Creators That Crush

Shawn Buttner
  • 5.0 (14)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Creating isn't just hard—it's one of the hardest things you can do. There's no step-by-step guide, no guarantees, and no one telling you what to do. For creators, the biggest challenges often lie outside their craft: navigating self-doubt, battling burnout, and pushing through the frustration of slow progress. That's where 'Creators That Crush' comes in. Hosted by certified high-performance coach Shawn Buttner, this show helps you tackle what's holding you back—perfectionism, fear of failure, and overwhelm—so you can thrive sustainably as a creator. Through actionable advice and personal insights, Shawn breaks down the four key areas of creative success: positive psychology, punchy physiology, purposeful productivity, and persuasive people skills. Whether you're seeking to reignite your creative spark, build healthier habits, or overcome imposter syndrome, you'll discover the tools needed to build the life and career you've been working toward. Subscribe today to cut through the chaos, master your craft, and enjoy the process!

  1. OCT 31

    Ep 37 - The Case For Enthusiasm

    If you’ve ever wondered why some creators stay consistent, grow their work, and keep loving the process while others quietly burn out, this episode will show you the difference. In this solo reflection, Shawn Buttner shares his initial case for enthusiasm as the true currency of creativity, why sustained excitement for your craft predicts long-term success better than hustle, algorithms, or luck. Drawing from his own journey from business school to Walmart, Apple, and finally coaching, Shawn shows how enthusiasm guided every major pivot and how losing it nearly ended his creative drive. You’ll also hear what Shawn learned from studying dozens of “I Quit” creator videos and how fading enthusiasm, not failure, was usually the real reason people walked away. He then unpacks five lasting benefits of protecting and amplifying your enthusiasm: clearer career decisions, creative freedom, contagious energy, sustainable motivation, and deep personal satisfaction. If your spark has dimmed or you’ve been pushing through out of obligation, this episode will help you reconnect with why you started. What are your thoughts on enthusiasm? The two questions from the episode are: When is a time when your enthusiasm helped lead you to success? When is a time when you were, your enthusiasm dropped and it caused you to quit something? Feel free to email support@shawnbuttner.com with your answers or thoughts. To see a creator enthusiasm journey, check out Kev Michael's interview here: https://youtu.be/u3mvOCXj5xU

    19 min

  2. SEP 30

    Resilience Drives Results | Episode 36 with Carlos Garcia

    Tired of overthinking? Doubting your work and letting fear hold you back? Mindset can only get you so far. What you really need is the resilience to show up and build real confidence. Resilience coach Carlos Garcia is an expert in resilience training and performing under pressure — especially when you're stuck in a cycle of anxiety and self-doubt. In this episode, he shares actionable tools and real-world practices you can start using today to rewire your nervous system, get out of your comfort zone, and feel confident in your content. You'll learn how to face the fears keeping you stuck and manage the discomfort of being a creator! Topics discussed: The vulnerability of being a creator Overcoming fear of judgment and imposter syndrome How to create a “personal constitution” The role of physical activity in resilience training Embarrassment drills and the exposure ladder tool How to rewrite the stories you tell yourself 3 common fears that hold creators back How to rewire your nervous system Carlos is co-founder of True Progress Lab, where he helps people get calm under pressure, get bold, and go after big opportunities. He’s also an attorney by trade, an Army reserve JAG, and an Army certified resilience trainer where he trains soldiers and leaders on tools to stay calm and resilient under stress. Links: Learn more about the Fortress Program that helps people get calm, get bold, and get after it: https://www.trueprogresslab.com/innerfortress Connect with Carlos on Instagram: @trueprogresslab Listen to Creators That Crush on Apple: https://apple.co/3duh0xG Listen to Creators That Crush on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zm76yT667pFBQfvPYhDl8?si=7f0267d0366742f7 Follow us on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYGHMT5cuFigp3efE8FwNw/ Connect with Shaw Buttner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnbuttner/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    41 min

  3. SEP 16

    Treat Your Content Like A Product To Connect | Episode 34

    Feel like you're creating but your content isn’t landing? The solution could be as simple as treating your content like a product. Not sure what that means? In this episode, Diana Ordoñez explains how to define the “job” of your content, clarify your audience, and create content that connects. You’ll learn a simple exercise to discover your core values and how to use empathy as a strategic tool for growth. If you want to turn your content from a hobby into a business, this episode is for you! Topics discussed: The product manager mindset for creators Why creators need to niche down The “jobs to be done” concept How to create content that connects (and sells) How to define your values and build a business around them What it takes to sustain a creative business Diana Ordonez is an Executive & High Performance Coach (CHPC, BCC) with a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. She draws on her decade of experience as a corporate product management director, along with her journey of personal resilience and growth, to help leaders lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence.   Connect with Diana Ordonez: https://www.lifeonpurpose.coach/thrive https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzBVp_swZl5Mqx_nVCi6fFQ https://instagram.com/lifeonpurpose.coach/   Listen to Creators That Crush on Apple: https://apple.co/3duh0xG Listen to Creators That Crush on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zm76yT667pFBQfvPYhDl8?si=7f0267d0366742f7 Follow us on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYGHMT5cuFigp3efE8FwNw/ Connect with Shaw Buttner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnbuttner/       This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    43 min

  4. SEP 2

    The Quest For Clarity | Episode 32

    If your publishing feels heavy, your positioning probably is. In this episode, Shawn shows professional creators how to define their audience using AAM—Audience, Aspiration, Method—and a 10-second one-liner you can actually say out loud. When AAM is crisp, creation gets easier, outreach lands, and platform changes don’t shake you.    You’ll hear clear AAM examples (Creator Science, Calm is the New KPI, GrowthDay) and Shawn’s own pivot from fuzzy messaging to a weekly outreach process and product clarity (premise/promise/delivery).    Then we run a timed AAM Drill: 5 minutes on audience identities/psychographics, 5 minutes on concrete aspirations, 5 minutes on the transformation (your method). Cap it with the Flow / Memorability / 10-Second checks so you can use your AAM this week.      Topics discussed: What is AAM and examples from other creators The 10-second test, and how you can accomplish it Where creators get tripped up Links: Link to Susan Boles's Episode: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/podcasts/creators-that-crush/episodes/2149041136 Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/3duh0xG Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zm76yT667pFBQfvPYhDl8?si=7f0267d0366742f7 Free 30-min Strategy Session: www.shawnbuttner.com/30

    23 min

  5. AUG 19

    Own Your Expert Power As A Creator | Episode 31 With Christine Blosdale

    You know your stuff... so why are you still struggling as a creator? Are you undervaluing your work or confused about your message? In this episode, branding coach Christine Blosdale breaks down how confidence (not talent) is holding you back and what it takes to own your expert power. If you're afraid to charge more for your services or call yourself an expert in your niche, her tips will help you overcome imposter syndrome, build your brand, and reach the right audience! Topics discussed: Common mistakes creators make How imposter syndrome holds you back How to define your message and your audience Six ways to overcome imposter syndrome Why you should embrace failure Christine Blosdale is The Expert Authority Coach — and for over 25 years, she's helped entrepreneurs, coaches, and business leaders stop playing small and start commanding the attention they deserve. As a five-time #1 bestselling author and award-winning media personality, Christine has contributed to major platforms like America Online and Microsoft - and now she helps entrepreneurs amplify their message with high-impact branding, marketing via podcasting, and bold visibility strategies that get results. Her mission? To help you master your message, magnetize your brand, and become the go-to authority in your niche. For more information visit ExpertAuthorityCoach.com Connect with Christine Blosdale: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristineBlosdale https://www.ExpertAuthorityCoach.com Get your free gift: https://mailchi.mp/4bbbfb0a3de4/survivalguide This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    35 min

  6. AUG 16

    The Three Transformations of Creators, 9 Things to Improve The Show, And 3 Things To Solve It. | Episode 30

    Most creators are told the answer to slow growth is more output, more tactics, or more courses. But what if the real breakthrough comes from looking inward? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own podcast and walking you through the nine things I believe are wrong with Creators That Crush. From a name that might be sending the wrong signal to unclear episode expectations, inconsistent quality, and engagement issues — I’m sharing it all. You’ll hear how I gathered feedback, spotted patterns, and boiled it all down into three big changes that will help me (and maybe you) create better, faster, and with more joy: Refocus on the show’s core promise. Lean into a consistent, transformation-driven episode structure. Invest more in pre-production to tighten clarity and packaging. If you’ve been creating for a while and feel stuck, this episode is your step-by-step example of how to use self-reflection to move forward. Listen in, then try this process for yourself. Check out the previously mentioned episode with Kev Michael Here: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/podcasts/creators-that-crush/episodes/2149073093   Apple: https://apple.co/3duh0xG Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zm76yT667pFBQfvPYhDl8?si=7f0267d0366742f7 Free 30-min Creator Strategy Session: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/30

    22 min

  7. AUG 12

    Survive the 7-Year Creator Burnout Cycle w/ Kev Michael | Episode 29

    Remember when podcasting used to be fun? If you're feeling uninspired or like your show is running on autopilot, you may be due for a creative reset. Kev Michael of Grow the Show is a podcast growth expert, but even he found himself stuck in the 7-year creator burnout cycle. In this episode, he shares what he did to get excited about being a creator again and why he decided to reverse his podcast rebrand. You’ll learn how to keep creating without burning out, get your mojo back, and start crushing it as a creator! Topics discussed: Why Kev rebranded his podcast (twice) What the 7-year burnout cycle looks like How podcast growth strategies have evolved Balancing your creative side and business side Rebranding and reinventing as a creator How to define your audience the right way Tips to build confidence and creativity Kev Michael is a podcaster and podcast coach. His first podcast, Philly Who?, was launched in 2018 as a side hustle while he was a corporate software developer. Within 18 months, Philly Who? surpassed 100,000 downloads and more than six figures in monetized revenue. In 2020, Kevin launched Grow The Show, a podcast, and the Grow The Show Accelerator, an intensive podcast accelerator program. Since then the Grow The Show has impacted over 50,000 podcasters, and the Grow The Show Accelerator has helped over 500 podcasters grow and monetize. Connect with Kev Michael: https://twitter.com/kevinchemidlin https://instagram.com/kevinchemidlin https://linkedin.com/in/kevinchemidlin https://www.youtube.com/@growtheshow Check out the episode on skyrocketing your confidence here: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/podcasts/creators-that-crush/episodes/2149061066  Join me for a 30 minute free creator strategy session here: https://www.shawnbuttner.com/30  This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique: https://podcastboutique.com

    40 min

  8. AUG 8

    You Were the Creative Star. So Why Do You Feel So Stuck Now? | Episode 28

    Free Strategy Session: If you want help breaking through creative burnout, grab a free 30-minute strategy call at www.shawnbuttner.com/30 ------- You were the creative star — the ideas, the voice, the energy that made it all happen. But somewhere along the way, success turned your spark into caution. And here’s the truth: caution kills creativity. In this episode, I’ll share why even the most talented creators can get stuck after success and what you can do to reignite your creative fire. I’ll walk you through my own story — how a silly, low-stakes Instagram reel about my coffee routine became the best-performing content I’d ever made, and what it taught me about overthinking, experimentation, and joy in the creative process. You’ll also hear lessons from creators like Jay Klaus, behind-the-scenes insights from Saturday Night Live, and a surprising pottery class study that proves why quantity often beats perfection. From there, I’ll break down five focus shifts that can get you unstuck fast: focus on effort, not outcomes; show up for the work instead of waiting for magic; embrace learning over perfection; think in terms of long-term growth rather than single hits; and choose intrinsic goals over external pressure. We’ll also talk about the balance between strategy and joy, why repeating what works can be useful (until it isn’t), and how to recognize when mental health challenges might be the real creative block. By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical framework for getting back to the kind of work that made you the creative star in the first place — and the confidence to let success follow naturally.

    16 min
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About

Creating isn't just hard—it's one of the hardest things you can do. There's no step-by-step guide, no guarantees, and no one telling you what to do. For creators, the biggest challenges often lie outside their craft: navigating self-doubt, battling burnout, and pushing through the frustration of slow progress. That's where 'Creators That Crush' comes in. Hosted by certified high-performance coach Shawn Buttner, this show helps you tackle what's holding you back—perfectionism, fear of failure, and overwhelm—so you can thrive sustainably as a creator. Through actionable advice and personal insights, Shawn breaks down the four key areas of creative success: positive psychology, punchy physiology, purposeful productivity, and persuasive people skills. Whether you're seeking to reignite your creative spark, build healthier habits, or overcome imposter syndrome, you'll discover the tools needed to build the life and career you've been working toward. Subscribe today to cut through the chaos, master your craft, and enjoy the process!

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Buttner
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    171
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 SB High Performance Group, LLC
  • Show Website
    Creators That Crush