Podcasts / Give First / Burn Bright, Not Out: James Oliver Jr. on Founder Mental Wellness



Burn Bright, Not Out: James Oliver Jr. on Founder Mental Wellness

February 17th, 2026

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with James Oliver Jr., Techstars alum, entrepreneur, and author of Burn Bright, Not Out.

James shares his journey navigating the pressures of high achievement and the hidden cost of hustle culture. He introduces the Burn Bright Spectrum, a framework to help founders recognize the difference between healthy ambition and burnout, and explains why rest, micro-wins, and alignment are essential to long-term success.

The conversation explores founder mental health, breaking stigma in the startup community, and how sustainable performance drives deeper impact than constant grind.

Follow James Oliver Jr. on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oliver-jr/ 

Order Burn Bright, Not Out ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Bright-Not-Out-ShatteringThe-ebook/dp/B0GG8FCCQZ

#Give First