. He shares how the people who stood beside him helped him keep going, and why he believes people facing major life changes need more than advice. They need someone who understands what they’re going through.Michael explains how those experiences inspired Magical Journey Network, which supports people navigating recovery, grief, isolation, career upheaval, and the challenge of reinventing their lives. The conversation explores the power of sharing the truths we once kept hidden, taking responsibility for our choices, and learning to offer others the kind of support that made a difference for us.Anne and Michael also discuss the mentors who shaped his life, the complicated experiences that influenced his path, and the surprising ways one person’s support can change another person’s future. Michael reflects on starting a new chapter later in life and why meaningful work doesn’t have to follow a conventional timeline.This is an honest conversation about recovery, personal reinvention, mentorship, and the importance of having someone beside you when life gets difficult.IN THIS EPISODEWhy Michael created Magical Journey NetworkHow mentorship helped Michael rebuild his lifeThe connection between recovery, accountability, and serviceWhy people need understanding and support, not someone telling them how to liveSupporting adults through grief, isolation, career changes, and major life transitionsHow sharing difficult truths can change the way we connect with othersThe mentors who made a lasting difference in Michael’s lifeTurning personal experience into a mission that serves othersWhy lived experience can be powerful in a mentoring relationshipStarting a new chapter later in lifeHow one person’s encouragement can influence another person’s futureWhy nobody should have to navigate a difficult season completely alonePULL QUOTESConfirm exact wording against the final edited audio before publishing.“I started the Magical Journey Network because mentors saved my life.”“What they need is someone that's walked through the same shit they have and is willing to walk beside them now.”“You're only as sick as your darkest secrets.”“It's always been mentorship, always been somebody there for me.”“You can kind of make your life.”ABOUT MICHAEL MORGANMichael Morgan is the founder and CEO of Magical Journey Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that pairs adults navigating difficult life transitions with mentors who have experienced similar challenges.After years of showing up in mentorship and recovery communities, Michael turned the lessons from his own life into a mission to help others find connection, guidance, and support. His work is rooted in a simple belief: people shouldn’t have to walk through life’s hardest moments alone.His philosophy is simple: find a mentor, become one, and never walk the road alone.CONNECT WITH MICHAEL MORGAN & MAGICAL JOURNEY NETWORKWebsite:https://magicaljourneynetwork.comLinkedIn: Michael Morganhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-morgan-011407108/LinkedIn: Magical Journey Networkhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/magical-journey-networkInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/magicaljourneynetworkFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581697155962TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@magical.journey.nCONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of entrepreneurship and what building a business does to the person building it.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show goes beyond polished founder stories to explore leadership, identity, relationships, mental wellbeing, ambition, fear, and the messy realities of building a business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for honest conversations about the people behind the titles, the decisions behind the businesses, and the human experiences that shape how we work and live.#OnlyFounders #Mentorship #PersonalReinvention

What if the biggest risks surrounding artificial intelligence have less to do with machines taking over and more to do with the people building, directing, and marketing the technology?In this episode of OnlyFounders, host Anne Gillaspie sits down with Sayre Blake, CEO and Technical Founder of SkillSaige, for the first conversation in a new recurring series, The Culture of AI. Together, they challenge popular narratives about artificial intelligence and explore what happens when technology, corporate decisions, human behavior, and public fear collide.With a background spanning art, electrical engineering, software systems, and video game AI, Sayre brings a different perspective to the conversation. She explains why she views today's large language models as a new kind of computer processor rather than the independent intelligence many companies promote. She argues that human choices, system design, instructions, and oversight play a central role in how these tools behave.Anne and Sayre discuss the fear surrounding AI, the role of corporate marketing and media narratives, the importance of human oversight, and why people should be cautious about treating AI tools as experts. They also explore how everyday users can work with these technologies more effectively by asking specific questions, refining instructions, and staying curious about the results.Rather than telling people to stop using AI, Sayre encourages them to understand the technology as a tool they can explore, question, and learn from.This is a candid conversation about AI, human responsibility, technology, and the importance of looking beyond the headlines to ask better questions.IN THIS EPISODEIntroducing The Culture of AI, a new recurring OnlyFounders seriesSayre Blake's background in art, engineering, and video game AIWhy Sayre describes large language models as a new kind of computer processorHow human decisions shape the way AI systems are designed and usedThe difference between AI marketing narratives and the underlying technologyWhy human oversight matters when automated systems are deployedThe role of corporate messaging and media coverage in shaping public fearWhy users should avoid treating AI tools as unquestionable expertsHow prompts and instructions influence AI responsesThe risks of relying on AI for advice without questioning its outputHow to experiment with AI through curiosity, specific tasks, and better instructionsSayre's practical tip for approaching AI with less fear and more understandingPULL QUOTES“Ultimately, with all of this, there's a human decision behind each thing you're seeing.”“It does not start unless a human says start, and it does not repeat unless a human says repeat yourself.”“Stop treating it like an expert and start treating it like a brand new kind of computer terminal.”“You are being an exploratory programmer of a new kind that has never existed before.”“Be a little more curious. There is this much to learn from.”These quotes are drawn from the provided transcript. Confirm exact wording against the final edited audio before publishing.ABOUT SAYRE BLAKESayre Blake is the CEO and Technical Founder of SkillSaige, a Colorado-based soft skill learning platform that helps people develop communication, adaptability, leadership, and workplace readiness through interactive, practice-based learning.With a background in video game design, art, systems thinking, behavior design, and engineering, Sayre brings a distinctive perspective to technology and the way people interact with it. Her experience with game AI and technical systems informs her approach to understanding modern AI tools, their limitations, and the human decisions behind their design.In this conversation, Sayre shares her perspective on AI, public perception, human oversight, and how people can approach emerging technology with greater curiosity and critical thinking.Learn more about SkillSaige:https://www.skillsaige.com/Connect with Sayre on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayre-blake/Connect with SkillSaige on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillsaige/CONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of entrepreneurship and what building a business does to the person building it.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show goes beyond polished founder stories to explore leadership, identity, relationships, mental wellbeing, ambition, fear, and the messy realities of building a business.With The Culture of AI, OnlyFounders also opens up a space for candid conversations about artificial intelligence, the people shaping it, and the cultural narratives influencing how we understand and use it.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for honest conversations about the people behind the titles, the decisions behind the businesses, and the human experiences shaping how we work and live.#OnlyFounders #TheCultureOfAI #ArtificialIntelligence

What does it really take to build a consumer brand? It's more than a great product, a beautiful package, or a clever marketing campaign. It's the strategy, relationships, sourcing decisions, and behind-the-scenes work that make a business function.In this episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie sits down with multi-brand entrepreneur and operator Danniele Fernino for an honest conversation about building consumer businesses, turning consulting relationships into partnerships, and creating brands with a long-term vision.Danniele shares how she moved from service-based consulting into operating and owning brands, working across beauty and wellness businesses including SubLuna, JoyWell, and Sun & Moo. She takes us behind the scenes of product development, formulation, manufacturing, and the challenges of finding ingredients that meet the standards she wants for her products.The conversation also explores why brand strategy has to go beyond making something look good. Danniele explains why founders need to think about where their brand is today, what it could become in five or ten years, and who it might be competing with on the shelf.Anne and Danniele also get candid about building a business with your spouse, hiring friends, working through uncertainty, and the unconventional decisions that can shape an entrepreneurial life. From building Visions from Neptune during the pandemic to working long hours alongside people she genuinely enjoys, Danniele shares a refreshingly honest perspective on entrepreneurship.This is a conversation about the real work behind consumer brands, the relationships that help build them, and what it takes to create a business that works beyond the surface.IN THIS EPISODEHow Danniele moved from service-based consulting to brand ownershipBuilding Visions from Neptune with her husbandWorking across beauty, wellness, and consumer product businessesThe difference between graphic design and long-term brand strategyWhy founders should think five or ten years ahead when building a brandProduct formulation, co-manufacturing, and the realities of sourcing ingredientsBalancing product standards, production costs, and business marginsHow consulting relationships can grow into long-term partnershipsBuilding a business with your spouse and working alongside friendsWhy company culture and personal relationships matter behind the scenesNavigating the uncertainty and financial challenges of building a business during COVIDCreating an entrepreneurial life instead of waiting for one to happenPULL QUOTES“Sometimes when you are talking to a founder, everything comes into your mind at once.”“We're thinking about what is the brand today and what can it be in ten years, in five years.”“You can kind of make your life.”“We take what we do very seriously.”“It's really being inspiring in that way that you don't have to bend so far that you're not who you are.”Use these quotes as transcript-derived excerpts. Confirm exact wording against the final edited audio before publishing.ABOUT DANNIELE FERNINODanniele Fernino is a multi-brand entrepreneur and operator behind consumer brands including SubLuna, JoyWell, and Sun & Moo. She began her career in service-based consulting, where she learned how to create increasing value for the brands she supported before moving into operations, strategic partnerships, and brand ownership.Today, her work spans branding, marketing, product development, and business growth. Her businesses generate more than $3 million annually, with products sold through retailers including Erewhon, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart. She has a particular passion for women-owned product businesses and helping founders build brands that work behind the scenes.CONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of entrepreneurship and what building a business does to the person building it.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show goes beyond polished founder stories to explore leadership, identity, relationships, mental wellbeing, ambition, fear, and the messy realities of building a business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for honest conversations about the people behind the titles, the decisions behind the businesses, and the human experiences that shape how we work and live.#OnlyFounders #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect plan and start building something that feels true to who you are?In this solo episode of OnlyFounders, host Anne Gillaspie shares the story behind her Truth Tribe Coffee Club, a growing community created for people who want deeper conversations, honest connection, and a space where they can show up without pretending to have everything figured out.After speaking at the She Speaks CEO leadership summit, Anne realized that the meaningful connections happening after her keynote didn't have to end when the event was over. People wanted to keep talking, connect with fellow truth seekers, and continue exploring the personal changes that come with telling the truth. But how could she create that kind of community when she didn't yet know exactly what it would become?Anne gets candid about being a recovering perfectionist and the discomfort of putting something new into the world before every detail is finalized. She explains how her own experiences with burnout, personal growth, and the exhaustion of performing different roles helped shape her mission to create spaces for honest conversations.She also shares the deeply personal story behind the coffee club's name, reflecting on how her husband's simple, consistent act of making her coffee became a meaningful reminder of love and acceptance during some of her hardest years.This conversation explores the importance of community, curiosity, truth-telling, and learning to become a safe space for your own truth. Anne discusses how community can complement therapy and why meaningful connection matters when you're working through difficult experiences and changing old patterns.At its heart, this episode is about building something meaningful before you have all the answers, letting go of the pressure to perform, and finding people who make it easier to show up as you are.IN THIS EPISODEThe founder story behind the Truth Tribe Coffee ClubWhy Anne decided to build a community before having every detail figured outThe connection between perfectionism and the fear of being seenHow truth-telling can transform personal relationshipsWhy community matters alongside individual support and therapyThe meaning behind Anne's love language of coffeeHow small, consistent acts of care can communicate love and acceptanceThe exhaustion of performing different roles and hiding your truthWhy curiosity helps us ask deeper questions about ourselvesMoving through difficult experiences with reflection and accountabilityCreating spaces where people can connect without judgmentHow Anne's personal mission is shaping the community she's buildingPULL QUOTES“I'm just being led literally led by the mission that's in my gut to do the work I'm doing.”“The therapist isn't the community.”“I was not a safe space for my own truth.”“The point is, it doesn't matter the container of which I build it.”“You have at least one person who is your truth tribe, who is safe for your truth.”CONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders is about the human side of entrepreneurship: the messy, complicated reality behind building businesses, leading teams, navigating relationships, finding identity, and figuring out who we are along the way.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, OnlyFounders explores entrepreneurship, leadership, founder identity, mental health, authenticity, relationships, fear, failure, and the human experiences that shape the way we work and live.Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a founder, entrepreneur, or anyone who is ready to stop performing and make more room for honest connection.#OnlyFounders #FounderIdentity #HumanConnection

What happens when your business is thriving, your team is growing, and success still doesn't feel the way you expected?In this episode of OnlyFounders, Anne Gillaspie sits down with longtime friend Brett Weinstein, owner of Guide Real Estate, for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the complicated reality of building a successful business.Brett shares how he found his way into real estate, built a brokerage that grew organically through relationships and word of mouth, and learned to lead through an unpredictable market. The conversation goes beyond real estate strategy to explore the pressure leaders carry, the importance of putting people first, and why a thriving company doesn't automatically mean the person running it feels fulfilled.Anne and Brett discuss what it means to build a human-centered business, create a culture where people can show up without constantly performing, and make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. They also get candid about the messy middle of entrepreneurship, the loneliness that can come with leadership, and the challenge of finding people who understand what you're building.Because success isn't one universal number. It might be income, freedom, happiness, meaningful relationships, or a team that genuinely wants to be there. The question is whether you've decided what success actually looks like for you.This is an unfiltered conversation about the person behind the business, the responsibility of leadership, and learning to keep going when life and work aren't perfect.IN THIS EPISODEBuilding a real estate business through relationships and word of mouthWhy a thriving company doesn't always mean a fulfilled founderThe difference between business success and personal happinessHuman-centered leadership and emotional intelligenceCreating a workplace where people don't have to performWhy data and facts matter when navigating an unpredictable marketThe pressure and responsibility of leading a growing teamHow company culture attracts and retains peopleThe messy middle of entrepreneurship and learning to sit with uncertaintyWhy leaders need their own support systems and trusted peopleDefining success beyond income and business growthRecognizing when your definition of success needs to changePULL QUOTES“People are looking to be welcomed at home and at work with a sense of belonging.”“I don't need to be happy right now.”“Who holds the leader?”“The best leaders are gonna come out of the shit show of an economy with the ones who are focused on the humans.”Use these quotes as transcript-derived excerpts. Confirm exact wording against the final edited audio before publishing.ABOUT BRETT WEINSTEINBrett Weinstein is the owner of Guide Real Estate, a brokerage serving both commercial and residential real estate markets. In this conversation, Brett shares his experience building a growing company, navigating a changing market, and creating a business culture centered on people and relationships.He and Anne explore the personal side of leadership, including the responsibility of supporting a team, the challenges of finding fulfillment, and the importance of defining success on your own terms.Connect with Brett: Search for Brett Weinstein and Guide Real Estate in Denver to find his current professional profiles and company information.CONNECT WITH ANNE GILLASPIEWebsite:https://theannegillaspie.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annegillaspie/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegillaspie/OnlyFounders Podcast:https://theannegillaspie.com/podcastLISTEN / WATCH ONLYFOUNDERSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfounders.podcastSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2PuNBpWpZKzCnuwmFQOPI4Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfounders-explicitly-human-stories/id1832541527ABOUT ONLYFOUNDERSOnlyFounders explores the human side of entrepreneurship and what building a business does to the person building it.Hosted by Anne Gillaspie, the show goes beyond polished founder stories to explore leadership, identity, relationships, mental wellbeing, ambition, fear, and the messy realities of building a business.Subscribe to OnlyFounders for honest conversations about the people behind the titles, the decisions behind the businesses, and the human experiences that shape how we work and live.#OnlyFounders #Entrepreneurship #FounderMentalHealth