This episode examines a destructive mental trap that can derail startups, and how founders can avoid it. Host Robert Hackett sits down with Bryan Pellegrino, cofounder and CEO of LayerZero, a core infrastructure project enabling cross-chain communication among blockchains.
They discuss why crypto went multichain and what that shift means for competing with legacy financial systems, as well as a lesson from Elon Musk. Pellegrino’s background as a professional poker player surfaces in the conversation, shaping his views on competition, conviction, and focus. The interview also dives into founder psychology, including when founders must replace early leadership and why the hardest decisions often lack a playbook.
We go deep on founder psychology: when founders must replace early leadership—and why no one talks about it; why conviction matters more than advice; and why the hardest decisions are the ones no playbook prepares you for. Listeners are guided through insights on conviction versus advice and the strategic discipline needed to navigate rapid growth. The discussion highlights how LayerZero’s approach to interoperability fits within crypto’s broader trajectory and the ongoing evolution of the sector.
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