The Playhouse Podcast: Real conversations with creative business owners growing through community and networking

Deanna Seymour | Community Builder + Networking Party Host
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Marketing

The Playhouse Podcast features real conversations with creative business owners about what's actually working in their businesses. Hosted by Deanna Seymour, founder of The Playhouse community. Whether you're learning how to grow your business as a designer, coach, writer, podcaster, or solopreneur, this show is for creative entrepreneurs who want to build something sustainable without losing their minds to social media. Most creative business owners aren't looking for business as usual. We're not interested in dedicating our lives to the algorithm, and we're not interested in surface-level small talk. We want to grow our businesses through relationships, referrals, and real conversations. (And yes, we're talking to a lot of introverts who'd rather network in small groups than shout into the void.) Topics we explore: Anti-hustle and slow businessMarketing without social mediaNetworking for introverts and quiet entrepreneursBurnout and sustainable workCommunity over contentADHD and neurodivergent business ownersReferrals, collaborations, and real connectionEmail marketing and owned audiencesCreative ways to grow without burning outEach episode is recorded live inside The Playhouse, where listeners can join us for free, ask questions during the Q&A after party, and meet other online business owners building anti-algorithm businesses. This podcast has gone through a few names as The Playhouse has grown, but the heart of it has always been the same: real conversations that help creative entrepreneurs grow together. If you're ready for authentic visibility, more collaboration, and a way of doing business that leaves you energized instead of exhausted, you're in the right place. 👉 Join the next LIVE recording for free inside The Playhouse at jointheplayhouse.com

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Deleting Playhouse Podcast

    The Playhouse Podcast: Real conversations with creative business owners growing through community and networking

  2. Sep 29

    Messaging That Respects Your Audience and Connects with Lara Eastburn

    Your sales page is a first date, treat them to the steak. Lara Eastburn shares why dropping the marketing “shoulds” and just telling the truth is your greatest sales tool, and how the right people will recognize themselves when your messaging finally matches up with reality. In this episode: 0:00 Why your website’s job is matchmaking, not convincing 2:00 The “virtual business suit” and why it ruins your messaging 5:44 How to strip away sales hacks and just tell the truth 7:15 The magic of helping people self-identify as a fit (or not) 13:44 Why long sales pages won’t make your offer more affordable We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about: Why you don’t need a lead magnet (seriously)When NOT to run Facebook adsWhere the best line on your website is probably hidingHow to talk about your business without making assumptions about your peopleWhy “ideal client avatars” can make your copy worse, not betterListen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com and you could be the guest on the next episode highlighting our awesome members! Hang out with Lara: https://laraeastburn.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

  3. Sep 15

    How to Improve Your Customer’s User Experience with Nadia Rayward

    If people can’t figure out how to buy from you, or sign up for your events, or hit that dreaded 404 page you are losing sales. I’m chatting with Nadia Rayward from Sugar Beet Studios to chat all about user experience (UX) and why it matters for solopreneurs. In this episode: 02:01 What “user experience” really means (and why bad UX stands out) 04:33 The biggest “points of contact” you MUST consider for your business 06:58 Real-life example: handling waitlists, confirmations & why little details matter 10:42 How to actually TEST your experiences with real people (without fancy tools 13:03 The #1 thing visitors need to know on your homepage (in the first 5 seconds!) The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes: Where to actually put your call-to-action so people don't miss itWhy AI still can't replace real user testing, and what that means for youSimple, low-cost ways to test your website with real people before you launchListen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com Get your first month for just $10 when you use the coupon code PODCAST Hang out with Nadia: https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiarayward https://sugarbeetstudios.kit.com/newsletter https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com/build-with-intention-monthly-meetup Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

  4. Sep 1

    Stop Confusing Being Busy for Being Productive with Maria Medina

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re always checking things off your list but your business isn’t moving forward, this episode will help you adjust that to-do list big time! Maria Medina breaks down how to tell if you’re actually being productive or just busy so your workday finally starts working for you. In this episode: 0:00 Why productivity and busy are not the same thing 2:31 How your calendar reveals your real priorities 5:35 The Eisenhower Matrix for prioritizing your to-dos 8:05 ADHD and the hidden productivity struggles business owners face 14:40 The one system you need to clarify your goals and actions We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about: Why a "good" system can be as simple as Post-it Notes, and how to know if yours actually workThe ADHD-rooted reason follow-up feels so uncomfortable (and how to get past it)How to stop losing track of your best connections with a dead simple follow-up systemListen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com Get your first month for just $10 when you use the coupon code PODCAST Hang out with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariamedinacoach https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamedinacoach https://thecoachingnetwork.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

  5. Aug 18

    Fun, Play, and Building a Business That Actually Feels Good with Steph DragonHeart Benedetto

    What if having more fun at work could actually help your business thrive? Steph DragonHeart Benedetto’s here to challenge the idea that play and productivity are opposites, and prove that a playful mindset can spark real results. In this episode: 0:00 Why we think play + productivity can’t mix (and what happens when they do) 2:26 How to redefine play so it fits your business and your personality 5:35 Choosing the “game” you want to play in your business 7:59 Why less pushing and stressing can actually make you more productive 10:28 Simple ways to spot opportunities for play, even if it doesn’t come naturally The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes: What “premature practicality” is and why it kills big ideaWhether you should focus on strategy before play if money’s tightHow to experiment with play in your work without feeling sillyHang out with Steph: https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/wildspire https://www.dragonheartquest.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierbenedetto https://www.youtube.com/@StephBenedetto Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

  6. Aug 4

    How to Build Business Systems Without Overcomplicating Everything with Trish Markel

    If you think you “suck at systems” this episode is going to totally blow your mind. Trish Markel breaks down why systems aren’t one-size-fits-all, why your routines already count, and how the right system should make your business feel lighter…not harder! In this episode: 0:00 Why “system shame” is so common for entrepreneurs 1:32 How Trish actually defines systems (it might not be what you think) 5:12 Why it’s okay if someone else’s fancy system doesn’t work for you 9:12 When you actually need a system and when you really don’t 14:01 The real job of a system: increase profit, reduce mental load, or improve client experience The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes: How to automate your business without losing your personalitySimple systems you can build with tools you probably already haveThe one question to ask before creating any systemHang out with Trish: https://www.instagram.com/tasklemonade Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Playhouse Podcast features real conversations with creative business owners about what's actually working in their businesses. Hosted by Deanna Seymour, founder of The Playhouse community. Whether you're learning how to grow your business as a designer, coach, writer, podcaster, or solopreneur, this show is for creative entrepreneurs who want to build something sustainable without losing their minds to social media. Most creative business owners aren't looking for business as usual. We're not interested in dedicating our lives to the algorithm, and we're not interested in surface-level small talk. We want to grow our businesses through relationships, referrals, and real conversations. (And yes, we're talking to a lot of introverts who'd rather network in small groups than shout into the void.) Topics we explore: Anti-hustle and slow businessMarketing without social mediaNetworking for introverts and quiet entrepreneursBurnout and sustainable workCommunity over contentADHD and neurodivergent business ownersReferrals, collaborations, and real connectionEmail marketing and owned audiencesCreative ways to grow without burning outEach episode is recorded live inside The Playhouse, where listeners can join us for free, ask questions during the Q&A after party, and meet other online business owners building anti-algorithm businesses. This podcast has gone through a few names as The Playhouse has grown, but the heart of it has always been the same: real conversations that help creative entrepreneurs grow together. If you're ready for authentic visibility, more collaboration, and a way of doing business that leaves you energized instead of exhausted, you're in the right place. 👉 Join the next LIVE recording for free inside The Playhouse at jointheplayhouse.com

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