The Inner Entrepreneur

Hosted by Paul Ryan

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100

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Jun 2026

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

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July 9, 2026Episode 23448 min

The Secret To Loving Your Work Again | Jonathan Domsky #230

In this episode Paul chats with Jonathan Domsky about one of the biggest questions we can ask ourselves: What were you born to do? Jonathan believes that most people aren't lacking talent or opportunity—they're simply living out of alignment with who they really are. Together, Paul and Jonathan explore the difference between excellence and genius, why so many successful entrepreneurs become trapped by what they're good at, and how to rediscover the work that genuinely energises you. The conversation also ventures into self-love, purpose, authenticity, false values inherited from childhood, and why creating a meaningful life often begins by giving yourself permission to stop living according to other people's expectations. If you've ever wondered why success doesn't always feel fulfilling, this conversation offers a practical framework for finding greater alignment between who you are and how you live. About the Guest: Jonathan Domsky is an entrepreneur, executive coach and founder of Untangled Coaching. About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here:👉 https://www.pauljryan.net/ Topics Discussed What it really means to discover your purpose Why success doesn't always create fulfilment The difference between excellence and genius How entrepreneurs become trapped by what they're good at Why your energy is one of your greatest indicators Living according to your own values instead of inherited expectations The hidden cost of living a life of "shoulds" Self-love versus self-judgement Why everyone possesses a unique genius Finding work that gives you energy instead of draining it Creating a business around your natural strengths Lessons from maximum-security prisons about human nature Raising children without suppressing their passions How to identify what truly lights you up Designing a life that feels meaningful rather than simply successful Key Takeaways Your greatest strengths aren't necessarily your greatest contribution. Excellence pays the bills; genius gives you energy. Most people already know what lights them up—they've simply stopped paying attention. Living someone else's definition of success eventually becomes exhausting. Purpose isn't invented; it's uncovered. The work that feels effortless often creates the greatest value. Real fulfilment comes from alignment between your values, purpose and daily actions. The life you truly want is often much closer than you think. Connect with Jonathan Domsky Website: https://untangled-coaching.com LinkedIn: Jonathan Domsky If You Enjoyed This Episode If this conversation helped you think differently about purpose, success or living authentically, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another entrepreneur who may need to hear it. Your support helps us bring these conversations to more business owners seeking not just external success—but a meaningful life.

July 7, 2026Episode 23318 min

Bitesize | Why The Emotions You Ignore Control Your Life #229

Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/0gjo1SyqN0k?si=f38FJzTlt5dWDCm9 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gJstH1XV94azrAkNTxiRd?si=DKMRF02NSTiaJ_X43RYDrQ In this bite-size episode, Paul sits down with EFT practitioner, trainer, and author Sarah Tobin to demystify EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), often called “tapping,” for complete beginners. Sarah explains tapping as a self-administered, body-based tool designed to calm the nervous system—helping switch off fight/flight/freeze so we can return to grounded neutrality (and sometimes even genuine positivity). She unpacks the core idea that emotions are “energy in motion,” and that when emotions aren’t fully processed—especially in childhood—they can become stuck and later show up as chronic stress, repeating patterns, limiting beliefs, or even physical symptoms. About the Guest Sarah Tobin is an EFT (tapping) practitioner and trainer, as well as an author and speaker. https://www.tappingwithsarahtobin.com/ About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: https://calendly.com/inner-entreprene...

July 4, 2026Episode 23215 min

Why Self-Help Doesn't Change Most People (Inner Mentor 21) #228

In this Inner Mentor Series episode, Paul explores if someone who lacks integrity still teach profound truths? Drawing on his own experience attending a wealth seminar as a young man, Paul's reflections on Napoleon Hill, and decades of studying personal development, meditation and entrepreneurship, he examines the difference between the messenger and the message. Along the way, he challenges our tendency to idolise gurus and reminds us that real transformation doesn't come from collecting more books, courses or podcasts—it comes from having the courage to question the stories we've built our lives around. Ultimately, this episode is about authenticity, healing, and why the most important work any entrepreneur will ever do is the inner work. About the Host Paul Ryan is an 8-figure entrepreneur, CEO, mentor and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, where he explores the intersection of business success, purpose, emotional wellbeing and personal growth. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 https://www.pauljryan.net/ Topics Discussed The personal development seminar that changed Paul's life Separating the message from the messenger Why Napoleon Hill's story still matters—even if parts weren't true Can a fraud teach wisdom? The danger of idolising self-help gurus Authenticity versus performing success Why information alone never transforms us Healing the stories that keep us stuck The hidden emotional drivers behind anxiety, procrastination and self-doubt Why entrepreneurs chase certainty instead of truth How self-awareness creates lasting personal growth The role of mentors in revealing our blind spots Why real personal development begins with feeling, not thinking Key Takeaways Don't worship the messenger—test the message. Wisdom can come from deeply imperfect people. Books and seminars can inspire you, but they cannot heal you. Most limitations begin as stories designed to protect us from emotional pain. Real freedom comes from becoming willing to feel what we've spent years trying to avoid. Your greatest breakthroughs often come from questioning the beliefs you've never questioned before. Personal development isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more fully yourself.

July 2, 2026Episode 23055 min

Marriage Expert: The Real Reason Relationships Fail | Lee Baucom #227

In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul chats with marriage expert Lee Baucom to explore why love alone isn't enough to build a lasting relationship—and why connection, not communication, is the true foundation of a successful marriage. Drawing on nearly four decades of marriage and years of helping couples rebuild struggling relationships, Lee explains why so many marriages slowly drift apart without either partner realising it. Together, Paul and Lee unpack the hidden dangers of "hitting the pause button" on your relationship, the three levels of connection every couple must nurture, and the simple daily habits that can transform a marriage before it reaches crisis point. About the Guest Lee Baucom is a marriage coach, author, speaker, and founder of the Save The Marriage System. About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 https://www.pauljryan.net/ Topics Discussed Why love isn't enough to sustain a lifelong marriage The surprising reason traditional marriage counselling often fails Why communication isn't the real problem in struggling relationships The three levels of connection every healthy marriage needs The hidden danger of "hitting the pause button" How careers, children and busy lives quietly create disconnection Why small daily acts matter more than grand romantic gestures Building a marriage based on "we" instead of "me" Healthy conflict versus destructive conflict Financial infidelity and the importance of shared ownership How one partner can begin rebuilding a relationship—even if the other isn't ready Practical habits that create stronger, happier and more resilient marriages

June 30, 2026Episode 23123 min

Bitesize: Life Behind Bars # 226

In this bitesize episode, Paul sits down with Stacey Putka for a conversation about life at Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility. Together, they unpack the emotional impact of walking into a room full of men serving serious sentences and discovering something unexpectedly human — real presence, eye contact, openness, and a level of vulnerability that challenged every stereotype. Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/kiIAbi4h-sE?si=i0ovlqetG-nh-6SK https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LyZ5vAkKhMov2CawfZTNI?si=gdU4jddpRNGG5U_o16q0SA Stacey explains why she founded Breakthrough: because punishment alone doesn’t create healing, accountability, or safer communities. They tackle the hardest question head-on — are some people simply “bad”? — and Stacey offers a deeper framework: holding two truths at once (real harm was done, and real change is possible), while prioritizing accountability and protecting future victims through transformation. About the Guest; Stacey Poka is the founder and Executive Director of Breakthrough, a U.S.-based nonprofit that delivers transformational programming inside prisons and provides practical, emotional, and community support after release. https://timetobreakthrough.org/about-us/ About the Host: Paul Ryan is a mentor, eight-figure CEO and the host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, where he explores what’s really going on beneath the surface of success — purpose, identity, values, leadership, and the inner work that shapes the outer results. https://pauljryan.net/ Work with Paul: Paul works with seasoned entrepreneurs to clarify what’s next and align their life and business around what matters most. https://pauljryan.net/

June 25, 2026Episode 22854 min

Why Successful Women Still Don't Feel Good Enough | Dr. Liz Dubois-Erskine #225

In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul sits down with leadership coach, speaker, author, and recovery advocate Dr. Liz Dubois-Erskine to explore the hidden pressures that shape leadership, identity, confidence, and success. Drawing on her work with high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives, Liz shares why so many capable people feel held back—not by a lack of skill or ambition, but by the stories they carry about who they are allowed to be. About the guest: Dr. Liz Dubois-Erskine is a leadership coach, speaker, podcast host, and author focused on helping leaders break through internal barriers that limit their impact. https://drlizdubois.com/ About the host: Paul Ryan is CEO of Temple Group and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. pauljryan.net Key Topics Discussed Why pressure reveals who we really are The difference between authentic leadership and performative leadership How insecurity shows up differently for men and women The hidden cost of constantly seeking approval Why many women struggle with deservingness and self-belief Leadership, confidence, and societal conditioning The relationship between money, power, and decision-making How family systems influence leadership behaviour Why successful people often feel held back by invisible ceilings The importance of healing old stories and limiting beliefs What prevents leaders from stepping fully into their potential How authenticity creates stronger leadership and healthier businesses Memorable Insights "Pressure doesn't create character—it reveals it." "For many women, insecurity feels like protection. For many men, insecurity feels like an obstacle." "The goal isn't to become fearless. The goal is to move forward anyway." "Authentic leadership begins when you stop performing and start being yourself." "The stories that once protected us often become the very things that hold us back." In This Episode You Will Learn Why leadership challenges are often internal rather than external How cultural programming shapes confidence and self-worth The role that authenticity plays in high-performance leadership Why approval-seeking limits growth and decision-making How power dynamics influence leadership and relationships Practical ways to challenge limiting beliefs and expand your potential Why healing old emotional patterns can unlock business growth If You Enjoyed This Episode If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or colleague. Every share helps us reach more entrepreneurs seeking greater purpose, prosperity, and fulfilment in both business and life.

June 23, 2026Episode 22720 min

Bitesize: 10 Leadership Truths They Don't Teach in Business School #224

In this episode, Paul sits down with leadership author and culture-change advocate Kyle McDowell to unpack a hard truth: many “successful” corporate environments are quietly toxic—and leaders often help create the very dysfunction they later complain about. Kyle shares how, after decades in senior Fortune-level roles leading tens of thousands of people, he hit a point of apathy, burnout, and personal cost that forced a reckoning. The turning point wasn’t a new strategy—it was a new way of leading: human connection, real accountability, and the courage to stop rewarding fear-based results-at-all-costs leadership. About the Guest Kyle McDowell is a leadership speaker, consultant, and author of Begin With We, best known for his “10 We’s”—a set of behavioral principles designed to build cultures of accountability, trust, and excellence. https://kylemcdowellinc.com/ About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and podcaster. https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 https://calendly.com/inner-entreprene...

June 20, 2026Episode 22912 min

I Won A Mercedes. Then I Realised I Didn't Want It (Inner Mentor 20) #223

About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: https://www.pauljryan In this episode of The Inner Mentor Series, Paul shares the remarkable story of how, as a young man in his twenties, he won his dream car—a brand-new red Mercedes. For months he had visualised owning the car. He had a photograph of it pinned to the wall of his tiny office and spent countless hours imagining what it would feel like to drive it. Then, against all odds, he won one. But what happened next surprised him. Within days, Paul realised that the Mercedes wasn't what he really wanted. What he wanted was something much deeper: to become the kind of person who could afford a Mercedes, rather than simply own one by chance. This episode explores the difference between having and becoming, the power of intention, visualisation, identity, and why the future you create is often shaped by the person you choose to become. Whether you're building a business, pursuing financial freedom, improving your health, or strengthening your relationships, this conversation offers a simple practice that can help bring greater clarity and focus to the direction of your life. In This Episode The surprising story of winning a brand-new Mercedes in his twenties Why owning the car wasn't what Paul really wanted The difference between having something and becoming the person capable of creating it Why visualisation works differently than most people think The role intention plays in shaping your future The daily practice Paul has used for years to stay aligned with what matters most How to create greater clarity around your goals, aspirations, and future direction A simple exercise you can begin today Key Takeaways Success is often more about identity than achievement. The things we chase are frequently symbols of something deeper. Visualisation is most powerful when combined with action and personal growth. The goal is not simply to have more, but to become more. Clarity and intention can dramatically influence the direction of your life.

June 18, 2026Episode 22650 min

Cancer Survivor: The Warning Signs Most People Ignore | Bron Watson# 222

In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul chats with Bron Watson about resilience, healing, adversity, and the life-changing lessons that emerged from two cancer diagnoses. A nurse educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Serenity Project, Bron shares how a successful business, built through hard work and relentless effort, ultimately led her to question the cost of achievement when it comes at the expense of health and wellbeing. Together, Paul and Bron explore the difference between resilience and relentlessness, the importance of rest, the power of intuition, and how to find peace in the midst of uncertainty. They discuss why healing is about more than medicine, how to navigate fear without being consumed by it, and what it means to become the CEO of your own health and life. This is a powerful conversation about courage, acceptance, personal responsibility, and discovering serenity when life doesn't go according to plan. About the Guest Bron Watson is a nurse educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of The Serenity Project. About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 https://www.pauljryan.net/ Topics Discussed Bron's journey through breast cancer and incurable blood cancer The hidden cost of hustle culture Why entrepreneurs ignore their intuition Resilience versus relentlessness The importance of rest for healing and wellbeing Learning to live with uncertainty The power of "Let It Be" Navigating fear without falling into it Becoming the CEO of your own health The connection between mindset and healing Why gratitude and grief can coexist Finding serenity in the face of adversity Building a life aligned with what truly matters Creating The Serenity Project and its mission

June 16, 2026Episode 22523 min

Bitesize | The Confidence Expert: Why You Don't Believe In Yourself # 221

In this bitesize episode, Paul sits down with entrepreneur and author Fred Joyal to challenge one of the biggest myths about confidence: that you need it before you act. Drawing on his journey from painful introversion to building and leading a nationwide business for nearly three decades, Fred explains why boldness isn’t a personality trait — it’s a learnable skill built through action, discomfort, and repetition. The conversation explores why so many people hesitate to speak up, put themselves forward, or fully express who they are — and how that hesitation quietly limits careers, relationships, and fulfilment. From the confidence crisis facing younger generations to the comfort-seeking traps adults fall into, Fred breaks down why bold action must come first, how small low-stakes courage rewires behaviour, and why the regret people carry later in life is rarely about what they did — but what they never tried. About the Guest Fred Joyal is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of Boldness: How to Go from Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days. He founded and led a nationwide advertising and referral business for dentists for nearly three decades, serving as CEO for 27 years before its successful exit. About the Host Paul Ryan is an eight-figure CEO, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. Work With Paul Paul works with seasoned entrepreneurs helping them clarify what’s next and align their life and business around what truly matters. 🔗 Book a discovery call with Paul: https://pauljryan.net