The wall of Love

Here are reflections from those who’ve experienced it firsthand.

Jon Stross

Co-founder, Greenhouse

"I was leaving the startup I'd founded after 13 years and needed help navigating two things: how to leave well, and how to figure out what came next. Working with Steve helped me recast how I thought about both. He helped me visualize what success could look like and move forward with confidence, even into the ambiguity. My transition out ended up feeling like the best case scenario. I'm now letting the next chapter emerge without needing to know exactly what it will be. Steve helped me be intentional through one of the most significant passages of my life. I'm deeply grateful."

Jon Stross

Co-founder, Greenhouse

"I was leaving the startup I'd founded after 13 years and needed help navigating two things: how to leave well, and how to figure out what came next. Working with Steve helped me recast how I thought about both. He helped me visualize what success could look like and move forward with confidence, even into the ambiguity. My transition out ended up feeling like the best case scenario. I'm now letting the next chapter emerge without needing to know exactly what it will be. Steve helped me be intentional through one of the most significant passages of my life. I'm deeply grateful."

Jesse Israel

Speaker & Coach

"I built The Big Quiet into a global movement, led mass meditations for thousands, and went on tour with Oprah, and then I had to figure out what came next in the wake of COVID. That kind of transition, stepping away from something you built and opening to what wants to emerge, is harder than it looks from the outside. Steve helped me complete that chapter with intention and care. He created space to grieve what was ending and get honest about what I actually wanted. What emerged was a deeper commitment to speaking and coaching, work that feels deeply aligned and alive with where I am in my life. He's the person I send the people closest to me when they're navigating a major transition."

Jesse Israel

Speaker & Coach

"I built The Big Quiet into a global movement, led mass meditations for thousands, and went on tour with Oprah, and then I had to figure out what came next in the wake of COVID. That kind of transition, stepping away from something you built and opening to what wants to emerge, is harder than it looks from the outside. Steve helped me complete that chapter with intention and care. He created space to grieve what was ending and get honest about what I actually wanted. What emerged was a deeper commitment to speaking and coaching, work that feels deeply aligned and alive with where I am in my life. He's the person I send the people closest to me when they're navigating a major transition."

Ben Blumenrose

Co-founder & Managing Partner, Designer Fund

"Steve has helped me through two critical career junctions. Both times he helped me identify the key decisions I needed to make, clarified what was essential, simplified what felt overwhelming, and guided me to a great outcome. He brings a rare combination of coaching skill, domain expertise, and real life experience. There aren't many people I'd trust with that twice."

Ben Blumenrose

Co-founder & Managing Partner, Designer Fund

"Steve has helped me through two critical career junctions. Both times he helped me identify the key decisions I needed to make, clarified what was essential, simplified what felt overwhelming, and guided me to a great outcome. He brings a rare combination of coaching skill, domain expertise, and real life experience. There aren't many people I'd trust with that twice."

Brian Flynn

CEO, Boost Studios

"Steve had a meaningful impact on me during an important chapter of my life. Working with him helped me slow down, become more self-aware, and start noticing the patterns that were shaping how I showed up as a founder, partner, and person. He has a way of asking simple questions that quietly open up deeper reflection. Our conversations often stayed with me long after the session ended. I'm grateful for the space he created for honest exploration and growth."

Brian Flynn

CEO, Boost Studios

"Steve had a meaningful impact on me during an important chapter of my life. Working with him helped me slow down, become more self-aware, and start noticing the patterns that were shaping how I showed up as a founder, partner, and person. He has a way of asking simple questions that quietly open up deeper reflection. Our conversations often stayed with me long after the session ended. I'm grateful for the space he created for honest exploration and growth."

Joseph Kelly

Co-founder & CEO, Unchained

"When I came to Steve, I was burnt out and needing to adapt how I led my company. He helped me slow down long enough to find what actually mattered and make refinements to my role. Through our work together I found deeper alignment with my work and a renewed sense of purpose I hadn't felt in years. What made him uniquely suited to help me was his own journey. The inner work he's done, his time as a VC, his life as a father. He understood where I was because he'd been in similar terrain himself."

Joseph Kelly

Co-founder & CEO, Unchained

"When I came to Steve, I was burnt out and needing to adapt how I led my company. He helped me slow down long enough to find what actually mattered and make refinements to my role. Through our work together I found deeper alignment with my work and a renewed sense of purpose I hadn't felt in years. What made him uniquely suited to help me was his own journey. The inner work he's done, his time as a VC, his life as a father. He understood where I was because he'd been in similar terrain himself."

Elliott Pesut

Managing Director of Culture, Learning & Inclusion, Alaska Airlines

"My coaching work with Steve has been one of the most meaningful investments I've made in myself. It helped me see the stories I was carrying: that good leadership meant having the answers, moving fast, and fixing what was broken. Over time, that shifted. I'm more present now, more willing to trust the people around me and the process we're in together. And I'm sustaining it, because I can name unhelpful stories when they show up and come back to what's actually true. Steve helped me discover a more grounded version of myself."

Elliott Pesut

Managing Director of Culture, Learning & Inclusion, Alaska Airlines

"My coaching work with Steve has been one of the most meaningful investments I've made in myself. It helped me see the stories I was carrying: that good leadership meant having the answers, moving fast, and fixing what was broken. Over time, that shifted. I'm more present now, more willing to trust the people around me and the process we're in together. And I'm sustaining it, because I can name unhelpful stories when they show up and come back to what's actually true. Steve helped me discover a more grounded version of myself."

Ben Rubin

Co-Founder and CEO, Happier Meditation

"Steve is a rare combination: someone who deeply understands the startup game and is a genuinely skilled, empathetic coach. That pairing is hard to find. One moment stands out. I was running Happier and facing a major pivot. Keep going as we were, or press go on a total reset. Steve cut through all my hedging with one reflection: 'Do you want a zombie company?' That question, delivered at exactly the right moment with deep care, is what makes Steve exceptional."

Ben Rubin

Co-Founder and CEO, Happier Meditation

"Steve is a rare combination: someone who deeply understands the startup game and is a genuinely skilled, empathetic coach. That pairing is hard to find. One moment stands out. I was running Happier and facing a major pivot. Keep going as we were, or press go on a total reset. Steve cut through all my hedging with one reflection: 'Do you want a zombie company?' That question, delivered at exactly the right moment with deep care, is what makes Steve exceptional."

Jason Kelly

Co-founder & CEO, Kambr

"What struck me most was Steve's ability to hold space for contradiction. He helped me see that slowing down was the pathway to more intentional action. His guidance helped me move from a pattern of constant becoming to moments of simply being, which paradoxically made me more effective in everything I do."

Jason Kelly

Co-founder & CEO, Kambr

"What struck me most was Steve's ability to hold space for contradiction. He helped me see that slowing down was the pathway to more intentional action. His guidance helped me move from a pattern of constant becoming to moments of simply being, which paradoxically made me more effective in everything I do."

Alex Chang

Co-founder, Undefeated Tribe

"I've worked with many coaches and guides over the course of my career. Steve stands out. Through both Downshift and our 1:1 work together, he helped me gain clarity on big life questions I'd been struggling with for years. He also helped me get out of my head and into my body, accessing a deeper intelligence I didn't know was there. He combines deep business experience with genuine wisdom in a way I haven't found elsewhere. I'm grateful to have him in my life."

Alex Chang

Co-founder, Undefeated Tribe

"I've worked with many coaches and guides over the course of my career. Steve stands out. Through both Downshift and our 1:1 work together, he helped me gain clarity on big life questions I'd been struggling with for years. He also helped me get out of my head and into my body, accessing a deeper intelligence I didn't know was there. He combines deep business experience with genuine wisdom in a way I haven't found elsewhere. I'm grateful to have him in my life."

Jason Jacobs

Founder, Puck Academy

"I worked with Steve during a difficult and sensitive professional transition. He helped me get clear on what I actually wanted, define a path forward, and navigate it in a way that honored everyone involved. I'm now on the other side, in a place where there's far more harmony between my work and my life. I'm grateful to Steve for helping me get there."

Jason Jacobs

Founder, Puck Academy

"I worked with Steve during a difficult and sensitive professional transition. He helped me get clear on what I actually wanted, define a path forward, and navigate it in a way that honored everyone involved. I'm now on the other side, in a place where there's far more harmony between my work and my life. I'm grateful to Steve for helping me get there."

Joshua Forman

Founder & CEO of Omnibus

“A few years ago I reached a point in my career where I lost my bearings and the path upward suddenly became less clear. Steve was my sherpa through that difficult time of transition, helping me focus not on moving upward, but on moving forward in a more sustainable and authentic way. His guidance wasn't what I initially expected, but it was exactly what I needed.”

Joshua Forman

Founder & CEO of Omnibus

“A few years ago I reached a point in my career where I lost my bearings and the path upward suddenly became less clear. Steve was my sherpa through that difficult time of transition, helping me focus not on moving upward, but on moving forward in a more sustainable and authentic way. His guidance wasn't what I initially expected, but it was exactly what I needed.”

Jess Hunt

CEO, Proof

"Working with Steve helped me pursue a new chapter I didn't know how to begin. He gave me permission to explore, pushed me to look honestly at myself, and stayed with me through the uncertainty. What surprised me most was that the work went far beyond my career. I came out the other side with a sense of security and authenticity I hadn't expected to find."

Jess Hunt

CEO, Proof

"Working with Steve helped me pursue a new chapter I didn't know how to begin. He gave me permission to explore, pushed me to look honestly at myself, and stayed with me through the uncertainty. What surprised me most was that the work went far beyond my career. I came out the other side with a sense of security and authenticity I hadn't expected to find."

Neil Parikh

Co-founder, Slingshot AI

"Steve helped me navigate a tumultuous period where I shut down one company, went through a real process of discovery about what I wanted next, and landed in a genuinely good place. Having him as a thought partner on that journey made all the difference. I highly recommend Steve to anyone going through a period of transition."

Neil Parikh

Co-founder, Slingshot AI

"Steve helped me navigate a tumultuous period where I shut down one company, went through a real process of discovery about what I wanted next, and landed in a genuinely good place. Having him as a thought partner on that journey made all the difference. I highly recommend Steve to anyone going through a period of transition."

Jeb Balise

Co-founder & CEO @ Everygene

"When I started working with Steve, I was holding on to a situation that had stopped working for me. I couldn't see it clearly at the time. Steve has a rare ability to help you understand your own blind spots without ever making you feel called out. Through our work together, I found the clarity to step away from my last company and pursue something rooted in impact. It wasn't an easy decision. But it was the right one. I left with a sense of direction I hadn't felt in years."

Jeb Balise

Co-founder & CEO @ Everygene

"When I started working with Steve, I was holding on to a situation that had stopped working for me. I couldn't see it clearly at the time. Steve has a rare ability to help you understand your own blind spots without ever making you feel called out. Through our work together, I found the clarity to step away from my last company and pursue something rooted in impact. It wasn't an easy decision. But it was the right one. I left with a sense of direction I hadn't felt in years."

Dan Parham

Head of State and Local Government, OpenAI

"I was navigating a major career transition during one of the most challenging personal periods of my life, and working with Steve was invaluable. He helped me clarify my vision and values, explore a wide range of paths, and ultimately make a decision that changed things for me and my family. I've told my closest friends and colleagues: having him focused on success during a pivotal moment made all the difference."

Dan Parham

Head of State and Local Government, OpenAI

"I was navigating a major career transition during one of the most challenging personal periods of my life, and working with Steve was invaluable. He helped me clarify my vision and values, explore a wide range of paths, and ultimately make a decision that changed things for me and my family. I've told my closest friends and colleagues: having him focused on success during a pivotal moment made all the difference."

Dan Pfeiffer

Co-Host Pod Save America

"Steve has been an essential partner during one of the more uncertain periods of my career. When I was sitting with big questions about direction, purpose, and where to focus my energy, he helped me get clear on what actually matters. I always leave our conversations feeling grounded and ready to act. I highly recommend Steve to anyone facing a real crossroads."

Dan Pfeiffer

Co-Host Pod Save America

"Steve has been an essential partner during one of the more uncertain periods of my career. When I was sitting with big questions about direction, purpose, and where to focus my energy, he helped me get clear on what actually matters. I always leave our conversations feeling grounded and ready to act. I highly recommend Steve to anyone facing a real crossroads."

Quinn Fitzgerald

Executive Coach & Entrepreneur

"Steve brought me on a journey deeper into myself. My identity, my assumptions, my fears and desires. He helped me break through paralysis and find the agency to define what success actually looks like for me. And that was just our first session. Now Steve is my continued partner on this journey. I feel clear-minded, open, and at peace. I've started my own coaching practice and feel more in harmony with my work than ever before."

Quinn Fitzgerald

Executive Coach & Entrepreneur

"Steve brought me on a journey deeper into myself. My identity, my assumptions, my fears and desires. He helped me break through paralysis and find the agency to define what success actually looks like for me. And that was just our first session. Now Steve is my continued partner on this journey. I feel clear-minded, open, and at peace. I've started my own coaching practice and feel more in harmony with my work than ever before."

Saira Jesani

Executive Director, Data & Trusted AI Alliance

"For me, Steve was a catalyst. When we started working together, I was clear on what I wanted, but the path toward it was murky. He asked sharp, clarifying questions that made me see my situation differently. None of it felt cookie-cutter. It was clear he was deeply listening, picking up on things I hadn't noticed, and reflecting them back in a way that helped me find my footing. That's exactly what I needed. And then, when I no longer needed a catalyst, he suggested we end our work together. What more could you ask for? Hire him."

Saira Jesani

Executive Director, Data & Trusted AI Alliance

"For me, Steve was a catalyst. When we started working together, I was clear on what I wanted, but the path toward it was murky. He asked sharp, clarifying questions that made me see my situation differently. None of it felt cookie-cutter. It was clear he was deeply listening, picking up on things I hadn't noticed, and reflecting them back in a way that helped me find my footing. That's exactly what I needed. And then, when I no longer needed a catalyst, he suggested we end our work together. What more could you ask for? Hire him."

Jonathan Mackey

Principal, Mackey & Company

"I was at a critical moment and didn't want to muck it up. Steve challenged the stories I was telling myself, helped me reframe them, and pushed me toward clearer, better decisions. Through that process I found the clarity to leave and launch my own advisory business. It's what I'd always wanted to pursue. And it was also nice to have someone who saw the good in me and brought it to the surface, even when I wasn't always ready to accept it."

Jonathan Mackey

Principal, Mackey & Company

"I was at a critical moment and didn't want to muck it up. Steve challenged the stories I was telling myself, helped me reframe them, and pushed me toward clearer, better decisions. Through that process I found the clarity to leave and launch my own advisory business. It's what I'd always wanted to pursue. And it was also nice to have someone who saw the good in me and brought it to the surface, even when I wasn't always ready to accept it."

Jesse Chand

Product Designer at OpenAI

"When I first met Steve, I was in a really tough spot. I felt lost and didn't know where to turn. I was stuck at my startup but didn't know what else to do, so I stayed. After a few years of grinding, I burned out and lost the wonder and hunger that once fueled me. I was worried I might never find it again. Today, I feel secure in my work and grounded in my ambition. I'm energized and inspired in a way I didn't think was possible anymore. Having Steve in my corner made all the difference."

Jesse Chand

Product Designer at OpenAI

"When I first met Steve, I was in a really tough spot. I felt lost and didn't know where to turn. I was stuck at my startup but didn't know what else to do, so I stayed. After a few years of grinding, I burned out and lost the wonder and hunger that once fueled me. I was worried I might never find it again. Today, I feel secure in my work and grounded in my ambition. I'm energized and inspired in a way I didn't think was possible anymore. Having Steve in my corner made all the difference."

Andrew Johnson

Co-Founder, Second Rodeo

"When I started working with Steve, I was burnt out and unsure if I was still on the right path. What made him different was his lived experience and grounded empathy. He created space to slow down and listen for what had been buried. What I was feeling wasn't falling apart. It was a signal I wasn't living the life I actually wanted. Steve helped me see that, sit with it, and act on it, without rushing or abandoning what I'd built. Today, I'm moving forward with greater joy, agency, and calm. He helped me come home to myself."

Andrew Johnson

Co-Founder, Second Rodeo

"When I started working with Steve, I was burnt out and unsure if I was still on the right path. What made him different was his lived experience and grounded empathy. He created space to slow down and listen for what had been buried. What I was feeling wasn't falling apart. It was a signal I wasn't living the life I actually wanted. Steve helped me see that, sit with it, and act on it, without rushing or abandoning what I'd built. Today, I'm moving forward with greater joy, agency, and calm. He helped me come home to myself."

Jonathan Murray

Former startup founder, executive, and investor

"Steve brings a rare mix of lived experience, intellectual depth, and emotional presence that creates space for meaningful change. He understands both the drive for success and the inner unrest that often comes with it, which made me feel truly seen. What makes him special is that he's deep in the work himself, which keeps his support grounded and sincere. His commitment to this path feels more like a calling than a profession. Watching him step into a new chapter without needing it all mapped out has helped me rethink how I approach my own 'second mountain.' He's someone who's walking the path with you."

Jonathan Murray

Former startup founder, executive, and investor

"Steve brings a rare mix of lived experience, intellectual depth, and emotional presence that creates space for meaningful change. He understands both the drive for success and the inner unrest that often comes with it, which made me feel truly seen. What makes him special is that he's deep in the work himself, which keeps his support grounded and sincere. His commitment to this path feels more like a calling than a profession. Watching him step into a new chapter without needing it all mapped out has helped me rethink how I approach my own 'second mountain.' He's someone who's walking the path with you."

Ceyda Erten

Co-founder @ Hilbert's AI

"Working with Steve during a pivotal moment in my career was one of the greatest gifts I've received. I was navigating the emotional and strategic complexities of transitioning out of a hypergrowth startup, and Steve created a space where I could reflect, reset, and reimagine what was next. He gave me tools I didn't even know I needed. Practical, grounding, aligned with who I actually am. That work laid the foundation for what came next. I've since built a new company that feels alive and true to myself. Something I couldn't have envisioned back then."

Ceyda Erten

Co-founder @ Hilbert's AI

"Working with Steve during a pivotal moment in my career was one of the greatest gifts I've received. I was navigating the emotional and strategic complexities of transitioning out of a hypergrowth startup, and Steve created a space where I could reflect, reset, and reimagine what was next. He gave me tools I didn't even know I needed. Practical, grounding, aligned with who I actually am. That work laid the foundation for what came next. I've since built a new company that feels alive and true to myself. Something I couldn't have envisioned back then."

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in New York

Copyright © 2025 Genuine Leaders, LLC. All rights reserved.

Made with

in New York

Copyright © 2025 Genuine Leaders, LLC. All rights reserved.