Founder Failures: Post-Mortems

All 32 episodes

1. Founders in the Wreckage: Brutally Honest Post Mortems on Startup Fails

   Episode 35 · 13 min · 22 October 2026

   Every week, two founders dissect the business decisions behind tech’s biggest disasters. No spin, just truth.

   Join two seasoned founders each week as they dissect a business decision that veered spectacularly off course. This isn't just a recount; it's a raw, unfiltered conversation, offering invaluable lessons on avoiding common pitfalls and navigating the complex world of startups. Tune in to gain practical insights and a healthy dose of humility from real-world entrepreneurial missteps.

2. How to Burn $1.75 Billion in Six Months: The Quibi Post-Mortem

   Episode 34 · 15 min · 15 October 2026

   Two founders break down tech's biggest flameouts, starting with the spectacular rise and fall of Quibi.

   Join us for a candid and unflinching look at the spectacular failure of Quibi. In this episode, your hosts dissect the business decisions that led to the burning of $1.75 billion in just six months, offering raw insights and lessons learned from a venture that was never meant to be. Discover the critical missteps and strategic blunders that even the most well-funded startups can make, and gain invaluable perspectives on what not to do when building your next big idea.

3. Brutal Business Blunders: The Real Story Behind New Coke

   Episode 33 · 15 min · 8 October 2026

   Two founders dissect the infamous New Coke disaster and why perfect data can still lead to epic failure.

   Ever wonder what really happened behind the scenes of some of the biggest business blunders? In this episode, your hosts dive deep into the infamous New Coke saga, dissecting every misstep and questionable decision with brutal honesty. Get ready for a raw, unfiltered post-mortem that reveals the true lessons learned from a marketing disaster, offering invaluable insights into avoiding similar pitfalls in your own ventures.

4. How to Burn Seven Billion Dollars: Microsoft, Nokia and the Biggest Tech Faceplant

   Episode 32 · 14 min · 1 October 2026

   Two founders dissect legendary business disasters. This week: the Microsoft-Nokia meltdown, unfiltered.

   Join us for a candid, no-holds-barred post-mortem on one of tech's most spectacular failures: Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia. This episode dissects the strategic missteps, cultural clashes, and market forces that led to a seven-billion-dollar write-off, offering invaluable lessons for founders, executives, and anyone navigating high-stakes business decisions. Discover how even industry giants can stumble and gain critical insights into avoiding similar pitfalls in your own ventures.

5. Brutally Honest Business Blunders: The IKEA in Japan Story

   Episode 31 · 14 min · 24 September 2026

   Two founders break down how IKEA crashed and burned in Japan and what every entrepreneur can learn from it.

   In this candid episode, two founders openly dissect a significant business misstep—the IKEA expansion in Japan—that highlights the complexities of entering new markets. Through their honest post mortem, listeners gain valuable insights into strategic pitfalls, cultural challenges, and lessons learned from failure. This engaging conversation offers entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts practical takeaways to navigate similar hurdles with greater awareness and resilience.

6. Brutal Business Post Mortems: Founders Spill the Real Lessons

   Episode 30 · 14 min · 17 September 2026

   Two founders dissect what really went wrong when big bets backfire. Honest, raw and too useful to keep secret.

   In this candid series, two founders openly analyze their most challenging business missteps, sharing raw insights and lessons learned along the way. Delivered as an unfiltered conversation, these post mortems reveal the hard truths behind failed decisions, offering valuable takeaways for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. Tune in to understand what went wrong, why it matters, and how to turn setbacks into future successes.

7. When a Coffee Promo Blows Up: The Starbucks Korea Tank Day Disaster

   Episode 29 · 14 min · 10 September 2026

   Two founders break down the campaign that turned a billion-won profit into a crater. Brutal lessons inside.

   In this candid episode, two founders dissect the infamous Starbucks Korea 'Tank Day' disaster, a failed promotional campaign that backfired spectacularly. Through an honest post-mortem, they analyze what went wrong, the lessons learned, and how such setbacks can shape future strategies. Listeners will gain valuable insights into crisis management, the importance of planning, and the human side of entrepreneurial perseverance, making it a must-listen for business leaders and marketers alike.

8. Dead on Arrival: The Launches That Force a Founder’s Hand

   Episode 28 · 13 min · 3 September 2026

   Two founders dissect the business decisions nobody admits to—failures that teach more than any win ever could.

   In this candid podcast episode, two founders dissect failed business launches, offering an unfiltered look at what went wrong and the lessons learned. Their honest conversations reveal the often unseen challenges of decision-making under pressure and emphasize the importance of resilience and adaptability. Listeners will gain practical insights into avoiding similar pitfalls and refining their own entrepreneurial strategies.

9. Crash Course: The Brutal Truth Behind Startup Pivots Gone Wrong

   Episode 27 · 14 min · 27 August 2026

   Two founders dissect their biggest business missteps—unfiltered, confessional, and painfully useful.

   In this candid episode, two startup founders openly analyze a recent business pivot that didn't go as planned, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and hard lessons learned. Their honest discussion offers valuable takeaways for entrepreneurs navigating tough decisions, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure. Listeners will gain practical wisdom to better handle setbacks and refine their strategic approach.

10. Founders' Confessional: The Brutal Truths Behind Startup Fails

    Episode 26 · 12 min · 20 August 2026

    Unfiltered weekly post-mortems on business blunders—insider lessons too useful to keep secret

    Join two founders as they pull back the curtain on their biggest blunders, dissecting a different failed business decision each week with raw honesty. This isn't just a post-mortem; it's an unfiltered conversation revealing the painful lessons learned, offering invaluable insights into the common pitfalls that can derail even the most promising ventures. Tune in to gain practical wisdom, avoid costly mistakes, and understand the true grit required to build a successful startup.

11. Founders' Confessional: The Unfiltered Truth Behind Business Blunders

    Episode 25 · 14 min · 13 August 2026

    Raw, behind-closed-doors post mortems on startup decisions gone wrong—lessons you can’t afford to miss.

    In this candid podcast, two founders openly dissect their most challenging business decisions and the lessons learned from failures. Through honest, behind-the-scenes conversations, they reveal the pitfalls, missteps, and insights that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on overcoming setbacks, making smarter choices, and embracing transparency in the pursuit of success.

12. Startup Confessions: The $1.2M Mistake Behind Beacon's 37 Customers

    Episode 24 · 12 min · 6 August 2026

    Two founders reveal the raw, unfiltered lessons from business decisions gone wrong—no holds barred.

    In this candid episode, two founders openly dissect a costly mistake that led to losing $1.2 million and 37 customers for Beacon. Through honest, behind-the-scenes conversations, they reveal the lessons learned, mistakes made, and insights gained from their challenging experience. Listeners will gain valuable strategies for avoiding similar pitfalls, understanding the importance of transparency, and embracing failure as a vital part of entrepreneurial growth.

13. Brutal Truths: The Real Reasons Nearly Half of New Hires Fail

    Episode 23 · 12 min · 30 July 2026

    Founders dissect the hidden pitfalls of hiring gone wrong in a raw, no-holds-barred conversation

    In this candid episode, two founders delve into the often overlooked reasons why nearly half of new hires fail within organizations. Through honest, behind-the-scenes conversations, they reveal the common pitfalls, missteps, and misalignments that lead to onboarding challenges. Listeners will gain practical insights on improving hiring strategies, fostering better integration, and building stronger teams to boost overall business success.

14. Founders’ Confessional: The Brutal Truth Behind Failed Business Decisions

    Episode 22 · 10 min · 23 July 2026

    Unfiltered weekly post-mortems where two founders dissect what really went wrong—so you don’t repeat their mistakes.

    In this candid podcast episode, two seasoned founders openly dissect a recent business decision that didn't go as planned. Their raw, unfiltered conversation reveals the lessons learned, mistakes made, and insights gained, offering invaluable guidance for entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how honest reflection can drive growth and resilience in the startup journey.

15. Brutally Honest: Founders Unpack Their Biggest Business Blunders

    Episode 21 · 12 min · 16 July 2026

    Behind closed doors, two founders dissect the missteps that nearly ended their startup dreams in 2026.

    In this candid podcast, two founders engage in an unfiltered, no-holds-barred discussion about their most significant business mistakes. By dissecting what went wrong and exploring their lessons learned, they offer invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. Listeners will gain practical takeaways on avoiding similar pitfalls and embracing transparency to foster growth and resilience.

16. Brutally Honest: Startup Blunders Unpacked Behind Closed Doors

    Episode 20 · 11 min · 9 July 2026

    Two founders dissect real business missteps—raw, unfiltered, and too insightful not to share.

    In this candid podcast series, two startup founders openly dissect their most costly mistakes and missteps, sharing behind-the-scenes insights that are rarely discussed publicly. Each episode offers valuable lessons on navigating entrepreneurial challenges, emphasizing transparency and learning from failure. Listeners will gain practical takeaways to improve their own decision-making and understand that setbacks are an inevitable part of the startup journey.

17. Brutally Honest Business Blunders: Founders’ Post-Mortem Sessions

    Episode 19 · 10 min · 2 July 2026

    Two founders dissect their biggest business missteps—raw, unfiltered, and too insightful to keep secret.

    Dive into the raw, unfiltered conversations of two founders as they dissect their most catastrophic business decisions. This series offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at real-world failures, revealing the critical lessons learned when things go spectacularly wrong. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into common pitfalls and strategic missteps, equipping you to navigate your own entrepreneurial journey with greater foresight and resilience.

18. Startup Autopsies: Founders Unpack Their Biggest Business Blunders

    Episode 16 · 14 min · 11 June 2026

    Candid, behind-closed-doors conversations dissecting costly mistakes and what every entrepreneur can learn from them.

    Dive into the raw, unvarnished truth of startup failures with 'Startup Autopsies.' Each week, two seasoned founders dissect a business decision that went horribly wrong, offering candid insights as if you're a fly on the wall. This podcast provides invaluable lessons from the trenches, equipping you with the wisdom to navigate your own entrepreneurial journey and avoid common pitfalls.

19. Brutally Honest: The Post-Mortem Podcast for Startup Stumbles

    Episode 15 · 10 min · 4 June 2026

    Founders dissect their worst business decisions—raw, unfiltered, and too insightful to stay behind closed doors.

    Dive into the unvarnished truth of startup failures with 'Brutally Honest.' Each week, two founders dissect a business decision that went spectacularly wrong, offering raw, unfiltered insights usually reserved for private conversations. This podcast is your essential guide to understanding the real challenges of entrepreneurship, helping you learn from costly mistakes and navigate your own ventures with greater wisdom.

20. Brutal Boardroom: Startup Post-Mortems That Pull No Punches

    Episode 13 · 11 min · 21 May 2026

    Two founders dissect their biggest business blunders—raw, unfiltered, and too insightful to keep secret.

    Two founders dissect their biggest business blunders—raw, unfiltered, and too insightful to keep secret.

Earlier episodes

1. Founders Unfiltered: The Brutal Truth Behind Business Blunders14 May 2026
2. Brutal Business Blunders: Founders Unfiltered Post-Mortems7 May 2026
3. Brutal Business Blunders: Behind Closed Doors with Founders30 April 2026
4. Brutal Boardroom: Founders Unfiltered on Business Blunders23 April 2026
5. Founders' Confessional: The Costly Fallout of One Bad Hire16 April 2026
6. Brutal Boardroom: The Unfiltered Post-Mortem on Business Blunders9 April 2026
7. Startup Confessions: The True Cost of Seventeen Customers7 April 2026
8. Founders' Confessional: The Brutal Truth Behind Startup Missteps2 April 2026
9. Unfiltered Failures: Founders' Candid Post-Mortems on Business Blunders2 April 2026
10. Brutal Business Blunders: The Candid Founders' Post-Mortem2 April 2026
11. Brutal Post-Mortems: Startup Decisions Gone Wrong2 April 2026
12. Brutally Honest Startup Post Mortems2 April 2026