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Casual Conversations

Ryan Bean and Elena Sweetser

Two friends talking all things about life both from the male and female perspective. Marriage, family, business, friendships, lessons, inspirations and more. If you're looking for a place to connect with real people, you found it!

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23 episodes
weekly
Avg 43 min
English

Episodes 23

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S3 · E25
Wednesday · 32 min
Bring Back Real Life
What if the life we keep chasing isn’t actually the life we want? This week, we’re talking about what happens when you stop measuring success by how busy you are, how much you make, how big your house is or what everyone else thinks you should be doing—and start paying attention to what actually makes your life feel good. We get into building businesses that don’t consume us, showing up authentically online, raising kids in a world that feels increasingly disconnected, rebuilding real community and learning to appreciate the life we have while we’re still building toward what’s next. Because maybe success isn’t about constantly getting more. Maybe it’s having people around your table, neighbors who know your name, work you’re proud of, a family you’re present for and a house that actually feels like home. Maybe we’ve been chasing the wrong things.
S3 · E24
September 9 · 39 min
Maybe You're Winning at the Wrong Things
What if the reason you still don’t feel successful is because you’ve been keeping score of the wrong things? For years, we thought winning meant more money, a bigger house, more success, the next accomplishment—the constant chase for more. But what happens when you finally stop long enough to realize your life might already be pretty damn good? In this episode, we talk about letting go of comparison, forgiving people who hurt you, recognizing when closed doors were actually protection, and why getting your marriage and family right might be the foundation that makes everything else fall into place. Because someone else’s grass might be greener—and that’s okay. If your grass is green, take care of it. Maybe you’re not behind. Maybe you’ve just been measuring the wrong things.
S3 · E23
September 3 · 37 min
The Winning Ticket in Life
What does it actually mean to be “rich” in life? This week’s conversation started with parenting — raising kids with boundaries, holding them accountable, and accepting that sometimes loving your kids means making decisions they’re not going to like. But somehow, like most of our conversations, it turned into something much bigger. We talk about our own childhoods, the things our parents got right (and wrong), letting go of the temptation to blame your past, and realizing that eventually you have to take ownership of the life you’re building. And maybe one of the biggest lessons that comes with getting older: you stop caring quite so much about what everyone else thinks. Because the winning ticket in life isn’t the biggest bank account, the most successful career, or having a million people around you. It’s waking up fulfilled. Loving the people you come home to. Being proud of the person you’re becoming. Protecting your peace. Building a life that actually feels good to live — even if other people don’t understand it. If your marriage is good, your family is good, your heart and mind are in a good place, and you’re excited about where you’re going… You might already be richer than you think. 🎙️ The Winning Ticket in Life — new episode of Real Life, Real Talk & Real Estate.
S3 · E22
August 26 · 44 min
Your Kids Don't Need More. They Need You
This week, we’re talking about something a lot of families probably need right now: a life audit. When did giving our kids a good childhood turn into expensive birthday cakes, elaborate tooth fairy visits, constant vacations, name-brand everything, and feeling like every little moment has to become an event? We get into the pressure parents put on themselves to constantly provide more, how easily that can create entitlement without us realizing it, and why social media and comparison have made simple things feel like they’re somehow not enough. From $200 birthday cakes and Disney cruises to homemade costumes, $2 tooth fairy bills, and family movie nights, we ask a bigger question: what are our kids actually going to remember? Because chances are, it won’t be how much we spent. It’ll be the effort. The traditions. The conversations. The nights we showed up. Maybe our kids don’t need more. Maybe they just need more of us.
S3 · E21
August 17 · 53 min
Don't Change Who You Are
What happens when being a kind, empathetic person starts costing you your peace? In this episode, Elena and Ryan get real about the difference between being kind and allowing people to take advantage of you. They talk boundaries, recognizing patterns in people’s actions, protecting your marriage and family, managing anger, and learning when it’s time to simply walk away. They also dive into the hard lessons that come with parenting, relationships, success, and adulthood—and why sometimes protecting your peace means saying no to people and things you genuinely care about. From difficult relationships to marriage, parenting, money, and letting go of commitments that no longer fit your season of life, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to change who you are—you just have to change what you're willing to accept. Because sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that bring you the most peace.
S3 · E20
August 6 · 1 hr 3 min
The Parents Our Kids Need Most
In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: how do we raise resilient, respectful, and confident kids in a world that's becoming increasingly difficult? We share personal stories about helping our children navigate failure, disappointment, and self-doubt—from learning a new sport to not making a team—and why protecting our kids from every struggle may actually be hurting them in the long run. We also discuss: Why resilience is more important than talent Teaching kids that failure is part of growth The importance of manners, gratitude, and respect Why parents should model the behavior they expect How social media and modern culture are changing parenting Building strong families through intentional traditions and quality time The difference between raising successful kids and raising good humans This isn't a conversation about being perfect parents—it's about being intentional ones. If this episode resonates with you, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who could use the reminder that the little moments matter the most.
S3 · E19
July 28 · 48 min
What If Everything Is Working Out?
This week, we started with food parasites and somehow ended up talking about faith, purpose, family, and what success actually looks like. We share how our priorities have shifted over the last few years, why slowing down ended up being one of the biggest blessings in our lives, and how focusing on our health, marriages, and families has changed the way we approach our careers. If you've ever felt like you're constantly chasing the next goal, worried you're not doing enough, or wondering if you're on the right path, this conversation is for you. In this episode we discuss: • Why betting on yourself is always worth the risk. • How fear keeps so many people stuck. • The mindset shift from "What if everything goes wrong?" to "What if everything works out?" • Why health truly is wealth. • Finding purpose beyond money and career success. • Learning to appreciate the life you're building while you're still building it. We hope this conversation reminds you that growth isn't always about moving faster. Sometimes it's about slowing down long enough to become the person you're meant to be. 🎙️ New episodes every week. If this episode resonates with you, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
July 10 · 46 min
The Life You're Chasing Might Be the Wrong One
We covered a little bit of everything in this episode—from why so many people feel burned out and distracted to the pressure of keeping up with everyone else online. We talked about the difference between building real wealth versus chasing status, how social media can quietly steal our time, and why we're making intentional changes in our own lives to be more present with our families. We also shared some honest reflections on personal growth, self-awareness, and the ongoing work of becoming better leaders, spouses, parents, and friends. If you've ever felt like life is moving too fast or you've been questioning what success really looks like, this conversation is for you.
S3 · E18
July 2 · 47 min
The Success Trap
Success isn't always what it looks like from the outside. This week we're talking about the shift that changed everything for us—why chasing bigger numbers, more recognition, and the next milestone didn't bring the fulfillment we expected. Instead, we dive into building stronger marriages, prioritizing our health, creating meaningful memories with our families, and defining success on our own terms. We also share how adversity has shaped us, why comparison steals joy, and why the life you're building should reflect what truly matters to you—not what the world tells you should matter. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the "right" things but still feel like something's missing, this conversation is for you.
S3 · E17
May 27 · 48 min
What You Worked For
This week Ryan and I sat down on a Friday afternoon — kids out of school, cocktail in hand, sun finally out — and had one of those conversations that starts casual and ends up hitting somewhere deep. Ryan shared what it felt like to walk his son through college orientation for the first time, and why a man who never went to college found himself more moved by that moment than almost anything else in his life. We talked about breaking generational patterns, sacrificing your younger years to build something better, the tension of running a business with your spouse, and why pushing through pain is the only way to feel real pride on the other side. I also shared the lesson I taught Kian with a colored pencil and a piece of torn construction paper that I will never forget. This one is for the parents, the partners, and anyone who has ever wondered if the hard road they chose was worth it.
S3 · E16
May 20 · 49 min
Just Do Good
This week's episode starts with a surprise guest — Elena's five-year-old son Kian, who somehow delivers the best advice of the episode before heading back to his Legos. From there, Elena and Ryan get into the real stuff: losing a listing you deserved, what a brutal day in business is actually trying to teach you, why the slow season might be protecting you more than it's hurting you, and how going into business with her husband ended up saving their marriage rather than breaking it. Elena also opens up about five years of therapy, what it's actually done for her peace, and why she'll never apologize for it. If you've ever felt the pull between building something big and protecting what matters most — this one's for you.
S3 · E15
May 13 · 42 min
We Finally Get It Now
After years of chasing success, awards, production goals, and proving ourselves, we’re finally starting to understand what actually matters. In this episode, we have an honest conversation about marriage, motherhood, business pressure, mental clarity, and the shift that happens when you stop tying your worth to external validation. We talk about the hard seasons that almost broke us, the people who believed in us when we couldn’t believe in ourselves, and how redefining success has changed the way we approach family, work, and life. This episode is for anyone who feels behind, overwhelmed, or stuck trying to keep up with everyone else’s version of success — because sometimes the life you truly want looks very different than the one you thought you were supposed to chase.
S3 · E14
May 6 · 49 min
Stop Living the Script
In this episode of Stop Living the Script, Elena and Ryan have an honest conversation about the pressure to live life according to society’s expectations — from traditional careers and timelines to the constant pursuit of success that often leaves people feeling trapped, burned out, and disconnected. They dive into entrepreneurship, rebuilding seasons, family, freedom, personal growth, and why more people are beginning to question the “normal” path they were taught to follow. From raising kids and building businesses to taking risks, overcoming fear, and choosing fulfillment over comfort, this episode is a reminder that there is no one right way to live your life. If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re chasing a version of success that doesn’t actually make you happy, this conversation will challenge you to stop living the script and start building a life that genuinely feels like your own.
S3 · E13
April 22 · 45 min
You're Not Behind, You're Building
In this episode, we get real about the pressure of feeling “behind” even when life and business are actually moving forward. From navigating a shifting real estate market to building a business with your spouse, we unpack the tension between constantly grinding and learning to be present and grateful. We talk about why hard seasons are often the setup for growth, how easy success can create weak foundations, and why staying focused on your own path—not the outside noise—is what leads to long-term success. Along the way, we dive into parenting in a tech-driven world, the importance of human connection, and the small, meaningful moments that remind us what we’re really building in the first place.
S3 · E12
April 15 · 45 min
Standards, Not Opinions
This week’s episode dives into what happens when you stop listening to everyone else’s opinions and start operating from your own standards. From navigating a competitive real estate market to dealing with difficult clients, Elena and Ryan break down the importance of trusting your expertise, owning your value, and not second-guessing yourself just because someone else is louder. The conversation expands into parenting, emotional control, and the challenge of raising confident kids in a world that’s constantly shifting its values. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or holding your ground—this episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t built on opinions, it’s built on standards.
S3 · E11
April 8 · 36 min
Character Over Clout
In this episode, Elena and Ryan get real about the chaos of life and business—from low appraisals and home renovation disasters to the deeper truth most people avoid: what success actually means. They dive into the frustration of working with unprofessional agents, the illusion of social media fame, and why being “popular” doesn’t equal being good at what you do. The conversation expands into a raw discussion on integrity vs. shortcuts, transactional vs. relationship-driven business, and how chasing attention, money, and validation is pulling people further away from fulfillment. They also unpack the danger of “selling yourself” for clout, the pressure to keep up, and why time—not money—is your most valuable asset. If you’ve ever felt like you’re being pulled in a hundred directions trying to prove something, this episode will ground you back in what actually matters: building a life and business rooted in character, not attention.
S3 · E10
April 1 · 47 min
Protect Your Peace, Protect Your People
In this episode, Elena and Ryan talk about cutting through the noise of social media, opinions, and comparison to focus on what actually matters in life. They share real conversations around business challenges, personal growth, relationships, and parenting, highlighting how adversity builds resilience and clarity. From learning to stop caring about others’ opinions to recognizing the types of people that hold you back, this episode is a reminder to protect your peace, choose your circle wisely, and redefine success on your own terms because real fulfillment comes from growth, integrity, and the life you build behind the scenes.
S3 · E9
March 25 · 40 min
Getting Your Headspace Right
In this episode, Elena and Ryan dive into the real stuff: family vacations, marriage, parenting, personal growth, and the mindset shifts that change everything. What starts as a casual catch-up turns into a deeper conversation about creating meaningful family memories, reconnecting with your spouse, breaking unhealthy generational patterns, and learning how to choose peace over pressure. They talk about the beauty of simple moments, from Mario nights and Legos to beach conversations and parenting breakthroughs, and reflect on how success means a lot more than money. This episode is about happiness, legacy, self-awareness, and doing the inner work to become the kind of partner, parent, and person you actually want to be. A grounded, honest conversation for anyone trying to build a better life without losing what matters most.
S3 · E8
March 18 · 51 min
Reality of Social Media & Time Flying By
In this week's episode we talk about our weekly recap! Social media and the negative impact on top of what happiness should be.
S3 · E6
March 11 · 46 min
We're Back!
In this week's episode Ryan and Elena recap since they last recorded. They put a pause to bring in a new twist with their podcast. They talk about Elena and her Husband's journey now doing business together, Ryan's reality of now having an 18 year old and how short time really is with your kids! Join us for today's episode as in touches on life on all levels!!

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