Wheel Talk

Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis
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Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We'd love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we've learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Adapting Your Work and Business Over Time with Liz Cohen

    Liz Cohen joins the podcast again nearly four years later to talk about the evolution of her ceramics business. She shares her experience managing a shared studio space in Denver, her decision to move away from wholesale and dinnerware, and how her making process has shifted toward higher-value work. Liz also discusses her ongoing experiments with slip casting and developing a speckled underglaze technique. -----Find more about Liz’s business below----- Instagram - @lizcohenceramics Website - https://lizcohenceramics.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LizCohenCeramics/ Last Wheel Talk appearance - #140 Building a home studio with Liz Cohen 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. 👉 Sign up here Sponsors L&L Kilns - Stop by booth 223 in the Resource Hall at NCECA to see their kilns in-person. The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Speedball Ceramics - Stop by booth 301 in the Resource Hall  at NCECA to see their brand new lineup of glazes. Available soon in multiple colors. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    2h 10m

  2. 14 MAR

    Making the Most of NCECA—Without Breaking the Bank (Replay)

    Replay Episode: In this replay, Ryan and Becca discuss their trip to NCECA 2025 and share insights on navigating the conference experience. Ryan and Becca share highlights from their recent trip to Salt Lake City for the annual NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid look behind the scenes. Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 44m

  3. 7 MAR

    We’re Back: Studio & Business Updates

    Ryan and Becca are back behind the microphones to kick off a new season of Wheel Talk. In this episode, they share updates from their studios and businesses since taking a break from recording, including Becca’s hand surgery recovery and her plans for the coming months. Ryan talks about what the start of the year has looked like in his studio and some of the systems and priorities he’s focusing on this season. They also discuss what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes for the spring season. 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. 👉 Sign up here Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 26m

  4. 31 JAN

    #340 - A Reset for the Podcast

    Ryan and Becca announce a shift to a seasonal podcast format, moving from weekly episodes to three seasons per year with planned breaks in between. They outline what listeners can expect in each season, including interviews, book club episodes, and special stand-in co-hosts. Becca also shares updates on her upcoming hand surgery and a new clay cigarette project. 📒 Join the Bookkeeping Workshop Waitlist Get notified when new bookkeeping workshops for makers open. 👉 Sign up here 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. 👉 Sign up here Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 11m

  5. 24 JAN

    #339 - Chasing $15K in 4 months

    Becca sets a bold short-term goal: earning $15,000 over the next four months, and Ryan helps her break it down into realistic, actionable steps. Together, they explore multiple income paths—from producing small, repeatable items like mini mugs and fidget stones to teaching classes and designing stickers/shirts as passive income. The episode focuses on balancing creativity with practicality, emphasizing momentum over perfection. They wrap up by committing to a near-term check-in to track progress and refine the plan. 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. 👉 Sign up here Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 6m

  6. 17 JAN

    #338 - Building a Sustainable Creative Business with Megan Auman

    In this episode of Wheel Talk, Ryan and Becca talk with artist, author, and educator Megan Auman about the business lessons behind Try It and See. Megan shares how her revenue streams and pricing strategies have evolved since publishing the book, along with insights on production volume and communicating value to customers. They discuss what it means to ask for the sale outside of wholesale, how artists can know when they’re charging the right price, and how tools like ChatGPT and social media fit into today’s creative businesses. 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. 👉 Sign up here -----Find more about Megan’s business below----- Website: https://shop.meganauman.com/ & https://artistsandprofitmakers.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganauman Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 42m

  7. 10 JAN

    #337 - Try It and See with Taylor Swilley

    Ryan and Becca return with the seventh chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring Try It and See: How to Get Sh*t Done While Overanalyzing Everything by Megan Aumen. Joined by guest Taylor Swilley, they reflect on the book’s encouragement to experiment, ship every day, and release perfectionism, discussing how a “try it and see” mindset shows up in their own studio practices, creative decision-making, and evolving ceramics businesses. Our next book club selection will be announced in the coming months and released in the spring. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    2h 3m

  8. 3 JAN

    #336 - Looking Back to Move Forward

    Ryan and Becca reflect on the past year’s highs and lows, from personal challenges to major business milestones. Becca opens up about mental health, burnout, and the impact of a 9-to-5 job, while Ryan shares hitting a six-figure sales milestone and rethinking how he spends his time. Together, they discuss setting boundaries, supporting each other, and focusing on what matters most moving forward. 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways. Sign up by mid-January for a chance to win our first giveaway. 👉 Sign up here Maker of the Moment Maree and Paul Allitt - @mapmapartAya Tortosa - https://www.instagram.com/orangeboy.ceramicsSponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast Follow us on Instagram: @wheeltalkpodcast @rdceramics @5linespottery Visit our website: www.wheeltalkpotcast.com Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

    1h 43m
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About

Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We'd love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we've learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    347
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wheel Talk Podcast
  • Show Website
    Wheel Talk

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