# HIBT Lab! Burn Rate: Andy Dunn

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-05-26
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn

## Summary

Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos, discusses his new book, Burn Rate, and his public disclosure of living with bipolar disorder. He details a severe manic episode in 2016 that led to hospitalization and arrest, which occurred while he was navigating the acquisition of Bonobos by Walmart for $300 million. Dunn explains how he managed the illness in secret while running the company, eventually finding effective treatment through medication and therapy, and now advocates for mental health transparency in the workplace.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=0) Introduction: Andy Dunn and Bonobos
- [2:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=168) Dunn's post-exit role at Walmart
- [7:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=469) The 2016 manic episode and arrest
- [13:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=809) Understanding bipolar disorder and mania
- [23:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=1396) Ignoring the initial college diagnosis
- [27:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=1658) Finding effective medication and treatment
- [30:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=1828) Managing the illness while running Bonobos
- [32:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn#t=1975) Advice on mental hygiene for founders

## Topics

- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Bonobos (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Bellevue hospital (other)
- Burn Rate (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-18-founder-fundraising-journey-craig-dubitsky-happy-products) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#59 Welcome to the Oat Haus! Celebrity Collaboration, Sprouts Launch, and Mental Health with Ali Bonar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-30-59-welcome-to-the-oat-haus-celebrity-collaboration-sprouts-launch-and-mental-hea) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Character Limit with Kate Conger and Ryan Mac](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-04-17-character-limit-with-kate-conger-and-ryan-mac) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Tune in for Season 3 of Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-08-19-tune-in-for-season-3-of-moores-lobby) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Founder Feature: Sean Knecht of Tantos!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-08-founder-feature-sean-knecht-of-tantos) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-26-hibt-lab-burn-rate-andy-dunn. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.