The Inner Entrepreneur

Bite-Size Episode Show Notes In this bite-size episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul sits down with wealth strategist and author Garrett Gunderson to explore the idea of “sacred cows” in money — the widely accepted financial beliefs that rarely get questioned, yet quietly shape how people save, invest, and think about wealth. Garrett shares the unlikely origin of his work: a grassroots study group built on one simple principle — question everything, and don’t try to be right, just try to find out what’s right. That mindset led him to challenge conventional retirement planning, hidden fees, and the myths embedded in systems like pensions and 401(k)s. The conversation moves beyond financial products into mindset, identity, and value creation. Garrett explains why the wealthy don’t see money as a zero-sum game, why playing not to lose keeps people stuck, and why investing in skills, relationships, and financial intelligence compounds far more powerfully than chasing returns alone. He also reflects on personal loss, burnout, and how stepping back to realign with family and purpose ultimately gave rise to his bestselling book and long-term. About the Guest Garrett Gunderson is a wealth strategist, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. He is best known for challenging conventional financial advice and helping entrepreneurs and high-income professionals build wealth through value creation, financial intelligence, and personal alignment. Garrett is the author of Killing Sacred Cows, What Would the Rockefellers Do?, and The Algebra of Wealth, and has advised thousands of business owners on building wealth that supports a meaningful life.   About the Host Paul Ryan is the host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, where he explores the inner world behind entrepreneurial success — purpose, mindset, wellbeing, and the deeper questions that surface as businesses and careers evolve.   Work With Paul To learn more about Paul’s mentoring, programs, and frameworks — including The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — visit:pauljryan.net  

Why Success Breaks Entrepreneurs and What to Do About It – Sherry Walling #151   Episode Summary In this episode, Paul sits down with clinical psychologist and entrepreneur Dr. Sherry Walling to explore what really happens after the big business exit. They discuss why a financial windfall often triggers an identity crisis, how over-identifying with your company fuels loneliness and burnout, and why presence—not provision—is what our families truly want from us. Sherry also shares simple practices for emotional steadiness, including journaling, free-writing, and gratitude, along with her personal journey through grief, MDMA-assisted therapy, and ayahuasca. From stress habituation to heart-centred leadership and plant medicine, this conversation digs into what it means to stay human while building big things. Key discussion points: Why exits often trigger depression, disillusionment, and relationship strain How fusing identity with your business sets you up for an existential crash The loneliness that comes with extreme success or high achievement Why many entrepreneurs unconsciously delegate the family to their partner Burnout as a repetitive-strain injury of the mind Habituation: how chronic stress becomes invisible Journaling, Morning Pages, and seeing yourself on paper The neuroscience behind gratitude and why it matters Building a company without martyrdom or 70-hour weeks The role of humility in leadership and delegation Sherry’s clinical work with trauma and the promise of MDMA-assisted therapy Her personal story of grief and how plant medicine supported her healing What ayahuasca actually is—and why it feels like medicine, not recreation   About the Guest — Dr. Sherry Walling Dr. Sherry Walling is a clinical psychologist, author, and founder of ZenFounder, where she supports entrepreneurs through burnout, emotional resilience, trauma, and life transitions. She is also the author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Sht Together*, Exit Strategy (co-authored with her husband Rob Walling), and Touching Two Worlds, and integrates creative movement and aerial arts into her work. Learn more at zenfounder.com and touchingtwoworlds.com.   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.  Connect with the host: Pauljryan.net  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/                

In this bite-size episode, Damion Lupo dismantles one of the most dangerous myths in entrepreneurship: that failure is something to be avoided. Drawing on decades of experience across more than 70 businesses — including losing everything and starting again — Damion reframes failure as the tuition fee for wisdom. He explains why most businesses don’t survive, not because of bad ideas, but because of a lack of real commitment. There is no “trying” in entrepreneurship — only deciding, persevering, and learning fast. Those who succeed are not luckier or smarter; they are more resilient, more decisive, and willing to move before everything feels certain. Damion also explores the deeper evolution required to build lasting wealth and freedom. He argues that true financial security isn’t about accidentally reaching a number, but about becoming the person capable of recreating it. From knowing when to persevere versus when to quit, to understanding why environment, mentorship, and vision shape outcomes more than tactics, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking. It’s a powerful reminder that almost nothing in business is fatal — and that growth comes from action, not waiting for perfect conditions.   Links to full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/599FJBEVZyGGbhAazhSqD6?si=GsbLxGN0Rja0GVkqdR-8wA https://youtu.be/N0r-qol9MU4?si=Gija1CEUNzE2c71s   About the Guest Damion Lupo is an entrepreneur, investor, and financial educator who has founded and operated over 70 companies. After experiencing both extreme success and complete financial collapse, including a period of homelessness, Damion rebuilt with a deep focus on resilience, decision-making, and sustainable wealth creation. He is the creator of the Turnkey Retirement framework and is known for helping entrepreneurs think differently about money, risk, and long-term freedom. About the Host Paul Ryan is the host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, where he explores the inner world behind entrepreneurial success — mindset, resilience, purpose, and personal growth. Through candid conversations with founders, investors, and thought leaders, Paul helps entrepreneurs build businesses that support a meaningful, well-lived life. Learn more at pauljryan.net.  

In this episode, Paul explores the real truth about procrastination with Professor Fuschia Sirois — one of the world’s leading researchers in the field. Far from being a time-management issue or a character flaw, procrastination is revealed as a behavior rooted in emotional regulation. Professor Sirois explains how delaying tasks may offer temporary relief, yet creates long-term stress, undermines confidence, and quietly damages both our health and performance. Together they examine how avoidance reshapes our nervous system, drives anxiety, and increases the mental load we carry each day. They discuss why self-criticism makes procrastination worse, why high achievers often hide it behind productivity, and how early emotional patterns carry into adulthood. What emerges is a deeper understanding of procrastination as a well-being problem — one that drains potential and prevents people from becoming who they know they could be. This conversation invites you to look beneath the surface: What are you really avoiding — and what is the emotional cost of delaying it? About the Guest – Professor Fuschia Sirois Professor Fuschia Sirois is an expert in social and health psychology whose research on procrastination, emotion regulation, and wellbeing spans more than 20 years. She is the author of Procrastination: What It Is, Why It’s a Problem, and What You Can Do About It. About the Host – Paul Ryan Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, CEO, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur. As the creator of The One-Hour CEO and The Life Code, Paul works with elite entrepreneurs trapped in their businesses, helping them break free and design lives they really want. Work With Paul To explore Paul’s coaching, The Life Code, or programmes such as The One-Hour CEO, visit pauljryan.net.

In this bite-sized episode I chat with Laura Tynan –The Witch of Wall Street – to explore the powerful intersection of wealth creation and personal transformation. We dive into: Why financial empowerment requires both strategy and mindset. The “ostrich effect” – why most people avoid looking at their finances. Simple steps to take control of your money (even if you’ve been ignoring it). How fear, scarcity, and inherited money stories silently sabotage wealth. Why wealthy people often still feel poor — and how to heal self-worth. The science and practice of intentional creation (beyond “woo-woo” manifestation). How to pass on a healthy money mindset to the next generation. The power of persistence, focus, and belief in creating long-term success. This is a grounded, practical, and inspiring conversation about building not just wealth in your bank account — but richness in your life.   About Laura Tynan Laura Tynan, known as The Witch of Wall Street, is a former finance professional turned entrepreneur who helps people, especially women, break free from money blocks and build true financial independence.  Links & Resources Connect with Laura: lauratynan.com Follow Laura on Instagram: @lauratynanofficial Links to Full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VZ2xwXN6J7hY63mjVpvqN?si=k-CYUtxeSymxsA9zDfleGg https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VZ2xwXN6J7hY63mjVpvqN?si=k-CYUtxeSymxsA9zDfleGg About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.  Connect with the host: Pauljryan.net  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/            

About Jerry Colona: Jerry is a coach, writer, and speaker who focuses on leadership, business, and the practice of radical self-inquiry. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Reboot.io, a company born from the rallying cry that work does not have to destroy us. Work can be the way in which we achieve our fullest self. In this deeply reflective conversation, Jerry Colonna — former VC, author of Reboot and Reunion, and one of the world’s most respected CEO coaches — explores the inner journey every entrepreneur must eventually face. What begins as a discussion about his now-famous out-of-office message becomes a profound exploration of peace, equanimity, grief, identity, and the universal human impulse to return to our true selves. Jerry shares how the high-flying identity of “Prince of New York” once overshadowed the quieter, truer part of him — the poet, the contemplative, the man seeking wholeness rather than achievement. Through stories of depression, breakdown, meditation, ancestors, and impermanence, he illustrates how inner turbulence and outer success often coexist — and why the real work is learning to return, again and again, to what matters. https://www.reboot.io/about/coaches   About the Host: Paul Ryan Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur. As the creator of The One-Hour CEO and The Life Code, Paul helps business owners design lives of fulfilment, clarity, and balance. His work blends entrepreneurship, personal growth, and purpose. Work With Paul: If you're ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — coaching and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs. Connect with the host: www.pauljryan.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

In this Bite-Size episode, Paul explores the powerful turning point in Seamus Fox’s life — growing up in Derry during the conflict, navigating poverty, and drifting into destructive paths before a near-fatal car crash forced him to confront who he was becoming. Waking in a blood-stained flat after a night in a cell became the moment that pushed him back toward what had always grounded him: sport. From bodybuilding to personal training to building multiple thriving fitness businesses, Seamus uncovered the deeper thread running through his life — mindset, purpose, and human behaviour.   About the Guest Seamus Fox is a mindset and human-behaviour coach with over 20 years of experience. His journey began in the fitness industry, where he built multiple successful businesses while helping people unlock their potential.   About the Host – Paul Ryan Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, CEO, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur. As the creator of The One-Hour CEO and The Life Code, Paul works with elite entrepreneurs trapped in their businesses, helping them break free and design lives they really want.   Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/kycQR0eWojc?si=iLguOMNDNgcLiplc https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oEf2MwIokR3MsPkUmhcO6?si=E5hr-POVT2y3oouD_NGM8w

In this conversation, I sit down with high-performance coach Enda McNulty to explore what it really means to perform under pressure – not just on the pitch in front of 80,000 people, but in the boardroom, in a hospital corridor, or at your kitchen table having a hard conversation with someone you love. Enda shares the story of walking into the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final with his confidence “in his socks” and how tools like meditation, breathwork, affirmations and what he calls incantations helped him shift from panic to presence. We talk about the “inner game” of entrepreneurs – how daily rituals, mental toughness, gratitude and purpose compound over time so that, when life blindsides you (like flying to Houston to say goodbye to a dying cousin), you have something solid to lean on. We also go deep into what peak performance means for “ordinary” lives: the teacher who quietly shapes thousands of kids, the local leader who regenerates a community, the parent who shows up with presence for their family. Enda challenges the idea of scaling for the sake of scaling and instead makes the case for scaling impact, not ego – defining your own scorecard for success and building a life and business around what you truly care about. Along the way we touch on mentors, meditation, finding your tribe, the unseen impact of great teachers, and why passion and purpose matter far more than revenue charts if you actually want to sustain high performance over a lifetime.   About Enda McNulty Enda McNulty has over 35 years of experience coaching elite performance in sports, business. https://mcnultyperformance.com/   Work With Paul Explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — frameworks and mentoring for designing a successful life with purpose, alignment, and humanity. www.pauljryan.net  

In this bite-size episode, we revisit my conversation with Pat Falvey: adventurer, entrepreneur, expedition leader, and the first Irish man to summit Everest not once, but twice. Pat’s story reaches far beyond the mountains. He speaks to growing up in poverty, building and losing fortunes, standing at the edge of suicide, and finding purpose through contribution, courage and self-belief. This conversation reminds us that every one of us has a personal Everest to climb. The mountain isn’t the point. The person you become along the way is. Pat’s journey shows what happens when resilience meets meaning, and how the greatest victories are the ones won inside ourselves.   Links to full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FGMSKmgNpk8wGHmV8UEZ3?si=K-EGnj90QuOOC2aYxW3RbA https://youtu.be/LkRDhI75Auk?si=6IYEMbgHD7VPse_f  

In this episode, Paul sits down with author and coach Karolina Rzadkowolska to explore our everyday relationship with alcohol—not from the perspective of addiction, but from the socially accepted drinking habits most adults consider “normal.” Karolina shares how a simple Dry January experiment transformed her confidence, creativity, sleep, mood, and sense of purpose, ultimately leading her to build a global alcohol-free movement. Together, they unpack the beliefs we inherit about alcohol—confidence, relaxation, sociability—and why many of these assumptions simply aren’t true. They discuss how alcohol often numbs the very signals that point us toward change, meaning, and a more fulfilling life. This conversation isn’t about judgment—it’s about possibility, self-awareness, and what might open up when you give yourself permission to explore life without the weekend buzz.   About the Guest – Karolina Rzadkowolska Karolina Rzadkowolska is the author of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You and the founder of Euphoric AF, where she helps people explore an alcohol-free lifestyle without labels or shame. After leaving her corporate career, she now coaches, writes, and speaks globally on sober curiosity, mindset, and building a life filled with clarity, purpose, and joy. https://euphoricaf.com/   About the Host – Paul Ryan Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur. As the creator of The One-Hour CEO and The Life Code, Paul helps business owners design lives of fulfillment, clarity, and balance. His work blends entrepreneurship, personal growth, and purpose—challenging listeners to create success that genuinely feels good.   Work With Paul If you're ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — coaching and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs. Connect with the host:   www.pauljryan.net   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/                                    

Bite-size: AI, Reshaping Society & The Future of Being Human with Dr. Lollie Mancey In this bite-size episode, I chat with Dr Lollie Mancey to explore how AI is changing society at every level: how we work, how we connect, how we find meaning, and who gets included or left behind. Dr. Mancey shares a compelling example from a Dutch supermarket — where customers can choose between fast self-checkout, traditional tills, and a “slow lane” designed specifically for people who want to talk and feel seen. This becomes a wider discussion about entrepreneurship, culture, loneliness, inequality, the limits of upskilling, and why universal basic income may prevent hunger but will not create purpose. We also examine how algorithmic decision-making can unintentionally filter out people with life experience — and how echo chambers distort our understanding of reality. At the heart of this episode is a critical truth: Technology should serve humanity, not replace it. And we all have a role in shaping what comes next.   Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/eAywpaMAHnk?si=IW13dcqju9ixQJOd https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JTLCKMSqv0iQPqOhpWp0x?si=6WBw7UpNTNmoTZAIucCL5A   About Dr. Lollie Mancey Anthropologist, educator, and futurist exploring how society adapts to technological change. Lollie helps individuals and organisations think critically, design intentionally, and build futures that support human flourishing. Work With Paul Explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — frameworks and mentoring for designing a successful life with purpose, alignment, and humanity. www.pauljryan.net

Many leaders today are surrounded by data, tools, and metrics, yet feel increasingly disconnected from themselves. In this conversation, Dr. Diana Dimitrova and I explore why high performers often suppress intuition, how emotional disconnection shows up in leadership, and the real cost of building companies while losing connection to our inner compass. We discuss why intuition is not “soft” or irrational, but a form of intelligence we all have—and how it becomes even more valuable as AI accelerates. We talk about the emotional masks leaders wear, why vulnerability enhances credibility, and how to design cultures where people feel safe to speak up, learn, and grow. We also introduce regenerative leadership: helping organisations replenish people rather than exhaust them. Because in a world where AI can replicate knowledge and efficiency, the leader’s differentiator is humanity, presence, and wisdom—not more data. What You’ll Learn Why intuition strengthens decision-making (not replaces it) How high achievers become disconnected from their inner world The link between emotional suppression and burnout How to build speak-up cultures that learn fast and avoid silent failure Practical ways to rebuild intuition as a daily leadership tool Why your humanity becomes your competitive advantage in the age of AI About Dr. Diana Dimitrova Diana blends strategic consulting experience with deep personal transformation work, helping leaders reconnect to their inner guidance and build regenerative cultures that support both people and performance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-diana-dimitrova Work With Paul If you're ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — coaching and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs. About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   www.pauljryan.net   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

  In this bite-size episode, Paul speaks with Marc O’Dwyer, former CEO of Big Red Cloud, about the emotional reality of selling a business after more than three decades of ownership. Marc shares why he was determined to avoid an earn-out, how he held firm for a clean exit with 100% payment upfront, and the role that clarity, focus, and daily mental rehearsal played in making that outcome possible. He talks openly about the surprising emotional impact of stepping away — the relief, the sudden spaciousness, and the awareness that while the financial pressure is gone, a new question emerges: What now? Marc reflects on how identity is tied to business ownership, how freedom is often misunderstood, and why many business owners unintentionally swap one form of pressure for another. He also discusses the importance of not rushing into the next commitment after an exit, giving yourself time to adjust, and allowing space for purpose to naturally evolve. This is a grounded, honest look at the part of entrepreneurship that most people think they want — and what it actually feels like when it arrives.   Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/Sot6gCuUAYA?si=DEtcq790mZoRjrZ6 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1D0WHiD5lZ6XQMmFFyTEuf?si=I-lVe7c0QQG01iVIn7v8wQ   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.pauljryan.net/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/                              

In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur,  Paul sits down with Niall O'Murchu , one of Ireland’s leading wellness and breathwork experts. With over 23 years’ experience in mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, Niall is a Level 3 Wim Hof Method Instructor and the first Irish person to teach at the Wim Hof Academy. We explore how modern life keeps our nervous systems stuck in stress mode — and how simple practices like coherent breathing and cold exposure can reset your body and mind in minutes. Niall explains: Why stress quietly rewires your breathing The “in for six, out for six” breathing pattern that instantly restores calm How kids learn to self-regulate through breathwork in schools Why short, 1–2-minute ice sessions are more powerful than long, punishing plunges How the cold becomes a teacher of resilience, focus, and emotional control This conversation is for founders, leaders, and anyone who wants more calm, clarity, and control — without slowing down their ambition. Quotes: “How you breathe is how you feel.” “You don’t have to win the cold — you have to respect it.” “The calm is already in you. You’re just remembering it.” #Breathwork #ColdExposure #WimHof #Mindfulness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Calm #Focus #TheInnerEntrepreneur #PaulRyan   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

  Welcome to The Inner Entrepreneur Bite Size, where we pull the most powerful clips from some of our best conversations. You’ll find links to the full episodes below — and if you’re enjoying the show, please hit subscribe and join nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs on a journey to grow, lead, and live with purpose. If this episode resonates, please share it. It really helps us continue to grow and bring you great conversations. Thank you — now let’s jump in.   Brian Bosche: Purpose, Delusion & Financial Reality – Finding What You’re Truly Meant to Give the World In this powerful clip, we explore: What purpose really is: “The best of what I have, given in service to others.” Why true fulfilment is always tied to contribution. The difference between passion and proficiency (and why some people are passionately bad). The danger of defining purpose as a job title. The myth of overnight success. Why purpose must connect both fulfilment and financial sustainability. How rejection, often rooted in childhood experiences, stops us from claiming our purpose. People-pleasing, perfectionism, and procrastination as fear-based behaviours rooted in rejection.   Key Insight: “Look at fulfilled people — they are giving away the absolute best of who they are to help other people. Purpose is contribution—but contribution must also create value, or it won’t be sustainable.”  Full Episode: 👉 Link to full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/33uXSSqL4uvxlyPp9HYQtF?si=Npwv-i1OQpCpehvSUGygOg https://youtu.be/6YdH1NyhPAI?si=lXcLMnQKyzxPUAjl   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Dr. Chris Winter is a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with decades of Tools & References Mentioned • The Sleep Solution (book) • The Rested Child (book) • Sleep Unplugged (podcast) Connect with Dr. Chris Winter • Instagram: @instaDRChrisWinter • www.wchriswinters.com • Podcast: Sleep Unplugged • Books: The Sleep Solution; The Rested Child About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life. Connect with the host: https://www.theonehourceo.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Episode Summary: In this weeks episode, Paul sits down with Dr. Michael Keane to explore how emotions arise before we are even aware of them, why our “gut feelings” often know more than our conscious minds, and how gratitude, meditation, and attention reshape our physiology. We explore whether free will truly exists, how cultural conditioning shapes who we become, and why emotional control is less about not feeling — and more about not reacting. From ice baths to intuition, from evolutionary social pressure to the neuroscience of sleep, this episode blends science, spirituality, and practical human behavior in a transformative way.   In This Episode, We Explore: How EEG sparked Dr. Keane’s fascination with the unconscious brain The neuroscience of REM sleep & psychophysiology Why emotions hit the body BEFORE we consciously feel them How free will might be an illusion — or at least, limited The gap between stimulus & response — and how to widen it “Red, Blue & Green Circles” — A powerful model for emotional regulation The truth about gratitude & why forced gratitude backfires Why two people in an ice bath can have opposite physiological responses Attention as modern humanity’s most valuable commodity The impact of cultural conditioning on life choices & success Intuition as pre-language intelligence Why meditation is not about stopping thoughts – but about breaking reaction loops   Guest: Michael Keane – MD, PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience, neurotechnology expert, co-founder of multiple startups and neurotechnology labs, specialist in psychophysiology and emotional regulation.   Connect with Dr. Michael Keane: Website: drmichaelkeane.com Neurotech Company: evolveneuro.ai  If this conversation reshaped how you think about your emotions or attention, share it with a friend who’s into peak performance, psychology, meditation or leadership.   About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Guest: Adie McGuiness — Co-Founder of Sigmar Recruitment Episode Summary In this  bite-size episode, Adie McGuiness shares the story of how his team came together during one of the toughest periods in business. Facing financial uncertainty, his staff personally contributed €200,000 to help save the company—an extraordinary act of loyalty that revealed the power of trust and genuine leadership. Adie and Paul discuss how real leaders show vulnerability, prioritize people over profit, and build cultures where employees feel valued, even in crisis. They also explore the deeper question of fulfilment—how Aie’s lifelong meditation practice and search for inner peace have shaped his outlook on success, purpose, and life after business. Key Themes: Leadership in crisis and the power of transparency Building loyalty through trust, humility, and shared purpose How sincerity and authenticity outcompete large corporations Why inner peace is the ultimate measure of success. Transitioning from achievement to fulfilment after business exit Memorable Quotes: “Nobody deserves a salary cut—but everyone deserves a stable job.” “People don’t work for me; they work for themselves and their families. My job is to make this the best place for them to do that.” “You can give me ten million, but if I lose inner peace, I have nothing.” Full Episode: https://youtu.be/8SAvKEdG0rA?si=mizwCSh3CT6jNdmr https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m7yXcJwuZMVX56hMIowbi?si=i4V3G7fHSxu63Kdk9tDBTw About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host: https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: David Robson #133 Episode Summary Award-winning science journalist David Robson joins Paul to explore the big ideas behind his three books — The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, and The Laws of Connection. We get practical about intellectual humility, how beliefs shape physiology and performance, and why most of us underestimate how much other people like us. From Nobel laureates falling for “earned dogmatism” to positive aging, placebos in sport, and the “Beautiful Mess Effect,” this episode is packed with evidence-based ways to think clearer, feel better, and connect deeper. What We Cover The trilogy thread: Challenging assumptions to make wiser choices, feel better, and build stronger relationships. Intelligence vs. wisdom: IQ is engine power; wisdom is steering, suspension, and navigation. Sternberg’s three intelligences: Analytical, creative (multiple perspectives), and practical (people & meta-skills). Intellectual humility: The keystone of wise thinking; why “earned dogmatism” traps high achievers. Real-world traps: Why brilliant doctors/dentists can be poor investors; “do you want to be right or rich?” Genes, environment & lifespan: How influence shifts from childhood to adulthood—and why lifestyle still wins. The Expectation Effect: Placebo & nocebo explained; beliefs measurably shape stress responses, inflammation, blood pressure, gas exchange, and muscle fiber recruitment. Sport & belief: Caffeine vs. decaf deception; the Tour de France “glucose syringe” story; accessing more of your strength. Positive aging: Mindset can add ~7.5 years of life; Patty Jones, the 80-something acrobatic salsa dancer. The Laws of Connection: The Liking Gap (we think others like us less than they do), the Beautiful Mess Effect (vulnerability increases warmth and trust), and why asking/offering help and apologizing work better than we expect. Key Takeaways Be actively open-minded. Ask, “How might I be wrong? What would change my mind?” Train wisdom, not just IQ. Practice perspective-taking, project planning, and metacognition. Mindset moves metrics. Your expectations can alter hormones, inflammation, pain, breath exchange, and perceived exertion. Confidence via evidence. Use small, repeated wins (like conquering one brutal hill) to reset your “possible.” Aging ≠ inevitable decline. Focus on abilities, stay social and physically active — mindset steers behavior. Connect by being human. Most people like you more than you think; vulnerability signals honesty and builds trust. Humility beats hubris. Past success doesn’t transfer by default; in new domains, act like a beginner. Resources & Mentions David’s books: The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, The Laws of Connection. Concepts: Earned Dogmatism, Active Open-Minded Thinking, Placebo/Nocebo, Liking Gap, Beautiful Mess Effect. Story highlights: PCR inventor case study; caffeine/placebo in sport; Patty Jones (acrobatic salsa dancer). Connect with David Robson Website: davidrobson.me Substack: Sixty-Second Psychology Instagram: @DavidARobson X/Twitter: @DavidARobson Connect with Paul Subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur and leave a review. Share this episode with a friend who geeks out on psychology & performance. Explore Paul’s programs: The One-Hour CEO & The Life Code. About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

  Most people think “trauma” means war, abuse, or catastrophe. In this Inner Entrepreneur Bite-Size clip, Laurel Wiers (trauma therapist and creator of the MINT Method) explains why that’s incomplete — and how little-t experiences can quietly shape your personality, decisions, and success until you learn to reset back to your truest self. This isn’t just theory. We dig into Gabor Maté’s definition of trauma (“not the event, but the imprint”), how generational patterns live in the body, and why your gut rarely lies even when your mind does. Laurel shares a step-by-step way to trace reactions back to origin memories, metabolize them, and return to calm, choice, and clarity — without losing the lessons.   🔑 What you’ll learn Big-T vs little-t trauma: why everyday “aversive events” wire in the same way. Personality vs protection: the parts you call “me” might be old coping strategies (IFS lens). Trust your body: sensations tell the truth; the mind often rationalizes. A practical process: feel → locate in the body → allow images → find the first memory → integrate. Reset, don’t erase: keep the wisdom, release the hyper-vigilance. Inner work reality: most avoid it… until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.   🧭 Episode Highlights (bite-size) Redefining trauma: it’s the imprint, not the incident. How “little-t” moments (like a parent’s offhand comment) become lifelong patterns. Using body cues to uncover origin memories (and change reactions fast). The food example: one small childhood moment → decades of compulsion — then release. Firewalk insight: a temporary fear “dial-down” reveals what life can feel like on the other side. “Reset to who you were before the event” — while keeping your hard-won wisdom.   📌 Key Quote “If it’s distressing — and you wish it were different — it may not be your personality. It’s a stuck moment asking to be healed.”   🔗 Listen to the Full Conversation This clip comes from our full episode with Laurel Wiers. Dive deeper here: 👉 YouTube: https://youtu.be/d6qPt0EWfX8?si=Jl6z4lR-a7yXd98t 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0caDBICWh3mJWj2SKy1jPt?si=v02kCznVT4GoxGGzGqHmcw   🙌 Support & Subscribe About the host: Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.   Connect with the host:   https://www.theonehourceo.com/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/