Ian Carswell is a friend, mentor, and a living example that you can write your own story. He retired at 39—not because he stopped working, but because he no longer had to trade time for someone else’s dollar.

In this episode, we rewind to Ian’s early hustles—reselling deformed gummy bears, mowing lawns, and running backyard carnivals. He shares how he reached FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), what poker taught him about making decisions with incomplete info, and the underrated superpower of setting clear goals.

For Ian, wealth isn’t just money. It's about health, fun, purpose, and relationships—and about actively creating and living your best life while single and becoming the kind of person someone amazing would want to meet.

We talk entrepreneurship, real estate, cheat codes that can transform your life, rethinking your tribe, and much more… 

Welcome to episode five.

Check Out:

Ian Carswell’s Website: iancarswell.com

Tim Ferriss & Chris Sacca on AI (Spotify): open.spotify.com/episode/5oHveFK

Diary of a CEO – AI Agents Emergency Debate (Apple): apple.co/3Vyz6iN

Slicing Pie by Mike Moyer: amzn.to/3HQq4wf

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: amzn.to/4kQWpSj

Elevate the Podcast Experience:

Elevate the Podcast Experience: Support better podcast quality & filmed episodes: @TheEthanCLewinPodcast on Venmo. I tithe 10% of all contributions—split evenly between the All Secure Foundation (helping soldiers transition home): ⁠allsecurefoundation.org/donate⁠ and the Academy of the New Church HS: ⁠secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc⁠.

Get In Touch:⁠ ⁠

⁠ethanchaselewin.com/contact⁠⁠ ⁠

⁠Recommended Reading⁠

⁠100+Life Lessons Across 12 Countries ⁠

⁠Find Out Who’s Next!⁠

Calling All Creatives:

Looking for a catchy podcast intro jingle! Musicians and creatives, reach out via the contact page. If I use yours, I’ll plug your platform on the show. I’m posting these as-is once I hit record because they’re perfectly imperfect.

Reflections:

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”— Matthew 16:26

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." — Proverbs 21:5

Post Note:

I’m inspired by the stories people carry, honest feedback, and the magic when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, reach out:⁠⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin⁠⁠.

Thanks for being part of the journey! PEACE!