Ryan and Becca flipped the format on this episode and answered a set of thought-provoking questions generated by ChatGPT—sparking a really honest conversation about how our businesses have evolved, what we’re learning, and where we’re feeling challenged. We talk about shifts we’ve made this past year, goals that no longer serve us, experiments that surprised us, and the habits we wish more potters would adopt early on. We also reflect on how hosting the podcast has shaped our creative and business growth. It’s a candid, wide-ranging chat that pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca recap Ryan’s two-week “pottery vacation,” where he stepped away from his day job to experience what full-time pottery could feel like. They talk through the technical challenges he tackled, the shows he prepared for, and the sales strategies he experimented with. Ryan also reflects on managing his health, energy, and work-life balance during the break. They wrap up with how the experience shaped his outlook on future goals and how pottery fits alongside his career as a UX engineer.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca sit down with a very special guest — Rachel Durbin, Ryan’s spouse and the creative force behind Decades NKY. Rachel is in the early stages of growing her small business, which focuses on upcycling vintage textiles into unique, handmade goods.

In this episode, they talk about how Decades NKY has evolved — from reselling vintage home decor to designing and sewing most items by hand today. Rachel opens up about the challenges of finding the right shows, developing new products, and what she’s learned from years of working alongside Ryan’s pottery business.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about building a handmade business from the ground up, pivoting with purpose, and embracing the messy, exciting early stages of growth.

-----Find more about Rachel’s business below-----
Instagram - @decades.nky, @traverseinstyle
Etsy - decadesnky.etsy.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/100093852360399/

Maker of the Moment

• Cristin - @ckhelenstudio

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca sit down for a conversation with Link Henderson, owner of Kentucky Mudworks & Dirty Girls Pottery Tools, to go in depth about clay & tools. We learn how Kentucky Mudworks begun almost 20 years ago and how Dirty Girls Pottery Tools came about. We also answer a number of listener questions related to finding the right clay body for you, reclaiming clay, properties of various clays, and studio cleanliness. We hope you enjoy Link's entrepreneurial spirit, vast knowledge in our clay space, and many laughs that she shares with us.

-----Find more about Link's businesses below-----
Kentucky Mudworks
Instagram - @kentuckymudworks
Website - https://kymudworks.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kentuckymudworks
Facebook Group - Ky Mudworks Clay & Glaze Group

Dirty Girls Pottery Tools
Instagram - @dirtygirlspotterytools
Website - https://dirtygirlspotterytools.com/

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

This week, Ryan and Becca catch up on everything happening behind the scenes. Ryan shares highlights from his current pottery vacation and how he’s adjusting his studio routines with a new schedule. Becca opens up about possible career shifts at Speedball, reflecting on her growth goals and the value of stepping up beyond current responsibilities. They also dive into a couple rapid-fire questions, spotlight new Makers of the Moment, and wrap up with fresh updates from this year’s Pot Swap!

Maker of the Moment

• Rebecca Cash - @rebeccash
• Marian Draper -  @mariandraperceramics

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery while Becca is visiting her up in Michigan for the week. They cover a number of topics but mainly focus on how Heidi manages many wholesale accounts, the collections most suitable for wholesale, and pricing your work to properly account for your materials, labor, and profit. We hope you enjoy today’s in-depth discussion with Heidi.

-----Find more about Heidi's business below-----
Instagram - @bellajoypottery
Website - https://www.bellajoypottery.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bellajoypottery

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Check out the brand-new Speedball Boss Ribs, designed to make centering on the wheel easier and more accessible for all potters. Available now in multiple colors. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

In this episode, Ryan and Becca talk about how they approach recommending shows to other makers who are thinking about applying. They share why they’re careful about offering exact sales numbers and how using comparisons or percentages can paint a more realistic picture of what to expect. The conversation dives into how experience, product mix, and audience fit can all affect results. It’s a thoughtful look at how to give honest, helpful feedback without setting unrealistic expectations.

Maker of the Moment

• Sarah - @slowlifepottery
• Judah -  @judahbirkeland

Listener Questions

• When fellow makers ask you about an event you’ve been at bc they’re looking to apply to it, do you automatically tell them your sales or do you answer more vague? I’m always trying to find ways to offer helpful info without setting too high of expectations - esp if it’s an event I’ve been established at for a while. Just kinda curious how others navigate it. @goldenearthdesigns

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Check out the brand-new Speedball Boss Ribs, designed to make centering on the wheel easier and more accessible for all potters. Available now in multiple colors. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

In this episode, Ryan and Becca answer a listener’s question about how to prepare for slow sales months and boost online shop performance during Q1. They share strategies for connecting in-person show customers with online buyers, building momentum for website sales, and navigating seasonal lulls. Ryan also recaps recent pottery events, including successful sales at the Columbus Coffee Festival and upcoming travel plans, while Becca shares about leading a pottery painting event at Speedball that drew over 70 participants. They also touch on the launch of PotSwap, pottery business strategies like pricing and inventory management, and the importance of balancing studio time with marketing, rest, and setting boundaries for long-term sustainability.

Maker of the Moment

• Spinning Silica Art Collective - @spinningsilica
• Autumn Aslakson - @aslaksonpottery

Listener Questions

• What are some strategies I can implement now, to bring in some sales in the very slow Q1 of 2026? More specifically, I’d like to focus on selling my work on my website, which I launched last year in November. @csdhart_ceramics

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Check out the brand-new Speedball Boss Ribs, designed to make centering on the wheel easier and more accessible for all potters. Available now in multiple colors, exclusively at Clay King. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com
Soolla® - The brand-new Studio Pouch from Soolla is the perfect sidekick to your studio bag, designed to keep your favorite tools organized and close at hand. Available in eleven colors and durable, machine-washable canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK" (exclusions may apply).

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca continue last week’s conversation by diving into the tough but important topic of scaling back, pivoting, or even closing a business for long-term sustainability. They discuss how to reassess key expenses—like staffing, studio space, and pricing—to keep your business profitable, and share ideas for alternative strategies such as wholesale partnerships and smarter use of social media. The episode also explores financial management for artists and makers, including tips on building an emergency fund (with a little incentive to get you started).

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - Soolla Studio Bags are designed by potters, for potters that come in 25+ colors and equipped with 30 pockets. Machine washable, durable, and quick drying canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK"

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca dive into an honest conversation about knowing when it’s time to scale back, pivot, or even close a business. Becca opens up about her difficult decision to shut down her brick-and-mortar studio in 2020 after gaining clarity during the pandemic. This is Part One of the discussion — tune in next week for Part Two, where we go even deeper into navigating big business transitions.

Maker of the Moment

• Stephanie King - @fireandformpottery
• Isaac Gilmore - @isaacgilmore

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Soolla® - Soolla Studio Bags are designed by potters, for potters that come in 25+ colors and equipped with 30 pockets. Machine washable, durable, and quick drying canvas. Find your new studio bag at soolla.co and save 15% at checkout with coupon code "WHEELTALK"

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel