The Ryan Leak Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: The Vapor of Success
Host: Ryan Leak
Date: September 15, 2025
Series: Success (Final Episode)
Main Theme & Purpose
In the concluding episode of his "Success" series, Ryan Leak explores the fleeting nature of success, describing it as a "vapor"—something that appears briefly and then vanishes. Ryan shares personal stories and industry anecdotes to illustrate how achievements, accolades, and recognition are often temporary. The episode culminates in a reflection on what truly matters: the person we become through our pursuits, rather than the titles or recognition we collect.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Recap of the Success Series (00:02–01:30)
- Ryan gives a quick overview of previous topics: the cost, dangers, pressure, and addiction regarding success.
- Emphasizes that this episode is about how transient success can be.
2. Personal Viral Moment: The Surprise Wedding (01:31–04:40)
- Ryan recounts his viral wedding story and national TV appearance.
- Describes the “mountaintop” excitement of sudden fame.
- Memorable Quote:
"By 9:30am My phone was dead from all the calls and texts. It was absolutely bananas. It was like, hey, we are on the mountaintop." [02:39]
- Reflects on how quickly the attention faded:
"And in just 24 hours, just like that, we were old news." [03:42]
3. The Nature of Fame and Recognition (04:41–08:13)
- Shares examples of high-powered individuals (Fortune 50 CEOs, former NBA players) whose visibility and acclaim faded.
- Notes how even legends like Kobe Bryant are unknown to some younger generations.
- Memorable Quote:
"It's not disrespect, it's just the vapor." [06:36]
- Observes that fame is generational and context-based (e.g., kids today might not recognize former stars or presidents).
4. The Reality Behind Accolades (08:14–11:20)
- Opens up about the complex journey to becoming a "New York Times Best-Selling Author."
- Discusses how hard-won accolades are often misunderstood or misrepresented by others.
- Notable Moment:
"He's a New York's bestseller, huh? No, I've never even spoken in New York. He's got one of the best-selling books in New York. What? What are you talking about? He's a Times magazine best selling author. I've never been in Time magazine." [09:59]
- Points out that, outside certain circles, such accomplishments don’t carry as much weight as we might think.
5. Social Media & Shifting Priorities (11:21–13:00)
- Describes a friend who amassed millions of social followers through relentless effort but now doesn’t care to even keep the app.
- Illustrates how what once seemed ultimate can become irrelevant.
- Quote:
"What was everything at one point is now nothing." [12:17]
6. The True Measure of Success (13:01–End)
- Argues that real success is not about accomplishments but about the kind of person you become ("character, integrity, generosity, your ability to love people well").
- Powerful Quote:
"The question is never just, what did you build? I think the question should be, who did you become while building?" [14:45]
- Reminds listeners that titles, applause, and accolades disappear, while impact on others endures.
- Ends with a call to build a legacy based on kindness, service, and making others feel valued.
- Closing Quote:
"The real flex is knowing you made people feel seen, that you made somebody feel safe, and that the world became a little bit better because you existed in it. My friends, that's impact. My friends, that's success." [16:32]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On fleeting fame:
"And in just 24 hours, just like that, we were old news." [03:42] -
On the generational vapor of celebrity:
"It's not disrespect, it's just the vapor." [06:36] -
On misunderstood accolades:
"No, I've never even spoken in New York... What are you talking about? I'm thinking to myself, dude, it's on a teleprompter. It's a script. You're reading a script, you're reading a paragraph. That has the words New York Times best selling author." [09:59] -
On shifting priorities:
"What was everything at one point is now nothing." [12:17] -
On the real legacy:
"The real flex is knowing you made people feel seen, that you made somebody feel safe, and that the world became a little bit better because you existed in it. My friends, that's impact. My friends, that's success." [16:32]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Recap of Success Series – 00:02–01:30
- The Surprise Wedding Viral Story – 01:31–04:40
- The Vapor of Fame (CEOs, NBA, Kobe Bryant) – 04:41–08:13
- Misunderstood Accolades: NYT Best Seller Story – 08:14–11:20
- Social Media and Fading Relevance – 11:21–13:00
- True Measure of Success & Final Reflections – 13:01–End
Final Thoughts
Ryan Leak wraps up the "Success" series with an honest, humorous, and moving meditation on the fleeting nature of external achievements. Using personal experiences and relatable industry stories, he calls listeners to focus less on outward accomplishments and more on character, integrity, and the impact we make on others. The episode closes with practical wisdom for anyone chasing success: what matters isn’t what you win or build, but who you become and how you treat others along the way.