Courage & Clarity

This week I'm talking with Amanda Cook of Wellpreneur, digital marketing for the wellness industry. She helps health coaches, yoga teachers, personal trainers & nutritionists bring more of the right people to their websites and turn them into paying clients. 

Sounds crisp and clean, like Amanda's really got her business together, right? 

It wasn't always this way, and in this Courage story, Amanda opens up about her days as a deflated corporate employee chasing a job overseas in pursuit of freedom. 

Initially thinking a career in health coaching was the answer, Amanda excitedly obtained her certification, started a blog and began working with clients only to realize this totally wasn't for her. 

After realizing that a new home in Paris nor a new career in health coaching would fill the void in her life, Amanda found herself majorly confused about what to do next. 

Somewhere along the way, someone told Amanda to "start looking at who’s already showing up in your business." 

What Amanda realized next was absolutely key: she had tons of friends coming to her for tech and marketing help, and she actually loved that stuff. 

She had closed the door on her corporate background in marketing without realizing there was another way to make it work in her own business. 

You'll have to join us for this conversation to hear:

• the exact moment that things clicked for Amanda
• How she figured out what services to offer after tearing her hair out doing work she hated
• Why the clients started flowing when she was previously struggling
• .... and what advice she'd offer her former self. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Amanda's website
• Amanda's book
• Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert
• Fizzle: Try 5 weeks free!

Think you've heard all there is to hear about "target market" and "picking a niche"? 

I thought I had too, until this conversation with Amanda.

Before you skip this episode because you're tired of the same advice (seriously, I feel you!), you have to hear from Amanda. Talk about a totally refreshing and clear approach to this murky, complex subject. 

In this episode Amanda lays out: 

• a 6 month roadmap for using a specific target market to power up your business
• how to approach target market if you feel your business can help everyone
• what to do if picking a target market makes you feel "stuck in a box"
• how to keep your potential customers' "BS meter" from going off when they find you
• how to get the right people to your website... and turn them into real customers
• exactly how to create attractive email opt-in offers & the process for keeping new readers engaged 

Seriously, there's so much here in this conversation and Amanda generously holds nothing back. 

Are you putting this framework to use? I'd love to hear about it! Find me on social media (@stephcrowder_) or send me an email ([email protected]) to let me know! 

SHOW NOTES:

• Amanda's book
• Amanda's website
• Freshbooks
• Minimalist Baker
• Customer Conversations from Fizzle {grab your free 5 week trial}

Feel like you've got a million things on your to do list and few results to show for it on this Monday? Adrienne Dorison's got a few things to say to you in this Clarity episode!

(If you missed our Courage conversation, skip back one to Episode 15!)

This isn't necessarily about working less -- it's about making sure the results you're getting match the effort you're putting in. 

It's deflating to feel you're ALWAYS working on your business, yet you never have the results to show for it. 

In this episode, Adrienne reveals why this effort and results become lopsided:

Adrienne also shares: 

• What to do in the next 90 days to maximize your progress
• The number one mistake people make, which leads to nothing getting completed
• The concept of "Most Important Mission", the criteria for it, and how you can put this to work so you never feel you've wasted a day 
• How to handle essential (yet annoying) operational tasks using batching and boundaries 
• The concept of "To Do", "Doing" and "Done", and where your results are getting bottlenecked

Adrienne is so hard-hitting in this episode. A few more favorite quotes from her:

SHOW NOTES: 

• Adrienne's website
• Freshbooks - try a month for free
• Brian Tracy, Eat That Frog
• Trello 

Season 2 is HERE, and we're getting this party started with Adrienne Dorison: success guru, money mentor and podcast host behind the School of Self-Mastery and The Pop-Up Podcast!

In this Courage story, Adrienne shares the fascinating story of how her background in wildlife & forestry led her to launching a business that helps people double their business in half the time. 

Her dream of petting polar bears on a daily basis led her to a creativity-stifling job at a paper company... and landed her $48,000 in debt. 

Adrienne started blogging as a desperately needed creative outlet without really intending for it to turn into anything. She didn't think anyone was reading, and she certainly didn't realize she could parlay this into a real career path. 

By immersing herself in entrepreneurial communities, Adrienne learned what was possible and thus set her mind on side hustling her way to replacing her corporate job income. 

She ended up smashing this goal, and paying off her entire $48,000 debt in just 6 months. 

This is an awesome episode for anyone wanting to make a leap or transition who also feels held back by some obstacle or commitment -- debt, family, you name it. I can promise a hefty dose of inspiration, as well as some practical tips for making this kind of transition in your own life. 

After this episode, join me for Episode 16 with Adrienne (her clarity episode) -- she's teaching us how to get more done in less time by giving us a peek into the productivity process she uses to power her projects!

SHOW NOTES 

• Adrienne's website
• 5 weeks of Fizzle - try it for free, cancel anytime
• Hal Elrod / Miracle Morning 
• Adrienne on Instagram
• Steph on Instagram  

Are you ready for this bonus episode?! It's a little out there and incredibly raw... and while it's a departure from the classic C&C format, I'm still a little electrified from this conversation. 

As we prepare to kick off Season 2 of these podcast (YAY!), I was having a conversation with my teammate and friend, Chase Reeves. 

He asked me one important question:

"How do you want Courage & Clarity to feel?" 

The question gave me pause for a few different reasons.

First of all, it was refreshing. Questions like, "What should our goal be for this podcast?" often leave me scratching my head -- uhh, 1,000 people listen to it? A million people? Having Oprah on the show?? 

But how I want it to feel? That's a question I can actually answer. 

This conversation isn't about shirking results. Results are big time important mile markers -- I'm starting to see them as the guard rails that help ensure a project is on track. But I see them less and less as a guiding light. 

You see, "results" or "goals" as we traditionally define them are burdened with energy-draining traps laid by ego, comparison and doubt. Those goals want to keep us on the hamster wheel, chasing "success" without ever really feeling great.

You have to start with how you want it to feel, not just when it's over, but while you're creating. 

Here's how Chase put it:

"If you want some outcome, spend time practicing how you want that outcome to feel." 

I know it might feel like a stretch, but all the things you want to feel -- joy, competence, excitement, security, safety -- you don't have to wait to feel them. You can feel those things right now, before you reach "success" (<-- which, by the way, what the hell is this anyway?)

"This is about excavation, not education." That's another nugget of wisdom from Chase, and we go deep on finding your own internal guidance versus constantly relying on the pressures of what the world around you says you should do. 

This was such a cool conversation, and I can't wait to hear what you think. If it's not your cup of tea, I totally get it -- Episode 15 launches on Monday, and we're back to the Courage & Clarity format you know and love! 

Let's get into it -- I'm talking about how to take a stress-free approach to getting what you want with Chase!

SHOW NOTES: 

• 5 weeks of Free Fizzle! 
• Experiments in Truth - Ram Dass
• Abraham Hicks
• fizzle.co/journal 
• Motherbirth 
• 
  

I'm so excited to be back on the microphone today! 

Before we kick off Season 2 (it's DEEP in progress right now!), I thought we could take a step back and digest the jam-packed episodes of Season 1.

I wanted to turn the mic over to you guys to see what you'd like me to go deeper on, and you asked some great Q's that I'm ready to A for ya (a few of these lovely guests even chimed in to help!)

Here are some big things we get into today, as requested by you guys!

• What you need to know about starting a podcast (my experience with this show so far!)
• How to get past bad days 
• What to do about jealousy + comparison in business
• Criteria for truly excellent morning + evening routines 
• How to manage multiple revenue streams at once 
• What to do about spouses / partners who aren't on board with your business
• Tips for engaging with your community as you grow your social media 

SHOW NOTES

• Fizzle: 5 weeks FREE for C+C listeners! 
• 3 Essential Podcast Launch Tips 
• Power Your Podcast with Storytelling, a course with Alex Blumberg 
• Productivity Planner
• More about the pomodoro method 
• Romance & Revenue: Big Relationship Tips for Entrepreneurs (Fizzle Show ep. 55)
• Minimum Viable Income 
• How to Spend $40 a Month on Facebook Ads that Actually Work with Claire Pelletreau
• Claire's eBook, Bullseye 

This week I’m talking with Natalie Franke, founder of the Rising Tide Society, which is an international network of creative entrepreneurs who believe in community over competition. 

In this Courage story, Natalie tells us about what it was like to grow a photography business to 6 figures and — get this — she did that on the side as she studied FULL TIME as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. 

She came to an extremely interesting and confusing crossroads when it was time to graduate, and she had to decide the fate of her business. 

Should she continue down the entrepreneurial path she inadvertently set in motion when she was trying to fund her education? And if so, what was the point of getting that expensive degree in the first place?

We get into this and much more in this episode, and I can’t wait for you guys to hear from Natalie — she was so fantastic to talk to. She’s got this comforting and nurturing way about her that really pulled me in. 

I’m especially excited for these conversations, because The Rising Tide Society is so aligned with the work that we do over at Fizzle. 

Natalie and I share many of the same views about the role that community plays in building a business and how lonely it can be to go it alone. 

In this episode Natalie shares that 1 in 3 entrepreneurs suffer with anxiety or depression, and she opens up about how she is one of them.

Clearly as the founder of Rising Tide Society, a network of 50,000 entrepreneurs, Natalie is an expert on how to build community.

That's why in her Clarity episode, the one right after this one, she's taking us behind the scenes to tell us what it really takes to create a following of loyal people who would follow you off a cliff. 

These two episodes are the last ones for Season One of the Courage & Clarity podcast. (!) But don’t worry... the truth is I’m already working on Season Two (!!), and I'm so excited to bring you more inspiring & instructional conversations from incredible entrepreneurs. (!!!)

However, there's one thing I need from you: in between the two seasons I’m going to create a “Question & Answers” episode devoted to going deeper on anything you heard in Season One (or, anything you want, really!)

There’s a super quick survey here. If you could head over there and let me know what you’d like me to answer, I would so appreciate it.

Stay tuned at the end of this episode when I wrap things up and give you my key takeaways, as well as tell you more about what’s in store for the next few weeks of this podcast. 

Let’s get into it: it’s my Courage conversation with Natalie Franke, founder of the Rising Tide Society! 

SHOW NOTES

• Quick Season One survey
• Natalie Franke
• The Rising Tide Society
• Fizzle 
• Gary Vaynerchuk 
• 
  

Ever find yourself shouting into the empty vacuum of social media, wondering why that stubborn follower number isn't increasing? 

Do you look at people you admire, perhaps with similar business models, and wish you could stop feeling so much resistance? Ever wonder if maybe you could make each other stronger?

In order to connect with others and build an online tribe, we need to be willing to get vulnerable.

This is a scary premise for many of us... but lately I've been wondering, why is that? Why is it so hard to BE REAL online?

Are we afraid people won't like us? 

Worried potential clients will see the cracks in the veneer and decide to partner with someone who has their sh*t together instead?

For whatever reason, it's way easier to hide behind a beautiful, perfectly curated, magazine-style Instagram feed without ever really putting ourselves out there. 

But consider this: if you think about any person that you feel deeply connected to online, it’s likely that you know as much about them as you know about your close friends.

You know what they’re working on, what they're struggling with, and what they're eating for dinner. You may even know the names of their pets and what they would order off of a cocktail menu.

In order to build true community, you have to treat your online platforms like you would a conversation with a friend.

Be open, honest, and empathetic to your audience. Work to understand what they are going through and share your perspective with compassion.

And as Natalie says: Fight the urge to be a cooler, smarter, better looking version of yourself. Just keep it real. 

Natalie & I get into this and so much more in this episode. She's sharing 5 big tips to help us truly stand out because, let's face it, there are enough Pinterest-style Instagram accounts out there, right? 

Here's what you'll get out of this episode: 

• How to put the "social" back in "social media" 
• How to start making connections even if you have zero community right now 
• How to leverage a handful of people to boost your content 
• How to use hashtags to find people you'd love to connect with, and get discovered yourself
• the #1 thing your tribe wants you to do (hint: it's not another coffee mug photo!)

Let's go to the show - I can't wait for you to hear this one! 

(Psst - this is the last episode of Season One!! Don't worry, Season Two is already underway. Before we kick that off, I'm doing a special Q&A episode about all things Season One. What can I answer for you?!)

SHOW NOTES:

• Natalie Franke
• The Rising Tide Society 
• Fizzle 
• Elon Musk Turns a Tweet into a Reality in 6 Days
• Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
• Natalie on instagram
• Steph on inst

"I think that's number one: you need to just do the work before anyone is gonna notice."

Double digits -- it's episode 10!

This is an awesome conversation for anyone even remotely interested in the book writing and publishing process.

Cassandra is ripping the curtain off the murky process of how to get a book deal, what publishers are really looking for and how to present yourself in a way that makes them eager to take a chance on your book. 

In the first episode, my courage conversation with Cassandra, she told us all about how an extremely painful and scary time in her life taught her to go inside and connect to her own inner wisdom.

In this clarity episode, Cassandra expands on the importance of listening to your intuition for guidance and how she tapped into hers to create the concept for her new book, Eat with Intention. 

Eat With Intention is a unique book that combines healthy recipes with meditations and self-care.

I picked up my copy and I love that every single recipe has a meditation to go along with it.

Cassandra recommends opening the book to a random page, almost treating it like a tarot card reading, and then make that recipe and do the meditation. I’m finding it to be so fun, interesting and different. 

I’m really excited to get into this one so I won’t delay — it’s packed with good stuff for writers and hopeful authors. 

Let's dive into the conversation and talk about what you REALLY need to know about writing your book and getting it published! 

SHOW NOTES:

• Eat with Intention 
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert 
• Cassandra's website 
• Cassandra on Instagram
• Steph on Instagram 

Welcome to Episode 9!

Today I’m talking with Cassandra Bodzak, author of Eat with Intention and healthy living enthusiast who helps people live the lives that light them up from the inside out. 

{Pssst.. if you're new to this podcast, I talk a lot more about how this whole thing works here!}

Cassandra has done all kinds of amazing things — obviously she’s written a book, but she’s also appeared on television, coached lots of people, opened a membership site and much more.

My favorite part of Cassandra's story isn't the success itself; it's the fact that all of the opportunities she’s had are related to the connection to her true self, which she talks about in detail in this episode. 

You hear us "experts" at Fizzle (and lots of other people) say pick a niche, choose one thing and do it well. While I stand by this advice in many ways, Cassandra lays out how she's managed to have her hands in a lot of pots at once -- and how she gets paid. 

Cassandra is truly captivating in this episode. Her story is so authentic, completely vulnerable and raw — just wait for her to tell you about what she [lovingly!] refers to as her “bathroom floor eat pray love moment.” 

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be nodding your head along with Cassandra and saying to yourself, “I have totally been in that dark place she describes.” 

The way Cassandra intentionally reacted to this situation and managed to spin a scary, life-changing time into something beautiful, creative and connected is truly inspiring. 

Now full disclosure! Cassandra does talk about the critical role meditation played in her story, and for some of you, I totally know what you’re thinking...

How can meditation REALLY be responsible for such a huge shift? 

I’ve had questions like that myself, and here’s the thing: It isn’t just about the meditation itself. It’s about the role the meditation plays — in this case, it’s the flashlight that illuminated Cassandra’s path into herself and figuring out who the heck she actually is. 

You’ll have to hear Cassandra tell it to get what I mean, and I can’t wait to share her with you. 

I hope you love this conversation, and if you do, it would mean the world if you could leave me a review over in iTunes so more people may find this show!

SHOW NOTES

• Eat with Intention
• Cassandra's Website 
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