Podcast Summary: The Sage Steele Show | EP 65: Vivek Ramaswamy

Host: Sage Steele
Guest: Vivek Ramaswamy
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Duration: Approximately 88 minutes

1. Introduction and Personal Connection

Sage Steele opens the episode by sharing her personal experiences with Vivek Ramaswamy, highlighting his enthusiasm and brilliance. She recounts two instances from the previous fall: sitting next to him at an Ohio State vs. Penn State game where Vivek's passion for the Buckeyes was evident, and attending UFC 309 in New York City post-election.

[00:00] Sage Steele: "Every time I'm around Vivek, every time I talk to him, you're reminded of his brilliance."

She emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the conversation, blending politics with personal growth, family life, and business achievements.

2. Early Morning Routines and Personal Habits

The conversation shifts to personal habits, with Sage joking about her sock obsession and Vivek sharing his preference for vibrant colors.

[02:10] Sage Steele: "I come with mine... I won't make you wear polka dot socks. Cause that's not very Vivek."

They delve into Vivek's athletic background, particularly his high school tennis experience, revealing his competitive nature and adaptability on the court.

[03:28] Vivaek Ramaswamy: "But not at a level that would be the greatest."

3. Political Campaigns and Public Perception

Vivek discusses his candidacy for governor of Ohio and his previous presidential run. He reflects on his debate performance in Milwaukee, acknowledging that his approach may have overshadowed his leadership qualities.

[08:10] Vivek Ramaswamy: "I'm running to lead... I was trying to unleash mode."

He expresses regret that his debate persona may have prevented the public from fully understanding him as a leader rather than just a competitor.

[09:06] Sage Steele: "Well, they were coming after you, too."

Vivek emphasizes the importance of focus and how his initial campaign distractions impacted his effectiveness.

[05:03] Sage Steele: "Are you going to do that, like, on the road? Constantly."

4. Personal Growth and Mindfulness

The discussion transitions to personal development, with Sage highlighting the importance of the human element in politics. Vivek shares his journey towards mindfulness, meditation, and maintaining a work-life harmony.

[22:48] Vivek Ramaswamy: "I've been getting more in touch with theology and, and faith and in my faith and religion."

He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining focus and presence, especially while balancing a demanding political career with family life.

[26:27] Sage Steele: "Yeah."

Vivek discusses strategies like scheduling purposeful periods of quiet and reducing back-to-back meetings to enhance productivity and personal fulfillment.

[34:14] Sage Steele: "You did the tennis this morning and then you came home here and I witnessed you in the weight room with your trainer."

5. Family Life and Future Plans

Vivek shares personal news about expecting a third child, reflecting on the joys and challenges of expanding his family while managing a political career.

[34:42] Vivek Ramaswamy: "We are expecting a third."

Sage and Vivek discuss the dynamics of parenting, emphasizing the importance of being present and the impact it has on children.

[31:15] Sage Steele: "Has it felt different for you being around the kids?"

Vivek articulates his philosophy of integrating family life with professional responsibilities, aiming to create a fulfilling environment for his children.

[36:12] Sage Steele: "Yes."

6. Business Achievements and Impact

Vivek delves into his entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting the impact of his businesses, particularly those that develop life-saving medications.

[46:26] Sage Steele: "What you've done by age 40 is insanity. It's insane."

He details his first company, Royvin, which developed therapies for rare diseases, including a life-saving treatment for children with congenital athymia.

[49:25] Vivek Ramaswamy: "One's a life-saving therapy for kids where 20 kids a year... 70% of those kids now are able to live lives of normal."

Vivek also discusses other ventures in Medicare pairing, financial services, and steel production, emphasizing his passion for creating and mentoring successful enterprises.

[52:41] Sage Steele: "Those first drugs... they’re literally saving lives."

7. Education Reforms and Policy Vision

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Vivek's vision for education reform in Ohio. He criticizes the current education system for neglecting student achievement and emphasizes the need for performance-based incentives for teachers.

[56:48] Sage Steele: "Like, how do we make it more incentive based...?"

Vivek outlines his plans to implement merit-based pay, holistic assessments, and AI literacy in schools to prepare students for the future economy.

[60:20] Vivek Ramaswamy: "I think our education system should celebrate and prioritize success and ambition over mediocrity and victimization."

He shares success stories from Ohio, such as a school adopting performance-based outcomes, leading to improved graduation and retention rates.

[61:20] Sage Steele: "It seems like such a daunting task when you talk about... STEM programs."

Vivek emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, advocating for a decade and a half horizon to turn educational performance around, aligning state policies with federal deregulation efforts.

[63:42] Sage Steele: "Yeah."

[63:43] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Yes, we ought to prioritize performance."

8. Economic Policies and Taxation

Vivek outlines his economic priorities for Ohio, focusing on reducing the tax burden to prevent population decline and attract new residents.

[64:15] Sage Steele: "I think it's an achievable change."

[64:16] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Give me the education number one. Number two is the economic burden of taxation..."

He proposes eliminating the state income tax and capital gains tax to make Ohio more economically attractive, drawing parallels to states like Florida and Texas.

[64:33] Sage Steele: "You're going to be one of us."

[64:37] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Absolutely."

Vivek also touches upon energy policy, advocating for Ohio to become a hub for small modular nuclear reactors, highlighting the need for deregulation in partnership with federal authorities.

[71:16] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Right. So, I want Ohio to be a home and a hub for small modular nuclear reactors."

9. Future Vision and Leadership Philosophy

Vivek shares his long-term vision for Ohio and the United States, emphasizing creating an environment where every individual has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream through ambition and hard work.

[54:34] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Instead of villainizing somebody else's success... how do we create a country where everyone is able to achieve?"

He distinguishes between being an early mover in business and the necessity of timing in politics, committing to focusing on impactful policies rather than getting entangled in past political battles.

[67:39] Sage Steele: "The same Common sense conversation."

Vivek stresses the importance of shifting the Republican Party's focus from opposition to constructive vision-building, aiming to align with the current federal administration to achieve mutual goals.

[78:33] Vivek Ramaswamy: "We're not that. Let's be better than that and say that... Here's what we're actually going to achieve..."

10. Personal Reflections and Faith

Towards the end, the conversation touches on personal beliefs and the role of faith in Vivek's life. He shares insights into his theological reflections and the balance between personal plans and a higher purpose.

[85:17] Vivek Ramaswamy: "If you want to give God a good laugh, tell him your plans."

Vivek emphasizes gratitude and a sense of duty, viewing his accomplishments as part of a larger mission to uplift others and instill values in his children.

[87:16] Sage Steele: "Thank you for all that you've done... saving lives."

He concludes by reiterating his commitment to family, faith, and his political mission, expressing optimism for the future and the impact he aims to make as governor.

[87:42] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Thanks for coming over to our home. I appreciate it."

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Development: Vivek prioritizes mindfulness, meditation, and maintaining a balanced presence between his professional and personal life.

• Family Commitment: Expanding his family is a source of joy and motivation, influencing his leadership style and priorities.

• Business Impact: His entrepreneurial ventures, especially in biotech, have had significant positive impacts, saving lives and creating jobs.

• Education Reform: Vivek advocates for performance-based incentives, holistic teacher assessments, and the integration of AI literacy in education to enhance student achievement.

• Economic Policies: Focused on reducing taxes to prevent population decline, attracting new residents, and fostering economic growth in Ohio.

• Leadership Vision: Emphasizes ambition, meritocracy, and creating opportunities for all individuals to achieve the American Dream without unnecessary political polarization.

• Faith and Gratitude: His faith plays a crucial role in his life, fostering a sense of gratitude and purpose beyond personal achievements.

Notable Quotes:

• On Focus:

  [04:25] Sage Steele: "That's what that's what it takes in business. That's what it takes with everything is okay. Versus flexibility."

  [05:17] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Focus is the mother of success."

• On Education:

  [56:48] Sage Steele: "Like, how do we make it more incentive based, I guess, for children, for teachers and performance based on the test scores..."

  [60:20] Vivek Ramaswamy: "I think our education system should celebrate and prioritize success and ambition over mediocrity and victimization."

• On Economic Policy:

  [64:15] Sage Steele: "Give me the education number one. Number two is the economic burden of taxation in our state."

  [71:16] Vivek Ramaswamy: "I want Ohio to be a home and a hub for small modular nuclear reactors."

• On Leadership and Vision:

  [78:26] Sage Steele: "From a big picture perspective. And as just an American citizen who loves this country..."

  [82:40] Sage Steele: "What do you hope to have accomplished 10 years from now, hitting 50?"

• On Faith:

  [85:17] Sage Steele: "If you want to give God a good laugh, tell him your plans."

  [87:30] Vivek Ramaswamy: "Having kids, it's different... What's important to me is channeling that gratitude to doing something worthy."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of The Sage Steele Show, Vivek Ramaswamy offers a deep dive into his multifaceted life as a businessman, father, and political leader. He articulates a clear vision for Ohio's future, emphasizing education reform, economic revitalization, and fostering ambition without sacrificing personal well-being. Through candid reflections and insightful discussions, Vivek presents himself as a leader committed to creating meaningful change both within his state and the broader nation.