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

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 nowHow Ryan is preparing his family for an uncertain futureWhy a return to nature, simplicity, and “what’s real” is both a personal and business strategyHow Ryan blends hands-in-the-dirt farming with high-level digital entrepreneurshipWhy doing the unscalable thing may be the smartest move you can make todayEPISODE TIMESTAMPS:04:39 - The Changing World Order06:01 - Economic Forces and Big Debt Cycles10:33 - Environmental Forces and Climate Change14:20 - Navigating the Future: Strategies and Concerns15:53 - Balancing Optimism and Fear in the Age of AI20:33 - Entrepreneurs and AI: Embracing Opportunities24:56 - Transitioning to a Rural Lifestyle30:35 - Balancing Modern Skills with Traditional Practices37:00 - The Value of Unscalable EffortsRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Pre-Order The Long-Haul LeaderConnect with Chris on InstagramSubscribe to Ryan's NewsletterConnect with Ryan on InstagramSUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.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.