The Cliff Ravenscraft Show | Learn How To Podcast | Online Business And Social Media Marketing Tips From The Podcast Answer M

Curiosity got the best of me. While testing out an AI tool on the X platform, I saw a suggested prompt that stopped me in my tracks: "Roast Me." I hesitated for a second, then clicked the button. And let’s just say... AI didn’t hold back. The response it gave me was brutal. But here’s the thing—it didn’t actually impact me. Instead, it triggered something familiar: an old insecurity that, at one point in my life, I might have believed. In this episode, I share the full story—how a few sentences on a screen stirred up echoes of an outdated belief, and how I immediately recognized that those thoughts no longer held any power over me. We’ll talk about: The danger of well-placed criticism and why it feels real (even when it isn’t). How our words shape the meaning of what we experience. The shift in perspective that allows you to rewrite your narrative. The simple question that determines which story you’re living. At the end of the day, the world is full of perspectives—some that shrink you, some that expand yo

The Wild Horse and the Farmer A young stallion, swift and strong, roamed the open plains, its hooves striking the earth with power, its mane flowing in the wind. It had been born to run, to navigate the wide expanse, and to test its strength against the forces of nature. One day, a well-meaning farmer saw the horse and admired its beauty. “You are too wild,” he said. “The open plains are dangerous, and running free will only wear you down. I will care for you and keep you safe.” He led the stallion to his farm, where he enclosed it within sturdy wooden fences. The farmer clipped its mane short, so it would look tidy. He filed down its hooves, believing they were too rough. And, rather than letting it forage and run, he fed it grains from a trough, thinking it would be grateful for the easy life. The stallion grew restless. It pawed at the ground, feeling the strength still within it, but each time it tried to run, the fence stopped it. “This is better for you,” the farmer would say. “You don’t need to work so

Have you ever hesitated to take action because you felt like you needed to have everything planned out in advance? Do you find yourself waiting for the perfect moment when all the details are clear before you move forward? If so, this episode is for you. Recently, I had a coaching conversation with someone who had a big vision—a dream of launching a corporate workshop that could have a massive impact. But instead of taking action, he was stuck in hesitation, waiting until he had everything figured out before making his move. During our conversation, I challenged this mindset by pointing out that many of history's greatest visionaries didn't wait for certainty—they took action despite their doubts. As we talked, I learned that he particularly admired one such visionary: Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs’ 1983 Vision for the Future Back in 1983, Steve Jobs had a clear vision: he wanted to create a sleek, book-sized computer you could carry anywhere. His vision included a built-in radio that would wirelessly connect to dat

In this episode, I'm sharing an insight from my recent "What Are You Creating?" podcast interview with Charlie Birney, founder of Podville, a successful podcast media production company. This conversation with Charlie was inspired by my work with two coaching clients interested in starting podcast production businesses. When helping people in the early stages of a business dream, I introduce role modeling—finding successful people already doing what you want to do and studying them closely. By learning about their business models, marketing strategies, and offerings, you gain priceless insights and inspiration for your own path.. During our conversation, Charlie shared a compelling story about a former employee who asked how long he planed to stay in contact with those who had declined his company's services. Charlie's response was simple but profound: he never removes people from his Rolodex because he believes in nurturing relationships for the long term. After listening to this episode, I encourage you to

In this episode, I share my experiences and thoughts on what I call the art of deep study. Though I don't claim mastery of this skill, I've experienced transformative seasons of focus and concentration that have profoundly shaped my personal, professional, and spiritual life. Instead of rushing through books or materials, I advocate for a deliberate approach that prioritizes depth over breadth. I share eight practices that have defined my most impactful periods of deep study. Here's what we'll cover: Practices for Deep Study Choose a Quiet, Distraction-Free Space Create an environment free of interruptions, where focus can flourish. Silence notifications, use airplane mode, and consider soundproof locations or noise-canceling headphones. Clear Your Mind Before Beginning Use rituals like meditation or journaling (e.g., Morning Pages) to calm your mind and transition into a state of focus. Approach Reading as Soulful Study Read slowly and intentionally. Let each sentence resonate with your mind and soul.

What if I told you that you have access to a power so profound that mastering it could transform your life? In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of focus and explore how it shapes our reality. You may have heard the phrase, “Where focus goes, energy flows,” but have you ever taken the time to truly understand its deeper meaning? That’s exactly what I aim to uncover with you. Whether you’re here because you’re navigating your next big goal, searching for alignment in your life, or seeking inspiration to create a meaningful shift, this episode is packed with practical exercises, personal stories, and insights to help you take your focus—and your life—to the next level. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Power of Focus: The energy of your life flows wherever your attention goes. When you learn to focus intentionally and consistently, you have the power to create anything. I guide you through a simple sensory-awareness exercise that demonstrates this concept in real time. You’ll begin to see how even

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on a transformative journey—a personal creative retreat that has pushed me to reflect, adjust, and ultimately break through the resistance that was holding me back. If you've ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like your creative energy just isn’t flowing the way you know it could, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share what this retreat has been like, how I’ve learned to embrace the power of solitude, and the surprising lessons I’ve discovered about adjusting expectations and going with the flow. You’ll hear about the exact moment my creative flow state kicked in and how journaling, reflection, and even unexpected obstacles became stepping stones to greater clarity and purpose. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: How I overcame resistance and unlocked a new level of creative energy. What I’ve learned about the importance of setting aside time for personal retreats. Practical takeaways on how you can create your own space for reflection, even if it’s just for a c

In this episode, I share my experiences and insights from my current personal, creative, and working retreat in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I explore the importance of breaking free from habitual patterns and establishing new routines. This extended episode demonstrates the authentic and transparent communication style I use in my Train With Cliff Audio Journal Podcast. I explore how I capture inspired ideas and discuss my current reading list, which includes "The Prosperous Coach" and "The Artist's Way." I examine how to balance content creation, coaching, and business development effectively. Additionally, I share my upcoming plans to explore and implement new habit tracking tools. You'll learn about my process for refining my marketing message and value proposition. I also discuss my commitment to investing in professional development and strengthening client relationships. I also share my journey of overcoming technical challenges with internet connectivity and finding solutions through Starlink Min

Are Your Daily Routines Serving You? As we approach the start of 2025, I invite you to reflect on this question: Are the routines that make up your daily and weekly life delivering the results you truly desire? If not, perhaps it's time to shake things up. In this episode, I share my personal decision to completely break away from my current routines for a transformative, three-week creative retreat in the Smoky Mountains. This isn’t just about rest—it's about gaining clarity, reigniting creativity, and designing intentional strategies for my personal and professional life. Key Takeaways: The Illusion of the Perfect Routine Over the years, I’ve chased the "Holy Grail" of routines, only to realize that no single set of habits works forever. Life evolves, and so should your routines. Breaking Free to Gain Clarity Stepping away from your familiar environment can unlock creativity and help you realign with what truly matters in your life and business. The Importance of Intentionality From journaling to work

In this episode, I’m diving deep into a metaphor that has shaped much of my success in the past: seed planting. This concept has been a powerful reminder for me that the results we see in our lives and businesses are directly tied to the seeds we consistently plant, not just the harvest we hope to reap. Don't judge the success of today by the harvest that you reap, but by the seeds that you sow. Earlier today, I spent time journaling by hand, clarifying my vision for the year ahead. With the help of Claire (The name I gave to Chat GPT), who formatted and evaluated my notes, I gained clarity on what I’m calling my Seed Planting Strategy for 2025. This strategy is about spreading seeds—my content, engagement, and connections—across multiple fertile grounds of opportunity. I've used this metaphor in the past, and it's always produced incredible harvests. However, I realized my previous approach had a flaw—I was planting seeds daily until I achieved so much success that I became comfortable and stopped planting a

This episode comes with a bit of a backstory. What started as a conversation for my hobby podcast about Amateur Radio, Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio, turned into something much bigger—a treasure trove of insights about the entrepreneurial journey. I sat down with Jim Newcomb, founder of Lido Radio Products, to talk about his fascinating history in Amateur Radio. But as we dove deeper into his story, it became clear that this conversation wasn’t just about radios; it was about the serendipitous twists and turns of life, the mentors who shape us, and the grit and creativity it takes to turn a simple idea into a thriving business. Jim shares how a chance job at Icom America introduced him to the world of Amateur Radio, how he identified an unmet need in the market, and how he balanced pursuing his passion while meeting his immediate financial needs—a lesson every entrepreneur can benefit from. Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or dreaming of the next big thing, this episode is packed with ins

In this episode, I guide you through understanding what it means to recalibrate your internal emotional homeostasis and provide actionable steps to foster long-term emotional stability, resilience, and balance. Through simple practices like breathwork, mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, and sleep, I'll show you how to gradually shift your nervous system's baseline toward a calmer, more centered state. Key Topics I Cover: The science behind your emotional set point, including how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together Foundational techniques for reconditioning, including specific breathwork exercises and meditation practices Lifestyle factors that affect your nervous system, including sleep, nutrition, and environmental design By the end of this episode, you'll understand how training your nervous system can fundamentally transform your emotional landscape and improve your overall quality of life.  

In this episode, my wife, Stephanie, and I discuss the importance of shared vision and personal dreams in a relationship. We explore how our journey to help others rediscover their ability to dream big dreams began and evolved over time. We share the "50 Things I Want" exercise—a powerful tool that can transform your life. We provide step-by-step instructions for completing this exercise, along with personal success stories and practical implementation tips. Get the "Free the Dream" Course! I'm offering free access to the "Free the Dream" online course to anyone who emails me to request it. This course provides a structured approach to turning your dreams into reality. To get access, email Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com with "Free The Dream Course" in the subject line.  

In this episode, I speak about the enduring power and benefits of audio-first content creation, specifically podcasting. Even as the media landscape continues to evolve, I firmly believe that audio podcasting remains a highly valuable and underutilized strategy for building your message, business, and influence. I share my own extensive experience in the podcasting world, having launched over 50 of my own shows and published more than 4,800 episodes over the past 19 years. I also reflect on my role as the "Podcast Answer Man," helping over 40,000 people successfully launch their own audio podcasts. Throughout the episode, I highlight the 6 key benefits that audio podcasting offers, which include: A smaller "haystack" for content discovery compared to other platforms The ubiquity of smartphones and the convenience of audio consumption The captive audience that audio content can command The ease of connecting with experts and mentors The ability to build rapport and trust over time, even while you sleep The gr

In this episode, I explore a common struggle many entrepreneurs face: feeling like they've wasted years on the wrong path. I share two transformative quotes that have deeply influenced my understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. Key points: Introduction to Alan Watts' philosophy on pursuing what you truly desire. The challenge of overcoming societal conditioning about work and money. The power of transforming your mindset to align with your true desires. The "50 Things I Want" exercise. Why many entrepreneurs struggle with identifying what they truly want. Focusing too much of your time, effort, and attention on avoiding problems can lead to unfulfillment, even when financial success is achieved. Instead, I emphasize the importance of pursuing what genuinely excites and fulfills you so that you can experience fulfillment each day of your journey through life and business. Call to Action: Complete the "50 Things I Want" exercise Reflect on what truly excites and fulfills you in your work Ask yourself i

In this episode, I'm thrilled to share a proven method for quickly and effectively outlining presentations, talks, webinars, or any form of communication. At the core of this approach are nine focusing questions I learned from my public speaking mentor. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this episode will equip you with the tools to create clear, impactful presentations on the fly. So, let's dive in and transform the way you prepare for your next speaking engagement! Overview of the Nine Focusing Questions Cliff explains each of the nine questions, using examples to clarify their purpose: Who is the Target Audience? Identifying the specific audience helps tailor the talk to their needs. Is the Talk Persuasive or Enabling? Determines if the goal is to persuade or to enable by teaching steps. What is the Objective of the Talk? Focuses on the main purpose of the talk (e.g., enabling people to outline a presentation quickly). What Keyword Will I Use? Using a consistent keyword, li

In this episode, I take you on a thrilling journey from my days as a nervous wreck to becoming a confident public speaker. It's a tale of transformation that many can relate to, filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and valuable lessons learned along the way. I'll reveal four game-changing strategies that not only revolutionized my approach to public speaking but also helped me overcome my fears and anxiety. These aren't just theoretical concepts - they're battle-tested techniques that I've personally used to go from shaky starts to standing ovations. Whether you're a seasoned speaker looking to refine your skills or someone who breaks into a cold sweat at the mere thought of addressing an audience, this episode promises insights that could transform your public speaking experience. The four key strategies that made all the difference: Strategy #1 - Developing a Reproducible Outline Strategy #2 - Audience-Centered Mindset Strategy #3 - Master Your Bookends Strategy #4 - Out-Loud Rehearsal Links Mentioned In

In this episode, I introduce the inaugural installment of the newly relaunched Building A Life And Business Together podcast! I host this show with my wife, Stephanie Ravenscraft, and we're excited to revive the podcast we started a few years ago. We've returned with fresh perspectives, valuable lessons learned, and a clear vision for the direction we want to take with this show. In this episode, we share our journey of navigating life and business as a married couple. We recount our entrepreneurial beginnings, our personal growth, and how we've learned to support each other in our marriage, especially during times when our paths weren't always perfectly aligned. We also share the origin story of this podcast, including how our initial attempt, though imperfect, yielded valuable insights. Now, with a renewed focus, we've crafted this description for our show: Building A Life And Business Together is our podcast dedicated to entrepreneurial couples navigating the complexities of business and mar

In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about a silent killer that destroys more businesses than you might imagine—isolation. Drawing from my experiences and observations over two decades, I reveal how isolation can impact entrepreneurs and offer insights on how to overcome it. Key Points: The unexpected challenge of isolation when transitioning to self-employment How isolation affects not just emotional well-being, but also business performance The dangers of overworking and its impact on productivity Why isolation is often the root cause of most business failures The power of mastermind groups in combating isolation Resources Mentioned: Full Video: The Silent Killer of Dreams & Businesses - VLOG 233 Next Level Mastermind Call to Action: If you're ready to break free from the isolation that might be holding you back, I invite you to explore the mastermind group I've created. It's called the Next Level Mastermind, where we gather weekly to tackle challenges, exchange valuable resources, and s

In this episode, I share an insightful response to a question presented in a recent session of my Next Level Coaching program. A participant asked for advice on how to handle it when others don't understand, and perhaps even question or doubt the unique vision you have for your business or entrepreneurial ventures. I open up about my own experience with my mastermind group questioning my decision to leave Podcast Answer Man behind and pursue my current coaching and mindset work. I emphasize the importance of being your own number one cheerleader, and how seeking encouragement within yourself through journaling, prayer, and meditation is crucial. I also discuss the role of a supportive spouse, if married, and the value of having a peer group that believes in you, even if they provide constructive feedback. Navigating the motivations behind others' doubts is key - some may fear your success or feel threatened by your ambition. Ultimately, I share that if you can't be talked out of your vision, even by your clos