In this bite-sized episode, Paul sits down with transformation coach and Inner Matrix founder Joey Klein for a deep exploration of emotions, conditioning, and what real personal change actually requires. Joey challenges the idea that emotions like anger, anxiety, grief, or sadness are problems to be fixed. Instead, he explains that emotions are natural and necessary—but our reactions to them are learned, conditioned, and trainable. The conversation unpacks how our nervous system defaults to familiar emotional patterns, even when they’re painful, simply because they’re known.

Together, Paul and Joey explore why genuine change feels uncomfortable, why insight alone doesn’t lead to transformation, and why emotional mastery is closer to training a martial art than having a breakthrough moment. Through analogies ranging from skiing to sport to meditation practice, they highlight a core truth: transformation can happen quickly, but mastery takes time, repetition, and discipline. The episode also touches on relationships, fulfilment, and why inner training is the foundation for success in business, leadership, and life—without it, even the best tools and tactics fall flat.

Link to full episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ctU80Jis7Jyh2s6PdHXIW?si=aF5Z0O9mRGGgaVWutSO6w

About the Guest — Joey Klein Joey Klein is the founder of Inner Matrix Systems and a leading teacher in emotional mastery, nervous system regulation, and inner training. With over two decades of experience working with entrepreneurs, elite performers, and couples, Joey has helped tens of thousands of people recondition emotional patterns that limit fulfilment, performance, and connection. He is the author of Inner Matrix and Relationship Alchemy, where he distils the core habits that destroy—and strengthen—human relationships.

Find Joey: innermatrixsystems.com

About the Host — Paul Ryan Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8-figure business owner, mentor, podcaster, and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code programs. As host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, Paul explores the inner game of success—helping founders and leaders build meaningful, aligned lives without sacrificing health, relationships, or self.

Work With Paul If you’re ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The 1-Hour CEO — mentoring, frameworks, and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs seeking peace, purpose, and freedom alongside success.

Book a Discovery Call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

Connect with the host: Pauljryan.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

In this episode, Paul sits down with former Navy pilot and entrepreneur Mike Brown to redefine what “wealth” actually means—beyond money, status, and the endless chase for more. Mike shares how a wildly successful business exit didn’t deliver the happiness he expected, and how an “all-in” investment mistake later (losing $100k per month) forced him into a deep personal debrief: how did I get here, and what does a rich life really look like?

Together, they explore the entrepreneur’s “never enough” story, the fear of losing your edge through inner healing, and why true wealth is ultimately about freedom—health, relationships, time, mind, and soul. The conversation also touches privilege with real honesty, including the stark contrast between visiting a prison and then stepping into a life of extraordinary abundance—and what that reveals about freedom, choices, and the starting hands we’re dealt.

Key discussion points:

• Why a big exit can trigger an existential crisis instead of relief • “Never enough” as the hidden operating system behind high achievement • The difference between pain vs. suffering—and why it matters • Achievement = love: how early conditioning can fuel success (and later suffering) • The fear of “losing your edge” if you heal—dirty fuel vs. clean fuel • Why entrepreneurs pursue money but are really pursuing freedom • Mike’s 5 pillars of freedom: health, relationships, time, mind, and soul • Why time is the only non-renewable resource—and how money is meant to serve it • The trap of being “wealthy on paper” while having no liquidity or peace • “If I can’t access it, it’s not real money”: liquidity as optionality • Defining your “enough number”: escape loss, stability, and escape velocity • The ideal day/week exercise—and why most people are closer than they think • Privilege, perspective, and what prison reveals about freedom and circumstance • Why the richest lives are often built through simplicity, connection, and service • Why “retirement” is the wrong word—and what work-optional really means

About the Guest — Mike Brown

Mike Brown is a former Navy pilot and entrepreneur who now helps founders and high achievers build what he calls “unbreakable wealth”—a richer definition of success rooted in freedom, alignment, and inner wellbeing. After selling his company in 2019, Mike’s own post-exit challenges led him into deep study, coaching, and inner work—shaping his framework around values, presence, service, and financial clarity. He writes a long-form weekly newsletter on what makes a rich life and hosts the Money Stories podcast, where he explores money, meaning, and fulfilment with successful founders.

Find Mike: unbreakablewealth.com Twitter/X & Instagram: @mbrownco

About the host:

Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8-figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code programs. As a CEO, Paul brings deep real-world experience of what it takes to succeed in business without losing yourself in the process.

Work With Paul

If you’re ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The 1-Hour CEO — mentoring, frameworks, and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs who want peace, purpose, and freedom alongside success.

📞 Book a Discovery Call with Paul: https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

Connect with the host: Pauljryan.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

This bite-size conversation challenges one of the most deeply held assumptions in modern life: that we work hard now so we can finally start living later. Derek Coburn argues that the traditional idea of retirement—grinding for decades and then stopping abruptly at a fixed age—is not only outdated, but often damaging. Many people sacrifice time with family, health, and meaning in pursuit of a future that may never deliver the fulfillment they expect.

Instead, Derek re-frames the conversation around designing a life you wouldn’t want to retire from. By extending how long we stay engaged in meaningful work—often in lighter, more flexible ways—we reduce financial pressure, reclaim time in the present, and preserve the sense of purpose and connection that so many people lose after stepping away from work entirely. The deeper message is clear: happiness isn’t something you chase directly. It’s a by-product of contribution, meaning, and staying engaged with life—on your own terms.

About the Guest

Derek Coburn is a financial advisor, speaker, and the author of Retire Retirement. With more than 25 years of experience advising clients, Derek challenges conventional thinking around money, work, and retirement. His work focuses on helping people design lives centered on meaning, contribution, and flexibility—rather than deferring fulfillment to some distant future. Derek is also known for his work on happiness versus meaning, and the psychological impact of purpose on long-term well-being.

About the Host

Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and podcaster. As host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, he explores the inner game of entrepreneurship—purpose, identity, emotional intelligence, well-being, and conscious success. Through conversations with founders, thinkers, coaches, and spiritual teachers, Paul creates space for deeper reflection on what it really means to live and lead well, beyond metrics and money.

Work With Paul

If you're ready to build a business and life that’s aligned, intentional, and deeply fulfilling, explore The Life Code and The One-Hour CEO — coaching and tools for high-performing entrepreneurs. https://calendly.com/inner-entrepreneur-podcast/discovery-call-with-paul-ryan

Connect with the host: www.pauljryan.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/