The Inner Entrepreneur

Hosted by Paul Ryan

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100

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Conversations about finding success in the world while creating a life of peace, prosperity, happiness and fulfillment.

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60 recent

October 27, 2026Episode 30059 min

Why Your Past Is Still Running Your Life (And How to Fix It) Joey Klien Replay #294

Work With Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I'll help you do the same. Apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome/ What if the reason you're not creating the life you want has less to do with your circumstances and more to do with patterns you learned years aAo? In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul speaks with Joey Klein, founder of Inner Matrix Systems and author of The Inner Matrix and Relationship Alchemy. Joey explains how childhood conditioning shapes our emotions, thoughts and behaviours, often without us realising it. He shares how we can recognise these unconscious patterns, retrain our emotional responses and begin creating a different future. They also explore why lasting change requires consistent practice, how to develop greater emotional awareness, and why taking responsibility for our emotions is essential to building healthier relationships. Topics Discussed How childhood experiences shape our adult lives Why we keep repeating the same emotional patterns How to recognise and change unconscious conditioning Training your mind and emotions through daily practice Why personal transformation requires consistency The two biggest mistakes that damage relationships How to stop living from your past and start creating your future About Joey Klein Joey Klein is the founder of Inner Matrix Systems, a personal mastery training organisation. For over two decades, he has helped entrepreneurs, executives and individuals develop emotional mastery and create meaningful change in their lives. He is the author of The Inner Matrix and Relationship Alchemy. Connect with Joey: Website: https://joeyklein.com/ Inner Matrix Systems: https://innermatrixsystems.com/ About the Host Paul J. Ryan is an entrepreneur, mentor and host of The Inner Entrepreneur. Having built an eight-figure business that runs without him, Paul now helps successful entrepreneurs create greater freedom in their businesses and lives. https://www.pauljryan.net

October 22, 2026Episode 29853 min

The High Price of Success: Marriage, Family & Regret | Kevin Davis #293

Work With Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I'll help you do the same. Apply to work with Paul: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome/ What’s the point of building a successful business if it costs you your marriage, your family or your happiness? In this episode of the Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Kevin Davis, entrepreneur, author and founder of Maxed Out Man, to explore why so many successful entrepreneurs sacrifice the things that matter most in pursuit of success. Kevin shares how his relentless focus on work nearly destroyed his marriage, the wake-up call that changed everything, and why he believes too many entrepreneurs are driven by fear rather than purpose. We discuss the difference between financial freedom and time freedom, why your calendar reveals your real priorities, and how to build a successful business without sacrificing your relationships or wellbeing. In this episode, we explore: Why business success can come at the expense of your marriage and family. How fear drives entrepreneurs to chase more, even when they already have enough. Why your calendar is the clearest reflection of your priorities. The difference between financial freedom and time freedom. Kevin's three pillars for a fulfilling life: Man, Mission and Marriage. Practical ways to protect family time, strengthen your relationships and work less. Why it's never too late to rebuild a relationship with your children. This conversation is a reminder that real success isn't simply about how much money you make or how big your business becomes. It's about creating a life you actually have the time and freedom to enjoy. About Kevin Davis Kevin Davis is an entrepreneur, author and founder of Maxed Out Man, where he helps men build stronger marriages, improve their wellbeing and create more fulfilling lives. Connect with Kevin: Website: https://maxedoutman.com Free Marriage Toolkit: https://toolkit.maxedoutman.com

October 20, 2026Episode 2971 hr 4 min

Become the Boss of Your Mind | Shane Cradock Replay #292

Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I’ll help you do the same. Apply for a strategy call: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome/ About This Episode What if the biggest obstacle to your success and happiness isn't your circumstances, but your relationship with your own mind? In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Shane Cradock, executive coach and author of The Inner CEO. Shane shares his deeply personal journey from a mental health crisis that brought him to the brink of suicide to discovering a completely different way of understanding his mind. We explore why even highly successful entrepreneurs struggle to find happiness, why the mind constantly pushes us to achieve more, and how learning to step back from our thoughts can transform how we live and lead. Shane also shares practical techniques for developing greater awareness, reducing mental noise and finding more clarity, peace of mind and fulfilment without sacrificing ambition. About the Guest Shane Cradock is an executive coach, advisor and author of The Inner CEO, helping business leaders master their inner world to achieve greater success and fulfilment. Book: https://theinnerceo.com/ About the Host Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, CEO and mentor who built an eight-figure business that runs without him. Through The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, he explores the psychology of success, personal growth and creating a fulfilling life. Topics Discussed Shane's personal journey through depression and suicidal thoughts Why you are not your thoughts or your mind The difference between positive thinking and positive psychology Why successful entrepreneurs are never satisfied The endless pursuit of more money, success and achievement The difference between achievement and fulfilment How your inner world shapes your outer reality The power of awareness, gratitude and presence Practical mindfulness techniques and daily mental pit stops How to become the CEO of your own mind Work with Paul Ready to build a business that gives you more freedom, not less? Apply to work with Paul: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome/

October 17, 2026Episode 29612 min

This Is The Truth Behind Every Success Story | Inner Mentor #291

Work With Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. Now I mentor business owners who want to do the same. If your business is successful but you're still trapped in the day-to-day, let's explore what's keeping you there. Apply to Work With Paul: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome/ After nearly 300 episodes of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, I've noticed something that every successful person I've interviewed seems to have in common. At some point in their lives, they've hit a wall. It might have been a business failure, financial ruin, a health crisis or a personal loss. But behind almost every success story, there's a period when things looked pretty bleak. And my own story is no different. Over 20 years ago, I reached a point where I knew something had to change. A firewalking experience gave me the courage to face some uncomfortable truths about myself, my life and how I was running my business. That experience changed the direction of my life. But there's a part of the story I used to leave out — the two very difficult years it took to actually make those changes. In this solo episode, I talk about what I've learned from hundreds of conversations with successful people, the role fear plays in keeping us stuck, and why the difficult parts of our journeys are often the most important. In this episode: The one thing I've found successful people have in common. Why hitting a wall can become a turning point. How fear keeps us on a path we know isn't right. The firewalking experience that changed my perspective. The two difficult years behind my business transformation. Why there's no shortcut to building a better life. If you're going through a difficult time in your business or personal life, I hope this episode gives you a different perspective. The life you want may be on the other side of some difficult decisions. But you have to be willing to make them and walk the road that follows.

October 15, 2026Episode 2951 hr 2 min

How I Built an Eight-Figure Business That Runs Without Me | Brian Keane #290

What if the business you've worked so hard to build is actually holding you back from the life you want? In this episode, I'm doing something a little different. I'm sharing a conversation where I was interviewed by Brian Keene on his podcast. We talk about the moment, at 40, when I thought I was having a heart attack at my desk, and how that experience eventually led me to completely rethink the way I ran my business. We get into the mistakes I made, the importance of culture and leadership, and how I built an eight-figure business that no longer depends on me. But we also go deeper, exploring the psychology behind success, why financial freedom doesn't necessarily bring peace of mind, and how our fears and insecurities can drive us to achieve more without ever feeling it's enough. In this episode, we cover: Why you might be the biggest bottleneck in your business How to build a business that runs without you The importance of culture, leadership and letting go of control The difference between delegating and abdicating Why financial freedom and time freedom don't guarantee emotional freedom What really drives our ambition and how we define success Ultimately, it's a conversation about building a successful business without sacrificing your health, relationships or happiness along the way. About Brian Keene Brian Keene is an entrepreneur, author, business mentor and podcast host who helps business owners grow their businesses while creating more freedom in their lives. Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I'll help you do the same. Apply for a strategy call with Paul

October 13, 2026Episode 2941 hr 11 min

Your Mind Is Lying to You. Here's How to Know | Gaia Ferreira Replay #289

What if the beliefs driving your biggest decisions aren't really yours? And what if the voice in your head that's telling you to keep pushing, achieving and doing more is the very thing holding you back? In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul Ryan speaks with Gaia Ferreira, an entrepreneur coach and personal development expert with over 20 years of experience working with founders, CEOs and business owners. They explore how unconscious beliefs, fear and past conditioning shape our decisions, why so many entrepreneurs ignore the warning signs from their bodies, and how to reconnect with who we really are beneath the roles we've created for ourselves. Paul also shares how trusting his intuition stopped him from making a €5 million investment just before the 2008 financial crash — a decision that may have saved his business. In this conversation, you'll discover: Why your mind doesn't always tell you the truth. How unconscious fears and beliefs influence your behaviour. The difference between intuition and the voice of your ego. Why entrepreneurs often confuse being busy with being fulfilled. How to break familiar patterns that no longer serve you. Why courage comes before confidence. How to create a meaningful legacy through the choices you make every day. A conversation about trusting yourself, questioning what drives you and building a life that reflects who you really want to be. About the Guest Gaia Ferreira is an internationally recognised coach, speaker and author with over two decades of experience in personal development. A former Tony Robbins team member, she combines psychology, NLP, hypnotherapy, nutrition and spiritual practices in her personalised Total Intelligence Method, helping entrepreneurs develop greater self-awareness, clarity and fulfilment. Website: https://gaiaferreira.com Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I'll help you do the same. Apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

October 8, 2026Episode 29344 min

Why Trying Harder Is Holding You Back | Peter Sage #288

What happens when you achieve the money, success and freedom you thought would make you happy — and discover it still isn’t enough? In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur, speaker and personal development expert Peter Sage to explore the inner evolution that can happen after conventional success. Peter shares how he left school at 16, started his first business at 17 and became financially successful at a young age. But underneath the ambition was something deeper: a need to prove he was good enough. Eventually, the relentless pursuit of more left him working until 2 a.m., sleeping only a few hours a night and building businesses that were trapping him rather than setting him free. We explore Peter’s framework of moving from life happening “to me,” to “by me,” to “through me” — and why many successful entrepreneurs eventually reach a point where pushing harder, achieving more and trying to control everything stops working. Peter also shares the extraordinary experience of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic and how exhaustion, enormous waves and even having to row solo after his partner was injured became a real-world test of the principles he had spent decades teaching. Rather than fighting circumstances he couldn’t control, he learned to surrender to them without giving up. We also discuss the difference between net worth and self-worth, why success without fulfilment eventually feels empty, and how to remain ambitious without allowing your happiness to depend on the next goal. Peter describes it simply: “To me” is I’ll feel great if… “By me” is I’ll feel great when… “Through me” is I can feel great now. For entrepreneurs who have already proved they can work hard, overcome obstacles and achieve, this conversation asks a different question: What if the next level isn’t about pushing harder — but learning to let go? In this episode, we discuss: Why Peter’s early success was driven by a need to prove himself The car accident that forced him to question how he was living Why money, possessions and achievement don’t automatically create happiness The difference between self-worth and net worth Moving from “to me” → “by me” → “through me” Why successful entrepreneurs can become trapped in achiever mode Surrender versus giving up How Peter tested his philosophy rowing across the Atlantic Why resistance makes difficult experiences even harder Letting go of the need to control outcomes Remaining ambitious without becoming attached to achievement Why fulfilment may be a better definition of success Moving from force and effort towards inspiration and flow Why the outer world often reflects the inner world How to stop trying to prove yourself and start living from purpose About Peter Sage Peter Sage is an entrepreneur, international speaker, author and personal development teacher whose work focuses on helping high achievers move beyond achievement for achievement’s sake towards greater awareness, fulfilment and purpose. He is the author of The Inside Track and has spent decades studying and teaching personal development, human behaviour and what he describes as different levels of consciousness and emotional maturity. Peter’s Gift Peter recommends Your Wish Is Your Command by Kevin Trudeau as a useful framework for understanding the shift towards living in “through me.” He offers listeners access to a free PDF and audio version at petersage.com/wish. Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I’ll help you do the same. If you’ve built a successful business but still find yourself too involved in the day-to-day, apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

October 6, 2026Episode 29150 min

Why Culture Is The Only Thing That Matters | Cameron Herold Replay #287

What does it really take to scale a business without everything continuing to depend on you? In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, I sit down with entrepreneur, author and speaker Cameron Herold to explore the foundations that allow companies to grow — from having a clear vision and the right leadership team to building a culture that attracts and retains the right people. Cameron explains his Vivid Vision concept: creating a detailed picture of what your business will look and feel like three years into the future, then using that vision almost like an architectural blueprint to align your team and guide your decisions. We also explore why entrepreneurs struggle to delegate, the critical role of a strong COO, why systems and processes matter, and why tolerating the wrong people can undermine the culture you're trying to build. But the conversation goes beyond simply building a bigger business. Cameron shares his thoughts on creating a vision for your life as well as your company — and why business success ultimately needs to support the life you actually want to live. In this episode: How to create a compelling three-year Vivid Vision Why vision without the right people isn't enough The foundations you need before scaling Why entrepreneurs struggle to delegate The role of a great COO How systems and processes support growth Why culture and core values matter The danger of tolerating toxic people Why leadership is a skill that needs to be developed Creating a vision for your life, not just your business Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to The Inner Entrepreneur 00:18 — The power of vision in business 02:45 — Implementing your vision with the right team 04:00 — The challenges entrepreneurs face 05:27 — Building a solid foundation 08:10 — The role of the COO 09:07 — The importance of delegation 14:41 — Entrepreneurial lessons and insights 24:54 — Systems and processes 25:56 — Vision and culture 27:10 — Happiness and employee performance 29:20 — Building a strong, committed culture 31:45 — Removing toxic people from your business 37:17 — Investing in leadership skills 41:13 — Creating a vision for your life 46:49 — The COO Alliance 49:02 — Final thoughts About Cameron Herold Cameron Herold is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and business growth expert known for helping entrepreneurs and leadership teams scale their companies. He is the founder of COO Alliance and creator of the Vivid Vision concept. Cameron: cameronherold.com COO Alliance: cooalliance.com Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I help you do the same. If you've built a successful business but you're still too involved in the day-to-day, apply for a strategy call with Paul: Apply for a strategy call

October 5, 2026Episode 2922 min

Quickie | This One Change Could Transform Your Business #286

October 3, 2026Episode 29012 min

Is Growing Your Business Costing You Your Life? | Inner Mentor #285

I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I’ll help you do the same. Apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://www.pauljryan.net/welcome Get Your Guide To Freedom: The 7 Bottlenecks That Keep You Trapped In Your Business and How To Break Free here: https://www.pauljryan.net/request-guide/ What’s the point of building a bigger business if, in the process, you create a smaller life? In this episode of the Inner Mentor series, I’m recording from a beach in the south of Spain and reflecting on what true wealth actually means. For me, it isn’t simply the size of your business, your net worth, your home or the things you own. It’s having the freedom to live the life you actually want — while also having meaningful relationships, looking after your health and experiencing peace of mind and fulfilment. I’m not against ambition or scaling. Building and scaling my own business helped create the financial freedom I enjoy today. But I believe we need to think beyond simply scaling our businesses. We need to scale our lives. In this episode, I explore why entrepreneurs can become so focused on the next revenue target that everything else begins to shrink around the business — their time, relationships, health, wellbeing and freedom. I also share why my own experience of sitting at my desk at 40, believing I was having a heart attack, forced me to reconsider what I was actually building all of this for. Because you can build a bigger business and a bigger life. The challenge is being intentional enough to create both. In this episode: What true wealth means to me Why I’m not against scaling your business The danger of making business growth your only measure of success Why a bigger business can sometimes create a smaller life What I mean by “scaling your life” Why financial freedom is only one part of wealth The importance of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing Why different seasons of life require different priorities How my wake-up call at 40 changed the way I approached success Why you need a vision for your life as well as your business Work with Paul I built an eight-figure business that runs without me. I help entrepreneurs do the same. If you’ve built a successful business but it still depends too heavily on you, apply for a strategy call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

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