Wheel Talk

Ryan and Becca announce a shift to a seasonal podcast format, moving from weekly episodes to three seasons per year with planned breaks in between. They outline what listeners can expect in each season, including interviews, book club episodes, and special stand-in co-hosts. Becca also shares updates on her upcoming hand surgery and a new clay cigarette project. 📒 Join the Bookkeeping Workshop Wa...

Becca sets a bold short-term goal: earning $15,000 over the next four months, and Ryan helps her break it down into realistic, actionable steps. Together, they explore multiple income paths—from producing small, repeatable items like mini mugs and fidget stones to teaching classes and designing stickers/shirts as passive income. The episode focuses on balancing creativity with practicality, emphas...

In this episode of Wheel Talk, Ryan and Becca talk with artist, author, and educator Megan Auman about the business lessons behind Try It and See . Megan shares how her revenue streams and pricing strategies have evolved since publishing the book, along with insights on production volume and communicating value to customers. They discuss what it means to ask for the sale outside of wholesale, how...

Ryan and Becca return with the seventh chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring Try It and See: How to Get Sh*t Done While Overanalyzing Everything by Megan Aumen. Joined by guest Taylor Swilley, they reflect on the book’s encouragement to experiment, ship every day, and release perfectionism, discussing how a “try it and see” mindset shows up in their own studio practices, creative...

Ryan and Becca reflect on the past year’s highs and lows, from personal challenges to major business milestones. Becca opens up about mental health, burnout, and the impact of a 9-to-5 job, while Ryan shares hitting a six-figure sales milestone and rethinking how he spends his time. Together, they discuss setting boundaries, supporting each other, and focusing on what matters most moving forward....

Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2024.  Ryan and Becca welcome back Will Donovan of Donovan Pottery to discuss a range of topics, including: sharing end of year recaps, growing your business with help, using paid ads to sell your work, and geeking out on Lord of the Rings. We learn a ton from Will's second time on the podcast and we hope you take some go...

Ryan and Becca open with personal updates before shifting into a deeper conversation about generating consistent Etsy sales over time. Ryan breaks down a repeatable listing strategy designed for makers who aren’t driving their own traffic, emphasizing the importance of creating evergreen listings built around a single form with multiple color variations rather than one-off products. He explains ho...

In continuation of our ChatGPT-led conversation, we go deeper into the human side of running creative businesses, talking openly about burnout, balance, and the tools and habits that have helped us stay grounded. We share what’s improved our workflows and the boundaries that make juggling making and real life more sustainable. We also get more personal—touching on lingering insecurities, overlooke...

Ryan and Becca flipped the format on this episode and answered a set of thought-provoking questions generated by ChatGPT—sparking a really honest conversation about how our businesses have evolved, what we’re learning, and where we’re feeling challenged. We talk about shifts we’ve made this past year, goals that no longer serve us, experiments that surprised us, and the habits we wish more potters...

Ryan and Becca recap Ryan’s two-week “pottery vacation,” where he stepped away from his day job to experience what full-time pottery could feel like. They talk through the technical challenges he tackled, the shows he prepared for, and the sales strategies he experimented with. Ryan also reflects on managing his health, energy, and work-life balance during the break. They wrap up with how the expe...

Ryan & Becca sit down with a very special guest — Rachel Durbin, Ryan’s spouse and the creative force behind Decades NKY. Rachel is in the early stages of growing her small business, which focuses on upcycling vintage textiles into unique, handmade goods. In this episode, they talk about how Decades NKY has evolved — from reselling vintage home decor to designing and sewing most items by hand...

Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2021.  Ryan & Becca sit down for a conversation with Link Henderson, owner of Kentucky Mudworks & Dirty Girls Pottery Tools, to go in depth about clay & tools. We learn how Kentucky Mudworks begun almost 20 years ago and how Dirty Girls Pottery Tools came about. We also answer a number of listener questions related...

This week, Ryan and Becca catch up on everything happening behind the scenes. Ryan shares highlights from his current pottery vacation and how he’s adjusting his studio routines with a new schedule. Becca opens up about possible career shifts at Speedball, reflecting on her growth goals and the value of stepping up beyond current responsibilities. They also dive into a couple rapid-fire questions,...

Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2023.  Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery while Becca is visiting her up in Michigan for the week. They cover a number of topics but mainly focus on how Heidi manages many wholesale accounts, the collections most suitable for wholesale, and pricing your work to properly account for your mat...

In this episode, Ryan and Becca talk about how they approach recommending shows to other makers who are thinking about applying. They share why they’re careful about offering exact sales numbers and how using comparisons or percentages can paint a more realistic picture of what to expect. The conversation dives into how experience, product mix, and audience fit can all affect results. It’s a thoug...

In this episode, Ryan and Becca answer a listener’s question about how to prepare for slow sales months and boost online shop performance during Q1. They share strategies for connecting in-person show customers with online buyers, building momentum for website sales, and navigating seasonal lulls. Ryan also recaps recent pottery events, including successful sales at the Columbus Coffee Festival an...

Ryan and Becca continue last week’s conversation by diving into the tough but important topic of scaling back, pivoting, or even closing a business for long-term sustainability. They discuss how to reassess key expenses—like staffing, studio space, and pricing—to keep your business profitable, and share ideas for alternative strategies such as wholesale partnerships and smarter use of social media...

Ryan and Becca dive into an honest conversation about knowing when it’s time to scale back, pivot, or even close a business. Becca opens up about her difficult decision to shut down her brick-and-mortar studio in 2020 after gaining clarity during the pandemic. This is Part One of the discussion — tune in next week for Part Two, where we go even deeper into navigating big business transitions. Make...

Ryan and Becca are back with a special episode all about #PotSwap2025 —our 8th year hosting this global ceramics exchange! There are some exciting updates for this round, and we’re breaking everything down in today’s episode. Registration opens Saturday, October 11th at 12 PM EDT and costs $5. Spots are first come, first served with: 1,200 spots for USA/Canada 200 spots for international participa...

Ryan and Becca tackle a wide range of listener questions, from finding themes in your work to navigating self-doubt in the studio. They discuss building kilns big enough for oversized pots, the differences between the terms “potter” and “ceramicist,” and the pros and cons of front-loading vs. top-loading electric kilns. Along the way, they share insights about perfectionism, creative growth, and h...

Ryan & Becca kick things off by sharing their record-breaking show sales and a funny encounter with a stray kitten before diving into today’s main topic: legacy. They reflect on how we want to be remembered—both through our work and as individuals—and share insights inspired by a recent episode of the Design Discord Podcast. Resources Design Discord Podcast Maker of the Moment Andrea McCaffrey...

Ryan and Becca return with the sixth chapter of the podcast book club, exploring Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones. Joined by guest Taylor Swilley, they dive into the stories behind Keith’s journey as a potter and TV judge, reflecting on how his experiences with creativity, vulnerability, and perseverance resonate with their own paths in clay and business. Our ne...

In this episode of Wheel Talk , we chat with potter Gabriel Kline , director of Odyssey Clayworks in Asheville , and chemist Bill Collins, Ph. D. , co-authors of Amazing Glaze Food-Safe Recipes . They share how art and science come together to create vibrant, functional, and food-safe ceramics. Whether you’re mixing your first glaze or expanding your library, this episode is full of insights to he...

Ryan kicks off the episode by sharing an exciting new addition to his studio! Later, he and Becca dive into a listener question about organizing pottery pop-ups at NCECA. Drawing from his experience running the Backyard Craft Show, Ryan offers practical advice on finding the right venue, recruiting artists, and building effective marketing strategies to make a pop-up successful. Resources The Pot...

This week, Ryan & Becca are back with more of their favorite pottery tools—covering everything from decorating to glazing to sanding. Whether you’re setting up a home studio or just curious about what they reach for in theirs, you’re sure to pick up something new. Resources The full list of tools can be found on our website . Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire...