The Real F Word

Fail. A word we spend our whole lives running away from. The truth is, failure is the most common outcome for entrepreneurs and startups. The problem is that we rarely talk about these painful experiences with complete candor in a way that destigmatizes failure and de-risks the journey for others. The Real F Word podcast will explore invaluable insights from the stories of failed businesses and startup collapses. These are the real stories rarely discussed by entrepreneurs and often hidden by investors.

The Real F Word is a business podcast hosted by Joe Grover, with 11 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Joe Grover hosts The Real F Word, a business show with 11 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Real F Word

  10. Lost My Business and Almost Lost Myself | Levi Lindsay

  Feb 25, 20251h 3mS0

  <p>Levi Lindsay, former cofounder of VidArmy and now CMO at Hona, sat down with Joe Grover to share his story of how he started VidArmy. Believing hustle would lead to success, he worked for years without pay but unfortunately battled cofounder disputes and lost himself in the process.</p><p>As a recent college graduate, Levi started VidArmy after getting the idea from a friend. The first few years went well as they slowly gained clients and eventually added two more partners—without an official partner agreement—and a CEO. When COVID hit, a government loan provided their first real...

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  Episode #9

  9. Failure Isn’t the Real F Word, Fear Is | Kortney Osborne

  Feb 4, 202557 minS1

  <p>In this episode, Kortney, a partner at Amplēo and former marketing executive at Qualtrics and Weave, flips the script on failure, believing that the real F word isn’t failure—it’s fear.</p><p>From bombing on stage as a stand-up comedian to marketing ahead of product at Qualtrics, Kortney shares how embracing failure helped her iterate, learn, and ultimately drive success. At Qualtrics, she played a key role in pushing the company’s vision beyond what the product could do at the time, forcing innovation to catch up. She also helped launch X4, bringing in Barack Obama and...

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  Episode #8

  8. What Defines You? From Startup Struggle to Venture Capitalist Success | Kristy Muir

  Jan 7, 20251h 1mS1

  <p>In this episode of The Real F Word, venture capitalist Kristy Muir shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey of resilience, failure, and growth. Kristy opens up about the defining moments of her life—from navigating single motherhood on welfare and struggling to provide for her daughters to exiting her first startup. She reflects on the tough lessons learned through her entrepreneurial journey, her transition into tech leadership, and her current role as a venture investor.<br/><br/>Kristy’s story is one of grit, vulnerability, and triumph. She discusses recognizing failure patterns, the importance of listening to customers, and...

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  Episode #7

  7. Sentenced to Life in a Maximum-Security Prison | Damon West

  Nov 26, 20241h 2mS1

  <p>Joe Grover sits down with Damon West—3-time Wall Street Journal best-selling author and one of America’s most sought-after speakers—to explore the devastating impact of failure and the power of redemption. Damon shares his journey from having it all to losing everything after receiving a life sentence in a Texas maximum-security prison (talk about FAILURE.) They unpack the hard-hitting lessons Damon learned during his seven years behind bars and how the transformative "Coffee Bean" mindset helped him rebuild his life. With profound insights on overcoming failure, Damon inspires everyday entrepreneurs to turn their lowest moments into fuel for su...

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  Episode #6

  6. 92 Pitches, 18 Months, and a Shutdown | Jake Bengtzen

  Nov 19, 202459 minS1

  <p>What happens when an ambitious startup faces the harsh reality of an insurmountable problem? In this episode, Joe Grover engages in a candid conversation with Jake Bengtzen, the founder of Zipper, as they explore the painful journey of his healthcare fintech startup. After 92 pitches, seven investors, and 18 months of relentless effort—during which Jake paid himself only three times—he ultimately hit rock bottom. After he launched Zipper Health with the goal of lowering healthcare costs for individuals and families, he faced challenges that proved overwhelming.<br/><br/>Jake shares the moment he realized that the multitrillion-dollar healthcare issue was...

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