Introducing: Waking Up With Ryan - Work in Progress with Sophia Bush | Wave AI Podcast Notes

Introducing: Waking Up With Ryan - Work in Progress with Sophia Bush | Wave AI Podcast Notes

Summary4 min read

Episode Overview

Podcast: Work in Progress with Sophia Bush
Episode: Introducing: Waking Up With Ryan
Date: July 11, 2026
Guest Host: Ryan Weiss

This episode serves as an introduction to a new podcast series, Waking Up With Ryan, hosted by coach and teacher Ryan Weiss. While departing from Sophia Bush’s usual format of interviews and in-depth conversations, this episode features Ryan laying out his philosophy on how to start your day with clarity, calm, and gratitude, rather than spiraling into anxiety and stress before your eyes are even open.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Experience of Waking Up Anxious

Ryan Weiss opens with a vivid description of what many people experience first thing in the morning—an anxious mind, already busy with worries and plans before the day has even begun.
- [00:03] “Before your eyes have even opened in the morning, your mind is already spinning, already thinking, already worried, already anxious, planning the day ahead. And it's like you're already behind and the day hasn't even started yet.”

The Impact of Stimulation and Self-Critique

Ryan points out how quickly external pressures and internal judgments flood our minds at the start of the day, even before adding stimulants like caffeine.
- [00:24] “Then, before your feet hit the floor, the world's already telling you what's wrong with you, what to be afraid of, and what problems you have. Then you add caffeine to that already overly stimulated mind, and it's no wonder that we often feel so lost.”

Reframing the Morning: Calm, Clarity, and Gratitude

Ryan asks what if mornings could begin with a sense of calm and gratitude instead, offering an alternative to the habitual rush of anxiety.
- [00:42] “What if instead, you could start your day feeling clear, calm, and maybe even grounded and grateful to be alive?”

Who is Ryan Weiss?

Brief personal background: Ryan shares that he has spent 17 years as a coach and teacher, supporting people through “life’s most painful and challenging times.”
- [00:49] “For the last 17 years as a coach and a teacher, I've had the immense privilege to sit with people who are going through life's most painful and challenging times.”

Foundational Philosophy: You Are Not Your Anxiety

Ryan delivers the central message of his practice—that our suffering often stems from forgetting who we are, and that we are not defined by our worries or our problems.
- [01:01] “What I've come to know is you are not your anxiety, you are not your thoughts, and you are not your problems. And most of your suffering comes from forgetting who you are.”

Introducing “Waking Up With Ryan”

The structure: Short, daily episodes (Monday through Friday, roughly 10-12 minutes each) mixing wisdom, practical takeaways, and a shared practice.
- [01:20] “Waking up with Ryan is a daily practice in remembering. Monday through Friday, for just about 10 or 12 minutes, I'll offer you a moment of wisdom, some practical knowledge that you can impart in your life right away. And then we'll have a short practice together so that we can begin the day awake.”

Special Guest Conversations

Every other week, Ryan will feature a conversation with well-known guests, exploring topics like healing, relationships, and what it means to be human.
- [01:46] “And every other week, I'll have a conversation with somebody you probably know. We'll talk about the path to healing the hardships along the way, what they've learned about relationships and ultimately, what it really means to be human.”

Invitation to Listeners

Ryan closes with an inclusive invitation, expressing gratitude and encouraging listeners to join him on this journey.
- [02:00] “I'm so glad you're here with me. Let's wake up together.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On morning anxiety:

"It's like you're already behind and the day hasn't even started yet."
– Ryan Weiss [00:08]
On external pressures:

"The world's already telling you what's wrong with you, what to be afraid of, and what problems you have."
– Ryan Weiss [00:25]
On remembering who you are:

“What I've come to know is you are not your anxiety, you are not your thoughts, and you are not your problems. And most of your suffering comes from forgetting who you are.”
– Ryan Weiss [01:01]
On the intention of his podcast:

“Waking up with Ryan is a daily practice in remembering.”
– Ryan Weiss [01:20]

Important Segments & Timestamps

00:03 – 00:28 | The anxious experience of waking up and feeling behind
00:28 – 00:49 | How external voices and stimulants fuel our sense of being lost
00:49 – 01:09 | Ryan’s background and what his coaching has shown him
01:09 – 01:20 | Foundational belief: You are not your thoughts or problems
01:20 – 01:46 | Format and purpose of “Waking Up With Ryan”
01:46 – 02:00 | Interviews with guests about healing and humanity
02:00 – 02:16 | Invitation for listeners to join the practice

Summary

This preview episode authentically introduces Ryan Weiss and his new podcast, Waking Up With Ryan, as a resource for listeners seeking to break free from habitual morning anxiety. Through concise, heartfelt messaging delivered in a warm and inviting tone, Ryan presents his philosophy that suffering often arises from forgetting our true selves. He invites listeners to join a daily practice—offering wisdom, practical exercises, and biweekly inspiring conversations—designed to help each of us begin our days awake, present, and connected.