What Are You Creating?

Cliff Ravenscraft
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Every entrepreneur starts with an idea. But what transforms an idea into a movement, a business, or a way of life? On What Are You Creating? I sit down with entrepreneurs, creators, and visionaries who are building work aligned with their deepest passions. In each conversation, we explore where their creativity comes from, how they access flow, what inspires them, and what keeps them motivated when challenges arise. But most importantly, we get clear on one question: What are you creating? These stories are filled with sparks. Sparks that can ignite new possibilities for your own life and business. You may discover income streams you’ve never considered, ways to align your passions with your work, or fresh inspiration to start creating something of your own. If you’re ready to expand what’s possible and hear from those boldly bringing their ideas to life, you’ll find it here.

  1. 1D AGO

    032 - The Connector Mindset: Helping Solopreneurs Scale Without Burnout With Ken Freire

    In this episode, I sit down with Ken Freire for a conversation that began with a simple LinkedIn connection request and quickly turned into something deeper. Ken and I discovered that we’ve been moving in many of the same circles for years. His work with Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus team and his partnership with Dan Sanchez connects closely with people and communities that have been part of my world for a long time. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation about business, relationships, podcasting, and the role of connection in building something meaningful. Ken describes himself as a connector. Someone who loves introducing the right people to each other and helping others find the support they need to move forward. That mindset shapes how he approaches both life and business. We talk about the unique challenges solopreneurs face. The isolation. The overwhelming number of roles they have to play. The constant pressure to grow without losing themselves or their families in the process. Ken also shares the system he and Dan Sanchez are building to help solopreneurs grow their authority and attract clients through content while avoiding the burnout that often comes with hustle culture. One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is how they’re experimenting with turning podcast content directly into books using modern AI tools and structured podcast frameworks. For anyone building a personal brand, coaching practice, or solopreneur business, this conversation offers a lot to think about. At its core, it comes back to a simple idea. Build something meaningful. Serve people well. Create from who you really are. Links Mentioned In This Episode Ken Freire and Solo Scaled Website: https://soloscaled.com Solo Scaled Podcast In Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/solo-scaled/id1821755384 Solo Scaled Podcast In Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0FPKjMBWd4koVXEIHuHuJk Ken’s Podcast-to-Book Cohort: https://micclub.co Podcast Answer Man Episode 482, Why You Should Consider Creating a Separate Podcast With Only 5–10 Episodes: https://PodcastAnswerMan.com/482 If this conversation resonated with you, I encourage you to check out Ken’s work and explore the resources above. And if you're an entrepreneur who feels called to build something meaningful while surrounding yourself with the right people, you may also want to explore the Next Level Mastermind. Details at: https://NextLevelMastermind.info

    59 min

  2. 5D AGO

    031 - From Marathon Miles to Meaningful Work with Erick Rheam

    In this conversation, I sit down with Erick Rheam. Erick is a keynote speaker, author of the book Rise Above Chaos, and host of the Rise Above The Chaos podcast. But long before he became a professional speaker, he was someone searching for direction. In fact, Erick first discovered my Podcast Answer Man podcast back in 2012 while he was training for a marathon. He told me that during those long runs, my voice was in his earbuds as he tried to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Now, more than a decade later, we finally sit down together to talk about the journey that took him from military leadership, to the corporate world, to building a successful speaking business. Along the way, Erick shares powerful stories about leadership, encouragement, resilience, and the courage it takes to step forward before you feel ready. This is one of those conversations that reminds me why I love podcasting. You never know where a conversation today might lead ten years from now. Links Related To This Episode Erick’s Website https://ErickRheam.com His Book Rise Above Chaos His Podcast Rise Above The Chaos Click Here To Listen to My Guest Appearance on Erick's Podcast Next Level Mastermind If you own a business, have a podcast, and connect with the content I create, I'd like to invite you to explore the Next Level Mastermind. It's a community of entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders committed to living and working with deeper intentionality. You can learn more at NextLevelMastermind.info You can also email me directly at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com to let me know you're interested, and we'll jump on a call to discuss it further.

    1h 5m

  3. FEB 12

    030 - Brian Erickson - Cincinnati Podcast Studio

    This conversation was recorded at the Cincinnati Podcast Studio with Brian Erickson. I originally invited Brian to join me for an episode of my What Are You Creating? podcast, which I typically produce as an audio-only show. Since Brian runs a studio devoted to high-quality video podcast production, he invited me to come to the studio and record the conversation there. This is a very unscripted conversation. It begins as an interview, but it naturally becomes a genuine exchange between two podcast professionals exploring how we each think about content creation. Where it’s been. Where it is now. And where it might be headed. At one point, Brian asks me to share my perspective on audio versus video, content ownership, and some of the principles that have shaped the way I approach creating and publishing work. If you care about creating meaningful work and playing a long game with your content, I think you’ll enjoy it. Important Links: You can see the video version of this episode, recorded professionally at the Cincinnati Podcast Studio, on my YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/2bzuQFXlzkE?si=Bq_4bp4WXjczmZK2 Cincinnati Podcast Studio website: https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com Follow Brian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwerickson Next Level Mastermind If you’re a professional author, coach, speaker, content creator, course creator, or online business owner, and you’ve ever felt alone in your content creation, marketing, or business decisions, I want you to know this. You don’t have to do this journey by yourself. I’ve reopened the Next Level Mastermind. It’s designed for entrepreneurs who are committed to growth, service, and bringing their full education, experience, skills, and perspective into a trusted peer environment where everyone contributes and everyone benefits. If you feel a pull toward doing this work alongside other thoughtful, accomplished people who understand the decisions you’re facing, email me directly at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and put “Next Level Mastermind” in the subject line. I’d love to explore whether it makes sense for us to journey together.

    1h 35m

  4. JAN 15

    029 - Where Are They Now? with Heather Bayer

    Heather Bayer was one of the very first people in her industry to ever launch a podcast, and more than a decade later she is still showing up every single week. In this conversation, I sit down with Heather to look back on the long arc of her creative life. From buying podcasting equipment in 2007 and letting it sit untouched for six years, to launching Vacation Rental Success in 2013 and publishing more than six hundred and fifty episodes since then, Heather’s story is a powerful reflection on what happens when someone decides to take their voice seriously and keeps going through every season of change. Insights from this conversation Starting a podcast with a professional mindset from day one creates a foundation that supports long term consistency. Defining an ideal client avatar and speaking to one specific person changes how content is created and how it lands. A podcast becomes powerful when it is built for the listener rather than as a personal vanity project. Weekly consistency builds trust and becomes part of people’s lives in ways that statistics do not always reveal. Even a smaller audience can have an enormous impact when those listeners are deeply connected to the voice they hear. Interviews can accelerate thought leadership through relationships and credibility by association. Listener emails and personal messages often provide the emotional fuel that keeps creators going. A podcast can quietly become the primary driver of long term business relationships. Platforms change, but a trusted voice continues to create connection across time. Creation that unfolds over years becomes part of a person’s identity. Links and resources Heather Bayer’s website: https://vacationrentalformula.com Heather’s email: heather@vacationrentalformula.com Vacation Rental Success Podcast: Apple | Spotify | YouTube Podcasting A to Z Podcasting A to Z Heather’s story is powerful because she chose to take her voice seriously and commit to showing up. If you have been thinking about starting a podcast, relaunching one that has gone quiet, or bringing new life to something you already created, my next session of Podcasting A to Z is starting soon. This is the same program Heather went through when she finally pulled that dusty equipment off the shelf, learned how to wire it all together, and launched what would become more than six hundred episodes of consistent, professional podcasting. It is where I personally walk you through every step of creating a great-sounding audio podcast with clarity, confidence, and a proven plan. You can find all the details at PodcastingAtoZ.com.

    44 min

  5. JAN 13

    028 - Where Are They Now? with Laura McClellan

    In this episode, I share a powerful conversation with Laura McClellan, host of The Productive Woman podcast, who took my Podcasting A to Z course more than twelve years ago and has now published over five hundred episodes. Laura almost never launched her show. She recorded her first episode, then let fear stop her for six months before finally deciding to publish an episode she recorded from a closet with a handheld recorder. What followed was a body of work that has touched thousands of people around the world. This conversation is part of my Where Are They Now? series, where I sit down with students who went through my course 10 to 15 years ago to explore what it actually looks like to keep showing up with your voice over the years. Insights from My Conversation with Laura Starting a podcast can begin as a personal, creative outlet long before it becomes something that serves others. Fear and self-doubt are often part of the beginning, even for people who later become incredibly consistent creators. You do not need a platform or an audience to start. You only need a willingness to speak and press publish. A simple weekly cadence creates momentum that compounds over time. Listener feedback, even from one person, can be the fuel that keeps you going. Podcasting builds community in ways that are difficult to predict when you first begin. Taking a sabbatical or stepping away can be part of a long creative life. It is easier for many people to speak than to write, which makes podcasting a powerful medium for sharing ideas. Tools and technology continue to evolve, making it easier than ever to create and distribute high-quality content. The true reward of podcasting is not downloads or stats, but the impact your voice has on real people. Links and Resources Laura’s Podcast In Apple Podcasts Laura's Podcast in Spotify Laura McClellan’s website: TheProductiveWoman.com Podcasting A to Z Podcasting A to Z Laura’s story is not special because she decided to begin and kept showing up. If you have been thinking about starting a podcast, relaunching one that has gone quiet, or bringing new life to something you already created, my next session of Podcasting A to Z is starting soon. This is the same program Laura went through and it is where I personally walk you through every step of creating a great-sounding audio podcast with clarity, confidence, and a proven plan. You can find all the details at PodcastingAtoZ.com.

    42 min

  6. JAN 12

    027 - Where Are They Now? with Daphne Scott

    This episode is the first in a special “Where Are They Now?” series. Over the past several weeks, I have been sitting down with graduates of Podcasting A to Z who said yes to creating something more than a decade ago and kept showing up through many seasons of life and work. These are people who did not just launch a podcast. They built bodies of work that now span hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of episodes. Daphne Scott is the first of these conversations. Twelve years after going through Podcasting A to Z, she has produced more than three hundred podcast episodes, built multiple shows, and continues to evolve her voice through new projects, including a new leadership podcast and a growing YouTube channel. Insights from this conversation Consistency in podcasting is often less about ideas and more about having a reliable technical process that supports showing up week after week. Audio quality matters deeply. Even powerful messages lose their impact when the listening experience creates friction. Creating content across multiple locations requires intentional systems and thoughtful gear choices. Co-hosting a podcast adds energy and depth to a show, while also introducing additional complexity around scheduling, technology, and production. Building a backlog of episodes creates freedom and reduces the pressure of producing something new every single week. Video and audio invite different kinds of presence. How a creator shows up changes depending on the medium. Long-term creators evolve. The work continues even as identity, ambition, and purpose shift over time. Links and resources mentioned Daphne Scott’s website: https://Daphne-Scott.com The Super Fantastic Leadership Show Life: The Ultimate Choose Your Own Adventure Game podcast Daphne Scott’s Leadership Coaching YouTube Channel Podcasting A to Z: http://PodcastingAtoZ.com Podcasting A to Z If you have been thinking about starting a podcast, relaunching one that has gone quiet, or bringing new life into something you already created, my next session of Podcasting A to Z is starting soon. This is the same program Daphne and hundreds of other long-term creators went through when they first began. I would love to be your coach and walk with you through every step of launching and growing your show. You can learn more at PodcastingAtoZ.com.

    23 min

  7. JAN 11

    026 - Jessika Suter - Social Media Week Lima

    In this episode, I sit down with Jessika Suter, founder of Social Media Week Lima, to explore how a single conference experience sparked the creation of one of the most heart-centered marketing communities in the Midwest. After attending Social Media Marketing World for the first time, Jessika returned to her hometown of Lima, Ohio and, within two weeks, launched what would become an annual gathering of hundreds of business owners, marketers, and creators who believe in building relationships before pushing messages. Jessika shares how Social Media Week Lima grew from a small thirty-person gathering in her office into a four-hundred-plus attendee conference fueled by generosity, collaboration, and a commitment to “love more, give more, be more.” The conversation covers everything from how world-class speakers now volunteer their time to support the event, to how spontaneous moments like the Lima Olympics have become beloved traditions that bring joy, play, and real human connection back into the marketing world. Links Mentioned in This Episode Social Media Week Lima (tickets and event details) https://sociallima.com Now Marketing Group (Jessika’s agency) https://nowmarketinggroup.com Relationship Marketing with Jessika https://relationshipmarketingjessika.com Episode 802 of The Cliff Ravenscraft Show https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/podcasts/the-cliff-ravenscraft-show/episodes/2149132919 Podcast Answer Man https://podcastanswerman.com Podcasting A to Z https://podcastingatoz.com Podcasting A to Z If you have been thinking about starting a podcast as a way to build real relationships, grow your network, and create opportunities that would not exist otherwise, that is exactly why I created Podcasting A to Z. This is a four week group coaching experience where I work with you personally to help you launch or relaunch your podcast with clarity, confidence, and a strategy that fits who you are. We cover everything from concept and format to equipment, publishing, and how to use interviews and conversations to open doors to new relationships, partnerships, and clients. If you are ready to stop thinking about starting and actually get your podcast into the world, you can find all the details at https://podcastingatoz.com.

    27 min

  8. JAN 7

    025 - Nick Pavlidis - PodFest Expo

    In this episode, I share a conversation with Nick Pavlidis, CEO of PodFest Expo, where we talk about: How he got into podcasting through conversations with his kids. Why he bought PodFest and what he is trying to protect and grow. How PodFest is different from other podcasting conferences. Why the event is built around independent creators. The Podcast Hall of Fame and why it now lives at PodFest. The changing needs of podcasters and how in-person events meet those needs. Key ideas from this episode The highest value of podcasting conferences come from the in-person relationships. Being in the same room with other creators changes how you see yourself and your work. The best opportunities in this industry almost always come from conversations, not presentations. If you keep the same people around you, your life and business will look the same in five years. PodFest is designed to serve independent podcasters first, not corporate sponsors. Resources and links mentioned PodFest Expo https://podfestexpo.com Promo Code for PodFest Use PAM for 10 percent off your ticket Podcast Hall of Fame https://podcasthall.com Podcast Answer Man Episode 480 https://podcastanswerman.com/480 Ready to stop doing this alone? If this episode reminded you that podcasting is better when you are in a room with other creators, then Podcasting A to Z might be exactly what you are looking for. Podcasting A to Z is my live, step-by-step coaching experience for people who are ready to launch, relaunch, or level up their podcast. It is a group of podcasters who are showing up, asking real questions, and building real momentum together. We meet for four weeks. We solve real problems. And we move your podcast forward with clarity and confidence. The next session begins January 26. Learn more and register at: PodcastingAtoZ.com

    33 min
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4.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Every entrepreneur starts with an idea. But what transforms an idea into a movement, a business, or a way of life? On What Are You Creating? I sit down with entrepreneurs, creators, and visionaries who are building work aligned with their deepest passions. In each conversation, we explore where their creativity comes from, how they access flow, what inspires them, and what keeps them motivated when challenges arise. But most importantly, we get clear on one question: What are you creating? These stories are filled with sparks. Sparks that can ignite new possibilities for your own life and business. You may discover income streams you’ve never considered, ways to align your passions with your work, or fresh inspiration to start creating something of your own. If you’re ready to expand what’s possible and hear from those boldly bringing their ideas to life, you’ll find it here.

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