Wheel Talk

Ryan and Becca return with another chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they reflect on the book’s perspective of creativity as a way of being, discussing awareness, intuition, and making work without attachment to outcomes, and how those ideas translate or don’t translate into their own studio practices, creative decision-making, and running a ceramics business.

Our next book club selection will be announced in the coming months and released in the next season. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX

-----Find more about Taylor’s business below-----
Instagram - @backyardkiln
Website - backyardkiln.com

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Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

How should you actually pay a studio assistant—and what’s fair? In part two of this conversation, Ryan & Becca break down different compensation options, from hourly pay to studio access, and the tradeoffs that come with each.

We also talk about how to set clear expectations, avoid common mistakes, and put simple structures in place so the working relationship is clear from the start.

Maker of the Moment
- Sophie Bays @pyropotteryllc
- Alexie Smith @lxceramix

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
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Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.

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

Thinking about hiring a studio assistant—but not sure if you’re actually ready? In Part One of this conversation, we break down how to identify bottlenecks in your studio, when better systems might be the real solution, and how to decide if it’s time to bring someone on.

We also talk through how to find the right person, what to prioritize when hiring, and how to delegate and train in a way that genuinely frees up your time.

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.

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

Laura Hall shares her experience with grant writing and offers insight into how artists can approach grants with more confidence. The conversation covers key parts of a strong application, including mission statements, budgets, letters of intent, and how to clearly communicate your story and purpose. Laura also discusses different types of grants and what artists should know before applying.

Resources from this episode (PDFs + links):
Grant Writing Resources for Artists:
https://www.wheeltalkpotcast.com/s/stories/grant-writing-for-artists-with-laura-hall

Additional resources mentioned:
Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. Clarke
GrantWatch
Laura's Instagram @ibelaura

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.

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

Liz Cohen joins the podcast again nearly four years later to talk about the evolution of her ceramics business. She shares her experience managing a shared studio space in Denver, her decision to move away from wholesale and dinnerware, and how her making process has shifted toward higher-value work. Liz also discusses her ongoing experiments with slip casting and developing a speckled underglaze technique.

-----Find more about Liz’s business below-----
Instagram - @lizcohenceramics
Website - https://lizcohenceramics.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LizCohenCeramics/
Last Wheel Talk appearance - #140 Building a home studio with Liz Cohen

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.
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Sponsors
L&L Kilns - Stop by booth 223 in the Resource Hall at NCECA to see their kilns in-person. The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Stop by booth 301 in the Resource Hall  at NCECA to see their brand new lineup of glazes. Available soon in multiple colors. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com

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

Replay Episode: In this replay, Ryan and Becca discuss their trip to NCECA 2025 and share insights on navigating the conference experience.

Ryan and Becca share highlights from their recent trip to Salt Lake City for the annual NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid look behind the scenes.

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 are back behind the microphones to kick off a new season of Wheel Talk. In this episode, they share updates from their studios and businesses since taking a break from recording, including Becca’s hand surgery recovery and her plans for the coming months. Ryan talks about what the start of the year has looked like in his studio and some of the systems and priorities he’s focusing on this season. They also discuss what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes for the spring season.

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

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 announce a shift to a seasonal podcast format, moving from weekly episodes to three seasons per year with planned breaks in between. They outline what listeners can expect in each season, including interviews, book club episodes, and special stand-in co-hosts. Becca also shares updates on her upcoming hand surgery and a new clay cigarette project.

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We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.
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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

Becca sets a bold short-term goal: earning $15,000 over the next four months, and Ryan helps her break it down into realistic, actionable steps. Together, they explore multiple income paths—from producing small, repeatable items like mini mugs and fidget stones to teaching classes and designing stickers/shirts as passive income. The episode focuses on balancing creativity with practicality, emphasizing momentum over perfection. They wrap up by committing to a near-term check-in to track progress and refine the plan.

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List

We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.

👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

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 of Wheel Talk, Ryan and Becca talk with artist, author, and educator Megan Auman about the business lessons behind Try It and See. Megan shares how her revenue streams and pricing strategies have evolved since publishing the book, along with insights on production volume and communicating value to customers. They discuss what it means to ask for the sale outside of wholesale, how artists can know when they’re charging the right price, and how tools like ChatGPT and social media fit into today’s creative businesses.

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List

We’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.

👉 Sign up here

-----Find more about Megan’s business below-----
Website: https://shop.meganauman.com/ & https://artistsandprofitmakers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganauman

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

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