Episode

Rick Eigenbrod. “Post-Exit Death is Inevitable”

Podcast
Exit Paradox
Published
Nov 14, 2024
Duration seconds
5384
Processing state
not_requested
Canonical source
https://www.exitparadox.com/podcast/rick-eigenbrod
Audio
https://media.transistor.fm/4680238a/d5755f42.mp3
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/exit-paradox-7495448/episodes/rick-eigenbrod-post-exit-death-is-inevitable
Markdown
/podcast/exit-paradox-7495448/rick-eigenbrod-post-exit-death-is-inevitable.md

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Summary

Rick Eigenbrod is a deeply respected thinker in the post-exit world. A clinical psychologist and co-author of the classic Yale paper What’s Next: The Entrepreneur’s Epilogue, he’s spent years guiding founders through life after the exit as an executive coach. In this conversation, we get into why Rick believes a “death of who we used to be” and a subsequent "re-birth" are inevitable post-exit, and how resisting these changes only adds to the struggle. Rick generously shares the tools and exercises he’s found most effective in navigating this transformative process. We also explore the grip of dopamine addiction, the healing power of legitimizing post-success frustration, simple ways to reconnect with our natural curiosity and playfulness, and the bittersweet reality of leaving some people behind as we experience exponential personal growth. _____________________________________________________ 00:00:00: Introduction 00:00:21: The paradox of success 00:00:43: Rick's background and contributions 00:01:04: Discussion on post-exit rebirth and struggles 00:01:12: Exploring dopamine addiction and post-success frustrations 00:02:30: Exploring the post-exit maze 00:02:45: Rick's background and experience with exited founders 00:04:47: Rick's critical event with Vistage group 00:06:09: The price and prize of money and freedom 00:07:52: Reflections on the dual meaning of success 00:08:53: Grappling with post-exit paradox 00:09:41: The "focusing illusion" and the arrival fallacy 00:11:12: The societal pressure to be happy post-exit 00:12:01: Support groups and legitimating experiences 00:13:08: Initial reactions and reflections on the post-exit reality 00:14:31: The societal issue of ignoring exited founders 00:15:33: The lack of support and self-blame post-exit 00:18:00: Escapin…