Podcast
The Alchemist's Library
Hosted by Ryan Ayala · EN
The Alchemists Library is dedicated to the exploration of becoming one's best self. With the goal of achieving a clear mind, fit body, and a house full of love. Episodes centered around: Health, Wealth, and Wisdom. The ancient practice of alchemy was about turning lead to gold but the secret was that it was never about physical gold. The real art was in turning the self from lead to gold.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Waze Founder’s Billion-Dollar Playbook: Uri Levine
1w ago01:08:34Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailUri Levine, co-founder of Waze and one of the entrepreneurs behind two billion-dollar exits, joins The Alchemist’s Library Podcast to share his startup playbook for founders, product-market fit, business strategy, AI, venture capital, and decision-making. In this conversation, Uri breaks down why great startups start with a painful customer problem, how to validate demand, when to pivot, and why failing fast is a competitive advantage.Ryan and Uri also discuss how AI changes entrepreneurship, why unique data and customer trust matter more than “AI company” branding, and what founders misunderstand about raising money from venture capital. Uri explains how to build a strong team, find mentors, make hard decisions, and stay grounded through the lonely roller coaster of building a company.If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, creator, investor, or anyone trying to build something that matters, this episode is a practical masterclass in value creation, leadership, and simplicity. Subscribe for more conversations with world-class founders, investors, and thinkers.#UriLevine #StartupPlaybook #EntrepreneurshipBuy the book here!TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – How Uri Levine Built Two Billion-Dollar Exits02:20 – Why Failure Is Required for Startup Success03:43 – How to Find a Problem Worth Solving06:53 – Turning Personal Pain Into a Startup Idea13:47 – Product-Market Fit and Customer Retention17:43 – How AI Changes the Startup Game20:58 – Why Unique Data Creates Startup Defensibility25:22 – Fall in Love With the Problem35:17 – How Founders Can Find Real Mentors44:28 – Should Entrepreneurs Chase Money or Happiness49:50 – How to Build and Fire a Startup Team57:32 – Venture Capital vs Bootstrapping a Startup01:03:34 – How Successful CEOs Make Hard Decisions01:07:25 – Why Simple Products Win Massive MarketsConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →He Turned a $50M Loss Into a Business Building Playbook - Rod Khleif
2w ago00:43:57Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailRod Khleif lost $50 million in the 2008 real estate crash then rebuilt his life using multifamily investing, business building, syndication, mindset, cash flow, real estate development, assisted living, and deal-making principles. In this episode of The Alchemist’s Library, Rod breaks down the painful lessons behind losing everything, why single-family rentals crushed him, and why multifamily real estate became his wealth-building playbook.We also dive into how to find deals, raise capital, buy businesses, use leverage responsibly, and capitalize on today’s distressed real estate opportunities. Rod shares why mindset, peer group, focus, and playing to your strengths matter just as much as underwriting and market selection. If you’re interested in real estate investing, business acquisition, financial freedom, or rebuilding after failure, this conversation is packed with practical and hard-earned wisdom.Subscribe for more conversations on business, wealth, psychology, self-mastery, and unconventional paths to success.#RealEstateInvesting #BusinessBuilding #MultifamilyInvestingTIMESTAMPS00:00 – How Rod Khleif Lost $50 Million01:39 – The Mindset Shift That Built Rod’s Wealth03:01 – Why Single-Family Rentals Failed in 200805:32 – Multifamily Investing vs Single-Family Rentals08:11 – Why Bigger Real Estate Deals Can Be Safer10:49 – How to Raise Money for Multifamily Deals13:53 – How Syndication Works for Real Estate and Business16:32 – How to Find Off-Market Real Estate Deals18:07 – Buying Businesses From Retiring Owners21:29 – How to Protect Cash Flow in Multifamily22:36 – The Assisted Living Real Estate Opportunity25:05 – Why Senior Housing Needs Strong Operators27:42 – How to Start Before You Feel Ready28:44 – Rod Khleif’s Goal-Setting Framework30:57 – Why Focus Determines Entrepreneurial Success32:23 – Why Your Business Shouldn’t Be Your Identity36:43 – How to Discover Your Strengths38:06 – Real Estate Development Risks and Opportunities39:21 – Best Real Estate Markets for Multifamily40:10 – How to Use Leverage Responsibly42:29 – Why You Should Fear Regret More Than FailureRod's Links: Linktree: https://rodkhleif.com/links/Rod's Website: https://rodkhleif.com/?sl=ltConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →Internet Money, Inner Chaos, and the Cost of Chasing More - Champ
4w ago00:55:12Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of The Alchemist’s Library, Champ breaks down internet money, crypto, prediction markets, online business, personal branding, entrepreneurship, hustle culture, burnout, chronic illness, Miami culture, and the hidden cost of chasing more. What starts as a conversation about travel, Marbella, and getting robbed turns into a deeper look at how Champ went from Tulsa, Oklahoma to building a massive online audience and making serious money on the internet.Champ shares the story behind his early music dreams, software sales job, viral crypto content, $850K Discord launch, and why he believes prediction markets could become the next major online money opportunity. The conversation also gets personal, covering Lyme disease, POTS, mold exposure, health struggles, high-performance pressure, comparison, family, relationships, and the painful realization that money does not automatically create meaning.Subscribe for more conversations on business, health, philosophy, psychology, wealth, culture, and self-mastery.#InternetMoney #PredictionMarkets #EntrepreneurshipTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Why Marbella Changed Champ’s View on Travel07:26 – Champ’s Origin Story From Tulsa to Online Fame10:22 – How Bullying Pushed Champ Onto the Internet15:14 – How Crypto Turned Into Internet Money18:40 – How Champ Made $850K From a Discord Launch20:18 – Why Prediction Markets Could Be the Next Crypto23:20 – How Prediction Market Arbitrage Works25:29 – Prediction Markets vs Sports Betting Odds30:18 – How AI Agents Are Trading Prediction Markets31:15 – Champ’s Battle With Lyme Disease and POTS35:18 – Performing at 40 Percent Capacity39:46 – Why Hustle Culture Can Poison High Performers42:12 – The Problem With Success Built on Fear44:41 – What Gives Life Meaning After Making Money46:23 – Why Internet Fame Didn’t Fix Everything47:35 – The Reality of Miami Influencer Culture51:01 – Why Dating in New York Feels Different52:08 – Why Champ Left Brickell MiamiConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →The Truth About Going Viral, Selling Millions, and Burning Out - Jake Karls
May 2800:45:44Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, breaks down how to go viral, build a CPG brand, and scale a snack business from a condo kitchen to thousands of retail stores — all while surviving entrepreneurial burnout. In this episode, we unpack the real story behind viral marketing, authentic brand building, getting into Whole Foods, and what it actually takes to sell millions in physical retail. Jake shares how showing up in person creates opportunity, why authenticity is the secret to standing out, and how he uses LinkedIn content to attract investors and retail partners.You'll also hear his honest take on burnout recovery, finding purpose, why he's a "rainmaker" not a CEO, and how to play your own game instead of someone else's. Whether you're a young entrepreneur, a founder chasing product-market fit, or building a personal brand, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Why Showing Up In Person Wins Deals02:30 – How Mid-Day Squares Started In A Condo05:00 – How Hard It Is To Sell In Retail Stores07:30 – Why Getting Into A Store Isn't Enough10:00 – How To Drive Retail Sales And Trial12:30 – Why Entrepreneur Burnout Almost Ended It15:00 – What Burnout Taught Me About Health17:30 – The Burnout Nobody Talks About: No Clarity20:00 – Why You Should Go All In When You're Young22:30 – Why I'm A Rainmaker And Not A CEO27:30 – How To Raise Capital As A Founder30:00 – How LinkedIn Content Attracts Investors32:30 – What Type Of Content Goes Viral35:00 – The Heartbeat Graph vs The Average Life37:30 – Why Being Weird Gets You Weird Results42:30 – How To Find Product-Market Fit In CPGConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →Eric Hinman on How Chasing Success Makes Most Men Miserable
May 2000:54:55Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhy does chasing success make so many men miserable? In this episode of The Alchemist’s Library, Ryan sits down with Eric Hinman to talk about male ambition, self-improvement, entrepreneurship, social media, endurance training, wellness, personal branding, content creation, and building a life around “perfect days.”Eric shares how he went from chasing money, partying, and living for external validation to becoming an Ironman athlete, investor, brand builder, and community-driven entrepreneur. This conversation explores why public perception of success can become a trap, how hard physical challenges build stress resilience, and why attention is now one of the most valuable skills in business.They also discuss influencer marketing, wellness brands, AI, community, peptides, looksmaxing, virality, and the danger of building a life around applause instead of meaning. Subscribe for more conversations on business, health, philosophy, psychology, and self-mastery.#SelfImprovement #Entrepreneurship #MensHealthTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Why Chasing Success Makes Men Miserable04:06 – How To Design Your Perfect Day06:29 – How To Monetize Your Passions09:55 – How Eric Hinman Became An Investor12:26 – The Future Of Influencer Marketing16:25 – Why Attention Is The New Business Currency20:54 – Why Wellness Brands Need Community23:27 – How Hard Things Build Stronger Relationships27:28 – How Endurance Training Builds Stress Resilience30:19 – Why Long Runs Become A Spiritual Practice35:06 – How To Stay Motivated After The First Week41:03 – Why Shortcuts Fail Without The Foundations43:35 – The Truth About Looksmaxing And Male Insecurity48:50 – Why Chasing Virality Can Backfire53:00 – Eric Hinman’s World’s Toughest Mile EventConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →How to Actually Maximize Your 20s (Most People Get This Wrong)
May 601:03:25Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHow to maximize your 20s, build mastery, and avoid wasting your most important decade, Ryan Ayala sits down with Kolby Kirschner to break down skill stacking, mentorship, environment design, and why most self-improvement advice keeps young men stuck. This conversation covers what Robert Greene's Mastery actually teaches, how to escape mental masturbation, and why boredom is becoming the rarest competitive advantage in the AI era.You'll learn how to curate your environment, why comparing yourself to Iman Gadzhi quietly destroys your ambition, how to think like a modern polymath, and the real reason most creators are about to lose their grip on attention. If you're in your 20s and serious about building something that lasts, this episode is the playbook.If this hit, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway and subscribe for more conversations on building wealth, mastery, and a life worth living in your 20s.Timestamps:00:00 – How to Actually Maximize Your 20s03:33 – Why Your Environment Shapes Your Future06:48 – The Dark Side of Self-Improvement Content09:24 – Why You're Not as Behind as You Think10:17 – What Robert Greene's Mastery Teaches About Skill12:19 – You Don't Need to Be a Genius to Win15:17 – Lessons From Leonardo Da Vinci on Curiosity17:35 – Why Polymaths Will Win the AI Era19:51 – How Skills Compound Across Different Industries44:22 – Mental Masturbation: The Trap of Learning Without Action47:25 – Why Writing Essays Is the Antidote to Brain Rot51:01 – Steal Like an Artist: How to Build Your Identity53:13 – The Death of the Creator Economy57:25 – Boredom as a Competitive Advantage1:00:32 – Why People Can't Think Deeply Anymore#MaximizeYour20s #SelfImprovementForMen #MasteryMindsetConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →Josh Suggs - How This 23 Year Old Started a Street Interviewing Empire
Apr 700:45:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJosh Suggs went from walking 35,000 steps a day in Washington Square Park with a microphone to building Street Talk, a $9 million street interview agency with 94 employees — all before age 23. In this episode, Josh breaks down how he found product market fit in the content agency space, dropped out of college, and scaled a brand content business from zero using nothing but hustle, delusional confidence, and a powerful flywheel strategy for client acquisition.You'll learn how Josh built a repeatable system for selling street interviews to DTC and e-commerce brands, why authenticity is the ultimate moat against AI-generated content, how he recruited his first street interviewers from actor casting calls in a CVS lobby, and the exact partnership strategy that 4x'd his growth when he merged with his co-founder Luke. Whether you're starting your first business or scaling an agency, Josh's playbook on delegation, leverage, and building a real asset is packed with actionable lessons.Subscribe and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway from Josh's story.Chapters: 00:00 – How Josh Suggs Started Street Talk Agency02:34 – Why Street Interviews Are a Business Moat05:02 – From Special Ed to $190K in One Summer08:23 – Quitting a Job Before Day One to Go All In10:06 – Walking 35,000 Steps a Day in New York City12:36 – The Phone Call That Made Him Drop Out14:33 – Surviving Winter as a Solo Street Interviewer17:19 – Recruiting Street Interviewers From a CVS Lobby19:36 – How a Corporate Executive Joined a 21-Year-Old24:22 – Why Delusional Confidence Beats Experience25:35 – Finding Product Market Fit in a Niche Offer28:09 – Scaling From Solo Founder to 94 Employees31:06 – What Happens When the Business Outgrows You33:07 – Building Brand Authority With a Founder Series35:33 – Why AI Makes Street Interviews More Valuable38:48 – Best Advice for 19-Year-Olds Who Want to Start43:21 – The Twitter Flywheel for Landing Brand Clients46:14 – How to Trade Value for Authority at Every Stage#StreetInterviews #ContentAgency #YoungEntrepreneurConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →Mold, IQ Maxxing, Getting Shredded w/ Noah Ryan
Mar 2501:02:43Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailNoah Ryan returns for his fourth appearance on The Alchemist's Library to break down the hidden dangers of mold illness, share his complete mold detox supplement protocol, and explain how to get shredded without destroying your metabolism. In this episode, we cover mold toxicity symptoms, the HLA-DR genetic predisposition that makes some people hypersensitive to mycotoxins, the best nootropics stack for cognitive enhancement, why modafinil may not be worth the hype, and Noah's ShredMaxing protocol for burning fat while keeping testosterone high.Whether you're dealing with brain fog, looking for a smarter approach to fat loss through bioenergetics, or trying to build a personalized nootropic stack with compounds like bromantane, alpha GPC, and saffron, this conversation delivers actionable frameworks you can apply immediately. We also get into why weed is more dangerous than most people think and how to rebuild your dopaminergic system for long-term drive and focus.Subscribe and drop a comment with your go-to nootropic stack — we read every single one.#moldtoxicity #Nootropics #ShredMaxingTime Stamps: 00:00 – How Mold Illness Destroys Your Immune System02:09 – Why Florida and Humid Climates Breed Toxic Mold05:26 – HLA-DR Gene and Mold Hypersensitivity Explained08:52 – Co-Infections from Mold: Candida, SIBO, Heavy Metals13:05 – Chris Williamson's Mold Exposure Breakdown15:25 – Early Warning Signs of Mold Toxicity17:13 – Mold Symptoms That Mimic Concussion and Brain Injury19:17 – How Mold Destroyed Noah's Cognitive Function21:55 – Top 10 Supplements for Mold Detox Protocol24:12 – High Dose Melatonin for Mycotoxin Recovery28:21 – Best Glutathione and NAC Stack for Detox30:20 – Modified Citrus Pectin and Binder Cycling Protocol32:21 – Is Modafinil Worth the Hype for Focus?35:05 – Adderall vs Modafinil: Side Effects Compared37:00 – Best Nootropic Stack: Bromantane, Saffron, Alpha GPC40:19 – Noah Ryan's Personal Nootropic Stack Revealed42:53 – Why Weed Is More Dangerous Than You Think50:01 – Does CBD Actually Decrease Your IQ?55:09 – ShredMaxing: How to Get Lean Without Calorie Restriction57:50 – Why Caloric Deficit and Keto Destroy Your Metabolism1:01:13 – The Bioenergetics Approach to Burning Fat FastConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →Ecom, AI, & Scaling to 100k Months - TJ Bongiorno
Mar 1900:58:46Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTJ Bongiorno of The Outgoing Co joins The Alchemist's Library to break down how he scaled his ecommerce brand past $100K months using Meta ads, landing pages, and a subscription-first business model. From bootstrapping his DTC supplement brand to rebranding from Ramp Health to Audi, TJ shares the real numbers behind scaling an online business including why ecommerce is not the cash flow machine most people think it is. This episode covers how to validate product market fit before launch, the role of AI tools in ad creative production, agency hiring mistakes to avoid, and the capital-intensive reality of breaking into the beverage industry. You'll also hear lessons from brands like Knobs Toothpaste and Frost Buddy on leveraging TikTok Shop and organic content to drive growth. Whether you're starting your first brand or trying to break past a revenue plateau, this conversation is packed with actionable strategy. Subscribe and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.#Ecommerce #ScalingOnlineBusiness #DTCBrandTimestamps:00:00 – Why Private Equity Is Ruining Service Businesses02:50 – How Tesla Changed the Customer Experience05:12 – Combining Online Skills With Old School Business07:00 – Street Talk Agency and Building a Content Brand08:45 – Why Trademarks Matter: The Ramp Health Rebrand11:47 – What The Outgoing Co Products Actually Do13:23 – How Much Capital You Need for Canned Beverages20:58 – Why Knobs Toothpaste Is a DTC Masterclass24:00 – How to Use Meta Ads to Test Product Market Fit26:00 – Landing Pages That Took Revenue Past $100K/Month29:13 – The Truth About Ecommerce Profit Margins33:00 – How to Vet and Hire the Right Agency36:47 – Building Internal AI Tools for Ad Creative42:20 – Frost Buddy's $80M Organic Content Strategy49:00 – Entrepreneur Guilt and Work-Life Balance52:50 – Running a Brand With No Full-Time EmployeesConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Transcribe →The Best Way to Make Money with AI in 2026 - David Reineke
Mar 1701:24:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailDavid Reineke, founder of Synthesis AI and former PayPal account executive, breaks down the best way to make money with AI in 2026 — from building an AI voice agent business to becoming a market maker in the age of artificial intelligence. In this conversation, David shares how he bootstrapped an AI startup with zero investor capital, scaled to six figures in revenue in under three weeks, and why the future of AI business is about connecting buyers and sellers — not chasing hype. You'll learn why most people fail in the AI agency model, how to use AI tools like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT strategically in your workflow, and what separates real AI entrepreneurs from the "10K MRR Twitter" crowd. David also shares his framework for relentless follow-up in sales, why he moved to Dubai to build Synthesis, and his bold predictions on AI robotics, energy, and the future economy. Whether you're starting an online business or scaling with AI, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who's done it. Subscribe and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.#AIBusiness #MakeMoneyWithAI #AIVoiceAgentsTime Stamps:00:00 – Best Way to Make Money With AI in 202601:34 – Why Market Makers Build the Biggest Companies03:30 – How David Built Synthesis AI From Scratch08:53 – Catching Trends Early as an Entrepreneur10:11 – The Sales Follow-Up Story That Closed a $100K Deal16:45 – Why Fear of Looking Stupid Kills Your Business20:35 – Why You Should Never Be Too Above the Work24:07 – How to Articulate Ideas Even Without Technical Skills26:48 – Why Vibe Coding Is Overhyped in 202530:26 – How to Actually Use AI Tools in Your Workflow37:24 – The $39 AI Agent Guy and Shiny Object Syndrome38:22 – How Synthesis Got Accepted Into Nvidia's Program46:23 – Why Most AI Hype on Twitter Is Fake53:06 – Value Chain Strategy for AI Voice Businesses1:02:44 – Bullish or Bearish on the Future of AI1:08:52 – AI Robots, Energy, and the Future Economy1:14:05 – Building an AI Voice Clone of Loved OnesConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
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