This week on the show I’m introducing you to Mike Buonaiuto, exited founder and author of the recently released book, Founder Therapy.

Mike is a philanthropic business leader and performance coach, who founded, scaled and exited Shape History, the award-winning social impact agency. ​ He's currently a senior advisor; helping companies nurture their people, navigate growth and negotiate pivotal moments of transformation.

His book Founder Therapy was published June 2023 and explores why founders are more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and burnout. His TEDx talk, ‘No wonder people are quitting - business must do better’ was selected and featured by TED’s Editor picks. Mike supports Virgin Startup as their ‘Entrepreneur In Residence’ and NatWest’s Business Accelerator as their ‘Business Startup Coach.​’

In this conversation we explore Mike’s own journey as an entrepreneur, including an experience with burnout that almost cost him his life. We also discuss the inspiration behind writing his book, why its essential for founders to care about their own mental health, and that of their team, and how founders and leaders can innovate without burning out along the way.

TW: In this episode there’s a mention of suicidal ideation so please decide if this is the right episode for you or not.

FOUNDER THERAPY: 50 Lessons To Start, Scale & Sell Without Wounding Our Wellbeing. In partnership with NatWest, Unrest and Founders Taboo, Founder Therapy pulls together research from neuroscience, with experience from top-performing entrepreneurs, to present 50 lessons to start, scale, sell without wounding our wellbeing.

The book also presents the case for a proven link between effective stress-management and commercial success. It's specific, due to my background, in comms and marketing business, particularly scaling and selling an agency. The project is in response to research from UCSF, linking higher rates of mental health issues to success-driven entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Mike’s book here: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.com/founder-therapy

Get your copy of Mike’s book, “Founder Therapy” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781337985/

Learn more about Founders Taboo:

https://www.founderstaboo.com/

Find Mike online:

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• Website: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/mike_shapes/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-buonaiuto/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.