Episodios

  • 798 - How to Keep Your Voice Human in an AI World

    798 - How to Keep Your Voice Human in an AI World
    Nov 10 2025

    Today’s episode is something a little different. I recorded this message from the front seat of my car (my “mobile studio”) during one of those early morning creative bursts that often come during my fall routines.

    Before we dive in, you’ll notice the audio quality sounds a little different than my usual in-studio setup. I explain why in the intro, but the short version is this: I’ve been waking up at 4:30 a.m., heading to Planet Fitness, and spending time journaling, praying, reading, and creating from that sacred space of solitude.

    Sometimes inspiration hits right there in the car, and I don’t want to wait until I’m back at my desk to capture it.

    What follows is a message I felt deeply compelled to share. It’s about something I’ve been noticing, in myself and in other creators, as AI tools become part of our daily workflow.

    We’re all starting to sound the same.

    In this episode, I talk about:

    • How AI-generated phrasing has become a dead giveaway in so much content.
    • The subtle rhythms that make a piece of writing or video sound “machine-shaped.”
    • My own experiences using ChatGPT for content creation (and where it crossed the line).
    • Why I’m returning to more unscripted, unpolished, human communication.
    • How we can still use AI as a thought partner without losing our authentic voice.

    This episode is about remembering what people really connect with: honesty, imperfection, and lived experience.

    I hope this message encourages you to bring your unpolished, unscripted voice back into your creative process.

    Until next time, I encourage you to take everything you do in life and business, and content creation, to the next level.
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    38 m
  • 797 - Stop Thinking Like a Content Creator & Start Thinking Like A Business Owner Who Creates Content (with Austin Armstrong)

    797 - Stop Thinking Like a Content Creator & Start Thinking Like A Business Owner Who Creates Content (with Austin Armstrong)
    Nov 6 2025

    Today, I had an incredible conversation with Austin Armstrong, an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator whose journey perfectly embodies what it means to stop thinking like a content creator and start thinking like a business owner who creates content.

    Austin is the founder of Syllaby, an AI-powered video marketing platform that helps entrepreneurs and service-based business owners simplify content creation and stay consistent across every major platform. He’s also the author of the upcoming book Virality!, which unpacks two decades of lessons from his evolution as a creator, marketer, and business builder.

    In our conversation, we explored:

    • How Austin went from MySpace “trains” to building multi–seven-figure businesses powered by organic content.
    • The story behind Syllaby, and how a simple pivot in messaging saved the company.
    • What it really means to create systems that turn followers into customers.
    • Austin’s powerful S.T.A.R.T. Video Framework for crafting scroll-stopping, lead-generating videos.
    • The biggest mistakes creators make when chasing virality, and what to do instead.

    I loved this conversation because it’s about realizing that your content should serve your mission, not the other way around.

    Austin’s energy, humility, and depth of experience made this an enjoyable conversation. If you’re a creator, coach, or entrepreneur looking to build something that lasts, you’re going to want to listen to this one from start to finish.

    The Path Forward

    If this episode resonated with you, I highly encourage you to pre-order Austin’s new book, Virality! It’s filled with proven frameworks, practical tools, and hard-won lessons that will help you think, act, and grow like a business owner who creates content.

    👉 Pre-order Virality! on Amazon
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    58 m
  • 795 - Can You Really Get Paid to Connect People? A Conversation with Kevin Thompson

    795 - Can You Really Get Paid to Connect People? A Conversation with Kevin Thompson
    Oct 7 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Thompson, a man who has built an extraordinary business around something most people only do out of kindness: connecting others. I’ve met plenty of people over the years who are natural connectors. They love introducing friends, clients, and peers to each other. Those introductions often lead to life-changing opportunities. But Kevin is the first person I’ve met who figured out how to turn that gift into a sustainable business model. Kevin’s story begins with more than a decade in the publishing world, where he grew his company through over 600 strategic partnerships. Along the way, he discovered how much joy he found in helping people meet and collaborate. For years, he did it freely, simply because it felt good to serve. But one introduction in particular, connecting marketing legends Perry Marshall and Brian Kurtz, planted a powerful seed. That connection eventually led to a multimillion-dollar event, and when Kevin was publicly recognized for being the bridge that made it all possible, he began wondering: What if I could make a living just doing this? For a long time, he battled with the ethics of charging for introductions. Friends even told him it wasn't something that anyone should even consider. But in 2017, a single conversation changed everything. A friend suggested he host a small, in-person gathering of the entrepreneurs he knew. Kevin couldn’t sleep that night. By 4:30 the next morning, he was making a list of everyone he wanted to invite. His enthusiasm was contagious. His wife offered to handle catering, and the first six entrepreneurs he spoke to said, “I’m in.” That August, Kevin hosted his first event at his home in Arlington, Washington, with 15 attendees who each paid $5,000 to be there. They spent time sharing openly, collaborating deeply, and forming meaningful relationships that continued long after the event ended. A month later, he hosted another group, and it filled just as quickly. What began as a simple idea soon became a thriving business. From there, Kevin developed an ongoing model, first through one-on-one connection work and later through group experiences that aligned more naturally with his gifts. Today, he helps entrepreneurs create five-, six-, and seven-figure business opportunities through authentic relationship-building, often earning revenue shares from the connections he facilitates. Throughout this conversation, Kevin and I explore not only how he did it, but the deeper mindset that made it possible, the excitement, confidence, and belief that magnetized people toward his vision. You’ll hear how he overcame doubt, learned from missteps, refined his structure, and ultimately built a business that’s as fulfilling as it is profitable. Insights Gained from This Episode The surprising way one powerful introduction can change the trajectory of your business and someone else’s.Why enthusiasm, confidence and conviction often matter more than a polished business plan when sharing a new idea.How imposter syndrome keeps many people from seeing the true value they already bring to others.The mindset shift from “I shouldn’t charge for this” to “People are happy to pay for the value I create.”The simple structure behind Kevin’s first $5,000-per-person event and why intimacy and authenticity mattered more than luxury or production.How to test new business ideas through real conversations before locking yourself into a plan.What Kevin learned from early business models that didn’t work, and how he redesigned them to fit his natural strengths.The importance of alignment: when the structure of your business supports the way you actually like to show up, everything flows easier.How relationships, built with integrity and generosity, can create long-term, recurring income.The power of turning what you naturally love to do into something that sustains your life, your purpose, and the people you serve. Where you can find Kevin Thompson Kevin’s LinkedIn ProfileKevin’s Facebook ProfileThe Million Dollar Relationships Podcast: Apple Podcasts - Spotify - RSS Feed If this conversation sparked something in you, if it got you thinking differently about what’s possible in your business, your relationships, or the way you earn a living, then I’d love to hear from you. Right now, I’m working closely with entrepreneurs who are ready to bring more clarity, freedom, and alignment into the way they build and run their business. Ways I have to support you: Building an Online Business Course & Coaching Program2.5 Day In-Person Mastermind EventsA personal, customized Work-Life Audit to see exactly what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift next… The best next step is simple. Just send me an email. Tell me a little about where you are right now and what resonated most from this episode. I read every message personally, and if it feels like I can genuinely help, we’ll set up a time to talk. You can ...
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    1 h y 1 m
  • 794 - Can You Still Get Paid to Blog in 2025? With Megan Porta of Eat Blog Talk

    794 - Can You Still Get Paid to Blog in 2025? With Megan Porta of Eat Blog Talk
    Sep 29 2025
    Over the past few years, I've heard several people suggest that "blogging is dead." However, one of my favorite coaching clients earns her primary income from her blog and also hosts retreats and an annual conference for an entire community of food bloggers who earn an income from their blogging efforts. So I invited my client, Megan Porta, and asked her the question, "Can you still make money blogging in 2025?" Short answer: Yes. It's doable. It looks different than it did a decade ago. It requires real passion, patience, and a focus on what serves readers right now. Below are thorough show notes to meet you exactly where you are. If you want to start or revive a blog as a real income stream, these notes double as a step-by-step primer. What This Episode Covers Why blogging still pays when you pair patience with passion Megan has seen brand-new bloggers “crushing it.” The difference now is you cannot fake it. Your readers and Google both know when you do. Authenticity wins. The fastest realistic path to first income Join a quality ad network once your traffic qualifies. We name the two big players and their current thresholds. We also discuss why Google SEO and Pinterest are still the two traffic pillars that move the needle. Niching way down to win Broad “everything” blogs struggle today. Specific sub-niches serve specific people and get rewarded. Think “vegan cakes” instead of “vegan.” The love for your topic has to show up in every post. The collaboration playbook for early momentum Smart email list swaps. Contributing value inside the right Facebook groups without spamming. How one helpful post can put a niche creator “on the map” in months. Income beyond ads Digital products. Memberships. Sponsorships. How to think about affiliate income post-HCU and what still works if you are selective. Platform and tech choices that save you pain Why WordPress.org with solid hosting is still the move. Why a VPS and proactive security matter. Real-world cautionary tales about updates, backups, and malware. Key Takeaways and Insights 1) Yes, you can still get paid to blog. The bar is higher. If you bring patience and genuine expertise, you can absolutely build an income today. People starting in the last year or two are succeeding. The difference is the landscape. Authenticity and user value must drive your strategy. 2) Niche inside the niche Winning examples are laser-specific. Pick a tight segment of a larger category, then become unmistakably helpful to that reader. This is how you break through and build trust. 3) Traffic plan: SEO and Pinterest first To qualify for premium ad networks, prioritize traffic that comes from search and Pinterest. Current thresholds discussed in the episode: Mediavine at roughly 50,000 sessions per month and Raptive at roughly 100,000 pageviews per month. Build to those numbers, then let ad RPMs start compounding. 4) Collaboration without spam Use email list collaborations. Show up consistently inside large, topic-relevant Facebook groups. Earn trust by answering questions with real substance. This moves traffic quickly when your niche is dialed in. 5) Create on-topic, helpful content Google’s Helpful Content updates pushed bloggers to stay tightly aligned with user intent. Keep posts on point for your niche. Tangential personal stories and off-topic content dilute perceived expertise and can hurt discoverability. 6) Monetization mix that works in 2025 Display Ads once you hit network thresholds. This becomes semi-passive as your library grows.Digital Products as quick wins: ebooks, guides, weekly prep plans. These are simple to produce and match your audience’s immediate needs.Memberships if your audience is invested. Price points in food niches commonly range from about 5 to 20 dollars per month, often for ad-free experiences or exclusive content. Tech options include WordPress setups and hosted communities such as Circle, Skool, Slack, Discord, Mighty Networks, and niche tools like Member Kitchens.Sponsorships when you can articulate your audience’s value. Niche reach can beat raw follower counts if you understand a sponsor’s acquisition economics and lifetime value.Affiliate Income is trickier after recent updates. It can still work at higher commissions or with premium offers. Treat it as a supplemental play, not your core plan. 7) Stack the tech in your favor Choose WordPress.org for full control, proven SEO flexibility, and extensibility.Invest in good hosting. A VPS with strong uptime guarantees is worth it. Expect to pay roughly 89 to 150 dollars per month for reliability that protects your revenue.Treat security and backups as non-negotiables. Plugins and themes require regular updates. Malware exploits often come from simple neglect. Have a pro who can restore fast. This avoids losing days or weeks or years of content. Practical Playbook Phase 1. Choose a narrow niche and validate demand List ten posts your ideal reader would save ...
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    45 m
  • 793 - Destroying Limiting Beliefs in Less Than 12 Minutes: A Real Conversation Example

    793 - Destroying Limiting Beliefs in Less Than 12 Minutes: A Real Conversation Example
    Sep 19 2025
    Over and over again, I’ve witnessed the power of a single conversation. Sometimes it happens over the course of an hour or more. Other times, it happens in less than twelve minutes. That’s what you’ll hear in this episode. Recently, I joined my friend Ray Edwards during one of his live streams. We had no plan for what we would talk about. He invited me into the conversation, and within moments he asked me a simple but profound question: “Cliff, how do you discover limiting beliefs?” That question opened the door to a live demonstration of the exact process I use with my clients when we’re dismantling the lies that hold them back. In this episode, you’ll hear me walk Ray through the four steps required to completely destroy limiting beliefs: Become consciously aware of the limiting belief that’s holding you back.Determine the source of that belief so you can see it was never really yours.Create an empowering alternative belief that aligns with who you truly are.Condition that new belief until it becomes your default way of seeing and experiencing the world. With Ray, we didn’t just talk theory. We discovered four limiting beliefs in real time. Beliefs that were keeping him from stepping back into his calling of speaking and traveling. Together, we exposed them, reframed them, and replaced them with empowering alternatives. By the end of the conversation, Ray went from: “I’m embarrassed and afraid I’ll be too weak to speak.” to “I want to go. I want to speak. Let me at 'em!” And all of that happened in under twelve minutes. This is the power of awareness, truth, and presence. But we didn’t stop there. After the conversation, I took the transcript and turned it into a song. It’s what I call a Soul Song. Instead of using affirmations in a document that are easy to set aside, I now condition my empowering beliefs through music. Songs created directly from the conversations where the shift took place. You’ll hear that song in this episode as well. It’s a living reminder that even in trembling, even in weakness, there is profound strength. Here’s my hope for you as you listen: You’ll see yourself in Ray’s story.You’ll recognize the limiting beliefs that may be silently dictating your choices.You’ll realize that you don’t have to keep agreeing with them. I’ll also share with you the exact five journal questions you can use right now to uncover your own limiting beliefs and begin dismantling them. Because sometimes, one powerful conversation is all it takes to change everything. If this resonates with you and you’d like to experience a conversation like this for yourself, send me an email at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com with the subject line: A Single Conversation. I look forward to hearing from you. Cliff The Five Questions What is it that you want to experience in life that you are not currently experiencing?What is one or two things that you already know that you could do to get you closer to living that experience?Why have you not already done this/these things? (Each answer is an excuse (aka Limiting Belief)What is one or two things that you know you already need to stop doing that would get you closer to living that experience?Why have you not already stopped doing this/these things? (Each answer is an excuse (aka Limiting Belief) Lyrics To The Song: The Miracle Breaking Through [Verse 1]I thought the stage required perfection,A flawless voice, a steady hand.But even trembling holds a message,A deeper truth than I had planned. [Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.Like David Ring, like Nick before me,My brokenness becomes the flame.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,The bedsheet screen, the slides keep shining,And my presence still breaks through. [Verse 2]The old belief said, You’re not able,Cancel now, you can’t be strong.But every stutter is an anthem,Every tremor shines with song. [Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.Like David Ring, like Nick before me,My brokenness becomes the flame.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,The bedsheet screen, the slides keep shining,And my presence still breaks through. [Bridge]It’s not perfection that brings the freedom,It’s the courage just to be.Every tremor tells the story,Of God alive inside of me. [Final Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.I am not weak, I am unbroken,Every struggle speaks His name.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,My voice, my life, my very being Is the miracle breaking through.
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    38 m
  • 792 - The Most Important Story You’ll Ever Hear Is the One You Tell Yourself About Yourself

    792 - The Most Important Story You’ll Ever Hear Is the One You Tell Yourself About Yourself
    Sep 15 2025

    What if the most important story you’ll ever hear isn’t about someone else, but about you?

    In this episode, I share something deeply personal from a recent hot seat in my Green Room mastermind. I asked my peers, Pat Flynn, Leslie Samuel, Mark Mason, Ray Edwards, and Michael Stelzner, how they would describe me and the work I do in the world. Their answers were strikingly consistent:

    “The magic of a single conversation.”

    Over and over, each of them described the power of one conversation to unlock potential, to destroy limitations, to surface truth, and to realign someone’s compass to their true north.

    To bring this to life, I then share a conversation from a recent live stream with Niiamah. What began as a tactical question about building a podcast network unfolded into a transformational dialogue. One that shifted perspective, reignited possibility, and reminded both of us of what’s truly possible when presence meets openness.

    This episode isn’t about strategy or marketing. It’s about identity. It’s about the story you tell yourself about yourself. And as you’ll hear, sometimes one conversation is all it takes to rewrite that story in a way that changes everything.
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    1 h y 32 m
  • 791 - When the Noise Clears: Lessons from August’s Free The Dream Workshop

    791 - When the Noise Clears: Lessons from August’s Free The Dream Workshop
    Sep 2 2025

    When I recorded Episode 787 back on August 11th, I was filled with anticipation. The Free The Dream Workshop was just around the corner, and I wanted to give you a sense of what was coming.

    Now, just a few weeks later, the event has taken place… and it’s hard to put into words just how powerful it was. In this episode, I want to take you behind the scenes and share not only my reflections but also Stephanie’s insights and the real, unfiltered experiences of the people who were in the room.

    Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

    • The Power of Clearing the Noise

      You’ll hear why getting out of your normal environment, even for two days, can shake up the patterns that keep you stuck and open the door to new possibilities.

    • Customized Breakthroughs, Not Cookie-Cutter Content

      Rather than following a strict agenda, we began by asking each attendee:

      “If you could walk away with one miraculous change this weekend, what would it be?”

      What happened next was nothing short of transformational. We watched each person’s intentions get met, and in some cases, completely surpassed, over the two days.

    • Scott Blair’s Testimony

      Scott shared that within just a few hours, he experienced a breakthrough so profound he would have felt his entire investment was worth it even if the workshop had ended right then and there. And yet, the breakthroughs kept coming.

    • Stephanie’s Reflections

      You’ll hear Stephanie talk about the moments that stood out most to her, the conversations over lunch and dinner, and even the hilarious moments with the whiteboard drawings that made perfect sense to those in the room… and absolutely none to anyone else.

    • What We’re Changing Moving Forward

      This workshop confirmed several things for us:

      • Future sessions will be capped at 10 participants to keep the experience intimate.
      • Meals will continue to be included when group size allows, because the conversations over food were as transformative as the sessions themselves.
      • The “state your miracle” opening exercise is here to stay. It set the tone for everything that followed.

    • Why This Work Matters

      At its core, Free The Dream isn’t just about goals or business or mindset. It’s about remembering the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived… and giving it space to breathe again.

    My hope is that this episode stirs something in you. Maybe it’s clarity. Maybe it’s courage. Maybe it’s the reminder that your dream isn’t dead. It’s simply waiting for you to make space for it.

    The next Free The Dream Workshop is already on the calendar. Maybe this is your time.

    Register today at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com

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    1 h y 11 m
  • 790 - Trusting the Journey in the Midst of Life’s Greatest Trials

    790 - Trusting the Journey in the Midst of Life’s Greatest Trials
    Aug 26 2025

    I want to share two stories with you today. One from my mentor, Dan Miller, and one from my friend Freya Casey.

    Both have confirmed the way I see life, faith, and even death itself.

    Dan was told in December of 2023 that he had advanced pancreatic cancer. No treatment. No cure. Six months to live at most.

    His very first words to me after receiving that diagnosis?

    “So I have this gift…”

    He wrote about the conversations he was having with his wife Joanne, their kids, and grandkids. About celebrating now rather than later. About reflecting on legacy, gratitude, and even anticipating “an incredible spiritual transformation” with excitement.

    He wasn’t bitter. He wasn’t fearful. He wasn’t even anxious.

    He was fully alive.

    That message, and the peace behind it, lined up with what I already knew to be true at a deeper level… that real faith isn’t proven by what we say we believe, but by the peace and presence we carry when life gives us every reason to fall apart.

    For much of my life, I met many people, and at times, I was one of them, who claimed faith in God yet carried fear, anxiety, and worry about the smallest things. But by the time I received Dan’s text, that was no longer my reality.

    Dan embodied what I’ve come to know as true. He had encountered something far deeper than doctrine or dogma. He knew what it meant to live in alignment with love itself, to experience the presence of God as a living reality rather than a religious concept.

    And then there’s Freya.

    Freya has been a client and friend for over a decade. She’s a single mother of three, pregnant with her fourth, a business owner, a creator and recently diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer while pregnant.

    Yet when she reached out to me, she wasn’t falling apart.

    She was calm. Peaceful. Clear.

    Not because she knew the outcome.

    But because she wasn’t resisting reality.

    She was fully present, creating her reality moment by moment, choosing to trust rather than fear, to open rather than control, to soften rather than fight.

    Freya and I have been having many private conversations over the past few months about what she’s been walking through. One day, she decided to join me on one of my open live streams.

    She felt her story might encourage someone else who needed to hear it. What unfolded became yet another living example of what it looks like to trust the journey in the midst of life’s greatest trials.

    If you want to hear her story in her own voice, and feel the peace that carries through every word, listen to this episode.

    My hope is that what you hear will do more than inspire you.

    I hope it awakens something within you. A quiet knowing that peace really is possible, even in the middle of life’s greatest storms.

    With gratitude,

    Cliff

    An Invitation: If what you hear in this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper, I want to personally invite you to join us at the Free The Dream Workshop. This two-day experience is designed to help you clear the noise, uncover what’s next, and remember the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived.

    The next session is happening August 29–30, right here in my hometown, and for this limited time, it’s a pay-what-you-want event. That means you can even attend for free if that’s what works for you right now. (Note: The next session will be hosted in October 2025. Dates have now been confirmed!!!! The dates are Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th)

    You can learn more and reserve your spot at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com
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    39 m