Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Kass and Mike Lazerow on Why Building Big Requires Feeling Deep | EP 620
05 Jun 2025
In this raw and deeply human episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Kass and Mike Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, early investors in Scopely and Liquid Death, and authors of the powerful new book, Shoveling Sh!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success.We go far beyond startup strategy and dive into what most founders won’t say out loud: the loneliness, the identity loss, the trauma—and the daily choice to love through it all. This isn’t just a business story. It’s a blueprint for building anything real: a company, a relationship, a life—with soul at the center.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Kass and Mike Lazerow: https://kassandmike.com/If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit www.passionstruck.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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I think the ego happens a lot. It comes forward. And I think a lot of founders get blinded by their ego and pride. And we see this a lot when things aren't working. So let's just say a founder has told us that X, Y, and Z need to happen this year, and that's their plan. And when there's enough data that they're looking for, They're looking at that basically says none of it's working.
That's when the ego gets in the way. You start to see them trying to convince themselves that they shouldn't pivot or that something's not working because they tell themselves stories. And those stories are attached to their ego.
Welcome to passion struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles. And on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become PassionStruck. Hey, PassionStruck fam. Welcome to episode 620. I'm your host, John Miles.
This is a space for the curious, the courageous, the ones building lives that aren't just impressive on paper, but aligned in spirit, a community of seekers, builders, and change makers who believe that impact starts with integrity and that meaning isn't something you stumble into. It's something you create on purpose. If you've been here a while, Thank you.
Your presence, your questions, and your willingness to grow out loud. That's what keeps this movement alive. Before we jump in, a quick heads up. Our new substack, The Ignited Life, is growing fast. Every week, I share stories, strategies, and behind-the-scenes tools that go deeper than the podcast. I also give discussion guides and workbooks that go along with each of the episodes.
It's also where I process in real time. through notes that I send out daily, and where our new PassionStruck merchandise line has just dropped. The gear is bold, intentional, and rooted in one core idea. What you wear should reflect what you believe. Think a hoodie that says, Live Like You Matter, a hat that reminds you to own your own spark, and to celebrate we're running a launch giveaway.
Just head to theignitedlife.net and join our ignition room to enter. All right, let's talk about today. We're continuing our new series on The Connected Life, a deep dive into how we build trust, navigate hard conversations, and show up more human in every part of our lives. Last week, I talked to Dr. Andrew Brodsky about the hidden dynamics of virtual communication.
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