Inside Rylan’s Mind

After a two-year break spent pursuing a postgraduate degree, I’m back behind the mic to pick up where I left off. This episode dives into New Year’s resolutions, specifically the one I set for 2025 that I improbably followed for 365 straight days. Tracking every movie and TV show I consumed. We’ll unpack what that experiment revealed, how the tracker evolved, and why my growing collection of spreadsheets may start sounding… concerning. I’ll also share my public resolutions for 2026, along with one deliberately secret goal that future-me will have to answer for. Check out my other work: https://linktr.ee/rylanbanis

In this episode, I share bittersweet news with my listeners as I embark on a journey to pursue my master's degree, leading to a temporary hiatus from podcasting. Join me as I discuss the challenges of living in a residential program with strict regulations and the potential impact on the podcast's future. Though I'll be away for a while, I'm hopeful about returning to the mic during breaks in the academic calendar. Tune in as I bid farewell and reflect on the exciting journey ahead.

Join me as I reflect on why I ditched social media for over two years. I'll share how quitting boosted my podcast unexpectedly and changed my perspective on digital life. Plus, find out why I recently dipped my toes back into Reddit. If you're curious about life beyond the scroll, this episode is for you!

Join me as I revisit my wild spending habits and quirky money stories from a few years ago to see how my relationship with money has evolved. I'll share how I transformed from a reckless spender to a more mindful saver and whether I've kicked my materialistic habits. Let's explore how my saving strategies have changed and the valuable life lessons I've learned about money. Whether you're a fellow money misfit or seeking tips for a healthier money mindset, let's dive into the money maze without losing our way.

Join me as I recount the crazy experience of my laptop's Wi-Fi disappearing out of nowhere in Windows 11. I tried everything—reinstalling, troubleshooting with customer support, even driving to a service center—but nothing worked. Then, like magic, the Wi-Fi started working again when I got to the service center! Come along for the ride as I share the ups and downs of this tech mystery and how it resolved itself most unexpectedly.

I'm sharing my first bubble tea experience—it was a blast! I visited a new bubble tea spot in town and tried a coffee frappuccino with chocolate popping boba. The cashier shared some cool local food insights while my drink was prepared. When it arrived, I shook it up and took my first sip. The coffee and chocolate popping boba combo was delicious! I even learned not to swallow the boba too quickly. Can't wait to go back for more flavors.

I dive into the intriguing paradox of suspense in our lives. We all love suspense in movies, but why are we constantly trying to spoil the plot of our own lives? Join me as we explore this urge and uncover why embracing life's unpredictability might just be the key to a more fulfilling journey. Let's chat about the thrill of not knowing what's around the corner and how we can make peace with life's mysteries.

I spill the beans on my rollercoaster ride as the accidental leader of a college newsletter club. From quitting plans to suddenly becoming the editor-in-chief, I share the wild journey of revamping our processes, dealing with unexpected challenges, and using some sneaky shortcuts (thanks, ChatGPT!). Join me as I reflect on the highs, lows, and surprising lessons learned from this experience.

I'm diving into my wild ride with the college newsletter club. Picture this: I'm a second-year student minding my own business when suddenly I'm roped into this club after a run-in with the Head of Department. What starts as a mysterious assignment turns into a rollercoaster of editing, late-night meetings, and questionable club dynamics. I'll spill the beans on how I unintentionally landed a fancy title, dealt with lazy colleagues, and even faced interrogation sessions—all while trying to navigate through the chaotic world of student clubs. Tune in to find out if I muster the courage to quit this chaotic club or get sucked into another year of newsletter shenanigans.

I share a personal story from college about a girl named Sally who had a crush on me. I talk about how I picked up on subtle hints—like her clothing choices and body language—and why I chose to keep my distance to avoid any misunderstandings. Join me as we explore the complexities of unspoken attraction and the challenges of handling such situations with empathy. It's a candid look into the world of college crushes and unrequited feelings.

In Part 2, I'm dealing with what went down after I spilled my feelings to Rachel. Things didn't exactly go as planned, but hey, life's full of surprises, right? Join me as I try to figure out where to go from here in "One text-a-day girl."

In this episode, I explore the twists and turns of pursuing a romance with someone I've come to refer to as "one text-a-day girl." From initial confusion to moments of clarity, join me as I navigate the complexities of friendship, romance, and self-discovery in the pursuit of understanding and connection.

Join me on a rollercoaster of emotions as we dive into college crushes, rejection, and the pursuit of connection. In this episode, we'll follow a fellow friend as they navigate the ups and downs of young love. From sliding into DMs to contemplating in-person confessions, we'll explore the trials and tribulations of modern-day romance.

i am taking a study leave from the podcast to prepare for my exams. no new episodes will release for the next few weeks. yes, this episode does not have audio. i did not have time to record one. i will be back with new episodes in the first week of april.

In this episode, I recount my adventure at an anime-themed ramen cafe, sparked by a delayed invitation from a friend. Join me as I navigate the bustling atmosphere, order oversized bowls of miso and spicy ramen, and struggle with chopsticks. The spicy ramen proves to be a fiery challenge, leading to a failed attempt to recruit friends for help. Ultimately, I reflect on the experience, finding satisfaction despite the overwhelming portions.

Today, I'm taking you on a journey back to college, where an empty classroom brought together Austin, Adrian, and me, forming the unbreakable trio known as The Boys. From creating our group chat 'ARA Squad' to bonding over snack runs and hilarious mishaps, our friendship has flourished, paving the way for endless adventures and laughs. Join me as I share the story of how three unlikely friends became inseparable.

I spill the beans on entering a college contest with prize money up for grabs. From formatting secrets to a sneaky move with my best friend, Melissa, it's a rollercoaster. Join me as I share the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons from this literary journey. And spoiler alert: winning isn't just about flawless formatting.

Join me for a story about my experiences with banks. From having a bank account as a kid to the difficulties of growing up and dealing with problems like not-so-great service, trouble with online transfers, and finding out my account was inactive for a long time. Feel the emotions of deciding to close the account, dealing with negative reviews, and being surprised by good service in another branch. Learn about the steps to close the account, move money, and the annoyance of still getting emails.

In this episode, I share my journey to mindful content consumption, from ditching toxic dating advice to navigating the pitfalls of self-help overload. Join me as I reflect on reality checks, contradictory content for growth, and the conscious decision to reshape my worldview. Tune in for insights on challenges, the mindful shift in content choices, and stepping back from gurus. It's a candid exploration of intentional media consumption and its profound impact on personal development.

Join me on a journey through my experience with Discord, from its introduction during my school days to exploring its features, videos, bots, and Nitro perks. I'll share how I customized servers, encountered mishaps, and ultimately realized the difference between my idealized perception and the platform's reality.