Episode 0: The idea, before the guests
An early listen generated from the show concept, not a founder interview. Show notes.
A podcast
First Failed Business
Celebrating the crucial, often painful, lessons learned from entrepreneurial stumbles. Candid conversations with founders about their first ventures that didn't make it, turning failure into fuel, in a positive shame-free environment.
Hosted by Benjamin Kleman.
Latest episode
A pre-beta listen. No guest yet, just the idea, said out loud.
What you'll hear
Guest episodes run about 30–45 minutes. The middle of the show is where the story earns its keep.
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01
The genesis
Why the venture started, and the first yes that made it feel real.
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02
The cracks
The journey as it actually went, and where the plan began to split.
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03
The failure point
The moment it stopped. Named plainly, without the courtroom vibe.
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04
The lessons
The core of the show: what stayed useful after the stumble.
Episodes
One episode so far. Founder conversations are still ahead.
Episode 0: The idea, before the guests
September 29, 2026 · 8 min 55 sec · Concept listen, no guest
Show notesAbout the show
Who it's for
- Aspiring founders who want the unvarnished version before they start.
- Early-stage founders in the middle of the messy part.
- Anyone whose venture has stalled and would rather learn than hide it.
Benjamin Kleman hosts it. The tone stays curious and conversational: positive, uplifting, and interested in what the stumble taught, not in scoring the person who took the swing.
The shame-free promise
Failure is fuel here, not a verdict. You can talk about the first business that didn't make it without the flinch.
A full episode moves through an intro, the genesis, the journey and the cracks, the failure point, lessons learned, the aftermath, a key takeaway, and a short outro.
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