Wheel Talk
Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We'd love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we've learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!
Episodes
352 episodes
Finding success with Tim See (Replay)
Replay Episode: In this replay, Ryan and Becca are joined by Tim See to discuss a range of topics including: workshops, selling at shows, social media, and more.Ryan and Becca have a great time chatting today with Tim See from Tim...
Wheel Talk Book Club: The Creative Act (with Taylor Swilley)
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 wa...
Paying and Structuring a Studio Assistant (Part 2)
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...
Before You Hire a Studio Assistant… (Part 1)
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’...
How to Write Better Grant Applications with Laura Hall
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 inten...
Adapting Your Work and Business Over Time with Liz Cohen
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...
Making the Most of NCECA—Without Breaking the Bank (Replay)
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 NCE...
We’re Back: Studio & Business Updates
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 pl...
#340 - A Reset for the Podcast
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,...
#339 - Chasing $15K in 4 months
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 ...
#338 - Building a Sustainable Creative Business with Megan Auman
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 publishin...
#337 - Try It and See with Taylor Swilley
Ryan and Becca return with the seventh chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring Try It and See: How to Get Sh*t Done While Overanalyzing Everything...
#336 - Looking Back to Move Forward
Ryan and Becca reflect on the past year’s highs and lows, from personal challenges to major business milestones. Becca opens up about mental health, burnout, and the impact of a 9-to-5 job, while Ryan shares hitting a six-figure sales milestone...
#335 - Is paid advertisement worth it? with Will Donovan from Donovan Pottery
Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2024. Ryan and Becca welcome back Will Donovan of Donovan Pottery to discuss a range of topics, including: sharing end of year recaps, growing your business wit...
#334 - Building Consistent Etsy Sales Without Driving Your Own Traffic
Ryan and Becca open with personal updates before shifting into a deeper conversation about generating consistent Etsy sales over time. Ryan breaks down a repeatable listing strategy designed for makers who aren’t driving their own traffic, emph...
#333 - Chat GPT Still Has Questions. We Still Have Thoughts.
In continuation of our ChatGPT-led conversation, we go deeper into the human side of running creative businesses, talking openly about burnout, balance, and the tools and habits that have helped us stay grounded. We share what’s improved our wo...
#332 - Chat GPT Has Questions. We Have Thoughts.
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 c...
#331 - What Happens When Pottery Becomes the Day Job
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 sale...
#330 - Building a Creative Business from the Ground Up with Rachel Durbin
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, ...
#329 - Let's Talk About Clay with Link Henderson from Kentucky Mudworks
Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2021. Ryan & Becca sit down for a conversation with Link Henderson, owner of Kentucky Mudworks & Dirty Girls Pottery Tools, to go in depth about clay &a...
#328 - Pottery Vacations & Exploring New Roles
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 a...
#327 - Pricing your work effectively with Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery
Note: This episode is a replay from our archive, originally released in 2023. 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 to...
#326 - Recommending Shows Without Setting Expectations
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 pain...
#325 - Planning Ahead for Seasonal Sales Lulls
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 mome...
#324 - When It’s Time to Scale Back (Or Walk Away): Part Two
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 sp...