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PODCAST

Wheel Talk

Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis

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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

88:04

#323 - When It’s Time to Scale Back (Or Walk Away):...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/10/04

Ryan and Becca dive into an honest conversation about knowing when it’s time to scale back, pivot, or even close a business. Becca opens up about her difficult decision to shut down her brick-and-mortar studio in 2020 after gaining clarity during the pandemic. This is Part One of the discussion — tune in next week for Part Two, where we go even deeper into navigating big business transitions. Maker of the Moment Stephanie King - @fireandformpotteryIsaac Gilmore - @isaacgilmoreSponsors L&L...

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66:09

#322 - Pot Swap 2025 is coming!!

Wheel Talk ·

2025/09/27

Ryan and Becca are back with a special episode all about #PotSwap2025—our 8th year hosting this global ceramics exchange! There are some exciting updates for this round, and we’re breaking everything down in today’s episode. Registration opens Saturday, October 11th at 12 PM EDT and costs $5. Spots are first come, first served with: 1,200 spots for USA/Canada200 spots for international participantsSet a reminder, because these fill up fast! We’ll also post a heads-up in our Instagram stories ...

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92:35

#321 - Finding Themes in Your Work & Overcoming...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/09/20

Ryan and Becca tackle a wide range of listener questions, from finding themes in your work to navigating self-doubt in the studio. They discuss building kilns big enough for oversized pots, the differences between the terms “potter” and “ceramicist,” and the pros and cons of front-loading vs. top-loading electric kilns. Along the way, they share insights about perfectionism, creative growth, and how to embrace the making process with more joy. Whether you’re troubleshooting technical challeng...

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95:43

#320 - How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

Wheel Talk ·

2025/09/13

Ryan & Becca kick things off by sharing their record-breaking show sales and a funny encounter with a stray kitten before diving into today’s main topic: legacy. They reflect on how we want to be remembered—both through our work and as individuals—and share insights inspired by a recent episode of the Design Discord Podcast. Resources Design Discord Podcast Maker of the Moment Andrea McCaffrey - @bigbarnpotterySarah German - @sarahgermanceramicsSponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln th...

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105:06

#319 - Boy in a China Shop with Taylor Swilley

Wheel Talk ·

2025/09/06

Ryan and Becca return with the sixth chapter of the podcast book club, exploring Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones. Joined by guest Taylor Swilley, they dive into the stories behind Keith’s journey as a potter and TV judge, reflecting on how his experiences with creativity, vulnerability, and perseverance resonate with their own paths in clay and business. Our next book club selection will be announced soon and released near the end of 2025. See all the book...

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80:44

#318 - Amazing Glaze: Food-Safe Recipes with Gabriel...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/08/30

In this episode of Wheel Talk, we chat with potter Gabriel Kline, director of Odyssey Clayworks in Asheville, and chemist Bill Collins, Ph.D., co-authors of Amazing Glaze Food-Safe Recipes. They share how art and science come together to create vibrant, functional, and food-safe ceramics. Whether you’re mixing your first glaze or expanding your library, this episode is full of insights to help you bring beauty and safety to your work. Resources Amazing Glaze Food-Safe Recipes: Innovative, Lab...

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132:00

#317 - A Big Studio Upgrade + How to Host a Pottery...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/08/23

Ryan kicks off the episode by sharing an exciting new addition to his studio! Later, he and Becca dive into a listener question about organizing pottery pop-ups at NCECA. Drawing from his experience running the Backyard Craft Show, Ryan offers practical advice on finding the right venue, recruiting artists, and building effective marketing strategies to make a pop-up successful. Resources The Pot Stars Pop-Up Our next book club selection is Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Ke...

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94:01

#316 - Decorating, Glazing & Sanding: Tools We Trust

Wheel Talk ·

2025/08/16

This week, Ryan & Becca are back with more of their favorite pottery tools—covering everything from decorating to glazing to sanding. Whether you’re setting up a home studio or just curious about what they reach for in theirs, you’re sure to pick up something new. Resources The full list of tools can be found on our website. Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Speedball Ceramics - Try the ne...

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94:53

#315 - From Clay Prep to Trimming: Tools We Love

Wheel Talk ·

2025/08/09

This week, Ryan & Becca share their favorite pottery tools—from clay prep to throwing to trimming. You’ll likely recognize a few of your own go-tos and maybe discover some new ones to try. Plus, they announce an exciting new sponsor joining the Wheel Talk family, perfectly matched to today’s topic. Resources The full list of tools can be found on our website. Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns....

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90:36

#314 - Making It Work When Sales Slow Down

Wheel Talk ·

2025/08/02

Ryan & Becca dig into a listener’s question about what to do when your big, higher-priced pieces stop selling—and you don’t want to pivot into teaching. We talk honestly about adapting to shifts in the buying market while staying true to your creative voice, making smaller or different work without feeling like you’re selling out, and share real strategies for makers who want to keep making and selling what they love, even when the market changes. Maker of the Moment Ashley Gaylord - @ash...

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142:22

#313 - Risking the Unknown: Growing Beyond What You...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/07/26

Ryan welcomes back Isaac Shue for an open conversation about taking risks and growing beyond what’s comfortable. They explore the leaps Isaac has made to expand his pottery business — from scaling production and diversifying sales channels to trusting new strategies without knowing exactly how they’ll turn out. Along the way, Isaac shares what he’s learned about balancing quality, customer connection, and work-life priorities while daring to dream bigger in clay. Listen to the end for a speci...

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122:09

#312 - Growing a Nonprofit Clay Community with Trevor...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/07/19

Ryan & Becca welcome back Trevor Daugherty to dive into the story of the Northern Indiana Clay Alliance — from its founding vision and organizational structure to the events it organizes, including the renowned Michiana Pottery Tour. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a nonprofit, strategies for funding, and the Alliance’s commitment to supporting emerging artists through scholarships and exposure. The conversation also explores shifts in individual pottery practices...

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155:23

#311 - Creativity vs. Exhaustion: Managing Burnout as...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/07/12

Ryan & Becca discuss the realities of balancing work and life as artists, sharing thoughts on preventing burnout and navigating career transitions. They also highlight the importance of self-care, building support systems, and offer strategies for coping with art show rejections. Maker of the Moment Tara Underwood - @tara.underwoodTanya Everard - @tanyaeverardListener Questions On this episode: How do you handle not getting accepted into markets? I recently got rejected from 5 events and ...

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94:48

#310 - Finding What Works (for Us) on Social Media

Wheel Talk ·

2025/07/05

As Wheel Talk approaches its 6-year anniversary, Ryan and Becca reflect on the podcast’s growth and the incredible community that’s formed around it. Ryan shares highlights from his recent anniversary trip to Hawaii, and the conversation shifts to social media—what's working, what's not, and how they're each approaching content creation and engagement. They break down their current posting strategies, including the continued success of Ryan’s Mug Monday series. Plus, they welcome a brand-new ...

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100:42

#309 - Wages, Worth, and Working for Yourself

Wheel Talk ·

2025/06/28

Ryan & Becca explore the realities of small business finances—from paying livable wages and employee compensation to navigating the shift from salaried work to self-employment. This episode follows a slightly different format, and we hope you enjoy the conversation. Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpod...

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93:16

#308 - Converting Followers Into Buyers

Wheel Talk ·

2025/06/21

Ryan and Becca kick off with a recap of Ryan’s recent Nashville workshop. The episode then centers on a listener question about converting social media engagement into actual sales—especially when platform limitations make linking to your shop tricky. They share practical tips for navigating those challenges, Becca’s van upgrades, and marketing strategies. Maker of the Moment Jessica Guerrero - @pottedbyjessRonan Kyle Peterson - @caterboyListener Questions On this episode: How does Instagram,...

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135:39

#307 - Building a Soda Kiln: Materials, Costs, and...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/06/14

In this episode, Ryan shares his recent visit to Isaac Shue's gallery opening in Kansas and offers practical advice on building and maintaining a soda kiln—including materials, costs, and construction tips. He also discusses upcoming pottery workshops, sourcing studio equipment, and the value of sharing knowledge within the ceramics community. Resources Sign up for Ryan's soda workshop Maker of the Moment Maddie Sawatzky - @maddiemadepotteryBecky - @hawthorn_ceramicsListener Questions On this...

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125:22

#306 - New Job, New Chapter: Navigating Change with...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/06/07

In this episode, Becca opens up about her recent transition into a new job and the mental health challenges that came with it. She shares her experience stepping away from pottery and social media, reflecting on how that break impacted her creativity, identity, and personal relationships. Ryan joins the conversation with thoughtful questions about Becca’s evolving work life, her approach to personal growth, and the strategies she’s using to support her mental and physical well-being. We're gr...

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143:14

#305 - Art & Fear with Taylor Swilley

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/31

Ryan and Becca return for the fifth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they unpack key takeaways and reflect on how the book’s themes resonate with their own creative practices and businesses. Our next book club selection is Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones with plans to release the episode in July or August. ...

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109:38

#304 - How Much Is Too Much to Pay for a Booth?

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/24

In this episode, Ryan and Becca dive into the nitty-gritty of participating in art shows—from understanding different fee structures to handling logistics and boosting your profits. They break down common models, including flat booth fees, low table fees with commissions, and hybrid setups. Plus, stick around for a listener question about surviving rainy art shows and drying out your work and display afterwards. Maker of the Moment Meredith Bradley - @cityinbloomceramicsRachel DePauw - @depau...

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327 results

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