Wise Beyond My Years
I’m Ian Christianson, a 18-year-old entrepreneur who’s not waiting around for life to happen. I’m on a mission to build my dream lifestyle, and the best way I know how is by learning directly from the people who’ve done it—those who’ve built empires, conquered setbacks, and turned their vision into reality. This podcast isn’t about sugarcoating success. It’s about real conversations with people who’ve faced the same struggles we all do and found a way through. It’s about taking their lessons and applying them, step by step, to our own journeys. If you’re someone who’s ready to take control, escape the average, and start creating a life on your terms, this podcast is for you. I’m not here to inspire you; I’m here to share the playbook so we can all level up together, and build a life worth living.
Episodes
Most people think confidence is something you’re either born with or not. But in this episode, I break down why that’s completely wrong. Confidence is a skill, one built through consistent action, not wishful thinking. I dive into the psychology of overthinking, why social anxiety persists, and how small, intentional steps can rewire your brain to feel more at ease in any room.
We dive into the silent epide...
Welcome to the relaunch of Wise Beyond My Years, the podcast for ambitious creators, entrepreneurs, and young builders who refuse to settle for average.
In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing 17 mindset shifts that have radically changed how I approach growth, success, and building a life on my terms. These are the hard truths and reframes I wish I heard earlier—especially when I felt stuck, lost, or unsure w...
I sat down with Preston Johnson, entrepreneur, risk-taker, and founder of a non-emergency medical transport company launched during the chaos of COVID.
What struck me most wasn’t the business strategy. It was his brutal honesty about burnout, ego, and rebuilding from the inside out.
Preston didn’t start out trying to be a business owner. He was a content creator, like so many of us, navigating uncertainty, d...
In this episode, I kept things super raw and unfiltered. No script. No polish. Just me, sharing what’s on my mind about habits, discipline, and the future of business. I talk about how I’ve built healthy routines—like eating clean—by staying consistent, and why I believe habits are the foundation of success in anything, especially business.
I also go off on a few theories I’ve been thinking about lately—lik...
In this episode of Energized, I’m diving into the things that actually move the needle in life and business—purpose, identity, self-improvement, and how AI is flipping everything we thought we knew on its head.
I share why I believe purpose is what gives life meaning beyond accomplishments, how understanding your identity allows you to connect with more people, and why our current education system needs a t...
In this episode of The Energized Podcast, I’m sharing something really personal—my own fitness journey. From those early, awkward days in the gym to where I am now, fitness has completely transformed my life. And not just physically—it’s changed the way I think, how I show up socially, and the discipline I bring to everything I do.
I talk about the mindset shifts that helped me stay consistent when motivati...
In this episode of the Energized Podcast, I'm kicking off my new episode series The Solo Sessions series—an open, unfiltered space to share what I'm learning about business, fitness, and life. No big claims, no polished scripts—just real insights from someone figuring things out along the way.
I dive into topics like building confidence, creating value, and the power of networking, along with thou...
In this episode of The Energized Podcast, I sat down with entrepreneur Remington Lemert to break down what it really takes to grow a brand and business through social media. From dropping out of college to building a name for himself online, Remi shares the strategies behind his success—including how to maximize engagement, maintain discipline, and handle the pressure of building in public.
What You'll...
In this episode of The Energize Podcast, host Ian Christianson interviews Steve Babcock, a top creative director and former Chief Creative Officer with a track record of leading award-winning advertising campaigns. From starting in the mailroom to working with global brands and Gary Vaynerchuk, Steve shares insider strategies on branding, marketing, and creativity in today's fast-paced digital world.
K...
In this episode of the Energized Podcast, we dive into the world of pickleball for athletes with aspiring professional player Ty Butson. Ty shares his journey from a casual pickleball enthusiast to competing at a high level, revealing the mental and physical challenges of becoming a professional athlete in pickleball. He discusses the role of pickleball training for athletes, the importance of routine and ...
In this episode of the Energized Podcast, Ian sits down with Nick Smoot, a serial entrepreneur with a fascinating background in both nonprofits and business. Nick shares the story of how he started out working with youth programs and eventually went on to launch several successful companies. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes how important it is to have a sense of purpose in your work, to seek out ...
n this episode, Nathalia Levterova shares her inspiring journey from a confused college student to a successful entrepreneur and marketing agency owner. She discusses the importance of networking, sales skills, and building a personal brand. Nathalia emphasizes that anyone can start a business by offering a service and highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with the right people. She provides p...
In this conversation, Ian interviews Barry Aiken, a seasoned musician, producer and composer, who shares his journey in the music industry, from his early love for music to his experiences as a touring musician and teacher. Barry discusses the evolution of music culture, the importance of unique skills in the industry, and offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians navigating today's landscape. In ...
Todd and Zetta Stam, founders of Aspen Homes, discuss their journey of building custom homes and the challenges they faced. They emphasize the importance of creativity, quality, and customer satisfaction in their business. The Stams share how they weathered the 2008 housing market collapse and attribute their success to God's help and their dedicated team. They also talk about their marketing strategi...
Joshua Coombs, founder of Do Something for Nothing, shares his journey of giving haircuts to the homeless and the impact it has had on his life and the lives of others. He started this work out of a feeling of helplessness and a desire to do something to make a difference. Through his interactions with the homeless, he realized the importance of showing up, listening, and treating people with dignity and r...
Sarah Woelfel, co-founder and partner at Cult Capital, discusses the importance of building a brand and the key elements involved. A brand is defined by the vision, mission, and values of the founder, and it is reflected in genuine and transparent communication with customers. Building a brand involves considering product offerings, pricing, packaging, and building relationships with customers. Sarah share...
In this conversation, TJ Barnhart, a former part-owner of Keller Williams Realty, shares insights and advice on selling properties and building a successful real estate team. He discusses the importance of understanding the selling process, including analyzing the characteristics of the property and the motivation of the seller. TJ also highlights the role of a real estate firm in providing infrastructure ...
In this episode of Wise Beyond My Years, I sit down with Chaplain Barry Black, the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. From his remarkable journey to his role in guiding some of the nation's most influential leaders, Chaplain Black shares profound insights on faith, spirituality, and finding common ground in a diverse world. He opens up about the spiritual guidance he offers within the Senate, his unique pat...
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