Episodios

  • 494 - Why Unfinished People Make The Most Trustworthy Teachers

    494 - Why Unfinished People Make The Most Trustworthy Teachers
    Apr 17 2026

    In this episode, I share something I’ve been seeing over and over again in conversations with people who are on the verge of launching a podcast.

    There’s this belief that you need to have everything figured out before you’re allowed to speak, teach, or share your voice. I challenge that idea directly.

    I talk about the fear of not being experienced enough, not having the right credentials, or not feeling confident yet, and I explain why none of those things are actually required to begin.

    Confidence doesn’t come first. It comes after you take action.

    I also walk through real examples from coaching conversations and even reflect on how I showed up in Episode 1 of Podcast Answer Man. I didn’t position myself as an expert. I simply shared where I was, what I was learning, and what I hoped might be possible.

    Over time, that willingness to speak while still in process is what led others to see me as an authority. That’s why I believe unfinished people are often the most trustworthy.

    When you’re still in the process, you remember what it feels like to be where your listener is right now. And that creates a kind of connection that polished expertise alone cannot.

    If you’ve been waiting until you feel ready, finished, or fully confident before launching your podcast, this episode is your invitation to begin now.

    Speak from what you’re currently experiencing. Share what you’re learning. Document the journey as it unfolds. You might be exactly the voice someone else needs to hear today.

    If this episode resonated with you, I would love to hear from you. Send me an email at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and let me know what this stirred up for you or what it inspired you to do next.
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    35 m
  • 493 - What Podcasting Actually Did to Our Life and Family

    493 - What Podcasting Actually Did to Our Life and Family
    Apr 10 2026

    Over the years, I’ve told my origin story in podcasting many times. I’ve shared how I got started, how things grew, and how this work eventually became my full-time career.

    But what you’ve almost never heard is this story told alongside Stephanie.

    Recently, Stephanie and I were invited to be guests on the Our Family Invests podcast with Mike Neubauer. And after the conversation, we both agreed. This was our favorite interview we’ve ever done together.

    In this conversation, you’ll hear how podcasting impacted our marriage, our family, and our life as a whole.

    Stephanie shares her perspective on what it was like in the early days, what she saw that I didn’t, and how we navigated seasons of uncertainty, growth, and transformation together.

    We talk about:

    • How podcasting started as a hobby and became something much bigger
    • The role Stephanie played in the decision for me to leave my day job
    • The early years of building something from nothing
    • The unseen costs, including seasons of imbalance and overwork
    • The turning points that led to more intentional boundaries, margin, and alignment
    • How this journey shaped our kids and the way they see what’s possible

    There are moments in this conversation that I could never fully express on my own. Hearing Stephanie share her experience adds a level of depth and clarity that I think you’ll really appreciate.

    If you’ve ever wondered what podcasting can truly become over the long term, as a life-shaping creative practice, I believe you’ll find this episode meaningful.

    Special thanks to Mike Neubauer from the Our Family Invests podcast. You can find links to the podcast at https://ourfamilyinvests.com

    If something in this conversation resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Email me today at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com
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    1 h y 47 m
  • 492 - The Decision That Comes Before the Audience

    492 - The Decision That Comes Before the Audience
    Apr 3 2026

    In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Heather Bayer who was one of the first people in her industry to launch a podcast. She didn’t wait for permission. She made a decision about who she was and who she was there to serve.

    More than a decade later, she’s still showing up every single week.

    She now has over 650 episodes, a global audience and a business built through relationships that started with her voice.

    What stands out to me most about Heather’s journey is how she thought from the very beginning. She took herself seriously. She committed to a specific audience. And she stayed long enough for it to matter.

    If you’re creating content, or feel called to create something meaningful with your voice, this conversation will give you a clear picture of what that looks like over time.

    What you’ll hear in this conversation
    • Why deciding who you are comes before building an audience
    • What it means to take your podcast seriously from day one
    • How clarity around your ideal listener changes everything
    • The difference between creating for yourself and creating for those you serve
    • Why consistency creates trust far beyond what metrics can show
    • How a podcast can become the foundation of long-term business relationships
    • The role of interviews in building credibility and connection
    • Why a small, engaged audience can be more valuable than a large one
    • How feedback from listeners fuels long-term creation
    • What happens when you stay with something long enough for it to compound
    Links and resources
    • Heather Bayer’s website: https://vacationrentalformula.com
    • Heather’s email: heather@vacationrentalformula.com
    • Vacation Rental Success Podcast: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

    If this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

    Tell me what you’re creating… or what you feel called to create.

    Email me today at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com
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    44 m
  • 491 - He Built a Podcast Network From Scratch. What 15 Years of Podcasting Taught Him

    491 - He Built a Podcast Network From Scratch. What 15 Years of Podcasting Taught Him
    Mar 27 2026

    In this conversation, I sat down with Jason Cabassi, someone I had the privilege of helping launch into podcasting back in 2011. Since then, Jason has gone on to produce more than a thousand episodes and build an entire podcast network centered around the shows he loves.

    We talked about how it all started with a fan podcast for The Walking Dead, the unexpected opportunities that followed, and how a simple curiosity-driven approach opened doors to interviews, live events, and long-term creative work.

    What stood out most in this conversation is what it actually looks like to sustain something over time. Jason shares the reality of turning podcasting from a hobby into a full-time career, the role community has played in his journey, and the challenges that come with growth, especially around marketing and monetization.

    This is a conversation about longevity, creative fulfillment, and what happens after the early excitement wears off and you’re still showing up years later, continuing to build something meaningful.

    Links Mentioned in This Episode
    • Podcastica Network: https://podcastica.com
    • Podcast Answer Man About Stephen Bartlett’s Advice: https://podcastanswerman.com/478
    Next Level Mastermind

    If you’re building something meaningful and want to surround yourself with other people who are thinking at a high level about their work, their life, and their next season of growth, I’d love to invite you into the Next Level Mastermind. Just reach out and let me know you’re interested, and we’ll start a conversation. My email is Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com
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    59 m
  • 490 - The Real Reason Most Podcasters Never Make Money

    490 - The Real Reason Most Podcasters Never Make Money
    Mar 20 2026
    In today’s episode, I’m sharing a replay of a conversation I had two years ago with Alex Freeman on the UpFlip podcast. When that interview first aired, it quickly became one of the most significant entry points into my world. For several months afterward, people were reaching out to me saying they had discovered my work through that interview. Many told me they had listened to the episode multiple times, taken notes on it, journaled about it, and even meditated on the ideas we discussed. As I listened back to that conversation recently, I realized something important. Every answer I gave in that interview still reflects exactly how I think today. Nothing about my perspective has changed. If anything, the principles we discussed have only been reinforced through my experience since then. In this episode, Alex and I explored one central theme: the invisible force behind business success. That force is mindset. The beliefs you hold about what is possible, what you deserve, what value you bring, and how the world works will ultimately shape every action you take and every result you experience. What follows are the core insights from our conversation. Insights From This Episode Success in business is far less about tactics and far more about mindset. Many entrepreneurs believe the key to success lies in strategies, marketing systems, funnels, or technical knowledge. While those things can be helpful, they are not the true determining factor. In my experience, success in business is about 20 percent knowing what to do and 80 percent mindset. Mindset is the collection of beliefs that determine how you interpret the world. These beliefs influence how you think, how you feel, the actions you take, and ultimately the results you produce. Every belief carries consequences. If you believe something to be true, your subconscious mind will work to create experiences that align with that belief. Most of our beliefs were formed very early in life. Many of them were established before we even developed the ability to critically evaluate what we were being told. Messages from parents, teachers, religious leaders, peers, media, and culture often shaped our beliefs about money, work, success, and possibility. Many of those beliefs remain active decades later, often operating beneath our awareness. One of the most powerful distinctions in business is the difference between an employee mindset and a business mindset. An employee mindset tends to associate income with time spent working. A business mindset understands that people pay for value and transformation rather than time. When entrepreneurs fully adopt the belief that value determines income, their approach to business begins to change dramatically. A growth mindset is essential for entrepreneurship. A fixed mindset assumes that talents, abilities, and intelligence are largely predetermined. A growth mindset recognizes that skills can be learned, expanded, and developed through effort, curiosity, and practice. Entrepreneurs must continually adapt, learn new skills, and evolve their thinking. Without a growth mindset, it becomes extremely difficult to navigate the changing landscape of business. Many of the statistics surrounding business failure can be traced back to mindset. A large percentage of businesses fail within their first few years. While there are many surface-level explanations for this, I believe the deeper cause often lies in limiting beliefs, fear, and an inability to adapt one's thinking when circumstances change. There are several clear signs that someone’s mindset may be limiting their business growth. One of the most obvious indicators is chronic stress and overwhelm whenever unexpected situations arise. Another indicator is inconsistent profitability over time. When entrepreneurs constantly feel reactive, anxious, or uncertain, it often points to underlying beliefs that need to be examined. Mindset can be revealed through simple questions. I often ask people questions such as: What outcome do you want that you are not currently experiencing? Do you believe it is possible? What actions could move you closer to that outcome? Why haven’t those actions already been taken? Questions like these often expose the beliefs that are quietly shaping someone's behavior. Once limiting beliefs are identified, they can be replaced. The process involves identifying the belief, discovering where it came from, evaluating whether it is actually true, and intentionally replacing it with a more empowering belief. Repetition and environment play a major role in reinforcing new beliefs. Many people attempt to change their beliefs through affirmations alone. Affirmations can be powerful, but they only work when they are aligned with deeper subconscious beliefs. If a person repeats a statement that their subconscious mind rejects, the affirmation will have little impact. Real mindset change requires addressing the underlying belief structures that already exist. ...
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    42 m
  • 489 - The Long Game: How Real Thought Leaders Are Made

    489 - The Long Game: How Real Thought Leaders Are Made
    Mar 13 2026

    In this episode, I share one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from more than twenty years of podcasting and content creation. Success in this space, more often than not, comes down to two simple things: getting started and staying in the game longer than everyone else.

    I talk about how my own definition of success has evolved over the years. I’ve learned to pay attention to resonance and relationships. Are the right people connecting with the message? Are deeper conversations and meaningful opportunities emerging over time?

    I also reflect on what I’m seeing with many new podcasts launching today and why authenticity matters more, now, than ever.

    If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, or if you’ve already been creating content for a while and wondering whether it’s worth continuing, this episode will encourage you to take the long view.

    The real advantage comes from showing up consistently, serving your audience well, and staying in the game long enough for the impact of your work to compound.

    Next Level Mastermind

    If you’re a business owner and creator who is committed to playing the long game and would like to surround yourself with others who are doing the same, I’d love to talk with you about the Next Level Mastermind.

    Email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and let me know you’d like to start the conversation.
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    22 m
  • 488 - Why a Bigger Audience Won’t Fix Your Podcast

    488 - Why a Bigger Audience Won’t Fix Your Podcast
    Mar 6 2026

    Have you ever felt like your podcast is a grind?

    You’ve been showing up consistently. Publishing episodes every week. Doing everything people say you should do. And yet, after months or even years, it feels like nothing is really changing.

    You keep telling yourself:

    “Once my audience gets bigger, everything will change.”

    More listeners.

    More opportunities.

    More success.

    But after helping thousands of podcasters over the past two decades, I’ve discovered something that may surprise you.

    A bigger audience rarely fixes what’s actually going on with a podcast.

    In this episode, I share a different way to measure real traction. A way that can transform how you experience podcasting starting right now, even if your download numbers haven’t changed.

    Instead of measuring success by the size of your audience, I introduce three measurements that matter far more:

    • Alignment
    • Leverage
    • Relational Depth

    When you begin focusing on these three areas, everything about podcasting starts to feel different. The grind disappears. Your enthusiasm returns. And the opportunities you’re hoping for often begin showing up in ways you didn’t expect.

    Next Level Mastermind

    If you’re an entrepreneur and this way of thinking resonates with you, I created an environment specifically for people like you.

    The Next Level Mastermind is designed for entrepreneurs who want to build meaningful work, serve people at a deeper level, and surround themselves with other high-level thinkers on the same journey.

    Inside the mastermind, we focus on the very ideas I talked about in this episode.

    If that sounds like the kind of environment you’d benefit from, I’d love to hear from you.

    You can learn more by visiting: https://nextlevelmastermind.info

    Or simply email me directly: cliff@cliffravenscraft.com

    Tell me a little about what you’re creating and we can explore whether the Next Level Mastermind is a good fit for you.

    Until next time, I encourage you to take everything you do, with the audience you already have, to the next level.
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    24 m
  • 487 - Podcasting Has Officially Surpassed Talk Radio.

    487 - Podcasting Has Officially Surpassed Talk Radio.
    Feb 27 2026
    In this episode of Podcast Answer Man, I talk about a milestone moment that I never thought I’d see so soon. For the first time in history, audio podcasting has surpassed AM/FM talk radio as the most popular way Americans consume spoken-word audio. This episode is part industry insight, part personal reflection, and part behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been building lately. I also share several important updates related to podcasting tools, events, and opportunities for creators. Podcasting Has Overtaken Talk Radio A close friend sent me an article this week. According to recent research, podcast listenership has officially overtaken talk radio among Americans who consume spoken-word audio. I walk through the data, what it means, and why this shift matters so much for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about starting a podcast today. I also reflect on my own long history with radio. From childhood fascination with microphones and transmitters, to years of listening to talk radio, to the moment podcasting completely replaced radio in my own life. Why Podcasting Continues to Grow I break down why podcasting continues to grow year after year: On-demand listening instead of fixed schedulesNo fear of missing content due to live broadcastsThe ability to choose exactly what you want to listen toDeep, focused engagement without constant interruption I also talk about how radio itself helped accelerate the growth of podcasting by educating audiences on what podcasts are, even if that wasn’t their original intention. People Really Do Listen. And They Binge. There’s a persistent myth that attention spans are shrinking too much for long-form audio. I address that directly in this episode and share a voicemail from a listener who has been binge-listening dozens of episodes and was inspired to finally launch his own podcast as a result. People are not just listening. They’re staying. They’re finishing episodes. And they’re building long-term relationships with the voices they trust. Trust, Attention, and the Power of the Medium I also comment on recent industry research around trust and podcasting. While I share my honest opinions about advertising and ad-skipping, I explain why podcasting remains one of the most powerful mediums for building trust, connection, and influence over time. Podcasting allows for depth. It allows for nuance. And it allows for real human connection in a way that very few platforms can match. Tools and Resources Mentioned CNET article on podcast listenership surpassing talk radio: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/podcasts-officially-outrank-talk-radio-for-the-first-time-in-historyiHeartMedia State of Podcasting 2026 report: https://www.iheartmedia.com/advertise/insights/articles/the-state-of-podcastingEpisode 477: Why I Moved Podcast Answer Man to Podpage: http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/477Podpage Affilate Link: http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/podpagePodcast Movement 2026 information and early access signup: https://2026.podcastmovement.comSocial Media Marketing World 2026 Affiliate Link: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/?sme=371 A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What I’m Building Toward the end of the episode, I share an update on a personal project I’ve been working on. After attending a masterclass, I began building my own podcast-focused software using AI-assisted development. The project is called PodBriefer, and while it’s still in private beta, it’s already changing how I personally consume, manage, summarize, and engage with podcasts. I explain what it does, why I built it, and how it’s helping me stay deeply connected with the work of clients, peers, and people I care about without being overwhelmed. More to come on that soon. The Path Forward If you’re listening to this and you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or a solopreneur who feels isolated in the decisions you’re making, I want to speak directly to you. Many people building service-first businesses are doing meaningful work, serving real clients, and creating genuine transformation, yet they’re doing it alone. No team. No trusted room. No consistent place to think out loud, gain perspective, and make aligned decisions. That’s exactly why I created the Next Level Mastermind. This is a curated, high-trust community of service-first entrepreneurs who are committed to growth, clarity, and long-term sustainability. We meet every week. We think together. We support one another. And we take action from a place of alignment rather than pressure. If you feel like you’re carrying everything by yourself and you know it doesn’t have to be that way, I invite you to reach out. Email me directly at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and let me know you’re interested in learning more about the Next Level Mastermind. I’d love to explore whether this is the right next step for you. Until next time, I encourage you to take everything you do to the next level.
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    1 h y 6 m