The Founder Sets the Tone (with Tristen Stawicki)
Okay, Actually is a show about what’s really going on at work — and what we can do about it. New episodes come out every other Thursday and are always under 30 minutes.
In this episode, I’m joined by Tristen Stawicki to talk about what founders bring into their businesses and what happens when their insecurities, habits, and struggles with trust become part of everyone else’s working day.
Tristen brings corporate product leadership experience and an MBA to her work as a coach, astrologer, and certified shaman. Our conversation makes room for all of that. We talk about astrology, what she calls energetic blocks, and the discomfort that can come with getting something you thought you wanted.
We also get very practical, discussing: hiring talented people without giving them authority, telling different stories to employees and investors, retreating into familiar work as a business grows, and rebuilding trust through changes people can actually see.
Whether you’re a founder, a leader, or someone working closely with one, we dig into the questions everyone should be asking to bring their best energy to work.
00:00 A Process Map and a Birth Chart
02:14 When a Process Fix Isn’t Enough
04:41 Founder Culture, Vulnerability, and Bravado
06:30 What Soul Work Looks Like
08:40 Exploring Energetic Blocks
11:51 Hiring Great People — and Getting in Their Way
15:31 Retreating Into the Work You Know
18:56 Taking Accountability Without Losing Credibility
21:13 What Are You Still Saying Yes To?
Questions to take with you
What am I asking to change?
What am I still doing that makes that change harder?
What am I willing to do about it?
About Tristen
Tristen Stawicki guides women at a crossroads, bringing together practical strategy and intuitive insight. She has an MBA, a background in corporate product leadership, and is a certified shaman in the Q’ero tradition and a trained astrologer.
She is the creator of the Musings and Modalities™ framework and host of the podcast Musings & Modalities. Her work supports leaders and entrepreneurs navigating transformation, burnout, and questions about what they want to build next. She also works as a fractional chief product officer.
Connect with Tristen
