The Playhouse Podcast: Real conversations with creative business owners growing through community and networking

Ever wish you could make big decisions without spiraling or second guessing yourself? Adam Dickinson shares how to actually use your intuition and logic together so you can move through change calmly, even when life feels uncertain. In this episode: 0:00 Why decision making feels impossible during times of uncertainty 2:25 Adam’s practical approach for getting unstuck 6:25 Tools for calming down w...

If you think storytelling in business means you needed some huge dramatic backstory, this conversation with Reme Mancera will completely change your mind. We talked about how the smallest moments from your life can actually become the most powerful way to build trust, connection, and authority with your audience. In this episode: 0:00 Why storytelling matters and how stories build trust 5:00 Why y...

I’m officially announcing the end to the free tier inside The Playhouse and I’m sharing the data that’s led to the decision. In this episode: 0:23 - The fate of the Playhouse free tier (and why it's ending) 2:27 - The improv troupe analogy that sparked the whole experiment 4:24 - 5ish months of real membership data, broken down 11:05 - When my funnel went upside down: paid members dropping to...

I'm taking you behind the scenes and digging into the data around a big schedule change coming to The Playhouse this summer!  In this episode: 0:32 - Vulnerability alert: why the Playhouse isn't growing in a sustainable way 6:46 - The top 3 reasons members leave (and their exit feedback responses) 13:21 - The Think Tank stats that surprised me... and not in a fun way 14:36 - Why "67...

Good messaging used to be enough. In 2026? You need messaging that actually sounds like you, calls in the right people, and makes your audience immediately feel seen. In this episode: 0:00 Why “good enough” messaging stopped working in 2026 4:58 The problem with vague messaging like “overwhelmed” 9:49 Why specific messaging attracts better-fit clients 12:21 Jen’s MVP framework: Messaging, Voice, a...

You don’t need a massive website to look legit. You need something simple that actually reflects where your business is right now. In this episode: 0:00 Why you don’t need a big, complicated website 2:18 How doing too much leads to burnout fast 6:00 What your website actually needs when you’re starting 11:50 Letting your website evolve as your business changes 16:05 What to check when you update y...

Burnout isn’t just being tired, and most people don’t realize how many different ways it can show up. I’m talking with Megan Winkler about the real types of burnout, how to spot them earlier, and how to actually recover without making it another thing on your to-do list. In this episode: 0:00 The different types of burnout most people don’t even realize exist 2:00 Why burnout isn’t just physical a...

Losing your shit as a mom is way more normal than people admit. I’m talking with Kayce Hodos about mindfulness, mom guilt, and how to handle those overwhelming moments without expecting yourself to be perfect. In this episode: 0:00 Why losing your shit as a mom is more normal than you think 2:00 What mindfulness actually is (and why it’s not woo or complicated) 4:00 What to do in the exact moment...

In this 5 Minute Hot-take, Adam Dickinson (Future Self Strategist) delivers a rapid-fire guide on making truly aligned career decisions, which is especially valuable for those transitioning out of government roles or into new leadership opportunities. Forget endless job board scrolls and cold applications. Adam uncovers his five steps to cut through the noise. Discover how to “trace the thread” of...

Is time blocking too rigid for creative business owners? In this 5 Minute Hot Take, Maria Medina, a networking and business coach and founder of The Coaching Network, shares how time blocking isn’t about controlling every minute but creating space for what actually matters. Drawing on firsthand experience, Maria reveals practical tips to set flexible blocks, protect your creativity, and avoid burn...

Craving fresh content ideas but feeling stuck? In this 5 Minute Masterclass, Kate Markel from Task Lemonade, a social media pro, pulls back the curtain on her top three sources for endless inspiration. Whether you're a small business owner, creator, or marketer, Kate shows you how to tap into the best of Reddit, Answer the Public, and YouTube comments =to never run out of things to say (and s...

Feeling stuck in a rut or burned out by constant goal-chasing? In this episode of Friends of the Playhouse we are joined by marketing consultant and play advocate, Laura Khalil, who shares how she got her groove back through an experiment: having 100 open, agenda-free conversations with strangers. Laura breaks down how genuine, playful connection (not strict goal-setting and complicated systems) c...

Ready to crank up your networking results without awkwardness? I'm introducing you to branding expert and former Disney storyteller Annie Franceschi as she reveals her practical, win-win approach to creating follow-up magic. Annie breaks down how business owners can make the most of every connection, with a seriously simple tool that takes the stress (and spreadsheets) out of referrals. Wheth...

What’s the simple way service providers can stay booked without posting 24/7? In this Friends of the Playhouse episode, Emily Reagan, founder of Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School and the Digital Marketers Work Group, shares practical ways to market yourself without the influencer grind. You’ll hear why owning your role as a business owner changes everything, how collaborating with other s...

Ever feel like you need permission to just… exist as a less-than-perfect business owner? On this Water Cooler episode, Rene Morozowich and Sheila Streetman step straight off the hamster wheel and talk about what it means to run a creative business minus the hustle cult pep talks. You'll hear them dish on “invisible offers”, how stepping back in your business isn’t failure (it’s smart, grown-u...

What’s the real secret to stopping your dream clients in their tracks? In this episode, Dr. Mimi Zhou, a conversion copywriter for coaches and course creators, unpacks four headline formulas that hook your visitors and turn readers into clients. Mimi gives you permission to ditch perfection and go for quantity because only by writing dozens of headlines can you land on that one that truly works. ...

What if a few simple tweaks to your browser bookmarks could save you time and help you access your most important links in just one or two clicks? Trisha Markel (owner of Task Lemonade and admin extraordinaire) breaks down her easy but powerful system for decluttering and organizing browser bookmarks into practical folders. Trisha shares her go-to folder categories, tips for hiding the digital “me...

Are you unintentionally making it tough for English learners to have real conversations with you? In this 5 5-minute hot Take on the Playhouse Friends podcast, Vickie Kelty shares her practical, heartfelt advice from years of teaching and learning languages on both sides of the conversation. Discover four actionable tips to make your interactions more welcoming and supportive, from matching someon...

Forget the copywriting grind, there’s an easier, sweeter way. In this Hot Take , Darci Elle, a brand voice copywriter behind Sweet Tooth Creative, shares how the classic “Done For You” copywriting turned into the collaborative, flexible “Done With You” model. Discover why inviting clients behind the scenes isn’t just less stressful, but more effective. Darci unpacks how messy first drafts, live st...

Think distractions are derailing your productivity? Think again. In this 5 Minute Masterclass, Sarah Bowser reframes how we see unexpected interruptions, showing how so-called “rabbit holes” can be valuable side quests that enrich our journey, especially for business owners with creative minds. She debunks productivity shame, helps you spot the gold in your detours, and highlights the positives of...

Is your brand blending in when it should be shouting your name from the rooftops? In this 5 Minute Masterclass, Sarah Wayte, a copywriter, brand photographer, and storytelling strategist,  shares why your brand might sound like everyone else’s… and how to inject more YOU into it. Sarah guides you to infuse your unique values, embrace your quirks, and uncover the common threads tying your story tog...

Ever feel like posting on social media brings back awkward junior high vibes? In this 5 Minute Masterclass, business coach Kate Gilbert unpacks how to make showing up online feel less like a performance and more like real life. Discover simple mindset shifts to skip the comparison trap, release the pressure of perfection, and tap into true, AI-free, unfiltered connection. Kate shares how being gen...

Do you think public relations is just for big names and even bigger brands? Think again! Public relations coach Sarah Ramsey busts common PR myths and gives actionable, no-fluff advice for solopreneurs and creatives eager to land real media coverage. There's no trick, but there are some rules. Discover the four unbreakable rules of earning press, why starting local is a secret superpower, and...

How to set business boundaries without feeling mean about it! Suzanne Culberg shares her personal story of exhaustion and over-giving, the simple ‘yes/no’ paper flip trick for boundaries, and real-world scripts for handling clients, friends, and even your own inner people-pleaser. Suzanne’s episode packs a punch in just five minutes, making boundaries feel both brave and compassionate. Ready to re...

Struggling with pleasure or connection during intimacy? You’re not broken, and you’re not alone. In this 5 Minute Masterclass, relationship and intimacy coach Leah Carey invites you to question the "rules" we’ve absorbed about sex, pleasure, and whose needs come first. If you’ve ever felt numb, disconnected, or pressured to perform, Leah offers a new lens to view sex through: Maybe your...