- Listen to Ron's Interview with Jim Ryan -

How a Passion for Teaching Led to Spreading ‘Simple Happiness’

Episode Description:

Graduating from college as an outstanding student in French, Jim Ryan began his career as a high school foreign language teacher on Long Island. But over the years, his passion for teaching would take him on an unexpected journey that would lead him to an iconic role as—in his words—a “spreader of happiness.” In today’s episode, Jim will talk about how his career evolved through a series of shifts across the educational and business worlds to a moment when he decided to take a volunteer job teaching prisoners locked up for multiple DWI convictions. It was then that he had an “Aha!” moment, realizing that his true passion was teaching personal development. Jim will talk about how this epiphany led to his widely popular book, “Simple Happiness: 52 Easy Ways to Lighten Up,” and to his current career as a motivational speaker and author, sharing his “Simple Happiness” message through empowering seminars across the country and sending out a weekly email of “Aha Moments” to thousands of people every Wednesday. Jim has discovered that he has the ability to turn profound concepts into easily understood solutions, and with humor, anecdotes and song, his presentations have folks leaving excited about the possibilities of living a better life.

Guest Description:

Jim Ryan is the founder and president of Jim Ryan Talks, an organization dedicated to the cultivation and development of each individual’s potential for living a life full of joy, fulfillment and success. Jim has always followed his passion for helping and teaching others. His appreciation for people and community further led him from a teaching and counseling career to the business sector, and then to volunteering in his local prison system, teaching a course in personal development. His book, “Simple Happiness provides 52 Ways to Lighten Up,” offers concrete, empowering steps towards a more focused and productive daily life. An inspired motivational speaker and author, Jim now shares his “Simple Happiness' " message and empowering programs and seminars within businesses, associations and professional organizations across the country. He also sends out a weekly “Aha Moments” email, offers online coaching, and after moving from Long Island to Tennessee, has continued his prison ministry at the Oak Cottage for Women.