Advertise on podcast: Wheel Talk

Jon Schmidt returns to Wheel Talk seven years after his first appearance to share how his pottery business, content creation, and priorities have evolved. He discusses shifting his social media strategy to reach a broader audience, balancing creativity with sales, and navigating brand partnerships. The conversation also explores running multiple businesses, hiring studio assistants, pricing pottery, and building a sustainable career that leaves room for life outside the studio. -----Find more about Jon's businesses below----- Website - themochamonkey.com Instagram - @jonschmidtpottery YouTube - www.youtube.com/jonthepotter Wheel Talk #14 - What's Up Guys?! with Jon Schmidt aka Jon The Potter 📦 Sign up for Pot Swap 2026 Registration open until October 31st on our website. 📬 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 - Getting ready for the holiday rush? L&L kilns are built for reliable, consistent firings and designed to be easy to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair, helping you minimize downtime when your firing schedule gets busy. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com BuschKraft - The Dragonfly Complete Carving Kit from BuschKraft includes all of their current Dragonfly carving blades, 3 handles, and 3 alternate grips bundled together for $134. Get 15% off your order with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com, making the complete kit an even better deal for Wheel Talk listeners. 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

Ryan and Becca are back for the fall season of Wheel Talk and taking a look at what they want to make more (and less) room for in their creative lives. They reflect on what took up too much energy this summer, what feels most satisfying right now, and the parts of their businesses that may not be sustainable long term. They also talk about what they're ready to let go of, what they want more time for, and what they're choosing to prioritize as they head into the final stretch of the year. 📦 Sign up for Pot Swap 2026 Registration open until October 31st on our website. 📬 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 - Getting ready for the holiday rush? L&L kilns are built for reliable, consistent firings and designed to be easy to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair, helping you minimize downtime when your firing schedule gets busy. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com BuschKraft - The Dragonfly Complete Carving Kit from BuschKraft includes all of their current Dragonfly carving blades, 3 handles, and 3 alternate grips bundled together for $134. Get 15% off your order with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com, making the complete kit an even better deal for Wheel Talk listeners. 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

In this special bonus episode, Ryan is joined by new Pot Swap team members Tzipporah of Sipor Ceramics and Rachel Durbin to kick off Pot Swap 2026! They cover everything you need to know about this year’s pottery exchange, including an extended sign-up period, rolling assignments, domestic-only shipping, weekly giveaways, the Pot Swap Design Contest, and more. Whether you’re a returning participant or joining Pot Swap for the first time, tune in to hear what’s new and what to expect for 2026. Resources Pot Swap website Pot Swap Official Instagram 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 with another chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring We Need Your Art by Amie McNee. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they reflect on the book’s ideas around giving yourself permission to be an artist, overcoming creative resistance, and building a sustainable creative practice. Together, they discuss why the book resonated so strongly with them and how its lessons apply to finding your creative identity, making space for meaningful work, and navigating life as a working artist and creative business owner. 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 📬 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.com. 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

Replay Episode: To celebrate another year of Wheel Talk, we’re going all the way back to where it started! This week, we’re replaying our very first episode and revisiting our 2019 conversation about motivation as makers. A lot has changed since then, but many of the challenges we talked about—staying motivated, setting goals, overcommitting, and making time for the work you love—still feel just as relevant today. In our very first episode, Ryan and Becca discuss motivation as makers from two different perspectives: Becca as a full-time potter and studio owner and Ryan as a part-time maker working a traditional 9–5. They share their experiences with overcommitting, list-making, goal-setting, selling at shows, and figuring out how to spend more time doing the parts of your creative work you actually love. 📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk. 👉 Sign up here 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 with another listener Q&A, tackling questions about the realities of making and selling pottery. They discuss wholesale pricing, communicating the value of handmade ceramics, finding your place at NCECA, expanding your product line, and making enough work to fill your market booth. They also dig into pottery burnout, getting out of a creative rut, and a listener question about their use of AI as working artists. 📬 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.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. 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

After four and a half years as Ryan’s studio assistant, Erica Kilroy returns to Wheel Talk to reflect on her time in the studio before starting a new chapter in Cleveland. Ryan and Erica discuss how her role evolved, the skills and confidence she developed, and the honest feedback that came out of her exit interview. They also look ahead to Erica’s plans for her own home studio and where her career might take her next. -----Find more about Erica below----- Instagram - @erica_irene_k 📬 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.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. 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

Laura Williams joins the podcast to share her experience as a traveling ceramic artist, teaching workshops and exhibiting her work across the country while living on the road. She discusses her hand-built pottery practice, embracing imperfection, and how travel has influenced her artistic voice. The conversation also explores creativity, teaching, and the meaningful connections handmade ceramics create between artists and collectors. -----Find more about Laura's business below----- Website - laurawilliamsstudio.com Instagram - @laura.williams.studio Upcoming Workshops - laurawilliamsstudio.com/workshops 📬 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.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. 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

Ryan and Becca are back with another listener Q&A, answering your questions on everything from finding your artistic voice and balancing creativity with profitability to handling commissions, returns, and managing inventory for Etsy and in-person shows. They also share their thoughts on favorite glazes, workshop dream picks, pottery market gear, and even imagine what the future of ceramics might look like. It's a wide-ranging conversation filled with practical advice, honest opinions, and a few fun detours along the way. 📬 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.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. 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

Michelle O'Brien joins the podcast to share the story behind Elliot Fouts Gallery and what it takes to build lasting relationships between galleries and artists. She discusses the gallery's partnership with ceramic artist Jeff Nebeker, managing high-demand releases, and the logistics of selling and shipping fragile ceramic work. The conversation also explores pricing, consignment, and practical advice for artists interested in working with galleries. -----Find more about Michelle below----- Website - efgallery.com Instagram - @efgallery and @the.gallery.girl Facebook - Elliott Fouts Gallery 📬 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.com. 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

Ryan and Becca discuss practical ways artists can build stronger connections within their local communities and create lasting opportunities for their businesses. From farmers markets and local Facebook groups to workshops, collaborations, and community events, they share ideas for growing a local audience and why showing up consistently can be more valuable than chasing the next big art fair. Maker of the Moment Mel Casey - @embodiedceramicsCasey Ann Hanrahan - @caseyannhanrahan📬 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.com. 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

Nicholai Busch joins the podcast to share his journey from developing tools at DiamondCore to launching his own company, BuschKraft Tools. He discusses the decision to build a new brand from the ground up, his approach to designing pottery tools, and the challenges of manufacturing, testing, and growing a small business. The conversation also explores the importance of relationships within the ceramics community and how conferences like ClayCon and NCECA helped shape the company's early growth. -----Find more about Nicholai below----- Website - buschkraft.com Instagram - @buschkraftstudio Facebook - BuschKraft TikTok - @buschkraftstudio 📬 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.com. 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

In this episode, Becca and Taylor Swilley answer listener questions about plants and pottery, covering everything from drainage holes and planter design to succulent care and specialized pots for different types of plants. They also share thoughts on making and selling planters, common challenges potters face, and why the plant community can be such a strong market for ceramic work. -----Find more about Taylor’s business below----- Instagram - @backyardkiln Website - backyardkiln.com 📬 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. 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

Natalie Wagner joins the podcast to share her efforts to revive and expand the ceramics program at the Peterson-McCormick Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. She discusses rebuilding the program after the original kiln failed, how community support helped fund its return, and her long-term vision for creating sustainable opportunities for students through ceramics education and apprenticeships. -----Find more about Natalie below----- Go Fund Me for Boys and Girls Club Chicago Instagram - @big_feeling_ceramics Website - https://www.bigfeelingceramics.com/ 📬 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. 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 is joined by Heidi Fahrenbacher for a conversation about balancing growth, production, and sustainability while building a ceramics business. Prompted by listener questions about burnout, workflow, and scaling a pottery side hustle, they discuss structuring making schedules around kiln cycles, managing inventory and multiple sales channels, and recognizing when momentum is supported versus unsustainable. Together, they reflect on the realities of building a long-term creative business without letting every opportunity push the rest of life to a breaking point. Maker of the Moment Rachael DePauw - @depauwpotteryJohn Brown - @johnbrown.ceramics -----Find more about Heidi's business below----- Instagram - @bellajoypottery Website - bellajoypottery.com 📬 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. 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