When Stephanie and I hit record on this episode, we were sitting in the car, laughing about seatbelts, dog grooming appointments, and heading down to the river park before our day really got moving. What started as lighthearted banter turned into one of those conversations that just kept going deeper and deeper the more we walked.

Here’s what we talked about and what you can expect as you listen in:

I shared some real-time updates about the upcoming Free The Dream Workshop. Registrations coming in, a few last-minute changes, even a participant who backed out after realizing a small group might mean opening up more than he was ready for.

We talked about why small, intimate workshops often create the biggest breakthroughs and why we’ll always hold space for whoever shows up, whether it’s one person or twenty.

Stephanie also let you into her process for preparing her session, choosing personal stories, and making it interactive rather than just another “talk.”

I introduced a teaching that says the mind is always seeking thrills. Stephanie contrasted it with another teaching that says the mind is always seeking comfort. As we compared both, we realized they’re both true, and that’s where so many of us get stuck.

We want the thrill of big dreams, but we also want the comfort of what’s familiar. Sometimes the dream itself becomes a kind of “safe excitement” as long as it stays out in the future. We explored how this shows up in our lives, our business, and even in the people we coach.

One story I shared was about a client who admitted he didn’t want to fully let go of stress because part of him felt unworthy of success without struggle. That conversation tied directly into the theme of the mind chasing thrills while clinging to comfort.

I got honest about times in my own life when I delayed taking action, when I kept dreams safely out on the horizon so I wouldn’t have to risk failure or disrupt what was familiar.

I shared how I finally moved forward on hosting my first workshops, the resistance I felt leading up to it, and the role my friend Ray Edwards played in helping me step past fear into action.

Stephanie connected this back to the workshop participant who canceled, pointing out how perfectionism and fear of being seen often keep us from the very breakthroughs we want.

We shifted gears to talk about our health journey, starting with a strict carnivore reset, adding vegetables back in, and where we’ve each landed with keto and low-carb eating.

Stephanie talked about tracking her macros and how too few carbs can make her “snappish,” while I shared how much better I’ve felt since getting back into ketosis after being away from it for years.

For us, this wasn’t just about diet. It mirrored the larger conversation about comfort zones, risk, and building a lifestyle that actually works long-term rather than swinging between extremes.

I read an email from a listener who asked why I’m not “bigger” like some of the well-known thought leaders out there. My response?

I’m not chasing numbers, fame, or status. I care about going deep with the people I’m called to serve, whether that’s one person or one million.

Stephanie and I both agreed: we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.

We wrapped up with a reminder that there’s still time to join us at the next Free The Dream Workshop. If today’s conversation speaks to you, if you’re tired of delaying your dreams or holding back because of fear, we’d love to see you there.

It’s a two-day, pay-what-you-want experience designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs, release the grip of fear, and start living with courage and clarity.

You can register at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com.

What I love about these conversations is that they go beyond surface topics. Beneath each story or update runs a deeper thread of meaning, growth, and awakening. As I reflect on this walk-and-talk recording, here are the insights that stand out most:

We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary without fanfare. I read while Stephanie enjoyed a three-hour nap. Later, we made a Costco run and had burgers and fries for dinner. And you know what? It was perfect.

The longer I live, the more I realize that celebration isn't about external performance. It's about the quiet comfort of being fully ourselves with each other. We don't need to "prove" our marriage's depth through elaborate events. Every day filled with laughter, presence, and unconditional love is the celebration itself.

In December, we'll mark 20 years since publishing our first podcast. That means two-thirds of our marriage has been captured with microphones nearby. Add to that ten prior years of blogging and journaling, and it's clear: our entire life together has been thoroughly documented.

This isn't just about creating content for me. I believe these archives serve as medicine, not just for my own reflection, but for anyone who discovers them and finds something that resonates. It's also amazing to have a sacred record of our journey.

We also discussed passports. Mine is misplaced, and both of ours have expired. Yet I have this strong feeling that opportunities for travel will emerge once we get them renewed.

Renewing our passports feels more like making a declaration than completing paperwork: we are ready for further expansion. It's a simple yet powerful act of faith.

Stephanie and I laughed about a typo that turned "eating plan" into "eating palm." But beneath the humor, this conversation ran deep.

Stephanie is beginning a metabolism reset, and I decided to join her. Not because I'm ashamed of my current state, but because I finally feel free to make health choices unconstrained by performance expectations.

Years ago, I built an identity around being a "fitness guy." When that identity collapsed during the pandemic, it pushed me into a deeper spiritual awakening. I share more about this journey in the episode.

What I've discovered is that my worth isn't tied to weight, diet, or performance. Radical acceptance came first. Now, from that place of peace, I can make choices again, not to silence shame, but simply because I want to.

Dropping our daughter McKenna off for another year at college was more difficult this time. She felt the separation deeply, and we shared in her emotions.

But what I noticed was her growth. She named her emotions. She asked for comfort. And she reframed her own experience in real time, reminding herself she always feels anxious before school starts and that she’ll settle into a groove again.

To witness her self-awareness was a powerful reminder: maturity isn’t about never struggling. It’s about knowing you can move through struggle with grace.

Revisiting a recorded conversation with attendees from the April 2023 Free The Dream Workshop rekindled my enthusiasm for the workbooks, frameworks, and core essence of the workshop.

For a moment, I had doubted whether the material was “too much” for people from certain backgrounds. But revisiting that recording reminded me: when I share without agenda, the right people always find deep value.

I've ordered additional workbooks as we're committed to hosting these gatherings on a regular basis. Whether three people attend or thirty, these workshops provide a sacred space for participants to clear their mental noise, reconnect with their authentic selves, and rediscover what's possible in their lives.

Register at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com

We also talked about Taylor Swift’s recent podcast interview with Travis and Jason Kelce. Stephanie loved it. I enjoyed it too, though on reflection I realized how much of it was orchestrated with intentional Easter eggs and messaging.

For me, it raised bigger questions: what does it mean to be authentic in public? How do you balance vulnerability with stewardship of influence?

It reminded me of my own journey. Even at our much smaller scale, there have been times when our visibility attracted situations that made me pause and ask: How much am I willing to share?

The truth is, all of us have personas we bring into the world. Authenticity doesn’t mean abandoning them. It means making sure what we present is in alignment with what is real within us.

The thread running through all of these conversations is the same: freedom comes not from performance, but from presence.

Whether it’s celebrating a marriage, making health choices, parenting through transitions, hosting a workshop, or reflecting on celebrity culture, the invitation is the same: to live in radical acceptance, to trust the unfolding, and to create from a place of joy and wholeness.

That is the life and business that we are building. And that is the journey we invite you into with us in this episode.

In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I take you along for one of our neighborhood walks and catch you up on everything from birthday celebrations to long-awaited roof repairs.

We start with Stephanie’s birthday and how she spent it exactly the way she wanted, a slow morning, a nostalgic trip to the movies to see Freakier Friday, and a homemade dinner that turned out better than I expected. We talk about the joy of family game night, the chocolate-on-chocolate cake that stole the show, and how even a simple day can become a treasured memory.

Then, we finally close the chapter on our year-long roof leak saga. I walk you through the twists, turns, and unexpected theories that brought us to the (hopefully final) fix, and we share our cautious optimism as we wait for the next big storms to confirm.

We also touch on a behind-the-scenes story about editing a wedding photo, the handful of confirmed listeners who keep us company each week, and where things stand with the upcoming Free The Dream Workshop.

It’s real life. A mix of the lighthearted, the frustrating, and the deeply personal. All shared as it unfolded. If you enjoy unfiltered conversations about marriage, family, and building a life you love, you’ll feel right at home here.

Stephanie and I invite you to join us for the next Free The Dream Workshop on Friday and Saturday, August 29th and 30th, 2025.

This is a two-day experience designed to clear the noise, uncover what’s next, and help you remember the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived.

Whether you come with a clear goal or just a sense that something needs to change, you’ll leave with fresh insight, practical tools, and the courage to take your next step.

You can learn more and secure your spot at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com.

In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I invite you into one of our walking conversations—unfiltered, unpolished, and deeply real.

We talk about:

There’s no teaching agenda here. No coaching structure. Just life, presence, and sacred conversation in motion.

This episode is a glimpse into what it means to build a life together—not just a business, but an energy field. One that shifts when the people shift. One that evolves when we do. One that remembers joy in the midst of routine.

If this conversation stirred something in you, if you’re craving the kind of stillness, clarity, and grounded direction that often gets buried beneath the noise of daily life, we want to invite you to something special.

Stephanie and I are hosting a two-day, in-person workshop this August 29th and 30th in Hebron, Kentucky.

It’s called the Free The Dream Workshop.

And it’s unlike anything we’ve ever offered before.

This is a pay-what-you-want event.

No fixed ticket price. No financial barrier.

Just a powerful container for you to clear the noise, uncover what’s next, and remember the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived.

We’re limiting it to 50 people, and a few spots are already claimed.

If this speaks to you, go to FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com and register now.

We trust that the right people are already on the way.

You’ll know if you’re one of them.

Cliff

In this episode, Stephanie and I return to the mics (indoors!) with a full life update, including exciting news about the upcoming Free The Dream Workshop happening August 29–30 at the Hebron branch of the Boone County Public Library.

We unpack:

Then we dive deep into the saga of our ever-leaking roof and the unexpected peace we’ve found in the midst of it. From insurance claims and delayed drywall to divine timing and next-home dreaming, we explore what it means to live in radical trust when nothing seems certain, yet everything feels aligned.

We also share:

Even as we sit in liminal space, with unresolved repairs, open timelines, and unfolding dreams—there is joy, clarity, and a sense of sacred movement.

This is what building a life and business together really looks like: trusting the next step, even when you can’t see the whole path.

Until next time, we encourage you to build your life… and business… together.

In this episode, Stephanie and I sat down in one of the local public library meeting rooms to record an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what’s stirring in our life and business right now.

We talk about the return of Free the Dream (or… is it Building a Soul-Aligned Business?) and why we’re feeling called to step back into the rhythm of live events again. From our first workshops in the Next Level Studio, to Free the Dream conferences in Franklin, TN, to the new rooms we're reserving at the local library, we’re reimagining what it looks like to gather in person, with meaning and depth — minus the performance and overhead.

We also dive into some very real reflections on business models, coaching, finances, and what it would take to generate $20K/month (or more) in a way that feels fully aligned with our current season. I share transparently about pricing, client capacity, and why I’m not chasing coaching clients, but rather creating space for resonance and miracles.

Other highlights in this episode:

The deeper theme that runs through all of this? Presence. Alignment. Doing what feels joyful, spacious, and true.

If you’re curious about joining us for one of our upcoming workshops, email me directly at [email protected] and I’ll keep you in the loop.

We’re not chasing numbers or planning for scale. We’re showing up with open hearts, a deep well of experience, and a desire to serve whoever feels called to step into the space with us.

This is what building a life and business together looks like for us in this season. One decision, one flat tire, one library meeting room reservation at a time.

In this episode, Stephanie and I invite you to join us for a relaxing evening boat ride at the lake house in Tennessee. We share stories from our ten-day family vacation, including memorable meals (yes, I finally tried fried green tomatoes!), adventures on the water, and the simple joys of unplugging and spending time together.

We reflect on the transitions happening in our lives, like the possible sale of the family lake house, letting go of long-standing commitments, and dreaming about what’s next. We talk about the importance of rest, the value of family traditions, and how stepping away from routine can spark new inspiration.

You’ll also hear about our favorite local restaurants, our thoughts on e-readers (including a Kindle review from Stephanie), and some candid moments about what it means to embrace change and create new beginnings.

Whether you’re here for the stories, the laughter, or a little inspiration for your own journey, we’re glad you’re with us on this ride.

In this episode, Stephanie and I kick things off with some laughs about our favorite (and not-so-favorite) teachers, which somehow led us to reflect on how those experiences shaped our own parenting philosophies.

We dive deep into the realities of raising kids, the importance of letting home be a safe space for emotional expression, and why we cared more about our children’s character in the world than their behavior at home. We also discuss the evolution of our marriage, 29 years and counting, and what it means to truly choose each other daily, even as introverts who deeply value our alone time.

On the tech front, I vent about my recent frustrations with ChatGPT and how changes in AI tools have impacted my workflow, especially when it comes to summarizing coaching calls and podcast transcripts. We discuss the highs and lows of relying on technology, and I share how I’m exploring new platforms and adapting my routines.

We also touch on my latest creative pursuits such as soul songs, live streaming, and the ever-present pull of new hyper-fixations. Stephanie and I get real about what it means to follow your passions, even when they shift, and how every deep dive adds something valuable to our journey.

Finally, we wrap up with some everyday life updates: dentist appointments, smoothie cravings, and the ongoing adventure of building a business and a life together. Whether you’re here for the marriage insights, the tech talk, or just a good story, I hope you find something in this episode that resonates with your own journey.

Thanks for listening, and as always, we’ll see you next time… maybe from Tennessee, maybe not on the Fourth of July, but definitely with more stories to share!

This episode is an unscripted glimpse into what life looks for the Ravenscrafts on Friday, June 20, 2025

In this episode, Stephanie and I take you with us on our Friday morning walk as we talk about what’s changing, what’s closing, and what’s quietly coming alive in this next season.

We recorded this episode in the middle of the shift, before the clarity was complete. And that’s what makes it sacred. Because we didn’t wait to figure it all out before sharing. We simply brought the mic into the field of transition.

This episode serves most powerfully those who are:

If that’s you, this episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a permission slip.

This is a real-time embodiment of what it looks like to:

The message beneath the words is simple, but powerful:

If you're in a season of subtle but significant reorientation, I hope this episode meets you exactly where you are.