The Inner Entrepreneur

In this episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul sits down with leadership coach, speaker, author, and recovery advocate Dr. Liz Dubois-Erskine to explore the hidden pressures that shape leadership, identity, confidence, and success. Drawing on her work with high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives, Liz shares why so many capable people feel held back—not by a lack of skill or ambition, but by the stories they carry about who they are allowed to be. About the guest: Dr. Liz Dubois-Erskine is a leadership coach, speaker, podcast host, and author focused on helping leaders break through internal barriers that limit their impact. https://drlizdubois.com/ About the host: Paul Ryan is CEO of Temple Group and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. pauljryan.net Key Topics Discussed Why pressure reveals who we really are The difference between authentic leadership and performative leadership How insecurity shows up differently for men and women The hidden cost of constantly seeking approval Why many women struggle with deservingness and self-belief Leadership, confidence, and societal conditioning The relationship between money, power, and decision-making How family systems influence leadership behaviour Why successful people often feel held back by invisible ceilings The importance of healing old stories and limiting beliefs What prevents leaders from stepping fully into their potential How authenticity creates stronger leadership and healthier businesses Memorable Insights "Pressure doesn't create character—it reveals it." "For many women, insecurity feels like protection. For many men, insecurity feels like an obstacle." "The goal isn't to become fearless. The goal is to move forward anyway." "Authentic leadership begins when you stop performing and start being yourself." "The stories that once protected us often become the very things that hold us back." In This Episode You Will Learn Why leadership challenges are often internal rather than external How cultural programming shapes confidence and self-worth The role that authenticity plays in high-performance leadership Why approval-seeking limits growth and decision-making How power dynamics influence leadership and relationships Practical ways to challenge limiting beliefs and expand your potential Why healing old emotional patterns can unlock business growth If You Enjoyed This Episode If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or colleague. Every share helps us reach more entrepreneurs seeking greater purpose, prosperity, and fulfilment in both business and life.

About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: https://www.pauljryan In this episode of The Inner Mentor Series, Paul shares the remarkable story of how, as a young man in his twenties, he won his dream car—a brand-new red Mercedes. For months he had visualised owning the car. He had a photograph of it pinned to the wall of his tiny office and spent countless hours imagining what it would feel like to drive it. Then, against all odds, he won one. But what happened next surprised him. Within days, Paul realised that the Mercedes wasn't what he really wanted. What he wanted was something much deeper: to become the kind of person who could afford a Mercedes, rather than simply own one by chance. This episode explores the difference between having and becoming, the power of intention, visualisation, identity, and why the future you create is often shaped by the person you choose to become. Whether you're building a business, pursuing financial freedom, improving your health, or strengthening your relationships, this conversation offers a simple practice that can help bring greater clarity and focus to the direction of your life. In This Episode The surprising story of winning a brand-new Mercedes in his twenties Why owning the car wasn't what Paul really wanted The difference between having something and becoming the person capable of creating it Why visualisation works differently than most people think The role intention plays in shaping your future The daily practice Paul has used for years to stay aligned with what matters most How to create greater clarity around your goals, aspirations, and future direction A simple exercise you can begin today Key Takeaways Success is often more about identity than achievement. The things we chase are frequently symbols of something deeper. Visualisation is most powerful when combined with action and personal growth. The goal is not simply to have more, but to become more. Clarity and intention can dramatically influence the direction of your life.

In this bitesize episode, Paul sits down with entrepreneur and author Fred Joyal to challenge one of the biggest myths about confidence: that you need it before you act. Drawing on his journey from painful introversion to building and leading a nationwide business for nearly three decades, Fred explains why boldness isn’t a personality trait — it’s a learnable skill built through action, discomfort, and repetition. The conversation explores why so many people hesitate to speak up, put themselves forward, or fully express who they are — and how that hesitation quietly limits careers, relationships, and fulfilment. From the confidence crisis facing younger generations to the comfort-seeking traps adults fall into, Fred breaks down why bold action must come first, how small low-stakes courage rewires behaviour, and why the regret people carry later in life is rarely about what they did — but what they never tried. About the Guest Fred Joyal is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of Boldness: How to Go from Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days. He founded and led a nationwide advertising and referral business for dentists for nearly three decades, serving as CEO for 27 years before its successful exit. About the Host Paul Ryan is an eight-figure CEO, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. Work With Paul Paul works with seasoned entrepreneurs helping them clarify what’s next and align their life and business around what truly matters. 🔗 Book a discovery call with Paul: https://pauljryan.net

In this Inner Mentor episode, Paul reflects on a remarkable true story of courage and sacrifice. When skydiving instructor Dave Hartsock realised that a catastrophic parachute failure would end in disaster, he made a split-second decision to place himself between his student and the ground, absorbing the full impact and leaving himself paralysed. Years later, when asked if he would do it again, his answer was simple: "Absolutely." But this episode is not really about skydiving. It is about the quieter forms of self-sacrifice that many of us make every day. Paul explores how people often abandon their own dreams, intuition, values, and desires in order to gain approval, avoid disappointment, or live up to the expectations of others. While most of us will never be called upon to make a heroic life-or-death sacrifice, many spend years sacrificing themselves in far less visible ways. Drawing on lessons from philosophy, personal development, and his own life experience, Paul challenges the belief that putting yourself first is selfish. Instead, he explores the difference between selfishness and self-care, and argues that the greatest service we can offer the world is to become the fullest expression of who we truly are. This episode is a reminder to trust your own inner voice, honour your values, and have the courage to live your life according to your own truth. Key Takeaways The difference between self-sacrifice and self-abandonment. Why seeking approval often pulls us away from our authentic path. The distinction between selfishness and healthy self-care. How living according to your values serves both yourself and others. Why other people's opinions should not dictate the direction of your life. The courage required to trust your intuition and follow your own path. Dr. John Demartini's "Law of Lesser Pissers" and what it teaches about decision-making. Why becoming fully yourself may be the greatest contribution you can make. Memorable Quote "The greatest contribution you can make isn't becoming somebody else. It's becoming fully yourself." About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: https://www.pauljryan.net/

In this episode Paul chats with Lisa Broderick, entrepreneur, leadership advisor, and co-author of Permanence: Become the Person You Want to Be and Stay That Way alongside Marshall Goldsmith. The conversation explores why so many successful entrepreneurs and leaders eventually feel disconnected from themselves, despite achieving the success they once believed would fulfil them. Lisa shares insights from decades of leadership coaching and research, explaining how success often causes people to drift away from the person they originally intended to become. Paul and Lisa dive into the idea of “permanence” — not as perfection, but as a daily practice of staying aligned with your values, intentions, and the life you actually want to live. They unpack the power of awareness, the danger of unconscious success, and the surprisingly simple daily question framework that has helped leaders create meaningful personal transformation. The conversation touches on happiness, relationships, identity, leadership, self-awareness, accountability, and how small daily shifts can radically change the trajectory of your life. About the Guest Lisa Broderick is an entrepreneur, executive coach, leadership advisor, and co-author of Permanence: Become the Person You Want to Be and Stay That Way with Marshall Goldsmith. https://permanencebook.com/ About the Host Paul Ryan is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, mentor, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 https://www.pauljryan.net/

In this episode of the Inner Mentor Series, Paul reflects on the life of Matthew Perry and the powerful lesson hidden beneath fame, wealth, and global success. Despite becoming one of the most recognisable actors in the world through Friends, earning millions and achieving almost every dream imaginable, Perry openly admitted that success never gave him the peace, self-worth, or freedom from pain he hoped it would. Paul explores the deeper truth behind addiction, achievement, and the relentless pursuit of “more” — and why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly use business, busyness, and success itself as a way to avoid sitting with difficult emotions. About the Host: Paul is a CEO, 8-figure business owner and mentor, helping successful entrepreneurs design the life they'd love to live and the freedom they need to live it. 👉 Paul Ryan Official Website Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: 👉 Book a Discovery Call with Paul Ryan

Links to full episode: https://youtu.be/0es4ml82dmI?si=gikASlrvCHQoypkQ https://open.spotify.com/episode/32Ztc6DG87wOZnT3yQ8fcA?si=i86BGlehRUi44K-giN1sKg In this bite size episode Paul chats with Gosia Wojciulewicz, emotional wellbeing coach and mentor, about the real starting point of change — not strategy, but emotion. This conversation reframes how growth actually happens. Gosia explains why most people fail when they try to change everything at once, and how the nervous system resists rapid transformation. Instead, she makes the case for small, consistent shifts — daily habits that compound into meaningful, lasting breakthroughs. About the Guest Gosia Wojciulewicz is an emotional wellbeing coach and mentor who helps individuals understand, regulate, and work with their emotions as a foundation for meaningful change. About the Host: Paul is a CEO, 8-figure business owner, and host of The Inner Entrepreneur Podcast, helping high performers create true wealth—purpose, prosperity, and freedom—through mentorship and meaningful conversations. 👉 https://pauljryan.net/ Work With Paul You can book a discovery call with Paul here: https://www.pauljryan.net/