Have you ever met someone who gave you the shirt off their back… or someone who kept score every time they did something for you? In this episode of The Ryan Leak Podcast, we explore the powerful difference between givers and takers and why generosity isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a way of life. Ryan shares one of his favorite Proverbs, a jaw-dropping story from a funeral director, and insights from Adam Grant’s Give and Take that reveal how givers ultimately win. Whether it’s in your marriage, jo...
Mar 24, 2025•11 min•Season 6Ep. 11
In this episode of The Ryan Leak Podcast , Ryan flips the script on the classic glass-half-full vs. glass-half-empty debate and introduces a third, more powerful mindset: being grateful for the glass . Whether you're naturally optimistic, a self-proclaimed realist, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge you to shift your perspective and find gratitude in what you do have—no matter how much or little that may be. From work and relationships to parenting, politics, and everyday strug...
Mar 17, 2025•7 min•Season 6Ep. 10
For years, people have fixated on how much money LeBron James spends on his body—chefs, trainers, hyperbaric chambers, and state-of-the-art recovery techniques. The number floating around? $1.5 million a year. But in a recent interview, LeBron made one thing clear: it’s not about the money. It’s about the time. In this episode of The Ryan Leak Podcast , we break down why time—not talent, not luck, not even money—is the real key to greatness. LeBron isn’t dominating the NBA at 40 because he’s ric...
Mar 10, 2025•9 min•Season 6Ep. 9
It’s easy to get along with people who think like us, act like us, and see the world like us. But what happens when we find ourselves working, living, or engaging with people who aren’t like us? In this episode, we unpack the reality of navigating differences—whether it’s political, religious, personality-driven, or even just lifestyle choices. From serious divides to everyday annoyances (Mac vs. PC, early birds vs. night owls), we explore the four ways people handle differences: 1️⃣ Ignore them...
Mar 03, 2025•10 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Success comes with a price—and most people don’t realize what they’re signing up for when they say, “I want to build a business,” “I want to be a leader,” or “I want to make an impact.” In this episode, we unpack the good problems that come with chasing greatness—the late nights, the tough decisions, the criticism, the pressure. Inspired by a powerful moment from Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, we’re flipping the script on struggle and embracing the fine print of ambition. Because when you de...
Feb 24, 2025•9 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Valentine’s Day has a way of making us reflect on our relationships—whether you’re happily married, single, divorced, or somewhere in between (hello, situationships). But no matter your relationship status, today’s episode is all about how we can grow together instead of growing apart . I’ve been married for 12 years this June, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from my wife is this: relationships thrive when we stay in tune with what the other person needs in every season . What I need...
Feb 14, 2025•11 min•Season 6Ep. 6
What if the key to thriving at work isn’t about loving your job—but about loving the people you work with? In this episode, I’m unveiling my brand-new book, How to Work With Complicated People: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with Nearly Anyone , dropping on April 15 . Our national research study revealed something game-changing: job satisfaction has less to do with what you do and more to do with who you do it with. You can power through a tough job with people you enjoy, but even a drea...
Feb 07, 2025•11 min•Season 6Ep. 5
"Even if we win the next three championships, I'll never forgive them for trading Luka." I heard a fan say that, and it hit me—winning isn’t everything. This trade isn’t just about basketball. It’s a reminder that sometimes, success comes at a cost, followers don’t always equal impact, and the ripple effects of our decisions go deeper than we realize. We chase the “win,” but at what price? In this episode, I break down what this trade taught me—not just about sports, but about life. How do our d...
Feb 03, 2025•13 min•Season 6Ep. 4
It’s not self-promotion—it’s stewardship. Too many of us shrink back, afraid of looking like we’re bragging, when in reality, we’re just hiding. In this episode, we’re tackling the mindset that keeps people playing small—the fear of putting themselves out there, the hesitation to own their gifts, and the excuse of “I don’t want to self-promote.” But here’s the truth: If you have something valuable to offer the world, it’s not arrogance—it’s responsibility. We’ll unpack how to shift from insecuri...
Jan 24, 2025•14 min•Season 6Ep. 3
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But what if the real problem isn’t learning new tricks—it’s actually using the ones we already know? In this episode, we’re flipping the focus from more information to more application. 2025 isn’t about chasing the next big idea—it’s about putting what you already know into action. You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and sat through the seminars. Now, it’s time to execute. We’ll break down why knowledge without acti...
Jan 10, 2025•12 min•Season 6Ep. 2
The Ryan Leak Podcast is back! After taking a hiatus, I’m bringing this show back with a fresh perspective, a simpler format, and one goal: to give you something practical, inspiring, and thought-provoking in every episode. No fluff. No wasted time. Just one idea—one nugget—to help you be more intentional, courageous, and hopeful about your life, work, and relationships. In this first episode back, I share the real reason I hit pause, what I learned from stepping away, and why now is the perfect...
Jan 04, 2025•6 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Get ready— Season 6 of The Ryan Leak Podcast is here, and it’s packed with the short and sweet nuggets of inspiration you love. This season, we’re tackling real-life pressure, complicated people, and the gap between good and great —all with practical wisdom you can apply today. Expect honest conversations , counterintuitive insights , and bite-sized motivation to help you level up in your leadership, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you’re chasing failure, navigating tough conversatio...
Jan 01, 2025•1 min•Season 6Ep. 1
For this episode, Ryan sat down with executive coach and sports broadcaster, Laura VandeBerg to have an honest conversation about anxiety, panic attacks, and parenting. To connect with Ryan or Laura for coaching, check out ryanleak.com.
Nov 27, 2023•35 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Elliot Davis knows what it takes to stand out having had roles at significant companies doing talent development. Join Ryan and Elliot for this episode of Followership!
Nov 13, 2023•28 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, Ryan dives into the topic of overcoming personal challenges, emphasizing the belief that everyone can achieve seemingly difficult tasks. He speaks with guest "G" about personal experiences, leadership, and strategies for pushing past adversity. **Key Takeaways:** 1. **Mental Strength**: The conversation starts with the importance of mental strength and determination in facing challenges. 2. **Starting Point**: G shares a personal story about witnessing a man swimming 60 laps in ...
Oct 30, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, Ryan Leak interviews Dr. Julia Wiener, a leadership and organizational development expert. They discuss topics related to culture, leadership, followership, and navigating challenges within the workplace. Dr. Wiener shares insights on how to create a positive impact on culture while working from home, the concept of intelligent disobedience, and the dynamics between leaders and followers. If you're looking for a culture coach, there's no one better than Dr. Julia. You can connec...
Oct 02, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode, Ryan Leak engages in a conversation with Vasti Cruz, a coach and founder of Healthy Heart Talks. They delve into the concept of wholehearted living, discussing how to move on from challenging situations, make authentic decisions, and bring your best energy to work and life. Vasti shares insights on the importance of aligning head and heart, letting go of past hurts, and embracing vulnerability to lead a fulfilling life. You can connect Vasti Cruz at her website: https://www.heal...
Sep 18, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 2
After a 6-month hiatus, Ryan Leak is back with Followership guests and this episode does not disappoint. Joining Ryan on today's episode is Jordan Montgomery who is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and executive coach. Jordan and Ryan reflect on their personal journeys and how faith has played a pivotal role in shaping their careers and relationships. Jordan shares his transformative experience of humility and redemption at the age of 27, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's values...
Sep 05, 2023•35 min•Season 5Ep. 1
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is social media expert and speaker, Giselle Ugarte. In this episode, we explore the topic of maintaining a healthy relationship with social media. We delve into the importance of being mindful of the amount of time spent on these platforms and how it can impact our daily lives. We also discuss the signific...
Feb 20, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 7
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is Jonathan Angulo. He represents one of the top mortgage lenders in the country and helps people navigate recessions personally and organizationally. In this episode, we will explore the concept of having a recession growth mindset and how it can help individuals and businesses navigate uncertain times. W...
Feb 13, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 6
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is Dr. Rebecca Heiss who has her PhD in Stress. In this episode of "The Adventures of Stress with PHD," Dr. Rebecca Heiss takes us on a journey of understanding the complex nature of stress. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, she sheds light on the importance of stress and how it can actually help...
Feb 06, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is Nona Jones who has written an incredible book entitled Killing Comparison. This episode explores the negative effects of comparison and competition in our daily lives while shedding light on the damaging impact of comparing ourselves to others on our mental and emotional well-being. In Nona's book, she ...
Jan 25, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is the pastor, speaker, and chaplain of the Milwaukee Bucks, Ken Lock. Trauma and drama can have a significant impact on an individual's well-being, but the good news is it is possible to thrive after experiencing these events. In this podcast, we will explore different strategies and tools that can aid in...
Jan 18, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 3
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's guest is Heather Monahan. She is a best-selling author X2, Top 50 Keynote Speaker in the World 2022, Podcast Host of Creating Confidence, TedX speaker, and has most recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of Healthlynked Corp. Having successfully climbed the corporate ladder for nearly 20 years; Heathe...
Jan 11, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This season we are interviewing people we think are next-level in light of Ryan's new book called Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate your Personal and Professional Development. Today's episode is with Lacey Stenson, who is the master of helping other people go to the next level. After getting her MBA from Stanford, she did nonprofit work to build 11 schools in Uganda. Since then, she's had her hand in running 3 law firms, starting a medical research organization, being the Chief People Officer...
Jan 04, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Paul Attia specializes in navigating tough conversations with high-net-worth families. In this episode, we learn his rubric for navigating those complex conversations. If you're looking for a coach, check out our coaches at ryanleak.com
Oct 31, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Mike Smith has been a professional development coach for over two decades. He's worked with the NFL and various other organizations. Ryan and Mike sat down and had an encouraging conversation about what to do when you just feel stuck. Mike is also available on the Ryan Leak Group's coaching platform, which can be found at ryanleak.com .
Oct 17, 2022•27 min
It's one thing to figure out what to do after you've been fired. But what Debbie Mitchell encourages us to do is to think through what we should do before it ever gets to a point of termination. You can learn more about Debbie Mitchell's executive coaching on our new coaching platform at https://www.ryanleak.com/coaching.
Oct 10, 2022•22 min
Ty calls himself a HEAD coach because he's mastered what it means to coach thinking . Learn what it takes to think on another level with Coach Ty Ellis who's been a part of the coaching staff for multiple NBA teams and USA Men's Basketball. Ty is one of our new coaches on our coaching platform that you can check out here: https://www.ryanleak.com/coaching
Sep 26, 2022•18 min
Everybody needs somebody in their life whom they've given permission to challenge them to go to the next level. Check out this fun conversation Ryan Leak had with executive coach Jen Porter. You can also connect with one of our Executive Coaches at https://www.ryanleak.com/coaching.
Sep 05, 2022•24 min
