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!

Stan Rose is a Vietnam vet and helicopter pilot with over 14,000 flying hours—and easily one of the best next-door neighbors I’ve ever had. Over the years, I’ve loved hearing his stories on the back porch, lemonade in hand.

Stan shares how he went from getting kicked out of high school to flying dangerous missions in Vietnam, where pilot survival was only about 50%. He reflects on the realities of war, the bonds of comradeship, and how telling his stories helped him process life after the war.

He says he’s never worked a day in his life. Stan and his wife Liz have lived in Thailand for three years, still travel back often, and encourage young people like me to teach English abroad. So, consider this your nudge—so when we’re 80, we don’t say, “Dang, Stan was right. I should’ve taken more risks.”

Welcome to episode four.

Check Out:

A Bright Shining Lie — Stan’s book rec

The Things They Carried — Vietnam book rec

MASH* (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital series): Watch on Apple TV

Teach English in Thailand

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:

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9.

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!

Chara Daum hosts the Death Café in Bryn Athyn, PA—a space where people gather over tea and cake to talk openly about death.

Death is the one thing we all face, yet rarely discuss. Why is that?

If you’ve lost someone, know someone nearing the end, or just find yourself wondering about the afterlife or the meaning of it all—or want to be invited into a conversation where nothing is off limits—this episode is for you.

Chara and I unpack why death is so avoided, how facing it might help us live more fully—and most of all, how to simply get the conversation started.

Welcome to episode three!

Check Out:

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:

"Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." — Matthew 10:39. "For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross." — Hebrews 12:2. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21

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!

Cory Boyce has been a teacher, coach, mentor, husband, father, and grandfather—but more personally, he was a role model when I needed one most. In this episode, we shift the focus. After years of our conversations revolving around my story, it’s time to hear his.

From childhood adventures and coaching soccer to raising a family, living abroad, and navigating life with Parkinson’s, Cory opens up about the moments that shaped him, the people who inspired him, and the values that carried him through. We talk about faith, friendship, fatherhood, and what it really means to show up for others—consistently, bravely, and with heart.

Everyone who knows Cory says the same thing: “He’s the man.” After this episode, you’ll see why.

Welcome to episode two.

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.

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: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" — Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

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.

Thanks for being part of the journey! PEACE!

Welcome to the first episode of the podcast.

Peter Rhodes is a dear friend—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A former prison counselor and probation officer, he still offers private counseling and works at the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop (BATS), showing up with presence and humility at 80.

Peter has been a quiet giant in many lives, including mine. From childhood days playing in the woods behind his house and cold plunging by his hand-built huts, to recent heart-to-hearts in those same huts, Peter has consistently shown me—and countless others—what it means to live in the present.

In this conversation, we explore the arc of Peter’s life: his path as a seeker, early stories and careers, practicing non-judgemental observation, the art of learning to hold space without fixing, and reflections on addiction, ego, marriage, grief, happiness, and usefulness. We talk about what it means to live in the body, in the moment—day by day, and much more… 

Peter doesn’t offer easy answers. But if you're listening for something real, something that challenges you, you'll find it here.

I can’t believe I get to say this—welcome to episode one.

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.

Check Out: Peter Rhodes’ book Observing Spirit: Evaluating Your Daily Progress on the Path to Heaven with Gurdjieff & Swedenborg — https://www.goodreads.com/Observing_Spirit

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.

Reflections: “That which is done is what will be done.” — Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NKJV).“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” — Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV).“Much wisdom brings much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” — Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NKJV).

Support Veterans & Education & Help 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.

Thanks for being part of the journey! PEACE!

Ethan Chase Lewin is the host of The Ethan C. Lewin Podcast.

In late April, he wrapped up a DIY study abroad trip across Europe and flew back to the U.S. just in time to walk the stage at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he received his degree in finance.

So what’s next? As Ethan puts it: The Trifecta — Work. Create. Educate. This podcast is the launchpad for all three.

In this intro episode, Ethan shares the "why" behind the podcast. If you're wondering what this podcast is really about and what fuels it, this is the place to start.

Next up: Episode #1 – Peter Rhodes - On Presence.

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.

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.

Support Veterans, Education, & Help Elevate the Podcast Experience:

Help soldiers transition home through the All Secure Foundation: allsecurefoundation.org/donate.  Support better podcast quality & filmed episodes: @TheEthanCLewinPodcast on Venmo. I tithe 10% of all contributions to the Academy of the New Church HS: secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc.

Thanks for being part of the journey! PEACE!

Thought I’d include this tidbit capturing the process of launching the podcast.