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Lavena Xu-Johnson
Lavena Xu-JohnsonBrain snacks for founders who think too much, feel even more - and want science to make sense of it.
The 7 “marriage” principles for teams

The 7 “marriage” principles for teams

Gottman’s relationship science to make startups work (part 1)

Sep 9, 2025
The persecutor pitfall: When blame becomes a default

The persecutor pitfall: When blame becomes a default

The drama triangle (part 2): Leading without pointing fingers in persecutor mode

Aug 28, 2025
9 signs you’re under attack from mean world syndrome

9 signs you’re under attack from mean world syndrome

The subtle red flags that paranoia, not strategy, is steering your decisions

Aug 21, 2025
The rescuer trap: How blurred boundaries drain us

The rescuer trap: How blurred boundaries drain us

The drama triangle (part 1): Saying no without guilt in rescuer mode

Aug 13, 2025
100 days of rejection: Hack your brain with 'systematic desensitization'

100 days of rejection: Hack your brain with 'systematic desensitization'

How to use gradual exposure to transform your resilience, one rejection at a time.

Aug 6, 2025
The mindset breakthroughs every founder needed last month (and still do)

The mindset breakthroughs every founder needed last month (and still do)

Before Q4 kicks in, catch up on the emotional shifts, biases, and resilience tools shaping founder life.

Aug 5, 2025
The dip is real: How founders survive the emotional cycle

The dip is real: How founders survive the emotional cycle

Survive the 'emotional cycle of change' with 'learnt optimism'

Jul 29, 2025
When bias hits the boardroom (or the dancefloor)

When bias hits the boardroom (or the dancefloor)

That Coldplay CEO video? More than gossip - let’s talk about bias and founder blind spots.

Jul 22, 2025
The power of ‘I’ve been there.’

The power of ‘I’ve been there.’

How smart leaders know when to open up

Jul 15, 2025
It’s not your willpower, it’s decision overload

It’s not your willpower, it’s decision overload

Even small choices drain your clarity. Here’s how to reclaim your mental fuel.

Jul 10, 2025
Tell your story, like you’re the creator of all.

Tell your story, like you’re the creator of all.

Transform your identity using the tools of Narrative Therapy.

Jul 1, 2025
The founder reads you couldn’t stop sharing

The founder reads you couldn’t stop sharing

Dopamine hacks, emotional whiplash, projection, and power – our 4 most-shared essays this month.

Jun 24, 2025
Pop neuroscience is hacking your sense of self

Pop neuroscience is hacking your sense of self

From ‘dopamine detox’ to “broken brain” memes, we’ve outsourced selfhood to science.

Jun 18, 2025
Real leadership starts when you stop hiding your soft side (or strong side)

Real leadership starts when you stop hiding your soft side (or strong side)

The overlooked leadership edge: Masculinity vs Femininity

Jun 11, 2025
Mirroring: The self we project, the self we reclaim

Mirroring: The self we project, the self we reclaim

Why certain relationships shake us, and what they reveal about our own identity formation.

Jun 3, 2025
They love you, then they hate you: a hidden dynamic at work

They love you, then they hate you: a hidden dynamic at work

Navigating Borderline Personality traits: how to respond without losing your sanity.

May 28, 2025
The push-pull trap: surviving the emotional whiplash at work

The push-pull trap: surviving the emotional whiplash at work

What if their chaos isn’t personal - but pathological?

May 27, 2025
You don’t have an anger issue - your brain’s just fried

You don’t have an anger issue - your brain’s just fried

Why stress hijacks your senses, and what your nervous system needs to recover

May 20, 2025
The founder’s lab: How to run tiny experiments on your life

The founder’s lab: How to run tiny experiments on your life

What neuroscientist Anne-Laure taught me about re-writing our scripts

May 13, 2025
Games people play

Games people play

How unconscious patterns are sabotaging your company

May 6, 2025
Your brain is the next data point: Welcome to neurocapitalism

Your brain is the next data point: Welcome to neurocapitalism

The Serenity Slider Is Coming (But Do We Want It?)

Apr 30, 2025
The invisible stage of creativity

The invisible stage of creativity

Why the early days of building a startup can feel like performing in the dark.

Apr 22, 2025
How to take smarter risks

How to take smarter risks

The edge of something new always brings uncertainty — but that’s where founders do their best work.

Apr 15, 2025
The identity trap founders fall into

The identity trap founders fall into

Why founders tie self-worth to success – and how to break free without burning out.

Apr 1, 2025
Why so many founders have ADHD

Why so many founders have ADHD

Branson, Sinek, even IKEA’s founder – here’s why ADHD isn’t a weakness, it’s a startup superpower.

Mar 27, 2025
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