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, overlooked parts of our identities outside of clay, and a few big ideas we’re considering but haven’t shared publicly yet.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

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 would adopt early on. We also reflect on how hosting the podcast has shaped our creative and business growth. It’s a candid, wide-ranging chat that pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

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 experience shaped his outlook on future goals and how pottery fits alongside his career as a UX engineer.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel