Don’t Be an Asshole | Ryan Barry, CEO of Appcues

From “fourth child” dad and self-described Peter Pan to tech executive navigating LinkedIn doom scrolls and shifting markets, Ryan Barry shares how playfulness and discipline can coexist: keep your values simple (be kind, work hard, don’t be an asshole), protect your energy, and stay present enough to lead at work and at home without burning out. Key Takeaways • Simple family rulebook: find what makes you happy, work hard, don’t be an asshole. • Lower-middle-class roots = inclusivity, big table, relentless work ethic. • Hustle got him far, but unchecked hustle leads straight to burnout. • Boundaries are fluid: “WiFi’s broken” days, phone-free time, walks and hikes. • Limit the doom scroll: LinkedIn morning + night; learn more from real conversations. • Presence over pretending: if you can’t be fully there, step away. • Name the “flood”: walks, breathing, and simple meditation to reset (and teach his kids). Timestamps 00:00 Intro / “What makes you you?” 02:00 Peter Pan adulthood, fatherhood, and shifting priorities 06:00 Family values: happy, hardworking, and not being an asshole 09:30 Lower-middle-class upbringing, immigrant mom, construction-worker dad, inclusivity 14:00 Tech, LinkedIn doom scroll, and the comparison trap 18:30 Boundaries: WiFi-free Saturdays, nature, fewer meetings, more white space 23:00 Presence, energy, and how his mood impacts the whole company 27:30 Flood moments, ADHD, anxiety tools, and meditating with his son 31:30 Executive coaching, burnout, and not wanting to be “60 and lonely” 34:00 Where to find Ryan Like this one? Follow Revenue Mind, and leave a review if it hit home. It’s how more revenue leaders find the show, and how we keep mental health right next to the number. Links Ryan Barry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-barry-8354036/ Appcues: https://www.appcues.com/ Jolie Shapiro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolieshapiro/ Revenue Mind: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revenuemind/