Podcast
Wheel Talk
Hosted by Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis · EN
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!
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Scaling Your Pottery Business Without Breaking It (with Heidi Fahrenbacher)
5d ago01:38:34Tap to summarizeRyan 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 MomentRachael DePauw - @depauwpotteryJohn Brown - @johnbrown.ceramics -----Find more about Heidi's business below-----Instagram - @bellajoypotteryWebsite - bellajoypottery.com📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - 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/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Finding success with Tim See (Replay)
2w ago03:16:57Tap to summarizeReplay 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 See Ceramics. He is known for his robotic illustrative work, Facebook commentary in the Clay Buddies group, & hilarious personality. We cover such a wide range of topics across our 3 hours of discussion and it was such a fun ride. We hope you enjoy!-----Find more about Tim's business below-----Instagram - @timseeclayWebsite - http://www.timseeceramics.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTkXls_DXtwl9f2lt5qmoswFacebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TimSeeClay/Facebook groupsBeginners Throwing Class with Tim SeeTim's Pottery Sale GroupThe Friendly Business of ClayResourcesCeramics Monthly Workshop Logistics - https://kiefferceramics.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/kieffer-workshop-logistics-2020-cm.pdfSupport the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Wheel Talk Book Club: The Creative Act (with Taylor Swilley)
4w ago01:38:42Tap to summarizeRyan 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 way of being, discussing awareness, intuition, and making work without attachment to outcomes, and how those ideas translate or don’t translate into their own studio practices, creative decision-making, and running a ceramics business.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📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - 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/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Paying and Structuring a Studio Assistant (Part 2)
Apr 1802:21:36Tap to summarizeHow 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 talk about how to set clear expectations, avoid common mistakes, and put simple structures in place so the working relationship is clear from the start.Maker of the Moment- Sophie Bays @pyropotteryllc- Alexie Smith @lxceramix📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - 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.Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Before You Hire a Studio Assistant… (Part 1)
Apr 1102:15:21Tap to summarizeThinking 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’s time to bring someone on.We also talk through how to find the right person, what to prioritize when hiring, and how to delegate and train in a way that genuinely frees up your time.📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - 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.Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →How to Write Better Grant Applications with Laura Hall
Apr 401:42:16Tap to summarizeLaura 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 intent, and how to clearly communicate your story and purpose. Laura also discusses different types of grants and what artists should know before applying.Resources from this episode (PDFs + links):Grant Writing Resources for Artists: https://www.wheeltalkpotcast.com/s/stories/grant-writing-for-artists-with-laura-hallAdditional resources mentioned:Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. ClarkeGrantWatchLaura's Instagram @ibelaura📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comSpeedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Adapting Your Work and Business Over Time with Liz Cohen
Mar 2102:09:45Tap to summarizeLiz 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 her making process has shifted toward higher-value work. Liz also discusses her ongoing experiments with slip casting and developing a speckled underglaze technique.-----Find more about Liz’s business below-----Instagram - @lizcohenceramicsWebsite - https://lizcohenceramics.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LizCohenCeramics/Last Wheel Talk appearance - #140 Building a home studio with Liz Cohen📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListWe’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - Stop by booth 223 in the Resource Hall at NCECA to see their kilns in-person. The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comSpeedball Ceramics - Stop by booth 301 in the Resource Hall at NCECA to see their brand new lineup of glazes. Available soon in multiple colors. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.comSupport the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Making the Most of NCECA—Without Breaking the Bank (Replay)
Mar 1401:44:22Tap to summarizeReplay 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 NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid look behind the scenes.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →We’re Back: Studio & Business Updates
Mar 701:25:44Tap to summarizeRyan 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 plans for the coming months. Ryan talks about what the start of the year has looked like in his studio and some of the systems and priorities he’s focusing on this season. They also discuss what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes for the spring season.📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListWe’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comSupport the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →#340 - A Reset for the Podcast
Jan 3101:10:54Tap to summarizeRyan 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, and special stand-in co-hosts. Becca also shares updates on her upcoming hand surgery and a new clay cigarette project.📒 Join the Bookkeeping Workshop Waitlist Get notified when new bookkeeping workshops for makers open. 👉 Sign up here📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListWe’re starting a new email list to share occasional updates, listener questions, and book giveaways.👉 Sign up hereSupport the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →