The Playhouse Podcast: Real conversations with creative business owners growing through community and networking

Your sales page is a first date, treat them to the steak. Lara Eastburn shares why dropping the marketing “shoulds” and just telling the truth is your greatest sales tool, and how the right people will recognize themselves when your messaging finally matches up with reality.

In this episode:
0:00 Why your website’s job is matchmaking, not convincing
2:00 The “virtual business suit” and why it ruins your messaging
5:44 How to strip away sales hacks and just tell the truth
7:15 The magic of helping people self-identify as a fit (or not)
13:44 Why long sales pages won’t make your offer more affordable

We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about:

• Why you don’t need a lead magnet (seriously)
• When NOT to run Facebook ads
• Where the best line on your website is probably hiding
• How to talk about your business without making assumptions about your people
• Why “ideal client avatars” can make your copy worse, not better

Listen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com and you could be the guest on the next episode highlighting our awesome members!

Hang out with Lara:
https://laraeastburn.com

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

If people can’t figure out how to buy from you, or sign up for your events, or hit that dreaded 404 page you are losing sales. I’m chatting with Nadia Rayward from Sugar Beet Studios to chat all about user experience (UX) and why it matters for solopreneurs.

In this episode:

02:01 What “user experience” really means (and why bad UX stands out)
04:33 The biggest “points of contact” you MUST consider for your business
06:58 Real-life example: handling waitlists, confirmations & why little details matter
10:42 How to actually TEST your experiences with real people (without fancy tools
13:03 The #1 thing visitors need to know on your homepage (in the first 5 seconds!)

The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes:

• Where to actually put your call-to-action so people don't miss it
• Why AI still can't replace real user testing, and what that means for you
• Simple, low-cost ways to test your website with real people before you launch

Listen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com
Get your first month for just $10 when you use the coupon code PODCAST

Hang out with Nadia:
https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiarayward
https://sugarbeetstudios.kit.com/newsletter
https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com/build-with-intention-monthly-meetup

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

If you’ve ever felt like you’re always checking things off your list but your business isn’t moving forward, this episode will help you adjust that to-do list big time! Maria Medina breaks down how to tell if you’re actually being productive or just busy so your workday finally starts working for you.

In this episode:
0:00 Why productivity and busy are not the same thing
2:31 How your calendar reveals your real priorities
5:35 The Eisenhower Matrix for prioritizing your to-dos
8:05 ADHD and the hidden productivity struggles business owners face
14:40 The one system you need to clarify your goals and actions

We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about:

• Why a "good" system can be as simple as Post-it Notes, and how to know if yours actually work
• The ADHD-rooted reason follow-up feels so uncomfortable (and how to get past it)
• How to stop losing track of your best connections with a dead simple follow-up system

Listen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com
Get your first month for just $10 when you use the coupon code PODCAST

Hang out with Maria:
https://www.instagram.com/mariamedinacoach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamedinacoach
https://thecoachingnetwork.com

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

What if having more fun at work could actually help your business thrive? Steph DragonHeart Benedetto’s here to challenge the idea that play and productivity are opposites, and prove that a playful mindset can spark real results.

In this episode:
0:00 Why we think play + productivity can’t mix (and what happens when they do)
2:26 How to redefine play so it fits your business and your personality
5:35 Choosing the “game” you want to play in your business
7:59 Why less pushing and stressing can actually make you more productive
10:28 Simple ways to spot opportunities for play, even if it doesn’t come naturally

The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes:

• What “premature practicality” is and why it kills big idea
• Whether you should focus on strategy before play if money’s tight
• How to experiment with play in your work without feeling silly

Hang out with Steph:
https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com
https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/wildspire
https://www.dragonheartquest.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierbenedetto
https://www.youtube.com/@StephBenedetto

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

If you think you “suck at systems” this episode is going to totally blow your mind. Trish Markel breaks down why systems aren’t one-size-fits-all, why your routines already count, and how the right system should make your business feel lighter…not harder!

In this episode:
0:00 Why “system shame” is so common for entrepreneurs
1:32 How Trish actually defines systems (it might not be what you think)
5:12 Why it’s okay if someone else’s fancy system doesn’t work for you
9:12 When you actually need a system and when you really don’t
14:01 The real job of a system: increase profit, reduce mental load, or improve client experience

The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes:

• How to automate your business without losing your personality
• Simple systems you can build with tools you probably already have
• The one question to ask before creating any system

Hang out with Trish:
https://www.instagram.com/tasklemonade

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you prepare for it. Annie’s showing us how to face disaster preparedness without fear, shame, or overwhelm, and why it matters more than ever to connect with your neighbors now instead of waiting for a crisis.

In this episode:

0:00 Why emergency preparedness feels overwhelming, and how to make it human
4:46 Fear, stigma, and why we avoid “prepper” conversations
10:27 Community over stockpiling: Why your neighbors matter more than your bunker
16:04 The only three basics you need to start preparing (without going overboard)

We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about:

• The truth about survival water straws
• Using preparedness materials as a community book club
• Wills, paperwork, water storage, and peace of mind

Hang out with Annie:
https://www.comewhatmayday.com
https://www.instagram.com/comewhatmayday/

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

🪩 Join today during our Kickstarter for 50% off your first quarter! 
https://jointheplayhouse.com/kickstarter

And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with a friend! It really helps us grow and keep the good vibes coming!

Ever wish you could make big decisions without spiraling or second guessing yourself? Adam Dickinson shares how to actually use your intuition and logic together so you can move through change calmly, even when life feels uncertain.

In this episode:

0:00 Why decision making feels impossible during times of uncertainty
2:25 Adam’s practical approach for getting unstuck
6:25 Tools for calming down when you’re overwhelmed
10:03 How self-awareness shapes smart decisions
12:06 Adam’s four step process for aligned action

We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about:

• How to tell the difference between fear, instinct, and real intuition
• What it looks like to use both logic and gut feeling in real decisions
• How to avoid anxiety or overthinking when things are messy
• Real life examples of applying Adam Dickinson’s framework
• Ways to build self-trust through transitions

Hang out with Adam:
https://ww.adamrdickinson.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-r-dickinson

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

🪩 Join today during our Kickstarter for 50% off your first quarter! 
https://jointheplayhouse.com/kickstarter

And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with a friend! It really helps us grow and keep the good vibes coming!

If you think storytelling in business means you needed some huge dramatic backstory, this conversation with Reme Mancera will completely change your mind. We talked about how the smallest moments from your life can actually become the most powerful way to build trust, connection, and authority with your audience.

In this episode:
0:00 Why storytelling matters and how stories build trust
5:00 Why you do not need an “epic” story to connect with people
10:45 How small personal stories make your brand more memorable

We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about:

• How to know which stories actually matter to your audience
• How to stop worrying about repeating yourself online
• Creative ways to tell the same story from different angles
• How to find your natural storytelling voice
• Balancing storytelling without oversharing

Hang out with Reme:
https://storyconnectors.com

Hang out with Deanna:
https://deannaseymour.com
https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour

🪩 Join today during our Kickstarter for 50% off your first quarter! 
https://jointheplayhouse.com/kickstarter

And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with a friend! It really helps us grow and keep the good vibes coming!

I’m officially announcing the end to the free tier inside The Playhouse and I’m sharing the data that’s led to the decision.

In this episode:

0:23 - The fate of the Playhouse free tier (and why it's ending)
2:27 - The improv troupe analogy that sparked the whole experiment
4:24 - 5ish months of real membership data, broken down
11:05 - When my funnel went upside down: paid members dropping to free
12:30 - The new Thursday schedule and what's coming next

Links:

Episode about the Thursday Schedule:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423323/episodes/19202496

Get on Deanna's Newsletter for Networking Parties: https://deannaseymour.com/newsletter

Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com

Join us in The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com

🪩 Join today during our Kickstarter for 50% off your first quarter! 
https://jointheplayhouse.com/kickstarter

And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with a friend! It really helps us grow and keep the good vibes coming!