Creator Science
Jay Clouse
Creating content has never been easier—but breaking through the noise has gotten harder.
The only reliable way to grow as a creator is through systematic observation, experimentation, and iteration. This podcast is your weekly guide to evidence-backed strategies you can test in your own business.
Each episode features candid conversations with creators like James Clear, Ali Abdaal, Tim Urban, and Codie Sanchez. We explore what's actually working for them: the experiments they're running, the data they're tracking, and the frameworks they use to grow their audience, build trust, and increase income.
We dig into why it worked, how you can adapt it, and what constraints or anti-goals helped them stay focused and avoid burnout.
Hosted by Signal Award-winner Jay Clouse, this is a show about the business of content—from a place of curiosity, transparency, and a commitment to sustainable growth.
It's growth for creators, down to a science.
The only reliable way to grow as a creator is through systematic observation, experimentation, and iteration. This podcast is your weekly guide to evidence-backed strategies you can test in your own business.
Each episode features candid conversations with creators like James Clear, Ali Abdaal, Tim Urban, and Codie Sanchez. We explore what's actually working for them: the experiments they're running, the data they're tracking, and the frameworks they use to grow their audience, build trust, and increase income.
We dig into why it worked, how you can adapt it, and what constraints or anti-goals helped them stay focused and avoid burnout.
Hosted by Signal Award-winner Jay Clouse, this is a show about the business of content—from a place of curiosity, transparency, and a commitment to sustainable growth.
It's growth for creators, down to a science.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 37min
#290: Behind The Scenes: My End of Year Retro
The host dives into a year-end reflection, highlighting December as a record revenue month. They share insights on their signature product lab launch and reveal challenges faced in 2025. An amusing story about a life-changing chair experience also emerges. Discussions on the transition to video podcasts, personal goals, and health improvements create a vivid picture of their creative journey. The host ponders redefining success beyond revenue while balancing community engagement and innovative content creation.
26 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 1min
#289: Paul Millerd — The Truth About Traditional Publishing (And The Deal He Would’ve Taken)
Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path and self-publishing advocate, reveals the secrets behind his book's success, having made $325,000 in royalties. He discusses why he opted for self-publishing over a deal with Penguin, highlighting the importance of author rights and the challenges of traditional publishing. Millerd also shares insights on creating an ultra-premium hardcover edition and the advantages of direct sales for higher margins. His journey speaks to the evolving landscape of the publishing industry and the power of creative independence.
33 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 45min
#288: He gained 190K Instagram followers in 508 days…but wouldn’t do it again | Yoni Smolyar
In this discussion, Yoni Smolyar, an entrepreneur and software engineer, shares his wild journey of posting daily Instagram videos for 508 days, amassing nearly 190,000 followers. He reflects on the lessons learned, notably how fulfilling this challenge led to creator burnout. Yoni also dives into the launch of his app, BrainRot, which targets phone overuse and achieved impressive early traction. He emphasizes the value of authenticity over polish in content creation, warns against audience pigeonholing, and critiques short-form video for its impact on attention spans.
30 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 9min
#287: Reflecting on a year of parenting (and how that’s impacted me as a creator)
Josh Hall, a skilled web designer and entrepreneur from Columbus, shares insights with Jay Clouse about the transformative year of parenthood. They discuss how becoming a father reshaped Jay's work rhythms and priorities, urging him to focus on what truly matters. The conversation dives into balancing presence with family, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the scarcity mindset in business. Jay reflects on simplifying content creation through writing and the importance of saying no to protect mental bandwidth. A thought-provoking exchange on life, work, and creativity awaits!
12 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 49min
#286: How To LEGALLY Pay Less In Taxes (And Invest It Instead) — Ankur Nagpal
Ankur Nagpal, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Carry, shares his journey from selling Teachable for $250 million to mastering tax strategies for creators. He reveals how he turned tax complexities into accessible solutions. Ankur explains the benefits of Solo 401(k)s, outlines smart tax-saving strategies like direct indexing and tax loss harvesting, and discusses the advantages of S-Corps. He also emphasizes the importance of proactive tax planners and shares tips on maximizing contributions while securing your financial future.
134 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 4min
#285: Personal branding, building trust, and why most creators fail | Influence Anyone
Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science and a creator coach, dives into the essence of trust in building a sustainable creator business. He discusses the core traits of trustworthiness: competency, reliability, empathy, and integrity. Jay reflects on his personal branding evolution and the lessons from his early cringe moments. He emphasizes the danger of placing trust in AI and the need for transparency. Most importantly, he warns that many creators quit too soon, revealing that trust is the most valuable asset for long-term success.
58 snips
Nov 30, 2025 • 43min
#284: I helped a YouTuber design his membership
Join a fascinating coaching call where Tommy, a YouTuber focused on retiring in France, seeks guidance on monetizing his growing audience. They explore the balance between low-cost offerings and premium retreats. Hear about the power of community, strategic ticket sales, and how personalized membership can enhance retention. Discover innovative ways Tommy can integrate his expertise and create themed content to drive urgency. This conversation highlights the importance of engaging members through retreats and building lasting connections.
16 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 19min
#283: I’m launching my new offer TODAY!
Discover the innovative Signature Product Bootcamp, designed to help creators develop a standout product confidently. Explore the importance of financial security in fostering creativity and learn how to escape the exhausting launch cycle. Jay shares examples of successful signature products, emphasizing that mindshare is more valuable than mere attention. Ideal for creators without a solid product, the bootcamp promises clarity in positioning and pricing, with limited spots for personalized support. Don't miss your chance to enroll before the deadline!
4 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 51min
#282: David Altizer — How to Make Great Thumbnails (For Non-Designers)
David Altizer, co-creator of Thumbnail Academy and a sought-after thumbnail designer, shares insights drawn from his experience creating engaging visuals that have garnered millions of views. He elaborates on the importance of composition and lighting, the psychology behind thumbnails, and effective clickbait strategies. Discover how minimal text and curiosity can drive clicks, plus the role of AI in thumbnail creation. Altizer's tips make thumbnail design approachable for non-designers, proving that captivating visuals aren't as intimidating as they seem!
19 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 4min
#281: A question about the future of this podcast... [Voice Memo]
In this update-style voice memo, Jay discusses the evolution of his podcast, emphasizing the shift towards prioritizing video content. He reveals that video episodes are outperforming audio on Spotify, with five to ten times more plays. Jay shares his goal of producing two video episodes monthly and the challenges of consistent video production. He also plans to reduce the total number of episodes, ensuring each includes a video component. Additionally, he invites listener feedback while detailing how these changes will allow him to focus on video and his upcoming book.
