{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"The Hardest Thing","home_page_url":"https://hardestthingpod.fireside.fm","feed_url":"https://hardestthingpod.fireside.fm/json","description":"Success rarely comes from a single breakthrough. It comes from navigating the moments that almost made you quit. On The Hardest Thing, Kris Priemer sits down with founders, investors, creators, athletes, artists, and business leaders to uncover the defining moments behind their success. Together, they explore the hardest decisions, biggest setbacks, unexpected opportunities, and lessons that shaped their careers and lives. These aren't interviews about polished success stories. They're conversations about uncertainty, resilience, leadership, and what it really takes to build something meaningful. Whether you're building a company, pursuing a creative passion, leading a team, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next step, each episode offers practical insights and honest stories from people who've been there. Because behind every great accomplishment was the hardest thing.","_fireside":{"subtitle":"Every remarkable achievement has one thing in common: there was a hardest thing. On The Hardest Thing, Kris Priemer sits down with founders, investors, creators, athletes, and leaders to explore the moments that tested them, shaped them, and ultimately changed the course of their journey. Honest conversations about ambition, resilience, failure, and what it really takes to build something meaningful.","pubdate":"2026-06-29T10:00:00.000-04:00","explicit":false,"owner":"Kristopher Priemer","image":"https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/bd7ec36e-a5dd-4860-8a9a-c6940a390bb7/cover.jpg?v=1"},"items":[{"id":"24d4c41d-43ff-497e-bcd2-fe6c8026b36f","title":"Episode 1: Acid in Your Stomach: What It Really Takes to Be an Entrepreneur","url":"https://hardestthingpod.fireside.fm/1","content_text":"Episode 1: Kris Priemer (https://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer/) and Mike Haarlander.\n\nKris and Mike Harlander get real about the mental and emotional side of entrepreneurship: the stress, the pivots, and why your mindset matters more than your idea.\n\nShow Notes:\n(0:00) Welcome \u0026amp; Introducing Mike Harlander \n(1:00) Why Mike Keeps Coming Back to South Bend \n(3:00) What the Region Needs to Retain Entrepreneurs \n(5:00) The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship \n(6:30) Amsterdam, Empty Bank Account \u0026amp; Going on Offense \n(9:00) Nobody Cares as Much as You Think \n(10:30) What Investors Are Really Betting On \n(11:30) Knowing Your Role \u0026amp; Letting Your Ego Die \n(14:00) The Power of the Notre Dame Network \n(18:00) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs \n(20:00) Don't Get Married to Your Idea \n(22:00) Let the Market Tell You What It Will Bear","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEpisode 1: Kris Priemer (\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ehttps://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer/\u003c/a\u003e) and Mike Haarlander.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKris and Mike Harlander get real about the mental and emotional side of entrepreneurship: the stress, the pivots, and why your mindset matters more than your idea.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShow Notes:\u003cbr\u003e\n(0:00) Welcome \u0026amp; Introducing Mike Harlander\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(1:00) Why Mike Keeps Coming Back to South Bend\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(3:00) What the Region Needs to Retain Entrepreneurs\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(5:00) The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(6:30) Amsterdam, Empty Bank Account \u0026amp; Going on Offense\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(9:00) Nobody Cares as Much as You Think\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(10:30) What Investors Are Really Betting On\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(11:30) Knowing Your Role \u0026amp; Letting Your Ego Die\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(14:00) The Power of the Notre Dame Network\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(18:00) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(20:00) Don't Get Married to Your Idea\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\n(22:00) Let the Market Tell You What It Will Bear\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Kris and surprise guest Mike Haarlander get candid about the real side of entrepreneurship: the stress, the ego, the pivots, and why your mindset matters more than your product.","date_published":"2026-06-29T10:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/bd7ec36e-a5dd-4860-8a9a-c6940a390bb7/24d4c41d-43ff-497e-bcd2-fe6c8026b36f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12545777,"duration_in_seconds":1425}]}]}