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.

In this episode, Stephanie and I sit down to catch up after a few days that took us in different directions physically, emotionally, and relationally. We talk about travel, family, friendships, personal goals, and the quiet moments that shape a shared. From baby showers and long drives to PodFest, legacy conversations, and unexpected affirmation, this episode is a reflection on how separate experiences can still deepen the life and business we are building together.

Topics covered in this episode

• Stephanie’s trip to Tennessee for a baby shower and meaningful time with a lifelong friend
• Family time over the holidays and why protecting certain traditions still matters
• Stephanie’s reading goals for the year and creating space for personal joy
• Learning sourdough and embracing the patience required to grow something slowly
• Cliff’s return to PodFest and reconnecting with people who were a deep part of his early journey
• Conversations that stirred emotion, memory, and a sense of coming home
• Honoring legacy, relationships, and the impact that continues beyond visibility
• The experience of being seen in unexpected ways and what that unlocked internally
• How parallel journeys can still move a shared life forward together

This episode marks a milestone I never imagined when I first sat down in front of a microphone twenty years ago.

Stephanie and I reflect on how podcasting began as a simple experiment in December 2005. At the time, it felt like just another hobby. I had plenty of those back then. Most of them burned hot for a season and quietly faded away. Podcasting was different. Neither of us knew it at the time, but it would become the one hobby that never died.

We talk openly about those early days, including Stephanie’s hesitation to join me behind the microphone and the very real discomfort she felt at first. What started as her saying yes out of love and faith eventually turned into a shared rhythm that shaped our marriage, our family, and our work for decades.

This conversation is also about growth. Personal growth. Emotional growth. The kind that only happens when you put your voice into the world and allow it to become a mirror. I share how podcasting revealed blind spots, challenged my people-pleasing tendencies, and stretched me in ways I could not have predicted. There were moments I wanted to quit. There was even a goodbye episode that almost became the end. It didn’t.

Stephanie and I also talk about how life looks different now. Our kids are grown. The mental load of parenting has shifted. Our priorities are clearer. There is more peace, more awareness, and more intention behind how we use our time and energy.

We reflect on why stepping away from Podcast Answer Man years ago was necessary. Leaving made room for growth that could not have happened otherwise. And now, looking back with clarity, we can see why returning makes sense in a way it never could have before.

This episode is about honoring the journey. About recognizing that sometimes you have to walk away to become who you need to be. And about noticing the rare thing that keeps calling you back out of alignment.

Twenty years later, we are still here. Still talking. Still creating. Still grateful.

And that says something worth paying attention to.

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