Building A Life And Business Together

Cliff & Stephanie Ravenscraft
  • 3.8 (6)
  • 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. 5d ago

    062 - New Homes, New Chapters, and Building Momentum

    A lot has changed since our last episode. Meagan and Jacob closed on their first home Matthew returned from his month in Japan And McKenna signed the lease for her apartment in Texas. We share the latest updates and look ahead to our upcoming U-Haul adventure to Fort Worth. I also share how Next Level Mastermind: Momentum moved from an early idea to its first official meeting in just four weeks. We talk about the three-month initial commitment The faster-paced hot-seat format And the emerging Momentum framework that helps people move from clarity and insight into committed, calendared action. Stephanie shares that she has begun creating her own personal manifesto. She reflects on protecting her highest-energy hours for the work she wants to pursue and reports that she has already completed five of the eight personal connections she committed to making during July. Learn More About Manifestos In Episode 829 of The Cliff Ravenscraft Show, I share the seven-day process I used to create my personal manifesto and how it became a living declaration of who I am becoming, what I am devoted to, and how I want to live. Listen to Episode 829: A Manifesto for Living With More Clarity, Devotion, and Momentum Have a Conversation With Stephanie Are you a woman in our community who is navigating a season of change, rediscovering who you are, or feeling called to move forward with something meaningful in your life? Stephanie would love to hear what is happening in your world and have a conversation with you. Email Stephanie at stephanie@stephanieravenscraft.com. Next Level Mastermind: Momentum Next Level Mastermind: Momentum is an ongoing weekly mastermind environment for entrepreneurs who are actively building something meaningful and are ready for greater clarity, accountability, and focused forward movement. Check out all the details about Momentum at https://cliffravenscraft.com/momentum After you’ve had a chance to look over the page, email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com with “Momentum” in the subject line and let me know if it feels like something you would like to pursue.

  2. Jun 15

    061 - Matthew Goes To Japan, Momentum Returns, And Life Keeps Expanding

    In this episode, Stephanie and I invite you to join us on a beautiful morning walk in Hebron, Kentucky. It just so happened to be episode 61, recorded on a 61-degree morning in the middle of June, which felt like the perfect way to begin. We start by talking about the rhythm of this monthly show and how I am continuing to refine my ideal workweek. One of the big shifts I am making is setting aside Wednesday afternoons for podcast production, specifically for Podcast Answer Man and The Cliff Ravenscraft Show. Of course, as soon as I make that decision, real life immediately gives me a chance to test whether the ideal calendar can hold up. The heart of this episode is our conversation about Matthew leaving for Japan. Stephanie and I reflect on his path from Western Kentucky University, to working at DHL, to becoming a bus driver, to returning to school at Northern Kentucky University with a focus on mathematics, education, and Japanese. We talk about the courage, initiative, and leadership he has shown, especially as he helped coordinate travel plans with the other students in his study abroad group. There is something deeply moving about watching one of your adult children step into a larger vision for their life. Matthew is not just thinking about a single trip to Japan. He is thinking about possibilities, teaching, language, culture, student teaching abroad, and a future that has far more options than he once imagined. As his parents, we are both incredibly proud and deeply aware of how much we have enjoyed having him with us in this season. We also talk about our renewed commitment to walking together, how these daily walks are helping us stay connected, and how some of our best conversations happen when we are moving. I share how I have been using my Plaud Note Pro to capture these conversations, reflections, action items, and ideas that might otherwise be forgotten once the normal rhythm of the day begins. Toward the end of the episode, I share about the launch of Next Level Mastermind: Momentum, a new 90-day mastermind experience for people who are ready for clarity, consistency, accountability, and forward movement, but who may not yet be ready for the full established entrepreneur mastermind experience. This new offer has created a lot of fresh energy and clarity for me as I continue refining the way I serve people in this season. We close by celebrating all three of our children and the significant transitions happening in their lives. Megan and Jacob are looking for their first home. McKenna is preparing for her next chapter in Texas. Matthew is beginning a month-long adventure in Japan. And through it all, Stephanie and I are noticing just how aligned life feels right now as we continue building our life and business together. Learn more about Momentum here: http://mindsetanswerman.com/momentum

  3. May 20

    060 - From Bowling Green to Fort Worth: Celebrating McKenna’s Next Chapter

    In this episode, Stephanie and I share the full story of McKenna’s college graduation weekend and our trip to Fort Worth, Texas, as she prepares for law school at Texas A&M. We talked about the smaller social work ceremony at Western Kentucky University, where McKenna received multiple honors, including recognition for her research work and the Outstanding BSW Award for the Bowling Green campus. Stephanie shared what it felt like to hear one of McKenna’s professors describe her as a “once in a decade student,” and we both reflected on the joy of seeing McKenna recognized for the hard work, character, and self-motivation she has carried for years. We also shared about the larger graduation ceremony, the special moment when the dean hugged McKenna as she received her diploma, and the deep gratitude we felt watching all three of our kids together. One of Stephanie’s favorite moments was seeing Meagan, Matthew, and McKenna walking together, laughing with each other after the ceremony. From there, we talked about our trip to Fort Worth to tour Texas A&M School of Law and look at apartments with McKenna. The law school visit gave us both even more confidence that this is the right next step for her. We were impressed by the support system, the Aggie Network, the career placement focus, and the way the school seems deeply invested in the success of its students beyond graduation. We also shared a few travel stories from the trip, including the rental car adventure, apartment hunting, breakfast with Mark Mason, and the realization that we will probably be flying to Texas a lot over the next three years. This episode is really a family update, a graduation celebration, and a reflection on the transition from one meaningful season of parenting into the next.

  4. Apr 17

    059 - Designing A Life That Can Hold Everything That Matters

    In this episode, Stephanie and I head out for a walk and simply bring you along for the conversation. We talk about getting back into a rhythm of daily walks, shifting away from the gym, and what it’s been like to be more active again after a slower season. Stephanie shares an update on her sourdough journey, including why it’s been on pause and what might be coming next. We also talk about a show we’ve been watching called Shrinking, how it surprised us, and why we’ve enjoyed the evolution of the story across seasons. That leads into a brief conversation about Outlander and what it’s been like watching the current season unfold. From there, the conversation shifts into what’s happening in our world right now. We’ve got a lot coming up with family, including McKenna’s graduation, travel plans, hosting guests, and even a trip to Texas to look for an apartment as she prepares for law school. Stephanie shares what it’s been like navigating the tension between doing the things she enjoys and keeping up with the things that need to get done around the house. That leads into a real, unscripted conversation about how we each think about planning, responsibility, and decision making in the middle of a full life. I also talk a bit about a new system I’ve been experimenting with that I call my Insight Engine, and how it’s helping me capture ideas, reflect on coaching conversations, and generate content in a way that feels natural and sustainable. More than anything, this episode is just a snapshot of our life right now. The conversations we’re having, the things we’re thinking about, and the season we’re in. Thanks for being here and listening in.

  5. Mar 20

    058 - Sourdough & Contracts

    In this episode, Stephanie and I recorded while out on a walk on the first day of spring, and the conversation naturally unfolded into what life has looked like for each of us over the past few weeks. Stephanie shared her continued journey with sourdough, including what it took to finally get her starter to thrive after multiple failed attempts. What stood out to me was how much of that process came down to filtering through conflicting advice, trusting her own observations, and sticking with it long enough to see results. Now she’s not only baking consistently but experimenting with new recipes and even sharing her starter with others. For me, I talked about returning to a 5am wake-up routine and how important those early, quiet hours are for reading, reflection, and creative thinking. I shared how reading Company of One helped me gain deeper clarity about who I’m really here to serve. Solopreneurs who genuinely enjoy working in their business and aren’t driven by scaling, exiting, or early retirement. I also talked about the book Big Magic and how it sparked something significant for me. The idea that creative work asks for commitment led me to make a personal decision. I’ve made a contract with myself to write a book on mastermind groups. That decision immediately led to new clarity, new ideas, and even unexpected conversations opening up around the Next Level Mastermind. We also touched on the relaunch of the mastermind, what we’re seeing so far, and how I’m thinking about creating a space that supports people from diverse backgrounds while keeping the focus on shared growth, contribution, and meaningful work. As always, this episode is a snapshot of where we are right now. What we’re learning, what we’re experimenting with, and how we’re continuing to build a life and business together.

  6. Feb 15

    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.

  7. 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

  8. 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

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3.8
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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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