How I Built ThisSquare founder reveals how his mother's hidden depression shaped his worldview
“She never got over the postpartum with my brother and struggled with it, electroconvulsive therapy, like, a lot of heavy, heavy stuff that I had no idea was happening.”
That was 12/18/1989. That was my world exploded.
Yeah. Did you had your mom had she struggled with depression for as long as you knew?
Yes and no. Yes. She had struggled with it. I did not know this severity. She never got over the postpartum with my brother and struggled with it, electroconvulsive therapy, like, a lot of heavy, heavy stuff that I had no idea was happening. Mom hit it very, very well. Because you had a happy childhood. You're an Eagle Scout. I had a great job. I never knew anything was wrong with my mom. I you know? And then towards the end,
About this clip
Jim McKelvey opens up about discovering the severity of his mother's lifelong struggle with depression, including electroconvulsive therapy, which she had successfully hidden from him throughout his happy childhood. He describes December 18, 1989 as the day his world exploded when this reality became clear.
Why this clip
This vulnerable moment reveals how even successful founders can be blindsided by hidden family struggles that reshape their understanding of their own upbringing.
What they said next
How Square survived by getting Steve Jobs to bail them out
48:19 - 33s · founder story
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