Cleared Hot Episode 388 - Richard Ryan

Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Andy Stumpf
Guest: Richard Ryan
Podcast Description: Andy Stumpf shares his multifaceted journey from military service to entrepreneurship, continuously seeking challenges that push him outside his comfort zone. In this episode, he engages in a deep conversation with Richard Ryan about technology, AI, social media, and their profound impacts on society.

1. Introduction and Memorial Day Tribute

Timestamp: [00:30]

Andy Stumpf opens the episode on Memorial Day, reflecting on honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the country. He emphasizes living life to its fullest as a tribute to fallen heroes:

Andy Stumpf: "Live a life that would be befitting the sacrifice that other people have made. Do the best that you can. I think that's the best way you can honor them."

2. Richard Ryan’s Background and Achievements

Timestamp: [00:30]

Andy introduces Richard Ryan, highlighting his pivotal role as one of the core founders of Black Rifle Coffee and his significant contributions to growing the company to a $1.7 billion valuation with $396 million in revenue in 2023. Ryan is also recognized as a tech pioneer with expertise in AI and blockchain, and a prolific content creator with his channel "Full Mag" boasting 2.7 million subscribers and 20 billion views.

3. Early YouTube Endeavors and Tech Innovations

Timestamp: [05:28]

Richard Ryan discusses his early days in Los Angeles pursuing an entertainment career, dabbling in stand-up and sketch comedy with the Groundlings. Frustrated by industry gatekeepers, he pivoted towards leveraging technology to disrupt traditional creative processes.

Richard Ryan: "The intersection of technology and entertainment for me was always, always there."

He recounts creating apps to streamline casting notices, automating and aggregating information to empower actors without relying on traditional channels.

4. Conflict with Studios and Ad Agencies

Timestamp: [12:14]

Ryan shares an anecdote about being threatened with a lawsuit by a company whose service he was disrupting with his actor's app, highlighting the resistance faced from established media players.

Richard Ryan: "He was like, 'you're infringing on my service,' and I was like, 'no, actually, people have to sign up for your service so that they can store the credentials in my app.'"

5. Transition to AI and Social Media Critique

Timestamp: [15:19]

The conversation shifts to the evolution of digital marketing and social media. Ryan critiques the shift in YouTube’s algorithms around 2012, which began favoring larger content creators and corporate channels over individual creators.

Richard Ryan: "The reason why I like to put it like that is, is consumers wanted something we wanted. We wanted music easier... and now like the flashlight app and all those other different things that were acquired by or built by Apple or Google."

6. The Dark Side of Social Media and Digital Addiction

Timestamp: [37:22]

Ryan delves into the detrimental effects of social media addiction, discussing how algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities.

Richard Ryan: "The companies that are exchanging the product and buying and selling here is, you know, the social media platforms and the advertisers and your attention is the product."

He highlights statistics on loneliness, mental health decline, and the manipulation of user attention for profit.

7. Building Meaningful Communities and Practicing Gratitude

Timestamp: [75:00]

Both Andy and Richard discuss the importance of community and gratitude in counteracting the isolating effects of digital life. Richard emphasizes gratitude as a powerful tool for mental well-being.

Richard Ryan: "For me, gratitude has been probably one of the more effective tools I've found in this process."

They explore practical steps like maintaining gratitude journals, fostering in-person connections, and redefining personal values to navigate the digital age healthily.

8. Future of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Timestamp: [56:56]

The conversation transitions to the future implications of robotics and AI, particularly humanoid robots. Ryan speculates on the economic and ethical impacts, including potential disruptions in various industries and the increasing gap between the technological elite and the general populace.

Richard Ryan: "If you can create a humanoid robot that is able to leverage the known knowledge base of humanity on the Internet... you're looking at potentially disrupting so many different industries."

9. Memorial Day Tribute to Glenn Doherty

Timestamp: [54:01]

Andy pays a heartfelt tribute to Glenn Anthony Doherty, a fallen hero from the Benghazi attack, reflecting on their shared experiences and the enduring legacy of Glenn’s positive attitude and bravery.

Andy Stumpf: "Glenn died serving with men he respected, protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and doing something that he loved. He is an American hero..."

10. Conclusion and Upcoming Projects

Timestamp: [102:26]

As the episode wraps up, Richard Ryan discusses his upcoming book "The Warrior's Garden," which explores the destructive impacts of the Internet, AI, and social media on humanity. He outlines future projects focused on anti-human trafficking and enhancing transparency in supply chains through technology.

Richard Ryan: "The premise of that is around the world of no till drilling... creating a sponge versus conventional tillage."

Andy expresses interest in Richard's various initiatives and the importance of continued dialogue on these pressing issues.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Stumpf ([00:30]): "Live a life that would be befitting the sacrifice that other people have made. Do the best that you can. I think that's the best way you can honor them."

• Richard Ryan ([37:22]): "The companies that are exchanging the product and buying and selling here is, you know, the social media platforms and the advertisers and your attention is the product."

• Richard Ryan ([75:00]): "For me, gratitude has been probably one of the more effective tools I've found in this process."

• Richard Ryan ([56:56]): "If you can create a humanoid robot that is able to leverage the known knowledge base of humanity on the Internet... you're looking at potentially disrupting so many different industries."

• Andy Stumpf ([54:01]): "Glenn died serving with men he respected, protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and doing something that he loved. He is an American hero..."

Key Takeaways

1. Impact of Technology on Society: The episode delves deeply into how advancements in AI and social media are reshaping human interactions, attention spans, and societal structures.

2. Personal Responsibility and Community Building: Emphasizing the importance of defining personal values, practicing gratitude, and fostering real-world communities to mitigate the negative effects of digital addiction.

3. Future Challenges with AI and Robotics: Highlighting potential economic disruptions and ethical dilemmas posed by humanoid robots and AI systems, urging proactive conversations and solutions.

4. Honoring Heroes: A poignant tribute to Glenn Doherty underscores the values of bravery, friendship, and sacrifice, tying personal narratives to broader societal themes.

5. Upcoming Initiatives: Richard Ryan's projects aim to leverage technology for positive societal impact, including anti-human trafficking efforts and enhancing transparency in agriculture through innovative tech solutions.

Final Thoughts:

Episode 388 of "Cleared Hot" offers a profound exploration of the intersections between technology, society, and personal well-being. Through Richard Ryan’s experiences and insights, listeners are encouraged to critically assess their digital consumption, prioritize meaningful relationships, and engage in shaping a future where technology serves humanity rather than exploiting it.