The Alchemist's Library

Ryan Ayala

The Alchemists Library is dedicated to the exploration of becoming one's best self. With the goal of achieving a clear mind, fit body, and a house full of love. Episodes centered around: Health, Wealth, and Wisdom. The ancient practice of alchemy was about turning lead to gold but the secret was that it was never about physical gold. The real art was in turning the self from lead to gold.

  1. 1d ago

    The New York Post Called Him a “Gen Z Digital Mogul”: Shamus Madan

    Send us Fan Mail The New York Post called Shamus Madan a “Gen Z digital mogul,” but his story began with $13.90, a failing agency, and a decision to leave college. In this episode, Shamus breaks down New York City entrepreneurship, LinkedIn marketing, personal branding, agency growth, client acquisition, viral content strategy, and how AI is reshaping the creator economy. Shamus explains how moving to New York changed his network, standards, and opportunities; how one LinkedIn post generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in closed business; and why inbound attention can outperform cold outreach. He also shares a practical LinkedIn growth strategy, including daily posting, proven hooks, audience building, and the content formats that drive qualified leads. The conversation goes deeper into why agencies can be an effective first business, why chasing trendy offers is usually a mistake, and why exceptional writers and marketers may become more valuable as average work is automated. Subscribe to The Alchemist’s Library for more conversations on entrepreneurship, culture, self-mastery, and unconventional careers—and comment with the biggest lesson you took from Shamus. #LinkedInMarketing #GenZEntrepreneur #PersonalBranding TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 – How Shamus Became a Gen Z Digital Mogul  00:44 – From $13.90 to a Successful Agency  02:02 – Why Shamus Intentionally Failed College  03:33 – Cold DMs That Built a $12K Monthly Business  04:24 – Why Moving to New York Changed Everything  07:37 – The Power of an Entrepreneur Network  12:04 – How to Get Agency Clients Through LinkedIn  13:25 – The LinkedIn Post That Generated Six Figures  16:48 – Inbound Marketing vs. Cold Outreach  18:56 – The Three-Part Formula for Viral Content  21:57 – LinkedIn vs. TikTok for Getting Clients  24:45 – How to Grow on LinkedIn in 30 Days  27:55 – Why Every Professional Should Post Online  30:38 – Why Agencies Are a Great First Business  33:00 – Stop Chasing Trendy Agency Offers  35:46 – How AI Will Change Writing and Marketing  38:23 – Why Unique Data Is an AI Business Moat  40:43 – How to Start a Podcast Content Agency Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  2. Jul 16

    What No One Tells You About Making Money Online: Riley Lamont

    Send us Fan Mail What no one tells you about making money online is that online business, entrepreneurship, AI business, digital marketing, SaaS, venture capital, bootstrapping, Gen Z careers, and personal branding are often sold through the same manufactured FOMO. In this conversation, Riley Lamont explains why distribution matters more than product, why most people should not become entrepreneurs, and how online gurus can quietly shape your definition of success. Riley breaks down the difference between building a real company and chasing short-term internet income, the hidden cost of venture funding, and why some $400,000 employees live better than founders. He also explains how AI creates leverage, why businesses fail to integrate AI correctly, and how better data, prompting, and systems turn artificial intelligence into a genuine operating advantage. The episode closes with a live breakdown of Labify Health’s offer, including competitive positioning, blood testing, recurring revenue, supplements, coaching, and customer lifetime value. Subscribe to The Alchemist’s Library for more conversations on business, technology, psychology, wealth, and self-mastery—and comment with the biggest belief this episode challenged. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Building Darwin: A New Online Business Model 05:00 – Why Distribution Beats Product Quality 12:28 – How Online Talent Can Scale Real Businesses 15:44 – Escaping the Online Business Echo Chamber 21:56 – Venture Capital vs Bootstrapped Companies 33:58 – Why Most People Shouldn’t Be Entrepreneurs 39:17 – How Online Funnels Shape Your Ambition 45:40 – How AI Is Changing Gen Z Careers 56:33 – Why Gen Z Distrusts Traditional Experts 1:19:48 – Why AI FOMO Is Manufactured 1:23:08 – How to Integrate AI Into a Business 1:39:29 – Where AI Creates Real Business Value 1:42:13 – How to Give AI Better Data and Context 1:49:18 – Live Business Teardown: Labify Health 1:59:13 – How to Position a Competitive Health Offer 2:04:31 – Turning Lab Tests Into a Stronger Offer Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  3. Jul 9

    The Personal Brand Expert Behind Hormozi & Gary V: Caleb Ralston

    Send us Fan Mail Caleb Ralston, the personal brand strategist behind Alex Hormozi and Gary Vee, breaks down how to build a personal brand, grow on YouTube, create better content, use AI without sounding generic, and choose the right niche positioning in the creator economy. In this episode of Alchemists Library Podcast, Caleb explains the real game behind content strategy, audience trust, entrepreneurship, and long-term brand building. Caleb shares why most creators over-optimize for virality instead of trust, how to pick the right “pond” to compete in, and why your content should solve painful problems for a specific audience. He also explains how to use AI as a multiplier, not the source of your ideas, and why the strongest creators think in decades, not months. Whether you are a business owner, creator, entrepreneur, or someone trying to build authority online, this conversation is a practical playbook for growing a brand that lasts. Subscribe for more conversations on business, self-improvement, entrepreneurship, and the future of personal branding. #PersonalBranding #ContentStrategy #Entrepreneurship TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – How Caleb Ralston Built Personal Brands 03:15 – The Hidden Downsides of Personal Branding 05:52 – Why Personal Brands Are Not Just for Selling 10:40 – How to Choose Your Best Content Platform 13:30 – How to Pick the Right Personal Brand Niche 17:25 – Finding Your Unique Creator Positioning 23:44 – How to Create Content That Builds Trust 27:37 – How to Use AI Without Sounding Generic 34:39 – Why Over-Optimized Content Feels Soulless 41:14 – The Long-Term Cost of Controversial Branding 44:50 – How to Make Personal Branding Sustainable 49:39 – Caleb Ralston’s Personal Brand Playbook 52:00 – Dan Koe’s Content Pyramid Strategy Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  4. Jul 2

    Greg McKeown: The 7 Words That Make People Open Up Instantly

    Send us Fan Mail Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism, reveals the 7 words that make people open up instantly while breaking down communication skills, active listening, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, social media distraction, the AI age, nonviolent communication, and the psychology of being misunderstood. In this conversation, Greg explains why modern life has moved beyond distraction into disorientation — and why the real bottleneck in relationships, leadership, family, and business is “confident misunderstanding.” Ryan and Greg explore Carl Rogers’ forgotten 1952 communication rule, the phrase “Let me see if I understand you,” and why making someone feel deeply understood can defuse arguments, build trust, and unlock better conversations. They also discuss how Satya Nadella helped shift Microsoft’s culture, how listening played a role in locating Saddam Hussein, and why removing noise is often more powerful than adding more signal. Watch this episode if you want to become a better listener, communicator, leader, partner, friend, or thinker. Subscribe for more conversations on business, psychology, philosophy, health, wealth, and self-mastery. #GregMcKeown #CommunicationSkills #Essentialism TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Important Work Rarely Gets Done 01:55 – How Social Media Steals Your Attention 06:36 – Why AI Makes Us Feel Disoriented 09:27 – The Psychology of Confident Misunderstanding 13:20 – How the Internet Distorts Reality 17:22 – Why Polarization Breaks Families Apart 21:26 – Carl Rogers’ Forgotten Communication Rule 25:33 – The 7 Words That Make People Open Up 27:25 – How to Make Someone Feel Understood 33:14 – Why Listening Changes Every Relationship 38:37 – How Communication Helped Rebuild Microsoft 48:16 – The Signalist Method for Better Conversations 54:17 – How Listening Helped Find Saddam Hussein 1:00:58 – The Hidden Power of Removing Noise Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  5. Jun 25

    The Waze Founder’s Billion-Dollar Playbook: Uri Levine

    Send us Fan Mail Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze and one of the entrepreneurs behind two billion-dollar exits, joins The Alchemist’s Library Podcast to share his startup playbook for founders, product-market fit, business strategy, AI, venture capital, and decision-making. In this conversation, Uri breaks down why great startups start with a painful customer problem, how to validate demand, when to pivot, and why failing fast is a competitive advantage. Ryan and Uri also discuss how AI changes entrepreneurship, why unique data and customer trust matter more than “AI company” branding, and what founders misunderstand about raising money from venture capital. Uri explains how to build a strong team, find mentors, make hard decisions, and stay grounded through the lonely roller coaster of building a company. If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, creator, investor, or anyone trying to build something that matters, this episode is a practical masterclass in value creation, leadership, and simplicity. Subscribe for more conversations with world-class founders, investors, and thinkers. #UriLevine #StartupPlaybook #Entrepreneurship Buy the book here! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – How Uri Levine Built Two Billion-Dollar Exits 02:20 – Why Failure Is Required for Startup Success 03:43 – How to Find a Problem Worth Solving 06:53 – Turning Personal Pain Into a Startup Idea 13:47 – Product-Market Fit and Customer Retention 17:43 – How AI Changes the Startup Game 20:58 – Why Unique Data Creates Startup Defensibility 25:22 – Fall in Love With the Problem 35:17 – How Founders Can Find Real Mentors 44:28 – Should Entrepreneurs Chase Money or Happiness 49:50 – How to Build and Fire a Startup Team 57:32 – Venture Capital vs Bootstrapping a Startup 01:03:34 – How Successful CEOs Make Hard Decisions 01:07:25 – Why Simple Products Win Massive Markets Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  6. Jun 18

    He Turned a $50M Loss Into a Business Building Playbook - Rod Khleif

    Send us Fan Mail Rod Khleif lost $50 million in the 2008 real estate crash then rebuilt his life using multifamily investing, business building, syndication, mindset, cash flow, real estate development, assisted living, and deal-making principles. In this episode of The Alchemist’s Library, Rod breaks down the painful lessons behind losing everything, why single-family rentals crushed him, and why multifamily real estate became his wealth-building playbook. We also dive into how to find deals, raise capital, buy businesses, use leverage responsibly, and capitalize on today’s distressed real estate opportunities. Rod shares why mindset, peer group, focus, and playing to your strengths matter just as much as underwriting and market selection. If you’re interested in real estate investing, business acquisition, financial freedom, or rebuilding after failure, this conversation is packed with practical and hard-earned wisdom. Subscribe for more conversations on business, wealth, psychology, self-mastery, and unconventional paths to success. #RealEstateInvesting #BusinessBuilding #MultifamilyInvesting TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – How Rod Khleif Lost $50 Million 01:39 – The Mindset Shift That Built Rod’s Wealth 03:01 – Why Single-Family Rentals Failed in 2008 05:32 – Multifamily Investing vs Single-Family Rentals 08:11 – Why Bigger Real Estate Deals Can Be Safer 10:49 – How to Raise Money for Multifamily Deals 13:53 – How Syndication Works for Real Estate and Business 16:32 – How to Find Off-Market Real Estate Deals 18:07 – Buying Businesses From Retiring Owners 21:29 – How to Protect Cash Flow in Multifamily 22:36 – The Assisted Living Real Estate Opportunity 25:05 – Why Senior Housing Needs Strong Operators 27:42 – How to Start Before You Feel Ready 28:44 – Rod Khleif’s Goal-Setting Framework 30:57 – Why Focus Determines Entrepreneurial Success 32:23 – Why Your Business Shouldn’t Be Your Identity 36:43 – How to Discover Your Strengths 38:06 – Real Estate Development Risks and Opportunities 39:21 – Best Real Estate Markets for Multifamily 40:10 – How to Use Leverage Responsibly 42:29 – Why You Should Fear Regret More Than Failure Rod's Links:  Linktree: https://rodkhleif.com/links/ Rod's Website: https://rodkhleif.com/?sl=lt Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  7. Jun 4

    Internet Money, Inner Chaos, and the Cost of Chasing More - Champ

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Alchemist’s Library, Champ breaks down internet money, crypto, prediction markets, online business, personal branding, entrepreneurship, hustle culture, burnout, chronic illness, Miami culture, and the hidden cost of chasing more. What starts as a conversation about travel, Marbella, and getting robbed turns into a deeper look at how Champ went from Tulsa, Oklahoma to building a massive online audience and making serious money on the internet. Champ shares the story behind his early music dreams, software sales job, viral crypto content, $850K Discord launch, and why he believes prediction markets could become the next major online money opportunity. The conversation also gets personal, covering Lyme disease, POTS, mold exposure, health struggles, high-performance pressure, comparison, family, relationships, and the painful realization that money does not automatically create meaning. Subscribe for more conversations on business, health, philosophy, psychology, wealth, culture, and self-mastery. #InternetMoney #PredictionMarkets #Entrepreneurship TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Marbella Changed Champ’s View on Travel 07:26 – Champ’s Origin Story From Tulsa to Online Fame 10:22 – How Bullying Pushed Champ Onto the Internet 15:14 – How Crypto Turned Into Internet Money 18:40 – How Champ Made $850K From a Discord Launch 20:18 – Why Prediction Markets Could Be the Next Crypto 23:20 – How Prediction Market Arbitrage Works 25:29 – Prediction Markets vs Sports Betting Odds 30:18 – How AI Agents Are Trading Prediction Markets 31:15 – Champ’s Battle With Lyme Disease and POTS 35:18 – Performing at 40 Percent Capacity 39:46 – Why Hustle Culture Can Poison High Performers 42:12 – The Problem With Success Built on Fear 44:41 – What Gives Life Meaning After Making Money 46:23 – Why Internet Fame Didn’t Fix Everything 47:35 – The Reality of Miami Influencer Culture 51:01 – Why Dating in New York Feels Different 52:08 – Why Champ Left Brickell Miami Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

  8. May 28

    The Truth About Going Viral, Selling Millions, and Burning Out - Jake Karls

    Send us Fan Mail Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, breaks down how to go viral, build a CPG brand, and scale a snack business from a condo kitchen to thousands of retail stores — all while surviving entrepreneurial burnout. In this episode, we unpack the real story behind viral marketing, authentic brand building, getting into Whole Foods, and what it actually takes to sell millions in physical retail. Jake shares how showing up in person creates opportunity, why authenticity is the secret to standing out, and how he uses LinkedIn content to attract investors and retail partners. You'll also hear his honest take on burnout recovery, finding purpose, why he's a "rainmaker" not a CEO, and how to play your own game instead of someone else's. Whether you're a young entrepreneur, a founder chasing product-market fit, or building a personal brand, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Showing Up In Person Wins Deals 02:30 – How Mid-Day Squares Started In A Condo 05:00 – How Hard It Is To Sell In Retail Stores 07:30 – Why Getting Into A Store Isn't Enough 10:00 – How To Drive Retail Sales And Trial 12:30 – Why Entrepreneur Burnout Almost Ended It 15:00 – What Burnout Taught Me About Health 17:30 – The Burnout Nobody Talks About: No Clarity 20:00 – Why You Should Go All In When You're Young 22:30 – Why I'm A Rainmaker And Not A CEO 27:30 – How To Raise Capital As A Founder 30:00 – How LinkedIn Content Attracts Investors 32:30 – What Type Of Content Goes Viral 35:00 – The Heartbeat Graph vs The Average Life 37:30 – Why Being Weird Gets You Weird Results 42:30 – How To Find Product-Market Fit In CPG Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/ https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

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About

The Alchemists Library is dedicated to the exploration of becoming one's best self. With the goal of achieving a clear mind, fit body, and a house full of love. Episodes centered around: Health, Wealth, and Wisdom. The ancient practice of alchemy was about turning lead to gold but the secret was that it was never about physical gold. The real art was in turning the self from lead to gold.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Ayala
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alchemist's Library
  • Show Website
    The Alchemist's Library

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