The Cliff Ravenscraft Show

Today’s episode is something a little different. I recorded this message from the front seat of my car (my “mobile studio”) during one of those early morning creative bursts that often come during my fall routines. Before we dive in, you’ll notice the audio quality sounds a little different than my usual in-studio setup. I explain why in the intro, but the short version is this: I’ve been waking up at 4:30 a.m., heading to Planet Fitness, and spending time journaling, praying, reading, and creating from that sacred space of solitude. Sometimes inspiration hits right there in the car, and I don’t want to wait until I’m back at my desk to capture it. What follows is a message I felt deeply compelled to share. It’s about something I’ve been noticing, in myself and in other creators, as AI tools become part of our daily workflow. We’re all starting to sound the same. In this episode, I talk about: How AI-generated phrasing has become a dead giveaway in so much content. The subtle rhythms that make a piece of writing or video sound “machine-shaped.” My own experiences using ChatGPT for content creation (and where it crossed the line). Why I’m returning to more unscripted, unpolished, human communication. How we can still use AI as a thought partner without losing our authentic voice. This episode is about remembering what people really connect with: honesty, imperfection, and lived experience. I hope this message encourages you to bring your unpolished, unscripted voice back into your creative process. Until next time, I encourage you to take everything you do in life and business, and content creation, to the next level.

Today, I had an incredible conversation with Austin Armstrong, an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator whose journey perfectly embodies what it means to stop thinking like a content creator and start thinking like a business owner who creates content. Austin is the founder of Syllaby, an AI-powered video marketing platform that helps entrepreneurs and service-based business owners simplify content creation and stay consistent across every major platform. He’s also the author of the upcoming book Virality!, which unpacks two decades of lessons from his evolution as a creator, marketer, and business builder. In our conversation, we explored: How Austin went from MySpace “trains” to building multi–seven-figure businesses powered by organic content. The story behind Syllaby, and how a simple pivot in messaging saved the company. What it really means to create systems that turn followers into customers. Austin’s powerful S.T.A.R.T. Video Framework for crafting scroll-stopping, lead-generating videos. The biggest mistakes creators make when chasing virality, and what to do instead. I loved this conversation because it’s about realizing that your content should serve your mission, not the other way around. Austin’s energy, humility, and depth of experience made this an enjoyable conversation. If you’re a creator, coach, or entrepreneur looking to build something that lasts, you’re going to want to listen to this one from start to finish. The Path Forward If this episode resonated with you, I highly encourage you to pre-order Austin’s new book, Virality! It’s filled with proven frameworks, practical tools, and hard-won lessons that will help you think, act, and grow like a business owner who creates content. 👉 Pre-order Virality! on Amazon  

I’m working with a client who is a gifted communicator with years of real-world experience. He kept hearing that paid speaking is off limits unless you are already well known, can sell tickets by name alone, or have a massive audience. I knew that wasn’t the full story. So I brought in someone I trust and have known for nearly 15 years, Grant Baldwin, to walk through what actually works today for getting paid to speak without celebrity status. Grant has trained thousands of speakers and built The Speaker Lab into a respected, enduring brand, one that has ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest, growing privately held companies in the United States for five consecutive years. What This Episode Is… And Who It’s For This conversation is designed for strong communicators who are comfortable on a stage and want to translate that skill into paid opportunities. If that’s you, you’ll find a clear framework, realistic fee guidance, what event planners actually want, and the specific outreach and follow-up cadence that moves you from “aspiring” to “booked.” Core Mindset Shift: From “Be Famous” To “Solve A Specific Problem” Event planners aren’t always evaluating your follower count. They are reducing risk. They want a reliable speaker who can solve one specific problem for one specific audience and make the organizer look like a hero for choosing wisely. If Oprah or a former president is headlining, tickets sell on name alone. For the rest of us, the job is to solve a defined problem so well that attendees are grateful and organizers are relieved they chose us. The trap to avoid: “I can speak to anyone about anything.” Don’t be a buffet. Be a steakhouse. A steakhouse does one thing exceptionally well. Most buffets do many things mediocre. Your positioning must signal sharp focus, not “I do it all.” Practical implication: Choose a niche problem and audience, and let everything else in your marketing reinforce that narrow, valuable focus. The SPEAK Framework Grant Teaches (And How To Apply It) Grant uses a five-part framework. I’ll restate it with my commentary and application steps you can take immediately. S - Select a problem to solve Pick one clear problem for one identifiable audience. Validate it by confirming that organizations actually hire speakers on that topic. Avoid niche passions that no one budgets for on stage. Look for the Venn overlap between what you love, what you’re skilled at, and what event buyers pay for. Quick validators you can run this week: Make a list of real conferences or associations where your topic would fit. Start with local, state, and regional events rather than national headliners that pay six figures to celebrity keynoters. Identify a few working speakers one or two steps ahead of you as benchmarks. If no one exists in your proposed niche, that’s not a blue ocean. It’s likely a market that doesn’t buy talks on that topic. P - Prepare your talk Design a talk that offers a concrete solution to the chosen audience’s felt need. Make sure the talk aligns with what planners already hire speakers to address. Your talk is a product. It must reduce the organizer’s risk and fulfill the promise in the program description. Tip: If there’s a personal subtopic you care about that isn’t a main-stage draw, embed it as a 5 to 10 percent segment within a widely purchased theme, rather than making it the headline. This blends your passion with market reality without performing a bait-and-switch. E - Establish yourself as the expert You need a sharp, professional website and a demo video. Event planners who hire speakers will compare you to several other speakers. Your materials must look as good or better than your fee peers, because people judge books by their covers, especially under risk. You do not need to spend tens of thousands, but you do need clarity and quality. What to include: Crisp positioning: audience, problem, outcome. A talk page with titles, descriptions, and learning outcomes. Select testimonials that match your audience and topic. A short, high-quality demo reel showing stage presence and audience engagement. A - Acquire paid speaking gigs This is where most speakers falter. Do not wait passively for inquiries. Identify target events, start conversations, and follow up with discipline. Smaller events are not “lesser.” They are accessible and often pay in the $1,000 to $5,000 range for quality speakers who fit well. Those reps build momentum and referrals. A starter outreach line that works: “When will you start reviewing speakers for your [season/year] event?” You’re aligning to their process, not forcing a pitch at the wrong time. If they say, “in three months,” get explicit permission to follow up, then actually follow up in three months with a helpful, short note. They won’t expect you to do it. Showing up reliably previews how good you’ll be to work with. My added tactic: Use Facebook groups where your audience gathers to crowdsource a list of live events they already attend. Ask, “If someone wanted to fully immerse in solving [problem], what live events should they attend?” Now you have a prospect list drawn from the market itself. Then apply the outreach process above. I share the exact post volume thresholds and how I used this approach during my Free The Dream years. K - Know when to scale Speaking can be the whole business or the front end of a larger business. Some speakers aim for many gigs and fee growth. Others use speaking primarily to acquire coaching, consulting, or long-term clients worth tens of thousands, which can dwarf the fee itself. Decide your model early, then shape your targeting and topic accordingly. What To Charge When You’re Getting Started Set expectations realistically. Most speakers who are early in their professional journey charge between $1,000 and $5,000 for the first several paid gigs, with growth as reps, results, and marketing assets improve. Fees vary by industry: corporations generally pay more than nonprofits, for example. Your website, demo video, testimonials, and relevance to that organizer’s audience all factor into perceived value. If you are already collecting checks in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, you’re likely in a pond that routinely books at that level, with the credentials and references to match. Your materials and proof must stand shoulder to shoulder with other speakers priced similarly. The decision-maker is weighing risk. Your job is to make the yes feel safe. How Event Planners Think: Risk, Fit, Proof Event planners and committees are in the risk mitigation business. They need to justify why choosing you is safe. The fastest way to help them feel safe is to present tightly aligned positioning, a clear solution for their audience, relevant testimonials, and a professional demo that shows what they will see on their stage. If you’re a known quantity in their industry, you reduce risk further. Translation: Your niche experience matters. Even if you want to speak beyond your current industry later, start where you already have credibility and connections. Build momentum there, then expand. Be The Steakhouse, Not The Buffet We swapped a memorable story about a dinner in Vegas that nails this point. A top steakhouse has a short menu. It’s exceptional at one thing. Too many speakers showcase a menu of twenty topics across every domain. That spreads you thin and confuses buyers. You don’t become referable as “the person who solves X.” Choose X. Then keep saying X. Building Momentum: Breakouts, Workshops, Local and Regional Stages Keynotes are the glory slot, but many buyers hire outstanding breakout or workshop speakers they’ve never heard of. Target smaller, local, or state-level events where budgets are sensible and competition is less fierce. Use these to gather testimonials and in-industry proof. The more you speak, the more you speak. People in the seats are often the next bookers. Referrals compound. Proactive Prospecting And Follow-Up: Exactly How To Do It Most speakers fail because they wait. Here’s a workable cadence: Build a prospect list of the right-fit events. Send a short, no-pressure opener: “When will you start reviewing speakers?” Capture their answer and permission to follow up. Follow up exactly when promised with a crisp, helpful note. Keep the thread warm with brief check-ins aligned to their process, not your pitch calendar. This shows the organizer what it’s like to work with you. Reliability beats bravado. My supplement to this: Source events by asking active Facebook groups where your audience congregates which conferences they actually attend. Then research and contact those events using the cadence above. Two Viable Business Models: Fee-First vs. Lead-Gen-First Fee-first speakers optimize for the check, the travel schedule, and fee growth over time. Lead-gen-first speakers optimize for speaking to rooms filled with ideal buyers, then convert into higher lifetime value offers such as retainers, advisory, or premium programs. In some niches, a single client is worth more than the speaking fee. Choose the model that matches your goals and build your targeting and talk to support it. Host Your Own Stage To Create Reps And Proof You don’t have to wait for an invitation. Design a focused one-day workshop around your problem-audience fit, sell tickets, and put yourself on stage. This both validates your topic and produces assets, testimonials, and compelling footage for your reel. Tactical Tips, Stories, And Subtleties You Might Miss On First Listen Expectations prevent discouragement. Speaker fees range from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands. Unless your name sells tickets, start where the market is and grow. Manage expectations early so you stay persistent long enough to break through. Industry matters. Corporate, association, education, nonprofit, faith, and government markets all have different norms and ranges. Choose the pond that fits your topic, background, and goals. Marketing assets are not optional. At minimum, have a professional, focused site and a tight demo. Decision-makers compare several speakers side by side. Present like a pro. Momentum is real. The more stages you’re on, the more invitations you’ll receive. Some referrals hit years later. Plant seeds now. Harvest later. Start where you have leverage. If your career was in real estate, restaurants, law, healthcare, or tech, begin there. You speak the language, know the players, and reduce buyer risk. You can always evolve your niche after you build proof. Breakouts build keynotes. Deliver great breakout sessions that solve concrete problems. That creates case studies and word of mouth that lead to higher-fee keynote opportunities. Small and local is a feature, not a bug. Many high-quality regional events have budgets in the $1,000 to $5,000 range and want excellent speakers who fit. Those are perfect on-ramps. Be personable and reliable. The subtle signals you send in email cadence, brevity, and clarity matter as much as your sizzle reel. Planners notice. Use audience hubs to find events. Facebook groups with significant daily activity are a goldmine for discovering exactly which conferences your market actually attends. Ask the right question, harvest the list, then do surgical outreach. Speaking as impact. Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Grant shared doing a virtual session for inmates in a county jail, and he has also spoken to arenas of 10,000. There isn’t one “correct” venue. There are aligned venues for your mission and model. If You’re A Strong Communicator And Ready To Start, Do This In The Next 7 Days Define your niche: Write a one-sentence positioning statement: “I help [audience] solve [problem] so they can [outcome].” Keep it painfully specific. List 25 target events: Use Google, LinkedIn, and active Facebook groups your audience frequents. Ask what events they already attend and compile answers. Tidy your materials: Ensure your site and speaker page reflect your niche clearly, with outcomes and a clean bio. If you don’t have a reel, assemble a short, honest highlight cut from any footage you have. Send five concise outreach emails: “When will you start reviewing speakers for [event]?” Track replies. Ask for permission to follow up at their timeline. Build a simple follow-up system: Calendar reminders or a basic CRM. Follow up exactly when promised with a short, service-oriented note. Reliability is your advantage. Book or create one rep: Pitch a breakout locally or host a focused micro-workshop yourself. Capture testimonials and footage. Momentum starts here. Resources Mentioned The Speaker Lab website The Speaker Lab podcast The Speaking Fee Calculator The Successful Speaker book by Grant Baldwin My Closing Thought If you’re gifted on stage and willing to do the unglamorous prospecting and follow-up, there is a clear, repeatable path to getting booked and paid. You do not need to be famous. You do need to be focused, professional, and persistent. Choose your “steak,” serve it beautifully to the right diners, and keep showing up. The rooms you want will start asking for you by name. Ready to Turn Your Experience Into Income? If you’re still here reading this, I have a feeling I know something about you. You’re a communicator, a creator, someone with real experience, skill, and a genuine desire to serve others. You’ve been working hard to build your business, grow your audience, and create content that helps people. Yet even with all that effort, the profit still doesn’t reflect the impact you’re making. If that sounds familiar, it might be time for a different approach. Over the years, I’ve worked with countless creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs who started by doing what everyone said they should: creating content, building websites, and growing an audience. The problem? That’s actually Step 8 in the process of building a profitable business. They skipped the first seven steps, the ones that make everything else work. That’s why I created my Building an Online Business Program. It’s the same proven 11-step framework I’ve used and taught to help others finally see consistent, sustainable income from the work they love. The program includes my complete course, recorded live in the Next Level Studio, and two private 90-minute one-on-one coaching sessions with me. Those sessions are where we take what you’re learning and apply it directly to your goals, your challenges, and your business model. It’s personalized guidance designed to bring focus, clarity, and predictable income to your business. If you’ve been creating content for years but still feel like you’re spinning your wheels, this is your chance to change that. You’ll get the clarity, structure, and strategy that can finally convert your experience into income, and build the freedom you set out to create in the first place. Click Here To Learn More And Enroll Today Let’s journey together.  

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Thompson, a man who has built an extraordinary business around something most people only do out of kindness: connecting others. I’ve met plenty of people over the years who are natural connectors. They love introducing friends, clients, and peers to each other. Those introductions often lead to life-changing opportunities. But Kevin is the first person I’ve met who figured out how to turn that gift into a sustainable business model. Kevin’s story begins with more than a decade in the publishing world, where he grew his company through over 600 strategic partnerships. Along the way, he discovered how much joy he found in helping people meet and collaborate. For years, he did it freely, simply because it felt good to serve. But one introduction in particular, connecting marketing legends Perry Marshall and Brian Kurtz, planted a powerful seed. That connection eventually led to a multimillion-dollar event, and when Kevin was publicly recognized for being the bridge that made it all possible, he began wondering: What if I could make a living just doing this? For a long time, he battled with the ethics of charging for introductions. Friends even told him it wasn't something that anyone should even consider. But in 2017, a single conversation changed everything. A friend suggested he host a small, in-person gathering of the entrepreneurs he knew. Kevin couldn’t sleep that night. By 4:30 the next morning, he was making a list of everyone he wanted to invite. His enthusiasm was contagious. His wife offered to handle catering, and the first six entrepreneurs he spoke to said, “I’m in.” That August, Kevin hosted his first event at his home in Arlington, Washington, with 15 attendees who each paid $5,000 to be there. They spent time sharing openly, collaborating deeply, and forming meaningful relationships that continued long after the event ended. A month later, he hosted another group, and it filled just as quickly. What began as a simple idea soon became a thriving business. From there, Kevin developed an ongoing model, first through one-on-one connection work and later through group experiences that aligned more naturally with his gifts. Today, he helps entrepreneurs create five-, six-, and seven-figure business opportunities through authentic relationship-building, often earning revenue shares from the connections he facilitates. Throughout this conversation, Kevin and I explore not only how he did it, but the deeper mindset that made it possible, the excitement, confidence, and belief that magnetized people toward his vision. You’ll hear how he overcame doubt, learned from missteps, refined his structure, and ultimately built a business that’s as fulfilling as it is profitable. Insights Gained from This Episode The surprising way one powerful introduction can change the trajectory of your business and someone else’s. Why enthusiasm, confidence and conviction often matter more than a polished business plan when sharing a new idea. How imposter syndrome keeps many people from seeing the true value they already bring to others. The mindset shift from “I shouldn’t charge for this” to “People are happy to pay for the value I create.” The simple structure behind Kevin’s first $5,000-per-person event and why intimacy and authenticity mattered more than luxury or production. How to test new business ideas through real conversations before locking yourself into a plan. What Kevin learned from early business models that didn’t work, and how he redesigned them to fit his natural strengths. The importance of alignment: when the structure of your business supports the way you actually like to show up, everything flows easier. How relationships, built with integrity and generosity, can create long-term, recurring income. The power of turning what you naturally love to do into something that sustains your life, your purpose, and the people you serve. Where you can find Kevin Thompson Kevin’s LinkedIn Profile Kevin’s Facebook Profile The Million Dollar Relationships Podcast: Apple Podcasts - Spotify - RSS Feed If this conversation sparked something in you, if it got you thinking differently about what’s possible in your business, your relationships, or the way you earn a living, then I’d love to hear from you. Right now, I’m working closely with entrepreneurs who are ready to bring more clarity, freedom, and alignment into the way they build and run their business. Ways I have to support you: Building an Online Business Course & Coaching Program 2.5 Day In-Person Mastermind Events A personal, customized Work-Life Audit to see exactly what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift next… The best next step is simple. Just send me an email. Tell me a little about where you are right now and what resonated most from this episode. I read every message personally, and if it feels like I can genuinely help, we’ll set up a time to talk. You can reach me directly at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com. I look forward to hearing your story and exploring what’s possible together.  

Over the past few years, I've heard several people suggest that "blogging is dead." However, one of my favorite coaching clients earns her primary income from her blog and also hosts retreats and an annual conference for an entire community of food bloggers who earn an income from their blogging efforts. So I invited my client, Megan Porta, and asked her the question, "Can you still make money blogging in 2025?" Short answer: Yes. It's doable. It looks different than it did a decade ago. It requires real passion, patience, and a focus on what serves readers right now. Below are thorough show notes to meet you exactly where you are. If you want to start or revive a blog as a real income stream, these notes double as a step-by-step primer. What This Episode Covers Why blogging still pays when you pair patience with passion Megan has seen brand-new bloggers “crushing it.” The difference now is you cannot fake it. Your readers and Google both know when you do. Authenticity wins. The fastest realistic path to first income Join a quality ad network once your traffic qualifies. We name the two big players and their current thresholds. We also discuss why Google SEO and Pinterest are still the two traffic pillars that move the needle. Niching way down to win Broad “everything” blogs struggle today. Specific sub-niches serve specific people and get rewarded. Think “vegan cakes” instead of “vegan.” The love for your topic has to show up in every post. The collaboration playbook for early momentum Smart email list swaps. Contributing value inside the right Facebook groups without spamming. How one helpful post can put a niche creator “on the map” in months. Income beyond ads Digital products. Memberships. Sponsorships. How to think about affiliate income post-HCU and what still works if you are selective. Platform and tech choices that save you pain Why WordPress.org with solid hosting is still the move. Why a VPS and proactive security matter. Real-world cautionary tales about updates, backups, and malware. Key Takeaways and Insights 1) Yes, you can still get paid to blog. The bar is higher. If you bring patience and genuine expertise, you can absolutely build an income today. People starting in the last year or two are succeeding. The difference is the landscape. Authenticity and user value must drive your strategy. 2) Niche inside the niche Winning examples are laser-specific. Pick a tight segment of a larger category, then become unmistakably helpful to that reader. This is how you break through and build trust. 3) Traffic plan: SEO and Pinterest first To qualify for premium ad networks, prioritize traffic that comes from search and Pinterest. Current thresholds discussed in the episode: Mediavine at roughly 50,000 sessions per month and Raptive at roughly 100,000 pageviews per month. Build to those numbers, then let ad RPMs start compounding. 4) Collaboration without spam Use email list collaborations. Show up consistently inside large, topic-relevant Facebook groups. Earn trust by answering questions with real substance. This moves traffic quickly when your niche is dialed in. 5) Create on-topic, helpful content Google’s Helpful Content updates pushed bloggers to stay tightly aligned with user intent. Keep posts on point for your niche. Tangential personal stories and off-topic content dilute perceived expertise and can hurt discoverability. 6) Monetization mix that works in 2025 Display Ads once you hit network thresholds. This becomes semi-passive as your library grows. Digital Products as quick wins: ebooks, guides, weekly prep plans. These are simple to produce and match your audience’s immediate needs. Memberships if your audience is invested. Price points in food niches commonly range from about 5 to 20 dollars per month, often for ad-free experiences or exclusive content. Tech options include WordPress setups and hosted communities such as Circle, Skool, Slack, Discord, Mighty Networks, and niche tools like Member Kitchens. Sponsorships when you can articulate your audience’s value. Niche reach can beat raw follower counts if you understand a sponsor’s acquisition economics and lifetime value. Affiliate Income is trickier after recent updates. It can still work at higher commissions or with premium offers. Treat it as a supplemental play, not your core plan. 7) Stack the tech in your favor Choose WordPress.org for full control, proven SEO flexibility, and extensibility. Invest in good hosting. A VPS with strong uptime guarantees is worth it. Expect to pay roughly 89 to 150 dollars per month for reliability that protects your revenue. Treat security and backups as non-negotiables. Plugins and themes require regular updates. Malware exploits often come from simple neglect. Have a pro who can restore fast. This avoids losing days or weeks or years of content. Practical Playbook Phase 1. Choose a narrow niche and validate demand List ten posts your ideal reader would save today. Ensure all are tightly aligned with one outcome your niche cares about. Keep stories and extras on-topic so Google sees topical authority. Phase 2. Protect the asset Run WordPress.org on a reliable VPS and keep everything updated. Assign backups and security to a pro so you do not risk outages or data loss. Phase 3. Build a traffic engine Publish high-quality posts that answer exact questions your audience asks. Optimize for search and create Pinterest assets for each post. Aim for Mediavine or Raptive thresholds to unlock ad revenue. Phase 4. Accelerate through collaboration Join large, relevant Facebook groups. Contribute substantial answers that stand on their own. Start tasteful email list collaborations for quick, qualified traffic. Phase 5. Layer monetization Add an easy digital product that solves a specific use case. Test a simple membership once engagement is strong. Pitch sponsors when you can quantify your audience’s fit and value. About My Guest Megan Porta has been blogging since 2010 and runs Eat Blog Talk, a podcast and community that supports food bloggers who want to grow and monetize. She is a strong voice for focus, patience, and authenticity in a space that has evolved dramatically. Resources Mentioned Megan’s sites: PipAndEbby.com and EatBlogTalk.com. Megan welcomes follow-up questions at megan@eatblogtalk.com. Ad networks: Mediavine, Raptive, once you meet their traffic thresholds. Community and membership tools: Circle, Skool, Slack, Discord, Mighty Networks, Member Kitchens. Platform: WordPress.org with quality hosting and a VPS. I’m Here To Help! If you want help in building your own online business, send me a short note about your business dream and where you feel stuck. I will point you to the most useful next step, whether that is a free resource, a workshop, or coaching with me. My email is cliff@cliffravenscraft.com.  

Over and over again, I’ve witnessed the power of a single conversation. Sometimes it happens over the course of an hour or more. Other times, it happens in less than twelve minutes. That’s what you’ll hear in this episode. Recently, I joined my friend Ray Edwards during one of his live streams. We had no plan for what we would talk about. He invited me into the conversation, and within moments he asked me a simple but profound question: “Cliff, how do you discover limiting beliefs?” That question opened the door to a live demonstration of the exact process I use with my clients when we’re dismantling the lies that hold them back. In this episode, you’ll hear me walk Ray through the four steps required to completely destroy limiting beliefs: Become consciously aware of the limiting belief that’s holding you back. Determine the source of that belief so you can see it was never really yours. Create an empowering alternative belief that aligns with who you truly are. Condition that new belief until it becomes your default way of seeing and experiencing the world. With Ray, we didn’t just talk theory. We discovered four limiting beliefs in real time. Beliefs that were keeping him from stepping back into his calling of speaking and traveling. Together, we exposed them, reframed them, and replaced them with empowering alternatives. By the end of the conversation, Ray went from: “I’m embarrassed and afraid I’ll be too weak to speak.” to “I want to go. I want to speak. Let me at 'em!” And all of that happened in under twelve minutes. This is the power of awareness, truth, and presence. But we didn’t stop there. After the conversation, I took the transcript and turned it into a song. It’s what I call a Soul Song. Instead of using affirmations in a document that are easy to set aside, I now condition my empowering beliefs through music. Songs created directly from the conversations where the shift took place. You’ll hear that song in this episode as well. It’s a living reminder that even in trembling, even in weakness, there is profound strength. Here’s my hope for you as you listen: You’ll see yourself in Ray’s story. You’ll recognize the limiting beliefs that may be silently dictating your choices. You’ll realize that you don’t have to keep agreeing with them. I’ll also share with you the exact five journal questions you can use right now to uncover your own limiting beliefs and begin dismantling them. Because sometimes, one powerful conversation is all it takes to change everything. If this resonates with you and you’d like to experience a conversation like this for yourself, send me an email at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com with the subject line: A Single Conversation. I look forward to hearing from you. Cliff The Five Questions What is it that you want to experience in life that you are not currently experiencing? What is one or two things that you already know that you could do to get you closer to living that experience? Why have you not already done this/these things? (Each answer is an excuse (aka Limiting Belief) What is one or two things that you know you already need to stop doing that would get you closer to living that experience? Why have you not already stopped doing this/these things? (Each answer is an excuse (aka Limiting Belief) Lyrics To The Song: The Miracle Breaking Through [Verse 1]I thought the stage required perfection,A flawless voice, a steady hand.But even trembling holds a message,A deeper truth than I had planned. [Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.Like David Ring, like Nick before me,My brokenness becomes the flame.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,The bedsheet screen, the slides keep shining,And my presence still breaks through. [Verse 2]The old belief said, You’re not able,Cancel now, you can’t be strong.But every stutter is an anthem,Every tremor shines with song. [Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.Like David Ring, like Nick before me,My brokenness becomes the flame.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,The bedsheet screen, the slides keep shining,And my presence still breaks through. [Bridge]It’s not perfection that brings the freedom,It’s the courage just to be.Every tremor tells the story,Of God alive inside of me. [Final Chorus]This is strength: to rise while shaking.This is power: to speak through pain.I am not weak, I am unbroken,Every struggle speaks His name.Even if my body falters,Even if my words are few,My voice, my life, my very being Is the miracle breaking through.  

What if the most important story you’ll ever hear isn’t about someone else, but about you? In this episode, I share something deeply personal from a recent hot seat in my Green Room mastermind. I asked my peers, Pat Flynn, Leslie Samuel, Mark Mason, Ray Edwards, and Michael Stelzner, how they would describe me and the work I do in the world. Their answers were strikingly consistent: “The magic of a single conversation.” Over and over, each of them described the power of one conversation to unlock potential, to destroy limitations, to surface truth, and to realign someone’s compass to their true north. To bring this to life, I then share a conversation from a recent live stream with Niiamah. What began as a tactical question about building a podcast network unfolded into a transformational dialogue. One that shifted perspective, reignited possibility, and reminded both of us of what’s truly possible when presence meets openness. This episode isn’t about strategy or marketing. It’s about identity. It’s about the story you tell yourself about yourself. And as you’ll hear, sometimes one conversation is all it takes to rewrite that story in a way that changes everything.  

When I recorded Episode 787 back on August 11th, I was filled with anticipation. The Free The Dream Workshop was just around the corner, and I wanted to give you a sense of what was coming. Now, just a few weeks later, the event has taken place… and it’s hard to put into words just how powerful it was. In this episode, I want to take you behind the scenes and share not only my reflections but also Stephanie’s insights and the real, unfiltered experiences of the people who were in the room. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: The Power of Clearing the Noise You’ll hear why getting out of your normal environment, even for two days, can shake up the patterns that keep you stuck and open the door to new possibilities. Customized Breakthroughs, Not Cookie-Cutter Content Rather than following a strict agenda, we began by asking each attendee: “If you could walk away with one miraculous change this weekend, what would it be?” What happened next was nothing short of transformational. We watched each person’s intentions get met, and in some cases, completely surpassed, over the two days. Scott Blair’s Testimony Scott shared that within just a few hours, he experienced a breakthrough so profound he would have felt his entire investment was worth it even if the workshop had ended right then and there. And yet, the breakthroughs kept coming. Stephanie’s Reflections You’ll hear Stephanie talk about the moments that stood out most to her, the conversations over lunch and dinner, and even the hilarious moments with the whiteboard drawings that made perfect sense to those in the room… and absolutely none to anyone else. What We’re Changing Moving Forward This workshop confirmed several things for us: Future sessions will be capped at 10 participants to keep the experience intimate. Meals will continue to be included when group size allows, because the conversations over food were as transformative as the sessions themselves. The “state your miracle” opening exercise is here to stay. It set the tone for everything that followed. Why This Work Matters At its core, Free The Dream isn’t just about goals or business or mindset. It’s about remembering the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived… and giving it space to breathe again. My hope is that this episode stirs something in you. Maybe it’s clarity. Maybe it’s courage. Maybe it’s the reminder that your dream isn’t dead. It’s simply waiting for you to make space for it. The next Free The Dream Workshop is already on the calendar. Maybe this is your time. Register today at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com  

I want to share two stories with you today. One from my mentor, Dan Miller, and one from my friend Freya Casey. Both have confirmed the way I see life, faith, and even death itself. Dan was told in December of 2023 that he had advanced pancreatic cancer. No treatment. No cure. Six months to live at most. His very first words to me after receiving that diagnosis? “So I have this gift…” He wrote about the conversations he was having with his wife Joanne, their kids, and grandkids. About celebrating now rather than later. About reflecting on legacy, gratitude, and even anticipating “an incredible spiritual transformation” with excitement. He wasn’t bitter. He wasn’t fearful. He wasn’t even anxious. He was fully alive. That message, and the peace behind it, lined up with what I already knew to be true at a deeper level… that real faith isn’t proven by what we say we believe, but by the peace and presence we carry when life gives us every reason to fall apart. For much of my life, I met many people, and at times, I was one of them, who claimed faith in God yet carried fear, anxiety, and worry about the smallest things. But by the time I received Dan’s text, that was no longer my reality. Dan embodied what I’ve come to know as true. He had encountered something far deeper than doctrine or dogma. He knew what it meant to live in alignment with love itself, to experience the presence of God as a living reality rather than a religious concept. And then there’s Freya. Freya has been a client and friend for over a decade. She’s a single mother of three, pregnant with her fourth, a business owner, a creator and recently diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer while pregnant. Yet when she reached out to me, she wasn’t falling apart. She was calm. Peaceful. Clear. Not because she knew the outcome. But because she wasn’t resisting reality. She was fully present, creating her reality moment by moment, choosing to trust rather than fear, to open rather than control, to soften rather than fight. Freya and I have been having many private conversations over the past few months about what she’s been walking through. One day, she decided to join me on one of my open live streams. She felt her story might encourage someone else who needed to hear it. What unfolded became yet another living example of what it looks like to trust the journey in the midst of life’s greatest trials. If you want to hear her story in her own voice, and feel the peace that carries through every word, listen to this episode. My hope is that what you hear will do more than inspire you. I hope it awakens something within you. A quiet knowing that peace really is possible, even in the middle of life’s greatest storms. With gratitude, Cliff     An Invitation: If what you hear in this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper, I want to personally invite you to join us at the Free The Dream Workshop. This two-day experience is designed to help you clear the noise, uncover what’s next, and remember the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived. The next session is happening August 29–30, right here in my hometown, and for this limited time, it’s a pay-what-you-want event. That means you can even attend for free if that’s what works for you right now. (Note: The next session will be hosted in October 2025. Dates have now been confirmed!!!!   The dates are Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th) You can learn more and reserve your spot at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com  

When Jordan showed up for my How May I Serve You? livestream, he came with a familiar question: "Cliff, you’ve been through big events and big stress. What have you learned about managing it?" He wasn’t asking about marketing, business models, or strategy. He was looking for relief from the kind of stress that nearly wrecked him two years ago when the weight of his first live event landed him in the hospital. And as we started talking, I realized something powerful: Jordan didn’t need a few tips on “stress management.” He was longing for something deeper, a way to live without the constant undercurrent of fear and pressure. So instead of giving him a list of strategies, I asked: “What if the goal wasn’t to manage stress… but to eliminate it altogether?” That one question changed everything. Meeting Him Where He Was Now, here’s what made this conversation unique: Jordan comes from a faith background shaped by Christianity. Jordan shared that prayer, Scripture reading, and faith in Christ bring him real peace, but it rarely lasted through the rest of his workday. I invited him, from within his own framework of faith, to carry that same experience of peace into every part of his day, not just the quiet moments of prayer and meditation. I shared how I’ve learned to live from a place of peace so steady that stress no longer drives my life. We talked about what it means to actually trust rather than control, to be present rather than endlessly managing outcomes. And I could feel the shift happening in real time. The Turning Points Here are just a few moments that landed powerfully for Jordan and that will likely land for you too: From “manage” to “eliminate”: Jordan came in seeking tips on managing stress. I asked him, "What if the goal wasn't to manage stress, but to eliminate it entirely?" That single question transformed his perspective, shifting him from seeing stress-free living as a 50/50 possibility to a 7 out of 10 on his belief scale. By the end of our conversation, he was fully convinced it was possible. Peace that doesn’t last: He admitted that prayer, Scripture, and meditation bring him real peace, but as soon as the workday starts, the peace fades. That gap between the quiet moments and the rest of life became a key focus. A faith-based model for peace: I reminded him of Jesus’ words about being anxious for nothing and the invitation to “take my yoke upon you.” He realized he had already been trying to apply this and said it helped, yet about 30% of the stress was still there. Naming the real source: When we dug deeper, Jordan saw that 90% of his stress wasn’t uncertainty about the event itself, it was self-doubt. The event would likely be fine. It was his inner critic running the show. Generating his own practices: As we talked, Jordan began suggesting his own solutions: setting reminders, scheduling check-ins, being more intentional with how he carries peace into his day. Bringing Presence into the workday: I pointed out how he feels God’s presence in the morning but then tackles the workday alone. He laughed and admitted that’s exactly what happens. and began to imagine what it would look like to stay connected throughout the day. Releasing rumination and perfectionism: We reframed mistakes as simple notes for next time rather than problems to obsess over now. He saw clearly that stressing about them wouldn’t change this event’s outcome. People-pleasing comes into view: Jordan realized a huge part of his stress came from trying to prevent negative comments and manage how others see him, something he ultimately has zero control over. The “desire” pivot: When I asked if he truly desired a stress-free life, he paused. Part of him wondered if he’d grown comfortable with chaos. That question unlocked a deeper layer of self-awareness. Ending with possibility: By the end, Jordan said he fully believed a stress-free life was possible and he was willing to explore what it would take to live that way. Why This Conversation Matters For the past five and a half years, I’ve had soul-level conversations like this behind closed doors with one-on-one clients. But when I started these How May I Serve You? livestreams, I hoped that someday, one of them might open into the same depth, so the world could see the kind of transformation that unfolds when we move beyond strategies and into the heart of what’s really going on. This conversation with Jordan became that moment.