What happens when a chef-turned-logistics-pro follows a creative itch across continents? You get Phil Bean : a dad, a blogger, and now, a self-published children’s book author. In this episode, Phil shares the highs, lows, and accidental wisdom earned from writing about restaurants, blogging from China, and figuring out how to get a rhyming book into readers’ hands (spoiler : it’s harder than it looks).

In this episode, we talk about :

Why blogging for strangers can build creative momentum >> The lessons hidden in failure (and failed uploads) >> Navigating AI as a writer who values craft and voice >> Why he stuck with his illustrator, even when publishers said no >> And how writing—even when imperfect—is its own reward.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your creative idea is “good enough” to start, Phil has an answer : just begin.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-phil-bean

Connect with Phil Bean at https://philbean.ca.

How can sustainable startups avoid greenwashing and build real loyalty? This AMA tackles the challenge of authentic storytelling—covering certifications, crossing the adoption chasm, and avoiding the trap of discount-driven branding. Learn how to back up claims with proof, keep promises, and build trust that lasts.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/ama-being-green-without-greenwashing

What if your marketing system worked like a campfire—warm, continuous, and self-sustaining?

In this episode, we break down the five core domains of marketing (Product, Price, Placement, Promotion, and People), explore how to build a self-reinforcing system, and unpack the power of respecting your customers’ attention. Plus : metrics that matter, the danger of doing too much at once, and an offbeat Friday-afternoon riff on marketing acronyms.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/building-the-fire-with-a-self-reinforcing

In this episode of The Journey : Podcast Edition, we dig into the paradox of success—why fast-growing brands lose touch with customers and how that leads to decline. More importantly, we explore the antidote : building a Scalable Feedback Engine that preserves the voice of the customer at every stage of growth.

Learn about the Scalable Feedback Engine here.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/the-paradox-of-success-why-customers

Innovation doesn’t just happen at billion-dollar companies. In this episode of The Journey: Podcast Edition, we unpack The Innovation Heartbeat, a simple framework to keep ideas alive as your business scales.

You’ll discover :

* Why organizations stop innovating as they grow * The three phases of the Innovation Heartbeat * The critical role of the Internal Champion * How to grade and prioritize feedback effectively * Metrics to measure the strength of your innovation culture

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/the-innovation-heartbeat

What happens when a founder who “hates sales” builds a business around helping other founders learn how to sell? This conversation with John Kennelly is essential for anyone trying to get their first dollar in the door. From his Silicon Valley background to the failures that shaped him, John opens up about what it takes to keep going—especially when you’re unsure if you’re any good at what you’re doing.

Topics include :

> Why cold outreach is unavoidable—and how to get better at it

> The impostor syndrome trap, and how to break out of it

> Why naming your offer clearly is half the battle

> Validating (or invalidating!) your idea as fast as possible

> How to use helping others as fuel for motivation

> The power of asking better questions—in business and in life

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-john-kennelly

The Mom Test, by Rob Fitzpatrick : https://www.momtestbook.com/

Sales forecasting doesn’t have to be scary—or a wild guess. In this episode of The Journey, we break down four practical, time-series-based methods that any builder of tangible goods can start using right away. From smoothing out volatility with a moving average to modelling demand spikes for new product launches, we cover how to pick the right approach, refine your process, and manage risk when you don’t have historical data.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/holy-bleep-a-guide-to-sales-forecasting

Should you launch with one amazing product—or hedge your bets with a few decent ones? In this AMA edition of The Journey, we help a Greek entrepreneur explore how to test a mythology-themed travel startup without burning out. From low-cost pilots to portfolio careers and storytelling strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/my-big-fat-lovable-product-building

Exceptional businesses don’t just ask for feedback—they embed it into their operations. In this episode, we dive deep into how to ask the right questions, align feedback with team purpose, and build a rhythmic Innovation Heartbeat that keeps fresh ideas flowing. Whether you run a startup or a scaling team, this guide will help you build smarter by listening better.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/survey-smarter-turn-questions-into-gold

When nonprofits, small businesses, and startups hit moments of transition, Katelyn McArdle is the person they call. In this episode, she joins Paul to unpack how and why she built Functional Authority LLC, her solo consulting business helping teams make better marketing and systems decisions—without becoming dependent on external help.

They dive into the business fundamentals no one talks about: the mindset needed to navigate layoffs, how to test-fit client relationships through free coaching, and the critical role of project-based pricing. Katelyn also reflects on her own early missteps, and shares advice for aspiring soloists on building proof-of-concept projects before going all-in. If you’ve ever felt stuck between full-time work and wanting something more flexible, this one’s for you.

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-katelyn-mcardle