150: Forbes Contributor Omaid Homayun Interviews Me - Learning From Failure, Creating A Hit Podcast, Sustaining Excellence

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ryan Hawk explains how he built The Learning Leader Show from a desire to create his own “PhD in leadership” by interviewing exceptional leaders, then discusses lessons from quarterback competition, the identity shift after sports, balancing work with family and podcasting, and why curiosity, humility, and disciplined time management enable side projects and sustained impact.

Main Topics: Origin of The Learning Leader Show (Priority: 5/5): Ryan describes starting the podcast to learn directly from exceptional leaders and build a self-directed education in leadership rather than pursuing a PhD curriculum that was only partially appealing. Curiosity, listening, and asking better questions (Priority: 5/5): He argues that curiosity is a skill that can be developed, and that podcasting strengthened his listening ability and confidence in asking second-level questions others might avoid. Competition, adversity, and the Ben Roethlisberger experience (Priority: 5/5): Ryan recounts losing the starting quarterback job to Ben Roethlisberger at Miami University and frames it as a defining lesson: effort does not always guarantee victory, and adversity builds resilience in both athletes and children. Quarterbacking as leadership training (Priority: 5/5): He explains how playing quarterback taught calmness under pressure, rapid decision-making, and command in chaotic environments—skills that transfer directly to business and family leadership. Identity after football and the transition to business (Priority: 4/5): Ryan discusses how leaving football required rebuilding identity and finding a new arena for competition, which he found in sales, promotions, and later public speaking. Balancing family, work, and the podcast (Priority: 5/5): He breaks down how he allocates his time across work, podcasting, exercise, sleep, and family, arguing that intentional planning makes a demanding life manageable. Leadership principles, mentors, and the role of family (Priority: 4/5): Ryan credits his parents and high school coaches for shaping his leadership style and says qualities like humility, self-awareness, courage, curiosity, and support at home are central to excellence.

Key Arguments: Leadership can be learned through deliberate study of exemplary leaders, not just through formal credentials. Curiosity is not only innate; it can be developed by repeatedly asking why and resisting passive acceptance. Podcasting improves listening because it forces the host to focus on understanding rather than waiting to speak. Adversity is necessary for growth; kids should experience struggle so they build grit and resilience. Quarterbacking teaches business-relevant skills: poise, processing under pressure, communication, and execution. Identity should not be tied to a single role or career because that role can disappear quickly. A side project becomes feasible when time is mapped out honestly and low-value activities are cut. The best leaders combine courage, confidence, curiosity, and humility. Who you spend time with determines your trajectory, so intentionally “level up” your peer group. Great content matters more than tactics for audience growth; quality eventually spreads.

Data Points: Podcast episode number: 150 - The Learning Leader Show episode being introduced at the start of the conversation. Podcast reach: 103 countries - Ryan says the show is listened to globally. Podcast size: 127+ episodes - Ryan references the show’s growth and his accumulated interviews. Prep before launch: 22 episodes - Ryan recorded 22 episodes before releasing any, to build a backlog. Podcast time commitment: 15–20 hours per week - Ryan estimates the weekly time spent on the podcast. Sleep: 6.5 hours per night - Ryan describes his typical sleep schedule as roughly 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Work: 40 hours per week - Ryan includes his full-time job in his weekly time breakdown. Workout time: 10 hours per week - Ryan says he spends about 10 hours in the gym weekly. Family/close friends time: 55 hours per week - Remaining time after work, sleep, podcasting, and training. Family time share: 32% of weekly time - Ryan calculates that family and close friends still occupy the largest remaining share of his week. Children: 5 daughters - Ryan says he and his wife have five girls. Children’s age range: 9 to 1 - He gives the age spread of his daughters. College football age/class overlap: Same age and same class as Ben Roethlisberger - Ryan explains the direct competition for the Miami University quarterback job. Fundraising/event detail: 50th anniversary - Ryan is preparing to do a live podcast with Eddie George for the Sun Younger Foundation’s 50th anniversary event. Family/leadership example: 950-person Salesforce - Ryan describes his father as having led a large sales organization at a billion-dollar company.

Pivotal Quotes: "“Sometimes you can do everything possible… and you can still lose.”" — Ryan Hawk: Used to explain the key lesson he learned competing for the starting quarterback role against Ben Roethlisberger. "“If you have a desire to see others succeed, that’s why you lead.”" — Simon Sinek (quoted by Ryan Hawk): Ryan cites this as a foundational leadership principle that shaped his view of leadership as service. "“Great leaders have this mixture of four things: courage and confidence mixed with curiosity and humility.”" — Kat Cole (quoted by Ryan Hawk): Ryan highlights this as one of his strongest takeaways from interviewing leaders on the podcast.

Implications: The conversation shows how deliberate learning, resilience, and disciplined time management can turn a side project into meaningful impact. It also offers a blueprint for identity beyond work or sport and for building leadership through relationships, curiosity, and consistent execution.