The Maker's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

[REPLAY] - How you can still organically grow on Instagram with Jackie Wright Apr 28, 2023

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It’s our final replay week! Season 4 starts out next week, with someone who has been on my personal bucket list to interview for quite a long time. Before that though! Our final replay of one of the most popular conversations from last year - with someone who I have absolutely loved watch grow over the last two years. Jackie Wright was one of the inaugural members of my very first cohort for The Maker’s Photography Styling System. And frankly, she’s worked that system better than I even do, if her Instagram following presence is anything to show for it. While this episode was originally titled "How you can still organically grow on Instagram in 2022," these tips and insights absolutely still hold true today.

What also still holds true is the fact that I will once again be hosting a new cohort of The Maker's Photography Styling System! When exactly... is not yet determined, although it will be this year. If you want to find out when doors are scheduled to open, as soon as I have my calendar confirmed, be sure to pop your email onto our waitlist at makersplaybook.com/waitlist (Waitlisters always get first opportunity at reserving their seats in the course, which has nearly sold out the last 2 times we've hosted it!)
Guest Details:
Jackie Wright's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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[REPLAY] - Falling into a Life of Ceramics with John Britt Apr 21, 2023

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While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes!
At the end of this original episode I reference The Community - our online home for makers. One of the coolest things about The Community (aside from being an amazingly supportive group of makers from all over the world rooting each other on and joining together to creatively brainstorm around the myriad of problems we all have to find solutions to), is that the doors are always open! So while this episode originally aired back in June of 2022, you can come learn more and even take a peek inside The Community to see what it's all about, risk free, no matter what day (or year!) you are listening to this. Learn more at makersplaybook.com/community
(Bonus: Becoming a member helps support the creation of this very podcast!)
Guest Details:
John Britt's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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[REPLAY] - Burnout and the search for balance with Nicole Dacey Apr 14, 2023

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While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes! And it’s no wonder these 4 episodes are some of our most listened to over the last year, because as I compiled them, I realized they are all on topics that really never end… Just as I mentioned in our Live taping at NCECA (episode 335 in case you were curious), one of the most unexpected things about being a business owner is that you essentially are always in a cycle - it’s a cycle of exploration, followed by trial and error, following by learning and implementing, and then restarting again with exploration. Sometimes, that exploration is about discovering what we each personally need to take good care of ourselves. What better episode to revisit while I work on listening to my own advice...
Guest Details:
Nicole Dacey's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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[REPLAY] - On Being a Business Owner with Curt Hammerly Apr 07, 2023

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While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes!
In the original episode, I referenced our 6-week photography course specifically for potters: The Maker's Photography Styling System. I'll be hosting this course again this year, but I don't quite know the exact dates just yet. If you are curious about it and want to be the first to find out when doors open again, be sure to pop your email address onto the Waitlist by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/waitlist
Guest Details:
Curt Hammerly's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep 335: Live at NCECA - The Business of Clay with The Potter's Cast Mar 31, 2023

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LIVE from NCECA! Our recording of the joint (but mostly Paul interviewing me) episode with the Potter’s Cast is here! We touched the surface on a lot of business topics in this one hour. Anything from the importance of finding your own work before market research, how business is mostly just the scientific process on repeat, and a lot lot more, including direct questions from the live audience that was sitting in front of us the whole time. The room was absolutely packed and frankly, I was a bit stunned. Any one of the questions Paul asked me could be their entire own episode by themselves, so if there is a subject you were wishing we had time to dive deeper on, send me and email and let me know! I’m working on trying to compile more of my post-NCECA thoughts for future episodes and I’d love to know what you are most interested in. Send over your ideas to: podcast@makers-playbook.com

If all the NCECA talk the last few months has you feeling all the FOMO (fear of missing out), please know that I am here for you. FOMO sucks, and it’s not a feeling I want to encourage in this world. In fact, my own history with FOMO is a huge reason I wanted to build The Community. I’ve realized that one of the massive benefits of a digital space is the way we can show up for each other on a regular basis. Rather than having 4 intense days of hyper-energetic interaction, only to drop back down to zero, like a little kid after a sugar high (aka what NCECA can feel like)… Online, we can embrace a consistency within our usual daily or weekly routines. We can be more present to each other than I was ever able to be with anyone at NCECA. Long story short, if watching what seemed like every maker you follow online show up to NCECA caused you to feel a great deal of FOMO. Or if you attended NCECA and felt that massive shock of returning back to everyday life, where there wasn’t a group of ready and willing makers to nerd out with you - Consider having a peek at The Community. There’s a 2 week free trial when you visit makersplaybook.com/community and you are more than welcome to take advantage of it to have a peek around and see if this just might be the place for you. If not, no worries. Either way, you can learn more at makersplaybook.com/community

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep: 334 - Creating out of Chaos with Kim Ferguson of Khaos Creates Mar 17, 2023

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How often do you remember the name of someone’s Instagram account before you actually learn their real name? It’s a little weird. But it can also be freeing for some people, because it means you can choose how much of yourself you want to share. You can create an alter-ego of sorts. Not a dishonest representation of yourself - I’m not suggesting we start “catfishing” - but instead, the ability to create a comfort zone for what you share publicly and what you choose to keep private. Not to mention, how building a brand name can help you create space between the public and the private. This, of course, also means what we all experience as users online is not always the full story of what is happening in real life for any maker we might follow, which is the big question I’ve had for Kim Ferguson of Khaos Creates for a long time. Between seeing snippets of a wholesale jewelry line and hearing about her acceptance into a local residency -I had no idea, until we chatted that she was balancing all of that while still working a full-time job! Understanding what life actually looks like is exactly why I started this very podcast, so, of course, I’m excited for you to hear Kim’s story this week where we shed a bit of light on the difference between the instagrammable Khaos Creates and the lovely human that is Kim.
You might have been hearing a lot of talk about NCECA recently. I know from firsthand experience, seeing a bunch of people online come together in person - when you can’t be there - can feel incredibly lonely. If all this NCECA talk has you longing for connection with other makers, if it’s making you feel like you’ve been left out of group hangouts and the uniquely deep conversations you can have when it’s a room full of people who do what you do, and love sticking their hands in mud like you do - please do consider joining us over inside of The Community. At $27 a month, it’s a much easier financial commitment than the thousand dollars you might need to support a week-long trip for a multi-day conference, not to mention, your membership directly supports the creation of this very podcast!! Win-win! You can learn more (and test it all out with a 2-week free trial) at makersplaybook.com/community.

Guest Details:
Kim Ferguson's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep: 333 - Part Two with Sarah Hussaini from Not Work Related Mar 10, 2023

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If there was a store that was only open for 10 minutes out of the year, would you go to it? Do you think it would even stay in business? What would the business model even look like for such a store? This sounds crazy to describe doesn’t it... Every business advisor out there would tell you that a store needs to be available to people when the people are ready to purchase. Random last minute birthday gifts, mother’s day, of course the lead up to the crazy end of year shopping season. Especially in the US, we are used to stores being available nearly any time we want. And we aren’t even talking about online shopping yet… But here’s the spoiler: I’m not talking hypothetically. Because, when you do the math, 10 minutes, is about how long there is work available to purchase from Not Work Related’s website over the course of 1 year. Sarah’s incredible design heavy work sells out in less than 2 minutes. And the time intensive nature of her designs mean she and the Not Work Related’s team only do 5 stock drops on her website per year. 5 times 2 equals 10. 10 minutes. If this intro hasn’t hooked you in just yet to sticking with us for part two of my conversation with Sarah Hussaini of Not Work Related, let me just say this: The point of sharing this, and so many other stories here on the Maker’s Playbook podcast is to show you - There is no single right or wrong way to make this crazy dream work. Yes, that means you might have to try and possibly fail at some options before you figure out what works for you. But I hope, most of all, that it means as you listen to Sarah’s story, you will be encouraged to find the solution that works for your life circumstances specifically.
HEADS UP: There is adult language in this episode, so please be aware before deciding to listen without headphones in public spaces or around little ones.
And if you need a little help figuring out what works for you specifically, if this crazy journey of figuring out how to make a living from the things you make feels overwhelming... then consider joining alongside an amazingly supportive group of makers from all over the world inside of our Community. Learn more by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/community
Guest Details:
Sarah Hussaini's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep:332 - Building a Viable Business in NYC with Sarah Hussaini of Not Work Related (Part 1!) Mar 03, 2023

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Building a business as an independent maker can be hard. And when you add on top of that the financial realities of doing it in an urban center… well, it takes a special level of drive, determination, work ethic and grit to make that happen. All of which, I can safely say Sarah Hussaini undoubtedly has. Sarah (owner of Not Work Related) and I connect on a lot business topics. So many, that I couldn’t contain all of the nuggets of hard earned knowledge in one episode. That’s right my friends, settle in because this is only part ONE of my chat with Sarah. Next week, we’ll be coming back for part 2.

A heads up: This episode does contain a bit of adult language.

To get on our email newsletter and never miss an episode (plus monthly FREE PHOTO TIPS!) visit: makersplaybook.com/newsletter and pop your email into the form!

Guest Details:
Sarah Hussaini's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep: 331 - Changing with the Times with Katherine Mahoney Feb 17, 2023

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One of the most surprising things for many makers pursuing self-employment is that the brainstorming, troubleshooting, and all-around scientific method of experimenting, testing, observing, and pivoting never really ends (unfortunately or fortunately, depending on the day). The strategy you had for selling your pots 10 years ago might not work today, and it can feel like you are back at the drawing board, practically starting from scratch all over again. What you decide today, well in 3 years or maybe even 1 year, you might have to change again… But before you feel too hopeless, know that it is possible to grow and shift with the times. Because Katherine Mahoney has been doing just that, across 3 different countries, for the past 40 years.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Do you live in Australia? Or want to jump on a plane?! I’ll be hosting a one-day photography workshop at Sandy Lockwood’s studio in Balmoral on 22 April (and maybe also 23 April, depending on interest!). You can check out more details and reserve your spot here: https://www.sandylockwood.com.au/special-photography-course
Guest Details:
Katherine Mahoney's Instagram
A big thank you to Asahi So for writing me and suggesting I interview Katherine! Check out his work on Instagram @morningsun_s

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep: 330 - Working with Galleries with Sarah Chenoweth Davis Feb 10, 2023

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What if there was a way to grow your audience or broaden your reach without hustling on social media? What if you could focus on fostering a handful of really close relationships with people who understood and appreciated your work, and then in turn, spent their own time working to promote that work and get it out to a curated audience of people interested in possibly purchasing that work? Does it sound too good to be true? Well, this week on the podcast, we talk about a possible business model that can do just these things. But it also gets talked down upon a lot in the industry because of what you might have to give up in order to enjoy it…

Are you going to NCECA?!
I have a fun game in store to help us find each other and meet in person (spoiler: it involves free podcast swag!!). If you are planning on attending this year’s conference, be sure you are on our email list to find out the details, receive free goodies and most importantly, actually meet in person! You can sign up for your email list (and get free photo tips in the process), by visiting makersplaybook.com/newsletter
Guest Details:
Sarah Chenoweth Davis's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

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