diff --git a/embassy/src/executor/arch/cortex_m.rs b/embassy/src/executor/arch/cortex_m.rs
index d23a595f..87c9c3c8 100644
--- a/embassy/src/executor/arch/cortex_m.rs
+++ b/embassy/src/executor/arch/cortex_m.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use core::marker::PhantomData;
 use core::ptr;
 
-use super::{raw, Spawner};
+use super::{raw, SendSpawner, Spawner};
 use crate::interrupt::{Interrupt, InterruptExt};
 
 /// Thread mode executor, using WFE/SEV.
@@ -107,13 +107,13 @@ impl<I: Interrupt> InterruptExecutor<I> {
 
     /// Start the executor.
     ///
-    /// The `init` closure is called from interrupt mode, with a [`Spawner`] that spawns tasks on
-    /// this executor. Use it to spawn the initial task(s). After `init` returns,
-    /// the interrupt is configured so that the executor starts running the tasks.
-    /// Once the executor is started, `start` returns.
+    /// This initializes the executor, configures and enables the interrupt, and returns.
+    /// The executor keeps running in the background through the interrupt.
     ///
-    /// To spawn more tasks later, you may keep copies of the [`Spawner`] (it is `Copy`),
-    /// for example by passing it as an argument to the initial tasks.
+    /// This returns a [`SendSpawner`] you can use to spawn tasks on it. A [`SendSpawner`]
+    /// is returned instead of a [`Spawner`] because the executor effectively runs in a
+    /// different "thread" (the interrupt), so spawning tasks on it is effectively
+    /// sending them.
     ///
     /// This function requires `&'static mut self`. This means you have to store the
     /// Executor instance in a place where it'll live forever and grants you mutable
@@ -122,16 +122,16 @@ impl<I: Interrupt> InterruptExecutor<I> {
     /// - a [Forever](crate::util::Forever) (safe)
     /// - a `static mut` (unsafe)
     /// - a local variable in a function you know never returns (like `fn main() -> !`), upgrading its lifetime with `transmute`. (unsafe)
-    pub fn start(&'static mut self, init: impl FnOnce(Spawner) + Send) {
+    pub fn start(&'static mut self) -> SendSpawner {
         self.irq.disable();
 
-        init(self.inner.spawner());
-
         self.irq.set_handler(|ctx| unsafe {
             let executor = &*(ctx as *const raw::Executor);
             executor.poll();
         });
         self.irq.set_handler_context(&self.inner as *const _ as _);
         self.irq.enable();
+
+        self.inner.spawner().make_send()
     }
 }
diff --git a/examples/nrf/src/bin/multiprio.rs b/examples/nrf/src/bin/multiprio.rs
index e69f87d8..54f6606a 100644
--- a/examples/nrf/src/bin/multiprio.rs
+++ b/examples/nrf/src/bin/multiprio.rs
@@ -124,17 +124,15 @@ fn main() -> ! {
     let irq = interrupt::take!(SWI1_EGU1);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P6);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_HIGH.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
 
     // Medium-priority executor: SWI0_EGU0, priority level 7
     let irq = interrupt::take!(SWI0_EGU0);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P7);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_MED.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
 
     // Low priority executor: runs in thread mode, using WFE/SEV
     let executor = EXECUTOR_LOW.put(Executor::new());
diff --git a/examples/stm32f3/src/bin/multiprio.rs b/examples/stm32f3/src/bin/multiprio.rs
index 1c940154..02380de7 100644
--- a/examples/stm32f3/src/bin/multiprio.rs
+++ b/examples/stm32f3/src/bin/multiprio.rs
@@ -124,17 +124,15 @@ fn main() -> ! {
     let irq = interrupt::take!(UART4);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P6);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_HIGH.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
 
     // Medium-priority executor: SWI0_EGU0, priority level 7
     let irq = interrupt::take!(UART5);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P7);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_MED.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
 
     // Low priority executor: runs in thread mode, using WFE/SEV
     let executor = EXECUTOR_LOW.put(Executor::new());
diff --git a/examples/stm32f4/src/bin/multiprio.rs b/examples/stm32f4/src/bin/multiprio.rs
index 1c940154..02380de7 100644
--- a/examples/stm32f4/src/bin/multiprio.rs
+++ b/examples/stm32f4/src/bin/multiprio.rs
@@ -124,17 +124,15 @@ fn main() -> ! {
     let irq = interrupt::take!(UART4);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P6);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_HIGH.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_high()));
 
     // Medium-priority executor: SWI0_EGU0, priority level 7
     let irq = interrupt::take!(UART5);
     irq.set_priority(interrupt::Priority::P7);
     let executor = EXECUTOR_MED.put(InterruptExecutor::new(irq));
-    executor.start(|spawner| {
-        unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
-    });
+    let spawner = executor.start();
+    unwrap!(spawner.spawn(run_med()));
 
     // Low priority executor: runs in thread mode, using WFE/SEV
     let executor = EXECUTOR_LOW.put(Executor::new());