Episode 01

Balancing the Future by Going Back to What’s Real with Ryan Levesque

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Ryan Levesque is a 7-time Inc. 5000 CEO & Founder, and 2-time #1 National Best-selling Author. He’s generated over $100M in revenue and has successfully sold two of his companies.

His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and NBC News. Today he serves as a Strategic Advisor to multiple businesses, is working on his next book, and writes a weekly email newsletter “The Digital Contrarian” offering Unconventional Business Wisdom to over 100,000+ subscribers.

In this episode, Chris and Ryan explore the seismic shifts shaping the world today, and what they mean for long-haul leaders and creators.

From economic upheaval to environmental pressure to existential questions raised by AI, Ryan breaks down the “three colliding forces” reshaping life and business as we know it. He also shares why he chose to relocate his family to a 100+ acre farm in Vermont, and how that decision represents more than just a lifestyle choice.

In this Episode You'll Learn

  • The three massive forces (economic, environmental, and existential) colliding right now
  • How Ryan is preparing his family for an uncertain future
  • Why a return to nature, simplicity, and “what’s real” is both a personal and business strategy
  • How Ryan blends hands-in-the-dirt farming with high-level digital entrepreneurship
  • Why doing the unscalable thing may be the smartest move you can make today

Episode Timestamps

  • 04:39 – The Changing World Order
  • 06:01 – Economic Forces and Big Debt Cycles
  • 10:33 – Environmental Forces and Climate Change
  • 14:20 – Navigating the Future: Strategies and Concerns
  • 15:53 – Balancing Optimism and Fear in the Age of AI
  • 20:33 – Entrepreneurs and AI: Embracing Opportunities
  • 24:56 – Transitioning to a Rural Lifestyle
  • 30:35 – Balancing Modern Skills with Traditional Practices
  • 37:00 – The Value of Unscalable Efforts

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Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

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