The Alchemist's Library

Send us a textCharles Eisenstein is a philosopher, author, and public speaker known for his deeply thoughtful explorations of civilization, consciousness, and human connection. With a background in mathematics and philosophy, Charles weaves together insights from systems thinking, spirituality, and ecology to challenge the dominant narratives of modern life. He is the author of several influential books, including The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible and The Ascent of Humanity, which explore how we can transition from a culture of separation to one rooted in interbeing and meaning. In a world increasingly driven by technology and abstraction, Charles offers a powerful invitation to reclaim presence, purpose, and sacredness in how we live and relate to ourselves, each other, and the Earth.Chapters00:00 The Essence of Education: Unlearning vs. Learning05:19 The Art of Self-Discovery and Unique Offerings11:30 Navigating Curiosity and Life's Path17:21 AI and the Future: Embracing Materiality32:27 The Human Experience: Beyond Abstraction39:03 The Limits of Quantification47:19 Understanding Addiction and Unmet Needs57:51 The Unquantifiable Nature of Human Experience01:06:09 The Power of Questions Over AnswersConnect with Charles! https://charleseisenstein.org/Connect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textJerry Colonna is an executive coach, author, and co-founder of Reboot, a coaching and leadership development firm focused on helping entrepreneurs and executives grow through radical self-inquiry. Formerly a venture capitalist with Flatiron Partners, Jerry transitioned into coaching to support leaders in navigating the emotional complexities of leadership. He is the author of the acclaimed book Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up, which blends personal reflection with professional development. Known for his compassionate yet unflinching coaching style, Jerry continues to influence a new generation of founders and CEOs who believe in leading with authenticity, courage, and heart.Connect with Jerry! https://www.instagram.com/jerry.colonna/?hl=en Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Jerry’s Journey to Coaching  01:00 Radical Self-Inquiry & Moral Courage  05:04 Iteration, Growth & Identity  10:17 Depression, Doubt & The Lying Mind  16:12 The Danger of Grandiosity vs. True Confidence  22:06 Masculinity, Role Models & Responsibility  30:02 Redefining Success & Being a Good Man  37:12 Empathy, Mentorship & Leaving a Legacy  43:36 Clean Your Room: Self-Discipline as Leadership  46:05 Redefining Leadership & Followership  50:05 Balancing Compassion & High Standards  56:04 The Buddha of Baseball & Building Extraordinary TeamsConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textWhy Poker Makes You a Better Thinker - Annie Duke on Decision ScienceAbout the guest:Annie Duke is a decision strategist, author, and former professional poker player known for her expertise in cognitive science and decision-making under uncertainty. Originally pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, she shifted paths due to illness and went on to win a World Series of Poker championship, eventually becoming one of the most successful female players in the game’s history. Leveraging her background in cognitive science and poker, Annie transitioned into writing, speaking, and consulting, authoring acclaimed books such as Thinking in Bets, How to Decide, and Quit. She is also the co-founder of the Alliance for Decision Education, advocating for better thinking skills in K–12 education. Annie’s work bridges rigorous research with practical frameworks for better decisions in life and business.Connect with Annie! https://x.com/annieduke?lang=enConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Life Pivot  03:38 Entering the Poker World  06:08 The Bridge Between Poker & Cognitive Science  09:00 Decision Education & Career Evolution  10:59 Forecasting in Personal Decisions  14:24 Qualitative vs. Quantitative Thinking  18:12 The Danger of “Going With Your Gut”  23:12 Aligning Internal & External Perspectives  25:48 Defining Terms & Clarifying Assumptions  34:01 The Myth of Mysticism in Decision-Making  40:43 Experience vs. Explicit Models  53:40 Closing Thoughts on Self-ImprovementConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textAbout the guest:Luke Thorburg is a digital advertising specialist and the founder of Thordigi Media, a firm dedicated to scaling businesses through strategic use of Facebook, TikTok, and Google Ads. Holding a data-focused master's degree from Saint Louis University, Luke applies analytical rigor to optimize advertising campaigns. His expertise lies in crafting data-driven strategies that drive growth across multiple industries.Connect with Luke! https://www.instagram.com/lukethorburg/Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 The AI Wild West01:23 Rise of AI Integrators02:10 $20M AI-Run Service Business04:22  Mass AI Adoption & Internet Comparisons06:22 Misuse and Gimmicks in AI Adoption07:06 The Untapped Opportunity: LLM SEO09:01 Agency Origins and Iteration13:03 Offers, Niching, and Client Targeting20:02 Brute Force Cold Outreach Tactics26:08 From Cold Start to Scalable Momentum29:49 AI, Personal Brands, and The Future of Work36:46 Building 7-Figure Brands with Automation43:00 Do the Unscalable to Become Scalable50:03 Playing the Long Game with Clients54:02 Digital Education: WAP, School, and the New UniversityConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textThe $100M Story Behind HydroFlask - Travis RosbachAbout the guest:Travis Rosbach is an entrepreneur, inventor, and the founder of Hydro Flask, the award-winning reusable water bottle company that redefined the drinkware industry. Prior to launching Hydro Flask, Rosbach worked as a boat captain, scuba diving instructor, and commercial airline pilot, bringing a diverse and adventurous background to his business ventures. After exiting Hydro Flask, he founded the Tumalo Group, where he now advises startups and entrepreneurs across various sectors. Known for his practical mindset and passion for sustainability, Rosbach continues to influence product innovation and conscious entrepreneurship globally.Connect with Travis! https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisrosbach/Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:0:00 – The Renaissance Entrepreneur3:30 – How Hydro Flask Was Born8:30 – Going All-In: The China Gamble12:30 – Resilience and Risk in Business17:00 – From Farmer’s Markets to 100,000+ Units a Month26:30 – The Cost of Scaling33:00 – Stepping Away: Exit and Identity37:00 – The Kundalini Awakening43:00 – True Fulfillment vs Fake Success51:00 – Learning, Books & AI Wisdom59:00 – Final Wisdom & Book GiftConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textAbout the guest:Massimo Pigliucci is a philosopher, author, and professor of philosophy at the City College of New York, known for his work in both evolutionary biology and the modern Stoicism movement. He is the author of numerous books, including the acclaimed How to Be a Stoic and The Quest for Character, which bridge classical philosophy and contemporary challenges. With a background in both science and philosophy, Pigliucci brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to questions of ethics, meaning, and personal development. His work has helped popularize Stoic thought for modern audiences, making timeless ideas both accessible and actionable.Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 Introduction: What Is Stoicism, Really?00:30 Living According to Nature02:45 Solving Anxiety Through Human Nature05:15 Are Humans Really Different From Animals?07:10 Why Stoicism Feels Practical08:20 The Dichotomy of Control Explained13:25 The Serenity Prayer & Stoicism16:50 The Power of Reframing Your Thoughts18:45 Stoicism & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy22:10 Reacting Differently to Everyday Events24:30 Stoicism Beyond Masculinity28:00 Can You Be Stoic and Political?30:45 Stoicism in Sports & Mental Toughness33:55 Relaxed Concentration in Elite Performance35:20 The Stoic Focus on the Present Moment38:10 How to Be a Stoic in Practice41:30 Cold Showers, Fasting & Stoic Discipline43:40 Are “Mind Tricks” Bad If They Work?45:50 Seneca’s Formula for Dealing With Anger52:00 Preventing Anger Before It Starts54:45 Massimo’s Journey Into Stoicism58:40 Massimo’s Writing Routine & Reading Habits01:02:40 Recommended Books & Final ThoughtsConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textToday’s guest is Niraj Naik - a former pharmacist turned holistic health pioneer.Connect with Niraj! https://www.instagram.com/nirajnaikofficial/?hl=enConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textDave Nemetz is a media entrepreneur and digital innovator best known as the founder of Bleacher Report, a sports media powerhouse acquired by Turner Broadcasting for nearly $200 million. He also founded Inverse, a culture and science publication aimed at millennial and Gen Z audiences. With a track record of building audience-first media brands that thrive in the digital age, Nemetz is recognized for his forward-thinking approach to content, distribution, and monetization. He continues to advise and invest in the next generation of media and tech startups, influencing the evolution of how stories are told and consumed online.About the guest:Connect with Dave! https://x.com/davenemetzConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:0:00 Intro – David Nemetz 0:28 Leverage & Content 2:02 AI & Media Future 4:32 Bleacher & Biz Lessons17:10 Growth & SEO Tactics22:53 TikTok, AI & Search 29:04 Modern Media Models 33:15 Paywalls & Audiences 41:10 Post-Exit Life & Health 46:00 Mindset & Mentors59:20 Signing OffConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textThe Worlds MOST Interesting Man Kevin KellyKevin Kelly is the founding executive editor of Wired and one of the world’s most original technology thinkers. He’s known for his optimistic, mind-bending takes on the future, from AI to the “Technium” — a living system of technology. His books like The Inevitable and What Technology Wants have shaped how a generation thinks about innovation. Kelly also coined the iconic “1,000 True Fans” concept that predicted the rise of the creator economy.Connect with Kevin! https://kk.orgConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Send us a textAbout the guest:Justin Glaser is the author of Sweat: Uncovering Your Body’s Superpower, a book that redefines how we think about perspiration. Blending science, storytelling, and health insights, he explores the evolutionary, physiological, and psychological roles of sweat in human performance and well-being. Known for making complex biology accessible and engaging, Glaser shines a light on one of the body’s most overlooked superpowers. Through his work, he invites readers to embrace sweat not just as a byproduct of exertion, but as a vital force in health and human potential.Connect with Justin! https://www.instagram.com/justinglaser7/?hl=enConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:0:00 Intro – Justin on Sauna & Detox 0:41 Sweat, Sauna & Toxins1:01 9/11 Survivors & Healing with Sauna 3:00 The Niacin Sauna Protocol 6:05 Environmental Toxins & Fat Storage 10:57 Heavy Metals, Chemicals & Health Risks 16:12 The Science Behind Detox & IQ Effects 19:25 Brain Fog, Energy & Sauna Benefits 20:30 Toxic Load & Long-Term Health 32:06 Who Should Try the Protocol? 39:12 Infrared vs. Dry Sauna 42:53 Making Detox Mainstream 46:55 Mold, Air Quality & Hidden Toxins 51:14 The Documentary & Spreading Awareness 52:09 Final Thoughts & Takeaways 52:27 Signing OffConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala