How to Start a Podcast That Builds a Ride-or-Die Community (Even If You're Scared)

Want to start a podcast but terrified your first episodes will be terrible? Good news: they will be. And that's exactly why you should start anyway. Jessica Burgio launched her podcast during COVID with mediocre equipment, zero followers, and a whole lot of fear. Four years later, she's built a thriving business and a ride-or-die community through the power of podcasting.In this episode, Jessica shares her complete roadmap for starting and growing a podcast that builds community and generates revenue. You'll learn why your "awful" first episodes are your greatest teacher, how to batch content so you're not scrambling every week, the marketing strategy Lewis Howes still uses on his massive show, and how to pivot your podcast when it stops feeling aligned. Jessica reveals the raw truth about building her show from 0 to 300+ episodes, including her cringiest moments and biggest wins.If you've been sitting on a podcast idea, this is your sign to start.In this episode, you’ll learn:[02:53] Jessica's journey from hairstylist to business mentor and borrowing belief from mentors[10:00] Starting Beauty Inspires Beauty during COVID and rebranding to Unscripted[27:33] Cringiest podcasting moments: bad audio and wrong guests[30:00] Practical tips for starting your podcast today[35:00] Marketing strategies that work, including Lewis Howes' personal outreach tactic[40:00] Attraction marketing: how to draw your ideal listeners to you[45:00] Advice for creatives stuck in the middle of a pivotHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @jessicaburgio on InstagramFollow @unscriptedthepodcast on InstagramJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow Challenge ($1/day for 21 days of actionable sales strategies)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the thing you think is helping you close more sales is actually costing you conversions? My guest today, Jillian Murphy, is about to flip everything you know about selling on its head.Jillian went from being unexpectedly let go from her corporate sales job during the pandemic to building a seven-figure coaching business in just two years, all through Instagram DMs. No fancy funnels. No automation. No sales calls. Just authentic conversations that convert. In this episode, Jillian pulls back the curtain on her entire DM selling method, including how she closes clients up to $56K without ever jumping on a call, why making people book a calendar link is costing you sales, and how her content does 99% of the selling for her.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the "shoulds" in online business (the webinars, the ads, the complex funnels), this conversation will be a breath of fresh air. Jillian's approach is refreshingly simple, deeply relational, and incredibly effective. Whether you're selling jewelry, coaching, services, or products, this episode will change how you think about sales forever.In this episode, you’ll learn:[2:42] The moment everything changed: How Jillian lost her corporate identity and found her true calling in less than 48 hours[5:14] Why attending a mastermind six weeks before getting fired became the catalyst for a seven-figure business[8:36] The Facebook group strategy that generated $68K in her first launch (and why she still doesn't have a website)[12:00] The Google Doc that replaces fancy sales pages, and why simpler is more profitable[15:58] The "bursting pipe" theory: Why calendar links are killing your conversions and what to do instead[20:11] How to handle ghosting in the DMs without losing your dignity (or the sale)[22:56] The objection-handling framework that closed a $56K deal entirely through Instagram messages[25:10] Why Jillian refuses to automate her DMs, and how she still has time for everythingHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @theJillianMurphy on InstagramJillian’s Free Weekly Webinar: Mastering DM Selling (Every Wednesday)Jillian's Podcast: Scale Your SalesJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow Challenge ($1/day for 21 days of actionable sales strategies)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Rising gold prices don't have to mean panic or shrinking profits. In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful strategies to help you navigate this market shift with confidence and turn it into serious cash flow for your jewelry business.You'll learn how to announce price increases without losing customers, audit your pricing to protect margins, refine unused metals for instant revenue, create a customer-winning trade-in program, and use desire-driven storytelling to communicate the true value of your work.This is your moment to lead, elevate your messaging, and step into premium positioning. Gold might be rising, but so are you.In this episode, you’ll learn:[02:15] Why announcing your price increase early (with a grace period) actually builds trust and urgency with your best customers[08:30] The exact pricing audit framework to ensure your margins are protected and your brand is positioned as premium[11:45] How to refine unused gold and silver to generate instant cash flow, and why this is the perfect time to do it[14:22] A creative trade-in program strategy that brings customers back, increases lifetime value, and beats the competition[17:41] The storytelling mistake that's costing you sales (and the desire-driven content framework that fixes it)[21:10] How to shift your messaging from "cost" to "craftsmanship" so customers feel the value instead of the price[24:49] Why daily revenue-generating activities are the antidote to stress, and how to get into the energy of daily salesHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Join the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow ChallengeDownload the Jewelry Pricing CalculatorDesire AI DemoThe Jewelry Sales AcceleratorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What would happen to your business if you couldn't work for a month? What if your social media got hacked tomorrow? What if a business partner suddenly passed away?These aren't comfortable questions, but they're the ones Erin Pelicano wishes she'd asked herself before 2020. That's when, in the middle of a global pandemic with three kids in virtual school, she was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at just 43 years old. With no family history and a clean bill of health, Erin's world turned upside down. Her full-time job became survival, and her jewelry business had to run on part-time energy.In this powerful conversation, Erin shares her journey from health crisis to business resilience advocate. She opens up about what it's really like to fight for your life while trying to keep your business alive, and why most small business owners are dangerously unprepared for unexpected disruptions. Whether it's a medical emergency, a cybersecurity breach, or a rogue customer trying to take you down online, Erin's mission is clear: help small business owners build resilient systems so they can weather any storm. This episode will change how you think about protecting the business you've poured your heart into.In this episode, you’ll learn:[05:19] From engineering to jewelry entrepreneur: How Erin built a thriving fine jewelry brand, only to have everything turn upside down in 2020[07:30] The diagnosis that changed everything: Stage 3 colon cancer at 43 with no family history and why young people are increasingly at risk[12:06] The business question that keeps entrepreneurs up at night: What happens if YOU can't work, and why most of us have no answer[16:32] The insurance most small business owners don't have: Why disability and key man insurance could save your business when crisis strikes[20:32] Are you prepared for a cyber attack? The systems you need in place before (and after) a hacking or social media breach happens[28:40] The Venture Project unveiled: Erin's 3-part framework to build resilience (Prepare & Plan, Know Your Adapt Zone, Evolve Strategically)Here are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @theventurepro on InstagramThe Venture ProjectHoliday Sales on Repeat WorkshopThe Jewelry Sales AcceleratorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the thing holding you back isn't a lack of strategy but a part of you that's still scared?In this episode, I sit down with Jackie McDonald, an EFT tapping expert who helped me have one of the most profound breakthroughs I've experienced in years. Jackie teaches a unique form of tapping called "parts of self" work that helps you meet the version of you that's scared, stuck, or holding you back and integrate her so you can finally move forward.We go deep on why your body has to be on board with who you're becoming, how Jackie's dad manifested $250,000 in an hour (yes, really), and we even do a live tapping session you can follow along with to release the fear of judgment and step into your wildly wealthy woman era.If you've ever felt the pull toward something bigger but couldn't shake the fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt, this episode is for you.In this episode, you'll discover:[06:32] How Jackie found EFT tapping during one of the darkest seasons of her life and how it transformed her[10:33] The moment she knew tapping could help others (her dying father got up and walked after one session)[12:58] How Jackie's dad manifested $250,000 in one hour and what it taught her about faith and receiving[16:39] What "parts of self" work is and why it leads to rapid transformation[19:05] A live tapping session to clear the fear of judgment (you can tap along!)[28:38] How to get back into your body if you're disconnected or dissociate often[30:13] The biggest breakthroughs Jackie has witnessed with tapping, including physical healing and manifestation storiesHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @thejackiemcdonald on InstagramJoin Jackie's FREE 4-Day "Learn to Tap" TrainingJoin the 21-Day Tapping Challenge for $21Learn about Tapping School (5-month certification program)Holiday Sales on Repeat WorkshopThe Jewelry Sales AcceleratorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What happens when success feels like a beautiful prison? Australian jewelry designer Scosha shares her raw journey of building a 20-year jewelry empire while navigating financial crashes, celebrity endorsements, cancer, divorce, and ultimately the healing that set her free. From accidentally starting her business with macrame learned in Brazil to working with brands like Ralph Lauren and getting Brad Pitt wearing her jewelry, Scosha's story isn't just about business growth but about choosing authenticity over approval.In this deeply personal conversation, Scosha reveals why her business actually grew during the 2008 crisis, how a breast cancer diagnosis became "the gift that changed everything," and why she left a 20-year marriage to dive into plant medicine healing. She discusses setting boundaries with family after decades of people-pleasing, her unique jewelry philosophy of making "the value of gold and string equal," and her new venture Shama Shama Productions focused on helping others transform through healing work.In this episode, you'll learn:[09:16] How Scosha's business actually grew during the 2008 financial crisis while others failed[35:33] The Brad Pitt endorsement that "blew up" her men's jewelry line[41:16] Breast cancer diagnosis: "the gift that changed my life"[44:46] Using Landmark Forum to get clarity on leaving her 20-year marriage[49:37] Setting boundaries: "I will no longer be the peacemaker"Here are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @scosha on InstagramScosha’s JewelryCreative Force of Nature Mastermind Retreat - October 6-8, 2025 at Scottsdale, AZThe Desire Brand Effect Jewelry Sales AcceleratorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Sue Bryce didn't sugarcoat anything in this raw, transformative conversation about what it really takes to build wealth as a creative entrepreneur. From scraping by on $400 a week as a talented photographer to selling her photography education business for eight figures, Sue shares the brutal truths most artists never hear about pricing, selling, and building a sustainable creative business.This episode tackles the biggest challenges creative entrepreneurs face: charging what you're worth, the difference between personal brand vs. business, why most creative business partnerships fail, and how to sell your art without selling your soul. Sue reveals her 7-year creative cycles, shares why she believes "creation is the opposite of competition," and delivers the hard truths about what separates struggling artists from wealthy ones.If you're ready to stop playing small with your creative work and start building real wealth from your art, this episode will shift everything you believe about money, value, and what's possible as an artist.In this episode, you'll discover:[04:51] The moment Sue realized she had to choose between staying broke or learning to monetize her art[05:41] Sue's alignment test - how to know if you truly believe in the value of what you're selling[11:21] Why most talented artists struggle to sell their work (and it's not what you think)[16:26] The difference between marketing and selling - and why artists confuse the two[20:29] Personal brand vs. business: Why Sue wishes she'd built her personal brand from day one[24:44] The partnership trap that almost killed Sue's creativity and why she'll never do it again[32:43] Sue's 7-year creative cycles and how recognizing them transformed her business decisions[35:00] The final advice that will change how you see your value as an artistHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Sue Bryce PhotographyFollow @suebrycephotographer on InstagramCreative Force of Nature Mastermind Retreat - October 6-8, 2025 at Scottsdale, AZAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What happens when a doctor tells you to "just sit on the couch and don't do anything" because you're so burned out you might break? That's exactly what happened to Aaron Wagner during his darkest days as a middle manager. Today, he's transformed that pain into purpose, building Lead from WithN - a coaching practice that's revolutionizing how we support the forgotten leaders stuck in the middle.In this raw and transformative conversation, Aaron shares his journey from corporate burnout to becoming the champion that 70% of unsupported middle managers desperately need. We dive deep into his three-pillar Middle Manager Success Framework (Lead Yourself, Lead Others, Lead with Impact), explore the Working Genius model that's changing how teams function, and discover why traditional leadership books fail the people who need them most. Plus, Aaron opens up about his experience in my Art of Reinvention program and how it helped him see patterns in his life he'd never noticed before.Listen now to discover the framework that's saving careers and transforming corporate America from the inside out.In this episode, you’ll learn:[03:29] Aaron's "stuck in the middle" origin story[07:04] The doctor visit that changed everything[08:27] The 90-day transformation period[11:41] The Middle Manager Success Framework explained[14:47] Breaking down the Working Genius Model[22:23] Aaron's Art of Reinvention experienceHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @lead.fromwithn on InstagramFree Reinvention Breakthrough CallJoin the Art of ReinventionAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Ever feel like you're a hundred ping pong balls bouncing around in a room? Kerri Jarrett gets it. This master-level stylist turned trichologist was drowning in her own multi-passionate chaos until she discovered how to weave everything together into something powerful. In this episode, Kerri shares her incredible journey from feeling scattered and depressed to becoming a pioneer in the hair loss industry.We dive deep into the fascinating world of trichology, the science behind hair loss that bridges the gap between cosmetology and dermatology. Kerri breaks down the four types of stress that cause hair loss (spoiler: it's not just what you think), how epigenetics plays a role in hair health, and why those expensive hair growth shampoos probably aren't working. Plus, she reveals how finding her authentic voice through The Art of Reinvention program helped her create a revolutionary platform that's connecting trichology experts worldwide.Ready to turn your scattered energy into strategic purpose? Listen now and discover how to embrace your multi-passionate nature instead of fighting it.In this episode, you’ll learn;[3:15] What trichology actually is and why it matters[6:19] The four types of stress that cause hair loss[9:10] Kerri's personal cancer story and epigenetics journey[15:49] How ADHD and dyslexia shaped her entrepreneurial path[19:21] The opportunities that started "snowballing" after finding clarity[27:15] Do hair loss shampoos actually work? (The honest answer)[30:23] Can men regrow hair? The surprising truthHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @kerrijarrett on InstagramThe Hair WireKerri Jarrett’s WebsiteFree Reinvention Breakthrough CallThe Art of Reinvention - my mastermind program for high-achieving womenAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple Podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the biggest thing blocking your success is the 5-inch gap between your ears?I had one of those conversations that leaves you staring at the wall afterward. Brain rewiring expert Mindi Huebner accidentally started rewiring my relationship with rest and productivity during what was supposed to be a casual catch-up call. She told me about a client who wanted seven figures but could only work 25 hours a week. One 15-minute session later, that limiting belief vanished and she hit a million dollars in three months.Mindi reveals why mindset and identity are completely different, her 24-karat identity framework, and how to spot when you're stuck in an identity box. You'll discover why rest breeds creativity, simple language swaps that rewire your brain, and how to replace "should have" thinking with future-focused language. If success feels heavy or you're working harder than you should for results, this conversation will shift what you see as possible.In this episode, you’ll learn:[2:08] The email that changed everything - Mindi's "rest is lazy" identity breakthrough[8:19] Why mindset and identity are different but connected[14:47] The 15-minute session that unlocked $1M in 3 months[25:16] How to identify when you're stuck in identity boxes[31:26] The 24-karat identity framework explained[39:10] Casting votes toward your future self through micro actions[43:21] Language pattern rewiring: swapping "but" for "and" and "should have" for "from now on"Here are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @mindihuebner on InstagramMindi Huebner's CEO Identity Quiz (DM Mindi "QUIZ" on Instagram)Mindi’s WebsiteFree Reinvention Breakthrough CallThe Art of Reinvention - my mastermind program for high-achieving womenAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple Podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook