People sometimes ask why more VCs don't call out founders leaving their high-flying startups. The answer is because: I've seen enough of these behind the scenes, and almost always there's more to the story. Founders very rarely willingly leave a startup that's working. The founded the damn thing. It's their baby—it's their whole identity. They got into startups in the first place because they want to brag about it and have it go on their epitaph: "Joe built and scaled $startup." Almost always they are not "exit scamming." There was a power struggle, someone got pushed out, or they had a health issue and were asked to step aside, or was just a terrible leader and there was a mutiny. Founders don't get "bored" and exit a project that's working. They what they live for. It is extremely compelling to be at the helm of something that's taking off. You grind for years to have that opportunity, and if you're then forced to walk the plank by your teammates, it's a soul-crushing experience. That's often what's happening to these founders when they're posting how "grateful they are for their amazing journey." So that's why I don't criticize founders leaving companies. Unless you're close to it, you don't know the story. But usually the answer is bloody, and the company is better off now that it's over. I don't know the Story team and I don't know Jason, so to be clear—I don't know shit. But I will say, next time you see a founder leaving a high-flying startup, consider leaving the pitchfork in the shed.