“It’s a Trap!" Ruslan KD on Hustle Culture, Rejecting God, and the Lies We Live

Oct 8, 2025

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Most people don’t realize they’re addicted to the very pain they’re trying to escape.

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Emily and Jake sit down with Ruslan KD to unpack the hidden addictions behind hustle culture, the modern epidemic of performing for approval, and why rejecting God often feels like freedom… until it doesn’t.

What You’ll Learn:

The difference between selfish ambition and Godly Ambition
How to know if your goals come from calling or ego
How pain and pruning prepare you for purpose
What it means to lead with peace instead of pressure
Why purpose is revealed through surrender, not striving

Timestamps:

11:03) - Ruslan’s journey from atheism to faith
(13:28) - Finding certainty in faith
(15:41) - When ambition becomes surrender
(18:40) - When God rebuilds what you laid down
(25:19) - Breaking free from validation and fame
(29:04) - How God refined Ruslan’s vision for success
(36:04) - The fine line between awareness and overconsumption
(41:23) - The difference between Ambition and Godly Ambition
(47:01) - Why “leading a quiet life” doesn’t mean playing small
(49:52) - The “Calling” Trifecta: How to find your calling
(52:25) - Purpose vs Assignment: When God changes your mission
(59:44) - The lie of “having it all” and the truth about seasons
(1:12:53) - Ruslan’s prayer for surrender and Godly Ambition

Get your copy of Ruslan’s Book:

Godly Ambition: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Time, Talent, and Treasure | https://a.co/d/btetVds

Connect with Ruslan

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ruslankd
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/Ruslankd
Threads | https://www.threads.com/@ruslankd
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/ruslankd
The Ruslan KD Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/47LY6cabdJ6WiCaQkHwicq