In this episode, Stephanie and I recorded while out on a walk on the first day of spring, and the conversation naturally unfolded into what life has looked like for each of us over the past few weeks.

Stephanie shared her continued journey with sourdough, including what it took to finally get her starter to thrive after multiple failed attempts. What stood out to me was how much of that process came down to filtering through conflicting advice, trusting her own observations, and sticking with it long enough to see results. Now she’s not only baking consistently but experimenting with new recipes and even sharing her starter with others.

For me, I talked about returning to a 5am wake-up routine and how important those early, quiet hours are for reading, reflection, and creative thinking. I shared how reading Company of One helped me gain deeper clarity about who I’m really here to serve. Solopreneurs who genuinely enjoy working in their business and aren’t driven by scaling, exiting, or early retirement.

I also talked about the book Big Magic and how it sparked something significant for me. The idea that creative work asks for commitment led me to make a personal decision. I’ve made a contract with myself to write a book on mastermind groups. That decision immediately led to new clarity, new ideas, and even unexpected conversations opening up around the Next Level Mastermind.

We also touched on the relaunch of the mastermind, what we’re seeing so far, and how I’m thinking about creating a space that supports people from diverse backgrounds while keeping the focus on shared growth, contribution, and meaningful work.

As always, this episode is a snapshot of where we are right now. What we’re learning, what we’re experimenting with, and how we’re continuing to build a life and business together.

In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I sit down for one of our classic wide-ranging conversations. It starts, as many things do lately, with sourdough bread and quickly expands into what we’ve been watching, reading, building, and re-shaping in our life and business.

Stephanie shares what she’s been learning through her deep dive into sourdough. Not just the mechanics, but the frustration of conflicting advice, the patience required, and the realization that there is no single “perfect” method. I reflect on how much that mirrors so many creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. You eventually figure out what works for you, but not without experimentation.

From there, we talk about our recent obsession with murder mysteries. Netflix has been fueling that habit, from Agatha Christie-inspired stories to multiple Harlan Coben adaptations. We share which shows we loved, which ones felt too dark, and why certain stories pull us in while others leave us feeling drained.

We also talk about momentum. Stephanie’s decision to move her podcast from bi-weekly to weekly. The return of my Next Level Mastermind. The re-commitment to Podcast Answer Man. And the quiet but meaningful shifts happening behind the scenes that signal clarity, confidence, and forward motion.

Along the way, we share family moments, health choices, reading habits, and a few very human stories that remind us how much life is actually happening in between the “big” things.

As always, this is an honest snapshot of where we are right now. The experiments. The rhythms. The joy. And the intentional choices that shape the life and business we’re building together.

• Stephanie’s sourdough journey and the reality of learning through trial and error
• Why “foolproof” online advice often leaves out the middle steps
• How sourdough mirrors creativity, business, and personal growth
• Our recent run of murder mysteries and why we keep coming back to the genre
• Agatha Christie-inspired series and the appeal of classic whodunits
• Netflix shows based on Harlan Coben novels and which ones stood out
• Why some stories feel intriguing while others feel emotionally heavy
• Stephanie’s decision to commit to recording her podcast weekly
• How reading and everyday observations naturally create podcast topics
• The importance of having a reason to notice meaningful ideas
• Spending time with our adult kids and how those relationships have evolved
• A lunch mishap involving two Wings and Rings locations in different states
• Valentine’s Day plans, sourdough treats, and local finds
• Stephanie’s decision to eliminate Coke Zero at home for health reasons
• Blood pressure, caffeine awareness, and long-term lifestyle changes
• The return of the Next Level Mastermind and what that means for our business
• My renewed focus on weekly podcasting and relationship-driven work
• Falling back in love with reading and distraction-free e-ink devices
• Why weekends off feel different when you’re finally caught up
• The sense that momentum has truly shifted in this season of life

Until next time, we encourage you to live your life on purpose.

In this episode, Stephanie and I sit down to catch up after a few days that took us in different directions physically, emotionally, and relationally. We talk about travel, family, friendships, personal goals, and the quiet moments that shape a shared. From baby showers and long drives to PodFest, legacy conversations, and unexpected affirmation, this episode is a reflection on how separate experiences can still deepen the life and business we are building together.

Topics covered in this episode

• Stephanie’s trip to Tennessee for a baby shower and meaningful time with a lifelong friend
• Family time over the holidays and why protecting certain traditions still matters
• Stephanie’s reading goals for the year and creating space for personal joy
• Learning sourdough and embracing the patience required to grow something slowly
• Cliff’s return to PodFest and reconnecting with people who were a deep part of his early journey
• Conversations that stirred emotion, memory, and a sense of coming home
• Honoring legacy, relationships, and the impact that continues beyond visibility
• The experience of being seen in unexpected ways and what that unlocked internally
• How parallel journeys can still move a shared life forward together