Building A Life And Business Together

Cliff & Stephanie Ravenscraft
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Building A Life and Business Together is a weekly conversation between Cliff and Stephanie Ravenscraft. This show is a living transmission of what it looks like to walk side by side through the highs and lows, the messy middles, and the miraculous moments of a life fully lived. Whether we’re walking the neighborhood or sitting in the studio. It’s real, unfiltered, often hilarious, and always us.

  1. 6D AGO

    057 - Sourdough & Murder

    In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I sit down for one of our classic wide-ranging conversations. It starts, as many things do lately, with sourdough bread and quickly expands into what we’ve been watching, reading, building, and re-shaping in our life and business. Stephanie shares what she’s been learning through her deep dive into sourdough. Not just the mechanics, but the frustration of conflicting advice, the patience required, and the realization that there is no single “perfect” method. I reflect on how much that mirrors so many creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. You eventually figure out what works for you, but not without experimentation. From there, we talk about our recent obsession with murder mysteries. Netflix has been fueling that habit, from Agatha Christie-inspired stories to multiple Harlan Coben adaptations. We share which shows we loved, which ones felt too dark, and why certain stories pull us in while others leave us feeling drained. We also talk about momentum. Stephanie’s decision to move her podcast from bi-weekly to weekly. The return of my Next Level Mastermind. The re-commitment to Podcast Answer Man. And the quiet but meaningful shifts happening behind the scenes that signal clarity, confidence, and forward motion. Along the way, we share family moments, health choices, reading habits, and a few very human stories that remind us how much life is actually happening in between the “big” things. As always, this is an honest snapshot of where we are right now. The experiments. The rhythms. The joy. And the intentional choices that shape the life and business we’re building together. Topics We Discuss Stephanie’s sourdough journey and the reality of learning through trial and error Why “foolproof” online advice often leaves out the middle steps How sourdough mirrors creativity, business, and personal growth Our recent run of murder mysteries and why we keep coming back to the genre Agatha Christie-inspired series and the appeal of classic whodunits Netflix shows based on Harlan Coben novels and which ones stood out Why some stories feel intriguing while others feel emotionally heavy Stephanie’s decision to commit to recording her podcast weekly How reading and everyday observations naturally create podcast topics The importance of having a reason to notice meaningful ideas Spending time with our adult kids and how those relationships have evolved A lunch mishap involving two Wings and Rings locations in different states Valentine’s Day plans, sourdough treats, and local finds Stephanie’s decision to eliminate Coke Zero at home for health reasons Blood pressure, caffeine awareness, and long-term lifestyle changes The return of the Next Level Mastermind and what that means for our business My renewed focus on weekly podcasting and relationship-driven work Falling back in love with reading and distraction-free e-ink devices Why weekends off feel different when you’re finally caught up The sense that momentum has truly shifted in this season of life Until next time, we encourage you to live your life on purpose.

    55 min

  2. JAN 19

    056 - Two Different Trips. One Shared Life

    In this episode, Stephanie and I sit down to catch up after a few days that took us in different directions physically, emotionally, and relationally. We talk about travel, family, friendships, personal goals, and the quiet moments that shape a shared. From baby showers and long drives to PodFest, legacy conversations, and unexpected affirmation, this episode is a reflection on how separate experiences can still deepen the life and business we are building together. Topics covered in this episode Stephanie’s trip to Tennessee for a baby shower and meaningful time with a lifelong friend Family time over the holidays and why protecting certain traditions still matters Stephanie’s reading goals for the year and creating space for personal joy Learning sourdough and embracing the patience required to grow something slowly Cliff’s return to PodFest and reconnecting with people who were a deep part of his early journey Conversations that stirred emotion, memory, and a sense of coming home Honoring legacy, relationships, and the impact that continues beyond visibility The experience of being seen in unexpected ways and what that unlocked internally How parallel journeys can still move a shared life forward together

    1h 39m

  3. 12/15/2025

    055 - The One Hobby That Didn't Die

    This episode marks a milestone I never imagined when I first sat down in front of a microphone twenty years ago. Stephanie and I reflect on how podcasting began as a simple experiment in December 2005. At the time, it felt like just another hobby. I had plenty of those back then. Most of them burned hot for a season and quietly faded away. Podcasting was different. Neither of us knew it at the time, but it would become the one hobby that never died. We talk openly about those early days, including Stephanie’s hesitation to join me behind the microphone and the very real discomfort she felt at first. What started as her saying yes out of love and faith eventually turned into a shared rhythm that shaped our marriage, our family, and our work for decades. This conversation is also about growth. Personal growth. Emotional growth. The kind that only happens when you put your voice into the world and allow it to become a mirror. I share how podcasting revealed blind spots, challenged my people-pleasing tendencies, and stretched me in ways I could not have predicted. There were moments I wanted to quit. There was even a goodbye episode that almost became the end. It didn’t. Stephanie and I also talk about how life looks different now. Our kids are grown. The mental load of parenting has shifted. Our priorities are clearer. There is more peace, more awareness, and more intention behind how we use our time and energy. We reflect on why stepping away from Podcast Answer Man years ago was necessary. Leaving made room for growth that could not have happened otherwise. And now, looking back with clarity, we can see why returning makes sense in a way it never could have before. This episode is about honoring the journey. About recognizing that sometimes you have to walk away to become who you need to be. And about noticing the rare thing that keeps calling you back out of alignment. Twenty years later, we are still here. Still talking. Still creating. Still grateful. And that says something worth paying attention to.   Check Out PodcastingAtoZ.com

    1h 29m

  4. 11/16/2025

    054 - Life Feels Different This Month. Here’s Why.

    This month’s episode covers a lot of ground. Stephanie and I sit down and talk through what has shifted for us since the last time we recorded, and as it turns out, more has changed than either of us realized when we first sat down at the mics. I share why I’ve gone back to my early-morning routine at Planet Fitness and how those quiet hours in the car are helping me get into deep flow states again. We talk about the trade-offs that come with that choice, including the time Stephanie and I used to spend together on our morning walks. Stephanie opens up about the changes she’s been making at home, her cleaning rhythm, decorating for Christmas, and how she’s rebuilding habits that got disrupted years ago. We also talk about what we’re watching right now, including our attempt at Andor, my obsession with Pluribus, and our journey into Season 2 of Stranger Things. It ended up being a fun, honest, wide-ranging conversation that captures exactly where we are, right now, in the middle of life and business together.

    1h 51m

  5. 10/20/2025

    053 - Seasons of Change: Life, Business, and Creative Focus

    In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I sit down to share a major update about the podcast, our creative rhythm, and the ongoing evolution of how we do life and business as a couple. Over the past several months, we’ve been recording our weekly “walk and talk” conversations, honest, unscripted episodes where we bring listeners into our personal reflections about marriage, business, and growth. These have been some of our favorite conversations to record, but after looking at how our creative energy and priorities have shifted, we’ve decided to make a change. Moving from Weekly to Monthly The big announcement is that we’re moving this show from a weekly release schedule to a monthly one. We absolutely love recording content together. However, I’ve gained new clarity about how I want to allocate my morning creative energy to the projects that move the business forward. Between recording, syncing audio tracks, editing, transcribing, crafting show notes, and publishing, each episode has required an additional 30–40 minutes of post-production. It’s not hard work, but it’s time that needs to be reprioritized toward the next chapter of what we’re building. We’ll now record and release each new episode between the 15th and 20th of every month, keeping it consistent but freeing up space for deeper focus. Stephanie and I both agree that a once-a-month rhythm will allow us to bring even more intentionality and quality to these episodes, because there’s never been a month in our lives where we didn’t have something meaningful to share. The Evolution of the Podcast Stephanie shares how Building a Life and Business Together originally grew out of her post-college-launch “identity crisis” after McKenna left for school. At that time, we wanted to recapture the creative synergy we had before COVID when we were building and producing together full-time. What started as a business-focused podcast for entrepreneurial couples naturally evolved into something more personal, conversations about life, partnership, and the day-to-day experiences of doing everything together for nearly thirty years. As Stephanie puts it, the first version of this show didn’t quite land. The new version, with our natural conversational flow, feels authentic and fun. Over time, it’s become less about strategy and more about sharing life as it happens. Shifting to monthly gives us the breathing room to let each new season of our life and business unfold before bringing it to the microphone. A Glimpse Into Our Current Season This episode also touches on a variety of personal and business updates: Family Life & Simple Joys: Stephanie talks about a heartwarming evening at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Halloween light display with my parents. Watching my mom’s childlike excitement at seventy years old was a highlight of the year and a reminder that joy can show up in the simplest shared experiences. Wildlife and Backyard Visitors: Stephanie shares her growing fascination with the deer who regularly visit our backyard, and why she’s resisting naming them (for now). My Amateur Radio Adventures: I give an update on my friendly competition with fellow ham operator Mark Volstad for the Decker Wildlife Management Area leaderboard. After a burst of activity and a few late-night logging sessions, I’m officially 1,000 QSOs ahead, though I know that may not last forever! Business Update - “Building an Online Business” Course: I talk about the completion of my new course, the clarity behind its offer, and how it integrates with my one-on-one coaching. The course package now includes two private 90-minute sessions with me, offering well over $3,000 in value for $2,000. It’s a perfect gateway for those who want to turn content creation into consistent profit. Why the Change Feels Right This new rhythm is about doing the right things at the right pace. Stephanie and I still love creating together. We just want to do it in a way that matches the current season of our life and business. We’ll keep sharing honest conversations, updates, and reflections every month right here on the podcast. Between now and then, we’ll continue to capture notes and ideas in our shared Apple Note titled “BLBT Topics,” so that each episode reflects the best of what’s unfolding in real time. If this episode resonated with you, or if you’ve been encouraged by the conversations we share here, we’d love to hear from you. Email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com or email Stephanie at stephanie@stephanieravenscraft.com. Until next time, keep living your life on purpose.

    1h 8m

  6. 10/13/2025

    052 - Projects, Podcasts, and Family Moments

    In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I share what we’ve each been working on and experiencing over the past week. I open the conversation with an exciting update on a long-awaited project: bringing my Building an Online Business course to completion. This course will become the foundation for much of my future messaging and marketing as I continue helping entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses to the next level. I also talk about the different versions of offers I’m currently considering and how they’ll fit into the bigger picture of what’s next for my coaching and course strategy. Stephanie shares about her most recent episode of The Thriving Mosaic podcast, episode 75, where she opens up about what it’s like to parent adult children. She also shares the mental shifts that helped her move through resistance and find her creative flow again , leading her back into content creation. I also talk about my weekend filled with amateur radio activity and the fun of going bowling with my dad and Matthew, a reminder of how much I value time spent together outside of work. We wrap up by reflecting on the season one finale of Blood of My Blood and sharing our thoughts on how the story concluded. It’s a grounded, personal episode that captures what life and business really look like when they unfold side by side.

    57 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    051 - When Inspiration Strikes: The Taylor Swift Album Event That Sparked a Scottish Folk Album

    In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I take you along for a relaxed fall walk and an unexpected creative adventure that unfolded over the weekend. We start with a simple reflection on what we love most about being self-employed, the freedom to take a Friday off for a spontaneous date day. That freedom, as it turns out, led straight into an experience that reignited a creative spark in a way I didn’t see coming. Stephanie shares her excitement over Taylor Swift’s latest album and how the theater release event was put together with lyric videos, behind-the-scenes clips, and Taylor’s commentary about her creative process. Hearing her talk about it reminded me of what happens when an artist gives themselves full permission to explore. Sitting there in that movie theater, I felt a wave of inspiration hit. Before the credits even rolled, I was jotting notes in my phone for something completely unexpected: a Scottish folk album. Back at home later that day, I went downstairs to my studio and opened Suno.ai. Two hours later, I had written and produced seven original tracks, complete with album art inspired by a photo I took in the Highlands of Scotland. The result became my new album, Highland Whispers. It’s a collection of modern Scottish folk songs that capture the same sense of beauty, mystery, and freedom I felt while driving through Glencoe years ago. I share two of those songs. It Will All Work Out can be heard in the middle of the episode and Highland Shadows can be heard at the very end. Lyrics and links to the full album are available at the bottom of these show notes. We also talk about the conversation that followed. Stephanie’s honest reaction to my process, the difference between “creating from scratch” and co-creating with new tools, and how technology can open doors for people who’ve always had music in their heart but not necessarily the traditional skills to bring it forward. I share why this project wasn’t about business strategy or branding at all. It was simply about creating for joy. From there, our walk turns toward everyday life again: our family outing to Homearama, where we explored seven custom-built homes and talked about design, personality, and what makes a space feel alive. And finally, I share a few updates on what’s happening inside my business such at the Building an Online Business course, possible new mastermind experiences, and what’s next on the creative horizon. Key Themes The freedom that comes with designing your own schedule. Inspiration as something you can’t plan for, but can make space for. How creativity and technology are blending in new ways. Doing things purely for joy, without attaching them to business outcomes. The importance of trusting your creative flow and letting it lead where it will. The Path Forward This episode is a reminder that inspiration rarely arrives when we’re forcing outcomes. It shows up in the in-between moments. When we stay open, anything can happen… even an entire Scottish folk album in a single afternoon. Find Highland Whispers Full Album With These Links Album Promo Link: https://artists.landr.com/057829749382 Apple Music Spotify YouTube Music Amazon Music Pandora It Will All Work Out [Verse 1] Clouds are heavy but they drift away The darkest nights still lead to day The river bends but finds the sea What’s meant to be will always be [Prechorus] You can’t see the stars through the storm But they’re there Keeping warm [Chorus] It will all work out It will all work out When the doubts come loud Shout them out shout them out Through the twists and turns and the fear and doubt Hold on tight It will all work out [Verse 2] The road is cracked but it still goes on A broken clock still finds the dawn Every puzzle piece has its place Every fall gives you the space [Prechorus] To rise again To try once more Every closed door hides a door [Chorus] It will all work out It will all work out When the doubts come loud Shout them out shout them out Through the twists and turns and the fear and doubt Hold on tight It will all work out Highland Shadows The heather sways The winds they cry A lone stag watches the fading sky Stone walls crumble Moss grows deep Ancient whispers where the mountains sleep Oh Highland shadows Where do you roam? Through the mist To the heart of home Carry my longing Carry my name Through the glens Through the rain The same The loch lies still Dark and wide Secrets ripple just beneath the tide A blackbird's song cuts through the grey Echoes fade Then drift away Clouds roll heavy Skies weep low Do they grieve for what we’ll never know? Oh Highland shadows Where do you roam? Through the mist To the heart of home Carry my longing Carry my name Through the glens Through the rain The same The piper’s wail on a distant hill A sound that lingers Quiet Still I’ve walked this land I’ve called it mine But the shadows They belong to time Find Highland Whispers Full Album With These Links Album Promo Link: https://artists.landr.com/057829749382 Apple Music Spotify YouTube Music Amazon Music Pandora

    1h 15m

  8. 10/01/2025

    050 - Meeting People Where They Are: A New Season of Focus

    In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I open up about what’s been happening in our personal lives and in our business. We start lightheartedly, talking about her excitement for an upcoming Taylor Swift release in theaters and our family’s long-standing tradition of attending Homearama. We even share a bit of our everyday banter, complete with neighborhood interruptions, geese crossings, and pizza talk. From there, the conversation takes a deeper turn. I reflect on the past couple of years in our business, specifically the financial ebbs we’ve experienced, the choices that led us here, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I share candidly about my journey of shifting focus, experimenting with how I show up, and the impact that my spiritual exploration has had on my audience and income. Stephanie and I discuss the reality of walking through a long ebb season, what it’s taught us about authenticity, and how it’s led me to make a major decision: I’m shifting my professional focus back to the core audiences who first connected with my work, successful entrepreneurs, those in the struggle of building, and aspiring business owners. I unpack the importance of product-to-market fit, why I’ve decided to lean back into practical, actionable business strategy and mindset coaching, and how this change doesn’t mean abandoning depth or authenticity. Instead, it means meeting people where they are and guiding them from there. This episode is part behind-the-scenes reflection, part real-time pivot, and part encouragement for anyone who’s navigating seasons of transition in their own work. If you’ve ever wrestled with clarity, messaging, or wondering how to serve people in a way that connects, I think you’ll find this conversation both relatable and inspiring.

    1h 2m
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About

Building A Life and Business Together is a weekly conversation between Cliff and Stephanie Ravenscraft. This show is a living transmission of what it looks like to walk side by side through the highs and lows, the messy middles, and the miraculous moments of a life fully lived. Whether we’re walking the neighborhood or sitting in the studio. It’s real, unfiltered, often hilarious, and always us.

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