Judd Lienhard Podcast: Richard Ryan: How to Stay Human in a Digital World
We live in the most connected—and disconnected—time in history. Richard Ryan, co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company, software developer, and media executive with 15+ years in the tech industry, joins Judd Lienhard to break down what it takes to stay grounded, disciplined, and human in a world engineered to hijack your attention. As a tech insider who helped scale one of the fastest-growing media-driven brands in America, Richard has seen firsthand how algorithms manipulate behavior, monetize attention, and reshape human psychology. His book, The Warrior’s Garden: Tools for Guarding Your Mind Against Big Tech, pulls back the curtain on how digital platforms track, influence, and profit from our every move. Rather than telling you to abandon technology, Richard lays out tools to assess your digital habits, set boundaries, and reclaim your time, focus, and purpose. This episode is about protecting your mental fitness the same way you train your body—through awareness, friction, and resilience. If you’ve ever caught yourself doom-scrolling, anxious, or distracted, this conversation will hit home. Judd and Richard go deep into dopamine, discipline, AI, purpose, and what it means to stay sharp and strong in the attention economy.
About Richard
Richard Ryan is the author of The Warrior’s Garden, a software developer and media executive with more than twenty years of experience in the tech industry. He has generated billions of views and millions of followers across social media platforms, leveraging his deep understanding of algorithms and digital marketing. Read more