Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
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Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
Ep. 72 - Between Reality and Fear: Scott Wells on Truth, Transformation & the Stories That Haunt Us
Born or Made
1 hour 38 minutes
2 months ago
Ep. 72 - Between Reality and Fear: Scott Wells on Truth, Transformation & the Stories That Haunt Us
Bestselling and award-winning author Scott Wells doesn’t just write thrillers—he peels back the layers of reality itself.In this hauntingly introspective episode of Born or Made, Larry Dix sits down with acclaimed thriller and horror author Scott Wells, whose emotionally gripping, suspense-driven stories blur the line between truth and illusion. From his breakout hit Marked by the Ouija to his upcoming adaptation of Phantom Ranch, Scott’s work explores deception, courage, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior.A three-time award-winning writer, Scott reveals how his fascination with fear, authenticity, and perspective fuels his storytelling. Beyond the page, he connects these same themes to real life—through his outdoor YouTube channel Explore Life Outside, where he champions mental clarity, resilience, and nature’s ability to both heal and haunt.Together, Larry and Scott uncover the truth behind what drives creativity, how fear can lead to transformation, and why the most terrifying stories are often the ones rooted in reality.This episode reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to face it and write your own ending.
Born or Made
Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
