Creator Science Episode #251: Behind the Scenes—What I’m Quietly Working On Released on April 22, 2025
In Episode #251 of Creator Science, host Jay Clouse offers an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted projects he's juggling behind the scenes. Far from a typical interview format, this episode delves deep into the operational strategies, personal challenges, and future plans that constitute the backbone of Creator Science. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of Jay’s discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for easy reference.
Introduction: Addressing Listener Curiosity [00:00 - 02:30]
Jay begins the episode by responding to a thoughtful listener’s inquiry about the recent dip in new episode releases. While attributing the slowdown partly to his new role as a father, he hints at additional complexities contributing to his reduced podcasting frequency.
“You’ve probably heard the phrase you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I don’t know if things are quite that simple, but here’s what I do believe...” [00:00]
The Lab: Elevating Creator Communities [02:31 - 25:45]
Community Building and Events
Jay introduces The Lab, an exclusive membership community designed for creators aiming to expand their reach and revenue. He emphasizes the community’s structure, highlighting both Standard and VIP tiers, and shares impressive income statistics of its members.
“The Lab is all about the people. It’s the most active community I’m a part of...” [05:15]
One of the major initiatives discussed is an upcoming two-day event in Boise, Idaho, scheduled ahead of the Craft and Commerce conference. This event is tailored for Standard and VIP members, focusing on networking, collaborative activities, and actionable business strategies.
“We have all the meals planned, all the activities planned... I think it’s gonna be wildly successful...” [10:50]
Masterminds and Workshops
Jay outlines his revamped approach to mastermind groups, aiming to enhance participation and effectiveness by providing financial incentives to group leaders.
“I think this might solve my mastermind problem...” [15:30]
Additionally, he highlights the introduction of third-party workshops within The Lab, featuring experts like Gannon Meyer and Sam Brown, which not only offer immediate value but also enrich the community’s repository of tactical resources.
“Circle just rolled out this wonderful functionality called AI agents... It’s really powerful...” [22:10]
Leveraging AI: Enhancing Creativity and Analysis [25:46 - 35:00]
Jay delves into his strategic use of artificial intelligence tools—Claude and ChatGPT. He describes how Claude serves as a creative partner for refining essays and generating feedback, while ChatGPT assists with data analysis and creating visual content like graphs.
“I don’t outsource what I claim to do. Personally, I think it’s very disappointing when you admire somebody’s work and then come to find out it wasn’t their work...” [30:00]
He also shares his guiding principles for AI utilization:
- Don’t outsource what you enjoy.
- Don’t outsource what you want to improve at.
- Don’t outsource what makes you unique.
- Don’t outsource what you claim to do.
These rules ensure that AI serves as an enabler rather than a crutch, preserving the integrity and uniqueness of his work.
Podcast and YouTube Channel: Navigating Production Challenges [35:01 - 50:00]
Editorial Shifts and Content Pipeline
Jay recounts recent changes in his podcast’s editorial team, including experimenting with multiple editors to maintain a steady flow of both audio and video content. He discusses the challenges of synchronizing audio releases with video productions and the impact on listener engagement.
“We thought he was going to handle all of our videos. He was really talented... but kind of at the 11th hour he had a different opportunity...” [40:20]
Solo Episodes and Content Strategy
Facing production delays, Jay contemplates introducing solo episodes to sustain audience engagement. He shares his apprehensions about this format but notes higher retention rates compared to interview-based episodes.
“If you enjoy this format, I would love for you to tweet at me or tag me on Instagram... I think the analytical feedback I receive tends to be higher...” [45:10]
Email Marketing: Optimizing Outreach and Automation [50:01 - 65:00]
Team Expansion and Strategy Refinement
Jay announces the hiring of Jason Reznik, an expert in email automation and personalization, to enhance the Creator Science newsletter, which boasts over 63,000 subscribers. Together, they are experimenting with dynamic content and tailored email sequences to better serve subscriber needs.
“Hiring competent professional people because you may not be working, but progress is being made in the business...” [55:30]
Performance Insights and Future Goals
Despite initial setbacks with email campaigns, Jay remains optimistic about achieving a balance where subscriber acquisition costs are outweighed by revenue generation, aiming for sustainable growth through intelligent reinvestment.
“I’m trying to get to the magical state in email where I understand the average value of a subscriber...” [60:15]
Exploring New Platforms: Substack Ventures [65:01 - 75:00]
Initial Criticism and Ongoing Experimentation
Traditionally critical of Substack, Jay shares his evolving perspective after observing creators leveraging the platform for content discovery and subscriber growth. He discusses his tentative foray into using Substack for personal writing projects, aiming to enhance his understanding and offer more nuanced advice within Creator Science.
“I haven’t published anything on Substack, but I’ve been hanging out in their Notes feature... It feels like a more intellectually rich place...” [68:45]
Strategic Positioning and Content Focus
Jay plans to utilize Substack as a testing ground for personal essays, focusing on broader themes like community and communication, separate from his Creator Science content. This move is intended to diversify his content distribution while keeping his primary business channels optimized.
“I might actually do my personal writing on Substack as an experiment to learn more about the platform...” [72:30]
Future Endeavors: Authorial Aspirations [75:01 - 85:00]
Book Project Development
Jay reveals his ambition to author a book centered on relationships and trust-building. Having secured representation from a literary agent, he is in the proposal phase, collaborating with a developmental editor to craft a work that resonates with his existing audience while appealing to a broader readership.
“I just signed a contract with a developmental editor that I think will be the person to help me...” [80:20]
Navigating Uncertainty and External Accountability
Acknowledging the fears and anxieties associated with publishing, Jay emphasizes the importance of pushing forward despite uncertainties, viewing external accountability as a catalyst for progress.
“I think it’s good that I’m feeling this fear and anxiety... I’m doing a burn the boats approach...” [83:10]
Personal Life: Balancing Parenthood and Professionalism [85:01 - End]
Home Renovations and Family Dynamics
Jay shares updates on personal projects, notably the extensive renovation of his Ohio basement into a functional living and working space. This six-figure endeavor includes a studio, theater room, wet bar, and library nook, significantly enhancing his home environment.
“A little more than $30,000 of that was the studio alone... It makes our day-to-day existence more enjoyable.” [88:00]
Embracing Fatherhood
Transitioning into the role of a stay-at-home dad, Jay reflects on the profound impact of parenthood on his work-life balance and personal priorities. He highlights the joy and challenges of raising his daughter, including her swim lessons and the evolving dynamics of living and working in the same space.
“Being a dad is the best... It’s as great as people said it would be, and you can’t even understand it until you have a kid.” [93:15]
Redefining Success Metrics
Fatherhood has prompted Jay to reassess his business goals and definitions of success, contemplating the balance between revenue growth and personal well-being. He acknowledges the shift in prioritizing what constitutes "enough" in both his professional and personal life.
“My markers of success have changed. Everything has changed... It has to be hiring more, outsourcing more, or be more okay with experiencing enough.” [99:50]
Conclusion: Embracing a Multifaceted Journey [100:00 - End]
Jay wraps up the episode by reiterating the numerous projects "the cats" (a metaphor for his various endeavors) he is currently nurturing. He encourages listeners to engage with The Lab community, explore the behind-the-scenes content, and support the podcast through ratings and reviews.
“It’s like, you know what? The cost of not recording a net new podcast episode, it’s pretty low... I appreciate you listening.” [115:10]
Key Takeaways:
- Community Focus: Enhancing The Lab through events, masterminds, and workshops to foster a supportive and growth-oriented environment for creators.
- Strategic AI Use: Leveraging AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to streamline creative and analytical tasks while maintaining personal touch and authenticity.
- Content Production Challenges: Navigating editorial changes and exploring new content formats to sustain and grow audience engagement.
- Email Marketing Evolution: Investing in expert talent to optimize email strategies for better personalization and automation.
- Platform Experimentation: Testing Substack as a supplementary platform for personal writing to gain deeper insights into content distribution.
- Authorial Ambitions: Initiating the process of authoring a book to expand influence and share expertise on relationships and trust-building.
- Personal Growth and Balance: Managing extensive home projects and embracing fatherhood while redefining success metrics to align with personal values.
Notable Quotes:
- “You can have as many cats as you want, but you have to feed all the cats.” [04:20]
- “AI is going to take a lot of work away from people. And if you become a middleman... you just prompt AI and it gives you the outcome.” [29:50]
- “I think the trust I’ve built with you... is the most valuable asset I’ve built in this business.” [31:45]
- “You shouldn’t see two greatest hits episodes from me in a month. But that has been the recent reality...” [48:30]
- “I’m doing this as a hermit, you know, all the investments we’re making into the space...” [95:00]
This episode serves as a transparent window into Jay Clouse’s dynamic world, showcasing his dedication to Creator Science, continuous personal development, and the intricate balance between professional ambitions and personal responsibilities. Listeners gain valuable insights into effective community building, strategic use of technology, and maintaining authenticity amidst growth.