As Wheel Talk approaches its 6-year anniversary, Ryan and Becca reflect on the podcast’s growth and the incredible community that’s formed around it. Ryan shares highlights from his recent anniversary trip to Hawaii, and the conversation shifts to social media—what's working, what's not, and how they're each approaching content creation and engagement. They break down their current posting strategies, including the continued success of Ryan’s Mug Monday series. Plus, they welcome a brand-new sponsor to the podcast!

Resources
The Community: https://www.makersplaybook.com/community
EtSEO: https://sellerevents.etsy.com/events/details/etsy-shop-optimization-presents-etseo-live-listing-critique-panel-optimize-your-shop-for-spring/ 

Maker of the Moment

• Jeanette Leroux - @jeanette_leroux_ceramics
• Jessie Bailey - @beanandbaileyceramics

Listener Questions
On this episode:

• I would love to hear your thoughts on SEO, specifically how did you guys come up to speed on it, resources you use or used, etc. @jelo.designs
• I was hoping you could explore how potters develop their voice and aesthetic, especially online. As a potter, I’m currently in the “posting my work and hoping the algorithm is feeling generous. Just trying to figure out how to share my story and style without overthinking every caption. Just a thought from someone elbow-deep in clay and Instagram drafts. @shawn_reid_pottery

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
The Ceramic Shop - Trusted by potters everywhere for fast shipping, great prices, and expert support. Explore more at theceramicshop.com and use "Wheeltalk10" for $10 off your order of $75 or more.

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 explore the realities of small business finances—from paying livable wages and employee compensation to navigating the shift from salaried work to self-employment. This episode follows a slightly different format, and we hope you enjoy the conversation.

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 kick off with a recap of Ryan’s recent Nashville workshop. The episode then centers on a listener question about converting social media engagement into actual sales—especially when platform limitations make linking to your shop tricky. They share practical tips for navigating those challenges, Becca’s van upgrades, and marketing strategies.

Maker of the Moment

• Jessica Guerrero - @pottedbyjess
• Ronan Kyle Peterson - @caterboy

Listener Questions
On this episode:

• How does Instagram, or Social in general, convert to sales? I sell on Etsy and Instagram doesn’t allow me to add a link to my Etsy page. @jelo.designs

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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, Ryan shares his recent visit to Isaac Shue's gallery opening in Kansas and offers practical advice on building and maintaining a soda kiln—including materials, costs, and construction tips. He also discusses upcoming pottery workshops, sourcing studio equipment, and the value of sharing knowledge within the ceramics community.

Resources
Sign up for Ryan's soda workshop

Maker of the Moment

• Maddie Sawatzky - @maddiemadepottery
• Becky - @hawthorn_ceramics

Listener Questions
On this episode:

• I'm looking for advice on wholesale-ing. Specifically, how to approach a brick and mortar or online business with my ceramics. What are the must do's/haves -samples, line sheets, photographs? How best to be prepared to make a positive impression? Would love to hear from a small business on what makes them want to sell an artists goods. @YKSceramics
• What is the best way to afford building a soda kiln like Ryan's?@coolguy_charlie

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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, Becca opens up about her recent transition into a new job and the mental health challenges that came with it. She shares her experience stepping away from pottery and social media, reflecting on how that break impacted her creativity, identity, and personal relationships. Ryan joins the conversation with thoughtful questions about Becca’s evolving work life, her approach to personal growth, and the strategies she’s using to support her mental and physical well-being. We're grateful to Becca for sharing with such honesty and vulnerability.

Maker of the Moment

• Michael Millam - @mikenightmare
• Jared Zehmer - @jared.zehmer.pottery

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 return for the fifth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they unpack key takeaways and reflect on how the book’s themes resonate with their own creative practices and businesses.

Our next book club selection is Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones with plans to release the episode in July or August. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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, Ryan and Becca dive into the nitty-gritty of participating in art shows—from understanding different fee structures to handling logistics and boosting your profits. They break down common models, including flat booth fees, low table fees with commissions, and hybrid setups. Plus, stick around for a listener question about surviving rainy art shows and drying out your work and display afterwards.

Maker of the Moment

• Meredith Bradley - @cityinbloomceramics
• Rachel DePauw - @depauwpottery

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• Do you have any practices for when you come home from a show and EVERYTHING is soaked? It rained the entire show, from set up to load out. How would you dry everything out? Also, how would you manage keeping everything as dry as possible during the setup and tear down of your booth?  @lifer_studios

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products 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

Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher of Bella Joy Pottery to catch up on her new studio build and share advice on a few business topics. They dive into Ryan’s current work hours and revenue from pottery as a side hustle, and how tracking these metrics can offer valuable insights for your own business. The conversation also covers Etsy sales strategies and tips for providing great customer service. Lastly, Becca proposes an interesting challenge for the group.

Maker of the Moment

• Autumn McKay - @_autumnmckay
• Shelley Dean - @shellbellartstudio
• Megs LeVesseur - @megslevesseurceramics

-----Find more about Heidi's business below-----
Instagram - @bellajoypottery
Website - bellajoypottery.com - Heidi's New Transfers

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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 catch up on recent life updates and share what’s on the horizon for Ryan’s upcoming shows. They also dive into ideas for spring show inventory, discussing functional and decorative forms that are popular this time of year, plus a few seasonal items to keep in mind for later in the year.

Maker of the Moment

• Maritza Leon @the.introverted.potter
• Dani Chevalier @asketchypotteryshop

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com

Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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 are joined by Jody Lewis of Good Wheel Ceramics, a Canadian potter whose journey from hobbyist to full-time artist is as thoughtful as his work. Jody shares how he incorporates jiggering and jollying techniques into his process and reflects on what it's been like balancing his growing pottery business alongside his partner’s demanding career as an ER doctor. The conversation also explores his future plans for expanding the studio with the help of an assistant. A big thanks to Jody for joining us and sharing his story!

Maker of the Moment

• Sandy Harquail @sandyharquail
• Asahi So @morningsun_s
• Risa Hricovsky @risa.hricovsky

-----Find more about Jody's business below-----
Instagram - @goodwheelceramics
Website - https://www.goodwheelceramics.com/

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products 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