The Return to Real with Ryan Levesque

Ryan Levesque is one of my favorite people to learn with. He’s an intentional father, a proven entrepreneur, a seasoned investor and a regenerative family farmer.

He’s also an extraordinary thinker, which shows up every time I invest time with him. He distills information, ideas and thought models into clear and relevant concepts.

In this episode we discuss the “Return to Real,” Ryan’s grounding perspective on a shift back to a life of meaning. He shares some of his realizations from success in the digital marketing world, his current observations of changing world conditions, and how we might navigate this unique time in history. He synthesizes some of his learning from other great minds, compelling research and historical patterns.

Ryan also provides insight into one of his gifts, which is strategic thinking. His message is rooted in a powerful mission – how to become an independent thinker in a complex world.

I appreciate Ryan for many things. He’s a great friend in my life, a committed family man, and a generous thought leader. He’s offering a lot of wisdom and inspiration for people in beautiful ways.

If you don’t get his weekly newsletter – The Digital Contrarian – I highly recommend it:
https://ryanlevesque.net/the-digital-contrarian/

Video

Links

• The Digital Contrarian (newsletter)
• Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order (book)
• Sapiens (book)
• Homo Deus (book)
• The Great Simplification

Quotes

"I had this realization that after I turned 40, that I'd spent the first really half of my life with my face in front of a screen... And I wanted to spend the second half of my life with my hands in the dirt."

"I think there's something that we're missing in modern society when we don't spend time with our hands in the dirt."

"I believe the secret to fulfillment in life is embracing the struggle. And in many ways, the struggle is the solution."

"Be curious, ask questions, seek truth."

"The ability to find food in nature is such a magical experience."

Insights

• So much of our lives is increasingly experienced in an abstract way via proxy, meaning we're watching something through a screen.
• The "Return to Real" - a shift away from just hustle culture and economic growth and making more money, toward a pursuit of a life that's filled with meaning in the physical world, not just behind a screen.
• A movement that's much more focused on seeking awe and wonder in the mundane. And living a life that is far more in tune with nature. One that requires far less consumption and economic activity than we may be used to.
• These are predictable cycles that exist in the world. These are economic, financial cycles that have repeated themselves going back 2000 years. And we are in the middle of one of these cycles right now.
• Capitalism is based on infinite growth in the confines of a finite system. And that's the fundamental flaw of capitalism.
• The current level of consumption that we enjoy on planet Earth is unsustainable.
• Every yes is a thousand no's.
• We've only experienced man, carbon based man, as the dominant species on planet earth.
• In many ways AI really poses an existential threat to human supremacy in the world as the dominant organism.
• AI is going to be taking over. So what does that mean for me?
• Mercenary vs Missionary work: the concept of what you do well to survive and earn a living - vs - what you do passionately as a calling and second mountain.
• Deeply held beliefs held loosely (Todd Herman).
• If you have a fixed belief in something that you never change your mind because you're too stubborn, or you don't want to confront that with your ego, that is not a sign of strength. That is a sign of weakness.

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