Most people think they struggle with fear or failure. But the truth is, we’re often more afraid of love, joy, and being fully seen.

In this episode, Dave Kashen, Jesse Pujji, and Andrew Warner uncover the hidden ways we resist appreciation, connection, and fulfillment—without even realizing it. They break down why receiving acknowledgment can feel so uncomfortable, especially for high achievers, and how this subconscious resistance affects success, relationships, and self-worth.

Jesse shares a powerful story about a leadership retreat that started as an awkward exercise and transformed into one of the most emotional, game-changing experiences of his life. Dave explains why we often block love and joy, even when we deeply crave them, and recounts the personal breakthrough that allowed him to finally feel his father’s love.

Andrew wrestles with his own discomfort around appreciation and recognition, uncovering the deep-seated beliefs that hold so many people back from embracing their own value. They also explore how shifting from a mindset of entitlement to appreciation can create more ease, flow, and unexpected success—without forcing it.

If you’ve ever downplayed your wins, brushed off praise, or struggled to accept love, this conversation will make you rethink how you show up in the world.
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Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com/
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/

Inner Game community and coaching:
https://newsletter.davekashen.com/inner-game-community

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Jesse’s secret story revealed
01:04 - The exercise that changed everything
03:05 - Why we resist acknowledgment
06:33 - The fear of love & joy
07:17 - Healing isn’t what you think
11:00 - Dave’s breakthrough with his dad
19:24 - Billion-dollar founders crave this
26:36 - Why we block appreciation
27:47 - “What you appreciate, appreciates”
29:08 - The trap of never enough
31:47 - How entitlement blocks fulfillment
37:53 - Why success feels uncomfortable
46:31 - Achieving more by doing less

What if the key to creating your dream life and business isn’t about working harder—but about taking radical responsibility for your entire experience, including the belief that it has to be difficult?

In this episode, Jesse Pujji, Dave Kashen, and Andrew Warner reveal how entrepreneurs unknowingly create their own overwhelm by holding onto limiting beliefs about struggle and success. They explore why resistance to emotions leads to suffering, how blame keeps you stuck, and why reframing responsibility is the ultimate power move for building a life and business you love.

You’ll walk away with practical tools to let go of resistance, rewrite the stories holding you back, and take control of your path in 2025. If you’re ready to move past the mental blocks that have been weighing you down, this conversation will inspire you to step into the next chapter of your life with clarity, freedom, and purpose.

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Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/

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Show Notes:
00:00 – How Family Patterns Shape Us
02:10 – What Judging Others Reveals About You
07:25 – Resistance vs. Emotional Flow
10:30 – Overwhelmed? Here’s What You’re Missing
15:00 – The Power of Radical Responsibility
20:35 – Why Blame Blocks Progress
25:40 – Practical Tools to Overcome Overwhelm
33:15 – Why Presence Dissolves Stress
36:00 – Scarcity Is Just a Story
40:20 – Design a Life You Love
48:10 – Reflecting on the Year Ahead

What if the emotions you’ve been avoiding are the key to making better decisions and unlocking your true potential?

In this episode, Jesse Pujji, Dave Kashen, and Andrew Warner dive into how emotions like fear, anger, and sadness can guide you to clarity and alignment—if you let them. They explore why resisting emotions creates stress and confusion, while embracing them leads to better decisions, deeper flow, and authentic success.

Discover how to stop reacting impulsively, process emotions effectively, and use them as a compass to navigate your entrepreneurial journey with greater ease and fulfillment.

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Inner Game of Entrepreneurship Newsletter: https://newsletter.davekashen.com
Bootstrapped Giants Newsletter: https://bootstrappedgiants.com/

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Why Mindset Shapes Business Success
02:22 - Is Your Inner Voice Helping You?
07:42 - How Self-Awareness Beats Self-Improvement
09:50 - Identifying Your True Self
12:40 - Why Emotions Influence Decisions
15:30 - Recognizing Feelings to Avoid Reactivity
18:05 - The Secret to Responding, Not Reacting
21:40 - Why Entrepreneurs Resist Letting Go
25:10 - The Cost of Avoiding Sadness
27:55 - How Authenticity Unlocks Flow
33:10 - The Power of Embracing Anger
36:55 - Five Core Emotions Explained
42:26 - How Resistance Blocks Your Joy
47:34 - Feel Everything, Gain Clarity
53:10 - Why Resistance Feels Painful
55:00 - Experimenting with Feeling Your Emotions