Podcast appearances and mentions of steve schlafman

Steve Schlafman is using a $20 ChatGPT subscription to expand his consciousness.He's doing this through:Advanced dream work—Steve records himself talking about his dreams every morning, uploads the transcript to ChatGPT, and prompts the LLM to analyze it like a Jungian dream analyst would. The model pulls out archetypes and hidden emotions that he would've been oblivious to.Creating living records of meaningful experiences—Instead of losing key insights from therapy or coaching, Steve uses the LLM to highlight emotional patterns, pick out recurring symbols, and build a personal growth timeline.Leaning into voice interfaces—Diagnosed with ADD as a child, Steve often lost track of ideas because his brain processed information faster than he could type or write it out. AI voice interfaces free him to process information in a way that's more natural to him.Steve is a former VC-turned-executive coach and the founder of Downshift, the “decelerator” for founders and executives. If you think this episode is too “woo” for your liking, Steve argues that you might be over-indexing on just one way of experiencing the world. We see the world through four windows: thinking, sensing, feeling, and imagining—and according to him, the last two are often ignored. So if your rational mind has always run the show, Steve invites you to let your feelings and imagination take the lead.This is a must watch for anyone interested in using AI to understand themselves better—and grow.  If you found this episode interesting, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Want even more?Sign up for Every to unlock our ultimate guide to prompting ChatGPT here: https://every.ck.page/ultimate-guide-to-prompting-chatgpt. It's usually only for paying subscribers, but you can get it here for free.To hear more from Dan Shipper:Subscribe to Every: https://every.to/subscribe Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/danshipper Introduction: 00:01:07The power of treating your startup as an evolving entity: 00:03:00Building a business as a means of self-expression: 00:05:27Prompting ChatGPT to do Jungian dream work: 00:17:45Why you should listen to this episode, especially if it feels too “woo'” for you: 00:21:44Visualizing Steve's dream with ChatGPT: 00:36:31Creating living records of meaning experiences with AI: 00:47:38If you tend to think faster than you can type, lean into voice interfaces: 00:49:37How Steve writes with AI: 00:52:13How AI will disrupt traditional coaching and therapy: 00:54:03

Watch this episode on YouTube.Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and soulful impact happens when we slow down enough to live and lead from the deeper truth inside.We are so addicted to speed in our culture. It's the water that we swim in. This is especially the case in the world of entrepreneurship — i.e. “Do More Faster” or “Move Fast and Break Things.”I love going fast when that's what is called for. But too much of anything — even a good thing — gets out of balance.Slowing down can be really hard to do when you're programmed to believe that moving fast equals success, and operating from a consciousness of scarcity and threat. But taking the time to slow down in a mindful, intentional, and soulful way is key to discovering and embodying the deeper truth of who we really are.And it's only after we've done that that we become truly unstoppable.My guest on today's episode is an incredible example of this.Steven Schlafman is the founder of Downshift, the world's first decelerator — helping high performers slow down in times of professional transition.Formerly a partner at a New York Venture Capital firm, Steve (aka Schlaf) was forced to wake up and slow down due to a lack of sustainability in his own lifestyle.Now 10 years into a deep journey of self-healing and self-discovery, I believe Steve and Downshift are poised for a greater level of genuine impact, success, fulfillment and freedom than anything that the prior version of Steve could have imagined.And I that's a direct result of the consciousness and soul-rooted place that he and his team are leading from.--Links & Resources* Follow Brooks on YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn* Soulful Impact: soulfulimpact.co* Downshift: Apply for the Spring ‘25 Decelerator Cohort* Follow Schlaf on X or LinkedIn* Schlaf's Substack: Where The Road Bends* William Stafford Poem: The Way It Is* Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack--Chapters04:30 The Wisdom of Slowing Down07:36 Deceleration and Connection10:20 The Birth of Downshift13:17 Challenges of Modern Acceleration16:22 Facing the Fear of Slowing Down19:32 The Cost of Speed22:28 Confronting Personal Pain25:34 The Journey to Authenticity29:44 Facing the Pain of Addiction32:53 The Journey to Sobriety36:28 Embracing Life's Cycles38:36 Exploring the Concept of Soul43:40 Trusting the Inner Knowing50:53 The Four Windows of Knowing54:55 The Importance of Choice in Personal Growth57:11 Navigating Existential Questions in a Changing World01:01:02 Shifting Paradigms: From Extraction to Cultivation01:04:46 Nature as a Teacher: Insights from Soulcraft01:14:47 Fatherhood: Balancing Presence and Ambition Get full access to Soulful Impact at www.soulfulimpact.blog/subscribe

Walking through Madison Square Park a year ago, @schlaf talked about transitions, something he knew a lot about. I first met Steve when he was a junior investing partner at RRE, a venture capital firm in New York City. At the time, Schlaf had the NYC startup scene in a chokehold. He had a reputation for hustling hard and winning some of the hottest consumer deals in the city. He was charismatic, he was aggressive, and then, he was gone. At first, he left RRE to do a firm of his own, then he joined Primary as a Venture Partner, then struck out on his own again to blend a CEO coaching practice he was developing with a new chapter as an angel investor. In the park that day last year, he talked about a new evolution of his practice. He'd gone deep on the study of transitions. As someone who'd lived through many in his career, he felt a connection to the subject. As conversations and calls for help with career transitions flooded into his coaching practice, he felt a calling. That calling is still taking shape, but the current iteration of it is Downshift, a cohort-based "decelerator" for high achievers in career transitions. Downshift gives these strivers a place and permission to slow down and take inventory before embarking on the next chapters of their careers. Some takeaways from this conversation —Steve left venture burnt out from the nonstop pace and transactional nature of venture. He wanted more authentic relationships not based on dealmaking. Venture can feel like a “legalized casino” focused on status and wealth generation rather than substance. Instead of constantly being in meetings and pitches, he needed to slow down and have space to think and process.In hindsight, Steve would approach venture differently:— Scheduling no meetings before noon to allow time for research and deep thinking.— Partnering only with people who share similar values.— Balancing effort and recovery to avoid burnout.— Being more upfront and decisive with entrepreneurs, trusting his intuition.As a coach, Steve helps clients navigate major life/career transitions and “ego deaths” as their identities and narratives break down. In practice, that looks like holding space with presence and empathy rather than driving them to specific outcomes, helping them see patterns and make decisions from a place of clarity and agency, not fear, and slowing down to allow emotions to be felt and processed. This method helps his clients reach a sustainable and ultimately stronger place.The prompt to reach out to Steve was seeing his work show up outside of the usual startup circles, notably Bobby Kim, founder of the streetwear brand The Hundreds. Bobby wrote — "Maybe it's just me.But I keep running into the same conversations around career crisis, purpose, and transitions. Several times a week, I'll meet up for lunch, sink into a DM, or sift through a Telegram chat, and a friend will confide that they're experiencing a tough time. When I comfort them, they are surprised that they're not the only ones struggling with finances, that other industries aren't immune to existential threats. They sigh relief when they realize that most everyone I know is confronted with formidable questions of their lives and futures."He goes on to cite Steve's work and relate it to a wide range of industries with a similar theme. It felt like a good time to sit down with Schlaf to dive deep on his work and this current moment. When I approached Schlaf about sitting down to talk about his journey, he had the vision of filming in Central Park. A daunting request, but one where teamwork really did make the dream work. The visuals were stunning, and the conversation clocked in at nearly 3hrs (don't worry, we edited it down to something much more manageable). The park lent an incredible vibe. You'll hear notes from a nearby saxophone, people stopping to say hello, birds chirping, and general movement of the city. We really love how this one turned out, and hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed having it.— BryceAs always, if you or someone you know has a company that could be a fit for and investment from indie, don't hesitate to reach out. 

Are you looking to slow down to speed up? Steve Schlafman is the Founder of Downshift, a coaching company helping high-performers downshift towards a new life. They offer the world's first decelerator program. Steve has been on the podcast twice before, and in this episode, we also discussed the current state of my podcast in an open and vulnerable way. I hope you enjoy getting to learn more about my view on the content of the show and more too. Excited for you to build and grow your Portfolio Career!Connect with Steve on TwitterConnect with David on Instagram

This week we chat with Steve Schlafman!Steve is a Professional Transition Coach based in New York. He helps high performers navigate transitions with clarity and intention. He is the founder of Downshift, the world's first decelerator for high performers in transition.He is also the creator of Where the Road Bends, a newsletter exploring personal evolutions and life transitions. In addition to being a girl dad, this is my life's work.Follow Us!Steve Schlafman: @schlafDownshift: downshift.meErica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

“Who are you beyond your professional identity?”Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Steve Schlafman, a former VC who traded the boardroom for the coaching couch. Steve now guides high-achievers, especially founders, through major life pivots and career crossroads.In this episode, Steve opens up about his own winding path from venture capitalist to life coach, sharing the "aha" moment that sparked his career shift. He goes deep into the fascinating world of "founders in transition," revealing the unique hurdles and unexpected opportunities that emerge when driven individuals decide to hit the brakesTune in to hear Steve's unique perspective on the intersection of high performance and intentional living.(01:17) - Steve's background(04:15) - The concept of "founders in transition"(07:50) - Embracing slowing down(11:48) - Transitioning concepts that also apply to builders(15:19) - Habits of founders behind successful transitions(19:31) - The power of internal monologues in high-performing founders(27:52) - The eventual necessity of slowing down(31:09) - How Steve helps shape new identities for founders(37:23) - The connection between a diversified identity and resilience(43:53) - Steve's "journey inventory" exercise(48:48) - The moment Steve realized his passion for helping founders transition(55:39) - Everyone is always going through micro cycles(58:23) - The concept of being above the line/below the line(01:05:55) - Living the undivided life(01:09:44) - The differences between transitioning and deceleration(01:16:42) - Building appreciation for deceleration(01:21:27) - VC-backed founders and the integrated lifeCheck out Steve on:➤ Personal website: https://www.schlaf.co/➤ Downshift: https://www.downshift.me/➤ Twitter: [](https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley)https://x.com/schlaf➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success - [](https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3MHWUE

Want To Become A Better Writer? Join Write of Passage's "Test Drive" WorkshopSteve is a professional coach and the founder of Downshift — the world's first decelerator. He has left a career in venture, but he remains ambitious, it's just that his ambition is now to have a good, multidimentional life, where he can be a good dad for his kids.Matt has left a traditional path early on to write, travel and discover his own path. When he met Steve, he offered him to become his apprentice and joined Downshift.

Steve Schlafman is a venture capitalist turned transition coach. We talk about lostness, transformation, curiosity, mindfulness practices, his new Downshift program, being a husband and father, and more. — (00:59) Lostness, navigating liminal identity space, personal transformations (18:31) Head and heart, mind and body; intellectualizing emotions & feelings (25:52) The role of curiosity; people, world, self (29:52) Using practices as a means to an end (34:21) Is downshifting antithetical to the history of humanity (advancement)? (41:32) When to upshift (46:27) Stillness & silence (52:43) Renewal, rediscovery, experimentation (57:39) Spouse support during transformations (01:02:35) Balancing ambition & being a father (01:06:54) Final question for listeners: what stops you from being at your best — Steve's Twitter: https://twitter.com/schlaf Personal Site: https://www.schlaf.co/ Downshift: https://www.downshift.me/ Spencer's Twitter: https://twitter.com/SP1NS1R Spencer's Blog: https://spencerkier.substack.com

Steve Schlafman (@schlaf) is a work-life transition coach.He's certified with various coaching and therapeutic schools and programs including (but not limited to) The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Coaching for Transformation, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Men's Emotional Leadership (MELT) and Enneagram.Previously, Steve was a partner at a multi-billion venture capital firm, RRE. And graduated from Northeastern University.He has been sober for more than 10 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Schlafman is a recovering venture capitalist and professional transition coach. In 2017 he made partner at a multi-billion dollar VC firm and then promptly walked away from it all. Now he helps high performers in midlife discover and manifest their next calling. He draws upon a range of disciplines and brings a very sensitive, compassionate approach to the question of how to live well. Steve is also a writer, podcaster and father.Resources* Where The Road Bends (Steve's Substack)* www.schlaf.co* Steve's Twitter* The Mind Illuminated* Jhourney (a startup that's biohacking the jhanas) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themetagame.substack.com

Steve Schlafman is a coach, writer, and father. Before this, Steve was an investor at some of the leading venture capital firms in New York City. When he was investing, Steve got interested in coaching and starting doing both of them at the same time. In 2021, Steve decided to walk away from his own investment fund. In this live episode in front of an audience, you will learn why Steve made that decision, how to think about transitions, and how you could start a coaching business. Excited for you to build and grow your Portfolio Career!As always, this episode with notes is available on my website.Connect with Steve on TwitterConnect with David on TwitterSubscribe to David's Portfolio Career Substack

Steve Schlafman, a professional coach and writer, joins to share his perspective on change. He tells stories from his own life including his journey with addiction, pivot from a successful career in VC, and experience coaching high achievers. We discuss habits to support recovery, change as a slow wave, and the power of self-unfolding. Steve shares about parts-work, the shadow, and wholeness through his experiences with internal family systems (IFS). Lastly, we explore ways to rethink ambition and how many of society's biggest problems are a “being problem”.If this conversation resonates, you may enjoy Steve's free annual review template. You can access it here: annualreview.life.Connect with Steve: Twitter: @schlafWriting: schlaf.co/writingCoaching: Writing: schlaf.co/coachingConnect with Sam Sager: Twitter: @sc_sagerWriting: onrenewal.substack.comFitness: intuitivefitness.coGo Deeper:We Are multiple, Discovering The Many Parts of Yourself by Steve SchalfmanRethinking Ambition by Steve Schalfman:Work, Ambition, and Identity by Sam Sager This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onrenewal.substack.com

This week's guest is the founder of Schlaf & Co, Steve Schlafman. Steve was a venture capitalist who made the decision a few years back to leave the industry to focus on building his boutique leadership company that focuses on helping early-stage founders and VCs. He is also an avid reader and writer and something we explore during our conversation together is how he made it an intentional part of his life. We talk about leadership, forging your own path, and most importantly, creating a space to be present for your family while running a company. 

Were you thrust into a leadership position without a lot of training and preparation? Have you risen rapidly as a leader and find yourself a bit uncertain? Or maybe you're a founder making things up as you go, and finding yourself managing other incredible people. Being a leader who has to learn on the job can be intimidating and scary. Imposter syndrome and its sibling, the inner critic, can leave you struggling to be your best. And all of this is only compounded when you have brilliant people on your team who are smarter or better than you at their job. That's why we have VC turned leadership coach Steve Schlafman on to talk about how you can navigate all of this and thrive as a leader, even when you're on your own to figure out this leadership thing. Some helpful links related to the topics we covered:Conscious Leadership Group by Diana Chapman and Jim DethmerUnarguables: https://conscious.is/excercises-guides/speaking-unarguably 68% of managers are afraid to communicate with their teams. Learn what you can do to be like the 32% that aren't.  How to embrace curiosity as a leader. Shirzad Chamine - Inner critic: https://www.positiveintelligence.com/about/ Books we discussed:Non-Violent Communication by Marshall RosenbergOFNR: Observe - Feeling - Need - Request structure outlined here: https://drlwilson.com/ARTICLES/NONVIOLENT_COMMUNICATION.htm   Key actions for you to take today from the interview: Be open and curious rather than closed and defensive: Embrace what you don't know and look for opportunities to learn from others, even your own team. Question the stories about yourself: Ask yourself what stories run in your mind and if they're helpful for you and your goals. Have self-acceptance and compassion: No one is harder on you than you. Recognize that, and look for opportunities to be less hard on your self, and compassionate when you have work to do. Make a list of your accomplishments: Build more self confidence and quiet the inner critic when they're too loud, by listing out what you've accomplished to show yourself what you are capable of doing.   Where to find and follow Steve: You can follow Steve on Twitter @schlaf and learn more about his coaching practice atwww.schlaf.co  https://rebrand.ly/cfa3ed

Our guest today is Steve Schlafman, an expert in leadership development and the Founder and Coach at High Output.In this episode, we explored Steve's decision to leave behind his newly raised $7.5 million angel fund to take a step back and focus on the things that truly matter. We zoomed in on the importance of taking breaks to recharge our batteries and the long-term benefit of doing so.Steve gives actionable advice on how to strengthen the co-founder relationship and the role of impeccable agreements on being able to fully reveal yourself and being comfortable sharing your experiences.________Connect with Steve on LinkedIn or on Twitter @schlaf to continue the conversation.Become a better leader in 2 minutes a day with BUNCH, the AI Leadership Coach. Download it free on the App Store by searching “bunch coach.”Follow BUNCH on Twitter: @bunch_HQ or subscribe to our newsletter The Weekly Briefing on Substack for more frameworks and resources________Things you'll learn in this episode:- How to leave behind what doesn't feel right- Using daily architectures to structure your day and include downtime - The importance of investing in your co-founder relationship- How to navigate the VC founder relationship versus the Coach founder relationship

“I'm a recovering VC,” says Steve Schlafman. Branching off from his career as an investor, Steve entered the coaching world. Focused primarily on helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals, Steve found himself energized and made the leap to full-time coaching. “I love working with entrepreneurs because… I believe that entrepreneurship is arguably the fastest path to having a big impact on the world,” says Steve. Listen in to hear Steve's story. Highoutput.co | schlaf.me #liveyourbestlife  lizbrunner.com/live-your-best-life If you have a guest idea, or want to learn more about Brunner Communications, contact Liz at info@LizBrunner.com. To join our mailing list and never miss any of Liz's stories, tips and techniques, click here.

“I'm a recovering VC,” says Steve Schlafman. Branching off from his career as an investor, Steve entered the coaching world. Focused primarily on helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals, Steve found himself energized and made the leap to full-time coaching. “I love working with entrepreneurs because… I believe that entrepreneurship is arguably the fastest path to having a big impact on the world,” says Steve. Listen in to hear Steve's story. Highoutput.co | schlaf.me #liveyourbestlife  lizbrunner.com/live-your-best-life If you have a guest idea, or want to learn more about Brunner Communications, contact Liz at info@LizBrunner.com. To join our mailing list and never miss any of Liz's stories, tips and techniques, click here.

Steve Schlafman is the Founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company, where he coaches to improve the habits, productivity, and energy management of high-performing entrepreneurs. A certified coach, Steve is also an angel investor, facilitator, and speaker, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Northeastern University. He has previously held a mix of operating and investor roles with companies including Primary Venture Partners, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, RRE Ventures, The Kraft Group / The New England Patriots, and Microsoft. Steve currently splits his time between Manhattan and the Catskills and enjoys spending time with his family, meditating, reading, cooking, and - of course - watching the Patriots. In today's episode, Steve shares the moment he became aware he was not living life the way he felt it should be lived after reading Eckhart Tolle's most famous book, The Power of Now. He shares his journey of recovering from an addiction he had managed from his teenage years until his mid-thirties. Steve explains the process of acknowledging he was done with the corporate life and just how long it took to take the idea of coaching to become a fully qualified and experienced coach. He also reveals the aspects of coaching that many founders and high-performing leaders need and benefit from and shares his own unique experience of what working in those industries brings to his coaching. “Energy Management is more important than Time Management.” - Steve Schlafman Today on Mastering Midlife: How reading The Power of Now was Steve's lightbulb moment Why ‘energy management' is more important than time management How meditation was the gateway to Steve's self-discovery Why leaders find sharing their struggles difficult The difficult conversations new companies should have Resources Mentioned: Book: The Power of Now Connect with Steve Schlafman: High Output Website The Founder Library Steve Schlafman's Website Steve Schlafman on LinkedIn Steve Schlafman on Facebook Steve Schlafman on Twitter Are you a busy, overwhelmed business leader? Through my work as an author and executive coach, I've discovered the 10 lies we all tell ourselves that keep us away from true productivity and creativity.  If constant firefighting is part of your daily grind, I have a free gift for you.  My “10 Uncomfortable Truths” about overwhelm, from “Only 10s, Confront Your To-Do List – Transform Your Life.” Go to www.markjsilverman.com, click on the red banner and receive your 10 videos (one minute, one per day) as well as the first chapter of the book.  While you are there, check out some of the other ways I may be able to help you on the journey. Mastering Midlife...Together! Thanks for tuning into today's episode of the Mastering Midlife Podcast: How to Thrive When the World Asks the Most of You with Mark Silverman. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. Be sure to visit our website and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube and don't forget to share your favorite episodes on social media.

Many of us dream of being founders. We have our billion-dollar idea swimming around in our head, we can picture the brand we have yet to create, and we can taste the success we know we deserve. But only a few of us know how to be a founder. Steve Schlafman, certified coach, advisor, angel investor, and founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company, is one of the rare few who know what it truly takes to be a founder, and he's here to share the recipe. In this episode, he and Farryn unpack what it means to be a founder in the modern world, motivation, when to lean in, and the zone of genius. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a re-air of episode 119 with Steve Schlafman, which was originally released November 13th, 2020. Steve Schlafman is a certified professional coach, an angel investor, and the founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company. As a former venture capitalist and partner at one of New York's top venture capital funds, Steve is a proven high performer. However, after decades spent working in high-stress corporate environments, he has decided to dedicate the next phase of his life to helping entrepreneurs fulfill their potential and bring their boldest visions to life. Through his transformational coaching, Steve aims to help business owners increase their output and evolve into extraordinary leaders. Recently, as part of his own transition towards a more flexible lifestyle, Steve and his family moved from New York City to the Catskills, where he enjoys spending time in nature and riding his bike on the trails.

Steve Schlafman is a professional certified coach and Founder of High Output. He is an angel investor, facilitator, speaker, former operator, and recovering VC. This episode is a wide-ranging, emotional journey through the nooks and crannies of investing, introspection, meditation, and sobriety.

Steve Schlafman is the Founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company, where he coaches to improve the habits, productivity, and energy management of high-performing entrepreneurs. A certified coach, Steve is also an angel investor, facilitator, and speaker, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Northeastern University. He has previously held a mix of operating and investor roles with companies including Primary Venture Partners, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, RRE Ventures, The Kraft Group / The New England Patriots, and Microsoft. Steve currently splits his time between Manhattan and the Catskills and enjoys spending time with his family, meditating, reading, cooking, and - of course - watching the Patriots. In today’s episode, Steve shares the moment he became aware he was not living life the way he felt it should be lived after reading Eckhart Tolle's most famous book, The Power of Now. He shares his journey of recovering from an addiction he had managed from his teenage years until his mid-thirties. Steve explains the process of acknowledging he was done with the corporate life and just how long it took to take the idea of coaching to become a fully qualified and experienced coach. He also reveals the aspects of coaching that many founders and high-performing leaders need and benefit from and shares his own unique experience of what working in those industries brings to his coaching. “Energy Management is more important than Time Management.” - Steve Schlafman Today on Mastering Midlife: How reading The Power of Now was Steve’s lightbulb moment Why ‘energy management' is more important than time management How meditation was the gateway to Steve’s self-discovery Why leaders find sharing their struggles difficult The difficult conversations new companies should have Resources Mentioned: Book: The Power of Now Connect with Steve Schlafman: High Output Website The Founder Library Steve Schlafman's Website Steve Schlafman on LinkedIn Steve Schlafman on Facebook Steve Schlafman on Twitter Are you a busy, overwhelmed business leader? Through my work as an author and executive coach, I’ve discovered the 10 lies we all tell ourselves that keep us away from true productivity and creativity.  If constant firefighting is part of your daily grind, I have a free gift for you.  My “10 Uncomfortable Truths” about overwhelm, from “Only 10s, Confront Your To-Do List – Transform Your Life.” Go to www.markjsilverman.com, click on the red banner and receive your 10 videos (one minute, one per day) as well as the first chapter of the book.  While you are there, check out some of the other ways I may be able to help you on the journey. Mastering Midlife...Together! Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of the Mastering Midlife Podcast: How to Thrive When the World Asks the Most of You with Mark Silverman. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. Be sure to visit our website and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes on social media.

Steve Schlafman is a professional certified coach, angel investor, facilitator, speaker, former operator and recovering VC. In this conversation, we spoke about life as an identical twin, how he's developed his coaching, his history with meditation, and much more. Enjoyed this episode? You'll also like my free weekly newsletter – Tuesday Treasure.

Steve Schlafman is a professional certified coach, angel investor, facilitator, speaker, former operator and former venture capitalist. He’s also a husband, a father and the founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company based in New York. Steve joins our host and Halcyon Certified Peer Recovery Coach, James Cardamone to discuss his past struggles with addiction and his unique integral approach to recovery.

This is an episode of Mastering the Attention Economy Podcast with host Ari Lewis and Steve Schlafman. Steve is a certified professional development coach and angel investor. Steve is the founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company. Previously, he was a VC at Primary Venture Partners and RRE Ventures. Some of his select investments include Boom, Breather, and theSkimm. We discuss why Steve left VC to coach, Steve's leadership and coaching philosophy, and the importance of building a personal brand. Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/schlaf Read Steve's Blog: https://schlaf.me/ Check out the Founder's Library: founderlibrary.com Follow Ari on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amlewis4 Follow Ari on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ari_lewis4/ Visit Ari's Site: http://arilewis.com/ Produced by Courtnie Lewis: https://www.courtnielewis.com Music by Mark Rhodes: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2F3QTcv7P4TxveL1tDeXmL?si=KEiZ9oB_TQyD_3ISQC8y-A

Steve is a professional certified coach, angel investor, and the creator of Founder Library. He currently operates High Output, a boutique leadership development company based in NYC. Through his company, Steve partners with entrepreneurs to help them amplify output, increase resiliency, cultivate inner wisdom, and lead more effectively. Throughout his career, Steve has held a mix of investing and operating roles at Primary Venture Partners, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, RRE Ventures, The Kraft Group / The New England Patriots, Microsoft, Stickybits / Turntable.fm, and Massive. His mission is to help entrepreneurs bring their boldest visions to life and evolve into extraordinary leaders. -- Thank you for listening to Pod of Jake! All shares and reviews are appreciated! If you enjoy this podcast, you might like reading blogofjake.com If you prefer listening over reading, you might prefer Blog of Jake's blog on tape, available through any of your favorite podcast providers. Website: podofjake.com Twitter: @blogofjake Email: jake@blogofjake.com Call: superpeer.com/jake Support: patreon.com/blogofjake Bitcoin: 3ESGQxrJZmGqd2SifqCUiHPvah1uWtN1Zd Bitcoin Cash: qznma8vxf8kjn4v9phsfkhzd0559gm7yfsx0gkl4sf

In this special episode of Origins, we discuss new VC fund structures with Sahil Lavingia, the founder of Gumroad and manager of one of the top rolling funds on AngelList, and Steve Schlafman, who combines professional coaching through his firm High Output with active angel investing using a traditional fund on AngelList.Both operators and investors, Sahil and Steve provide a fascinating look into how the venture industry is evolving, and how they combine their experiences operating and investing in new, more flexible structures. We discuss their professional backgrounds, why they started investing, time spent at more traditional VC firms, and why AngelList and other alternative fund structures are increasingly attractive to "solocapitalists." Finally, we dig into how they see these structures, as well as the industry at large changing in the years to come, and why these new structures are here to stay, for both VCs and LPs.

Steve Schlafman is a friend, mentor, a sponsor of sorts to me, and a very experienced Venture Capitalist who also has 5-years of sobriety under his belt as of today, June 5th, 2020. After 1 year of sobriety, Steve wrote a blog post under a pen name (which you can find here) explaining his experience getting sober and what it meant to him.  Today, he’s sharing that blog post under his own name, for the first time.  Steve talks to me about how important it is to share openly because that’s what gives others the strength to get help and open up as well. Steve explains that sobriety is a superpower.  He talks about how his life has been radically transformed by sobriety as well as what life was life before, what changed and what life is like now. You can connect with Steve here: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website, Instagram, High Output (coaching practice), Steve’s Personal Blog Items mentioned during our chat: Original 1-year blog post: https://medium.com/@todd.s.bauers/healing-through-openness-8cc280eb182b Books: The Power of Now, Integral Recovery, May Cause Miracles HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT: Steve talks about when he first became aware that he should consider whether or not he was using substances too much. A therapist started to ask him questions about the frequency of his use, and eventually recommended that Steve try to stop using by attending a 28-day intensive out-patient program after work.  He explains what this experience was like in our chat. Steve ended up getting 6 months of sobriety under his belt after this out-patient program, but he recounts, that he was not really “ready” to go all in. He talks about how his spiritual condition was not where it needed to be to really stay sober.  It would be 10 years before he got to the point where he was ready to really take that step. Steve talks about how his life wasn’t in shambles, he didn’t leave a wake of carnage, he didn’t hit a “rock bottom” – he talks about how he figure out that he needed help without having to have that stereotypical rock bottom moment. Steve started to realize that he was reaching outside of himself for things like validation, and love and that at the end of the day, he was never going to achieve those things if he kept seeking it externally. Steve talks about how he embraced transcendental meditation and how that practice shed a light on how he really felt about many things in life, including his use of substances. Steve knew he was not well. He appeared fine on the outside, and he knew it, but inside he knew he needed help.  He was sick of living that way and just did not want to live that way anymore. It just came down to wanting a better life and wanting to feel amazing and wanting to perform. Steve tells the story of going to his first AA meeting, how he found his way there, what it was like, what happened and how he felt during it. Steve talks about the first year of sobriety and how he handled it. He talks about what was hard, what wasn’t, and how he managed to get through those early cravings in the first few months of sobriety. Steve talks about the blog post he wrote about getting sober and why he is talking about it so openly today. Steve feels a responsibility to use his platform to share his story so that it can provide strength to others who may need help or to share their story. This is directly aligned with our mission here at the Stigma Podcast.  He also talks to us about how substance abuse has not been widely discussed in the tech community the way mental health has been and he wants to help change that. We talked about addiction as an epidemic, why Steve calls it that and how prevalent it is.   Connect with the Stigma Podcast in the following ways: Patreon page,  Website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Email Connect with host Stephen Hays here: Stephen Hays Personal Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, What If Ventures (Mental Health Venture Fund)

Ryan Petersen is the Founder & CEO @ Flexport, the operating system for global trade with over $1.3Bn in funding from the likes of Softbank, Founders Fund, DST, GV and First Round to name a few. Justin Kan is the Founder @ Atrium and Twitch (acq by Amazon for $1Bn). Justin is also a prolific angel with a portfolio including the likes of Scale AI, Digits, Cruise and Triplebyte to name a few. Matteo Franceschetti is the Founder & CEO @ Eight Sleep, the #1 Smart Mattress, designed to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. To date, Matteo has raised over $70M from Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, Craft Ventures, Kevin Hartz and Ryan Petersen to name a few. Steve Schlafman is a Coach and Investor @ High Output. Previously Steve was a Partner @ Primary Ventures in NYC and before that Principal @ RRE. CLICK TO LISTEN ON ITUNES In Today’s Episode You Will Learn: 1.) What was your realisation moment for stopping drinking? How did it come about? What was your prior relationship to alcohol like? 2.) For me I always found an excuse to not stop drinking, when you think about your attempts to give up, what excuses did you provide as reasons for continuing to drink? What insecurities and vulnerabilities did drinking hide and mask for you? How did it impact them? 3.) From a literal standpoint, how did you approach giving up the act of drinking? What tools did you find most helpful? What resources do you recommend? How has your life changed since you stopped drinking? Matteo, you have the data from Eight Sleep, what does the data say about how stopping drinking truly impacts your sleep? 4.) People often say that stopping drinking kills your social life, what would you respond to that commonly held belief? What other core misconceptions do you find people hold towards drinking? To those considering giving up drinking, what would you advise them? What do you know now about alcohol that you wish you had known earlier? As always you can follow Harry and The Twenty Minute VC on Twitter here! Likewise, you can follow Harry on Instagram here for mojito madness and all things 20VC.

Steve Schlafman has been one of the most respected and prolific seed investors in NYC for the last decade. He is also a highly sought-after coach for CEOs, helping them lead more authentically and effectively. Steve joined Chris to discuss startup fundraising, the anatomy of leadership, and executive performance. For the video, transcript, and show notes, visit https://forcingfunctionhour.com/steve-schlafman (forcingfunctionhour.com/steve-schlafman).

Steve Schlafman (@schlaf), based in NYC, is a seed-stage investor and leadership Coach at Primary Ventures. Here, he shares his experience of chronic pain, how it prevented him from starting his own podcast, and the ways in which he explores creativity in his life. Check out Steve's blog at https://www.schlaf.me/ In today's episode, we mention: Chronic pain + the science behind it Industries, and their ecosystems Meditation, Yoga, and Chakra NYC, and the fly-wheel effect 10-Day Vipassana Retreat Mind-body techniques Surgery, and stress Inner Resources Hypnotherapy Psychedelics Breathwork Coaching Creativity Anxiety Focus Timeline of our conversation: (04:24) Steve's experience with chronic pain (08:05) Different types of pain reception (09:23) What did Steve learn with a 10-Day Vipassana retreat? (14:30) Dealing with stress: Steve's (serious) cycling accident (23:12) The untapped potential of ancient mind-body techniques (32:38) Struggles and Lessons that Steve's gone through with stress (39:56) Steve, on Creativity: what is he most excited about creating? (45:54) NYC: Startup Ecosystem, and Culture (51:29) Steve's timeless one piece of advice  Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with your friends and family!

You don’t have to search high or low in the tech community to find tips and tricks on every function in a business - product, engineering, fundraising - it’s all out there. Only recently have mindfulness, leadership and mental health become top topics that founders and investors have started systematically talking about. In this episode I talked to one of the best advocates of mental health and coaching in the tech community today - Steve has a unique perspective on coaching early stage founders and we talked about the challenges and opportunities in the space. Steve is a trained executive and performance coach. He works with founders and executives to help them fulfill their potential as leaders inside and outside their organizations. Steve decided to pursue a coaching certification because he had a strong desire to engage with founders more deeply and develop stronger relationships based on respect, trust, authenticity and vulnerability.  Steve’s words are important for all folks in the tech community to be better leaders. Steve has had a storied career as an investor. He has been investing in the NYC tech ecosystem for the last decade. He straddles B2B and B2C with a bias toward the weird. His human centric approach to investing has enabled him to lead investments in Giphy, Bowery Farming, Brightwheel, Groups, Boom Aerospace, Care/of, Citizen, Wag!, theSkimm, Breather, View The Space and many more.  This episode was a ton of fun - Steve's authenticity is audible in his voice. It's no question why he's been such a great champion for founders. 

Full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KCjMwDpDm7g Steve Schlafman is a Partner at Primary Venture Partners. He’s been an investor in the NYC startup ecosystem for the last decade. Prior to his roles in VC, he was the Director of New Ventures at The Kraft Group, owners of the New England Patriots. He’s worked at startups like Turntable FM & began his career at Microsoft. Steve has worked on investments in companies like TheSkimm, Bowery Farming, Breather, Giphy, Percolate & SmartThings (sold to Samsung). He also works with founders & CEOs as a qualified leadership coach. In this revealing conversation, we discuss how he thinks about personal + professional growth, building healthy habits, navigating your career, the fear of death, dealing with anxiety, overcoming “functional addiction”, sobriety & why the best performers – people like Eric Schmidt & Lebron James, all work with coaches. Five Things To Listen Out For: Cornerstone Habits – habits that create a domino effect in other areas of your life What Lebron James & Eric Schmidt have in common -we discuss why you might feel resistant to the word “coach”, what a coaching practice looks like & examples of common discussions you might have Being A “Functional Addict” – dealing with addiction & why Steve has been sober for many years Dealing With Anxiety + The Fear Of Death – how Steve has consciously worked on his anxiety and coming to terms with death 360 reviews – why Steve recommends doing this after a recent experience, dealing with constructive criticism & how you can do this too Subscribe to watch the episode on YouTube here. Steve:   https://www.schlaf.me/ https://www.primary.vc/ https://twitter.com/schlaf Bilal: @creatorlabfm @bzaidi212 (Instagram) & @bzaidi everywhere else Full show notes:  https://www.creatorlab.fm/steve-schlafman-primary-venture-partners/ Thank you to our sponsors who help make this show possible: SquareFoot, where growing companies find their place, check out SquareFoot.com/creatorlab to find your next office space

Erik is joined on this episode by Steve Schlafman (@schlaf), partner at Primary Venture Partners, and David Marcovitz, addiction psychiatrist at Vanderbilt University.They talk about the opportunities and challenges facing startups looking to tackle mental health and substance use disorder. They tell Erik what they would focus on if they were building a company in the space and some of the different models for treating addiction that could be amenable to a startup.The three of them move on to talking about some of the challenges in selling to employers, large health providers and state governments, and how those potential roadblocks affect their view of the best business model for startups in the space.They also talk about some of their personal experiences with these topics as well as the macro-level changes over the last several years around mental health and substance use disorder.Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform. Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.Venture Stories is brought to you by Village Global, is hosted by co-founder and partner, Erik Torenberg and is produced by Brett Bolkowy.

Erik is joined on this episode by Steve Schlafman (@schlaf), partner at Primary Venture Partners, and David Marcovitz, addiction psychiatrist at Vanderbilt University.They talk about the opportunities and challenges facing startups looking to tackle mental health and substance use disorder. They tell Erik what they would focus on if they were building a company in the space and some of the different models for treating addiction that could be amenable to a startup.The three of them move on to talking about some of the challenges in selling to employers, large health providers and state governments, and how those potential roadblocks affect their view of the best business model for startups in the space.They also talk about some of their personal experiences with these topics as well as the macro-level changes over the last several years around mental health and substance use disorder.Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform. Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.Venture Stories is brought to you by Village Global, is hosted by co-founder and partner, Erik Torenberg and is produced by Brett Bolkowy.

Key quotes -“When I was thinking about the life that I want to have 10, 20 years from now.. how do I combine investing, coaching and facilitation into one so that I can be of service to people” -"I probably would’ve gone inward" -“I view coaching as an entirely distinct skillset... Building a skill that I don’t think is going to go out of fashion" -“I believe investing should be a business that should be in service of entrepreneurs. I believe that entrepreneurs are our customer” Resources: -Steve's twitter account -Primary Venture Partners -Finding Your Own Voice blog post by Steve

Episode 13: An interview with venture capitalist Steve Schlafman from Primary Ventures. In this episode Trent Lapinski and Steve Schlafman discuss venture capital, leadership, executive coaching, and even mediation. “For me I always ask myself is this an entrepreneur who that is special, talented, tenacious, and on a mission.” “Is this someone who can go and tell a great story, inspire potential employees, investors, partners. Is this someone who people are going to gravitate towards? In a competitive hiring environment, are they going to be able to build a World class team?” “I don’t need to see a huge amount of traction. I need to answer the question: Is there enough evidence or an unique insight that people want the product or service. I love founders that are incredibly focused on the customer. Is this someone who is just incredibly focused, and obsessed with the customer and solving their problem?”  “Is this team on a journey that is important, bold, difficult, and inspiring? In someways does it make me uncomfortable because it is hard?”— Steve Schlafman Production and music by Derek Bernard - https://haberdasherband.com/production Host: Trent Lapinski - https://trentlapinski.com

Listen Here: iTunes | Overcast My guest today is Steve Schlafman, a venture capitalist, leadership coach and partner at Primary VC. This episode is a wide-ranging, emotional journey through the nooks and crannies of investing, introspection, and sobriety. Steve is a man of many passions. In the business world, he’s invested in breakthrough companies like Zipline, Brightwheel, Bark & Co., Managed by Q, Bowery Farming, Citizen, Care/Of, Boom Aerospace, TheSkimm and View The Space. Our exploration of investing was driven by five themes: leadership, market demand, customer focus, emotion, and human impact. Outside of the office, Steve lives a sober life free of alcohol and other substances. He’s a passionate cyclist and rides more than 2,500 miles every year. This episode is particularly profound. Steve and I down down, deep into the depths of human emotion — from struggle, to pain, to addiction, to wonder and joy. I hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe to my “Monday Musings” newsletter to keep up with the podcast. Show Topics 3:30 – Steve explains his role and his program learning what’s called “transformational coaching” and how he became attracted to the idea of coaching. 6:30 – The value of coaching and common misconceptions of how a coaching can push and direct people. As Steve puts it, as a coach, “you shouldn’t be trying to fix, but instead, [trying] to understand. You’re not coaching the issue, you’re coaching the client.” 9:50 – The mindset of a good coach. 10:30 – David raises the questions of what makes a good coach versus a great coach. 11:04 “Self management” as a coaching mechanism. 13:45 – Steve reflects on coach Belichick and what he admires about him as a coach. 15:45 – Steve continues to dive into some of the abilities beyond coaching that Belichick exemplifies, namely the ability to asses and project players potential before even becoming their coach as well as his ruthlessness and situational awareness. 19:25 – The “human centric investment philosophy” Steve pursues.  22:48 – Steve dissects genuine leadership and how it’s relevant to success as a coach and individual.   26:45 – Where does that “drive” that successful people share in common come from?  29:20 – Steve explains “Market Demand” via a story about opiate addiction and recovery.  30:10 – David and Steve dig a deeper into the opioid crisis and how they have seen it affect those around them  35:15 – Digital desensitization; how our modern relationships to tech and social media have been affecting our empathy and view of what’s going on in the world around us. 38:14 – What makes a brand a brand and the following and loyalty that having a good brand generates. 42:00  -Steve gives some examples of how great things happen organically, and not always when planned.  47:50 – David reflects on the form of expression and communication GIFs introduced when communicating digitally. 52:40- Having children is on a downward trend. David and Steve discuss some of the factors surround this new trend.  55:45 – Steve shares some of his observations from his recent trip to Sweden and the perceived quality of life by its residents. 01:02 – Steve shares some of the reasons he fell in love with cycling and what makes the sport so unique and non mundane to him.  01:08- Steve talks sobriety and what it means to him.  He details the positive and transformative effects it has had on his life.   Subscribe to my “Monday Musings” newsletter to keep up with the podcast.

Steve Schlafman is in transition. He worked at a Venture Capital (VC) firm for a number of years and recently decided to break off on his own. Before working as a VC he had jobs at places like Microsoft and The Kraft Group, and those experiences have left an impact on how Steve looks at his career. Steve is certainly passionate about technology, but he will also talk about relationships, habits, and how he is constantly searching for how he can be his best self. He is mindful. He recently participated in a 10-day intensive meditation retreat, which he talks about in the podcast. He's a deep thinker. He recently did a "think week" where he unplugged from technology to dive into books, videos, and write about a number of topics. He is intentional. He has made shifts in his life when he looked in the mirror and felt like he needed to make a change. He also will talk about some of the challenges in his life including ADHD, anxiety, and he will share what went into his decision to not drink alcohol anymore. In this episode, we focus on the present--where he is right now, while also getting a sense of how he got to this point. You can learn more about Steve at the following places: Twitter: @schlaf  Insta: @schlaf Medium: schlaf.me Lastly, we are excited to launch our partnership with 2Betties. If you love healthy snacks or are looking for a healthy breakfast option, make sure to head over to their site and pick up your "rounds". Don't forget to enter promo code "INTENTIONAL" to get 15% off your first order!  Also, please head over to our patreon page to support the podcast! Thanks so much to Steve for coming on the podcast! --Brian

Steve Schlafman is an early stage investor @ RRE Ventures, where he specialises on marketplaces, mobile services, and hardware. Steve is responsible for RRE’s investments in theSkimm, Hightower, TinyBop, Breather, and Managed by Q. Prior to joining RRE as a Principal, Steve was a Principal and rockstar seed investor at Lerer Ventures. Before becoming a venture capitalist, Steve worked at Stickybits Inc. and Turntable.fm, and served as Director of Venture Investments at The Kraft Group. Steve also worked at Massive Inc. and at Microsoft, where he focused on Biz Dev Strategy and Corporate Finance.    In Today’s Episode with Steve You Will Learn: How Steve made his way into VC from Microsoft, to Kraft to startup to VC? Why does Steve think Seed to Series A is such a different ball game? What are the different characteristics encompassed within each? With such little data at seed, what does Steve’s DD process look like? How does that affect his investment decision making process @ RRE? What is the valuation comparison between Seed and Series A? How is this determined and how has this changed since Steve’s time at Lerer? Why do the best markets often appear small and become meaningful? How does Steve look to detect these small markets? Items Mentioned In Today’s Show: Steve’s Fave Book: Who (Hiring Process), Work (Hiring @ Google), Leading (Michael Moritz) Steve’s Fave Blog or Newsletter: AVC, Stratechery, The Skimm Steve’s Most Recent Investment: Brightwheel As always you can follow Harry, The Twenty Minute VC and Steve on Twitter here! Likewise, you can follow Harry on Snapchat here for mojito madness and all things 20VC.

Steve Schlafman is a good bud and startup investor for RRE ventures.  He's also someone whose work ethic and hustle I genuinely admire. We've had a lot of entrepreneurs on this show, but today I wanted to bring someone on the other side of the table on. Steve sees 100's if not thousands of companies a year and has to distill amongst all the people building things which ones he things are going to make it.  One of the cool things about this job, is you get to see patterns amongst companies and individuals. What type of company wins? What do the founders look like? We'll pick Steve's brain on these types of questions, and unpack what entrepreneurs should know before pitching a venture capitalist. My favorite part of the episode is hearing some stories from the trenches about the lengths some entrepreneurs have taken to make their company successful…

The explosive growth of New York’s tech industry in the last decade has reshaped the city’s economy and its demographics — and has kept New York at the forefront in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Over the last decade, Bloomberg administration policies aimed to foster this growth in the tech and information sector. What new directions should the new de Blasio administration consider in order to ensure — and strengthen — New York’s role at the forefront of innovation? We were joined at Roosevelt House for the latest in our continuing series, “Changing New York,” as Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC’s “New Tech City,” led a distinguished panel of experts in a wide-ranging conversation exploring the new policies, priorities and strategies that the de Blasio administration ought to focus on in the years ahead. Each brings a business and personal perspective to the crucial questions of what the new digital New York might look like — and how the new administration can help make it possible. Speakers: Jessica Lawrence, Executive Director, NY Tech Meetup; Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute and author of Building a Digital City: The Growth and Impact of New York City’s Tech/Information Sector; and Steve Schlafman, a principal at RRE Ventures, who also writes the blog “Schlaf Notes: The Chronicles of an Accidental VC,” about trends and his “adventures in startup land.” Introducing the panel was Stanley S. Litow, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs of IBM, President of the IBM Foundation, and member of the Roosevelt House Advisory Board.