Cover image of show Before The Lights Go On

Before The Lights Go On

Podcast by Andrei Ratcu

English

Business

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About Before The Lights Go On

Before the Lights Go On is a podcast about people in motion - builders, thinkers, and everyday entrepreneurs before recognition, clarity, or success arrives.These are honest conversations about starting without certainty, learning in public, adapting along the way, and navigating the quiet chaos before things “make sense.”No polished success stories. No hindsight shortcuts.Just real conversations, curiosity, and the courage to begin.Hosted by Andrei Ratcu.

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17 episodes

episode Burnout Wasn’t the Problem. This Was. artwork

Burnout Wasn’t the Problem. This Was.

Burnout is not the problem. It’s the signal you ignored for years. — In this episode, we break down: • What burnout actually reveals • Why pushing through can make it worse • The hidden cost of “being strong” • How pain forces clarity • The moment everything starts to shift Chapters: 00:00 Early Aspirations and Diverse Interests 03:33 The Entrepreneurial Spark 05:53 Navigating Career Challenges 08:33 Life Lessons from Loss and Burnout 10:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery 12:36 Embracing Change and Courage 15:15 Navigating Vulnerability and Trust 17:23 Finding Purpose and Perspective 19:30 The Value of Energy Exchange 22:44 Self-Worth and Integrity 25:05 Understanding Self-Worth and Value 27:34 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 30:26 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Business 32:47 Mastering Personal Growth and Self-Love This is for: • Builders who feel stuck but keep going • Founders pushing through without questioning • Anyone who knows something isn’t working — About the guest: Louise Olsson is the founder of Crystalline Consulting AB, where she helps leaders and teams gain clarity, shift perspective, and navigate complex personal and professional challenges. With over 20 years of experience in business, combined with deep work in psychology, self-leadership, and personal transformation, Louise focuses on helping people reconnect with themselves — not just perform better, but operate from a place of alignment and truth. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, emotional intelligence, and inner development — guiding individuals through burnout, identity shifts, and the deeper questions that often come before real success. Connect with Louise LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseolsson78/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseolsson78/] — If this resonates, subscribe. More real conversations coming

28 Apr 2026 - 39 min
episode Why Most Founders Are Wasting Time Right Now | on OpenClaw, AI Hype, and Real Building artwork

Why Most Founders Are Wasting Time Right Now | on OpenClaw, AI Hype, and Real Building

Most people are drowning in AI noise. This episode is about what actually matters. In this conversation with Emad, we break down what founders, builders, and curious operators are getting wrong right now — and how to think more clearly in the middle of the chaos. In this episode: Why chasing every new AI tool is a mistake Why the OpenAI vs Anthropic drama may be mostly noise What Emad learned from building, failing, and starting again Why the right co-founder matters more than people admit Why human connection becomes more important, not less The 3 skills builders need in the AI era Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Early Life 04:19 Entrepreneurial Journey and Lessons Learned 09:38 Current Projects and AI Innovations 12:53 The Future of AI and Its Implications 17:26 Human Connections in a Tech-Driven World 22:16 Skills for Future Founders 26:53 Personal Reflections and Identity This is for: founders operators startup builders creators trying to stay sharp in the AI wave Why listen to Emad: He has built across startups, tech, AI communities, and live events. He speaks from experience, not theory. Watch the full episode. Then go build. ClawCon Copenhagen 27th April 2026: https://luma.com/clawconcopenhagen [https://luma.com/clawconcopenhagen] Reach Emad: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emadgnia/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emadgnia/] X: https://x.com/emadgnia?s=21 [https://x.com/emadgnia?s=21] Website: maize.dk [http://maize.dk] ClawCon: https://luma.com/clawcon [https://luma.com/clawcon]

22 Apr 2026 - 41 min
episode I Still Doubt Myself — Even As a Freelancer artwork

I Still Doubt Myself — Even As a Freelancer

Most people think freelancing is about skill. It’s not. It’s about positioning, pricing, and owning your voice. Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 02:46 Navigating Personal and Professional Identity 04:47 Embracing Quirkiness and Uniqueness 07:16 The Catalyst of Change: Becoming a Parent 09:34 Taking Responsibility and Accountability 11:57 Redefining Success 14:15 Family Dynamics and Entrepreneurship 16:48 Overcoming Doubt and Fear 19:10 The Challenge of Self-Promotion 22:02 Adding Value in a Competitive Market 24:14 Learning from Mistakes 27:04 The Future of Content Creation In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why most freelancers underprice themselves • How to get clients without chasing them • Why showing your work beats talking about it • How to turn doubt into an advantage • What AI actually changes (and what it doesn’t) — This is for: • Freelancers stuck at low-paying clients • Creators trying to stand out • Builders figuring out their path — Simone Engbo Hansen is a content strategist and solopreneur who built her business from scratch, navigated uncertainty, and redefined success on her own terms. Connect with Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-engbo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-engbo/] — Watch the full episode. Then go build.

19 Apr 2026 - 29 min
episode The Energy Startup Built on Sand | The story of Solstice artwork

The Energy Startup Built on Sand | The story of Solstice

Most founders chase ideas. This one chased a problem. And it changed everything. In this episode: • Why understanding is more important than execution early on • How co-founders are chosen before the startup exists • The real problem in energy nobody talks about • Why combining old tech beats inventing new • What building in the “messy phase” actually looks like This is for: • Builders early in the journey • Engineers thinking about startups • Anyone tired of surface-level startup advice Hampus is building a solar-powered thermal battery that stores energy in sand targeting one of the biggest hidden problems in Europe’s energy system. How to find Hampus: Hampus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hampushammarback/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hampushammarback/] Solstice: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solstice-storage/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/solstice-storage/]

9 Apr 2026 - 21 min
episode She Lost Everything, Then Built a Company for 1 Billion Women artwork

She Lost Everything, Then Built a Company for 1 Billion Women

She didn’t start a company for money. She started it because nothing made sense anymore. After losing her job… and her mother… Jacqueline had to rebuild from zero. This episode breaks what “success” actually looks like. What you’ll learn: • Why success can destroy your health • How pain can force clarity • Why entrepreneurship is harder than corporate • The truth about women’s health no one talks about • How to build something that actually matters Why Jacqueline matters: She’s worked at senior levels in Fortune 500 companies Now building an AI health solution for women Solving a problem most systems ignore If you’re building something — or questioning everything — this one is for you. How to reach Jacqueline: Linkedin:   / jnuwame   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbl81bnlvZTZ0Z3ZZUWVoUS1YelhVZlFGRFRPQXxBQ3Jtc0ttUElwV2k3MEp3Ui1NSFRjck1RMmZ5MmNhSFRsMUZHZE9EeE15bHVNbmVYVHN0WkIwN2U3bi1aQ2lJenYtcC01WERMZUplOHRCbjMzTTlxTnZodHRRY1hoUEFyeExwWHZQcmNwa0p6dk1UdG9lNllIQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjnuwame%2F&v=KgW0VALukjs] Minimal App: https://www.minimalapp.co/ [https://www.minimalapp.co/]

1 Apr 2026 - 20 min
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