Small Creator, Big World

smallcreatorbigworld
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Hey there 👋 We’re Becky and Bhav, and we’re so glad you found your way here. Small Creator, Big World is our little corner of the internet where we talk about what it’s really like to put yourself online. Every month, we share stories, ideas we’re noodling on, and behind-the-scenes experiments about growing as creators. This space is for anyone who’s trying to build something meaningful without getting lost in the noise. Whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for a while, we hope you’ll find encouragement, fresh ideas, and do it all in good company.

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    We’ve Been Doing This Podcast Wrong (+ What We’re Changing)

    🚨 Sign up to our newsletter for small creators - https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com*****Hey World 👋 In this episode, we tried to answer a deceptively simple question: what even is a small creator? Somewhere along the way, we unpacked why we don’t want this podcast to be about optimisation - and what we actually want it to be instead.We talk building community over “expert advice,” why stories beat strategies, and how we’re using the podcast and newsletter to document our own creator journeys in real time.If you’re creating, figuring things out, and craving a bit of company along the way - this one’s for you ✨⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 - An Accidental Existential Crisis (Before Minute One) 😅12:56 - This Isn’t About Growth - It’s About People ❤️23:19 - Creating for Fun, Not Optimisation ✨27:56 - So … What Even Is a Small Creator? 🤷‍♀️38:09 - The Accidental Fan Club Segment 💖41:26 - Conversations Over Creator Tutorials 💬49:01 - Our Final Definition of a Small Creator 📏52:53 - Why We Started a Newsletter (Honestly) 📨59:14 - Bhav Life Update: Simplifying Everything 🧹01:01:21 - Becky Life Update: Checklists, Clients & Momentum ✅LINKS✍️ Jakub’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkliszczak⏰ Join our (free!) Creator Office Hours - https://luma.com/smallcreator*****FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavsWORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    1h 9m

  2. JAN 15

    4 Lessons from 2025 as Small Creators

    ⏰ Join our Creator Office Hours (it's free!): https://luma.com/smallcreator*****Hey World 👋 In this episode, we’re looking back on 2025 as small creators - the goals we set (and ignored), the career curveballs we didn’t plan for, and what actually moved the needle when everything felt a bit chaotic.We talk quitting without a perfect plan, learning in public, our accidental podcast “wrapped,” and why we’re heading into 2026 with fewer goals and a lot more curiosity. If you’re a small creator figuring things out as you go, this one’s for you.Happy creating and happy new year ✨⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Goals Were Set. Goals Were Ignored 😅12:11 - Resigned First, Thought Later 🤡23:42 - The One Thing I’d Do Differently ⏳35:10 - 2025 Wrapped ⏪46:48 - Goals, But Make It Vibes 🌀LINKS🔗 Small Creator Big World Newsletter - https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com*****FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavsWORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://go.beckyisj.com/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 2

    The One Resource You Need As A Small Creator

    Hey World 👋 In this episode, we share our top resources for small creators, from podcasts to people to follow. Instead of adding to the noise, we’re sharing the few resources that have helped us think clearer and create better, including one that we keep forwarding to our friends because it’s just THAT good.If you’re a small creator feeling overwhelmed by options and advice, this one’s for you 🚀⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Top 6 Podcasts 🎧10:14 - Top 5 Books 📚22:48 - Top 3 Articles 📝35:25 - Top 6 Creators to Follow 👀47:35 - Top 5 Courses 🎓56:55 - Top Apps of the Year 📱01:08:17 - Life Updates & What’s Next 🔮WORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chatLINKS🔗 Get our full list of resources here: https://bhavs.notion.site/SBCW-2025-Best-Resources-2dc75dd454ed8062823aeaec05b99d41🗺️ Tintin's $100k YouTuber Roadmap: http://100kroadmap.co*****FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavsWORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    1h 18m

  4. 12/14/2025

    Why I Left Journalism for Content Creation

    Hey World 👋 In this solo episode of Small Creator Big World, I (Becky) talk about why I left journalism for content creation - and why I think other journalists should consider the switch too. We get into why so many journalists are jumping into podcasts, newsletters, and YouTube, what you gain (and lose) when you leave a newsroom, and why owning your audience matters more than being attached to a big media brand. If you’re a journalist thinking about your future, or a creator who cares about doing good, credible work on the internet, this one’s for you. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 How I Got My Start in Journalism 📝 03:43 Realising My Work Lived Online 🌐 08:59 Why Journalists Are Moving Into Content Creation 🚀 13:17 Why Owning Your Audience Changes Everything 🌱 🔗 LINKS 📝 Becky’s Article on Indie Thinkers: https://www.indiethinkers.com/cp/175531136 FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs WORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    20 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    Why Your Work Gets Better When You Stop Creating Alone

    Hey World 👋 In this episode, we dive into why finding your creative people matters so much - from the loneliness of starting out to the huge boost you get from having a squad who gets it. We talk about writing processes, idea storage, giving and receiving feedback, and how creator group chats quietly become the engine behind everything you make.If you’re building your thing and want to feel a little less alone, this one’s for you. 🎨🚀⏰ TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Creating Alone vs Creating Together 🎨09:07 - How Writers Turn Ideas Into Essays 📝15:33 - Why Creator Group Chats Are a Lifeline 🔗20:59 - Collaborating on Creative Work 🤝30:05 - Putting Yourself Out There to Meet Creators 🚀34:34 - Life Updates and Travel Plans ✈️🔗 LINKS MENTIONED📝 Becky’s essay on “How to find your tribe”: https://beckyisj.substack.com/p/how-to-find-your-tribe*****FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavsWORK WITH US👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    39 min

  6. 11/14/2025

    Starting to get paid as a creator? Listen to this.

    Hey World 👋 In this episode, we’re talking through the practical side of getting set up for client work - including how we approached the sole trader vs limited company decision and everything we learned along the way. We walk through the actual conversations, the back-and-forth, the unexpected admin, and what ended up shaping Bhav’s choice. It’s very much a “here’s what we learned while trying to figure this out in real time” kind of episode. If you’re picking up freelance projects, starting to work with clients, or just wondering how people set themselves up behind the scenes - hopefully this will give you a clearer picture of what the process actually looks like. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Figuring Out: Sole Trader or Limited Company? 🧩 15:03 - The Practical Reality of Becoming a Sole Trader 💼 29:55 - Limited Company 101: What I’ve Learned So Far 🏢 40:53 - Same Dilemma, Different Country: Hong Kong Edition 🌏 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED 💳 Mettle - free UK business bank account: https://www.mettle.co.uk/ 📊 FreeAgent - accounting software: https://www.freeagent.com/ 🧮 Financial calculator: https://www.123financials.com/calculator/company-vs-sole-trader FIND US✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com/ 📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs WORK WITH US 👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min 🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    52 min

  7. 10/30/2025

    How We Accidentally Started Making Money Online

    Hey World 👋 In this episode, we share exactly how we went from zero to eleven clients in thirty days - through showing up consistently, creating small offers, and turning online conversations into real work. We also dig into building a personal brand that actually works - one that opens doors, attracts opportunities, and helps you find your people without feeling forced or fake. From LinkedIn experiments to creative coaching, we unpack what’s been moving the needle for us lately. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Life Updates: Becky gets published ✍️ Bhav climbs a mountain ⛰️ 06:43 - Work Updates: Becky films a hit 🎬 Bhav starts a new chapter 🌱 13:02 - How Do You Actually Build a Personal Brand? 🤔 28:03 - From Calendly Links to Clients ✨ 35:41 - Becky's Ted Talk: How to Find Your People 🧡 39:02 - Saying Yes [to work] and Figuring It Out Later 🚀 48:43 - The 30 Day IG Challenge 🏆 RESOURCES MENTIONED 🚀 7-Day LinkedIn Glow Up Guide: https://beckyisj.gumroad.com/l/linkedin-glow-up 📰 Zine - Unwritten: https://pathless.metalabel.com/unwritten 📺 Life of Riza - Think Week Vlog: https://youtu.be/mf9KYXqwaS8 📚 Good Work by Paul Millerd - https://amzn.to/3KCRpTO 📚 The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd - https://amzn.to/3KhjSOZ ***** FIND US: ✍️ Becky’s Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com 📸 Bhav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs WORK WITH US 👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min 🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat

    59 min
  8. How Small Creators Actually Start Making Money

    09/25/2025

    How Small Creators Actually Start Making Money

    📚 Good Work by Paul Millerd: https://amzn.to/3KCRpTO If you’ve ever felt stuck wondering what role work should play in your life, this book is for you. *Good Work* is full of insights on building a career that aligns with your values and energy. We both love it, it’s changed how we think about our own paths, and we can’t recommend it enough 😊 Hey World 👋 In this episode, we explore what it really takes to find your footing as a small creator … figuring out when to give your work away, how to start charging for your skills, and what it really looks like to build something small but meaningful. Along the way, we talk family, side hustles, and the kind of “good work” that keeps pulling us back. *⏰ TIMESTAMPS* 00:00 - Hyrox, Reading Systems & Enjoying the Journey 08:21 - Only 15 More Visits with Your Parents (Capturing Family While You Can) 18:26 - Working for Free - Good or Bad Idea 22:58 - Should Your Passion Become a Side Hustle? 30:31 - How a LinkedIn Post Landed Me Coaching Clients 36:05 - How to Price Your Services 39:24 - Why Every Creator Needs a Personal Website 45:54 - Our Mission: Kickstarting 10,000 Creative Careers (How Can We Help You?) 54:23 - We’re Launching a Small Creator Community 01:03:22 - Chasing Purpose, Not Just Paychecks *RESOURCES MENTIONED* 🚀 7-Day LinkedIn Glow Up Guide - https://beckyisj.gumroad.com/l/linkedin-glow-up 📚 Good Work* by Paul Millerd - https://amzn.to/3KCRpTO 📚 The Pathless Path* by Paul Millerd - https://amzn.to/3KhjSOZ 📚 The Five Types of Wealth* by Sahil Bloom - https://amzn.to/3W4mwdt 📚 Take Your Shot* by Robin Waite - https://amzn.to/4nlsTFu 📚 The YouTube Formula* by Derral Eves - https://amzn.to/3W4RJx5 😃 Mo Gawdat’s “One Billion Happy” mission - https://www.mogawdat.com/about 🎬 Pete Matheson’s Aspiring Creator Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@AnAspiringCreator *WORK WITH US* 👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min 🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-chat ***** FIND BECKY: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyisj 🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyisj ✍️ Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com FIND BHAV: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs 🎙️ Podcast: https://youtube.com/CreatorsCampfire ✍️ Substack: https://bhavs.substack.com MORE SMALL CREATOR BIG WORLD: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallcreatorbigworld ✍️ Substack: https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com

    1h 13m
  9. Life in Transition: Careers, Creators & Chaos

    08/03/2025

    Life in Transition: Careers, Creators & Chaos

    Hello World 👋 This month we ditched the agenda and let the mics roll — a yapping session on life, work, burnout, creative wins, and a few chaotic tech moments. We chat about: 📚 Bhav’s love letter to Meditations for Mortals (and Becky’s confusion on the title) 🏃‍♀️ Becky’s third (and last?) Hyrox 🧠 Bhav’s reflections on taking three months off work and what comes next 👩🏻‍💻 Becky adjusting to a new role in the creator economy and battling self-doubt 💼 Bhav’s first attempt at explaining what she actually does after four years in ops 🎤 The K-pop fan forum that actually launched Becky’s creative career (and love life???) If you’re in a season of transition — changing roles, shipping new projects, or wondering if you’re “too much” for the people around you — this one’s for you 💛 P.S. If anyone wants to be a beta reader for Becky’s Bitesize Creativity book (even if it’s just a chapter) then just drop an email to becky@beckyisj.com 🙏 ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Book Talk: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman14:35 - Productivity Tips for Creators: Why you should your Energy22:54 - KPop Demon Hunters & KPop Translations28:55 - Bhav's Unemployment Update: What even is Operations?33:45 - Fitness Updates: Hyrox in Hong Kong40:36 - Holding Yourself Back as a Creator (& Shedding Friends)50:39 - Becky's Employment Update: Lack of Confidence & Transitions58:30 - Posting UGC Reels (& How Short Form Content is different to Long Form)01:03:57 - Writing a Book: Final Edits 🔗 LINKS 📚 Meditations for Mortals: https://amzn.to/4ol3n3M ✍️ Bhav Substack - How I Made Reading Feel Effortless: https://open.substack.com/pub/bhavs/p/how-i-made-reading-feel-effortless ✍️ Becky Substack - The Blast Radius of Ambition: https://open.substack.com/pub/beckyisj/p/the-blast-radius-of-ambition 📱 10% off the Voicepal App: https://app.voicepal.me/referral?via=bhav 💼 WORK WITH US 👩‍💻 Book a call with Becky: https://calendly.com/beckyisj/30min 🐙 Book a call with Bhav: https://calendly.com/justbhavs/bhav-45

    1h 12m
  10. Second Channels, Substacks & Self-Doubt

    07/11/2025

    Second Channels, Substacks & Self-Doubt

    Hello World 👋 In June's episode, we're tackling the question that every creator eventually stumbles on: should I start a second channel (or platform, or IG account or Substack etc)?We chat about:😱 Bhav telling her family she’s left her full-time job😵‍💫 Becky asking Bhav if she should start a second Substack🚀 Some examples of when second channels work and why🤷‍♀️ How to know if an idea is worth “doubling down” on or just letting simmer🫩 The hidden cost of splitting your creative focus😌 Bhav’s newsletter process that actually feels sustainableIf you’ve ever had one upload blow up and thought “should I turn this into its own thing?” or just have lots of different interests, this one’s for you 🫡(p.s. the episode was super delayed because Riverside has some serious audio syncing issues which meant this needed many hours on the edit to just get it to this place 😭)*****⏰ Timestamps00:00 Life Updates: sabbaticals, fitness & creator events15:23 Starting a Substack newsletter21:19 The writing process (writing like a journalist and how & where AI can help)35:41 Substack, niches and second channel energy51:22 How to find your niche & niching down01:00:05 The benefits of not splitting your focus (& how to know when to)*****🔗 Links MentionedBhav's Substack (Detour Diaries): https://bhavs.substack.com/Creator Leaders Event Post: https://bhavs.substack.com/p/notes-from-a-night-with-creatorsCreator Leaders: https://www.instagram.com/creatorleadershqBecky's COYJ Series: https://beckyisj.substack.com/t/cheat-on-your-jobTintin Smith's Substack: https://substack.com/@tintinsmith*****Find Becky:✍️ Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyisj📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyisjFind Bhav:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BhavSharma🎙️ Podcast: https://youtube.com/CreatorsCampfireMore Small Creator, Big World:✍️ Substack: https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallcreatorbigworld

    1h 11m

  11. 05/28/2025

    What We’ve Learned About Consistency as Small Creators

    Hello World 👋 We’re diving into the age-old creator dilemma: should you be consistent, or should you prioritise quality?In this episode of Small Creator, Big World, we share what we’ve learned from building in public, burning out, and getting back on track.We chat about:– Why Bhav’s podcast died a slow, perfectionist death– Becky's 3-year publishing streak (on Substack) and how she’s now in too deep to stop– How setting the bar *stupidly low* might be the best thing you could do– And why sometimes, stopping a creative project isn’t failing, it’s just finishing a seasonIf you’ve ever felt stuck between pumping out content and holding out for “banger” quality, this episode is for you 🫶*****Find Becky:✍️ Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyisj📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyisjFind Bhav:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BhavSharma🎙️ Podcast: https://youtube.com/CreatorsCampfireMore Small Creator, Big World:✍️ Substack: https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallcreatorbigworld

    1h 7m

  12. 05/02/2025

    From Corporate to Creative: Our Creator Story

    Hello World 👋 In our very first episode, we (Becky & Bhav) talk about the start of our creator journeys, including our side-hustle newsletters, YouTube videos, and working for two of the big cohort-based online courses on the internet. 🎬 You can also watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/25e9jyfM72U ***** Find Becky ✍️ Substack: https://beckyisj.substack.com 🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyisj 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyisj Find Bhav 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbhavs 🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BhavSharma 🎙️ Podcast: https://youtube.com/CreatorsCampfire More Small Creator, Big World ✍️ Substack: https://smallcreatorbigworld.substack.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallcreatorbigworld

    54 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Hey there 👋 We’re Becky and Bhav, and we’re so glad you found your way here. Small Creator, Big World is our little corner of the internet where we talk about what it’s really like to put yourself online. Every month, we share stories, ideas we’re noodling on, and behind-the-scenes experiments about growing as creators. This space is for anyone who’s trying to build something meaningful without getting lost in the noise. Whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for a while, we hope you’ll find encouragement, fresh ideas, and do it all in good company.

Information

  • Creator
    smallcreatorbigworld
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © smallcreatorbigworld
  • Show Website
    Small Creator, Big World