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**Podcasting with Purpose for Life Coaches**

Looking for an easy and intuitive approach to start, launch and scale a podcast, created especially with life coaches in mind? Kara Gott Warner, host and former executive magazine editor, turned life coach with a business mindset “edginess,” shows you how to stop wasting time going down rabbit holes in search of the perfect process. Based on Kara’s 9+ years of experience as a podcaster, teacher and podcast thought leader, she knows it’s NOT about the equipment, the tools, tactics or editing. It’s about creating your voice, and unfurling your beautiful peacock feathers while staying true to your unique vision. Through Kara’s words of podcasting wisdom, you’ll be inspired to speak your message with passion and purpose to conjure up your own special alchemy through the art of the spoken word.

Latest Episodes:

Support Power Purls Podcast! — **062 How to Become an Intuitive Knitter in 7 Steps** May 15, 2017
Show notes

In this episode, I share how to become an intuitive knitter in 7 steps. As a former knitting magazine editor, it's all about the pattern, but sometimes relying only on a pattern can become like a crutch because we can get caught up in focusing upon what the pattern says instead of trusting our own wisdom.
Patterns have their place, they are the beginning tools to help us learn, especially when you are new to the craft, but moving in the direction of trusting what's on your needles is what this episode digs into, along with and tips for how you can take some tiny steps down that path.
Episode highlights

Master the tools, then dissect - understand the mechanics, then reimagine them

The Picasso metaphor - first learn to see and understand, then deconstruct and question

Why there's no right or wrong in knitting - go by the beat of your own drum!

A good pattern should lead you down a path

Kara shares the best advice given early in her designing career

The 7 tips to develop your knitting intuition

Fall in love with swatching - why this will give you the confidence and ability to be more intuitive

Why you should question a pattern if you see a better way to make it

Do you like the way most knitting patterns or written, or do you feel that it's time to reimagine how we navigate a pattern that includes a more open-ended intuitive approach?

**Join the conversation on the Power Purls Facebook page and leave your answer to the question above here.**

Become a member. Support the podcast.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, n
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I take ONE new podcast launch client per month because this how I keep the highest quality in my work, the white glove treatment for YOU.
Invest in the podcast you want to give to the world.
So here’s what you need to do if you want to lock in your spot with me:
Visit karagottwarner.com/services and click on the *Ready, Set, Launch* program and I will immediately be in touch to set up your onboarding session. If you have questions about the program, feel free to email me at kara@karagottwarner.com

061 Tara Swiger: Marketing Expert, Author & Host of Explore Your Enthusiasm Podcast Apr 28, 2017

Show notes

Meet Tara Swiger, marketing expert, author and host of Explore Your Enthusiasm podcast. Tara works with makers and artists to create a sustainable, lovable businesses. She does this through her books, the weekly podcast, online classes, and her in-person workshops. She leads adventures for makers who want to explore your own definition of success!

In this episode, Tara shares tips and strategies from her new book, Map Your Business a workbook of exercises designed to help you create your own personal blueprint to reach goals that are important to you, and how you can use it to define success, set goals and make a plan that you can stick with! In this book, Tara takes an integrative approach, encouraging you to align your life and business, and she invites you to take a look at your progress each quarter to make sure you’re on track.

Episode highlights

Tara created her own job instead of "a business." Don't just talk about it ... do it if that's what you want to do!
How there's a big difference between the planning stage and actually having started a business
After you start, what's next. Now where do you go?
In 2009 Tara left her day job and made it known publicly. She shares why it's important to let the world know
Her first class was a marketing path to help creative business owners
How the Map Your Business book is not only for business, but how to "draw your universe"
The map-making process that Tara shares can be applied to any part of your life
The difference between a task and a project - and why understanding this difference is crucial to your success
Why making a mindmap helps to understand things visually and in a linear way
Why Map Your Business was created like a map and how it came from a series of pdf workbooks that she created for her students
How the book helps you to assess your goals monthly and quarterly, and how to pivot if you need to
Tara gives Kara advice about how to do a monthly review in her new business-- and explains that this is advice everyone can follow
There isn't a "right way" to start a creative business, you need to find what's right for you
Tara shares her biggest struggle - a combination of having unrealistic expectations and not getting derailed when things don't go right.
Tara explains that there is a

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I take ONE new podcast launch client per month because this how I keep the highest quality in my work, the white glove treatment for YOU.
Invest in the podcast you want to give to the world.
So here’s what you need to do if you want to lock in your spot with me:
Visit karagottwarner.com/services and click on the Ready, Set, Launch program and I will immediately be in touch to set up your onboarding session. If you have questions about the program, feel free to email me at kara@karagottwarner.com

060 Vickie Howell is Creating The Knit Show, a TV Series for Today's Modern Yarn Crafter! Apr 15, 2017

Show notes

Vickie Howell is most well-known as the Host and Creative Consultant of DIY Network’s Knitty Gritty, her best selling knitting, crochet, and craft books, and her accessible, inclusive approach to nurturing the creative community via print, video and social media. Today, she shares details about a Kickstarter for Knit Show, which will be the first community funded and internationally accessible episodic knitting & crochet series! This is your chance to get involved! Without 100 percent funding, this show cannot happen. Click here to help me support the show and let's make this happen! Hurry, because the campaign ends April 19th!

Episode highlights

Vickie saw a need for a knitting and crochet show like The Knit Show and filled it
She shares how her #1 love for broadcasting and her passion for knitting and crochet and how these created her brand
Vickie super power is craft encourager and setting a positive example for yarn crafters
Community is no longer local. We are on a global playing field, and have access to so much more today than ever before
How crowd-funding is the new normal
How The Knit Show is show different than the other knit and crochet TV shows
Show overview: tutorials, the benefits of yarn crafting and mental health, fitness segments and overall holistic integration
Vickie's plans for continuing with her live video series, Ask Me Monday and why this is important for community
Why The Knit Show is a fully-produced show and details about the production team behind its creation
Rewards for becoming a backer of the show
Vickie shares her secret for keeping the balls in the air while as a wife and mother

The Kickstarter ends on April 19th! Click here to become a backer NOW!

Learn more about Vickie & Kickstarter Campaign:

059 Stacey Trock Entreprenuer, Designer & Founder of Fresh Stitches Mar 31, 2017

Show notes

Meet Stacey Trock, entrepreneur, designer and founder of Fresh Stitches, a successful crochet company and membership club.Stacey also has her hand in a number of pots in the yarn industry. She's the Creative and Marketing Director for Louet North America and ... she's also a crochet/knitting and business teacher both internationally and on Craftsy, an author of multiple crochet books as well as a co-chair of the Business and Creative Services Leadership committee with TNNA. Stacy also has a superpower, which is education and community building. Whether it's teaching someone how to use a crochet hook or instructing local yarn shops how to use social media for their shops, and she enthuses the world with her spunky, can-do-attitude.Stacey shares what it's like to run a membership club and how she went from offering physical kits and how she reimagined her club this past November to create an all encompassing club and community. Show highlights:

How Stacey began her journey dabbling with self-publishing patterns on Ravelry and Etsy
Known for small whimsical crochet animal patterns
How she reimagined a new way to write an easier to understand pattern
The intuitive aspects of a crochet pattern
In 2012, she began a membership club, offering her crochet kits
Stacey goes through the paces about how she started the club
The difficulties with managing a physical club
Why she ended the kit club and shifted to a digital-only club
How she expanded from club to an all-encompassing community
Why it's important to know your audience and what they really want
The Importance of niching down
Identify what you're known for
Stacey shares her biggest struggle working solo
Details about Business and Creative Services (BCS) for designers, tech editors, graphic designers, podcasters and bloggers.
Advice for designers walking The National NeedleArts trade show (TNNA)
How to sign up for TNNA as a designer or fiber business
Stacey shares details about her role as Creative and Marketing Director of Louet Yarns

058 Tabetha Hedrick, Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns Mar 17, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, Kara chit chats with Tabetha Hedrick, Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns, and Contributing Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine. Tabetha is also Kara's sidekick in crime co-host of the Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything series. In this episode, we share details about the upcoming Stitchucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge and Workshop starting April 10, 2017, sponsored by Sweet Georgia Yarns.

In the extended, patron only version, you're in for a treat because Tabetha closes the convo with the 5 top things to master when submitting designs to yarn companies and craft publishers. This is valuable advice that you can use in any of your professional endeavors.

Check out the benefits of membership here.

Episode highlights

Tabetha remembers her first ugly sweater project. Don't we all have one?
A random meeting at McDonald's sealed her destiny as a knitwear designer.
How to go get what you want instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you.
Diversification is essential to thrive as a knitwear designer.
What led Tabetha to landing her role as Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns.
How becoming a go-to person makes you invaluable as a designer.
Grabbing the bull by the horns and luck led Tabetha to her role as Design Director of Sweet Georgia.
Don't wait for things to land in your lap. Create what you're looking for.
The trials and tribulations of working remotely and what helps Tabetha stay organized.
Tabetha, the queen of organization shares tips for staying on top of tasks and deadlines!
How to find out more about Tabetha:

Sweet Georgia Yarns: SweetGeorgiaYarns.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Productivity apps: Asana and Evernote

Inkwell Press Planners: Inkwellpress.com

Stitcucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge. Sign up here!

057 Che Lam: The 5 BIG Questions to Ask Yourself About Knit Design Mar 03, 2017

Show notes

Che Lam is the creator behind the knitting blog, Handy Kitty. She was once the in-house knitwear designer at Drops Design in Norway. Today, she she works as a freelance designer, with her designs gracing the pages of popular knitting magazines, including Knit Scene, Creative Knitting, and Pompom.She is also the author of Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares. Che is a contributor to the Annie's Signature Designs Spring Breeze Collection of knit and crochet pattern designs.

Originally from Hong Kong, Che currently resides in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fashion and design has always been a passion of hers, although she graduated as a civil engineer. She followed her heart to pursue the dream of being a knitwear designer.

"I love to create simple and aesthetically pleasing things. As a designer, to see my ideas taking form from sketches to finished knitting, and finally as inspiration for others, is the best feeling ever!"

- Che Lam

[Tweet "5 BIG questions to ask yourself before designing knitting patterns with Che Lam on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]

Episode highlights:

Che offers advice for someone wanting to start out designing with the 5 BIG questions to ask yourself.
The top skills that every aspiring designer should know.
Che says make the design process fun -- make it like a game and play!
The inspiration behind her designs in the Annie's Spring Breeze Collection.
How to get started with learning how to size (grade) garments.
How to start with one size then understand that, then she added more sizes.
Designing tip: buy a children's pullover, take measurements and test the waters with garment construction on a small scale.

How to find out more about Che:

Website: www.HandyKitty.com

Che's Lookbook: www.handykitty.com/look-book

Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/designers/handy-kitty

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/handykitty

Mentioned in this episode:

Annie's Signature Designs:

056 Prolific Knit Designer, Meghan Jones Shares Trade Show Tips for Newbie Designers Feb 17, 2017

Show notes

If you're a designer and you'd love to go to The National Needle Arts Trade Show, but you aren't sure what to expect, listen in to today's show, with Kara's guest, Meghan Jones, to get her take on what happens there and to get some great advice and tips for newbies on how you can make your visit to the show really worthwhile.

Meghan, who lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband, three kids, two dogs, one cat and six chickens, works full time as a knitwear designer and also nurtures obsessions with sharks, gardening, cooking, and chickens- though not necessarily in that order. She is a prolific designer, with a BFA in fiber and textiles. Meghan got on the cover of Creative Knitting Magazine in 2011 and she's still with them today, creating designs and tutorials and she was recently named the Creative Knitting Newsletter Editor. Listen in today and find out what first brought her to the two pointy sticks and also all about her recent experience at The National Needle Arts Trade Show, in San Jose California.

Today, Meghan talks to Kara about:

Meghan's recent visit to The National Needle Arts Trade Show- What she experienced there and how it was for her.
The printed booklet, her unique business cards and a booklet of printed patterns, which she handed out to relevant people at the TNNA Trade Show.
The companies she spoke to at the trade show and what she learned about how to approach them effectively, as a designer.
The fun and unexpected relationships that came as a spin-off from the show.
How Meghan got turned on to knitting, while pregnant and with her husband in Iraq.
Meghan's really hard time during 2006, as a new mom with her husband suffering from PTSD and how knitting really helped her.
How Meghan got started with designing- and making money from it.
How Meghan developed her professional approach to her work.
How Instagram helps Meghan to remain accountable and how that came about.
How Meghan sees Instagram as a great tool to assist people wanting to uplevel their careers.
Meghan's biggest struggles, working solo.
Going through “the dip” and what Meghan does to break out of it.
Meghan elaborates on her quote: “I believe you can manifest anything with hard work. The more you work, the better you get and the more opportunities you will create for yourself. Be tenacious, do what you love and the path will open before you.”
Meghan's funny knitting story.

Links:

Meghan's website: www.littlenutmegproductions.com

Meghan on Pinterest: @meghanjoneslnmp

Meghan on Twitter: @meghanjoneslnmp

Meghan on Instagram: @meghanjoneslnmp

Meghan on Facebook: Little Nutmeg Productions: Knitwear Design By Meghan Jones

Recommended book: The Dip by Seth Godin

055 Meet the Ultimate Fiber Boss, Chelsea Fitch! Feb 03, 2017

Show notes

Chelsea Fitch was drawn to yarn as a child - the colors just sucked her in and mesmerized her from her youth. Fast forward years later, when Chelsea was living in Japan and she learned how to knit. She started with continental knitting and she could not get enough of it. She quickly consumed everything she could about knitting and learned all she could. Something told her to start making videos of her knitting and that was the catalyst for what has turned into Chelsea’s knitting empire. Although she’s only been knitting for 3 years, she’s taken action on her ideas along the way and she’s made herself and integral part of the knitting industry. She’s currently pouring all her efforts into KnitFitch.com and she also has courses available at FiberBoss.com. Chelsea's not done yet, because she also might revive her podcast as some point. I can’t wait for you to hear the story of her foray into the knitting world and I hope that it will inspire you to jump in and be a part of the knitting industry!

Learn how Chelsea learned to knit
Why Chelsea turned down her dream job offer
New baby, new hobby - continental knitting
3 years into knitting, she’s considered an expert
Knitting, a great anti-depressant
Falling in love with Ravelry
The desire to be part of the industry, rather than just around the industry was overwhelming
How being a “fly on the wall” helped birth her business idea
See a need; fill the need
The MCN formula
Chelsea’s biggest struggle in business
Your logo isn’t as important as you think it is
Just start. That’s the most important thing you can do for your business
Test before you invest
Knitting time is meditation time
The role having an accountability partner has played in her success

Chelsea’s Courses are available at the Fiber Boss Campus at fiberboss.com

www.voxer.com

Instagram @knitfitch

FiberBoss.com

054 Using Kickstarter to Validate Your Knitting Product with Mariah Clark of Laurie Laine Knitting Bags Jan 20, 2017

Show notes

Have you ever thought about creating a physical product? The task seems a bit overwhelming to most of us. Today’s guest took the overwhelming tasks of product creation to a whole new level. Not only did she hone in on her target customer, but she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to validate her idea! Simply brilliant!

Today, we are talking with Mariah Clark. She’s been designing bags for more than 6 years and prior to that, she has spent more than 25 years working with yarn. She has a degree in Apparel Design from Virginia Tech and she even spent time in Paris, studying couture sewing! She is the owner of Stitch Amour, a brick and mortar yarn shop in Waynesboro, VA. Her new venture is Laurie Laine knitting bags. She’s here today to talk about the design process, the Kickstarter campaign and the popular Duo bag!

Listen to the episode as Kara and Mariah discuss:

How Mariah went about getting feedback on her bags
The development process behind the Duo bag from Laurie Laine
The target market for her bag and why that was important
What makes her bag different
How she decided to use Kickstarted to test the validity of her bag
Her best practices for running a successful Kickstarter campaign
How she systematizes her processes to accomplish her goals
Why knowing your customer is important

You can pre-order the Duo bag at www.laurielaine.com.

Facebook/laurielainebags

Ravelry/laurielaine

053 Lessons Learned from Pizza Making & Yarn with Amy Gunderson of Universal Yarn Jan 06, 2017

Show notes

Do you love working with beautiful yarns? And have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a yarn manufacturing company? Then join Kara Gott-Warner as she goes one on one with her guest for today, Amy Gunderson. The topic of today’s discussion is the yarn industry and Amy has a few insider tips for you!

Amy, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the creative director for Universal Yarn. When she's not at her day job, she spends her time doing freelance design work for a number of publications, as well as doing tech editing for indie, knit and crochet designers. She's also a freelance graphic designer, focusing mostly on crochet charts. She is the author of two books and has been published in most major knit and crochet magazines, including Creative Knitting and Crochet. She's also done some teaching and article writing for magazines. On today's show, Kara asks Amy for her perspective on the yarn industry.

Join Kara and Amy as they discuss:

What it's like to develop a collection for a yarn company.
What attracted Amy to the world of yarn.
The magic of taking some yarn and turning it into a garment you can wear!
The different approaches people have to knitting.
The blend of art, tech and practicality in knitting.
Amy's role at Universal Yarn.
How Amy started out- designing patterns and submitting them to magazines.
The process of creating a new collection at a yarn company- how the elements all work together.
How themes create parameters and so help in creating a collection.
Who determines the color palettes for each season.
The freedom Amy enjoys in her freelance design work.
How collaboration between designers can add new dimensions to design.
Ways that you can break into the design world as a new designer.
Amy's awesome, simple advice about how to make it in any work situation.
The challenges that freelance designers often face.
How knitting can teach you patience.