In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I sit down for one of our classic wide-ranging conversations. It starts, as many things do lately, with sourdough bread and quickly expands into what we’ve been watching, reading, building, and re-shaping in our life and business.

Stephanie shares what she’s been learning through her deep dive into sourdough. Not just the mechanics, but the frustration of conflicting advice, the patience required, and the realization that there is no single “perfect” method. I reflect on how much that mirrors so many creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. You eventually figure out what works for you, but not without experimentation.

From there, we talk about our recent obsession with murder mysteries. Netflix has been fueling that habit, from Agatha Christie-inspired stories to multiple Harlan Coben adaptations. We share which shows we loved, which ones felt too dark, and why certain stories pull us in while others leave us feeling drained.

We also talk about momentum. Stephanie’s decision to move her podcast from bi-weekly to weekly. The return of my Next Level Mastermind. The re-commitment to Podcast Answer Man. And the quiet but meaningful shifts happening behind the scenes that signal clarity, confidence, and forward motion.

Along the way, we share family moments, health choices, reading habits, and a few very human stories that remind us how much life is actually happening in between the “big” things.

As always, this is an honest snapshot of where we are right now. The experiments. The rhythms. The joy. And the intentional choices that shape the life and business we’re building together.

• Stephanie’s sourdough journey and the reality of learning through trial and error
• Why “foolproof” online advice often leaves out the middle steps
• How sourdough mirrors creativity, business, and personal growth
• Our recent run of murder mysteries and why we keep coming back to the genre
• Agatha Christie-inspired series and the appeal of classic whodunits
• Netflix shows based on Harlan Coben novels and which ones stood out
• Why some stories feel intriguing while others feel emotionally heavy
• Stephanie’s decision to commit to recording her podcast weekly
• How reading and everyday observations naturally create podcast topics
• The importance of having a reason to notice meaningful ideas
• Spending time with our adult kids and how those relationships have evolved
• A lunch mishap involving two Wings and Rings locations in different states
• Valentine’s Day plans, sourdough treats, and local finds
• Stephanie’s decision to eliminate Coke Zero at home for health reasons
• Blood pressure, caffeine awareness, and long-term lifestyle changes
• The return of the Next Level Mastermind and what that means for our business
• My renewed focus on weekly podcasting and relationship-driven work
• Falling back in love with reading and distraction-free e-ink devices
• Why weekends off feel different when you’re finally caught up
• The sense that momentum has truly shifted in this season of life

Until next time, we encourage you to live your life on purpose.