This episode comes with a bit of a backstory. What started as a conversation for my hobby podcast about Amateur Radio, Cliff’s Notes on Amateur Radio, turned into something much bigger—a treasure trove of insights about the entrepreneurial journey.

I sat down with Jim Newcomb, founder of Lido Radio Products, to talk about his fascinating history in Amateur Radio. But as we dove deeper into his story, it became clear that this conversation wasn’t just about radios; it was about the serendipitous twists and turns of life, the mentors who shape us, and the grit and creativity it takes to turn a simple idea into a thriving business.

Jim shares how a chance job at Icom America introduced him to the world of Amateur Radio, how he identified an unmet need in the market, and how he balanced pursuing his passion while meeting his immediate financial needs—a lesson every entrepreneur can benefit from.

Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or dreaming of the next big thing, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights for your entrepreneurial journey.

If you're a full-time self-employed business owner and you're serious about taking your business and life to the next level, apply for the Next Level Mastermind today. Join a group of like-minded individuals committed to thriving in their businesses while creating the margin for personal growth. Don't just survive—thrive with the power of a supportive mastermind community.

In this episode, I share an insightful response to a question presented in a recent session of my Next Level Coaching program. A participant asked for advice on how to handle it when others don't understand, and perhaps even question or doubt the unique vision you have for your business or entrepreneurial ventures.

I open up about my own experience with my mastermind group questioning my decision to leave Podcast Answer Man behind and pursue my current coaching and mindset work. I emphasize the importance of being your own number one cheerleader, and how seeking encouragement within yourself through journaling, prayer, and meditation is crucial.

I also discuss the role of a supportive spouse, if married, and the value of having a peer group that believes in you, even if they provide constructive feedback. Navigating the motivations behind others' doubts is key - some may fear your success or feel threatened by your ambition.

Ultimately, I share that if you can't be talked out of your vision, even by your closest advisors, it's a testament to how vital that vision is for your future. Your number one cheerleader must be you.

Takeaways and Action Items:

If you're on an entrepreneurial journey and looking to take it to the next level, I want to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] and share a short (3 paragraph or less) summary of where you're at. I have an unbelievable offer for my Next Level Coaching program that I believe could be a game-changer for your business. Don't miss out on this opportunity - reach out today!

Most people are living a life that’s not even close to the life of their dreams. Some people are living parts of their dream, but they feel something is missing. Many feel stuck in this season of life or go through their day with a sense that they were made for something more. In a word, life has been an overall disappointment. The reason? We are all just conforming to the world around us, never stopping to ask ourselves who we truly are and what we truly want out of life.

The secret to a fulfilling life is to figure out who you are, what dreams light you up, what you care deeply about, and then unashamedly live as your truest, most authentic self in spite of what everyone around you is doing or saying. In today’s culture this is called being a “rebel”—which simply means: do it your way. But how?

In this powerful session, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and 7-figure entrepreneur Graham Cochrane teaches his 5 part R.E.B.E.L. Framework which will give you actionable exercises and steps to uncover your uniqueness, create a personalized vision for your life and unpack a simple way to discover your purpose. 

At the end of this episode, Graham emphasized the importance of working with coaches who can facilitate the achievement of your most ambitious goals. As someone who has worked closely with numerous elite entrepreneurs, I have a proven track record of assisting my clients during some of the most significant pivots in their personal and professional lives.

If you are interested in learning more about having me as your coach, email me right away at [email protected] with the subject line "Coaching."

In this episode, I connect with Anne-Michelle Frances, who shares her transformative journey from viewing herself merely as a "team mom" and employee to becoming a holistic, entrepreneurial role model for her children.

Anne-Michelle discusses her evolution beyond her former roles of school fundraiser and classroom cooking parent to a courageous journey of deep healing, discovery, and self-awareness that began several years ago in the deserts of Mexico.

She highlights her current challenge, in that she recognizes the ways she’s had to prove herself in traditionally masculine ways, but instead desires to find strength and success through feminine energy; a transition that has both empowered her and continues to change her.

Anne-Michelle's story is not just about personal transformation; it's about igniting a fire within and redefining what it means to be a mother, a woman, an entrepreneur, a partner, a friend in today’s rapidly evolving world.

Tune into this episode for an inspiring exploration of how a woman can truly flourish by becoming everything she never knew she could be and setting an example that reshapes her future. This is a must-listen for anyone who rejects the status quo and instead seeks to find their own purpose by redefining their life.

Here are some inspiring insights from this podcast interview with Anne-Michelle Frances:

These insights not only underscore the personal growth of an individual but also serve as motivation for others to pursue their own transformations and create a life that aligns with their true desires.

Are you ready to transform your professional and personal life? Join the Next Level Mastermind, where ambitious creators like you converge to elevate their success. Whether you're seeking to redefine your business, enhance your personal development, or expand your network with like-minded professionals, this mastermind is your gateway to growth.

In the Next Level Mastermind, you'll benefit from the collective wisdom, experiences, and support of fellow entrepreneurs who are just as dedicated to achieving greatness. Our members, like Anne-Michelle Frances, have experienced transformative changes, not just in their businesses, but in their personal lives as well.

Your journey to the top doesn't have to be a solo climb. Let the Next Level Mastermind be your team to push the boundaries of what you thought was possible.

Apply now at NextLevelMastermind.info and begin your journey to achieve and exceed your dreams with the support of those who understand what it takes.

Join us in this fascinating episode with Jeff Bartsch, where we explore his dynamic journey through multiple creative identities to discover the core essence that ties his life’s work together.

Starting as "Jeff, the piano guy," he mastered the art of piano from a young age, envisioning a future dedicated solely to music. However, his passion evolved, leading him into the realms of music composition, media production, and ultimately to film school and radio.

This episode unfolds Jeff’s 20-year saga of living the dream in Hollywood, the storytelling capital of the world, and how he eventually sought greater possibilities beyond his initial professional identity.

Now a coach and consultant, Jeff delves into the intrinsic value of his life-long work—turning ordinary messages into extraordinary narratives and empowering others to create and return value in innovative ways.

Jeff Bartsch is the founding communication and thought leadership coach at Story Greenlight. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and online business, Jeff has helped shape content for clients including ABC, NBC, Disney, Apple, Netflix, and many others. Jeff’s commentary has been featured in publications including Time Magazine, USA Today, and the Associated Press.

Through Story Greenlight, Jeff empowers accounting executives and advisors to show up as confident, memorable communicators and industry thought leaders, so they can create the human connections to expand their business and their impact in the world. He believes that the power of story is within reach of everyone, and that human connection is everything.

This episode is sponsored by the Next Level Mastermind, established in November 2017 for full-time, self-employed business owners. It's a place where you don't have to feel alone at the top; instead, you can connect weekly with peers who understand the challenges and risks of your business life.

Each member contributes their education, experience, areas of expertise, unique skills, and more, committed to mutual success and your personal and professional growth. It's more than a networking group—it's a collaborative environment where real problems find real solutions, helping you make impactful decisions and move closer to your goals.

Slots are limited to maintain quality and personalized attention. If you're ready to elevate your professional life, visit nextlevelmastermind.info to secure your spot and explore new heights with us.

In this podcast episode, I interview my dear friend Jessica Rhodes about her podcast guesting service business, Interview Connections, which she started in 2013.

Over the past decade, her business has become a powerful entity that helps individuals reach their ideal clients and expand their audience.

Listen in to learn valuable tips on how to make a strong impact when given the opportunity to be a guest on other people's podcasts.

Hear are just a few of the key insights from this episode

In this episode of "What Are You Creating," I had the pleasure to deep dive into the creative side of the multifaceted Pat Flynn.

Pat, an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and the brain behind "Smart Passive Income," shares how his identity has evolved over time. We talk about how his love for fishing has offered him peace away from his bustling life and business. His answer to why he's here iwas simply profound: to serve and help others.

You'll discover to top 3 things that Pat is most proud of creating and how Pat expresses the value of time over money, which he learned while building his team for SPI media.

Pat's new venture into the Pokémon YouTube channel "Deep Pocket Monster" and his strategy behind it is a true testament to his creative spirit.

His story of walking away from his Premium WordPress Plugins project offers valuable lessons about knowing what you want and validating your ideas.

Ending on a thoughtful note, Pat revealed his desire to be an "Agent of Change in the Education Space," and how he's creating space and boundaries in his life for peace.

Pat Flynn Links

This episode contains just one incredibly powerful story how how my participation within a mastermind group has made my dreams, personally and professionally, become reality.  Click here to see the video version of the message included within this episode.

If you are full-time self-employed or plan to become full-time self employed within the next 12 to 18 months, I want to invite you to CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL MASTERMIND TODAY.

Cliff Ravenscraft and the mastermind he created were a major inflection point in my career and life. I went from feeling trapped in a day job to creating my own freedom and autonomy. I left the day job at that time to start my own business to give myself more freedom to do what I want, with whom I want, when I wanted. I've never looked back. Here's the interesting part - as much as Cliff can help you with the tactical/practical (e.g. the in's/out's of online business - he can definitely help with this) ... what really helped me was changing my mindsets and removing the limiting beliefs holding me back from achieving what I wanted.

I joined the group with the plan of maybe leaving my day job in the next year or two. Within 6 months of joining (and attending meetings at 3am my time. It was worth it!) I had a plan to leave my day job within a couple of months. I did leave my day job, much sooner than expected and now 4 years later my business is thriving with 3 employees + myself. Cliff's ability to ask you questions and get you to lead YOURSELF is his greatest strength, in my mind. You have nobody to 'blame' but yourself, because you provide all the answers with Cliff's guidance. 

I was at a standstill. Didn’t know what the next step was. Actually, I didn’t think I was qualified to make the next step. Didn’t have anyone in my circle at that time to help. So I took a leap and joined Cliffs mastermind. My how things changed! First was overcoming some thoughts that held me back. Then some steps and next action items to get the ball rolling. Now I’ve moved the ball down the field farther and quicker than ever imagined.

If you are thinking about this, be sure to reach out to Cliff. Joining NLM was the biggest leap I'd ever made in terms of investing in myself and my business, but my life was radically changed in so many ways as a result of my nearly two years with the group. In fact, my current business was launched as a result and I couldn't be happier with the trajectory of that business.

1. Train With Cliff Audio Journal Podcast - This "audio journal format" podcast provides invaluable insights that my high-paying clients receive from me directly, plus exclusive, never-before-seen behind-the-scenes knowledge about how I run my business. My clients have found this podcast so valuable that nearly all of them have subscribed to it. Click Here To Learn More.

2. Free The Dream Online Course - Are you struggling to make your dream or goal a reality? Don't waste any more time! Take the time to go through the six-hours of content in the Free The Dream Online Course and unlock the power of transformation. Whether you choose to go through the material in a single day or take a weekend retreat, you will find yourself completely changed after your experience with this course. Discover the world from a new perspective and unleash the potential that lies within. Click Here To Free Your Dream Today.

3. Next Level Mastermind - If you're a full-time self-employed professional and not yet part of an ongoing mastermind group, it's time to take action! Stop what you're doing and take advantage of all the incredible video content and written content about mastermind groups found at NextLevelMastermind.info. Unlock the power of collaboration and networking with like-minded professionals and be part of a group that will help you achieve success! Click Here To Apply Today!

4. One-On-One Coaching - God has blessed me with extraordinary gifts and the ability to help clients uncover solutions they can't see on their own. No matter the problem or desired outcome, I can help guide you on the path to success – with multiple paths available to explore. Through one-on-one coaching, I'll equip you with the tools and confidence to reach your highest potential. Click Here To Apply For One-On-One Coaching With Me.

In this episode I have a conversation with Paul Klein who is a husband, father and someone who has created an income and business that supports his lifestyle rather than then other way around.

Paul's gift to the world is helping people who are stuck and/or depressed find hope and inspiration to break free from the hypnotic rhythm of life so that they can break through the barriers needed to create life on their own terms.

Today, Paul is creating BizableTV which an online video streaming platform created especially for entrepreneurs.  Together with his business partner, they create beautifully produced, documentary-style films and series that feature everyday business owners sharing their stories of determination, perseverance, and success.

Click Here To Get 7 Day Free Trial (This is NOT an affiliate link)

In this episode, I feature a conversation with my dear friend, John Lee Dumas, from Entrepreneur on Fire.  In this episode, I'm certain that I asked questions that John has never been asked in an interview before and some incredibly fascinating insights came out as a result.

Here are some important links related to this episode:

A rabbi was walking along the road after a long day in the synagogue. As he drowsily made his way home, he took a wrong turn and stumbled upon a Roman outpost. A loud voice sprang forth from the Roman centurion standing guard outside its door. With great authority, the centurion inquired, “Who are you and why are you here?”

Snapped out of his half-conscious daze, the rabbi responded, “My child, what did you just say to me?” The centurion furrowed his brow, planted his feet, and responded in an even more stern tone, “Who are you and why are you here?”

The rabbi replied with a question: “Good sir, what are they paying you to stand here?” The centurion, displaying equal levels of annoyance and intrigue, thundered back, “Four drachma per day. What is it to you?” With a smile on his face, the rabbi answered him, “I will pay you double if you would simply stand outside my tent and ask me those same two questions every morning as I depart.”