You are possibly being overly cynical here. It is completely plausible that the person both cares (genuinely) about how you have been the past few years, AND i

You are possibly being overly cynical here. It is completely plausible that the person both cares (genuinely) about how you have been the past few years, AND is hiring and thinks you'd be a great fit. These are not mutually exclusive. Not all founders are completely self-serving.